You're laying back on Grayson, and the picnic is just ending. The new inhabitants- Jelkul, and his sgragol, Helved, are both lying back, asleep.
And most importantly, although you have no energy, your magic power is back.
Kaliel and Grayson are having some kind of staring contest, while Nahzit is peeling back the skin of a long vine- something the lizardmen had brought with them- and chewing out the innards behind the vine's skin. Cassiel and Marigold are talking, eating the last of the cookies, and Zeke is currently sculpting Qu'azalith, who's modelling for him.

Let's watch the staring contest.

>>20722522
>eating the last of the cookies
This cannot stand, we must stake our claim to the last cookie.

Quickly, before either your cousin or the kalak could react, you quickly snatched the final cookie, taking a bite into it triumphantly.
Cassiel chuckled.
"Don't worry, Your majesty, I'll make a lot more of those as time goes on." He said. "I actually transmute the chocolate out of sugar. Normally the lizardmen grow and sell it, but chocolate's become exceedingly rare nowadays. I had to learn how to transmute it a few mo-."
He frowned, and froze. "Two years and a few months ago." He continued, lamely.

>>20722606
"Death's a bit disorientating, isn't it?"

"Death's a bit disorientating, isn't it?"
"It's just. . .I spend twenty years doing this, or doing that, and nothing changes." He says. "The provinces are still the provinces, the tower's still a safe place, the ogres stay to the west. . and then I die. When I come back, everything's changed. The hobgoblins have given away most of their islands, Sosaria is moving ambassadors further inland, Azariel and Uriel are dead, Raziel and Kaliel have changed completely..."
He shook his head. "I just feel rather lost, in truth. I can't go back to the tower, now that Azariel's dead."

>>20722662
"Well, you could stay here."

>>20722662
"You could stay with Neiriel and Dariel, or, here, in New Arcturus. I'd love to have you around."

>>20722662
"I suppose you can try thinking of it as an opportunity to carve out your own place in the world, and you're always welcome here, Cassiel.
We were thinking of starting up a magical academy at some point, you could teach if you wanted. You'd be paid top rates.
Has anyone told you about what's gone on with the other Kalak?"

If not,
"I regret to inform you nothing's changed with the one person it really should, Sardriel. Neiriel has been trying to get some sort of super-baby by abusing bloodlines. Dariel still hasn't molted yet as far as I know, and he wants to be a univeraslist I think. Right now he's studying with Sardriel."

"Well, you could stay with Neiriel and Dariel." You say.
"That's... not a good idea." He said. "I have... ethical conflicts with Sardriel. Either he'll end up dead or I will."
"Or here, in New Arcturus. I'd love to have you around."
"I'd love to stick around." He said. "Though... I'm not very good at magic, so I can't be much use. And I lost my spellbook when I died, so until Zeke copies over another one, I can't cast anything I don't have memorized. Although I probably have a copy in the tower, I. . . don't feel like going there alone. I've never travelled alone."
"I'm going north in a few days." Kaliel said. "We can stop off there, if you want."
"I thought you weren't good at flying yet." Cassiel said.
"Not in kalak form, no." She said, and gave him a brilliant smile.
"That's... not cryptic at all." He responded, sarcastically.

>>20722776
"You remember that Orcish ship you attacked? We took it to Elven lands and with Kiyara's help, made it into an airship that doesn't need the weave."

>>20722776
"Cassiel, I don't care if you're a great mage, or anything else considered immensely useful. Your family cares for you, and you can do practically whatever you like in my kingdom. So if you need some time getting your bearings, feel welcome to do that here."

"Cassiel, I don't care if you're a great mage, or anything else considered immensely useful." You say. "Your family cares for you, and you can do practically whatever you like in my kingdom. So if you need some time getting your bearings, feel welcome to do that here."
He was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Thank you- I'll do that. I can see why Kaliel and Raziel are doing much better now." He said. "May I call you Ishelda?"

>>20722865
Okay, I know we tend to hug to much, but goddammit this is an appropriate hug moment.

Hug him, "I'd like that."

>>20722865
"Absolutely. In fact, I usually insist on it."

>>20722865
"I...I would like that."

>>20722865
"No. You *must* call me Ishelda."

>>20722878
I'm okay with this.

"Absolutely." You say, and give him a hug. "I'd like that. In fact, I usually insist on it."
"Wonderful." He said, awkwardly patting your shoulder, unused to sudden physical contact. He grinned. "Then I will. A lot easier to say than 'your majesty', and it doesn't feel right calling friends after their titles."

Raziel came back, her staff in hand, and that pendant she'd had made, around her neck.
"It works!" She says, grinning. She tapped the pendant. "With this, I can control my skeletons from anywhere- about as far as your rings reach, Ishelda."

>>20722940
"That's amazing! Congratulations!"

>>20722940
"That's brilliant! And Cassiel is going to stay, for now. Say, do you still want to build yourself a more secluded home, a bit away from Triune's Gift?"

"That's brilliant!" You say. "And Cassiel is going to stay, for now."
"Really?" She asked, and gave Cassie another hug. "I'm glad."
"Say, do you still want to build yourself a more secluded home, a bit away from Triune's Gift?"
"I'm thinking I'll actually build it into the castle itself." Raziel said. "Under the castle, really. My home would be secluded from everything above. . and I was thinking I'd store my skeletons in there, so that I can bring them up in an emergency."

>>20723019
"You have my full support on that project, as long as you promise to show me around once it's done."

>>20723019
"That's a great idea. I would miss you terribly if you were to leave Triune's Gift. It might be selfish, but I really don't want you to go. You know that, right?"

"That's a great idea." You say. "I would miss you terribly if you were to leave Triune's Gift. It might be selfish, but I really don't want you to go. You know that, right?"
"Of course I wouldn't leave." She said, and leaned close, speaking quietly. "You're my best friend. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. Remember that."

>>20723122
Try to hold back the tears of joy, and hug her.
We don't really need to say anything right now.

>>20723122
"There's an end? Let's go and see it!"

You close your eyes tightly, and pull her into a hug. Raziel laughs, and pats your head, before hugging you back. You don't say anything.
"I thought that was a given." She said. "I still remember the time we first met, down near the lizardman lands. I... was kind of a bitch, back then. Still bitter, and depressed. Thank you, for giving me a chance."

>>20723213
"Everyone deserves a chance."

>>20723213
"No, Raz. You were simply very drunk when we met." Giggle.
"I'm glad it worked out. Thank you for staying with me. I wouldn't be the person I am, without you. I am glad we met."

"No, Raz, you were simply very drunk when we met." You say, and giggle.
"Not the first time." She said. "I was wearing that silly beak armor, and waving around a totem, threatening to break it."
"I'm glad it worked out." You say. "Thank you for staying with me. I wouldn't be the person I am, without you. I'm glad we met."
"I am too." She said. "Hey. . . do you want to see my first night here? I can show you, back when this city was half buried."

>>20723303
"Sure."

>>20723303
Blush. "Y-yes. I would like that."

>>20723303
"Sounds interesting."

>>20723303
"Ooo, spying on your own past. Sounds like fun."

"Yes, I'd like that." You say. "Sounds interesting."
"Then come this way." She said, taking your hand. She walked this way and that, leading you out of the castle. . .and stopped, right next to a single building.
"Here." She said, and opened the mirror. "Look."
She closed her eyes, and started chanting.
You look into the mirror as the image appears. . and you can See.
The sandstorm was strong, blotting out the sun with the dust, and smoke. Raziel, her disfigured wings hidden under layers of cloth, the thick, ragged robe protecting her from the storm as best it could.
She pulled the robe more tightly around her, and it tore, the storm already whittling it away.
She needed cover, and quickly. If only-
Something chittered. She turned back, eyes wide, as something... spidery started coming toward her, in the dust. Quickly, she turned and ran her foot catching on something. She fell, sand spilling into her eyes, and something else chittered, from the other direction.
Raziel was panicking now, blind, and all she could hear was chittering from every direction, those. . .things, swiftly crawling toward her.
Disfigured wings twitching, Raziel scrabbled, blindly, under the first thing she could- some kind of rubble, she thought, through the panic, trying to force it away as the mutant spiders came closer.

One grabbed her ankle in it's pincers.
>Field too long

Raziel screamed, and kicked it, scrabbling further underneath, and got a breath of fresh air, as she spilled forward, and... downwards?
Rolling down the dirt, she landed in some dark, underground chamber, safe from the storm. She curled up into a ball.
Something scratched, loudly, above her. She whimpered.

"Let's. . fast forward a bit." Raziel said, pulling the mirror away. "I spent the night there, cold and terrified- not very important. This is the next morning."

Still, curled in the fetal position, the robed kalak snapped awake, sitting up. She curled her hands, and whispered something. A small sphere of light appeared in her hand, and ogrish runes lay spread across the wall and dome above her. Her eyes widened, and she looked this way and that. The building was covered in skeletons- larger ogres were covering the smaller ones with their bodies, one was on his knees, praying. . the skeletons had been here for... who knows how long.

Grabbing something out of the satchel on her hip, Raziel scribbled a few words down, copying the runes.
"I was fascinated." She said. "I had to know what these said, and I couldn't speak Ogrish at the time."
Turning away, Raziel checked the doorway, which was half buried in dirt, the storm outside still raging. She curled into a ball, and stared, watching until the storm abated. And when it did... the sun shone directly through, right into Raziel's eyes.

She pulled the mirror away.

"It was stupid, but..." She said. "I decided right then, that that would be my home. The mutants were gone by the time I came back out, but I never actually translated that scrap of paper- I ended up getting distracted on a book of necromancy, when I got back to the tower."

>>20723516
Could we read the runes through the mirror?

>>20723516
"Well now I want to know what it says. Can we get to that chamber?"

>>20723516
"I'm glad you did. It made you the person you are today. Can I translate it for you?"

"Well, now I want to know what it says." You say. "Can we read the runes through the mirror?"
"Sure." She said, opening it up again. It fogs up, and the runes appear, and you read them aloud.
"'This is for you, silver-haired human. I have forseen your arrival." You say. "Take it with my blessing, and forge your new country.'"

Neither of you speak for a moment.
"That's the message Triune left for us, along with the gold." Raziel said, finally.

>>20723600
"I wonder if he left it there because he knew you wouldn't translate it."

>>20723600
"It certainly is. That was still sealed when I found it, what happened to the skeletons?"

"It certainly is." You say. "That was still sealed when I found it. What happened to the skeletons?"
"Well... this is why I have the mirror." She said. "Let's find out."

She opened it up again, and brought the mirror closer. The view clouded, and when it cleared, the skeletons were sitting still, frozen. .
And more skeletons climbed in through the half-buried doorway, burning glyphs on their foreheads. One by one, they started taking the skeletons out, and polishing the walls.
"Right." She said. "I set my skeletons to grab more, if they found them. I don't think I was ever in that dome again until the day we found the gold."

>>20723717
Good Skeletons.

Hey Raz, about keeping your skeletons in the basement. Why don't we create some passages throughout the Castle so we can have a horde of skeletons pop out of murder holes as part of a defensive network.

"Good skeletons." You say, giving her a smile. "About keeping your skeletons in the basement. Why don't we create some passages throughout the castle so that we can have a horde of skeletons pop out of murder holes, as part of a defensive network?"
"That would work." She said, and chuckled. "So you want me to stuff the castle full of secret underground passages?" She gave you a sly grin. "I see what you're trying here- you want to sneak into Kaliel's quarters without being seen."

I've been thinking about Raziels undead and the new Ogres. Are they going to have a problem with all the dead Ogres running around working in our kingdom?

We should really find out if this is going to be a problem before it becomes one.

>>20723841
"I don't need a network of secret passages to do that. And why would I want secrecy?"

>>20723841
> "I see what you're trying here- you want to sneak into Kaliel's quarters without being seen."

"Why would I need to sneak? Can't I visit my girlfriend?"

*Sly grin*

>>20723841
She is on to us

>>20723841
"hmph. If I wanted to sneak into Kaliel's room, I'd just change into a tiny form or make myself invisible or something."

>>20723841
"I don't need to sneak to see Kal."

>>20723842
They didn't have a problem with them in that battle, and Skerghaul actually liked them.

>>20723841
"Entirely a side benefit, I assure you."

>>20723841
Don't make me have a convoy with trumpets and proclamations whenever I go to her quarters just to prove you wrong. I'm the Queen, I don't know any shame.

>>20723890
They didn't have a problem receiving aid against a hoard of bloodthirsty Dire-Minotaurs.

I just think it would be a good idea to ask. Don't want them suddenly complaining about not letting their people rest or anything.

>>20723841
"I never said THAT."

"I don't need a secret network of passages to do that." You say, and give her a sly grin. "And why would I want secrecy?"
"You're no fun when I try to tease you." Raziel said.

You see Kris, Leon, Belethor, and a rather young ogre walking from the only bar in Triune's gift, arm in arm, laughing and chuckling to one another, very slightly inebrated.
"Greetings, thine majesty!" Belethor cried, grinning broadly he bowed deeply. "I must claim, I've never seen such a beauty as thee, especially on this wonderful morn!"
"Uh..." Kris said, bowing to Raziel. "What he said."
The ogre started laughing, and clapped Kris on the shoulder.

>>20723991
Giggle. "Well met, brave knights. I assume your most recent battle went well?" Hug Raz possessively.

>>20723991
>"You're no fun when I try to tease you." Raziel said.
"C'mon Raz, you'll have to try harder than that. I'm 16 now, I'm not *quite* as shy and flustered as I used to be.

>"I must claim, I've never seen such a beauty as thee, especially on this wonderful morn!"
"Uh..." Kris said, bowing to Raziel. "What he said."
"I see you're a happy drunk then. Nice to see you all getting along. I do hope you're not being a bad influence on out nre Ogre friend."

>>20723991
"Thank you, Belethor. Kristoph, isn't that what got you in trouble in the first place?"

>>20723991
"Are you three drinking? Without me? I feel left out."

<Belethor, are you telling people about your Talent or are you waiting on that?>

"Thank you, Belethor." You say. "Kristoph, isn't that what got you in trouble in the first place?"
"It was." He said. "At least now I'm not getting into trouble blindly!"
"Nice to see you all getting along." You say. "I do hope you're not being a bad influence on our new ogre friend."
The ogre laughed, and grinned. "I'm the one who brought the mead!" He said.
"Mayhaps that makes thee the bad influence, ser ogre." Belethor said, chuckling.
"He's been talking like that all day." Leon said, and sighed.
"Are you three drinking? Without me? I feel left out."
"No offense, milady, but even when you're a guy, you're still a lady." Kristoph said.

>>20724142
Harrumph, and walk off.

>>20724142
"I bet you're just afraid that I'd out drink all of you. Especially if it's Swamp Brew, none of you can hold your Swamp Brew you always pass out before it gets to the good bits, you never get to the stage with all the rainbows and talking fish.

Ser Ogre, might I have your name? I like knowing who my companions go drinking with."

>>20724142
"Really? Belethor and Marigold couldn't tell I was a lady. It's a shame there wasn't time to do you as well."

>>20724142
>"No offense, milady, but even when you're a guy, you're still a lady." Kristoph said.

"Are you implying I'm no fun to drink with or I can't handle my liquor because I'm a lady?

One more word like that and I'll drink you all under the table with swamp brew."

>>20724176
>Ser Ogre, might I have your name?
His name is actually Ogre because his parents were humanaboos.

"Are you implying that I'm not fun to drink with, or I can't handle my liquor because I'm a lady?"
"Not at all." Kristoph said. "Knights and princes and... humongous nerf farmers, I suppose," He said, eying the ogre. "Are trained to be polite to ladies. It's harder to let loose."
"They're called Nervghaul." The ogre said. "and they're not nice when they're unhappy."
"Ser ogre, might I have your name?"
"Thuzadghuj is my name." The ogre said. "I'm pleased to meet you."
"Now thou see why I call him Ser Ogre, ere." Belethor said. "'Twas impossible to say in mine current state."
"You forgot 'prithee'." Leon said.
"Prithee!" Belethor said. ". . What does that mean again?"
"No clue. You're the one that said it first." Leon responded.

>>20724253
"It's a contraction of 'pray thee', it's used before a request in a manner similarly to please, but it has more force behind it while remaining polite. I thought it was common knowledge.

Belethor, why are you speaking in an archaic tongue? Actually why are you poorly speaking in an archaic tongue?

>>20724253
"A pleasure to meet you Thuzadghuj. I would like to thank you for taking care of my stalwart Arcturian knights. What was today's enemy? Mead? Swamp brew?"

"A pleasure to meet you, Thuzadghuj." You say, glad that you gained the ability to say such words when you learned ogrish. "I would like to thank you for taking care of my stalwart Arcturian knights. What was today's enemy? Mead? Swamp brew?"
"Mead." He said. "I regret that I could not talk my sister into joining us here- she would have brought the flowers and honey, so that we could make more."
You turn to Belethor. "It's a contraction of 'pray thee'. It's used before a request, in a manner similarly to please, but it has more force behind it while remaining polite. I thought it was common knowledge." You say. "Belethor, why are you speaking in an archaic tongue? Actually, why are you *poorly* speaking in an archaic tongue?"
"Tell me, thine majesty. Why art thou not?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and grinning.

>>20724362
"Because I am clearly not as inebriated as you, Belethor."

>>20724362
"I don't think I'm drunk enough for that."

>>20724362
"Not drunk enough for that, sorry."

>>20724362
"Forsooth, Ser Belethor, twas not an option I had considered.

Thou art right, perhaps all ought speak like this and mangle thine own language in mock of tales of the past.

You see Belethor, even I sound silly doing this, and I'm a Queen."

"Forsooth, Ser Belethor, twas not an option I had considered." You say, thinning your accent and speaking in an aristocratic tone. "Thou art right, perhaps all ought speak like this and mangle thine own language in mock of tales of the past."
Belethor starts chuckling.
"You see Belethor, even I sound silly doing this, and I'm a Queen."
"Sorrows upon sorrows!" He said dramatically. "... Ogrish mead is a lot stronger than sosarian wine. I've probably made a fool of myself."
"Yep." Leon said.

>>20724479
"You have, don't worry I forgive you. I can't wait to see what you are like on Swamp Brew, if only we could record such things, oh right we can, with magic."

<Belethor, ought I keep your Talent a secret for now?>

"You have." You say. "Don't worry, I forgive you. I can't wait to see what you are like on Swamp Brew. If only we could record such things. Oh right, we can. With magic!"
"We don't even need to record it." Raziel said, gleefully. "We can just look into the past."
"I'm glad to have entertained thee- you, then." He said.
<Belethor, ought I keep your Talent a secret for now?>
<I'd take it as a kindness if you did keep it secret, for now.> He responded. <Having a tool kept secret is usually worth more than having it shown.>

Shake hands with him, as awkwardly as possible.

>>20724535
<Of course, though it'd liven up sparring matches. Have you told your Mother yet?>

"You see Leon it's easy to get him to stop, you just have to beat him at his own game.

That's actually the best way to get someone's respect, challenge them on an equal playing field whether it be war, combat, politics, anything. I wouldn't be impressing anyone with my swordsmanship if I just used Sorcery to set their brains on fire."

>>20724591
Then pull him close, and stare into his eyes. Then boop his nose, giggle and run away.

>>20724535
<Of course, as you wish.>

<Of course, though it'd liven up sparring matches. Have you told your mother yet?>
<Not yet. I'll tell her later.> He said. Strange, he seemed a lot more sober over the rings.
"You see Leon, it's easy to get him to stop, you just have to beat him at his own game." You say.

Something, something far behind you... it roars. You look back, up at the castle-
And standing in the castle's courtyard, visible from where you were...
"... That." Belethor said, his voice perfectly sober. "Is a dragon."

>>20724668
>>20724668
Can't be, ogres sacrificed them all.

>>20724668
"I... I think that's Kaliel. At least, I hope it's Kaliel."
Briskly move to the castle.

>>20724668
"I thought the Ogres sacrificed them all. I'm hoping it's Raz or Kal goofing off.

I suppose I ought to go welcome our new guest, see if he wants some tea."

"I... I think that's Kaliel." You say. "At least, I hope it's kaliel."

The massive, red scaled beast- with four legs, two enormous, leathery wings, and a horn-covered head, stared down at you with amber eyes as you enter through the gates. It was nearly as large as the sgragol you and her had ridden.
"Calm down, Ishelda." Cassiel said. "That's Kaliel."
<It worked!> Kaliel crowed through the ring, triumphantly. <I can't believe it worked!>

>>20724726
<How did you manage to do that?>

>>20724726
BEST WAIFU EVER

>>20724726
<I figured either it was either you succeeding, or Raziel figuring out how to make her constructs look alive. Congratulations! You look...imposing.>

>>20724741
Raz was with us

>>20724726
If you've broken any sacrifice pacts your going to be helping me crush the resultant portals with your bare hands!

>>20724726
"I figured as much Cas.
<You look lovely my dear. I'm rather impressed. If this breaks the Ogre's sacrifice of the dragons to seal portals we're going to have to fix that together.>

>>20724726
[x]Ride girlfriend.

>>20724726
<If you ruined the sacrifice that keeps the demons off this world, I'm going to be rather... upset.>

"I figured as much, Cass." You tell him. <How did you manage to do that?> You ask.
<I just had Raziel show me her spectre the other day, and I jotted all of that down.> She responded, and wobbled to the side. <It moves like a dog and a wyvern combined. I still need to practice before I can walk or fly.>
<You look lovely. I'm rather impressed.> You say. <Though, if this breaks the ogre's sacrifice of the dragons to seal the demon portals, we're going to have to fix that together.>
<It won't.> She said. <This is just the form of a dragon- I'm not a true dragon, I'm still a kalak.>

>>20724779
<I forgot it's a lot harder without sorcery.>

>>20724779
<Good to know.

I always forget how hard learning forms is, I usually cheat. Can you breathe fire? Make sure to point upwards before you try.>

rolled 7 = 7

>>20724779
<Well in that case, maybe I should try too. That was the only thing stopping me from trying.>

Turn into a MOTHERFUCKING DRAGON.

>>20724779
Climb on her back and get her to walk around.

>>20724805
Still low on magic, let's not do that.

rolled 66 = 66

>>20724805
Goddamn dice. Here, lemme roll better than that for you.

>>20724805
We have no magic you moron.

rolled 64 = 64

>>20724814
>>20724805
Guys, no. We don't have any magic to do that with.

>>20724805
Let's not even try. We just got our magic back and we're running on fumes. Really, don't even try no matter the roll.

We have almost no power. Let's not try and do something so energy intensive. (Although we should try later, when we've got our energy back)

>>20724805
We just regained our power. And are still physically and magically exhausted. So I would prefer if we could not act like a complete idiot when it comes to draining our reserves.
Just once. Please?

>>20724826
Derp, forgot to take that off from the last thread. My face is red.

<Good to know.> You say. <I always forget how hard learning forms is. I usually cheat. Can you breathe fire? Make sure to point upwards before you try.>
<I can't, sorry.> She said. <There's nothing in the body that should let me breathe fire.>
You grin, and take ahold of some of the spikier bits on one of her legs. Quickly navigating upward, you climb onto Kaliel's back, in front of the wings.
<... What are you doing?> She asked, twisting her head completely back to look at you.

>>20724846
<Hitching a ride.>

>>20724846
<Giving you a hug, what else would I be doing?

It's not like I want to ride a dragon around spreading awe in my citizens and fear in my enemies, acting like a great warrior queen. That's preposterous.>

>>20724846
"Riding a dragon."

Can we make our soulfire look like it's coming out of her mouth? IIRC it only uses magic if we actually burn stuff. But obviously if it is going to use some then don't.

>>20724846
Forwards!

>>20724883
We might be able to get away with using soulfire even without any magic left... Let's give it a go.

At worst we pass out, but we've got a dragon to look after us, so its ok.

<Giving you a hug. What else would I be doing?> You ask. <It's not like I want to ride a dragon around, spreading awe in my citizens and fear in my enemies, acting like a great warrior queen. That's preposterous.>
<... Yeah, I can walk around the city for a bit.> She said, and then licked your face with her enormous dragon tongue, before approaching the gate, walking unsteadily on her four legs.

<This is going to be problematic.> She said- the gate was much too small for the dragon to fit. <Uhm... Hang on.>
Kaliel took a few steps back, and then *jumped*, wings beating once or twice, and she sailed completely over the castle walls, landing and digging deep divots in the soil.
<That was easy.> She said. <If it were Uriel, he'd already be flying around.>

>>20724874
This made me laugh. Go with it.

>>20724917
<Yeah, but Uriel was a jerk and you can do so much that he can't. Take your time Kal, one step at a time, then get up to running, and then we find a nice open field and you get to practice flying and falling.>

Raise Rikar above us and look imperious.

>>20724917
<I wish I was at full strength, then I could be a dragon too.>

>>20724917
Nice landscaping. You should till some fields while your huge.

>>20724917
So what do I have to do to get you to turn me into a dragon?

You draw Rikar, and it shines as you raise it into the air. The lizardmen start cheering.
<Yeah, but Uriel was a jerk, and you can do so much that he can't.> You say. <Take your time, Kal, one step at a time.>
<Right.> She said, her serpentine head nodding. <I just need to get my balance right. I'm not really sure how to run, yet.>
<Nice landscaping.> You say, noting the way her claws are digging into the ground. <You should till some fields while you're huge.>
<I can do that.> She said, walking toward the farmland Marigold had prepared. <I just need to extend my claws...>
She looked down at her claws. . . and then back up.
<They already are. Huh.>
Slowly, she started rending long holes in the field, tilling it.
<So, what do I have to do to get you to turn me into a dragon?>
<Well.> She said, a sly tone creeping into her voice. <What are you offering?>

>>20724994
Send some lewd images through the ring at her.

>>20725005
As long as they're non-specific I guess...

>>20724994
"Hugs, kisses, more if you play your cards right.

Also noble titles, ever wanted to be a duchess?"

>>20724994
<Well, you still don't have a title....>

>>20724994
Three kisses, my lap to sleep on for a night and ill get cassiel to bake more cookies and you get to see me be a pretty dragon.

And if that doesn't work, offer naked pictures.

<Hugs, kisses, I'll get Cassiel to bake more cookies, and you get to see me be a pretty dragon.> You say. <Also noble titles. Ever wanted to be a duchess?>
<I thought dukes and duchesses had land of their own.> She said, slowly tilling the fields, gently nudging one of the skeletons aside. <I'd prefer a title that didn't have as much responsibility... like a count or something. Countess, maybe.>
She stopped for a second, then twisted her head around and poked you with her nose. <But you don't need to do anything- I'll make you a dragon once I have the energy.>

We can offer to play dress-ups with her

Well, now that the thread is in full swing, I'd like to suggest we bring up the matter of naming the castle.

The two suggestions in yesterday's afterthread that had more than one person's support were Castle Sanctuary and Castle Al'ghul.
It was noted that Al'ghul had several references that made it a good name (outside of being the name of a Batman villain so awesome he was portrayed by Liam Neeson that is).

Allegedly Al'ghul translates to 'Ogre', there's a star named after named Algol (but we thought Al'Ghul sounds better for a castle name), and the star is also called 'The Demon Star'.

Additional ideas are of course welcome.

>>20725074
no! You misunderstand. Anyone who turns me into a dragon MUST be rewarded.

>>20725074
<Kal, those are all things I wanted to do for you anyway. I'm just using this as an excuse.>

>>20725082
Not castle sanctuary, just sanctuary.

>>20725074
<Duchesses don't need to have a Duchy, just like Countesses don't need to have a County.

...I can't wait to be able to cast myself again.>

<Kal, those are all things I wanted to do for you anyway.> You say. <I'm just using this as an excuse.>
<I know.> She said, trotting this way and that. <Well, then, I'll take the hugs, kisses, cookies, and the title.>

She twisted her legs this way and that, and then took off at a run, toward the north, leaping into the water of the river, splashing through, happily, the water spraying you as she rushed against the current.
<I think I'll follow this up to the top of the mountain, and then just. . glide down.> She said.

>>20725189
<Sounds good to me.>

>>20725189
If you're confident that your wings can manage that...

<If you're confident that your wings can manage that.> You say, as she goes back to running.
<It's how I learned to fly as a kalak.> She said. <Jumped out of the tower above Carved Fortress. This'll take awhile, to get there, though. But this body doesn't get tired that easily, so I can just run there.>

You brace yourself on the base of Kaliel's neck, as she continues running- It reminds you of the time you were taught to ride a horse, except that Kaliel was *much* larger and harder to spook.
<I...> She said, hesitantly. <I might end up going back to Carved Fortress, and then going through the elven lands, and taking the weave south to lizardman lands and meet Vithriel.> She said. <I'm not certain, but it's a possibility.>

>>20725301
<If you think you'll manage to do that in a *few* days like you said...>

>>20725301
Pet her neck a bit. "That sounds nice. Not sure if that would be 'a few days'... but that's alright, too."

>>20725301
<All on your soul searching trip to solve the mysteries of magic that's only going to take a couple of days?>

>>20725301
But... but... Why?

Don't you like being here? I thought you'd want to come back as soon as you could.

>>20725301
<I wish I could make you stay, Kal. Or at least go with you. I love you.>

<All on your soul searching trip to solve the mysteries of magic that's only going to take a couple of days?>
<It might. . might take a bit longer.> She said, hesitantly. You pet her neck a bit.
<I wish I could make you stay, Kal.> You say. <Or at least go with you. I love you.>
She skidded to a stop, and turned back to you again- you're surprised at how flexible her neck seems to be.
<I can- I can stay, if you want me to.> She said, meeting your eyes. <Stay here, I mean. I can always travel later.>

>Wat say?

>>20725431
I couldn't do that. I know this is important to you. This is an essential part of becoming yourself.

But... I'll miss you so much.

>>20725431
<If it's something you feel you need to do, then do it and get it out of the way. I can't make you stay if you're going to be unhappy.>

>>20725431
"I'm sorry, that was very selfish of me. Do what you need to do. I'll miss you, but it's not like we can't keep in touch easily."

>>20725431
Kiss her on the nose.

"Kal, as much as I would love having you stay that's just me being selfish. Everyone has their own paths to follow and just because we love each other doesn't mean we have to be latched at the hip. Everybody has their own life, and just because we share a lot doesn't mean you shouldn't live yours.

From what you've told me this is something you need to do, for yourself, to understand the world and I couldn't dream of stopping you from finding yourself.

I'm just going to miss you, but that's okay, I can deal with that. I'm not so weak that I won't be able to manage without you for a bit. Just make sure to come back and to call on the ring."

>>20725474
This, but also with some bittersweet tears welling up.

>>20725431
"Just promise me you will come back. Or I won't forgive you."

Let's give her a ring. Give it Marigold's remote magic enchantment, but also make it into a nifty teleport beacon, so we can home in on her if we need to make a sudden appearance for whatever reason.

I'm tempted to add in a heartbeat monitor as well, but that's getting a little bit stalkerish.

>>20725514
She already has a ring bro, that's how we're talking with her right now.
I inquired about the teleportation beacon some threads back when she first talked about leaving, but it turns out that would require an unfeasibly large amount of magical power to do.
Like, we'd have to channel the entirety of the weave to do it one way.

You kiss her on the nose.
"Kal, as much as I would love having you stay, that's just me being selfish. Everyone has their own paths to follow, and just because we love each other doesn't mean we have to be latched at the hip. Everybody has their own life, and just because we share a lot doesn't mean you shouldn't live yours." You say, hugging as much of her head as you can.
"From what you've told me, this is something you need to do, for yourself, to understand the world, and I couldn't dream of stopping you from finding yourself."
She continued trudging on, silently, before she stepped out of the river, and continued going up the hill.
She was silent for a long, long time, before she suddenly lay down.
"I'm going to miss you, but that's okay, I can deal with that." You say. "I'm not so weak that I won't be able to manage without you for a bit. Just promise me you will come back. Or I won't forgive you."

"... What if I don't come back?" She asked, finally, her draconian head laying on a rock. You were at the steepest part of the mountain you could feasibly get to without climbing, and far, far below, you could see Triune's gift, sitting between you and a smaller hill on the other side.

>that's getting a little bit stalkerish.
Juuust a bit

>>20725651
"I'd go and get you of course!"

>>20725651
If it's you choosing not to come back I'll weep, mope and cry for a month and eventually get over it, I have a nation to run.

If someone is preventing you from coming back to me I'll come to save you and beat the hell out of them.

If you die then I'll tear the gates of the underworld open and bring you back.

>>20725651
"I'd… I'd be really sad."

>>20725651
"I'd get very worried and go looking for you. So make sure you keep in touch."

>>20725651
Start tearing up a bit. "But why...."

Farewell sexytimes?

She continued lying there, half curled, looking out over New Arcturus. You sat yourself in the crook of her neck, and gently patted her nose. "I'd go and get you." You say, confidently.
"The sea serpents." She said, finally. "They were... they were made. The same way I make things."

>>20725726
"Oh? You think whoever made them is still around?"

>>20725726
"Ahhh, now I understand. You're hoping to find somebody who can tell you more about your talent. That's wonderful, Kal."

>>20725726
So you think there's someone else with your gift? your speciality? Are the serpents the only things you've seen like this?

>>20725726
"Well isn't that cool. I wonder who and when. I hope you get to learn more about yourself and your magic."

"Oh? You think whoever made them is still around?"
"No, I could tell they were made generations ago... but... I think if I look at the more exotic creatures, like the ethereal spiders, and the birds on that island... I'll be able to track them down. Whoever they are. Where ever they went."
She was silent for another moment.
"Do. . Do you want to just want to sit here, for awhile?" She asked, nudging you with her nose. "It's beautiful up here."

>>20725787
I think I could cope with that.

How much magic do you have left? Can you turn human and back into a dragon again?

I want to hug you for a while.

>>20725787
"Yeah, that sounds nice.

Do you want to turn human again so I can hug you and kiss you properly?"

>>20725787
"Sure."
Alternatively, give her a sly look
"Why just sit?"

>>20725804
Pretty much what I was going to write. Seconded.

"Yeah, that sounds nice." You say, laying back. "Do you want to turn human again? I want to hug you for awhile."
"I can just cast it as a temporary spell." She said. "Takes less energy that way."

The dragon closed her eyes, and then shimmered, and shrunk. Kaliel took your hand, and scooted up next to you, human once again.

"... I'm going to take the Sparrow from the elves." She said, wrapping her fluffy robed arm around you. "Or borrow it. I won't be traveling far from the weave, so if I can talk them into letting me, I can be across the world in a day."

>>20725864
"If that's what you think is best.

Let's not talk about you leaving for a bit, we both know it's going to happen so I'd like to focus on right now."

Kiss her, kiss her hard, give her something to remember us by and then some.

>>20725864
Bury head in crook of her neck. Pretend to be listening to boring details but actually be holding back tears.

>>20725880
This sounds good to me.

>>20725864
Oh man. This is just a tragedy waiting to happen.

>>20725864
"Kaliel, you can just ask them to take you. They'd probably be intrigued by what you're looking into."

rolled 100 = 100

>>20725864
Rolling for enchant her ring like a gps so we can know her exact position
Later of course.

>>20725973
We're apparently good at being a stalker.

>>20725973
wow

>>20725973
Is Ishelda on her way to becoming the next (infinitely more adorable) Dark Lord with that roll?

File: 1347665765814.png-(Spoiler Image, 281 KB, 704x396)

>>20725988
Because we are in DEEP LOVE.

>>20726023
One Ring to chitchat with them all, One Ring to find them.
One Ring to bring them all and in Arcturus have tea with them.

...it doesn't have the same catchyness as the original.

>>20725973
We can make it like it can be turned off/on, so she can use it if she needs our help or something, and so Ishelda doesn't look like creepy stalker.

You bury your head in the crook of her neck again, hugging her tightly.
"Let's not talk about you leaving for a bit." You say, eyes closed. "We both know it's going to happen, so I'd like to focus on right now."
"If you want to." She said, ruffling your hair.
Before you consider exactly what you're doing, you're kissing her, kissing her hard, arms on her shoulders. Something rises up inside of you, and she pulls you closer to her, until she's all but sitting in your lap.
A few seconds- or minutes- or hours later, you pull away, finally able to breathe again.
"I-well-" She started, completely stunned. She slipped off her ring. "J-Just... enchant that so you can know where I am."
You take it in hand, and in response, kiss her some more, bringing your magic forth. The spell coils and twists, the long silver lines on your arms blazing with un-color, as they become, for an infintesmally short moment, an open gateway to the void. With Kaliel in your lap, your sorcerous talent explodes, and...

Something happens.

Your soulflame serpent sunders in half, the disconnected half coiling around the ring- no, more like *becoming* the ring. A snake eating it's own tail, made of wrought silver, an amber gemstone where the serpent's single eye should be.

You drop the ring into her palm, and she slips it on.
Very suddenly, you can feel a second heartbeat, not far from your own, beating wildly.
"Can- Can you feel that?" She asked, her own eyes bright red. "Because... Because I can."

>>20726072
"Y-yeah. It's kinda weird, but also comforting."

>>20726072
"Yes, I can hear your heart beat. A portion of my soul flame became your ring, we'll always know where the other is, if they're safe.

Sorcery, it sometimes does this sort of thing."

>>20726072
Oh boy, we can feel her feeling us feeling her feeling us and fuck a duck it's a feedback loop of shared sensation.

"Um. Yes. I'm... I'm not sure of exactly what I just did. Or how."

>>20726072
"Mhmm"

Smooches. See if we can make that heartbeat dance.

>>20726072
In addition to whatever else, try and manifest the soulflame from the ring.

"Um. Yes. I'm... I'm not sure exactly what I just did. Or how." You say.
"Whatever you did, your full on power again." She said. "Look at your arms."
You don't spare a look at your arms. Instead... you pull her close again and make her heartbeat dance.
<We'd better make up for the time we'll lose together.> She said, her heartbeat speeding up.
You try to bring the soulflame in the ring to life, to uncoil it, but the ring slumbers, still in place, but it thrums with power... power you're not sure you quite understand. Something.. alien, not related to a talent, or to sorcery.

Slowly, the sun starts to set, as you and Kaliel spend your time together.
With Kaliel in your lap, you realize that, for the second time...
You've just created an artifact.

>End of thread!
>Sticking around to answer questions.
>Also, the IRC is #Exabyte on Rizon, and my twitter is @futureexabyte.
>Maps, too. I'll be working on maps for New Arcturus, but keep in mind, I suck at this stuff.

File: 1347667185986.gif-(167 KB, 160x120, 1334202328422.gif)

>>20726208
MAGIC!

>>20726208
Aww yeah, artifacts powered by LOVE

We are the best.

So, how bout dem castle names?

>>20726245
my vote remains with Sanctuary.

>>20726252
yeah that

>>20726245
I'm going to suggest the utilitarian "Arcturus Castle".
But Sanctuary is also okay.

>>20726242
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK0z87WrhGo

File: 1347667613596.gif-(263 KB, 500x257, 1329375017876.gif)

>>20726278
>Huey Lewis & The News
I'm going to hate myself for this, but...

HEY, KAL!

>>20726245
And my vote is for Castle Al'Ghul.

>In order to provide enough power for flight, a bird's wing muscles make up 25-35% of it's body weight.
>Raziel's body is less efficiently designed for flight so she'll need more.
>She also has the standard milk-producing stuff which weighs a few pounds and is probably a good 5% of her new lighter body.
Over a third of Raziel's body weight is in her stonking great knockers. Just throwing that out there.

>>20726521
She's incapable of producing milk- a chimeric form is like that.

Also, she mostly runs on the same bullshit biology that lets kalak fly, even though they're much too large to.

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>>20726591
>kalak are too large to fly
>500lb pterosaurs managed to fly at 80 mph

So are you saying chimeric forms are infertile or did she just fuck that bit up and needs to get a wet nurse?

Also what the hell do muscles in your boobs even attach to? Does she have bones in her boobs as well?

>>20726727
It shouldn't be infertile, she'll just need a wetnurse.
I imagine her boobs aren't soft anymore if they're made of hard packed muscle. Which means they won't jiggle. That is a TRAGIC loss.

>>20726752
Humans have their musculature under the breasts as well, so if they gain muscles in the chest region, the relevant tissue in the breasts simply gets pushed to the surface, resulting in what appears to be larger breasts. Not muscle boobs.

>>20726727
Pterosaurs are different because they're not humanoid nor bipedal.
And by muscles in her boobs, it's closer to muscles where her ribcage and lungs should be- all of that is wing muscle. Her wings and intestine were shifted lower.
But pretty much, chimeric forms are pretty much fucked up mutant versions of half-shapeshifting where you were lucky enough not to shapeshift your circulatory system backwards or something. Among other things, she's sterile and she's incapable of producing milk, she has superhuman lungs and a gizzard, but she lacks as much physical strength or durability that a human would normally have.

>>20726773
>by wings and intestine, I mean her lungs were shifted downward, into the void where the intestine and stomach became a gizzard.

>>20726727
I wonder how they balanced themselves in flight. Their shoulders do not look aligned with their center of mass. How did they kept themselves horizontal ?

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>>20726773
Bipedal flighted birds: The Wandering Albatross has a body length of up to 4'5". The California Condor goes up to 4'7". Human-sized isn't exactly a massive stretch. I imagine their arms are weak and light like bird legs, good for fine manipulation but not for heavy lifting. They're all casters and I don't think we've ever seen one use a weapon.

>>20726851
Dunno. Their brains probably aren't very large at all.

>>20726949
Huh. I've learned something today. Disregard my senseless babblings.

>>20726992
>>20726992
But then I would have to stop reading your wonderful threads.

>>20726949
Behold, the primordial Kalak ancestors.