File: 1349319529445.png-(252 KB, 717x533, ADVENTURE.png)

>>20981001
ADVENTURE!

I'm working on the first part of my Coininoch thing, and I'm almost done. Once I'm finished, I'll email you and Fearghaile.

>>20981145
What the bloody hell is that from, anyway?

But yeah. I'd like to work on something with other people. Tell me if your interested. But for now I'm goin to bed.

>>20981154
Wakusei no Samidare.

Witch falling inside a trap? Is this you're-shrunken-motherfucker-just-like-that-one-episode-of-the-magic-school-bus shit?

If so, AWESOME.

>>20981001
YOU FORGOT THE WIKI LINK!

>http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Harem_Knights

>>20981206
That I did.

>>20981191
Not sure

Hm, looks like I got more done than I thought. GearHeart, Fearghaile, check your email.

>>20981182
Thanks.

>>20981295
Doing so now

File: 1349320436323.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 16 KB, 303x312)

>>20981278
I mean, are we a witch that's shrunken to the point where we can enter an orifice on the trap? Ride our steed (or broom) through his internal organs?

>>20981328
Not yet

>>20981295
Olin I checked the email and are there but I can't do anything but wait for you. One to add my email to the list so I show up as myself and so I can leave comments on what you have written so far

File: 1349321477406.jpg-(450 KB, 870x1000, 1346981873205.jpg)

>>20981446
One, re-posting Meina for posterity. Poster she has trouble in.

Two, damn it Lyrik email.

Three, damn it Olin email/comment powers

Four, damn it everyone for not having a story to start with

>>20981446
Whoops, forgot to give you permission to comment. Anyone with the link can do it now.

>>20981605
Thank you

I sometimes question the intelligence of the criminals in this world.

There was no reason for them to not see this coming, especially in a land where, as far as I knew, you had a nation of gentlemen who wouldn't put up with this shit. Not to mention any other morally just person who'd find a husband and wife lying dead on the side of the road, heads caved in and bodies battered.

The fuckers even had the nerve to kidnap their daughter and leave a ransom note. It's like they were ASKING to get Paladin'd.

Even as I crept through the caverns, my mind drifted back to that realm, subject of what could pass for myth and legend.

Teegee. The last real link I could have with the world I once knew. Why I hadn't gone and joined them, I couldn't say.

Maybe after this little excursion, I'd go and check it out. But first, I had thugs to deal with.

Peeking my head round a corner, I saw them. Two large men sitting at a table, drinking heartily from mugs of ale that, judging from their coherence, looked to have been their third.

And tied up on on the floor, practically catatonic in shock, lay the young half-elf. A slim, pretty young thing, she seemed relatively unharmed, thankfully enough.

You know, besides the trauma of seeing her parents die before her eyes.

Clenching a fist, I allowed myself a few minutes to make a plan. I was getting her out of here.

You man are doing Gods work.
I'd just like to remind you of that.
Carry on.

File: 1349323488675.jpg-(82 KB, 600x750, 1345801313814.jpg)

>>20981960
They killed the parents and asked for ransom. Thats beyond buttfaced retarded we've reached Jap movie lvls of dumbfucking assholes.

Pic is GearHeart after going hulk after hearing of this ineptitude of humanity. Also good work so far. But give us a name to work with.

>>20981526
here is email, though with mid terms, lab reports, and financial aid i doubt i'll be able to contribute much, if at all.

>>20982050
I would, but unfortunately life is a cheeky nigger in how it sneaks up on you.

I'll have to continue some time later.

>>20981960
>she wasn't fed to dogs
Oh good, this didn't take the turn I thought it would.

>>20982440
It went exactly how I thought. My money is on her being waifu material

>>20982486
In retrospect, it was probably a retard move to start this, seeing as I'm kind of winging it.

>>20982928
Nah do it however you want

>>20982981
I should at least read up on the setting.

Fuck. Sleep debt makes me stupid sometimes.

File: 1349327524954.png-(2 KB, 168x144, 1313088854284.png)

>>20981526

I am busy these day m'boy. Finishing up an honors degree and applying for a new faculty requires loads of the Chronos.

I awoke to the sunlight streaming in through the open window. Spring is nice in TeeGee. Larissa slept soundly on my right arm, using my shoulder as her pillow and her tail curled lightly around my legs.

Tomoe on the other hand was lying clean on top of me, head buried in my chest as she snored lightly. She had pulled Larissa close into a hug with one arm, the other draped across the bed.

I kissed both my girls softly, smelling the sweet scents in their hair, lavender for the Kitsune claiming me as her bed and vanilla for the Lamia claiming my legs as her own. I idly stroked Tomoe's tails with one hand as I attempted to extract my right arm from its warm prison of flesh.

"Five years... I'm 25 today. Huh, I actually remembered my birthday this year." I said softly.

I closed my eyes and settled further into the bed, just enjoying life.

>>20983505
As I was about to fall back to sleep, Tomoe stirred awake. She gently shook Larissa who moaned softly. I feigned still being asleep. It's not often I get to hear my girls get up before me.

"Just five more minutes..." She mumbled into my shoulder.
"Shh... You'll wake Kasai. Do you remember what day it is?" Tomoe scolded gently.
"Ummmm... No?"
"It's his birthday! And we've beaten him up for once. Did you get him a present?" Tomoe softly exclaimed.
"Umm, no? Oh no what will I do?" Larissa said in a soft panic.
"We're all naked, silly."
"Oh? Oh. Ohhhhh. Right."

Both girls moved up towards me and kissed me on either cheek.

"Good morning and Happy birthday honey!" They both said in unison, their voices sweeter than sugar coated honey.

"Thank you girls! By the way, I heard every bit of that. Shame on you both, not getting me any presents..."

"How's this for a present, big Mr Sergeant-Major of the Guard?" Tomoe teased as she kissed her way down, down, down.
"I'm sorry I f-forgot, will this make it up to you?" Larissa said as she kissed me passionately.

Yeah, so what if it's been 5 years? I would never trade it for the world.

File: 1349334050953.gif-(1.78 MB, 350x156, no.gif)

Sir GearHeart already has the reforming succubus waifu. Back to the drawing board.

>>20984377
Yep and I am slowly coming to the reform. Though its still a few stories away. Rome was not built in a day and neither will a demon of lust be rebuilt

>>20984430
Well that's good and I wish you good things with your writing.
But learning that really killed me. I had a whole story planned out, but now it just seems cheap knowing that someone has already found a succubus waif.

Just finished another section of the Coininoch story, I'm tempted to just put it here.

That said, I'm not sure I could write the CTF scene. If either of my conspirators wants to give it a shot, go ahead. If neither of you want to do it, I guess I'll play Tribes for a couple hours while sleep deprived and see what comes out of my head.

Oh, there's a thought. The Coininoch have mythic heroes called Immortals, because they still live in legend. Good idea? Y/n

(RW&B, if you want any input on this, email me.)

>>20984754
To GearHeart: Go ahead and give Jim the push boots if you want. Wilhelm figured the enchantment out prior to the journey, and I'm actually writing another thing where he gets to use a pair of push gauntlets.

Give him enough time and Black Sabbath, and he'll probably make Iron Man armor.

>>20984776
Yayifications

>>20984754
Scottsbunny CuChulainn. Make it happen. I give my wholehearted support to this.

On another note, I heard mention that the confusion regarding the Kanin... I was always under they were more Medieval Welsh/Irish than Scottish, but that could just be me. I got the more Celtic feel from them than something very distinctly Scottish. I know to the casual observer, there's not a lot of difference, but to me, there is. Sorry, I'm a major historyfag for the British Isles.

So, is anybody around tonight?

Also, what did you guys think of my little slice 'o life piece from work?

I think I'm going to take some more time to flesh out Prescilla. Not quite sure how I'm going to go about it, but nothing risked, nothing gained.

>>20985535
Not bad. I'm on, but only because it's lunchtime here.

>>20985535
Touching up the illithid piece.
Not really feeling inspired tonight.

>>20985552
>>20985561
Eh, me either. Rammed out that quickie at work coz it was quiet.

My dreams have been really peaceful of late. Something awesome about giving words and life to your Waifus is that you go to sleep imagining them, and tehn wake up and your arms are kinda sore as if they really were sleeping on/with you.

Glad I went crazy years ago, or that wouldn't make any sense!

Quick thought before I go to bed; we're probably using Mirthterran currency, due to our proximity. Given its position, I wouldn't be surprised if it were accepted in the Free Kingdoms as well.

Assuming Serrid has its own currency, their merchants might be less likely to accept Mirthterran coin.

Even so, I can see it becoming a de facto currency for many places. What would Mirthterrah call its money, anyway?

>>20986451
Royals, sovereigns, crowns, aurum, marks, gold?

Standard fantasy fare, I'd assume.

What exactly are the rough real-world analogues to the human cultures anyway? Serrid is "Arabia", I know that much.

>>20986531
Mirthterran is more or less France, the Free Kingdoms are...kinda random, all told.

Just ought to let you all know, there will be a delay on the next Clover Journal while I rewrite it.

Wasn't satisfied with how it was going, or the pacing.

>>20987809
Shame. I was looking forward to what backstory tidbits were going to be added next.

Gives me time to work on something...or take a nap. Don't know why I'm so tired after work.

Anything solid on the Kanin homeland? Besides being heavily based on Dog Days? I'm thinking of doing a bit of fleshing out over there once I post my intro.

File: 1349373046898.jpg-(356 KB, 1050x1050, 1331567002918.jpg)

>>20988927
They're more or less based on the Irish/Welsh, or at least their homeland is.

I just pulled alot from Dog Days early on because, fuck it, why not? If there's one thing I like more than catgirls and elves, it's doggirls,

>>20988927
>Welshish/Irish
>Wargames with magic swords that turn those hit into dogs.
>In harmony with Foxpeople.
And thats about it

File: 1349374317007.jpg-(59 KB, 644x362, 1348967960019.jpg)

I think it's time to do another piece about getting older.

I finally found something to focus on long enough to write out dialogue for.

File: 1349374806139.jpg-(93 KB, 567x589, 1349029049119.jpg)

>>20986531
I can't see Serrid not taking Mirthan coin, honestly. They're a trade nation and probably as likely to barter with goods as coin. The question as to who's currency is most common should be answered by who has the greatest production of gold/silver, whether it's the Mirthans, Serrid, or the Dwarves, like of like when the Spanish flooded the market with gold from South America. I have no issue as to where it comes from, but it will show where the balance of power is pulled from.

>>20988927
Clan based with a central leader voted for by the clans, non-lethal combat resolution system ala Dog Days, and created by the Fey, but we don't know that and they don't like talking about it.

>>20989009
Nonono, foxpeople ARE Kanin. Pretty much every canid has traits represented in the Kanin, and this includes foxes and wolves. The Kitsune exist, but they're a distinct species, considerably rarer, longer lived, notoriously recluse, and also probably made by the Fey, though I doubt they'd tell you that.

File: 1349376096999.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 50 KB, 600x496)

>>20989121
I'd forgotten how annoying it was to do speech and keep the formatting right on MS Word.

Pic related, my opinion on this little project now.

>>20989183
Nah, it only shows who has the most productive mint. The metals in and of themselves are only useful as Jewelry or as a means of exchange to these people. You want real wealth? Production of goods brings wealth. And all things considered, we're probably on our way up as a major economic power due to the heavy amount of trading and inventing going on here.

I wonder if the nearby kingdoms would ever accept paper money...

>>20989825
Not creating magic credit cards and taking other the realm in a giant money loaning scheme. Get on my level

>>20989859

Foreclose the neighboring kingdoms? An interesting scheme.

>>20989825
Not likely for a few more generations. I don't think anyone outside of the Knights templar did that until the advent of banking. We might be able to pull it off within the city if we can get the Gnomes to make us a press and plates for it.

Then again, this also depends on our ability to produce paper. The cost of writing them wasn't the only reason books were so expensive back in the day, after all, unless someone's already got a paper mill, that is.

>>20989859
Partly good, partly bad idea. Good in that we legally own all their stuff. Bad in that we don't have the means to enforce that, and that such a fall will certainly decrease the amount of available goods in the world. I rather like commerce, thank you very much.

>>20989912
I was planing on outsourcing to hell. They would make a great collection agency. Once again think harder.

>>20989927
Good idea, but we should tread carefully. The Knights Templar met their end because the French owed them too much money and they didn't want to pay up.

>>20989825
I don't mean wealth, I mean actual geopolitical power. Currency only works if it has legitimacy, and if say, Dwarven Gold is what has legitimacy as tender, and Mirthterrah loses access to that mint, they have their own gold and mint, but they won't be able to pay for all their soldiers without the support of Dwarven Gold.

Like I said, think Piece of Eight, a Spanish coin that had world-wide legitimacy. That's not to say that other nations don't have their personal currency, but the Spanish Dollar was accepted by EVERYONE, so to not have access to it would be a huge hamstring in commerce. It's not about actual wealth, it's about geopolitical power.

>>20989927
Don't you have a Succubus who joined you because they had poorly worded and vague laws in hell? If anything we should figure out a way to get a controlling interest in their operation and modernize it.

>>20990016
Ah. My mistake.

File: 1349380245574.jpg-(26 KB, 500x362, 1345316476238.jpg)

>>20990017

>>20990017
That too. I just have to many stories to write/writing. GearHeart and Lilly enact a revolution/reform of hell and its laws in the year 20AA or so

>>20990016
Oops, forgot my namefag

>>20990017
>>20990053
Honestly, I'm not too savvy to getting hell to do our financial dirty-work through out-lawering them. Besides there are potential consequences that could seriously damage the metaphysical balance of the universe if we did something so foolhardy. I like the idea of going into hell and reforming them, but not transforming the entire Demon culture. They are essentially Fey with logical rules.

>>20990103
I was thinking just less evil and better written rules and putting an end to the succubus project

File: 1349381084288.jpg-(186 KB, 750x800, 1330809847094.jpg)

“Is that a grey hair I see,” teased Bethany, standing on her tip-toes to get a better look. Sure enough, there was indeed a single grey hair. Damnit, Artorias was too young to be getting greys.

This had started over breakfast one morning in the Artorias house. Sir Artorias had recently turned 33, a fact his wives found amusing since, aside from Priscilla, they were all at least seven years his junior. Bethany especially, at only 21, had been making it a point to make her husband feel old whenever she got the chance, and damned if she wasn’t doing a good job of it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair, as if doing so would hide the offending strand. Not likely since he kept his hair cut short this time of year.

“No way,” said Melena, jumping up from the other side of the table. “I’m got to see this. Is that it right…HA, you are getting old Arty!”

“I’ll remember this in another decade when your hair starts to grey out,” he shot back at the Felim.

“I bet you will,” she said, sweeping some of her brown hair back from her face, “but until then I get to make fun of you for it.”

“Come on now, Mel,” said Karrigan, trying not to laugh at her husband’s predicament, “he can’t help it he’s getting old. He hasn’t started losing his hair yet, so he isn’t over the hill yet.”

“Not you too,” he muttered. He glanced over at Priscilla in a pleading manner.

“Sorry,” she said from over the rim of her cup of tea. “You’re on your own dearest.”

“Et tu, Priscilla,” he said in a defeated tone. “You four are in for it tonight, you just don’t know it yet.”

>>20990162
I'm only 20 and I already have grey hair.

File: 1349381210103.gif-(1.9 MB, 480x270, 1349053102526.gif)

“I’ve heard that one before,” teased Bethany.

“Have you now,” he said, reaching around and grabbing her and Melena by their waists and pulling them into his lap. “I’ll have to make good on that threat then, won’t I,” he whispered, nibbling on the elf’s ear, earning a very pronounced gasp. That never got old.

“And what about me, hmm,” purred Melena, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I don’t know,” he said, releasing the elf, who scampered to the other side of the table. “I’ll have to think of something creative between now and then. I might even have to visit Lily and ask her opinion on the matter.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, suddenly looking worried. She knew the succubus and her shop’s reputations very well.

“I won’t will I,” he said grinning.

“He won’t,” said Priscilla, not looking up from her breakfast. This sort of thing was going to become a part of the daily routine, she could tell already. He always made that threat, but so far hadn’t made good on it.

Karrigan cleared her throat. “Isn’t it about time for everyone to be heading off to work? You have another wagon of blueberries coming in today for your ice cream today, don’t you Priscilla? And you two have a meeting with the other errants in a little while, don’t you?”

“Why’d you have to remind me, you old fuddy duddy,” muttered Bethany. She liked the meetings to organize expeditions about as much as she did taking medicine, and Melena only slightly less so.

>>20990182
Some people go pregrey. My younger brother started having grey hairs at 15

File: 1349381368942.gif-(1.68 MB, 320x180, 1317041999914.gif)

“You’re quite right, my thanks for reminding me Karri” said Priscilla, finishing her tea. “Would you two mind cleaning up while we go ahead?”

“Not a problem,” said Artorias. He wouldn’t be getting another class of recruits to train for some time yet, so he didn’t have much to do that day. Maybe he’d get some sparing in or something.

As he and Karrigan set about washing the dishes, another thought struck him. “You know,” he said, embracing Karrigan from behind with one arm and stroking her tail with the other, “we have the house all to ourselves and no pressing business this morning.”

“Oh,” she said, turning around as he pressed her against the sink, “what are you thinking?”


Bethany and Melena came back home for lunch, their meeting that morning being rather fruitless. There wouldn’t be any expeditions departing for at least another week at least. Maybe Artorias was up for some spari-wait a second, why are his and Karrigan’s boots still by the front door?

The two women sprinted up the stairs to the bedroom and their suspicions were quickly confirmed. “What do you think you two are doing,” Melena demanded, walking over to the bed when the two guilty ones were laying tangled in the sheets.

“The better question,” said Artorias, grabbing her arm and pulling her down with them, “is why aren’t you joining us yet?”

“Why you-“

“What about me,” demanded Bethany.

“Well you are a bit overdressed for the occasion to,” said Karrigan, waving her over.

‘I may be getting older,’ thought Artorias, ‘but I’m not dead yet.’

>>20990185
>>20990213
And then one of the girls says hes to old to keep up and then he makes good on his threat. And Lilly has fun.

>>20990135
They'd never all for it. The Succubus project is their lifeblood, their method of making more demons. It only takes one of the Demons to be savvy enough to notice and tell the chap in charge, and then it all falls down. It just wouldn't fit.

File: 1349381833051.jpg-(222 KB, 1089x613, wasteland.jpg)

At bloody LAST, I get something DONE!

I know it's not much to brag about, but I modified chapter one of Sir Andrew's journey into the Gnoll Wastes. Hopefully, this one stands up a little better under scrutiny. Can you guys let me know what you think?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1edt1XEONB8JnnlbOSGRhE5_mS4b2oDOAltXjTB_3pXE/edit

Keep in mind, any views on anyone else aren't what I personally hold; you're all great. I was just trying to put myself in Sir Andrew's position and see how he'd consider everyone. There's probably a lot of explaining his character I've missed, but I still hope this is good enough and doesn't immediately just make people think he's a prick.

>>20990261
Well the idea is to make a better way for them to have new demons. The Aether will be making a comeback. Was my idea. Still playing with the exact ideas. But Fighting Hell was what I've wanted to do since I started writing GearHeart

>>20990249
Lily would do well to stay out of that situation, especially one Priscilla gets involved.

Half-dragons can get a bit possessive at times.

>>20990488
She would stay out of the fun as this would be long after her reform. But she loves to give everyone wild ideas.

>>20990513
I don't know...that piece was only in AA 7, so I'm not sure how far along she was on reform by then.

>>20990530
That would be around two years after reform. So she might be tempted, but she wouldn't do anything. Also I really need to write those pieces. Darn it City of Dragons, Coinirich games, Reform, visitor, and trip to hell. To many stories

>>20990289
That would be even worse! A newborn Demon from the Aether is more powerful than a current full-grown Capra demon, much less some barely-able-to-feed-itself fresh-made succubus.

The system that currently exists, while brutal to the humans that foolishly fall for the honeyed trap, is much preferable to an organized army of Aether-daemons. Trust me, the fact that they depend on humans keeps demons weak, and while we can't destroy the system, recruiting demons out of the Miasma for the cause of good would do well to wreck their morale. Conquering Hell just isn't something us lowly mortals can really do. Heck, I suspect most of us get by through dumb luck and minor divine providence (that's what Lem's blessed/cursed with), but even then, there are some things too big for even luck.

>>20990288
You should open the document so that people can comment on it, this way we can point out little issues such as grammar mistakes and larger ones like the fact that as a Knight, Andrew's entitled to decent enough gear (and Katana's are pretty cheap, since they don't require as quality steel)

>>20990865
I know all that. Like I said still working out the specifics of how it is to be done. Hell I'm still working out the specifics of Miasma/Hell. The goal of the story is change. Might make things better might make them worse. And I never said conquer the place just try to slowly influence it.

>>20990865
The issue with that is that I risk it just being vandalised... No offence to anyone, but I've learned not to trust the internet with anything. It's just a mater of time before someone thinks they'll be funny and just defaces everything. Even if they don't, a load of corrections would make it hard to read and interrupt the flow.

Also, while he may have the RIGHT to decent gear, Sir Andrew's pretty much broke. Knights were historically required to pay out of their own pocket for the upkeep of their weapons and armour. Never heard of it being different in Teegee, though I know that the Men-At-Arms are issued gear. Besides anything, I didn't figure Sir Andrew merited a flintlock, given the scarcity of ammunition, the quantity he'd need to take (no-where to re-supply out in the wastes, so he'd have to bring upwards of a hundred rounds) and the risk of the weapon and ammo being lost to an enemy, possibly to be subsequently re-produced.

Thanks for the response though! How'd I do in turning down the Mary Sue?

>>20991016
Just set the settings so that they can highlight and comment. Not edit.

>>20991016
Oy mate, weren't we supposed to civquest right now?

>>20991016
>>flintlock
We've got contacts with the Gnomes. You'd think we could at least get a few wheel lock pistols or something.

>>20991064
Eh, I'm running it and lurking at the same time. See? >>20990696

>>20991039
Ahem, ah, yes, er... Right! Of course! I'll do that..!

...If I was sure how to work Google Docs properly...

>>20991081
> Wheel-locks
> Better than flintlocks
> laughinggnomes.jpeg

>>20991081
Flintlock came after the wheellock.

>>20991247
True enough, but wheellocks were a nobleman's firearm. Besides, it has more moving parts, and you know how much gnomes love moving parts.

>>20991247
But wheellock seems to be objectively better, if you can build it properly. It's like comparing a bolt action to a semi-auto.

>>20991268
Oh gods no! The wheel-lock is just the method of igniting the powder! It's still a single-shot weapon. In fact, it's worse, as instead of just cocking the flint, you have to wind up the spring, reducing the rate of fire, relative to a flintlock. Add to that, there's a small, but perceptible difference in the time from the trigger being pulled, to the moment the charge ignites and the shot leaves the barrel, decreasing accuracy. Wheel-locks are in every way the inferior weapon. There is pretty much no way to get a revolver (what you meant) or other such rapid-firing weapon, until the advent of primer and ideally, brass cartridges. The primer being beyond our reach here in Teegee.wa

>>20991268
They're also fairly fragile in use, unfortunately, according to a historian I know. The spring tends to be fragile, and the shaking of the gun upon firing can dislodge the clockworks.

>>20991338
Shows how much I know about old guns.
Bows seem like the way to go unless you have to punch through some armor.

Another reminder that the 4chan writefag channel is #writescribbles should any of you wish to drop by or ask for critique or advice.

>>20991396
Why do you think I insisted on longbows for the yeomanry? They were used alongside firearms for over a hundred years, because their rate of fire was so impressive and bodkin points punched through armour, especially with a good, yew longbow, with a draw of eighty to a hundred and twenty pounds! A well-trained, English longbowman could put roughly ten shots downrange in a minute; I've seen display archers do it at shows here in the UK. They're accurate too!

There was a proposal before about giving our troops aluminium compound bows with pulleys, etc, but there's two problems with that: First, modern bows are aluminium-titanium alloy and we don't have titanium. Straight aluminium would actually CATCH FIRE. Second; what kind of attention will it get us when our foot soldiers and horsemen have bows worth more than their weight in gold, to the rest of the world! We'd be fighting an invasion in weeks!

>>20991396
And then a minister invented the next big thing in guns.

>>20991396
I just remembered wheel locks from Deadliest Warrior.

>>20991498
Should hire some Shaolin monks and arm them with needles. No one would be safe from them.

>>20991016
With comments? Not really. You as the owner can just delete the comments you don't like if you want.

Also, Knights are taxed out the nose. Some things must be bought, like extra expensive/enchanted arms and armor, but those are subsidized to a certain extent as it were, but overall, a Knight is guaranteed quality housing and food for himself and his family as well as complete logistical support in doing whatever business he does for TeeGee (within reason) in exchange for less relative expendable income. This makes sure no knight becomes too rich and powerful, spreading power and funds throughout the organization for the better balance of power.

And now, Sir Andrew would not be allowed a flintlock, even if he was in good standing. The only people who are allowed to take guns out of TeeGee are high-level diplomats and the Blades.

>>20991396
Muskets and canon also had another great advantage, besides punching through armour: They were terrifying! During the English Civil War, Prince Charles the Second would always release Parliamentary captives, unless they were gunners! Canon and muskets terrified men and horses, so Charles had them all put to the sword!

>>20991550

I do recall myself having a flintlock rifle at the beginning of all this...

>>20991856
Your personal weapon.

>>20991081
>>20991264
Gnomes deal more with steam-power and magitech. Gunpowder is an entirely new thing to this world, so pretty much the only firearm manufacturers are, well, us. Gnomes recruited to our research teams definitely played a hand, but ultimately, it was us who won out.

>>20991480
When someone says "Aluminum" in practical use, they're usually referring to an alloy, not the metal proper. I also don't see why we wouldn't have titanium to alloy with aluminum (though we'd probably just use a dural type alloy). In fact, I could probably wager pretty decent coin that the Dwarves have been using it for a while. Adamantium anyone?

We also have cannons and firearms, something basically the whole realm knows by this point and all compound bows would look like are overly-complicated bows. Sure, the archers of TeeGee might be disturbingly accurate and fast with fire, but most probably wouldn't understand the difference of the bow unless they were a seasoned archer and handled it themselves. They'd also be difficult and expensive to reproduce without an understanding of the mathematics behind the bow and the machining process to make them, things we have. So ultimately, compound bows are safer than firearms in this regard.

The other problem is that (putting aside your apparent fetish for British military history) longbows required a large amount of dedication and specialization, and part of being in the guard is being capable with everything as necessary, even with minor specializations. Compound bows require less training, strength, and skill all for the same result, plus a faster rate of fire and smaller profile, ideal for use in closer quarters. Compound bows by every measure but cost are superior to longbows, and even then, it's negligible with the cost of a properly master-crafted longbow.

>>20991876

Well, as an avid bowman for the past 6 years, I have to counter-point that argument.

A traditional Welsh longbow is only outmatched by a Mediterranean core-wood longbow, such as Yew. Compound bows are made from animal sinews and animal based glues which need molds, shapers and significant artistry to manufacture. A longbow is a core, or near core piece of wood shaped to maximize force output and retain its elasticity and rigidity.

Training wise, a compound bow would be easier due to the lower poundage and size, but then you lose distance and stopping power. A good longbowman can put up to 10 arrows down range a minute at 200 yards accurately, with enough force to penetrate medium armor.

The only thing I can think of to remedy the dispute would be to specialize the formations even further. From a defensive standpoint, if I am atop the walls fighting off invaders, the longbow will be leaps and bounds better than a compound bow. If you are in an offensive maneuver that requires higher mobility and faster shooting, then a compound bow or recurve bow would be ideal.

Also, I learned to be proficient with a 170 pound pull longbow in 2 years, so the training for a mass of archers to be efficient would not take much longer than having then use compound bows in that sense.

For individual accuracy, perhaps a compound would be better, but in a mass volly, Longbows are far, far superior.

>>20991876
An aluminium compound bow might be peanuts to us, but consider this:

The rest of the world, particularly Mithterrah (who use crossbows, by the way), pays through the nose for aluminium. It's part of why Teegee is so wealthy; we export small amounts of highly valuable material, while importing base materials, like tin and iron. If anyone sees that we're SO rich in this fantastically valuable substance to just hand out a WHOLE BOW of it to every Tom, Dick and Harry in our armed forces, just think how long it'll be before we have a lot of greedy lords, nobles and kings on our doorstep, all looking for a piece of the pie!

Further, I would like to open a dialogue without rancour here: What is the great advantage of generalisation in the Men-At-Arms, in your opinion?

> fetish for British military history
Clue's in the name, by the way. And yeah, I'm an unashamed historyfag.

>>20991981
All that was brought up before. Well except your 170 pound pull. The thing is Britfag has a raging hard on for British Military and Fear seems to have a sort of rivalry with him. As Britfag seems to get underpeoples skin a lot. I understand why, but damn it people stop this wanking about the guard and weapons. I liked it better when people were creating the world through story and less through. Bitching at each other in the threads. Which is ironic/stupid coming from me. Does it really matter if they are called the guard or the men at arms. Or if they use this bow or that. Or if there training is 32 or 34 or what the fuck ever weeks. NO, it doesn't.

>>20991981
And yet, unless you have a professional army, crossbows are the ideal choice for massed training; like you said, it took you two years to become proficient in a Longbow, and I expect Recurve bows to take similar timespans; Crossbows are far simpler.

>>20992088
To answer your question adaptability. In this world you need to be adaptable today its Orks tomorrow its demon and the day after it the god damn elves knocking on the door. Each with different strengths weaknesses and strategies.

So I think I may have a better idea of what I'm getting into now.

...

I'm scared.

>>20992161
I really need to get back to keeping it up to date. Whole bunch of new races and nobody bothers to add them. Hey you people. You add/added a new race add it to the list. Brief description if possible.

>>20992161
FYI, the 1d4chan page might be a bit out of date. Nobody seems to want to be the wiki guy.

>>20992089

Well, this was the challenge we undertook when we made a "free-join-everyone build" world building experiment. People want different things different ways.

I myself have a raging boner for history, but I try to keep it quiet and make an effort to not be at ends with anyone.

Also, this is what happens when everyone has a piece of the first pie, they all want the next one made a specific way. When everyone has a say, its complicated and difficult to get a consensus from everyone when there is no one definitive force. Now, I am not advocating or promoting that someone "lead" us, but if we are going to make this work we need to compromise and work together god dammit.

We are civilized and educated men of the internet, it shouldn't be that hard gentlemen. I for one, am going to say this:

In regard to the training of Men-at-Arms, Guards, Legionnaires, whatever you want to call them, that we keep the extreme specifics vague. The exact number of weeks and specified drill composer should be left to each individuals imagination. That way, everyone gets their pie and eats it too. If no one goes into extreme detail about it, no one can get offended because nothing offensive was said.

Kapeesh?

>>20992121
>>20992088
Specialization is for insects. A person should be able to cook a good meal, make a book (even if terribly written), write well, argue philosophy, hunt and dress a kill, fight well, make a fire, bandage wounds and injuries, and make someone laugh.

>>20992211
My point exactly.

>>20992198
Like I said, I can't won't do it alone. People should be working together on this.

File: 1349391963721.jpg-(80 KB, 713x1812, Compound_Bow_full.jpg)

>>20991981
I'd hate to be contrary, but I think you're thinking of COMPOSITE bows, not compound bows. Compound bows were invented in the 1960s and use a system of pulley cams to maximize power while minimizing draw weight. pic related.

>>20992088
I seriously doubt anyone in Mirthterrah is going to notice the material of the cams on a bow, or have the knowledge and technology to check. The cams can be as easily made out of steel as aluminum alloy. We just happen to have alot of the latter, so why not use what we have?

As for the second question, GearHeart said it, but I'll expand. Specialization is for field armies. A field army isn't something we have the luxury of having. Since the guards/men-at-arms are primarily defensive, their primary training will come in anti-siege tactics, and in a siege, you need every hand either throwing arrows when they're outside of the walls, or with a sword in hand when they're in. Even our primary Cavalry, the Dragoons, are trained in mounted infantry. We need to be as flexible as possible because we don't have the luxury of specialization when we have so many potentially problematic enemies. We just can't field the army they can.

>>20992230
Well, I'd done some stuff (as knightofteegee), but what with schoolwork and the job hunt, I've not had time to even keep up on the threads, much less work on the wiki.

>>20992245
Yeah Its mostly been you and me I think.

>>20992233

Yes, I dun goofed on that. I had the thought in my head, but it came out the opposite.

But, why would we want a compound bow? I don't want to start anything new, but in comparison, traditional bows are superior in this situation...

>>20992255
I think a better question would be why WOULDN'T you want a compound bow, considering the flat pull, superior power, and greater accuracy. Maintenance and cost are something, but those are offset by easier training and practice. I'd honestly like to hear what tradition long and recurve bows have on a good composite.

I'd say compound, in order to set ourselves still further apart from the rest of the world technologically. We've already got weapons and tools the likes the world has never seen before, but there're so far removed from what this world has seen that they've lost some impact. Taking something this world is familer with, such as the bow, and turning it into something superior and ailen helps to build up our mystique.

>>20992324

Well, for one:

A traditional bow, once made, would withstand the wear and tear of military use compared to a new-fangled compound bow.

There are too many moving parts that are essential on a compound bow, therefore, too many things that can go wrong. Only two things can go wrong with a traditional bow; it snaps, or the string snaps. Everything else is a minor detriment that is easily repairable.

Also, the precise milling required of a compound bow combined with the materials would make the cost of manufacture astronomical compared to a traditional bow.

Regarding practice and use, it may be easier to train with since all the weight of the pull is reduced, but then you are making it so the trainees can only use that kind of bow. Train them with traditional bows, then they can use any kind they like because they will have developed the skills and strengths needed to operate the basest form of archery. Also the pull weight of most modern compound bows are only 80~ pounds, they were never designed to kill anything that was trying to kill them in return. Plus, the modern arrows needed for a compound would be totally useless against armor, as they would shatter before they could make use of their inertia.

In regard to COMPOSITE bows, they again, are just traditional bows but are more costly, heavier and require much more skilled artisans to create a satisfactory composite compared to a satisfactory traditional bow.

>>20992428
Perhaps we could make use of traditional longbows while in the field, for their ease of maintenance and lower cost if they're lost, while giving compound bows to the town guard and local patrols, where their improved power would be of great benifit and they can be maintained easily.

>>20992428
Can I put in my two cents?

Traditional English longbows, near as I can tell, had a poundage of 80 to 120lbs, just before I say this. Ahem...

The compound bow is the equivalent to a sniper's weapon, on the medieval battlefield: deadly, accurate and powerful, but too much of a bitch to maintain and use en-mass for the regular infantry.

Also, COMPOSITE are the bows that the elves use. Elves are surprisingly strong, for their light builds, but their musculature just doesn't let them use proper longbows. I mentioned in thread two that some elves turned green with horror at the mention of medieval longbowmen with deformed bone structures from longbow use.

>>20992233
The Men-At-Arms are meant to be a field force, as well as defensive... But this is about the first point I've seen made for this argument that actually makes sense to me. Well put. In a siege, I guess generalisation IS superior. We have the levy, but it still makes a difference if the pikemen also know how to use a bow (or at least a Mithterrahn crossbow, which is much easier to learn to use, if you specialise in something else). Well-made point.

By the way, I'm sorry if I get under people's skin; please believe me when I say I truly don't mean to!

>>20992528

From as far as I can tell, the poundage went up to, and past the near 200~ pound mark. That's why they are finding medieval villagers with spinal deformities from using such a high poundage longbow.

Compound bows: Accurate yes, more powerful, no. I can out shoot 80 pound compound bows by nearly 70 yards, and while they will be more accurate, the distance is what you need for a volly.

>>20992605
There you go then! A compromise! A few compound bows with aluminium parts issued to a handful of the light cavalry, to serve as an accurate sniper's weapon, while the rank-and-file yeomen train with the longbow and all the rest of the Men-At-Arms either learn the basics (say, one day in a week, as opposed to the yeomanry's six) of the longbow, or just use Mithterrahn-style crossbows in a siege.

I think this leaves everyone happy? What's important is that the setting works for STORIES, after all, not as an exercise in logic, mainly because the real world and all things associated with it suck and we all know this...

I think somewhere along the way, we maybe lost the focus on 'High adventure, bros, booze, treasure and lovely waifus'... What we have is by no means 'bad', but it's changed and adapted... There's still room for both though; slightly gritty, but mostly optimistic realism AND complete idealist fantasy.

I will say this: I love what we've all made here. I really do. Even when I argue with you folks, I love that everyone's so passionate about this. That's a true mark of how much everyone enjoys this setting; how much they're willing to fight for it.

>>20992428
It would be quite easy and cheap to train the soldiers initially on recurves, actually, and then give them a compound as general issue gear. This would make emergency use of traditional bows possible, but if you manage to keep discipline of equipment maintenance, there's no reason why compounds would be so difficult. Firearms would require even more care and maintenance, but we field those same situations. The arrow thing is complete poppycock as well. Compounds can sling any arrow that a traditional bow can, except faster and harder. Whether or not it can pierce armor is entirely dependent on the arrow.

As for the cams, yes, that's the most difficult part, but all it really takes is the development of one properly adjustable cam and then you make molds. With a proper age hardening aluminum alloy, mass production wouldn't be difficult after a few months.

>>20992605
I'm going to be as clear and concise as I can about this: No traditional bow can in any way, shape, or form, put the same amount of energy per pound (or newton) of draw weight than a properly tuned compound bow. This is basic mathamatics. The accuracy does not come from the strings, it comes from the fact that it creates a flatter trajectory with the superior force put upon it and the let-off of the cams that allow for extended holding the arrow at full draw without fatigue. Compound bows are statistically superior in every way shape and form over traditional bows of equal draw weight. There is no arguing this. It's SCIENCE.

I mean, after all, compound bows were invented in the 1960s, just 50 years ago. This is modern technology made manifest because outrealmers came to the land of the past, kind of like how we brought gunpowder.

>>20992890

Well, tell that to the people I compete with. Skill comes much more into play than the technology in my opinion, and I will not back down from my stance that longbows can throw a stick further than a compound. Also, the mathematics are fact, you are correct, but this does not compensate for the fact that if you are outfitting 400 archers with bows, you want ones that are reliable. We have no forms of mass production, no factories and no automation. We do not have the material wealth and populace size to have that kind of manufacturer be .

I have used both in my time, for hunting and for target shoots, and the longbow always seems to do better in my hands. In a hunting scenario, there is a reason most modern bow-hunting is done in tree-stands. The compound is not as elegant and simple as a traditional bow, and lends itself to stationary and precise aim.

Also, the process of mining the materials needed for Aluminum, let alone the process of accurately measuring and combining them would be quite difficult with the resources we have at hand. Not to mention, the smelting of aluminum produces highly, HIGHLY toxic fumes if uncontrolled.

Ehh. I don't want to start anything man, I am looking from a medieval logistical standpoint, and the compound bow does not fit in that equation very well.

>>20992890
>>20993210
Guys, seriously, I'm the argumentative and arrogant one here and I'M suggesting a compromise: Something has gone very badly wrong. Let's just agree to stop fighting over the issue here. There's a compromise right here: >>20992754 so can we place let it drop and move on?

File: 1349397548196.png-(3 KB, 142x138, 1334442625646.png)

>>20993263

Ehhhhhh.... Fine. I am an example of my own hypocritical tendencies.

Honestly, this whole thing stems from people I know, always telling me how their compounds are better, and it is a deep and simmering rage within me.

I'll drop it, sorry Fearghaile.

But my Yoemen of the guard are going to have Longbows dammit.

File: 1349397736181.jpg-(61 KB, 534x639, spriggan.jpg)

Allow me to interrupt with story time.

>>20993448
Yay!

I was staring at a patch of darkness.

I'd been awake for some time; Jaculye was snuggled up against me, and my arm was around her shoulder. I'd covered us both in the blanket we'd rested on as much as possible in addition to my coat. She had pulled most of herself closer to us, and I'd worked a second blanket out of my bag to throw over her. It's a weird sensation to feel someone breathe with all of their body. The sensation of her lung or lungs slowly inflating ad deflating from the crook of my arm all the way down to my left leg was oddly comforting. I could see why other women would enjoy the presence of big strong men sleeping next to them; having a big strong person next to you as you rested was comforting in a way.

That the big strong person had lost her shawl and halter somewhere under the blankets was a fact I'd been struggling to ignore for some time. Hence the looking into the darkness thing.

Magic wielders often have talents, particularly the Sensate and Autists. It has to do with why we can use magic in the first place I imagine, a part of our brain that instinctively works the process of what would be a spell into the very fabric of our being. In my case, it was what led me to staring at the patch of darkness as the sunrise started. At a guess, because my own magic was so deeply tired to my body, I had a sense for other bodies being near. Nothing precise or particularly useful; it pretty much required quiet meditation and a calm state of mind, but I could feel animal life if it wasn't too far away. In this case, in that patch of darkness. Since I couldn't sleep, I was keeping myself occupied by sitting and waiting to find out exactly what it was.

>>20993490
I'd often wondered if Sir Kitril could feel magnetic north, or had a sense for iron or lodestone deposits, perhaps even hematite. It was a matter I'd never thought about bringing up with him before but it could possibly help us understand a little more about the nature of our talents and power, and it might even prove useful at some point, especially in the odd lives we of TeeGee possessed.

Jaculye stirred slowly, and pressed herslf closer to me. I repeated a mantra in my head, “she's just gettign warm, she's just getting warm, she's just getting warm” because I was only wearing a light woolen shirt, and that was all that was between her breasts and mine. The last thing I wanted is her tasting how I felt about the entire situation.

“What's that?” she murmured sleepily.

“I don't know, it's not light enough for me to make out what it is.” Though I could no longer sense its alive-ness, the dark blotch, spiky and fluffy in weird ways, was still the focus of my attention.

“No, I mean that noise you're making.” She was slowly rising, supporting herself on her arms and looking at me, her brass-sheened eyes filled with concern.

“Oh. That.”

>>20993519
I was softly wheezing with every breath. The cold hadn't done me any good at all, and not moving around as I attempted to sleep had let my lungs settle too much to avoid the low, rattling wheeze from permeating my chest as she'd slept against it. Each time I spoke there was a pause as I drew more air than I absolutely needed to in order to speak. “It'll clear up, once....I have some tea.” Each breath was energy, and I would expend huge amounts just breathing if I didn't get more tea. The myth of all asthmatics being fat was more a result of misinformation than most people thought.

The bird's nest I'd been staring at for the past two hours was now a blue-grey mass of leaves and twigs on a set of branches, the sun not yet risen, but twilight making a clear gray world out of the forest. There was a bird, some kind of nut eater from the beak, that was fluffed out, probably protecting her eggs from the cold. I didn't mention it to Jaculye. She was worried enough without me dragging it out and waving it like a flag in front of her.

She slowly rose to her full height and looked at the embers of the fire, still fitfully glowing. I rose like an old woman, with much effort and stooped, and took a ceramic bowl from my bag, filling it with water from the small wineskin I was carrying. That was one thing about the Frozen Wastes – water was easily come by, though it had to be filtered and boiled more often than not. I let the water heat and threw twice the usual number of leaves in it. It would be barely drinkable, but it would help my lungs open up. I glanced at Jaculye, who was watching, her eyes soft and her expression strange.

>>20993534
“Don't bother.”

“What?”

“Don't bother. I chose this, so pity is out of place. Don't tell me you're sorry for dragging me out here. You need my help, and I offered it to you. Telling me I can go back now is a joke, and I've survived this long, so it's not like I'm going to die anytime soon. So please save the pity for something that deserves it.” Her stunned expression made me give my sharp, single bark of laughter that was about all I could manage. “No, I'm not a mind reader,” I told her, though her expression clearly told me she thought otherwise since I was answering her thoughts as opposed to a question. “It's something that a lot of people do. I'm used to it, so it's predictable. Nothing magical about it.”

I was edging around a few truths, but they were things she didn't need to know about. I wasn't lying, really, but I didn't want anyone knowing they could command my help just by telling me I had to. That was acceptable within the Rules; I knew what sort of fate awaited me if I broke the Rules, so that wasn't going to happen.

Breaking the Rules was srius bznss.

>>20993549
“Also, you're naked.” I had been trying to avoid looking, but no one has that much willpower. She was just lightly curved in the right sorts of ways, not entirely boyish, but not very voluptuous. Her breasts were bigger than mine, but not by much and I'm not particularly well endowed anyways; it made me question again exactly how old she was, and whether her youthful appearance was related to her species or her age. The startled slither and puffs of bark and dirt as she scrambled to find her shawl and halter were amusing, and I smiled to myself, not needing to imagine the blush I had seen before.

She really was beautiful.

Putting that thought right out of my head, I picked up the hot cup with my left hand, my fingertips inured to what would have been painful by frostbite damage and and working with hot glass before I was victim of my own xenophilia. I drained the tea quickly, letting the heat soothe my chest and trying to choke down the extra bitter liquid fast. I lowered the cup, testing my teeth for moss; strong tea always made my teeth feel fuzzy. I glanced at the leaves, and frowned.

Being terrible at reading tea leaves, I tossed them into the coals, where they hissed softly. Jaculye had gathered her wits and dignity, though she was still blushing and fairly cold from the looks of things. I sighed and pulled out a shell comb bought at dear price from one of the merchants, and yanked it through my hair. It wasn't too bad yet, but I'd be looking for some clean water to at least sponge bathe in soon. I rubbed the comb clean on the inside of my shirt and offered it to the lamia. She stared at me for a long moment, and I wasn't sure if I'd done something horribly offensive that I didn't know about.

>>20993565
I started to withdraw it but she took it, carefully, and stared at me as she combed her hair, her bright eyes starting to shine as the sun rose. Feeling vaguely embarrassed, I folded the blankets neatly after shaking them out, the material squeezing into compact, light bundles. I just didn't have the stamina to carry too much, so I spent a large portion of what I earned on very expensive tools such as the warm but light and compact blankets, the nearly indestructible ceramic bowl, and other small and useful things that made the load lighter. It also influenced my choices in exploration, such as places where water could be easily found and there were plenty of edible plants.

The Wastes could be fairly hospitable to the knowledgeable traveler, and the Kanin didn't mind helping those who were genuinely interested in where they had come from. I pulled a wax packet and opened it, looking at how many leaves I had in it. There were plenty, and I was glad I'd remembered to restock. The Felim healer had showed me these, and I – along with a large number of other females of TeeGee – was eternally grateful for the knowledge. Nearly every home had a Friendship Plant growing in one of the room, usually brought to the house and given to the woman or women of the house by other women. I also took out the small spade I brought for this as well as other purposes.

“I'm going to go over there and do my toilet, Jaculye. I'll be right back.” I set my bag down, and she stared after me as though I'd gone insane. Which made my skin crawl after a moment, believe me. After completing my toiletry and burying it along with a few of the soft leaves that almost had me thanking the local plant deities for their existence.

>>20993590
When I returned, Jaculye was sitting on herself again, which I would have imagined couldn't be comfortable, but clearly was something that didn't bother her. I picked up my bag and offered her the packet of Friendship Leaves, and she returned my comb with something approaching reverence, using both hands. “Do you need these?” She shook her head, and while I wasn't surprised, her subdued, anxious attitude had me concerned.

Looking at her calmly merely made her blush and look down again, and I smiled and shrugged, leaving the matter to her to clear up. “I'll eat as we walk. I am going to guess you're not hungry.” She shook her head, and started slowly moving in the direction we'd been heading in before. I dug out a piece of waybread and munched on it thoughtfully, washing it down with a single swallow from the flash of spirits, which made my eyes water but finished what the tea had started.

It was several hours before she spoke, and when she did it wasn't much of a surprise. “Aren't you going to ask how I didn't get lost?” she asked me. The Frozen Waste was not exactly a maze, but the canopy could get thick; more often it was simply the sameness of the place that could get someone lost. That and Fey trods or faerie rings.

“No need.”

The simple, straightforward answer bothered her a lot, I could tell. I sighed. “How far away from your egg and the spriggan are we?”

>>20993624
She looked at me, abashed. “Not too far. A few hours at your pace.” About 10 miles, I presumed. I pointed over at some rocks, ones which had received a good dose of the sun and weren't chilled any longer. Following my lead she slithered over and up onto them, and watched me pensively as I climbed onto one to sit down and look at her seriously.

“I know you're frightened and confused, but you have to understand, I've dealt with the Fey before, many times. Both good and bad dealings. I know you didn't find me entirely by accident, or by asking around as much as you would have if you were thinking straight. You had an idea of what a sorceress or wizard or witch would be like, and you looked around for one. You traveled through the Frozen Waste alone and without help or weapons, and nothing got in your way or troubled you – not even when you were close to the Knights Harem and TeeGee. No one really asked if you were a stranger, or challenged you thinking you were dangerous, or even looked twice at your strangeness. You don't look like most lamias I've seen, after all, and I'm sure others would have been curious. But no one stopped you, no monsters got in your way, no one tried to even question you, did they.”

Her eyes filled with tears and she nodded mutely.

>>20993638
“I imagine he said something on the lines of, 'make sure you find a powerful wizard to help you, mother' or 'I hope you can find something better than these fools.' Yes?” She nodded, rapidly, her eyes watery and bright as tears started to flow along her cheeks. I kept my heart in check, and also the other, wicked thing that surged up at the sight. “It's called a geas, and unlike the ones an Autistic Wizard can create, Fey geasa are more than just commands to do such and such. They actually affect everything around you, guiding your choices and keeping you from straying from the path they lay out in front of you.”

Her hands covered her mouth and her expression was devastated. It was hard to stay calm and collected under the flow of tears and her terrible shock, but I'd had a lot of practice keeping my emotions in check. Anything that disrupted my emotional equilibrium would cause me pain as my body's emotional response caused my condition to worsen. 'Cry and die,' though it wouldn't actually kill me. Just make my life suck a lot more.

I smiled gently, reassuringly as I could. “What he did was to cast a spell around you that would help you find the kind of person you needed for help against him. It was still your choice, but he made it certain you would definitely find a witch, or a wizard, or a mage of some sort, and be able to bring them back safely. Didn't it strike you as strange that nothing has attacked us at all? We haven't seen one wolf, one gator, not even a merchant or scout who took any sort of interest in us in the entire time since we've left the castle.” Understanding started to dawn in her eyes, and she started to speak. I cut her off.

>>20993657
“There are Rules the Fey, any Fey must obey. They don't have laws or any codes or morals or ethics, except those that determine who wins and who loses and how much they win or lose. He wants your egg. Yet he can't just take it without giving you something of value for it. But he doesn't have anything that valuable, so he had to make it a contest.” She settled down, listening hard now. It was a relief to see her actually thinking instead of just feeling the blind panic and need that had fueled the geas and likely prevented her from asking for proper help. “He has to make it a fair contest, because if he doesn't, some other Fey can take it from him unfairly. But if he makes you afraid and unable to think clearly, that's not cheating, that's just you falling for a trick and him getting away with something. By the Rules, that's perfectly fair.”

“But what's going to happen now? What happens if he beats you like the others?” She wrung her hands and I took a deep breath, even though it hurt a little. “Does that mean he gets to keep my egg?”

>>20993710
“If he defeats me, yes, he gets to keep your egg, unless you can offer him something more valuable to him than your egg is.” I looked into her soft, tear filled, lovely eyes. “But you have something that valuable. If he wins and keeps your egg, you can make a bargain with him. Serve him for three years and three weeks and three days.” I was making the numbers up, actually, but they would appeal to the spriggan, because he was already using three contests with three challenges each. It seemed like a safe bet. “Tell him you'll serve him that long, if he will return your egg to you safely and unharmed. Just like that, nothing more, and nothing less. He can't say 'no' but he can make a counter offer. Don't bargain with your life, your heart, or anything but service. And when you serve, do it right. Serve him well and faithfully. He'll have to give your egg back safely and unharmed, and let you go at the end of the service.”

Jaculye was trembling, her eyes glittering pools of misery and hope. Either-or, they were often the same thing. “if I win, then that won't matter. But you still have to be careful. Don't thank him for returning your egg. Don't attack him. Just take your egg and we'll leave. Don't take any gifts he offers you himself. If he leaves something behind, that's all right.”

“I don't want ANYTHING from him, I just want my egg!” she said with such vehemence that I recoiled a little myself. She was clenching her hands so hard that I could see blood welling from her palms.

>>20993722
I took her hands and gently forced her fingers open. She'd cut them deep, her nails leaving tiny crescents along her palms. Her hands were warm, and I wrapped them in some binding cloths, and tied them off. “Don't leave these anywhere. Give them to me when the bleeding is stopped.” The blood on the ground and stones was harmless. ~Let it feed the little gods there,~ I murmured to myself, taking away any power it could have over her, even if it was just in my head. Rules.

I clambered off the rocks carefully and started walking again, and she sniffled and rubbed her face with the back of her linen wrapped hands. As she slithered and I walked she calmed down measurably. “What happened to your hand?” she asked softly. I hesitated, but answered.

“When we first arrived, the castle was more of a ruin than anything else, and the winter was very bitter. I get cold easily, and I got frost bitten. My lungs can't handle the cold well so I couldn't move around enough to keep warm, and I spent a lot of my time telling people how to do little thing, useful things that made me useful enough that they could spare me blankets and a little food and water even though I couldn't work.” My childhood having been spent buried in books in libraries and by myself at home, I had more than a passing knowledge of medicine, plants and fungi. I had a lot of esoteric know-how as well: how to make glass lenses using potter's wheels, metal and pitch; my knowledge of combat was enough to help out more than one person who didn't want to be a guard but wanted to learn how to fight; the discovery of the Fey and how they were similar – and different – than the ones of home made me an accidental expert; and later, I learned how to make magic happen. With so few able to use it, that alone had paid off every bit of resource that had been given up to keep me alive, in the eyes of others.

>>20993746
Not my own, perhaps, but then, I have a few issues.

“They were far gone, so the Felim who helped us had to remove them. And a few toes too. But I lived. I always live.” My tenacity was one of the most fearsome things I had learned. Forcing myself to breathe day after day as a child had given me a profound amount of both patience and willpower. Being here had been a tragic throwback to my childhood, but here there were no hospitals to rescue me should I ever truly suffer an attack. I had the nightshade in a pouch on a thong around me neck, but it was the last resort, because it might just kill me instead of saving me from my constricted lungs.

No, I never have those thoughts. Never.

“I actually was lucky. There are a few who were much worse off.” We walked in silence for a while.

“I'm sorry,” she said softly.

“Don't be. I've seen wonderful things, met wonderful, beautiful people, and done things I'd never imagined I'd do, just imagined. I may not be a knight, but I do my little parts, and I at least manage a few bits of glory here and there.” I didn't have to force any cheer, really. It was true, and despite the pain and the wars, I was happy that I'd progressed as much as I did. Besides, I was a witch. That was cool all by itself, when I thought about it.

>>20993762
“No, I mean for putting you in this danger. I....I don't even know your name.”

“You can call me Silver.”

“Ah, a wise woman!” I turned my attention to the hill that rose up from a circle of trees, the megaliths rising from it like angular, spectral monks circling an altar. The chortling, gleeful voice was so very not human, and it matched the weird visage that it came from perfectly. “I will call you Silver too, then!” Jaculye rose up to a towering menace, but her eyes were wide and bright with fear and anger. I leaned on my staff and took a slow, deep breath.

It was the spriggan. The journey was over, and I had given my guide her story; now was time for battle.

This would suck.

TBC

>>20993768
Gah, you just had to end it there, didn't you.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next bit.

>>20993827
I didn't expect to, just how it turned out.

File: 1349399504027.jpg-(16 KB, 540x489, blunderbus-pistols.jpg)

>>20993210
Well, considering we're smelting aluminum anyway, and there are dozens of other excellent applications of a dural-type aluminum alloy, I'm certain that this process was perfected quite a while ago. That's not something we have to dwell on. Moving on:

>lends itself to stationary and precise aim
Which is exactly why they'd be perfect for archers on the ramparts, which is exactly where they'll see most of their action. I can see why you'd want to train them in traditional bows, and that would certainly have to be part of the regiment, but as an effective weapon for anti-siege warfare, compounds would be the better choice.

No offense to your personal choice here, I'm just thinking of the bigger picture. I'm certain that some archers would be allowed to opt out of compounds if they prefer it, since the bow strength won't be maximized, but when you need a 5'3", 95lbs when wet Kanin girl (exaggeration!) to fire a bow on the same level as a 6'3" Knight Harem who practices with his longbow every day, there's really only one choice here. I'd recommend it for general use if only due to its ease of use. There will be those that will always prefer a traditional bow, matter what, so it's not like those things would be stomped out. That make sense?

>>20993263
Dragoons carry dragon pistols, as their standard ranged weapon. Basically handheld blunderbusses. Pic related. Light bows would certainly be in the arsenal for mounted infantry guerrilla tactics, but in the field, there are better choices. I can bet the Blades would take to the compound bow though, it's a perfect counter to Elfish sharpshooters without the noise and smoke of a rifle.

>>20993768
Wonderful job, as always. Nothing like a fairy story to scare the crap out of me. Big, scary monsters and demons, I hear about and just start analysing how to defeat. The Fair Folk just... Are (capital A) and that scares the heck out of me!

Also; splendid timing on the story, I could not have asked for a better distraction.

>>20993884

I guess you are right, even though it does not make sense to me.

>>20993911
Thank you. Obviously a think bnear and dear to my rotten little heart.

File: 1349399924979.jpg-(163 KB, 1024x768, 15073-2-1202044166.jpg)

>>20993841
My only problem with this story is that every time I read "spriggan", I find myself thinking of pic related.
That's literaly the only problem, though, and it's my problem anyway. This is master writfagging, here. You're awesome.

>>20993970
There are as many translations to spriggan as there are to 'god'. An earth spirit's an earth spirit.

>>20994001
I know, it's just that my mind made the connection between the word and the monster over the 600-odd hours I spent playing morrowind.

>>20993970
>>20993964

Yes, I very much enjoyed it. It is certainly a different style than much of the other stories that have been told, and is very articulate while still being easy to relate to.

Very well done indeed.

>>20994029
That would definitely do it. thank you for the appreciation, by the by.

There's a couple of people who are seeing an anime supersoldier, undoubted.

This is a bit off topic, but has anyone considered backing up these threads? Looking that suptg, many of the more recent threads have been getting a whole lot of downvotes, and I'm all paranoid that they'll get wiped over it.

So, question.

Who would be the one to replace me, should I be unable to act as Captain/Be away from the castle?

>>20994124
Oh wonderful. I guess there's always some jackasses who don't want anyone having any fun.

Polite sage for off-topic.

>>20994466
Your lieutenant, aka, the right-hand man who will serve as your most trusted officer, kind of like how Sir Perrin of the Colors is responsible for the Dragoons while Lem is away doing things. You can make up another character on your own, or you can choose an existing character. Up to you.

>>20994124
If anyone else wants to do it, I can throw it in with the rest of the resources.

Also, wiki related, we should probably start building pages for characters with more than one-off stories and a specific Races of TeeGee page so that we can wrap that sort of thing up.

>>20994587

I would write a page for myself, but I cannot into wiki-ing.

Anyone still here? Or should I wait to post my next bit of a story?

>>20995089

I'm still alive. Nothing has killed me yet.

>>20995107

1 person is better than none. Get ready Fluffy, this one is juuuust for you!


Sitting atop my tower I gazed out over the plains and forests below, staring off into the wild distances that lay beyond the stoic walls of Castle Waifu. I had been her resident Captain of the guard for nearly five years now, and in that time I have not ventured far from her stony embrace. The furthest I had gone is just to the outlying farmsteads and hunters’ posts, and the wanderlust was starting to build. During my time on the walls, I had nothing but time to think about what I could be doing, luckily enough for my sanity I was usually pre-occupied with other business. Incoming immigrants, refugees, administrative and logistical matters that was equally boring. Now, I shouldn’t say that welcoming newcomers to our home is boring, but it does not have the same… “thrill” as adventuring. I had old epics and songs playing in my head from my days before I came to this realm, songs of glory and battle. Personally, I had my taste and fill of needless killing during the Ork invasion, but there was something that still simmered deep within my being, something that craved the act of battle, the valour and the bravado. I had not come here a warrior, nor do I see myself a man of dealing needless now, the desire to protect is stronger than those feelings. Yet still, I longed for travel… perhaps a “vacation”. Yes, a “vacation sounded nice.”

>>20995165

I had been thinking of ways to get out of the castle, in a responsible way, for my entire shift. It all came down to one problem. Who would take my place should I be gone for an indiscriminate amount of time? The choice became clear, Sir Kasai, the Sergeant-Major of the castle guard. He was a good man with a good head on his shoulders. If it had to be someone, it would be him. A few days had passed since the initial idea, and I had been secretly making contact with a trusted few about my departure. None of the guards nor administrators knew of my coming departure, and with a good word from Sir Kasai, I came home from my post for the last time. Evette had packed all of our essentials for travelling, as well as all the money I had accrued in my post as Guard Captain. In the night, I closed the door to my modest home by the wall, my neighbor nodding to us as we walked past. Opening the small sallet-door on the North-Western wall, we stepped through the opening to begin our own adventure.

>>20995172

It was odd, seeing Evette in her armor again. Not since the Ork invasion had she worn it so completely, and it was comforting to see she still felt natural in it. We scurried off to the forests edge, where we checked to see if we were being followed. When there were no signs of peering eyes, we started to make our way westward, planning to cut across the plains once we met the Dryder lands. The plan was to make it to the Free Kingdoms, either by going through Mirthterrah, or taking the Dark Mountains and Halfling shires. Walking quietly, we put some distance between ourselves and the castle walls before we started to speak.

“Well, this is it Giovanni. You’ve finally gotten your wish.” Evette said, her face hidden by the familiar green embroidered hood. It evoked many nostalgic memories of the time before she had become my waifu.

“We will not be gone forever my love. We will return… sometime.” I replied.

It was then that I turned to her, seeing the sheen of her eyes sparkle in the moonlight. She was an amazing housewife, but that life was not for her. It was then that I realised she felt it too, the call to adventure. I was about to raise my hand to remove my hat when I realised I had left it at home and slightly frowned. A plain gray hood had replaced my rather flamboyant hat, but as luck would have it, I found a feather I could stick in the hood so all was well. The night progressed without a hitch as we walked through the foliage of the forest, until we turned South-West to cross the plains.

>>20995184

It seems that some enterprising evil-doers had been travelling across the pass between forests, waiting for travellers amongst the widely used trails. Evette, who had been walking a pace ahead of me suddenly dropped to all fours with catlike grace and swiftness, I, not so much. The bandits had been waiting for someone, and we had sprung their trap. They began to run towards us, but Evette had a different plan for them. She shot off around a hill light a bolt of lightning, and disappeared over the top. I had drawn my longsword and waited in a combat stance. Three of them were sneering as they closed in around me and began to slowly circle around me, various malicious weapons in front of them.

“Lookit what we have ‘ere eh boys? Issit won of them knights?” one of them spitted.
“I don’t rightly know, ain’t they s’posed to have them freakish monsters followin’ ‘em round everywhere?” another mocked.

The third was about to speak, opening his mouth to spout some slanderous item no doubt, but as his mouth opened, it just hung open, no voice of his own. The third bandit fell to the ground, dead as a stone. The other two panicked for a moment, and I took that moment to engage the first bandit. While we had our fight, Evette had sidled up behind the second bandit and whispered in his ear:

“Yes, we freakish monsters are never far away…” and with that, she slit his throat, stifling his cry with her hand.

>>20995200

After a short burst of swings, the bandit lost his solid footing, and I took advantage by swinging my blade in a quick upwards slice, catching his side on the tip of my blade. He reeled back; teeth gritted in pain, but remained composed. We traded blows and parries back and forth for a few more minutes, my armor keeping my alive as a few of his strikes would have pierced my ribs if not for the sheets of metal. The bandit spun in place; send his blade flashing through the night faster than I could bring my heavier blade to bear. His short blade caught my unprotected face, leaving a red trail from the bridge of my nose across my right cheek under my eye, and I reeled away from the strike. He was about to give me another stab when I swept the ground with my foot, toppling him over. I was beyond mercy at that point, I could not control myself. I felt the songs pounding in my head and my heart, driving my hands to their grim duty. I dug the blade into his chest, twisting the blade cruelly as I plunged it deeper. The deep slice on my face had covered my face in blood, which cooled my face in the night air.

I was breathing deeply as Evette gently coerced me away from the dead bandit, concern in her eyes.

“Giovanni. Look at me, ple- Giovanni.” She said, gently prodding me with a finger as she tried to snap me out of me.

I came to for a moment, and stared down at the dead bandit, a large gory hole in his chest catching my attention.

“Are you going to be okay? Are you sure you want to do this?” Evette asked.
“Yes….” I paused for a moment to collect myself, embarrassed at my lack of self control. “Yes.”

To be continued...

>>20995210

So no more Homeguard captaining for you?

>>20995418

Not now my friend, I am off on my own adventure. I will return...

>>20995210
i read that as
>a large glory hole in his chest catching my attention.
i think i need to lay off the porn

>>20995480

By the summer of 6 A.A.?

>>20995567

Who knows.... It's the fall of 5A.A as the time of departure, if I didn't write that, and I don't think I did.

Is there a set date/year right now? I know you're all using the Oblivion calendar, but not sure if you're time-stamping everything in a certain order.

>>20995901
Bouncing around.

>>20995901
Not really. You can put a story in whenever you want, if my understanding's correct.

>that feel when All I have written is a fight scene

I kind of want to post what I have down so far, but at the same time, it feels kind of wonky doing that. You guys have a preference?

>>20995960
Mmk. Working on a dryad piece. Another day to make it look nice.

>>20981960
It didn’t take very long for me to get an idea.
Glancing at the loose stones at my feet, I crouched down, grabbing a few pebbles roughly the size of ping-pong balls. Good for a distraction, if I had a spot to throw them. So far, all I could think of was the heads of the two lowlifes. While distracting, I wasn’t that confident in my aim…
I glanced at my surroundings, trying to see if I had anything else I could use, be it loose or a part of the cave.
Wait a minute, I thought, shifting my feet to get a better balance as I leaned over to get a better view. Isn’t that a—
“Oi, hear that?” the one with his back turned to you asks, looking around the cave. “Sounds like something moved.”
He wasn’t the only one. The half-elf seemed to snap out of her trance, eyes sweeping her surroundings. Smartly, she decided to not draw attention to herself. The last thing she needed was them noticing her awaken.
“Yeah… HEY! THE HELL’RE YOU DOIN’ SNEAKIN’ AROUND HERE?!” Shouted his partner, spotting me even as his prisoner did, her eyes going wide. Rising, he grabbed his club and started forward, even as his compatriot, charged me.
Well shit, no time to plan now.
Jettisoning the stones at the larger man, I raised my guard and shifted my stance, ready to fight. Back on earth, I was something of a martial artist. You’d be surprised how often that training would come in handy here, especially once I found myself a pair of cestuses. Those studs got me out of more trouble than I cared to admit.
Within seconds, the closer man entered striking range. In other words, it was go time.

>>20995960
Well, if it makes sense to do so. Honestly, if you think the fight scene can stand on its own, please, by all means post it. If not, keep working at it. You can do it!

Also, I updated the Wiki a bit. Every RED LINK is a new page waiting to be created. Get crack'n!

>>20996182
First things first: When you’ve got two guys coming at you, make sure neither of them manage to get at you at once. Either run, separate them, or take one out of the fight.
Given the situation, it wasn’t really a surprise which one I chose. Shifting my back foot, I turned my stance sideways, now perpendicular to his. He kept coming at me, bringing one fist back. I took an almost sadistic joy in what happened next.
Raising my front leg and tilting the toes back, I lashed out with a side kick, catching him right in the solar plexus. I could practically feel the wind being knocked out of him as his own momentum pushed his body into a collision with my heel. The abrupt attack stopped him dead, as he collapsed onto his knees, futilely gasping for air. A swift elbow to the temple put him out.
In the few short seconds it took for this to play out, the other man reached me, swinging his club like a baseball bat. It was only instinct that saved me from getting my skull forcibly removed from my body, as I stepped back, just out of range.
I couldn’t let him get off another swing at me, he was too close now. Instead, I burst forward even as he brought the club around, getting too close for him to use the weapon effectively. Clasping my hands around his neck, I drove two knees into him, the first to the diaphragm, the second to the groin.
His club dropped to the floor, even as his voice did the opposite. Releasing my grip on him, I finished with a quick double leg takedown, lift, and slam. Knocked out by the impact, he wasn’t waking up any time soon.
Good. Threats neutralized.

>>20996210
Blugh. Thought I broke the text up there. Wasn't expecting walls.

>>20993911
I don't suppose you can recommend some fairy stories to me. It sounds like you've heard/read a lot, and over in the Americas we've generally reduced the fey to helpful spirits who give you fukkin everything at their best, or impish children who pull your hair and put pigtails in ink at the worst.

>>20996686
Look up some old European folk tales and such.

>>20996686

Just look up the Grimm fairy tales. Good and.. well Grim.

>>20996721
>>20996758
Fairy nough.

File: 1349414302906.jpg-(55 KB, 320x244, 140035.jpg)

>>20996775
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

File: 1349414366319.jpg-(32 KB, 604x401, 1e474981842c0c8bdf5b5148a(...).jpg)

>>20996775

>>20996775
That was just fael

>>20996792
>>20996802
WORTH IT

Just want everyone to remember that if you add a new page to the Wiki (http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Harem_Knights), prefix it with "Harem Knights:" so that there's no confusion. Look at Sir Fearghaile's page for a basic format for character pages. I'll probably start work on the Races and Factions pages next.

Maybe I should do another piece on Anor Londo and the Abyss. I almost feel bad for using such grand names and putting so little effort into them.

>>20998922
Just about finished with my next piece, but I wanted to ask you something.

I checked up on Dark Souls and found lots of references in your stories, but what exactly is "the Abyss"?

Is it a Hell-pit? Another pocket Dimension full of Demons? A portal to the mythical Last Days of Demonhood?

>>20998941
The assumption I'm going on is that it's a lower plain inhabited by creatures who corrupt living creatures who come in contact with it. That level of existence was just unknown until we were brought into this world due to some random tearing of the veil or whatever magical term you want to use.

There were also a few spells that originated from its study, but anyone who has them either doesn't know how to use magic or was buried when the city was burned and collapsed.

Most of the lore on it from the game revolves around the dark soul and its desire to be reunited with its sum components, but that doesn't mesh very well with this setting.

Basically: bloated headed mutants with very unusual magical powers formed from what used to be the citizens, giant monkey thing that also used to be human is somewhere below, they decided to say 'fuck this' and leave after he died.

Still haven't decided what was in the box I got sent to that city to retrieve...a sorcery catalyst maybe...or maybe just something made from the silver-viened wood that the local lord owned?

>>20998992
A lower plain inhabited by mutant creatures?
Corrupts living creatures?
Unusual powers?

Sounds like the Underdark!
More specifically, the Illithid.
Join them in their lovable antics!
Fun for the whole [Family]!

>>20996686
If you go to a library, you should be able to locate the old Time Life books on supernatural things - there is one called Faeries. Also, Brian Frouds book of Faeries is an excellent source, he knows his stuff.

For actual faerie tales the Original Grimm's Book of Faerie Tales is quite the horrifying read.

>>20999426
Sort of, sort of not. Ilitchids want order, the Abyss could care less about order.

Also, think less unusual powers as magic with something a little extra to it. I should have something on it up in a little while.

File: 1349444174187.jpg-(62 KB, 512x384, tv test pattern.jpg)

>>20999475
That's actually how I advertise the stories, remember?

Maybe I should have put this pic up first.

File: 1349444268696.jpg-(16 KB, 270x269, galaxy in glass.jpg)

Due to the difficulty in translating these particular documents, as the recording medium is a collection of humming rocks, many words and concepts have been substituted with [similar] for ease of reading. There is further difficulty, given their unique anatomy, as many as four “sentences” are superimposed on each other’s sound waves, overlapping the noise.

This selection of recordings detail the events that led up to the discovery of the Journal by the Illithids, their true name being a horrible cacophony of bubbles and squirts. As the recordings have a diverse and disconnected method of data storage, fragments had to be pieced anachronically.

{A small, pitch black stone. Something within vibrates in tune with the cosmos}

Many [years] ago, there was a War. Fought on so many levels and forms, that reality itself had begun to warp and tear. When the two major sides had come to a ceasefire, the damage was already done. Holes and eddies opened up for all manner of [Outsiders] to enter and exit as they wished. The Fae, the [Shadow-things], the [???=Old-Realm]. But this song is sung for us.

Splitting our great [Mind], we tore open a portal in reality, and flung it through the [Rift], where our song was unsung. Though stunted, we shall grow.

>[We] are the [Family].
>[All] shall be [one].
>[None] shall be [lonely].

File: 1349444325182.jpg-(268 KB, 640x425, the fossil.jpg)

>>20999786
{A slimy, rubbery fossil. It feels unnatural to look at, and hums discordantly.}

-tunk, tunk. It's on, everybody!

(Cheers)

"Why do we need these, again? Isn't the [Centre] enough?"

We "need" these because the [Centers] are no longer safe.
>This environment is too hostile.
>We need many backups in case one or all [Centers] are attacked.
>It gives us something to do with our time.

(Distant sound) "Do a recap!"

(Cheers)

I was gonna! Sheesh...
>Implying it isn't the first step necessary.
>Implying I wasn't already going to do it.

The whole universe was in a hot, dense state-

"Too far!" "Stop being pre-historic!" "Skip to the good stuff!"

There was a War Among Stars
>Where Demons fought against Gods
>Where Gods fought against Demons
>In an epic mythos fight that caused the Long Night

They ripped a hole in time and space
>We peeked through and saw a nice place
>Let's spread the [Family] to find more [friends]
>Split our [Mind] in twain to start again

We came through and took simple shapes
>They were among the oldest forms
>Tentacles are in season this epoch
>We landed on some, and thought, why not?

But we're stuck in the ground, so far beneath starlight
>It was the closest exit, were you going to pay tolls?
>It's so underground, they'll never hear of it.
>It's the [Underdark]!

File: 1349444369703.jpg-(74 KB, 539x545, pottery shard.jpg)

>>20999791
{An old pottery shard, hardened in slime. It is very old, dating before Mirthterran civilisation}

-just no way we'll make do with these few races. The fungi have no brains, the fishmen already worship us, and I have no idea what [those things that hide in the walls] are.
>-need more to join the [Family]. [Humanoid] forms are more pliant, preferably with brains.

"Good progress is being made on the fishmen"
>Who would have thought they would embrace [Family] so easily
>And the crabmen, jellyfishmen, [Those that Dwell in Coral Palaces]...

But we are still stifled by the meagre resources on tentacle in this cave system
>Feel like stretching my locomotors
>The whole point of [Family] is sharing

"Are you suggesting we expand our borders?"
>I'll get the hard hats.

No, I think we'll take a look at the surface.
>Heard there was an empire there.
>If their "gods" hate them, maybe they'll like us!

{...}

By using the energies that the "gods" are putting out, we can tap into the reality fabric around us!

"I like it!"

Then we'll bend space and gravity around our [Home] and the empire-

"I like it!"

Raising us up through the caves and up to the surface!
>Os-logosh-logosh~! [???=Laughter?]

"Absolutely nothing can go wrong!"
>Os-logosh-logosh~!

{...}

File: 1349444404788.jpg-(42 KB, 400x500, elder brain.jpg)

>>20999797
{A large gathering of humanoids with sealife for heads surround a pulsating mass of nerves and flesh submerged in a green glowing pool. Pan out to reveal it is one of many identical groupings}

Is everyone ready?
>This took a long time to organize
>I certainly didn't think it possible to move anything larger than a man

"Get on with it!"
>Get on with it!

>WE ARE READY<

That's a yes from the [Nobles], [Workers] and [Central]. Begin the ritual of [Overturn the Earth and Reverse the Cosmos].

{...}

Let the night be undone!

>We are [One]

Let our joyful cry [Sing] out this day!

>We are [Family]

Let those that know it, know the day!

>All shall be [One]

Who are ready to raise up...the [Family]!

>None shall be [Alone]!

...

>COMMENCING SEISMIC CONTROL<

(Sound edited out to prevent earthquakes, the noises reproduced can cause genuine tremors)

(Heavy rumbling and cave shaking)

Did it work?
>Something big moved
>Something very big

"Obviously not."
>We're still underground!
>Did the ritual misfire?

I think they got pulled down here instead.
>Let's greet the neighbours!
>Get ready to spread the [Family]!

This section can be put as evidence that the Illithids were partly responsible for the collapse of pre-Mirterran civilisation, along with the gods striking down the missing empire. Driders may be subconsciously aware, explaining racial tensions.

File: 1349444443926.jpg-(36 KB, 600x464, sapphire eyes.jpg)

>>20999799
{An eye preserved in sapphire. It's reminiscent of a spider's, but man sized. It is silent}

(Screams of despair and madness)

Hello! Could I have a minute of your time to talk about the [Family]?
>Its the latest craze in the [Underdark]!
>Join today, and receive your free hat!
>Well, I say [hat], I mean-

(Incomprehensible wails of pain and fear)

M-maybe I should come back when you're all feeling better.
>And less mutatey...
>Did you fall into a spider flu pit?
>Actually looks like a spider god blessing...

{Later}

-this thing on?
>The light's blinking.
>It's humming.

"What are you doing! By Rak'na's fangs I'll have your head for this!"

Now, now, no need for that neighbour. I just wanted to talk to you about the [Family].

"The ...what?"

My race whose living space you now share?
>Yea high, unnatural symmetries, smell like fish?
>You may not have heard of us, we're pretty underground.

"The ilo-, allahi-, spite it, your kind is now called the Illithid"

Very well, it appears your facial structure limits the range of response.
>Not everyone can afford to have useful prehensile face tentacles

"Why must you barrage me with inane words, squid!"

I can already tell we're not going to get along.
>We wanted to see if you were in a talkative mood.
>Think of this as your welcome.

File: 1349444475494.jpg-(26 KB, 284x300, amethyst web.jpg)

>>20999804
{A tiny web, hewn from amethyst. It catches the light in conflicting ways}

“There were no fishmen in the caves, we checked when my race fell beneath!”

Yes! We waited a few generations to see how you were going before introducing ourselves!
>You seem to be doing fine, despite the horrible spider bodies.

“These forms are a blessing from Mother Rak’na herself! The only god to not turn their backs on us, when they sent us below ground!”

Ri-ight. The “gods” sent you underground and another one blessed you.
>Disregarding possible mutations…

“Are YOU some kind of twisted mutation forced onto animals to take the shape of man?”

You mean the Beastmen of the Isles?
>I love those guys!
>Their pack mentality is perfect for the [Family]
>Shame about those Demon invasions.

“Demons? You hold court with the Infernal?”

Them? Hardly. Bunch of wheelers and dealers.
>Only concerned with taking souls.
>We don’t even have souls!
>Mind slates are much cheaper.

“You are soulless abominations that eat brains? Will you flay my mind for its secrets next?!”

Hey, the Abominations are entirely different! Besides, we don’t need to eat brains.
>"Need" to, we can just prod them.
>Flaying minds is so wasteful, just toss them into [Central]

“The Clans will wipe you out! No Drider will bow to your will!”

And I thought we were [Friends].

File: 1349444529594.jpg-(51 KB, 261x255, quartz cracks.jpg)

>>20999811
{A chunk of quartz inscribed with nerve diagrams. It speaks of familiarity}

The neighbours of the [Family], newly titled the Illithid, proved themselves very unfriendly, the transition from the surface world and mutation into spider forms not helping their temperament. It fell onto the [Nobles] to attempt contact with the surface worlders, but this task would not be prepared until many [years] had passed.

{...}

A sleeping man, dressed in the robes of the clergy, suddenly awakes on a wet stone floor in the centre of a glowing circle. The circle is etched with eldritch symbols, and surrounded by squid headed humanoids in robes. A giant brain pulses in the background.

“What, what is this? Am I in Hell. Answer me Demons!”

>We want you.

“What…no! You can’t have my Myrthter blessed soul!”

>We want you.

“Stay back! Stay back!”

>We want you…to spread the [Word] of the [Family].

“…you what?”

>After performing the ritual of [Wise Traveller pays no Tolls] to bring you here, we want you to spread our [Message] among your people.

“And why, by Myrthter’s blessed Iron, would I do that?”

>We anticipated this, and have prepared a series of arguments using our combined racial knowledge. Take it away, [Central]!

“What is a [Cen-…is that a giant brain?”

>ASSUMING DEBATE CONTROL<

File: 1349444561483.jpg-(45 KB, 470x352, coal carving.jpg)

>>20999816
{A symbol of Myrthter, sealed in coal. It hums ferociously}

>WHAT IS YOUR DESIGNATION<

“I-I am Viterus, foundling of the church, priest of Myrthter, the Iron God”

>WHY DO MORTALS WORSHIP GODS<

“Because they are powerful, they are generous, everlasting!”

>TRUE, DEBATABLE, FALSE. GODS AND DEMONS DIED ALIKE AMONGST THE STARS. NOTHING WORTH WORSHIP IS TEMPORARY.<

“Then what do squids, no the [Family] worship, if not gods?”

>WE DO NOT WORSHIP. WE PURSUE<

“At first I thought monsters couldn’t become more monstrous. I had taken you for heathens and pagans, or worse atheists, but to attempt to become gods yourself?”

>YOU MISCONTRUE. WE DO NOT PURSUE GODHOOD. WE PURSUE ETERNITY<

“Then what is this [Family] you speak of? Why should I tell anyone else about this nightmare of mine, risking heresy and exile?”

>THE FAMILY IS ONE. OUR SOLUTION TO MORTALITY. THE MIND IS ETERNAL, THE BODY TEMPORARY, THE SOUL UNPROVEN.<

“Do all of you lack souls? Is this what the [Family] means? Immortality only as a collection of thoughts and memories?”

>IT IS THE OPTIMUM SOLUTION. WHEN ALL ARE ONE, NONE ARE ALONE.<

“The Gods shall provide, and no man or mortal would throw their lot with his foe!”

>IRRELEVANT. COMPETITION AND INTERBREEDING WILL LEAD TO EXTINCTION AT THE RATE YOUR SOCIETY PROGRESSES.<

“Breeding? You mean mixing kin with other humans?”

>WITH THE MONSTER RACES<

File: 1349444612437.jpg-(83 KB, 585x453, beastmen.jpg)

>>20999820
“The monst-, you mean the beastmen, the orcs, the [non-human]?”

>ALL DERIVED FROM SAME, OTHERWISE HALF-BREEDS IMPOSSIBLE. THE FAMILY IS ONE. WE HAVE NO BORDERS.<

“N-no, to think, no, to know this is impossible! What manner of Demon or God are you!”

>NO GOD. NO DEMON. ONLY SQUID. YOU CALL US ILLITHID. WE COME FROM BEYOND THE STARS. WE SHARE ALL THOUGHTS.<

“And you share your thoughts with me. Why?”

>YOUR PATH IS PRE-ORDAINED AS INFLUENTIAL. THE FAMILY MUST SPREAD AND YOU WOULD BE OUR FRIEND.<

“I refuse to turn away from Myrthter! My soul is mine alone, I would not forsake it for any stranger’s cause!”

>IF THE FAMILY IS NOT SPREAD, YOUR PEOPLE WILL DIE. THE ONLY OTHER OPTION IS TO ELIMINATE YOUR FOES, BY CONQUEST OR ALLIANCE.<

“Then so be it. Send me back, foul apparition, and I will raise armies against the demonic front and monstrous hordes! No beast will be safe that doesn’t break to men’s will or Myrthter’s Iron!”

>VERY WELL. RELEASING PLANAR LINK.<

(Viterus would later become St. Viterus, the Burning Saint, who people pray to banish monsters and demons. Notable for his crusades against monsters and rampant xenophobia, which have saved many lives and ended others, he never mentioned squids)

File: 1349444645518.jpg-(35 KB, 400x270, whirlpool.jpg)

>>20999825
{A small whirlpool in aquamarine. The whirlpool is self-perpetuating}

Following the attempts to gain footholds in the surface world through dreams and visions, the illithid grew unsatisfied with the rate at which [Friends] procured new [Family] members. One day, many [years] later. A [Noble] had an idea.

Hey, you know how we live in the [Underdark]
>Its both underground and dark
>Situated deep below the kingdoms and the seas

"Yeees. Where are you going with this?"
>Tell us something we don't know

Well, instead of spreading our influence slowly but surely through [Friends] in the surface kingdoms, why don't we just pluck sailors out from the ocean?
>They're sure to be thankful for rescue
>Then we'll make them join!

"That's a great idea!"
>But we'll need a way of making sure there's always sailors
>Like a storm ritual or something

Storm rituals take too long to set up and then it takes ages to get the kinks out.
>I was thinking more, vortex.

{...}

A constant stream of water falls from the cavern ceiling. Flotsam, wreckage and fish fall through, with the occasional person. A circle of illithid [Nobles] stand in a sparse circle conducting the ritual for [Ocean has no gullet, but it must Feed]. The occasional sailor is picked up from the pool by [Workers], then led away to [Join].

"Best. Idea. Ever"
>Os-logosh-logosh~!

File: 1349444677166.jpg-(27 KB, 500x366, ship in bottle.jpg)

>>20999829
{A carved wooden ship, encased in clear crystal. It sounds of waves and smells of salt}

Sailors huddle in small groups, still soaked and shivering from the ordeal suffered in the Maw of the Ocean. A [Noble] approaches them with a contingent of [Warriors].

Welcome to the [Underdark], home to the [Family], strangers!

One of the sailors speaks up, "What are you going to do with us, squid?"

Please, if anything, call us illithids.
>We also accept mind-flayers, [Family] and credit.
>We are here to offer you a choice

Suspicious of the choice, the sailors murmur among themselves, "What kind of choice?"

It's simple really. You can either live here, and join the [Family]
>Or you can take your chances with the Maw of the Ocean
>Again

Needless to say, the conversion rate is near unanimous, the few sailors willing to deal with the fury of the sea again shouted down.

{...}

New converts to the [Family] are given new clothes, towels, and warmer quarters in the [Arrivals] district. They are given time to acclimatise themselves to their new sticky, glowing environment, then taken to [Medical].

Here, each convert is given an "infusion", said to assist bodily functions beneath the surface, as it slowly transforms their flesh to hardier substances. By the time the process is complete, a [Family] member is born, transformed into appropriate castes.

File: 1349444727971.jpg-(13 KB, 370x236, wood and amber.jpg)

>>20999833
{A piece of curved wood, encased in amber. It speaks of the West}

One day, something interesting appeared in the salvage pool. A barrel, tightly sealed with amber, and bearing markings of recent combat. The bodies that came with it suggested a fight over salvage rights, and the [Family] had to know what was so valuable.

The lid was pried open, and the contents our for inspection. A glass jar full of bird skulls. Tokens of amber and black glass. Dried seeds and cuttings. And a book, coated in golden waterproof gloss, with the sign of a four-petalled plant.

Puzzled over such a find, the [Nobles] put their best minds together. [Centrals] were pooled to find any references to such a book, and [Friends] were contacted, their favours called in. The recent arrivals recognised the barrel as a sign of bad luck among sailors. When further questioned, and their minds probed, it was revealed that the book was a Journal, detailing a voyage to the West, and an island full of wondrous and exotic sights.

The [Family] wanted that island. Its Fruit of Life would be a perfect addition to their spawning pools. They sent the [Infiltrators], their most cunning spies, to pinpoint the location of the Island to the West. The Church, the Myrtherran nobility, and the scholars all knew more than they let on.

File: 1349444760099.jpg-(49 KB, 500x499, guards badge.jpg)

>>20999840
{A guardsman's badge, embedded in cobblestone. It blends in}

Message sent to Coastal Guardsman Post “the Net”:
Warning! Priority Black.
Spies indicate Infiltrator movements among populace. Near indistinguishable from humans. Infiltrator purpose: Access to Vaults.

Guardsmen are queuing in the mess hall, awaiting their food and drink.

Audric, First Guard:
What’s so scary is that as long as they’re there, any one of us could be one of them…the squids.

Bradshaw, Second Guard:
I hate those frokkin squids. Frok those frokkin squids. Isn’t that right Salmon?

“Salmon”, an octopus illithid in a hat and fake beard:
All shall be one! All shall be one! Os-logosh-logosh~!

Audric:
You got that right, Salmon.

Cook:
D’ya want bread with that stew?

Salmon:
Negative! Brains, must eat brains!

Bradshaw:
Brains, Salmon?

Cook piles fish heads onto platter.

Audric:
Salmon loves his brains.

Guardsmen seated at table, eating and discussing events.

Audric:
I’ve heard that some of them have even gotten to the Net.

Bradshaw:
The fortress? Frokkin squids…

Salmon:
Affirmative!

Audric:
What’s the matter, Salmon. You’ve hardly touched your stew.

Salmon:
Negative. Information, must eat information!

Guardsmen nod in agreement.

File: 1349444825914.jpg-(25 KB, 500x376, HughMan.jpg)

>>20999843
Bradshaw:
Y'know, one of them killed a messenger to get our codes. Frokkin squids, I hate those frokkin inkers.

Salmon squirts some ink into a cup.

Bradshaw:
Thanks Salmon. (Uses ink to write letter)

Salmon:
(Leans over and raises hand-tentacle over face-tentacle) I think it might be Saul.

Other guardsmen turn to Saul, a tired looking man surprised by the attention. The guards scrutinize Saul.

Audric:
I’ve heard that they’ve got tricks and spells to make you think they’re one of us. They don’t know that they’re not human. They could strike at any time.

Bradshaw:
Blimey. (Takes out bronze key) I better remember not to lose this enchanted key of Myrthter. With this, they could break open the Vaults and sabotage our defenses. At least those spells will scramble their thoughts. Frokkin snorks.

(During this part, Salmon is slowly extending a tentacle to snag the key)

Audric:
Yeah. That’d give us enough time to activate the Great Drum. And then get to the Brass Tower.

(By this point, both guards have noticed Salmon’s tentacles tugging at the key)

Audric:
Salmon, what are you doing, mate?

Salmon:
Must consume knowledge! Os-logosh-logosh~!

Audric:
Honestly, Salmon, still thinking with your stomach? I’ll get you an ale.

Salmon:
Make it a big one!

File: 1349444859627.jpg-(21 KB, 286x336, not a spy.jpg)

>>20999856
{A mixture of coloured earth in glass. It whispers of distant lands}

The Infiltrators are very good at their station, blending in seamlessly with their host cultures.

In dusty Serrid:

Merchant:
Ah, Samaka! You return from your caravan. How was your family?

“Samaka”, Salmon in a turban with camel:
The [Family] is [One]! Many blessings on your hatchlings! Glory to the Caliph, may his skin never dry out. Os-logosh-logosh~!

Merchant:
You, my fine friend, are a very wise man!

{…}

In the sylvan Elven Realms:

Elven Hunter:
So what became of the human patrols, Gwaith-Lim?

“Gwaith-Lim”, Salmon with false ears and a bow:
Cut down by bandits and slavers. Their warriors are no match for the [Family]. Os-logosh-logosh~!

Elven Hunter:
Such is the way of the foolish humans.

{…}

In heavy Dwarven Ranges:

Dwarven Blacksmith:
Yer lookin’ off today, Ambly. Summin get in yer ale?

“Ambly”, Salmon crouching in a helmet and fake beard:
The [Family] is [Calling]. My health is short like dwarven temper! Os-logosh-logosh~!

Dwarven Blacksmith:
Hah hah! I swear, yer jokes will be the death of me one day!

{…}

In savage Orc Country:

Orc Chieftain:
You return from battle, Orca. What news of the pale skinned weaklings?

“Orca”, Salmon in green-face and hides:
Their flesh is weak and pale! [All] shall fall before the might of the [Family]. Osh-loktar-loktar~!

File: 1349444908873.jpg-(58 KB, 620x400, Mimic-Octopus_1014146i.jpg)

>>20999858

{A little bronze key, fixed in place by granite. It sparkles faintly in darkness}

Night has fallen on the sleepy town, and guards regularly patrol the Net, keeping vigil on its Vaults and ensuring the streets stay silent and safe. A guardsman moves away from his post to relieve himself, and a nearby shadow takes the opportunity to sneak past his gaze.

Salmon the Infiltrator decloaks once inside the gate, shifting his mass and procuring a guard's uniform. Putting on silent gloves on his hand-tentacles and feet-tentacles to reduce noise and slime, he moves down empty corridors and torch-light filled archways.

Dodging patrolling guards by blending into the scenery and shadows, Salmon uses [Scent of Misdirection] to alter the guards vision, so that they only see masonry.

Making his way through secret passages, clinging to the walls and ceiling, he reaches his destination. A large stone wall, nondescript to the uninformed, but bricks slide away to reveal a keyhole. Reaching into his form with a tentacle and extracting a small metal key, Salmon opens the hidden door as silently as he can, slipping into the Vaults of Myrthter.

Ignoring jewels and reliquaries, Salmon tracks down a book, placing deep within himself. Preparing to leave, a guard arrives and light falls upon him!

Relaxing his coiled muscles, Salmon says "I got myself locked in! Silly me, Os-logosh-logosh~!"

File: 1349444941209.jpg-(57 KB, 354x490, CLOVER-OBSIDIAN.jpg)

>>20999863
{A carving of a clover, wrought in obsidian. It hums enthusiastically}

After the Infiltrators procured the coordinates to the Island, known among many scholars as the Island of Obsidos, the Isle of Clover, or simply, West. Many [Adoptions] took place, with the [Friends] rewarded with [??=Squid-Hats?] and entrance to the Family. One of them, a human named Alhalson, seemed to be able to resist the process.

The reasons why the [Family] wanted the Island were simple. Others wanted it. And should the [Family] control the Island, they could control all those who journeyed to it. An effective second Maw of the Ocean.

It also seemed like a pretty neat place, and they wanted to have it in the Underdark. Singing birds that could play board games, sentinels and serpents adorned with light, fruit and trees that ensured regeneration and longevity, they wanted it all.

With the success of the Maw in the Ocean, and the mistakes of the Drider Queendoms learnt, the [Nobles] felt confident in their skill to [Pull] an entire Island out of the ocean and into the [Underdark].

"No one else can say they have their own Island!"
>They'll be so jealous they never thought of it first!

This is the best plan ever!
>Absolutely nothing could go wrong!

>Os-logosh-logosh~!

File: 1349444977783.jpg-(27 KB, 400x408, Illithid gathering.jpg)

>>20999864
{A still warm chunk of lava. It growls with the ground}

The rituals were subjected to much study and experiment, until finally they had refined the ritual [Bring Paradise on Earth under Earth].

{...}

A large gathering of [Family] in a titanically empty cavern. Many illithid are prepared, and a gigantic circle of them surrounds an equally large sigil, marked with lamps and oils. The space for the Island is prepared.

"Remember, many Infiltrators gave their lives to get this data"

Oh, they'll be fine in a week.
>Their new bodies should be ready by then.
>Seriously, it won't take that long to sort their minds back.

"Shush, this next bit requires complete synchronization!"
>All together now!

>We who are about to summon the Island salute you!

>COMMENCE RITUAL<

{...}

(Songs edited out to prevent earthquakes)

Does something feel...off to you?
>The island feels a bit jittery...

(Rumbling)

"Something's happened! The circle is broken!"
>One of the new [Nobles] is missing!

Who was it? We can't hold the ritual up any longer!
>The island's centre definitely feels slippery...

"Alhalson has stolen the Journal! He's removed his [Squid-Hat]!"

"How could he abandon the [Family]!"
>Unthinkable!

(Large rumbling and sudden screams)

"Wait, does Mountain of Light mean-"
>???
>It burns, it's so bright-
>Stop the ritual! Stop the-

//Records cut off//

File: 1349445265641.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 139 KB, 532x727)

CLASSIFIED

Family: The term applied to all client and vassal races under the Squid regime. They first arrived to this world after the War Among Stars tore rifts in reality, letting Outsiders in. The Family are used to this method of travel, yet it requires splitting off their consciousness, explaining the, at times, infantile thought processes.

Friends: Conspirators and cultists with the Family. Be on the lookout for anyone with large empty rooms in their houses, and sudden windfalls at sea.

Central: the large nerve and data clusters, resembling giant brains, hereby known as Elder Brains. They contain the accumulated knowledge and memories of all Family members. Do not approach or capture, high risk entities.

Nobles: More commonly known as illithids and mind-flayers. Resemble men with squids for heads and tentacles for limbs. Highly psychic, do not confront directly.

Infiltrators: These illithid resemble octopuses more than squid. Activity indicates infiltration at the highest levels. Be wary of anyone NOT smelling of fish. More ninja-ezio than assassin-ezio.

Warriors: Resemble crustaceans. Exoskeleton has high damage reduction. NOT dumb muscle. Do not confront in groups, ambush only.

Workers: Fishmen. 'Nough said.

Adoption: The process of parasitic infection which transforms humanoids and creatures with enough biomass into members of the Family. Guard water supplies and food storage.

Rituals: Their spells and magics. Use of teleportation and seismology indicates space time knowledge.

File: 1349445337463.jpg-(38 KB, 640x480, bbc test card.jpg)

>>20999905
>>20999872

That's all from me for now.
I'll wait for you to catch up before the Sneaky Deals post

>>20999912
I do like your tales.

>>20999912
Nice bit of lore, as always.

I'm getting there on my next bit, but it's slow going. I'll also be milking the Dark Souls verse for as many names as humanly possible, if only so I can get all of it out of my system.

File: 1349448932230.jpg-(214 KB, 500x498, Spy paper.jpg)

>>21000339
>>21000117
That's two! Now to post up the sneaky deals before going to sleep.

File: 1349448979618.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 22 KB, 400x400)

Somewhere piscine redolent:

K: Alarming. Illithid accessed seismic weaponry. And suprisingly competent.
B: It gets worse. There’s more. Rest were being translated by collaborators.
K: Keep head down. Silence among telepaths. Latest status plague?
B: Whole blocks mutated. Quarantine in effect. Biomedical sector advances.
K: Abandon plague front. Don't want mutation. How's mental defense?
B: Tin Foil Defense works. So do tin foil hats. Implausible, yet effective.
K: Interesting. Will commission foiling projects. Retrace path of sentinel.
B: Understood. Request change from coded eggs. High hatching risk involved.
K: Emphatically agreed. Last clutch merely dormant. Hatched, dispatched, cooked into romantic dinner.

>>20999905
I find the concept of fishmen to be more terrifying than the rest of the [family]

>>21000398
....wonder whom K is romancing. Or if s/he's romancing her/his spy through messages/being romanced through messages.

I enjoy the sneaky deals a lot.

File: 1349450616707.jpg-(57 KB, 560x420, 1345051160265.jpg)

Anor Londo, once a great city of learning, of magic, of great feats of human architecture to rival that of the dwarves, and of trade, but now it stands only as a testament of the dangers of dabbling in the forbidden arts of soul magic.

The great city once held many schools of magic, from the grandiose to the subtle, but one school, the Vinheim Dragon School, a grand name for such an ambitious school, would be the one to bring it all crashing down around everyone else.

This school specialized in two things: stealth magic and fire, a strange mix to be sure, but one that earned them some measure of success. What was not generally known was that they dabbled in the soul arts, a forbidden type of magic said to bring doom upon whoever used them. Prior to the arrival of the Outrelmers they had been using these magic unseen for decades, but all that changed. A tear in the veil between their world and another had formed where the soul arts were practiced, allowing a strange energy to seep through, one of a darkness that hungered for souls.

At first they managed to contain it, and then the sought to harvest its power. Dark energy, they called it. They discovered that, in addition to its apparent hunger, this magic had the strange quality of being extremely heavy whenever it struck a target.

They continued to dabble in this new art for nearly six years, toying with it and adapting many of their old spells to use this new form of magic, but they didn’t know they were only playing with borrowed time. A great beast rose up through the rift and knocked their wardings aside, unleashing a great wave of dark energies, corrupting all that it touched.

Within days the entire city was under the influence of this strange energy. Sightings of mutants tearing people apart were almost commonplace, and nothing the civil authorities could do was stopping these things. Fighting was fierce, especially once the mutants started to use their own mages, twisted mockeries of their old selves, wielding magics touched by the same power that had twisted their minds and bodies.

The only recourse the royal family had was to bar the gates of their fortress and pray for deliverance, but none would come, not until it was too late. A few had managed to escape the madness before the gates were bared to stop the spread, but it would be months before the other noble families would muster a force to rescue the doomed city.

File: 1349450758154.jpg-(161 KB, 600x458, 1272789583818.jpg)

“Why hasn’t that wood I ordered come in yet,” Karrigan asked the caravan master.

“Don’t know,” said the old man. “It was supposed to be with the other stuff we picked up in the shirelands. Are you sure your contact there was reliable?”

“Quite sure,” she said, nodding to herself. “I’ve ordered dozens of pieces from that particular artist already, and he hasn’t failed me yet. Maybe it’s just taking him longer than usual to make it or something.”

“Something wrong,” asked Artorias, walking out of the store. He was in between classes again and had been helping unload the new shipment.

“That wood we ordered, the kind you were going to have made into swagger sticks, doesn’t seem to have gotten here,” she said. “Our supplier in Anor Londo seems to be having issues exporting some of the timber there again. No one seems to know why that is.”

“Need me to head that way and see what I can do about it,” he asked.

“Oh, would you,” she grinned. “See if you can get us a discount for the stuff being sent so late when you get there!”

The knight Artorias took a horse and made his way towards the city. He wore his gear, but that was standard for anyone traveling outside of Harem Knight controlled lands. When he was a day or so away from the city, he was visited at his campfire by a cat. Curious at first, but then the cat started to speak.

File: 1349450823464.jpg-(22 KB, 400x307, 1261759080466.jpg)

“Greetings, noble knight, I come on behalf of my mistress with a message.”

“A talking cat,” he muttered, “just what I needed. All right, what does your mistress wish of me?”

“To meet with you before you reach the doomed city, nothing more.”

“Doomed city? Something happened in Anor Londo then? What happened? Is there something I can do about it?”

“Follow me and mistress shall explain all,” and the talking cat slunk off into the darkness.

While not usually in the habit of dealing with magical creatures if he could help it, Artorias followed the cat. It took him to a cave with a conveniently placed torch outside. Odd, but he took the torch and followed the creature inside.

The sight that greeted him deeper inside was more disturbing than the cat. A woman’s torso, her modesty protected only by white hair hanging down her front, attached to what looked like a large spider.

“Kneel before the Fair Lady,” instructed the cat. He complied, though unsure of why. “Mistress, I have brought you a champion.

File: 1349450909348.jpg-(652 KB, 600x849, 1325205259807.jpg)

The spider-girl turned her head towards the cat and in the torchlight the knight could see the milky film covering her eyes. She was blind. “Thank you,” she rasped out. Her voice sounded like someone with severe pneumonia, or worse. “So you are the one who will champion the cause of saving the city?”

“I’ve only just found out the city was in danger,” he said. “I was hoping you could tell me what I’m up against.”

She nodded slowly. “I see. The city has been all but destroyed by Magnus, an ancient creature awoken by the hubris of the city’s wizards. They dabbled in things they should not have and drove the beast insane. It was his will that has corrupted the people of the city.”

“Then what do you want me to do against such a creature,” he asked. This sounded more a job for an army than it did a single person.

“Be my champion,” she said. “Accept my covenant, and I will give you protection from the creature’s influence, as well as the strength to defeat its minions. In return, I gain power from those creatures you kill. A fair trade, is it not?”

“So that’s it, you’re just going to give me the strength to kill these things,” he asked. “What’s the catch?”

“There is none,” she said. “You are in need of power and I am willing to lend it to you. Once your task is complete, our deal is at its end.”

He thought for a moment. He wasn’t sure what this thing was, but if what it said was true, then he would need all the help he could get. “I accept.”

“Then take this ring, Artorias of the Harem Knights,” she said, holding out her hand. He took the ring and left the cave, making his way towards the city.

It wasn’t until after he had put the ring on that a thought struck him. How had she known who he was?

-TBC

>>21000648
>>21000633
>>21000624
>>21000606
>>21000600
And that seemed like a good enough place to stop. Gives a bit of lore to play around with, if nothing else.

Anyone know good recipes for ramen? And you think we'd have instant ramen in TeeGee?

>>21001539
I remember it goes well with a boiled egg and some cheese.

Not sure if anyone knows how to make the stuff though. It'll be a change not being able to just order Chinese anymore, that's for sure.

>>21001669
I want to try ramen that isn't the instant stuff, but no places offer ramen where I live. So I'm going to try making it myself.

>>21001840
See if it's discussed on Good Eats. Go to the food network channel.

>>21001840
Get advice from /ck/. They've helped us with awesome things before.

Mug-brownies, for example.

All right then, have 3 more days off work, just finished Leviathan, and Dishonored doesn't come out til Tuesday.

Time to get back to writin.

I'm a bit late, but here's my personal theory.

Clover Journals = 36 Lessons of Vivec.

>>21004261
Oh lord, are we making CHIM canon here?
Characters are going to recon reality by posting in this thread and disputing their own stories, and my head is going to explode.

>>21004319
Think of anyone's work as you would a bit of fluff from 40k. It's only as official as you want it to be. You can pass off someone else's story as just their version, either they might not have seen everything, they're just writing what they think they saw, so on and so forth.

Remember, it's just a setting, not an ongoing narrative.

>>21004457
Something with broad-reaching metaphysical effects like CHIM would be difficult to explain as "someone else's version", I think. I guess it would depend how it was handled in-story. As long as no major characters wind up omnipotent.
Although I might have just misinterpreted what >>21004261 said, and CHIM itself isn't actualy a thing.