In near complete darkness of the tunnels below the lizardman empire, there was a single, upright claw, a sphere of light dancing in it's palm. Connected to the rest of the massive, bony claw, was most of a draconic skeleton, covered in dessicated flesh. A squelching, thumping noise came from within the dragon's ribcage- it's heart, still beating, open to the air and suspended in an oily, rotting goop. As if it had fallen from the skeleton, a pile of flesh and muscle swelled up from the dragon's belly, still living, pulsing with life and *breathing*, small, newly-grown limbs still alive, and twitching, bonelessly. The dragon's skull itself had only a token amount of scales on the bottom, the tendons and muscles of the jaw, dessicated like everything else. It was as if the skeleton had let gravity pull everything loose, over thousands of years, and yet refused to die. A single, bloodshot, eyelid-less eye remained, darting from you to the frozen Kaliel at your side.

"If you were not a fleshcrafter, the door would not have opened." The skeleton said, it's jaw opening merely a fraction, in order to speak. Kaliel was still frozen, and your stomach started recoiling from the smell.

Punch him in the face.

Rolled 69

>>20906262
Summon up a light refreshing scented breeze in defense of our nose and stomach.

"Wh-what?"

>>20906262
"Who and what are you?"

Rolled 64

>>20906262
Rolling to dull our sense of smell so we can focus on the situation at hand.

With a simple spell, you dull your sense of smell- and Kaliel's too, while you're at it.
"W-who and what are you?" You ask.
"Ah, so the Gift is still in effect, and I remember how to speak." It responded, the eye lolling over to you. "Good. I will answer your question, small one. I am Mala'khairos, and I am something from long ago."

>>20906324
"You aren't actually alive are you?"

>>20906324
Are you created with magic? Were all dragons made with magic? Are you a Dragon? Who created you? Can you tell us more about flesh crafting? Do you know who made The sea serpents? What about the magic spiders?

>>20906324
Nudge Kali gently with an elbow. "I was given to understand that all dragons had been sacrificed to prevent the demons from opening new portals to this world. So... >>20906346"

"I was given to understand that all dragons had been sacrificed to prevent the demons from opening new portals to this world. So...You aren't actually alive, are you?" You ask, gently nudging Kaliel.
"Oh, I live." It said. "As I have for centuries. Judging by appearances... tsk, tsk, tsk. As for that sacrifice... You can't sacrifice something you do not care about. That is why I still live, because Khalghaul and the Circle cared for me not."
"Are you created with magic?"
"I was born, like all truly living things."
"Are you a dragon?"
"That word was stripped from me, against my own will, and words are power. Do not call me one, lest something... happen."
"Do you know who made the sea serpents? What about the magic spiders?"
"'Twas I." The great beast said. "The spiders were a test of my ability... and the serpents were my legacy. The legacy you must have found, or you would not be here."

>>20906396
"In truth, it was my friend here that found it."
<Kali?>

>>20906396
"Indeed. Though it's Kaliel who's the fleshcrafter, not I." Look to Kaliel.

>>20906396
"So you're a fleshcrafter. Were you the first? Did you discover it independently? Did you call Kal here? How did you do that?

Forgive me for saying so but you do not look to be in the best shape. May I ask for your story of how you came to be in this place in such a state?"

>>20906396
"So why are you rotting in a cave?"

>>20906438
>Forgive me for saying so but you do not look to be in the best shape.

Don't say this line. Otherwise, good post.

>>20906396
It's time to start being progressively less gentile with Kaliel.

"Kali is the fleshcrafter, actually, but yes, we found them They're quite beautiful."

"Indeed." You say. "Though it's Kaliel who's the fleshcrafter, not I."
You give her a look, and she gulped. "Y-yeah, that's what I am."
"Interesting." It responded. "I had thought you were one mind in two bodies. Perhaps I was mistaken."
"So you're a fleshcrafter." You say. "Were you the first? Did you discover it independently?"
"Yes, I was. In all my life, I have met only... one. Right now." It said. "It is not something that is learned, like a spell. It is not something one is born with, like a power, or talent. It is neither, yet both."
"Did you call Kal here? How did you do that?"
"An enchantment. A talent, laid upon each sea serpent I created- each talent would only blossom if they met a fleshcrafter- and the talent would only give one the dreams of this place. I have succeeded."
"May I ask for your story of how you came to be in this place, in such a state?"
"The circle was dead." It said, the eye rolling from you to Kaliel. "Sacrificed- Murdered, you could say- by the ogre, Khalghaul. We had all forgotten the war between us, with the larger threat of demons looming... Khalghaul had not. He chose to... kill two birds with one stone. The ogres cheered, with my kind dead, yet I still lived, the name of my kin stripped from me. So I built my legacy... and I had to wait. Fleshcrafting does not gift eternal life, so I have grown old. This is how one looks after aging beyond reason."

>>20906554
"Waiting for another fleshcrafter? Why?"

>>20906554
So why have you called us here? Will you teach us more about fleshcrafting? Do you have ulterior motives? Are you a bad guy? How long do you think you have to live? Will you be able to live forever as a skullingtong?

>>20906554
"Did you ever consider crafting yourself a new body out of whole cloth?"

>>20906554
"Did the circle encompass the rest of your race or merely the ruling body? Why did they not care for you?

So you said that you gave the Sea Serpents 'Talents', Kal, you were right, you could track how talents are passed down and replicate and understand them.

Why were you looking for a fleshcrafter? Are you planning on being evil?"

"Kaliel you should be asking some questions. I'm just kinda rambling here..."

Really this Kaliel gig here. We kinda need to push her to forefront.

Why were you looking for a fleshcrafter?

>>20906637
True.

>>20906554
Nudge Kali, hard.

"Kali, honey, focus. You can have your breakdown later."

>>20906637
She seems completely stunned at the moment. She can talk to him when he recovers. There's no rush.

>Are you a bad guy
>Are you planning on being evil
Yes, because if he is he'll just tell us so we can stop him while he's weak.

Sol, let's help him get revenge on Ogres then, shall we?

>>20906554
"But... How? There's nothing to subsist on in this barren end of the caves, and most of your body has rotted away from... Some sort of age-induced leprosy, I suppose. Aren't you in pain? How did you live like this, for so long?"

>>20906704
Naw, they're like 5% of the population of our city.

>>20906704
No, the ogres are our friends and citizens and shouldn't have to pay for what their ancestors did a thousand years ago.

"Did you ever consider crafting yourself a new body, out of whole cloth?"
"I am too proud of my eternal form, to shed it." He said.
"Waiting for another fleshcrafter? Why?"
"Tell me, little one. When you are alone, with nobody remaining in all the world, what is there to do? Nothing. That's exactly it. Nothing but wait... and so I chose to wait for a ... peer."
"Kaliel, you should be asking some questions. I'm just kinda rambling here..."

She gulped again, nodded, and took a step forward.
"How does one understand talents, or features, or bloodlines, just from watching? How do you *make* talents?"
"...I will not teach you more about fleshcrafting." It said. "Unless you can answer me a single question. Why did I make the sea serpents fly out of their ocean?"
"Well... because it's beautiful."
"Wrong."
"Because... they needed to see a fleshcrafter for their talent to manifest..."
"Wrong."
"... Uhm... Because you wanted to."
"Exactly!" It crowed, it's mouth opening a fraction more than usual- some of the dessicated tendons on the dragon's jaw snapped. "Because I wanted to. Because I can. Does the gift of tongues still teach one fonts and runes and glyphs?"
"Y-yeah, it does." She said.

The claw suddenly twisted, dust raising from the bone, and you hear something cracking as it reaches behind itself, and pulled out an enormous book, nearly three times the size of a thick spellbook, and dropped it in front of Kaliel.
"Then that is yours." It said. "I have no need for paper."

>>20906739
Let's wait and see if Kaliel says anything. If not, then we'll ask
"What do you intend to do now, Mala'khairos?"

>>20906739
"So, what are your plans from this point forward?"

>>20906739
Wait for her to say thank you for the priceless spellbook.
"So what are you going to do now you've found a peer?"

>>20906739
>Fleshcrafting for Dummies

Neat.

"So what now?"

>>20906739
"Most gracious of you, esteemed Fleshcrafter Mala'khairos. Is there anything we can do in return for this generosity? You hardly look comfortable the way you are, and with another fleshcrafter and a sorceress, we could try and reverse your age somewhat."

>>20906789
Er, it seems a bit more like a Fleshcrafting 201 textbook, considering she had to already know how to do the basics.

>>20906830
It seems more like everything from the basics up to the point where he doesn't need to write stuff down any more, considering how massive it is.

She pulled open the book, including it's door-sized cover, and created a light spell, immediately starting to read.
"So what are you going to do, now you've found a peer?"
"Wait." It responds. "That is what I intend to do. Each sapient being needs a peer to converse with. That one is not yet ready, but soon, in the next hundred years, they will be eternal as I am... and then we may become friends. The immortal's dilemma- Everybody else dies, and so you are alone. The only choice is to find another immortal. Or... make one."

>>20906861
"How do you deal with the boredom in the meantime?"

>>20906861
"M-make one?"

>>20906895
He means the events that led to Kaliel, dummy.

>>20906861
"Or stop being immortal."
"So you're just going to sit in this cave for another century waiting for her to be ready? Isn't that kind of boring? I would rather keep making friends and losing them than be alone in the dark for a thousand years like you..."

>>20906861
"I've already met a few immortals, I think at least, it can be a difficult word to be sure if it applies. Fleshcrafting is not the only route that can be taken to reach it.

I'm not immortal, but I could probably pull off being immortal if I tried. Would you care for some conversation for a bit, perhaps over a cup of tea?"

>>20906861
I have met a few Immortals. They didn't last.

Before, you said one mind with two bodies. Which mind do you see?

"M-make one?" You ask.
"What I am doing now." It said, the one eye rolling down to Kaliel. "Find a fleshcrafter, and teach them to be eternal."
"How do you deal with the boredom in the meantime?"
"Learn not to be bored." It said, immediately.
"So you're just going to sit here in this cave for another century waiting for her to be ready? Isn't that kind of boring? I would rather keep making friends and losing them than be alone in the dark for a thousand years like you..."
"You say that, but your own time is finite. You don't understand the ... scars, it makes, on one's heart. I have been close, very close, to killing my emotions and becoming a monster."

>>20906861
"I think, rotting flesh aside, you are easily the most sane immortal I have met to date. Gareth was," pause "I'm not really sure how to describe Gareth. Singleminded devotion to a half-remembered goal, perhaps. Eidolon was no longer really himself, either, I don't think."

>>20906974
If Kal can make people immortal, Ishy better get some of that sweeet immortal juice.

>>20906974
Narrow eyes.

"You could not be more wrong."

>>20906974
"I suppose you're right. After all, you are easily the most sane immortal I have met to date. Gareth was," pause "I'm not really sure how to describe Gareth. Singleminded devotion to a half-remembered goal, perhaps. Eidolon was no longer really himself, either, I don't think. And...I wonder if that's what Dras'lea did."

>>20906977
I think the Venerable Queen and King are the sanest immortals we've met.

>>20906974
"Mala'khairos, I understand scars and pain better than you think, and while my time is finite I could change that, probably.

Though your comment about killing your emotions reminds me quite a bit of someone I know. Does such a thing happen often?"

>>20906974
"I know somebody who did that. I'm glad you didn't. But if you think I do not understand the pain of losing loved ones you are sorely mistaken."

>>20906974
Killing your emotions and becoming a monster? Have you heard of the one by the name Dras' Lea? Is that what she did?

>>20907038
Yeah, the Queen's got a bit of a complex about lying but overall they're doing far better than this guy.

>>20906967
Hmm, do we still have our mind shield on from Sardriel? That was a while ago.

>>20907066
I think it's because of the soul ring.

>>20907089
It most likely is. But still be interesting to get his take on what he 'saw' as it were.

"If you think that I do not understand the pain of losing loved ones, you are sorely mistaken." You say, narrowing your eyes.
"I'm not speaking of losing loved ones." It said, the single eye rolling, once again, to you. "I'm speaking of losing every loved one. Every time. Everbody you meet, you know, that they will die within the blink of an eye. Until you hide from the populace, terrified of falling in love with someone who is finite."
"Though, your comment about killing your emotions reminds me quite a bit of someone I know. Does such a thing happen often?"
"No, it rarely happens. The ones who do it end up killing themselves, eventually."
"... Have you heard of the one by the name Dras'lea?" You ask.
"I have never heard of a person by that name... but such a strange name. Dras... lea... The shatterer of the chains of fate. The breaker of the laws of time. The name means... Paradox."

>>20907117
Well someone who looks like me has taken up the name, and acts exactly as you describe. As if her emotions have been torn out. She calls herself a monster, but I think she is beyond that. She tries, but doesn't understand anything. Cannot understand.

>>20907117
"Yes, it does. Do you know if there's a way to fix her? Bring her emotions back?"

"Maybe you should go out and meet some of the other immortals. Living like this can't be good for you."

>>20907117
"I'm pretty sure that Dras did this to herself.

There are other immortals though. You might like the Venerable Queen and King. They do not isolate themselves, they instead have devoted their eternity to caring and guiding their people."

>>20907207
Although if he did, people'd call him Dragon and he'd become a Dragon, and then the anti-demon portal spell would be broken.

>>20907223
We could give him a ring. I'm pretty sure the Venerable Couple have them too so he could get some quality conversation and not even have to leave his cave.

>>20907223
Such a bullshit loophole. A dragon is a dragon, whether the other dragons like him or not. He could tell people he's a Wyrm, problem solved.

"Well someone who looks like me has taken up the name, and acts exactly as you describe. As if her emotions have been torn out. She calls herself a monster, but I think she is beyond that. She tries, but doesn't understand anything. Cannot understand."
"That is precisely what happens. And then they become... empty, and they seek out what they lost."
"Yes, it does. Do you know if there's a way to fix her? Bring her emotions back?"
"It depends on how she did it." It responds. "An enchantment can be lifted, with the World Key, or a curse can be purified, with the Ankh. Artifacts lie everywhere that can fix such a thing. Unless.. she devoured it. Destroyed it, with blood magic, or perhaps a talent... In that case, there's only one thing that restore her heart. A great, powerful tool, Crafted by the Circle in order to reverse entropy itself, and powers that none truly understand. The Gearworks."

>>20907251
Oh. That's why she wants it.

Something horrible happens if she tries though, doesn't it?

>>20907251
"Ah, so that's why she's looking for it. Do you know how to find it?"

Rolled 2

>>20907251
Rolling to transform the zombie not-dragon into something with less stench. Like a rabbit.

>>20907251
"Well, the Ankh is powerless, World Key's busy doing a job and the Fell's broken."

>>20907251
"The World Key is still around, the Ankh is gone.

The Gearworks, what more can you tell me about it?"

>>20907273
No, no, no, no, no. Even if you had rolled well I would still say no.

>>20907273
Regardless of that roll, the not-dragon has clearly stated that he wants to stay in his disgusting, rotten form. It'd be quite rude to change him.

>>20907275
Hurr durr. We already know none of those world work. It is IC knowledge that we need to find The Gearworks, and now we know why.

>>20907273
No, that's completely retarded.

"The Ankh is powerless, and the World Key is busy doing a job." you say. "The Gearworks, what more can you tell me about it?"
"It was not I who created it." It said. "It was created by the rest of the circle. A weapon, against the ogres, and to reverse entropy itself, drawing loose, used magic from the void, and back into reality. Only Solu'nox the White could use it properly, with his talent, but he vanished, many years before the demons arrived. I do not know where it is, or where it went. Just that it still lies in this world, for magic is blossoming."

>>20907325
"I have a feeling that I already know the answer, but what was Solu'nox's talent?"

>>20907325
"Could you tell me about this Solu'nox? I think we might be related."

>>20907325
"What can you tell me about Solu'nox's Talent? Was it sorcery?

What separated you from the rest of the circle?"

>>20907325
"Could one use the Gearworks to stop the flow of magic in this world?"

>>20907325
So how does one stop a nigh omnipotent clone of oneself from getting the gearbox?

Go have a look at what kal's doing.

I think I like you with your flesh on.

>>20907388
>So how does one help a nigh omnipotent clone of oneself get the gearworks?
Fixed that for you.

>>20907398
Not really. We don't know what else her plans entail. So, if we get it before she does, we can give her emotions back without the risk of her doing something bad with it.

"I have a feeling that I already know the answer, but what was Solu'nox's talent?" You ask.
"The ability to harness wild magic, as if it were wizardry, driven by intuition and willpower, rather than intellect and focus."
"Was it Sorcery?" You ask.
"The gift of tongues tells me that that word is the one I seek. Yes. It was sorcery."
"Could one use the gearworks to stop the flow of magic in this world?"
"... Possibly, yes. It would involve destroying it, most likely."

You go look at what Kal's doing, and she's frantically copying page after page into her own, smaller tome, scribbling as quickly as you've ever seen her, eyes wide, and the bladed tail of her armor whipping this way and that.

"...Do you know how to find it?" You ask.

"There are two ways to find it." The skeletal... thing, said. "In these latest ages, magic has had more and more of an opinon, of a whim for the dramatic. In that case, you will find it only when you need it. And the other way... is to use a demon. Demons can smell magic from across the world, and they will always hunt for the most powerful force they can find. The Gearworks is the most powerful of all. A sun, but of magic instead of heat."

>>20907455
>Grandpappy's going to get hold of the Gearworks
Shiiit...

"Where could I find out more about Solu'nox?"

>>20907455
"Then I suppose we'll just have to wait for it to show up then. Consorting with demons is out of the question."

>>20907455
"It looks like I'll have to wait until it's appropriate then. I am not planning on allowing any demons on this world. I have reasons to dislike them greatly.

Can you tell me anything about Dire animals, especially bears, and the Cycle?"

"It looks like I'll have to wait until it's appropriate, then. I am not planning on allowing any demons on this world. I have reasons to dislike them greatly."
"Nobody allows demons. Even through the sacrifice, they slip through, now and then... they just cannot invade, as they try. Portals cannot be opened, but ... portals are not the only way from one world to the other. Demons, if they can find those secret paths and cracks, can come through, as many beings have done."
"Can you tell me anything about Dire animals, especially bears, and the Cycle?"
"I do not know what the cycle is, I am afraid." It said. "It is nothing that the circle ever spoke about, even when I was in it. Dire creatures are just that- Creatures who carry dire talent within their blood- something awoken by magic. Something that makes them powerful, and angry. My eternal rival, The Druid, Fig'landros, said they exist to combat those who create societies, and civilizations. That nature made them to turn cities back into wilds."

>>20907572
>My eternal rival, the druid,
>Once my rival, the druid,*

>>20907572
"Do you know if the Gearworks has something to do with this realm being a central point for realm-travel?"

>>20907572
"Well, I'd say that he was at least partially wrong. One of my closest friends is a Dire bear who has been awakened. He has never expressed issue with civilization."

>>20907609
Wasn't that because of the sacrifice to keep the demons from opening portals on this world?

"Well, I'd say that he was at least partially wrong. One of my closest friends is a dire bear who has been awakened. He has never expressed issue with civilization."
"Awakened?" The dragon asked.. and edged closer, a fraction. everything inside of it... sloshed, as it moved closer to you- this was the most the thing had moved, yet.
"You mean to say... given a mind? A sapient, sentient mind, capable of thinking and speaking? If so... then it is not dire. Dire beasts may be smarter... but they are crueler, unless one has a talent to control them. Your dire bear is not dire. Perhaps, not a bear, either. It is likely it has lied to you."

>>20907675
"It is more likely that he has either been changed by my link to him or that the title "prince of bears" has more meaning then I thought."

>>20907675
>B-but he's fluffy. Why would the fluffy lie?!

That's what I want to say. But no. We'll just have to have a talk with Grayson sometime soon.

"I would like to believe he hasn't if it's all the same to you."

>>20907675
"He says he's the Prince of Bears and has to maintain the Cycle. He uses dire magic, so he must be dire. He also complained about the minotaurs misusing dire magic. Mostly he just sleeps a lot."

>>20907675
"He is most certainly a dire bear. His mind was not intentionally raised, and it was not raised suddenly. I've seen him use dire magic.

"I would like to believe he hasn't, if it's all the same to you."
"It is not relevant to myself." It said. "Forgive me, it's been quite some time since I last spoke to anything that spoke back to me, and so I am simply rambling."

It shook it's head slightly.

"I believe it is time for you and the fleshcrafter to go. I do not wish to become too familiar with either of you. But thank you for visiting."

>>20907779
"What were the singing crystals singing?"
Also give him a ring.
Then go nudge Kal, she's probably still nose-deep in that book.

>>20907779
"While neither of us is likely to die of old age I will respect your wish. Do you intend to return to your crystalline form? If not there need to be made arrangements with the local lizardfolk, which we could do if you want.

>>20907779
Have a nice day. Would you be my grand uncle or cousin?

File: 1348863793917.jpg-(134 KB, 733x850, 1344986150412.jpg)

So, if Kal achieves immortality... then we probably should too...


...anyone want to become God-Empress?

"What were the singing crystals singing?" You ask, and take a ring from the pouch at your hip.

"The last song dragonkind ever sung, back when the ritual was soon to be completed, and after I stopped being such. A keening cry, to the heavens, begging to not be forgotten. I decided... to make it echo, for as long as I live." Quietly, it continued. "So that they will not be forgotten."
As it said that, slowly, the rubble and dust from the collapsed stone wall slowly started to build themselves back up.

"Wait." Kaliel says, and the stone pauses. She gets to her feet, walks into Mala's chamber... and gives the skeletal, rotting, living dragon a hug. "You... looked like you needed that."

You slide a ring into the chamber, and you and Kaliel step away.
The stones continued raising, the wall becoming smooth, and perfectly clear, as the crystals started glowing, and humming again. The chamber that Mala'khairos hid within was gone, blocked off by a perfectly smooth wall.

>>20907896
"Well, that was interesting."

"Well, that was interesting." You say.

Kaliel looked down to the book, and nodded.
"Yeah... It was. She was." She said, looking down at the book. "Would you... mind helping me bring this book up to Sparrow? It's too big to carry with just one of us."

Rolled 38

>>20907896
lets magic nasties off keli.

Rolled 19

>>20907957
we can magic float the book onto sparrow.

Rolled 17

>>20907957
Summon up a earth elemental for that. Grunt work pff.

Rolled 46

>>20907957

Fucking-

THIS is how you roll!

Rolled 41

>>20907960
>>20907966
>>20907970
>>20907973


What is with the dice today?

>>20907957
"If you turned me scaly again I could probably carry it."

Rolled 55

/tg/dice. No love at all.
>>20907970
One more try for that. Then I'm done.

>>20907976
They don't like you abusing magic for little things you don't need it for.

Rolled 68

You have to roll harder

I suggest simply carrying it together.

For a few, very dizzying moments, you try various ways of lifting the book, before you finally pant, frown, and turn to Kaliel.
"If you turned me scaly again, I could probably carry it."
She gives you a shy smile, and then gives you a few sparks of energy so you can stand properly, and then touches your shoulder, and your body twists, and reshapes itself, and once again, you're a lizardwoman, with a short, powerful tail, with all of the greens in your sight muted, turning everything a strange orange.

You pick up the enormous book in both hands- Your tail is actually useful, because it prevents you from being unbalanced and falling forward- and the two of you make your way up the tunnel and out.

"How was things down there?" Vithriel said.
"... It was boring." Kaliel lied, quickly. "We just ended up messing with the crystals for a bit, but they didn't respond."
"Yep, that's what happened to me." She said. She gave the book in your arms a strange look, and then shrugged. "Does that mean you two are heading off? I can't interest you in some swamp brew, can I?"
"Sorry, Vith, I hate the stuff." She said.

>>20908044
"Aww, c'mon Kali, it'll be fun!"

>>20908044
"I need to keep my wits about me, otherwise I'd happily imbibe. But thank you for the offer. Let's not wait another two years before seeing one another again, hm?"

>>20908044
I don't want to carry this totally not suspicious book for long, it's heavy. And I can't put it down in this wet place.

Rolled 16

>>20908044
Dull Kaliel's sense of taste

"I need to keep my wits about me, otherwise I'd happily imbibe. But thank you for the offer. Let's not wait another two years before seeing one another again, hm?"
"Let's not." She said, chuckling. "Maybe I'll turn back kalak for a few days and visit you. It'll be weird as hell being male again."
Kaliel suddenly looked down to her ring for a short time, and you sense... some kind of communication between the two of them.
"Anyway, you two should be off before the Mothers arrive." She said, finally. "Don't want them to meet you while you're in that form. Fly safe, you two."
"We will." Kaliel said, and the two lizardmen started to lead you back to the ship.

>>20908144
"I tossed Mala'khairos a communication ring"

>>20908144
ask keli wat say.

>>20908144
<This is a communication ring. You could try getting to know the orcish king and queen, they're both immortal. You could also try summoning Azariel. He's already dead so he can't die again. Just say his name in a dark place and he might come.>

"I tossed Mala'khairos a communication ring." You say, and she nods.
"I saw." She said. "I... don't think I want to talk to her for now. I'm... not sure why."

You turn to the ring itself, and try to contact Mala'khairos.
<This is a communication ring.> You say.
<A clever trinket.> She responded.
<You could try getting to know the orcish king and queen, they're both immortal. You could also try summoning Azariel. He's already dead so he can't die again.>
<Necromancy? Perhaps I'll speak to the orcs, instead.> Mala responded. <Or I will sleep. Thank you again, for leaving this trinket with me.>

Eventually, you reach Sparrow again, dumping off the book, and curling up your tail.
"Your eyes are still flickering that purple color." Kaliel said, suddenly. "Can you still move like you know the form?"

>>20908328
"Yes. Do you know what happened? I just transformed into the tiger the same way I always do shapeshifting."

"Yes. Do you know what happened? I just transformed into the tiger the same way I always do shapeshifting."
"You're using sorcery." She said, kissing you on your crocodile-like snout. "You've made artifacts on accident, before. It's probably something like that."

She shrugged, pushed her hand against your shoulder, and once again, you were human. She ran her hand through her hair.
"That was... really stressful." She said. "And that smell..."

>>20908328
"Yes. I think it's the residual effect from when I shapeshifted to your dragon-lion, that spell went really well"

>>20908402
"I thought I stopped the smell?"

>>20908402
"But I tried to dull your smell sense. Didn't it work?

>>20908402
"Mala'khairos seemed to be in consisted state of decay. What a price to pay for immortality."

>>20908402
"Couldn't she make her body incorruptible or something, to stop it from decaying?"

>>20908446
>consisted
>constant
I don't know how I did that.

"But I tried to dull your sense of smell. Didn't it work?" You ask.
"Mostly." She said. "Humans have a great sense of smell compared to kalak, and so everything seems stronger, for me." She said. "Stronger hearing, smelling.. my sense of touch is the same, but my sight is really bad now for long distances."
"Mala'khairos seemed to be in a constant state of decay. What a price to pay for immortality. Couldn't she make her body incorruptible or something, to stop it from decaying?"
"I.. have a feeling that she could have fixed that anytime. She just... didn't feel like it." Kaliel said, and shrugged. "I don't know why."

>>20908488
She could make herself a completely new body that's exactly like hers was in her prime. But for some reason she likes being natural. Even if natural is rotting.

>>20908531
Can't you enhance your vision in this form?

>>20908531
"Could it be like the crystals? The dragons are all dead so she doesn't want to mess with that form which is all that's left."

"Hey Kal, you heard what she said about Solu'nox. A white dragon with sorcery that suddenly disappeared. And my ancestor Dave suddenly appeared in my world with nobody knowing where he came from. And white isn't a natural human hair color. Do you think...?"

"Could it be like the crystals? The dragons are all dead, so she doesn't want to mess with that form, which is all that's left..." You say.
"... It's sad." She said, and frowned.
"Can't you enhance your vision in this form?"
"Probably, but that's chimeric, to put kalak eyes in a human skull. I'd need to make a brand new not-human form to do it without the risk of my eyes exploding or something." She said. "I'm not as lucky as Raziel with that kind of stuff."

She shrugged, sighed, and then put her hand on Sparrow's crystal.
"Are you ready to go back to New Arcturus?" She asked.

>>20908622
Say this

>>20908667
"Only if you don't have any where else to go."

>>20908667
"Maybe we can make a short visit to the hobgoblin lands"

>>20908667
"I think Raziel was able to do it because it was sufficiently dramatic. Like how Mala'khairos said magic had more of an 'opinion' now?"

>>20908728
"Like when I made the Soul"

>>20908667
"I think so."

<Raz, when's the next time we can do the ancestry ritual?>

"Only if you don't have anywhere else to go." You say.
"Well, then... Triune's Gift we go." She said, and the airship shuddered to the north, to ride the weave as long as possible.

"Hey, Kal." You say, leaning back in your chair. "You heard what she said about Solu'nox. A white dragon, with sorcery that suddenly dissapeared. And my ancestor, Dave, suddenly appeared in Arcturus with nobody knowing where he came from. and white isn't a natural human hair color. Do you think...?"
"... I think you shouldn't use that crystal." She said, suddenly. "The one I made you. Just... just in case. I'm sorry, I could make you a different one, but..."

Rolled 84

>>20908776
Wait whats wrong with the dragon crystal?

>>20908776
"I'm removed at least a dozen generations...I'm not sure. If you think I shouldn't, I'll give it back."

>>20908796
Ishelda likely has dragon blood in her heritage. Turning into a dragon might be close enough to the real thing to break the sacrifice.

>>20908796
If Dave and Solu'nox are the same person, then that makes us part dragon. Taking dragon form might be enough to count as "true dragon", which would be Bad.

>>20908776
"That's what I thought you say. No need to apologize we both didn't know."

>>20908776
"I think you're right, it's a shame, though, it's a amazing crafting"

"I'm removed at least a dozen generations..." You say. "I'm not sure. If you think I shouldn't, I'll give it back."
"Well, I don't know much about the sacrifice. I mean, if Mala doesn't break it, you might not... But there could be other factors in place. But even if it does... keep it."

She suddenly stood up, and got closer. "Because... I don't care about this world, or the demons. If you're in so much danger you need to use the crystal... then do it. Use it, no matter what it does to the sacrifice."

>>20908776
"Yeah, it's fun but I wouldn't want to let the demons in over it. What counts as a dragon anyway? I still don't really get why Mala doesn't count as long as we don't call her one. And if Solu was shapeshifted then his children would be 100% human."

>>20908850
"I won't. I do care."

>>20908850
"That would be a bit egoistic... but I'm glad you care that much about me". Then kiss her

>>20908850
"You know I wouldn't do anything that might endanger that sacrifice.

I just...don't want this world turning into my world. There's too much here that I care for now."

"I won't. I do care... but I'm glad you care that much about me." You say, and kiss her.
"You're right." She said, a few moments later. "I shouldn't have said that."
"I just... don't want this world turning into my world." You say. "There's too much here that I care for, now."
"I know." She said, hugging you. "We're too different, that way..." She mumbled, closed her eyes tightly... and fell asleep in your arms.

>>20908995
To Dad: <Our trip was successful, we're on the way back.>

>>20908995
What time is it? Just lay with her in the bed and practice your focus with the light spell Ezekiel taught you.

>>20908995
Get her comfortable and in bed, and practice your discipline and focus with magic.

<Our trip was successful, and we're on the way back.> You say.
<That quickly?> He asked. <Glad to hear it. We'll be waiting.>

You carry Kaliel to her bed, and tuck her in, before climbing in yourself, closing your eyes and focusing. First, you focus on casting light without using any words, until you're certain that Kaliel is asleep enough not to wake up by your voice, and then you focus on casting the spell without any somatic components...

You wake up, suddenly, and it's suddenly dark. You must have fallen asleep while practicing, it seems, though you think you can reliably cast the spell sans a component- and Kaliel is snuggled up close to you, asleep... and murmuring- nothing with actual words, but it was the... tune that was important. With a start, you realize she's mumbling in the kalak tongue... and tearing up.

>>20909120
Enter her dream

>>20909120
INVADE HER DREAMS!

>>20909120
Might as well enter her dreams.

>>20909120
We're not going to like are we?

>>20909120
Penetrate her dreams.

You hug her, close your eyes... and focus on The Soul, Delving deeply into her dreams, just the same way you had before. Everything blurs, and when you come to, you can just see the red skies, and feel the brick beneath your feet. You're in leather armor, with a bow by your side, and a quiver on your hip... You're on a wall. A wall you recognize. You know this place. This... this is the outer walls of the castle of Arcturus, the week before you left the world, when the final siege first begun.

"I... didn't know." Kaliel said, looking rather pitiful in leather armor much too large for her. You notice that she's speaking the kalak tongue... but somehow, you can understand it. You hear someone screaming for help in arcturian, banging on the castle's closed gates, as the demons slowly advance.
"... I didn't know things were like this." She said, looking at you.

>>20909196
"How did you... How is this your dream?"

>>20909196
"What's going on? How are you dreaming about it if you don't know it?"

>>20909196
"Why are you dreaming of the siege of Arcturus?"

>>20909196
"It's okay Kali, don't worry. Did you entered my memory?"

"What's going on?" You ask. "How are you dreaming about it if you don't know it?"
"I, um, tried to enter your dreams, but... you didn't see me." She said, pressing her fingers together. "I don't think you remembered it... and then you woke up."

Below, the gates stayed sternly shut, and the man started screaming more- but not for help.
"I didn't mean to invade your privacy, I just wanted to spend some time somewhere where you'd be comfortable, without... things hiding in the shadows, like in my dreams." She said, looking very definitely away from the carnage below.

>>20909196
>>20909271
"You couldn't have known. No one can really imagine this kind of horror until they've gone through it. Nor should they.
This...this is what motivated me to build. A place where this sort of thing can't ever happen again.
But...if you don't mind, let's visit a more pleasant memory. Let's visit my vision for New Arcturus, so that I can show it to you. That's a sort of dream too."

>>20909271
"Sorry. I get these nightmares sometimes. You want me to wake you up? We can talk about it away from... this."

>>20909296
Seconding this.

"You couldn't have known." You say. "No one can really imagine this kind of horror until they've gone through it. Nor should they. This... this is what motivated me to build. A place where this sort of thing can't ever happen again." You say.
"Just... Can you wake me up?" She asked. "I'd really like to be awake right now."
You nod, give her a hug, and then pull out of the dream, before shaking her awake. Blearily, she rubbed at her eyes, and then clung to you more tightly, burying her face in your shoulder, saying something about nightmares, sniffling, and breathing raggedly.

>>20909374
Hug her.
"I have better dreams too, you know."

Show her our vision for New Arcturus through dream diving!

>>20909374
Stroke her back and kiss her head.

>>20909415
Yes Exabyte, you word slave, describe Ishelda's utopia.

Rolled 56

>>20909415
>>20909431
Maybe later, after she's calmed down a bit.

>Rolling for 69

Let's show her the dream with the endless fluffiness.

>>20909374
Hug her back. "It's ok. It's over now. I went back and turned into a dragon and beat them up and rescued everyone."

>She starts having her own nightmares about it
>In her nightmares there are tentacle monsters inside the city as well as demons outside it
I think we should stop doing the dream thing.

>>20909374
Also, ask her to sing us that tune she was mumbling in her dream.

>>20909488
What, "oh god why" in kalak?

>>20909374
Yeah I think that's enough with the whole dreaming thing.

Just hug her. Let her clam down for a bit.

I guess asking if she wants to talk about would be odd considering it was Ishelda memories for the events.

You kiss her forehead, and start stroking her back.
"It's okay." You say. "It's over now. I went back and turned into a dragon and beat them up and rescued everyone."
"Crying as a human is really disgusting." She said, sniffling. "It makes my eyes all weird. I'm sorry."

She wiped her face with a handkerchief, and then gave you a kiss.
"I... know what you mean, now." She said. "About not breaking the sacrifice. That's... too much."

>>20909538
this
>>20909407

Rolled 57

>>20909562
and this
>>20909415

>>20909586
No more dream diving. Please.

>>20909538
"It is. This world is safe and I'm going to keep it that way. But hopefully I can still use the crystal. I'll have to find out more about what exactly counts as a dragon, and get Raz to do that ancestry ritual."

"It is." You say. "The world is safe, and I'm going to keep it that way." you say. "But hopefully, I can still use the crystal. I'll have to find out mroe about exactly what counts as a dragon, and get Raz to do that ancestry ritual."
"I have my own things to do, too." She said. "Copy over that book, and... examine the trolls. Normal trolls, not Kell. I need to examine those more."
She gave you another kiss.
"Because if those demons do things like... *that*, then I'm going to need an army to wipe them from all existence."

>>20909645
"Do you want to go to the orclands to see the trolls? We can extend the trip a bit more."

>>20909645
"Can't you just ask Azariel about them? I thought he made them in the first place."

>>20909657
We're closer to hob lands. And those ones don't attack on sight.

>>20909645
"I'm not sure if they can be completely wiped out. If they're still like the Arakoata, they don't have physical forms in their home world. Not that I'd object to them being wiped out."

>>20909645
"Well, we can make a stop over the Orclands, if you want to examine the trolls now.
As for the last part, can you wait a little while before you plot to conquer the universe?"

>>20909645
"You're the best honey. I can't think of anything I hate more than them."

>>20909657
>>20909675
We'd probably be able to find more, and older, trolls, in Hobgoblin lands, where the wall was.

>>20909667
>>20909657
"Do you want to go to the hobgoblin lands to see the trolls? We can extend the trip a bit more."

>>20909687
Plus it be good to see how the Hobs are doing. Been two years of peace for them. See what they're up to.

>>20909683
And those trolls are much less likely to try and kill us. Although it'd be nice to test whether or not Kell can control smaller trolls (Like he was originally planned to)

"Can't you just ask Azariel about them? I thought he made them in the first place."
"He did, but he used a lot of ritual magic for them, so he doesn't know exactly how they work. Ritual magic and sacrificial magic are a lot like your sorcery, that way."
"Do you want to go to the orc or hobgoblin lands to see the trolls? We can extend the trip a bit more."
"Lewin has some trollflesh on him." Kaliel asked. "I... just asked. I remember reading something in Mala's book about finding out about someone's entire body from just a few samples, so I can learn that in New Arcturus."
She hesitated for a moment. "And I really want to be able to relax."

>>20909703
"I understand honey. It'll be good to have you home.

Besides, I still have to introduce you to my Father."

>>20909703
"Well, I can help with that..."

Rolled 17

>>20909703
HELP HER RELAX.

>>20909721
>Besides, I still have to introduce you to my Father.
That's not helping her relax at all.

>>20909703
"That sounds good. How long will it take to get home?"

"Well, I can help with that..." You say.
"With what, the trollflesh?"
"Help you relax." You respond in a low, throaty voice, and kiss her, gently pushing her back down onto the bed.

Completely, utterly unnoticed by the two *very* distracted crew of Sparrow, the ship shudders as it leaps off the weave, sailing toward New Arcturus.

>End of thread!

Trolls are pretty shitty. Demons use fire all the time. Trolls are very good at killing everything except the thing they were actually designed to kill.

No civ builder today FYI

>>20909994
Trolls are normally quite fire resistant. The main reason fire's worked well for us is sorcerous shenanigans.

>>20910123
>Actually, trolls are weak to fire because it slows and/or stops their regeneration.

>>20910130
Damn it, why do you let me say these things, Exabyte?

>>20910130
And demonfire stops wounds healing properly for normal people so that's like a double-whammy. Anti-demons weapons that are weak to demons. I hope Kal does a better job than her dad.

>>20910187
Obviously she'll make them out of Diamond then.

>>20910209
Use topaz, diamond is kinda brittle.