You wake up covered in bitches. Must have forgotten to turn off your queenly swag.. . Oh, wait, wrong quest.

You wake up with a start as the sun peeks into your eyes. Kaliel is curled into your side, pigtails sticking out of the sides of her head- after braiding her enormously long hair, you decided the look didn't suit her, and together you and Raziel chopped it off. After that, you spoke some more, before you checked in with Marigold and went to bed. Raziel is curled into your other side- strange, how they both sleep on their sides.
Strangely, during your dream, you didn't sense anything out of the ordinary- especially not that strange, cloaked woman. You sit up, and a cold morning breeze runs across your skin. You quickly get your armor on, sheathing Rikar on your hip, and examine your destination.

The mountain. . is large. Even here, though you haven't arrived yet, you can see it in the distance- it reaches almost up to your cruising height, and water streams down from the peak, soaking into the jungle that surrounds it. You see something massive leap out of the underbrush, and wings spread- a sgragol, you assume. It swoops around the far side of the mountain, setting down in a spot that there are no trees, and starts sunbathing in the morning light.

Look around. Is anyone else awake yet?

Make sure the queenly swag is secured in the off position, then gently wake them up.

>>20519702
Make some tea for the sleeping beauties.

>>20519702
>during your dream, you didn't sense anything out of the ordinary- especially not that strange, cloaked woman
She's such a fucking troll. "This is very important: I'm going to tell you this stuff it took me ages to figure out, you listening? Ok, well- oh, you're waking up. Bye then. I won't even try to finish my sentence or contact you again the next time you go to sleep. Have fun." Make a note to hunt her down later.

Use the whistle to summon the fluffy guide.

You look around, and you don't think anyone's awake quite yet- you hear some rustling downstairs, and the low voices of Skerghaul and Belethor, but nobody else seems to be up quite yet. You quickly brew up some tea, waiting for everyone else to awaken. Grayson climbs abovedeck, rubbing at his eyes. He harrumphed, and eyed the small pile of blankets that you were just residing in. "Looks like you had a good night."

>>20519775
"Yeah, it was fun."
Back to obliviousness again.

>>20519775
Harrumph back at him.
"Yes, it was quite a bit of fun."

>>20519775
"Are you insinuating something Grayson?"

>>20519775
"Any clue what the prince and the blind man where discussing all night?"

>>20519795
Dense as blast doors. Let's not say that.

> "Looks like you had a good night."

*Think about Kalies confession and the fact that you just spent the night curled up with her and her sister.*

*Turn so red you could be used as a light source.*

You harrumph back at him, and he grins, taking a seat. His boots clunk loudly, and Raziel stirs.
"Are you insinuating something, Grayson?" You ask, going slightly red.
He opened his eyes a fraction more. "Being sincere."
"Oh, then yes, it was quite a bit of fun." You say.
"Of course it was." He said.
"Any clue what the prince and the blind man were discussing all night?"
"Playing some game. Forget the name. Prince kept winning." Grayson said.

>>20519805
>>20519792
Changing my vote. Clueless Ishelda is fun Ishelda

>>20519827
So did you enjoy sleeping in my bed?

>>20519827
"So, was my bed satisfactory?"

>>20519852
this
>Hooray blindly stumbling into double entendres!

"So, was my bed satisfactory?" You ask.
"It was a bed." He said. "Better than the ground. Thank you."
Ezekiel climbed out from below deck, as your soulfire serpent curls around the water jug, heating it for tea.
"Morning." He said, looking out to the mountain. "Damn, that's big. Think we'll be able to find this 'secret bastion' with all of the jungle in the way?"

>>20519892
"According to Triune, we just have to go to the top and use the key. I assume that means there's a door up there."

>>20519892
>"It was a bed." He said. "Better than the ground. Thank you."
"I know, nothing comes close to you, Grayson. Unless I could convince Dariel to hand me his feathers, once he's moulted."

> 'secret bastion'
"Perhaps the sgragol whose whistle was give to me knows? I should probably try calling for it once everybody is awake."

>>20519892
Well he said the top, so that's fairly easy. And I have a guide I can summon.

"Good morning. I think we should be able to manage.
When Skerghaul joins us he should be able to tell us what we're looking for.

Mages tower cloaked by magic.... Underground complex deep within the mountain... ect

Once we have an idea we'll know where to start looking"

>>20519938
But Skergy doesn't know anything about it, he was surprised when we told him it exists.

"I know, nothing comes close to you, Grayson. Unless I could convince Dariel to hand me his feathers, once he's moulted."
"That's. . rather creepy." Ezekiel said, scratching the back of his head. "Like. . very, very creepy, actually."
Grayson grinned at him.

"Perhaps the sgragol whose whistle was given to me knows? I should probably try calling for it once everybody is awake."
"We're awake." Ell said, as the Sparrow slid near the Jormungandr, into speaking distance. He and Kiyara's eyes met, and the two of them leapt from one ship to the other, and then the sparrow went back off into the distance.
Raziel mumbled something, and Kaliel mumbled something back to her. There was a pause, and then Raziel sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

>>20519956
"Good morning! We're just coming up on the mountain now."

>>20519956
"Oh, okay. I will never mention it again, then."
Well, time to hand both Kal and Raz a cup of tea.
"Good morning, I hope you slept well?"

>"That's. . rather creepy." Ezekiel said, scratching the back of his head. "Like. . very, very creepy, actually."

"Do not judge me for my love of fluffiness."

*Mock pout.*

>>20519956
Beds are made out of feathers, Zeke, and kalak chick feathers are the best there are. Why just let them go to waste?

>>20519956
>"That's. . rather creepy." Ezekiel said, scratching the back of his head. "Like. . very, very creepy, actually."
"Well... maybe not, then."

>>20519956
"But... but... fluffly is not creepy!"

"Good morning!" You say, infectiously cheery. "We're just coming up on the mountain now."
"Then I'd best wake Kali up." Raziel said, looking down at her. "It normally isn't easy. . "

"Do not judge me for my love of fluffiness." You tell Zeke, pouting. "Beds are made out of feathers, Zeke, and kalak chick feathers are the best there are. Why just let them go to waste?"
"That's. . actually a good point." He said. "But it's up to Dariel."

Raziel knelt down, and started shaking Kaliel. The girl mumbled something, but didn't wake up. So Raz shook harder. . and then sighed, and shrugged.

>>20520013
You know what would wake her up? Going over and snogging her.

>>20520013
"Should I help, Raz?"

If yes: Give Kaliel a shake, and whisper in her ear, "Kaalii, time to get uuUpp."

Time for Kali to learn the joy of having human ears.

*Wake her up with a wet willie.*

"Good morning Kali."

*Greet her all sweetness and smiles.*

>>20520013
"I guess we can let her sleep in a bit longer."

"Should I help, Raz?" You ask. You kneel down, give Kaliel a shake. "Kali~, time to get uuup~"
She doesn't respond. . so you suck on your finger a moment and stick it in her ear.
Kaliel sits up very suddenly, with a low squeal.
"Good morning." You say, giving her a brilliant smile.
She grumbles something unintelligible, and rubs at her eyes.
Leon climbed out, already fully armored and prepared- he seemed completely awake.

>>20520120
Pat Kaliel's head.
"I'm sorry, but it's time to wake up. Adventure awaits!"
"Morning Leon, care for some tea?"

>>20520142
this

>>20520142
You must mean ruffle her hair.

>>20520162
Same basic difference, innit?

>>20520162
No. I don't want us to ruin her new haircut.

You ruffle her hair.
"I'm sorry, but it's time to wake up. Adventure awaits!"
"You're not sorry." She grumbled.
You turn to leon. "Morning, Leon, care for some tea?"
"Certainly." He said, and took his own seat. Kaliel wore her blanket as she sat down. Soon enough, Kristoph, Belethor, and Skerghaul made their own ways up, Belethor casually reminding the seer to bend his head down, so that he didn't bang his head.
"Morning, Ishelda." Belethor said.
"This young man keeps breaking prophecy." Sker grumbled, obviously unhappy.

>>20520209
Why not? That means we get to fix it again.

>>20520213
"I think all of us try to do our best in that regard."
And whisper this to Kaliel.
"I surely wouldn't have minded to stay there a few more hours, believe me. Just ask Marigold or your sister."

"Breaking prophecy? What do you mean?"

>>20520213
"Does he? How fascinating."

"I surely wouldn't have minded to stay there a few more hours, believe me." You whisper. "Just ask Marigold or your sister."
From the look in her eyes, and the grin. . she completely misunderstood what you said. You turn to Sker.
"Does he? How fascinating."
"He taught me a game." Skerghaul said. "It's called chess. So we started playing it, and I got a vision about where he would move his play pieces. And then he moved them somewhere different. And I don't understand *how*."
"It's a. . certain state of mind. Decide to do one thing, and then force yourself to decide to do another." Belethor said. "It's not easy, but I thought I'd toy with his visions to figure out how they worked. It'd be impossible in the real world, but with chess it's simple enough."

>>20520301
Let's be a little less dense than usual.
"Kali, I think you misunderstood what I tried to tell you."

rolled 54 = 54

>>20520301
Oooh let's try it.
"Oooh, can I try? Can you dodge this?"
Try and poke him in the forehead, but really poke him in the guts

How to find this hidden magic stronghold:
1. Ask Skerghaul about the other stronghold. Give us an idea what we're looking for. Do they build great towers, simple monasteries, underground keeps?

2. Try the whistle, maybe the fluffy wryven can guide us.

3. The key, try and divine something with it. Maybe the seer can get a reading off it.

4. Use Kris to search. There's a good chance this place will have some kind of magical cloak. The anti-magic guy would be perfect for the job.

>>20520301
You seem to enjoy figuring our how things work.

rolled 49 = 49

>>20520336
With a roll like that?
Psh, let daddy discord do that shit kid.

rolled 5 = 5

>>20520355
fuck this I quit

>>20520344
Or we could just follow the fucking directions Triune gave us and speak our name on the peak while carrying the key.

>>20520376
Didn't he say if we use the key and speak our name they'd let us in? We still have to find it first.

Or am I remembering it wrong?

Exabyte, if I'm right, that's my suggestion. If I'm wrong then disregard my retardation.

"Kali, I think you misunderstood what I tried to tell you." You tell her, and she pouts. You turn to Belethor. "You seem to enjoy figuring out how things work." You say.
"I do." He admitted, and shrugged. "Years ago, I thought I'd be a good wizard, but I couldn't manipulate my inner magic or whatever the magus said."

As all of you drank tea and woke up, Jormungandr slowly approached the mountain.

Suddenly, the entire ship shuddered, and a humongous, furry head, almost perfectly round, stared up at you, four eyes pointing toward you, and two eyes sticking off of the side of it's head. Two winged claws reached up on either side, clinging onto the edge of the ship, folded so that the membranes stuck away from the claws.
Skerghaul got up and patted the humongous beast's head. It nuzzled him, in response.
"I think this one's wild." He said, and started scratching its chin.

>>20520434
"Maybe it's the one Triune was talking about."
Take out the whistle and see if it responds.
If it doesn't then blow the whistle.

>>20520434
Pouting Kaliel is adorable. Ruffle her hair some more, and then take a closer look at the sgragol.

>>20520434
We must test its fluffiness.

It's fluffy. WE MUST HUG IT!

Also, the the whistle.

>>20520498
/try/ the whistle.

>>20520434
Who are we kidding, she wasn't misunderstanding at all.

"Maybe it's the one Triune was talking about." You say, and ruffle kaliel's hair again. You walk closer to the sgragol, and give it a hug- the beast's head is much too large for you to even hug most of it, but it's incredibly warm, and fluffy.

You pull out the whistle, and give it a small blow. The whistle screeches. . but nothing happens. The spell doesn't seem to activate. The sgragol reaches out, with a long, massive tongue, and licks Sker, to the point of bowling him over. The ogre pushed himself back up, and grabbed the bag of oats, tossing it to the sgragol. Happily, it started munching away.

"This one doesn't have a name, and it wasn't trained." Sker said. "It's wild, but it's just being friendly.

Raziel started petting him, and the sgragol half-closed his eyes, basking in the attention.

>>20520532
Oh no, could Triune's sgargol be dead? Try again. Nothing this fluffy should ever perish.

>>20520532
"It's adorable! If they're this friendly, I can't imagine it's hard to tame them at all."

"It's adorable!" You say. "If they're this friendly, I can't imagine it's hard to tame them at all."

Kaliel opened her eyes again, fighting against the force that's determined to keep them shut, and examined the Sgragol. Carefully, she picked up her glass necklace, and started examining it.

"They're not hard to tame." He said. "They're hard to train, though. They mean well. . but they're not that clever."

A long, massive pink tongue suddenly licks Raziel, knocking her back.
"I think it's, uh, trying to show affection." Sker said, chuckling.

Warily, Leon took a few steps toward it, and patted it on the head. It started rubbing it's cheek against him.

"Can they be ridden?"

"Can they be ridden?"
"They can. We can only normally ride the largest ones, but I'm sure your people can ride the smaller ones." Sker said. You give it another hug. . and you see the giant creature's eye lock onto the whistle.

Promptly, it recoiled, screeching away from the ship, swooping downward and into the underbrush again. The Jormungandr approaches a large cliff near the peak of the mountain, with a large cave going into the mountain itself. You catch glimpses of ogrish runes on the inside of the cave, but they fade into stone before you can read them.
"I. . have a feeling." Skerghaul said. "That here's where we're supposed to be."

>>20520681
>The whistle was meant to summon fluffy
>Instead it drove the fluffy away
TRIUUUUUNE! Wear the whistle under our clothes so that doesn't happen again. We will get a pet one before we leave, no matter what.

Land in the cave, get the key out, and say "Ishelda" I guess.

>>20520681
"Probably. I don't think there's any danger, but I want everyone ready, just in case."

You put the whistle on a chain, and wear it under your armored petticoat.
"Probably." You say. "I don't think there's any danger, but I want everyone ready, just in case.
Kaliel nodded. . and her body twisted, subtly, and you see strange, alien muscles flex inside of her body- it's disquieting. Jeanne cracked her fingers, and Kristoph took his blade in hand. Grayson shrugged, and harrumphed.

"Should I suit up?" Ell asked Kiyara.
"Probably not. We'll need to leave some people behind to keep an eye on the ships." She responded.
"Who do you want to come with?" Raziel asked, staff in hand- you don't know where she'd pulled it from.

>>20520783
"hmm... Whoever wants to come I suppose. The soldiers can handle whatever might happen here."

>>20520832
Fairly solid choice.
We have a LOT of magic users so this place might be interesting to any of them.
Grayson, Kristoph and Sker are a must though.

>>20520783
Raziel, Zeke, Leon, Kaliel, Belethor, a few soldiers just in case. We'd bring Kris, but his talent might be problematic.

>>20520783
Dealing with mages = bring Kristoph
Dealing with ogres = bring seer dude
Being Ishelda = bring Grayson
Prince dude's perceptiveness might be handy
Zeke probably isn't ready to fight again yet, and Fellwind can't fight.
Ask who wants to come, if there are two or three not on that list who don't then they can guard, otherwise we'll have to pick people for guard duty I guess. Gonna go with Raziel and Leon if it comes to that.

>>20520869
And Grayson of course, but that should be a given.

>>20520869
His talent won't be problematic, he can control it.

>>20520885
Good point, along he comes, then.

"Hmm. . whoever wants to come, I suppose. The soldiers can handle whatever might happen here."
"Fair enough." Raziel said. "I'll come."
"I'm. . going to stay." Kaliel said. "I'm not the best in combat in case something goes wrong. And I do have the living armor to work on."
"I'm curious, so I might as well come." Belethor said.
Grayson harrumphed.
"I am your knight, after all." Kristoph said.
"You have my sword." Leon said.
"I'm sick of spending time on the ship." Ell said. "Kiyara, let's set up the suit."
She nodded, and slipped on her gauntlet. She touched the stationary golem with it, and it slipped open, orichalum and silver plates sliding aside. Ell climbed inside of it, and it started shutting. With her gauntlet, Kiyara welded it shut, and the entire suit started churning, and then hissed, as steam shot out of the back of the suit. Two alternating pistons start pumping, and the massive suit suddenly takes a step forward. Ell slips his helmet on, and takes another step.
Sker raised an eyebrow at the golem armor. "Let's go then, shall we?"

You, Raziel, Belethor, Grayson, Kristoph, Leon, and Ell make your way down. Not wanting to risk the gangplank, Ell activated some sort of spellcrystal, and glided toward the ground, his feet sparking.

The cave. . is gone. It's simply a smooth, rock cliff face. Kristoph looked to everyone. "Well, that's strange." He said, and put his hand on the cliff face. It went through.
"Magic illusory wall. . . And nobody was surprised." One of the soldiers on the airship said. Nobody paid him any attention.

>>20520947
Walk through cautiously.

Cautiously, you walk toward the cliff face-
And bang your nose against it. It hurts.
Sker made his way down the gangplank, and put his hand on it. "This feels entirely solid."
"It's not." Kristoph said, poking his head into the stone. "It's not even here. I can see it from the outside, but the inside is all dark, with glowing ogrish runes. Looks like some kind of spell. I could try to kill it. . but that would be mean to the nice wizards who set this up."

Time for the key.

>>20520988
time to use the key then

Kris should take point in case of more illusions and stuff.

Try to look non threatening, no weapons drawn or anything, we're not here to pick a fight so should try not to spook them.

Keep going until we find a door or something then try the key.

>>20520988
Can he project his antimagic to make a hole we could all walk through?
Or we could just use the key and stuff but that's boring.

>>20521011
I need to write my posts faster.

Try the key.

Kris should take point in case of more illusions and stuff.

Try to look non threatening, no weapons drawn or anything, we're not here to pick a fight so should try not to spook them.

Use the key.

You look along the cliff face, and you can't see any other way in. . so you pull out the key. With it in hand, you speak your name.
"I am Ishelda, Jewel of Arcturus, and Queen of New Arcturus." You say. The cliff face trembles. . and then Kristoph tugs his head out, quickly, and took a few steps back. . and then the cliff face completely vanished, revealing the interior of the cave. You still don't sense any magic from the key, despite whatever it just did.
"Seems they were waiting for you." Raziel said, dryly. "This place. . seems ancient. It has that. . feeling."
"Kris, take point in case of more illusions and spells." You say. "No weapons drawn."
"Yes, my lady." He said. He sheathed his blade, and the group started to walk in. The tunnel is dark, but you see glimmering, ogrish runes near the ceiling. each one only says 'light', and that's exactly what it's casting- enough light for you to see. It starts sharply turning downward, and the runes start getting more and more sparse as you go on.
"I am. . entirely blind." Skerghaul said- he sounded rather uncomfortable. "Ever since we entered this. . place. My divination is blocked, it seems."
"I'll lead you." Belethor said, and took his hand.
"Thank you, your highness." He said.

>>20521110
Keep going.

The group slowly makes it's way down the tunnel, and finally you reach two grand double-doors, made out of wood. There's a massive padlock holding it shut, with a keyhole many sizes larger than your small bronze key.
"Wait." Ell said. "The entire thing is glowing with magic. I can't tell what kind."

He took a few steps closer, and slipped off his helmet, squinting at it. "It's just a barrier, and it looks. . .designed to be dropped. The padlock, though, has a powerful evocation spell in it. I don't think we should mess with that."

>>20521110
Hey, we could see through the kobold's ring, right? So we could enchant him something to give him his sight back. We probably should have done that on the journey.

>>20521156
try using the key the same way again

>>20521156
Wave the key around, see if anything reacts. If not then touch the door with the key.

>>20521156
Knock on the door.

>>20521168
And if that doesn't work, knock.

You wave the key around. . and nothing happens.
"Nothing." Ell said. "The key isn't even magical."
You touch it with the door. . and the door trembles as the key hits the barrier.
"Still nothing."

So you knock.

The padlock. . clicks open, and the doors spread wide.

Four ogres stood on the other side, staring at all of you. The rear ogres held flaming evocation spells, and one had a maul on his shoulder.
"And who," the fourth ogre- one with two eyes and a crownful of horns- said. "Are you?"

>>20521214
"I am Queen Ishelda of New Arcturus. Triune sent us here."

>>20521214
Look confused.
"I just said, at the entrance. Then you got rid of the illusionary cliff for me."

"I just said, at the entrance." You say. "Then you got rid of the illusionary cliff for me."
The ogres met eyes, and then the speaking ogre turned to the one with the maul.
"Streghlock, go check the entrance." He said, and the mauled ogre tromped past you. "None of you move. You're mostly all mankind. . and men are what brought this. . onslaught to us. I repeat. Who are you."

>>20521279
this
>>20521232

>>20521279
"Queen Ishelda. See, I have the key."
Hold the key in front of their faces.

>>20521279
"Queen Ishelda of New Arcturus, and this is my retinue. I'm here to see about closing the portal letting the minotaur in, and was told you could help."

>>20521279
that
>>20521290

"I am Queen Ishelda of New Arcturus." You say. "Triune sent us here."
"Meddling seers." One of the ogres spat, and the spell in his palm blazed brighter with energy.

Streghlock returned. "It was opened." He said, in ogrish.
"Forced open?" The crowned ogre responded in the same tongue.
"No. It was enchanted to open on a specific contingency. One that was tripped."
". . Meddling seers." The crowned ogre said, and sighed. "Spells down. Come."
The two ogres in the rear killed their spells, and the four of them led you into a large, circular room, with a large table, covered with food. A dozen chairs sat next to them, much too large to be comfortable.
"Sit. The chairs will be too large for all of you- except the spell armored and the. . seer." The head magus said, taking his own seat. "I. . apologize for being so impolite. My name is Ghidluk." He said.

>>20521347
Introduce everyone.
"So you weren't expecting me? He said 'speak your name and the mages will let you in', but it seems that wasn't what happened."

"So you weren't expecting me?" You ask, after giving a round of introductions. "He said 'speak your name, and the mages will let you in', but it seems that wasn't what happened."
"You did speak your name." Ghidluk said. "And we did let you in. Seers are tricky, and forget how people work, sometimes. I suppose you're here to talk about the portal, and the minotaurs who tore their way in. Or are you here to speak about something else?"

>>20521461
"The portal, yes. We'd like to close it, and the seer told me to seek you out for help."

>>20521461
"Mostly the portal. We're looking to close it off."

>>20521461
Yes, we're here about the big bad bovines.

"The portal, yes." You say. "We'd like to close it, and the seer told me to seek you out for help."
The ogre magus tapped his fingers for a moment, and then glanced to one of the other ogres. The ogre nodded.
"What do you have to gain from this? We are not your people, and you have no reason to travel all this way simply to protect a people you don't know. What are you gaining from assisting us?" He asked.

>>20521521
"It's in my interest to stabilize the world, and I have no reason to believe that the minotaurs will stop after they wipe out the ogres."

>>20521521
It's what I do.

Some kobalds on my land said their bretheren were having trouble on this continent.

>>20521521
You want a selfish reason? Well my kobolds came here and as da boss I have to protect them. And it is good to get out and adventuring again. And this stuff might be related to the assassin that was sent after me.
But mainly I just like helping people. I already finished off the demon portal on the other continent, so these invaders are next.

rolled 55 = 55

>>20521595
We didn't finish it off.
We helped in finishing it off.
Don't take credit, especially when it isn't due.

>>20521614
I'd like to say we closed the portal, just as i'd like to say we killed Azariel. If it weren't for us, those things wouldn't have happened.

>>20521614
It kind of is due. We instigated the whole thing, provided a sacrifice and convinced him to do the ritual, it wouldn't have happened without us. But you're right, we've been giving credit to Azariel because he died.

>>20521614
Very much seconded.

"It's in my interest to stabilize the world, and I have no reason to believe that the minotaurs will stop after they wipe out the ogres."
"Truth." The ogre to your rear said, in ogrish. You only hardly hear him murmur it.
"Why?" He asked.
"You want a selfish reason? Well, my kobolds came here and as 'da boss' I have to protect them. And it is good to get out and adventuring again. And this stuff might be related to the assassin that was sent after me." You say. "But mainly I just like helping people. I already helped finish off the demon portal on the other continent, so these invaders are next."
"T-truth." The other ogre said.
Ghidluk sighed. "Good enough. You can stop, Vlajhas."
The ogre nodded.
"We'll tell you what we know. Several months ago, a traveler arrived in Ghuzhradesh. She was a man, like most of you, and claimed she was far from the east. She gave us the name of Dras'lea- a draconic name- and she carried a cloak and blade." He said, slowly. You suddenly recall that night. . "And then she asked to see Triune's grave. We showed it to her, as our custom is to be polite to visitors. She destroyed it, and burned the body to ash with a spell. Before we could respond, she tore. . things, out of the air. Things that drained at us. The four of us were the only one to escape. . and then she opened the portal. as we retreated. The portal, and the minotaurs, are in the city of Ghuzhradesh."

>>20521689
What did she look like!? What sort of blade?!

>>20521689
"What did the blade look like?"
If we have the knife they tried to kill us with show them it. "Did it look anything like this?"

>>20521689
...didn't Triune see that coming?

Do you know what Dras'lea means?

"What did she look like?! What sort of blade?!" You ask, standing.
"We never saw her face- the cloak covered all but her chin. She said there was a reason for this, and one of the cloak's many abilities." He said. "And the blade. . it was a long sword. Double edged, perfectly straight, and with a long hilt. Bright golden. .and it was powerful. More masterfully crafted than any being alive could have made. Perhaps the dragons could have. . but that's not certain. Perhaps it was made by some species even older."

You slide the goldsteel dagger across the table. "Did it look anything like this?" You ask. He picked it up, and examined it. . and slid it back.
"No, not at all. That weapon is crude, and made of a different material." He said. You slip it back into your inventory, and sit.
"Didn't Triune see that coming?"
"If he did, he didn't record it in our libraries." He said.
"Do you know what Dras'lea means?" You ask.
"We researched it, after she attacked." He said. "It means. . "
"Something that shouldn't be." Raziel murmured. "That's what it means, literally. Like. . in the context of breaking a law. Or laws."
"Indeed." The ogre magus said.

>>20521780
"That sword... I know of a sword like that... But I don't know how she would have gotten hold of it."

>>20521780
fuck fuck fuck.

Well at least we know who's responsible.

"Well this is disturbing news. I will have to sort the minotaur problem out quickly, and head to the other continent immediately afterwards. She seems to have set this up almost specifically to get me over here."

>>20521780
>Says it's big and golden
>Still ask if it was like our shitty little dagger
What are you doing, Ishelda?

"I saw that woman in a dream, a couple of nights ago. She was talking about the gearworks. Do you know anything about that?"

>The shitty little dagger was also golden.

"That sword... I know of a sword like that... But I don't know how she would have gotten hold of it." You say. It was. . It was your father's sword. And from the ritual you did to find out about your mother. . you know the sword came from her.
"I saw that woman in a dream, a couple of nights ago." You say. "She was talking about the gearworks. Do you know anything about that?"
"The gearworks, the gearworks. . It's familiar." The magus said.
"The library in Sharniguk had a prophecy about it, I believe." One of the other ogres said. "Something about. . ticking. Not one of Triune's prophecies, though. One of the blind ones."
"Sharniguk is lost, though." The magus said. "It's likely the library was burned, or destroyed."

>>20521879
map pls.

"Well we will have to head there next. Where was Triune's grave?"

>>20521879
>The shitty little dagger was also golden.
Yeah, but it was shitty, and a dagger, and not bright and gleaming. Come on, we recognised the sword and wielder they were describing right away, we knew it wasn't anything like the dagger.

"Do you have any ideas how we could close the portal?"

File: 1346276969840.png-(110 KB, 520x520, Ogre Lands.png)

"Well we will have to head there next. Where was Triune's grave?"
"Triune's grave- and the portal- are at Ghuzhradesh." He said. As you sit there, suddenly, Raziel blinks, and her eyes are a cold, steely gray.

"Where is the portal? We should act quickly and close it before any more die."

>>20521949
"What's wrong, Raziel?"

"Raz, what's wrong? Does that name mean something to you?"

>>20521949
"We'll head south then."

Wave our hand infront of Raziel. "You ok, Raz?"

>>20521949
See if we can detect any magic on Raz

>You seem to be updating rather quickly today. Chill out a bit?

The Plan:

Head south to Ghuzhradesh and close the portal with our hilariously overpowered group of mages.

Then head back north to Sharniguk and search the old library for clues about the Gear Works.

Can I get a second?

"We'll head south." You say. "Do you have any ideas how we could close the portal?"
"I don't." He said. "Perhaps a way to remove magic itself, or close it similarly to the way it was opened. . but it seemed like a talent."

You turn to Raziel. "You okay, Raz? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." She said, and shook her head- her pupils were pinpoints, and her eyes remained that strange, steely grey. "I'm just. . thinking. Sorry, I didn't mean to space out."
You try to detect magic. .and you feel a bit of necromancy emanating from her. It's very slight, and it feels. . .melancholy, somehow, and it fades.

"If you need support, we could call for some Sgragol from Shakulugj- they're our primary offense, and most likely have the forces you'd need to reach the portal." The ogre magus said.

>>20522055
Oh, ask him about the whistle and why it doesn't summon fluffy.

>Perhaps a way to remove magic itself
Kristoph, go close the portal.

> "Perhaps a way to remove magic itself, or close it similarly to the way it was opened. . but it seemed like a talent."

This problem was made for us. Reach portal, syphon away magic, portal collapses.

>"If you need support, we could call for some Sgragol from Shakulugj- they're our primary offense, and most likely have the forces you'd need to reach the portal."

I think stealth would be a better option. There would be a lot of blood and death trying to fight our way to the portal with conventional forces but an invisible flying ship could avoid all that.

>>20522055
"Triune told me the Sgragol don't like fighting."

"Triune told me the sgragol don't like fighting."
"Oh, that's true." He said. "I mean to carry riders. They are content to carry belongings, equipment, and supplies. They're kind enough to serve as a supply line for us, provided they don't have to do the fighting."

"Triune also gave me this whistle, and told me it would summon a Sgragol by the name of Krakachak." You say, drawing the whistle from underneath your petticoat and handing it to him. "I tried it, but if didn't work." You say.
He takes a look at it, and chants a short spell in ogrish, examining it.
"It's enchanted." He said. "It seems it has some sort of condition to the spell- I'm not sure what it is. . but you'll have to blow it at the right time, or the correct event. Tch, meddling seers never explain anything." He grumbled, and gave it back.

>>20522192
Triune gave it to me yesterday (?). It seemed rather complicated for an illusion, since it answered some of my questions. Could he still be alive?

"Thank you for the information, it is extremely helpful. We should set off right away, I believe we have a method of closing the portal and every moment we delay more innocent lives are lost."

Ishelda can control the flow of magic and Kristoph can snuff out magic. I think they should be able to close the portal between them.

>>20522192
Meddling perhaps, but he's done be great favors and informed me of things a great number of people.

Any clue what the condition is? Knowing Triune it'll be when I most need it.

>>20522216
Someone hasn't seen timey-wimey-wibbly-wobbly ball of..."stuff".

rolled 17 = 17

Looks like we're off to the portal then, I vote for invisible ship stealth approach along with asking the ogres if any want to come. Once we get near the portal all we have to do is either eat all it's magic or use Control Magic to close it.

Also, we haven't made many golems or whatever lately, rolling for a Compassion golem or whatever emotion we need for healers, once we're back on our ship, of course.

>>20522192
>He knows the exact conditions under which we'll need to summon Krak
>We still need to actually blow it instead of it being dealt with automatically
>He can't even determine if Krak will still be alive
Fuck this, we're getting our own fluffy. We can grab a wild one and befriend it just like we did to Grayson.

>>20522272
Yes! Screw plot, I want a fuzzy wyvern mount.

>>20522272
>>20522282
So, I guess Ishelda is going to communicate solely by using the whistle, from now on?

>>20522316
Nope, the whistle is for chumps who want to be manipulated by ancient seers.

I'm a bit of a newfag here. Can someone tell me how to post dice rolls?

I have the feeling magic rolls will be coming soon.

"Meddling perhaps, but he's done be great favors and informed me of things that could save a great number of people. Thank you for the information." You say. "It's extremely helpful."
"You're welcome to ask us if you need any more assistance. We've determined that you're speaking the truth. You are selfless, queen of arcturus." The ogrish magus said. "If we had an artifact, I'd give it to you freely- but we've been working on protecting our people."
"Do you have any clue what the condition is?"
"I don't know, I'm afraid." He said. "The condition is purposely masked- Triune was a magus, as well as a seer. The little I can tell is that if . . something is required. . or something isn't useful. . I can't gather the entire context."
"Triune gave it to me yesterday. It seemed rather complicated for an illusion, since it answered some of my questions. Could he still be alive?"
"It's . . not likely." He said. "He could have known what questions you ask, and prepared them beforehand."
"We should set off right away, I believe we have a method of closing the portal and every moment we delay more innocent lives are lost."
"Again, you are welcome to ask us for assistance." He said.

>>20522328
Have you tried reading the sticky at the top of the board? Come on, man.

>>20522335
"What kind of assistance could you provide?"

>>20522335
Well unless you have any fancy ideas on how to defeat what seems to be an evil version of oneself, then no, I require no further assistance.

But you could tell me where the sgragol live, I want to see them.

>>20522355
>But you could tell me where the sgragol live, I want to see them.

Sgragol mountain, maybe? Not sure about that one, though.

>>20522328
Put "dice+1d100" in the email field, it's case sensitive.

>>20522335
How is the city of Ghuzhradesh laid out? What defenses am I likely to have to circumvent to get to the portal? Do the Minotaurs have a leader figure, aside from the mysterious women who opened the portal? Is the mysterious woman likely to still be there? If not do you know where she is?

>>20522366
Where specifically! Do you not want a fuzzy flying mount or something. It's like you're actively trying to sabotage Ishelda's happiness!

>>20522381
What if
Guys, what if
What if we took the Jormungandr...
And made it fluffy?

>>20522393
I'm getting shivers. But then the flowers might die off, and Marigold likes flowers and we like Marigold.

rolled 27 = 27

This is a test roll, ignore unless nat 100

In that case, bring the mystery woman to us and snuff out all her magic including everything she's cast that is still active.

>>20522403
You're not thinking big enough. We have sorcery, we can do anything. The flowers can be fluffy, the soil can be fluffy, the wood can be fluffy, the whole world can be fluffy.

>>20522432
and then the guardians of the elemental plane of fluffiness will work against us for infringing on it's portfolio.

"What kind of assistance could you provide?" You ask.
"We have knowledge." He said. "But little else, I'm afraid. We're expending all of our magic in rituals to keep the minotaurs from using or building boats, and to speed the growth of crops in the north."
"How is the city of Ghuzhradesh laid out?"
"It's built in the way of traditional ogre cities, although larger, as it was our capital." He said. "It's tiered, with each level going higher as you approach the center- domes and buildings sit on each tier, better made the higher you go. I believe the portal is somewhere near the top."
"What defenses am I likely to have to circumvent to get to the portal?"
"The minotaurs are not clever." He said. "Their style is to use brute strength and a strange magic to supplement their own bodies. They're there in numbers, and patrol the area, but they use little more than that to guard the portal."
"Do the Minotaurs have a leader figure, aside from the mysterious women who opened the portal?"
"The. . The woman isn't their leader." He said. "She's. . I don't know what she is, but she's killed minotaurs before, according to our scries. Rather arbitrarily. The minotaurs themselves. . they have a chieftan. A massive thing of corded muscle and fur. .and a strange, bronze object around it's neck. It's shaped, roughly, like a sixteen-pointed star."

"You could tell me where the sgragol live, I want to see them."
"They live all around this mountain. If you simply have oats, or even a kindly smile, they'll happily come greet you. But the untrained ones like to greet you with their tongues, so be warned."

>>20522443
>elemental plane of fluffiness
Scratch all that, fuck this world, we're moving there.

>>20522448
Do your cities have much in the way of air defenses?

>>20522448
We should be able to sail right up to the top levels of the city then, and avoid most of the minotaurs.

Thankyou for you help.

Give him a ring, in case we need more information later/

>"We have knowledge." He said. "But little else, I'm afraid. We're expending all of our magic in rituals to keep the minotaurs from using or building boats, and to speed the growth of crops in the north."

In that case I think your talents would be best spent here, continue helping your people. Even once the portal is closed the Minotaurs won't simply disappear, your continued efforts will be needed."

>>20522448
"Thank you."
Give him a ring so we can contact him again if we forgot something. Then let's go find a sgragol to tame.

>>20522510
Agreed. Cloak the ship and ascend to 5~10 thousand feet and just bypass any defences they might have.

We can just descend right over our target. We'll only have to deal with the ones that happen to be right there.

"I think your talents would be best spent here, continue helping your people. Even once the portal is closed the Minotaurs won't simply disappear, your continued efforts will be needed."
"Of course." He said.
"Do your cities have much in the way of air defenses?"
"They used to, with us magi. . but this mountain contains the last of us." He said. "But we need to be here to fuel and control the well." He said, and sighed.
"We should be able to sail right up to the top levels of the city then, and avoid most of the minotaurs. Thank you for your help." You say. You draw a ring out of your inventory, enchant it, and hand it to him. He slips it on.
"This is a communication ring." He said. "With this, we should be able to bring spells to you if you require. Simply call us if you require anything."
"Thank you." You say, and bow.

The group makes your way out of the caves, but through the darkness, you see that Raziel's been awfully quiet, and her eyes are still gleaming that strange, dull grey. It even seemed to glow in the darkness.
"That was interesting." Ell said, his armor hissing again as you stepped out into the sunlight. It's almost blinding. "Good timing too- my golem armor's about to die."

rolled 83 = 83

>>20522585
See if we can recharge it for him. Not a lot, just the mana from a single one of our back-up gems.

>>20522585
Give Raz a hug.
"Hey, are you sure you're okay?"

>>20522585
"It doesn't stay powered for very long then. Can you recharge it while wearing it? Can you get out of it while it's unpowered?"

Let's see if we can catch Raziel before she hides herself in her room. It looks like she's in a Passion.

>>20522585
"Raziel, I hate to interrupt, but... You found your passion, didn't you? Wonderful! What does it feel like?"

>>20522568
We won't even deal with them. We'll cloak ourselves and fly down and close the portal without anyone even knowing we're there.
>Until something goes wrong like it always does

>>20522585
>You draw a ring out of your inventory, enchant it, and hand it to him
>"This is a communication ring." He said. "With this, we should be able to bring spells to you if you require. Simply call us if you require anything."
"Thank you." You say, and bow.
What the fuck just happened? We made a ring for us and then he explained what it does and then we thanked him for it?

>>20522627
>He identified it, as he attempted to identify the whistle, and then said that he'd grant you magic from afar if you needed it. You thanked him for that, and all of his help. Sorry for not being clear.

"It doesn't stay powered for very long then. Can you recharge it while wearing it? Can you get out of it while it's unpowered?"
"Yep." He said. "I have extra power crystals in here specifically in case I get locked in, and it can recharge while I'm in it."

You give Raziel a hug after you climb up the gangplank. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I am." She said, and gave you a grin. "Why, do I seem sad?"
"Your eyes." Kaliel said.
"Hm?"
"Your eyes are . . silver or something. Not blue anymore." Kaliel said. "Like when mine turned red, and wouldn't turn back."
"You found your passion, didn't you? Wonderful! What does it feel like?"
"I. . I did?" She asked. "I don't feel any different. . "

>"Good timing too- my golem armor's about to die."

"Perhaps we could do something about that."

*Attach ring to armour so we can channel magic into if from a distance.*

We can refuel him on the move if he's ever in trouble.

>Raziel's been awfully quiet, and her eyes are still gleaming that strange, dull grey.

"I can tell whatever's on your mind is something important. You know you can tell me anything and I'll help you with it if you want me to."

>>20522650
"The first time the word 'Ghuzhradesh' was said, your eyes changed."

>>20522650
Well, I don't know. But you seem kind of off and your eyes are definitely weird. Something happened.

>>20522650
"Awesome! You get all the superpowers and get to stay yourself! Let's try some magic, and see if anything's new. Try summoning up a local spirit."

Hey Exabyte, can you give us a physical description of the ogres?

>>20522650
Well, just let me know if you feel anything. Your magic felt a bit melancholy when they turned gray. What did you feel when you heard the name Ghuzhradesh?

If you ever need to talk about anything I'm here for you.

>>20522680
Not just a random spirit. Give her that minotaur bone.

>Ogres are tall, bulky, and most of them are a rather pale tan. Completely hairless, they wear tunics and kilts. They have arbitrary numbers of eyes and horns, from 1-3 eyes, and 0-12 horns. They have six fingers on each hand, and thorns sticking out of their heels. Other than that, they're like large, muscled and pudgy humanoids.

"Well. . I don't know." You say. "But you seem kind of off and your eyes are definitely weird. Something happened."
"Well, I was just thinking about necromancy, and how I might try to look into the past, in case the library was burned down. ." She said. "I didn't get any strange urges, or anything."
"Just let me know if you feel anything. Your magic felt a bit melancholy when they turned gray. What did you feel when you heard the name Ghuzhradesh?"
"Nothing in particular." She said. "I was just thinking if I'd be able to check it out like I did the ogrish cities in new arcturus."

"Awesome! You get all the superpowers and get to stay yourself! Let's try some magic, and see if anything's new. Try summoning up a spirit from this." You say, and hand her the minotaur bone.
She looked down at it.
"Well, I could try. . but what if something goes wrong? If I do have my Passion, then it could become a haywire Spectre, and those are . . bad news."
". . I'll be here." Kristoph said, and put a hand on Raziel's shoulder. She gulped, and nodded. "I'll need something to carve this into a totem. . or I could do it bare..."

>>20522730
Give her the strange dagger. "Use this."

>>20522730
Give her Rikar.

>>20522730
You could carve it, but you've always carved patterns into it. Maybe you won't need to for this one. We can experiment, try it without carving, with Kris ready to shut down any magical mishaps that could occur.

>>20522730
Whichever you want. You can use Rikar if you need it.

"Ell, does your ship have a cloak too?"

If not then we should enchant it.

Once that's sorted... "Set course for the Ogre capitol. Here Raz, use this"
*hand her dagger*
"We can work on this while we travel, with any luck the minotaur spirit will provide some useful information before we arrive."

"You could carve it, but you've always carved patterns into it. Maybe you won't need to, for this one. we can experiment. Try it without carving. Kris, be ready to shut down any magical mishaps."
"Understood." Kris said.
"Well. . it's sunlight, so if it does appear it'll be weaker than normal. . "
Raziel took a deep breath, and then put both hands on it. . and started chanting. White, necromantic flames coiled around the horn, burning in a pattern almost identical to what she'd carved before-
And she froze, cancelling her spell-midcast. The flames faded, and she looked down at the horn.
"What. . what was that?" She asked. "It was. . something, reaching out at me. Whispering things into my ear. It was. . I don't know how to explain it."
"Well, that's what happened when I went wild." Zeke said. "But I. . listened to it. Mostly."
"I. . don't want to get carried away like that." Raziel said. "Not when it's. . not important."

rolled 24 = 24

Conjure appropriate dagger/tool set for Raz' bone inscribing and related necromatic needs because MAGIC!

>>20522818
"Of course, Raz. That's perfectly understandable."
Place a hand on her shoulder.
"But it seems like you've actually found your passion, congratulations."
Give her a kiss on the cheek. Kaliel already got one, if I remember correctly.

>>20522818
"Neat!"

Now that's sorted, find that bag of oats and head off on an expedition!

>>20522818
Probably a good idea. You'll have to ignore it like Kaliel does. Do you really not feel any different, or closer to your magic?

>>20522818
"You could always just try and take hints from it, without giving it control. Listen, but don't obey."

>>20522818
I understand Raz, but this shows your passion has awoken. Be very careful, it's very powerful but I don't want to lose you. Now want to try a normal summoning, with carving?

>>20522818
I don't mind if you get carried away with me...

>>20522940
while true, we can't just out and say that

>>20522952
Why not?

"You could always just try and take hints from it, without giving it control. Listen, but don't obey."
"Easier said than done." Kaliel said. "Give it an inch, and it will tear the rest from you."
"Of course, Raz, that's perfectly understandable." You say, and put a hand on her shoulder. "But it seems you've actually found your passion. Congratulations!"
You give her a kiss on the cheek, and she looks back down to the horn.
"Be very careful. It's powerful, but I don't want to lose you. Now, want to try a normal summoning, with carving?"
"I can try." She said. "But maybe later. I don't want to mess with it more than necessary. Zeke?" She asked. "We... need to talk. In private."
"Uhm. .Okay." He said. "I had something I wanted to show you, anyway."
"I'll be back." Raziel said to you, and the two of them went below deck.

>>20522972
To Kaliel. Shall we go below deck as well, Kali?

>>20522972
Sgragol hugging expedition time?

>>20522972
Try the whistle once more. Spend some time with Jeanne, as soon as we're off to the city.

We should tell everyone the plan. Let them know where we're going, order a course set. Ensure our fighters are ready. The ships weapons are good to go. Stuff like that.

Also, we should check that the other ship has a cloak too.

If not, give it one.

>>20522972
Sgragol finding time!
Kaliel: "Do you think that them getting Passions is because of their state of mind becoming closer to their magic, or just because talents are getting stronger?"

>>20522972
Get a bag of oats, see if we can acquire some Sgragol hugging.

>>20523007
Damn it man!

Stop tempting us with fluffiness. Lives are at stake, we'll get our fluffy new pet after the genocide of an entire continent is prevented.

Well..... I guess a short stop for fluffi~ NO!

You will not tempt me!

Hey Exabyte, personal request, can we get a text dump of their conversation even though Ishelda isn't present for it? Maybe in the afterthread?

As for who escorts us while Sgragol hugging, whoever! We don't care we just want to hug things!

But Kaliel might want to come so she can eyeglass them.

You try the whistle once more. It rings, loudly. . and nothing happens. You put it back under your armor, and make your way to the control crystal, setting it to go downward, toward the jungle. The ship shudders, and starts traveling. Ell climbs out of his armor, and checks it over.
"Does Sparrow have a cloak, too?"
"It does." He said. "But yours is better- I'm thinking we could just move sparrow above, inside Jormungandr's cloaking bubble. Nobody's using it, though Sker will need to duck."
"Do you think that them getting Passions is because of their state of mind becoming closer to their magic, or just because talents are getting stronger?" You ask, turning to Kaliel.
"Well, uh, I don't actually know." She said.
"It's because they understand it." Grayson said, and shrugged. "Magic isn't shards. It's the whole thing. No matter how much magic, passion won't appear unless you know it, like how people know people."
"How do you know these things?" Kaliel asked, turning to Grayson. Grayson shrugged.
"I'm a bear." He said, eyes half lidded. "Don't know how I know. First thing I remember is Ishy." He said, brandishing a hand toward you.

>>20523071
Harrumph at Grayson in reply, then giggle.

>>20523071
"Sker hits his head enough I'm sure he won't mind.

Keep an eye out for Sgragols, everyone."

>>20523058
That seems a little bit like cheating. And anyway, we know what they're going to talk about: Parents and Painting.

rolled 108 = 108

>>20523071
Harrumph. Then ruffle his hair.

>>20523071
I'm glad you were the first thing I met when I came here. You're the best bear. I really appreciate that you've been here for me no matter what.

Give him a hug.

>>20523071
I will riting the new prons. and being shell grason.
i finnish win thred oven. and den postin

You harrumph, and take his hat so that you can ruffle his hair, and then you giggle, putting it back.
"I'm glad you were the first thing I met when I came here." You say, and give him a hug. "You're the best bear. I really appreciate that you've been here for me no matter what."
"You feed me and let me sleep." He said, chuckling. "That's all I want... although I wouldn't say no to more food and more sleeping."
He shrugged.
"And you need someone to protect you." He said. "Not your body, but. . your heart. Or else. . something horrible."

>>20523141
Das ist bester.

>>20523141
Something horrible?

>>20523141
Murmur into his ear: "Shhh, I have to look strong infront of everyone.:

>>20523141
You already protect me, though...

Then blush after realizing what that means.
Preferably after somebody comments about it.

>>20523141
"You're sounding a bit like Mar, have the two of you been talking?"

>>20523146
If that's supposed to be German, then you're making no sense.

>>20523167
Nein. Das ist sehr gut. Sie can gefikken ein hund.

"Something horrible?" You ask. He shrugs.
"No words. Just a feeling." He said, and then patted your head. "When we met... you were close. Very very close. Better now."

He shrugged again, and then his boots thudded their way over to the tea table, where he started munching on biscuits.

". . He's creepy. Kind of." Kaliel whispered into your ear. "I. . I like him better as a bear."

>>20523211
"He is a bear."

>>20523211
"All of us tend to be creepy, at times. He means well, that's all that matters to me. But have you hugged him as a bear? He's so fluffy~"

>>20523211
The fluffy form is obviously the best.

>>20523226
Also my god, Kaliel of all people calling someone creepy?

>>20523211
He still is a bear. He's my bear. And he has been of great comfort in tough times. He's right, I was close to assorted craziness and depression when I first came here.

And you're the one calling someone creepy?

>>20523245
To be fair, she's not really very creepy any more. But yeah, she definitely did worse.

>>20523296
No opening up in front of the crew! We are queenly, act like it damnit!

>>20523317
It's Raz, we already open up to her a lot.

>>20523343
It's not Raz, it's Kal. Raz is downstairs talking to Zeke

>>20523356
That's what I meant. We already open up to Kaliel a fair bit. Look at last night for example.

"He still is a bear. He's my bear." You say. "And he has been of great comfort in tough times. He's right, I was close to assorted craziness and depression when I first came here."
Kaliel eyed Grayson, who was currently throwing biscuits in the air and catching them with his mouth.
"Well, I meant like. . in bear form. When he didn't talk so much and say cryptic things and never explain them."
"And you're the one calling someone creepy?" You ask, with a raised eyebrow, and a slight grin.
Kaliel frowned.
"You know I'm past that." She said, meeting your eyes- she was angry. "You know that. I don't- I don't take things apart anymore. Why would you say. . Just. . nevermind." She said, sighing. She went to the table, and went to the pile of papers there- she must have been working on the living armor while you were in the ogrish bastion. She swept away the pile of crumbs there, and went back to writing, putting her spare hand to hold up her head as she hunched over.

>>20523211
You should cuddle him when he's fuzzy. I'll show you how comfy he is as a bed.

>>20523385
Go over to her, put a hand on her shoulder, and whisper an apology into her ear.
"I know you're not creepy. You're wonderful."

God dammit, apologize for that comment, it was not very tasteful and not ment to upset her.

>>20523385
"I know Kal, people change and first impressions aren't always right. I apologise, it was a cheap shot. If I weren't a queen in front of her crew, I'd sink to my knees and beg for forgiveness, but you'll have to make do with imagining that."

>>20523385
Apologize quietly into her ear. Ask if she needs some help, or if she'll tell how it's going to work.

>I assume she's working on the armor.

rolled 20 = 20

>>20523385
As an apology, stick your tongue in her butt. Right there in front of everybody.

>>20523385
Kal, you know I don't consider you creepy or anything like that.

We're a ship full of strange and wonderful people, and I just wanted to say that none of us really have any right to call someone else here creepy or weird. Especially not me, I beat an immortal to death with a brick.

rolled 49 = 49

>>20523436
Let me try that again.

rolled 1 = 1

>>20523436
>>20523463
One last try for tongue in butt.

>>20523477
> you will never know what the inside of kals colon tastes like...

rolled 1 = 1

>>20523491
>>20523477
cool noko 1d1 bro.

>>20523491
>Doesn't get the joke.

>>20523499
Can't see it on my phone.

You walk over to her, and put your hand on the shoulder. She jumps as you do, and then you apologize quietly into her ear.
"I know, Kal. People change, and first impressions aren't always right. I apologize. I don't consider you creepy or anything like that. If I weren't a queen in front of her crew, I'd sink to my knees and beg for forgiveness."
"I just. . . I remember Raziel's expression when she walked in on me taking apart a squirrel, two years ago." She said, quietly. "I remember the way Dariel and Neiriel treated me, like I was always some volatile spell about to go off. I remember the way. . Sardriel, even fucking *Sardriel* thought of me as some kind of. . protege. I don't want to be that person anymore. I'm past that."

She took a deep breath, and then turned to you. "It's fine, don't worry about it." She said.

>>20523521
Give her a peck on the cheek.

>>20523521
>Taking apart a squirrel
>On a plane with no squirrels
>Best be giving a fate point or something.

>>20523521
>by squirrel, I meant, uh, rodent.

>>20523521
"But I do. It's just what I do. It may be weird, but that's me - Ishelda. Queen of New Arcturus, proud friend of Kaliel the amazing prodigy."
Hug or >>20523524, both are okay.


>>20523540
Gotcha.

>>20523521
Isn't the first squirrel on this world the one she just made? I am Confus.

>>20523545
>Amazing
>Not Amaging
>Heh

>>20523521
It's not fine, I shouldn't have been so insensitive.

>>20523521
You're not like Sardriel. You know how much it can hurt to be thought of like that and I just don't want anybody on my crew to be thought of like that. Not you, not me, not Grayson.

Hug, forehead kiss.

>>20523521
It's not fine Kal, I'm sorry.

And then we should make her something lime a cake, with us in it, naked.

>>20523569
Forehead kiss, then
>>20523573
This.

>>20523573
Well, some regular cake would be a great start. Call Mar, she can help us make one.

"It's not fine, Kal. I'm sorry. You're not like Sardriel." You say, and kiss her forehead. "I know how much it can hurt to be thought of like that and I just don't want anybody on my crew to be thought of like that. Not you, not me, not Grayson."
She laughed softly. "Then you're forgiven." She said. She gave you a smile. "That was a better apology than the kneeling and begging one."

Suddenly, the ship shook, and a sgragol peered over the edge, clinging to the ship. It was much smaller than the last one, but still larger than Grayson's bear form. It tilted it's head, staring closely at the people on the ship.

>>20523628
First, hair has to be ruffled, then, the sgragol will be inspected closely.
"Hey there, would you like some oats?"

>>20523628
Kaliel, it's so fuzzy. I'm going to go bring it oats. Do you want to join me, share in the fuzzy?

rolled 57 = 57

>>20523628
Intelligence-enhancing-animal-befriending magic is go!
The very first spell we cast in the quest...

rolled 60 = 60

>>20523628
Ruffle Kali's hair really quick like, then Squee as
Ishelda notices the Sgragol. Hug and pet the fluffy.

>Rolling for fluffy love and "direness"
>Just ignore roll if low.

rolled 35 = 35

>>20523678
Then tell Kali to retrieve the oats and pet and feed the fluffy.

>Alternatively tell Grayson to get the oats and tell Kali to come pet the fluffy.

>>20523628
Attempt to not hyperventilate due to fluffy, fail and then run over and hug it.

>>20523678
you can't say 'ignore if the roll is low' that's damn cheap and you know it

You ruffle Kaliel's hair, and then squee, and approach the sgragol.
"Hey there, would you like some oats?"
In response, it opened it's mouth, and it's tongue lolled out. You take that as a yes, and give it a hug. It nuzzles you, so you turn to Kaliel, still petting the beast. "I'm going to bring it oats. Do you want to join me?"
"Might as well." She said. Together, the two of you dragged the enormous, heavy bag over to the sgragol, and it started chowing down.
Curious, you bring forth your magic, and with the same exact spell that you first used when you came to this world, you try to imprint the idea that you're a friend into the enormous, furry wyvern.
Kaliel grinned, and scratched the wyvern's head. You hear the bottom of the ship scratching- you look down, and see the entire beast's leg twitching, the claws digging into the wood. The spell seems to take, as a rudimentary connection is forged between it and you. You have a strange, soft feeling emanating from it, like it automatically loves everything it sees. It's simple, but happy.

rolled 21 = 21

>>20523726
Damn straight, nignog.

>Better than 'delete'

>>20523742
It's like a giant friendly puppy thing! So cool!

Let's see if it'll take us for a ride, jump on it's back and drag Kaliel with us.

>>20523742
Pet it, hug it, embrace all of the fuzzy. It loves everything so we'll love it right back.

Give Kal a chance to examine it with the glass, see how it works.

>>20523726
From the IRC in regards to 'ignore if roll is low'

Exabyte: Nah, I'm just ignoring it if it's high and taking it if it's low.

>>20523742
The picture you posted had a fluffy tail right?

[x]Touch fluffy tail.

>>20523726
>you can't say 'ignore if the roll is low' that's damn cheap and you know it
You can nokoroll and then any low rolls probably won't be counted for anything important because they could be cheats. But unfortunately there's no legitimate reason to nokoroll any more.

>>20523742
"Do you have a name, fluffy one?"

>>20523785
>The tail is curled around the bottom of the ship
>We're going to jump overboard to grab it

You embrace the giant fluffy wyvern-like creature with your arms, and it nuzzles into you. "Do you have a name, fluffy one?"

In response, it licked you, the raw force of the sgragol's pink tongue knocking you back. dimly, the wyvern climbed further aboard, trying to get closer to you. It knocked down the tea table, and Grayson got quickly away as the enormous beast tried to get completely onboard.

"I, uh, can try to make it smaller." Kaliel said. "That way, there'll be less destruction."

>Wat say?

rolled 72 = 72

>>20523808
But it's fluffy! I'm sure we can manage a reverse gravity spell so we can walk around the hull of the ship.

>>20523819
"Say, friend, would it be okay if Kaliel made you a bit more... manageable?"
If it's okay with that, have Kal do it.

>>20523819
"He doesn't need to be smaller, then I can't ride him."

Get him out of the way by riding him off the ship.