Full up on cookies and tea, you drift back, and to the doorway of Dras'lea's room, empty trays in your hand.
"... Thank you for visiting me." Lea said, waving as you made your way out. Tala gave her a grin, and waved to you as well.

After closing the doors and putting the trays away, you see Vithriel skidding around the corner, his wings twitching as he ran.
"Shh." He said, taking ahold of your shoulders. "Hide me."

You hear very angry words in the kalak tongue from behind him, back in the castle's halls. Neiriel's voice.
Vithriel looked back. "Quickly."

Rolled 79

>>21165575
Turn him into something small. Like a squirrel.

>>21165575
Give him the clo- Damnit, Kaliel still has it, doesn't she?

Uh, yeah, I guess >>21165596 will do.
"What did you do now?"

"What did you do now?" You ask.
In response, he holds up a single, sky blue feather, and chuckled.
"Shenanigans!" he responded. You frown, and push your hand onto his beak, taking ahold of it... and you bring forth your magic. His shape twisted, and shrunk, as he became a small, vaguely green squirrel.

He crawled up your leg, underneath your clothing to hide, as Neiriel stomped in.

"Excuse me." She said, fuming. "But have you seen Vithriel?"

>>21165669
"He ran that way. What'd he do this time?"

>>21165669
"Yes, he just ran through here. What's going on?"

"He ran that way." You say, and point randomly down the hall. "What'd he do this time?"
"He plucked one of my feathers." She said. "And not the ones that grow back. It's... rather painful."

Angry, she stormed off, and the squirrel under your pants starts giggling.

<Now that she's gone looking for me, I can go talk Dariel into drinking without her intercepting me.> Vithriel said, squeaking. <You're the best accomplice ever!>

>>21165719
<You are a horrible influence. Now get out of my pants.>

>>21165719
<Just don't forget, Vithriel. You OWE me. Hehehehehe.>

>>21165719
Put him on our shoulder, "Well, let's go, then. Would you care to join us, Tala?"

>>21165719
<You did that just to sneak booze to Dariel? You're terrible.>

<You did that just to sneak booze to Dariel? You are a terrible influence.> You say. <Now get out of my pants.>
<Right, right, this is Kal's territory, not mine.> He said, and crawled out. The squirrel held the long feather in it's mouth, and you can see that it's... a crest feather, rather enormously long. <Also, I'm going to make a quill out of this.> He said, chuckling, and the squirrel squeaked and scrabbled down the hall.
<Just don't forget, Vithriel. you *owe* me! Hehehehe.>
<I won't!> The squirrel said, and scrabbled underneath a door.

>>21165769
Let's go wander. See who we run into.

>>21165769
Well that was odd.
<Hey Belethor, how's it going? I assume you got back ok? I told you to keep in touch.>
Because why not, we haven't talked to him since he left.

While we're calling him we should look for Grayson and ask him if we can take a look at his mind. See if it is similar to the little snake girl.

Raising an eyebrow for a moment, you go walking through the halls. You look down to your ring, and decide to call Belethor.
<Hey, Belethor, how's it going? I assume you got back okay? I told you to keep in touch.>
<I've... been rather busy.> Belethor responded. <With, um, quite a few things. Matters of state, and, um, personal matters.>

>>21165859
<Personal matters. Riiight. So...did she finally manage to tie you down?>

>>21165859
<Getting busy with Aowyn? I see.>

<Personal matters. Riiiight.> You say. <So... Getting busy with Aowyn? I see.>
<I wish! I haven't had the *time*. Other than the... one night, she's been having to cover for me and pretend that's what we're doing.> He said. <I thought having a talent would make things easier, but now it's harder. My brothers are up to something with Sosaria, and I have to figure out what.>

>>21165927
<Well, maybe you can bounce some ideas off of me and get some insight.
What's your evidence that they're up to something thusfar?>

>>21165927
<Oh? Up to something like a plot to take over, or something less malevolent?>

>>21165927
<Up to something? That doesn't sound good. Have you told anyone else?>

<Up to something? that doesn't sound good. Have you told anyone else?>
<Aowyn, yes, and you, now.> He said. <It's something about money, and smuggling wine, and then placing the blame on me to essentially take me out of the running for the crown.> He said. <I just have to continue sneaking into the records every night and then making sure I know who my eldest brother's contact is. I've almost been caught three times now. Though... I think I'm just going to twist it around on them. I have a few ideas...>

>>21166003
<Why would your eldest brother need you out of the running for the crown? He's already ahead of you.>

>>21166003
<Maybe you should tell your mother. Not necessarily about the plot itself, but about the records not matching up right. I'd guess that your brother plans to imply that it was you, rather than outright state it. If you bring up the records first, it clears you of guilt.>

>>21166043
Or his mother could just go "Tell me the truth." and then they would. Because mind control.

>>21166043
That's actually not a bad plan. And...honestly, it kinda sets him up as Sosaria's boogeyman. You know, the one individual/agency people are worried about getting caught by.

Also,

<Let me know if you need anything from me.>

>>21166070
She could literally go "tell the truth, then forget this conversation."
That's why we always tried to have a mind ward around her. That power is insanely dangerous.
If she was an evil bitch, she could have told Ishelda "Fall in love with Belethor, marry him, and declare him king of New Arcturus."
Luckily she isn't an evil bitch, but...

>>21166092
oh, and "Forget this conversation." at the end, so we wouldn't even know she did it.

<Maybe you should go tell your mother. Not necessarily about the plot itself, but about the records not matching up right.> You say. <I'd guess that your brother plans to imply that it was you, rather than outright state it. If you bring up the records first, it clears you of guilt.>

<I would, but there are certain... rules about such a thing, even betrayal.> He said. <This whole thing is about being clever. It's unfair to use our parents, or even their funding, instead earning our own money. The winner is the one most fit for the crown. This is something that has to be taken slowly, and carefully. If such a thing would have worked, then my brother would have already told my father about the records not matching up right.>

>>21166092
Exactly, that power is insane. And if her sons are pointing each other out as perpetrators of a serious crime, she's going to want to get to the bottom of it.

>>21166101
And then "erect a mind ward and think you had it up the whole time."
And then "send Oleg over here so I can talk to him, and forget you did it."

>>21166116
<Well, good luck. Let me know if you need anything, I'm not your parent I'm a fairly earned ally.>

>>21166116
<That is certainly interesting way to decide an heir. Would calling on help from outside be frown upon? Or is this one of those times you wish to earn it yourself. Hehe.>

>>21166116
<I see. In that case, I'll quote you a phrase Gehenna keeps telling me. 'Follow the money'. People who deal in money will always wish to ensure that they know how much they have and how much they've spent. If more than a single copper piece was spent, you can be certain that there is a record of it somewhere in the world.
Your brothers are using this against you - but are you certain that they are covering their own expenditures? All of them?>

>>21166138
I assume she runs things in Sosaria and just lets the king act like he's in charge.

<Well, good luck.> You say. <Let me know if you need anything. I'm not your parent, I'm a fairly earned ally. Would calling on help from outside be frowned upon? Or is this one of those times you wish to earn it yourself? Hehe.>
<Only as a tool.> He said. <Say, if I needed you to change the records for me or something. But I have too many tricks to need anybody else... And, well... I've decided, once and for all, I'm going to be the king of Sosaria.>
<I see. In that case, I'll quote you a phrase Gehenna keeps telling me. 'Follow the money'. People who deal in money will always wish to ensure that they know how much they have and how much they've spent. If more than a single copper piece was spent, you can be certain that there is a record of it somewhere in the world.>
<I know.> He said. <Apparently my brothers pooled their resources against me. but it's fine, I don't need money. I just need to twist their own plans against them.>

>>21166202
I don't think so. She married him before the talent activated, so there's a good chance she genuinely loves him. And you don't mind-rape your loves.

>>21166214
<I don't know the details, so it might not help, but it would be wise to divide them. Maybe alter ones records in a way that the other would find suspicious.>
>>21166229
Let him enact the changes of course, but a little "We should change this tax" here or "hire that craftsman" there goes a long way.

>>21166214
<Then I truly wish you all the luck in the world. I would much prefer to work with you than deal with one of your brothers. Take care and well...win.>

No who to bug.

>>21166214
<Well then. Make sure to invite me to your coronation.>

>>21166260
>Now who to bug
>Where that w go...

<Then I truly wish you all the luck in the world.> You say. <I would much prefer to work with you, than deal with one of your brothers. Take care, and... well... win.>
<Oh, I will.> He said. <Thank you. And now.. I must become the wind. It was pleasant to speak with you, Ishelda.>

And then he was gone.

As you walk through the halls, you run into Belle and Quaz, who were currently hugging Grayson, burying the poor feline in layers of scales and muscle.
"He's smaller, but more adorable!" Quaz said. "Remember, he isn't for eating."
"I know, I know." Belle said.

>>21166311
"I don't think Belle would be big enough to eat him yet, anyway."

>>21166326
>Snakes
>Snakes that can split their entire face into three parts
>Even snakes in the real world have eaten things that can and will split them open from the inside
Not too sure about that. Ishelda might not know though.

>>21166311
"Hello! Having fun?"

>>21166347
I think Belle still has the human mouth and digestive system that Kal gave her.

>>21166347
Well, her top half looks like a small child, so... maybe. But Ishelda wouldn't know it anyway.

>>21166347
>Five parts, actually. The top of the jaw splits into two, and the lower part of the jaw splits into three. Their head essentially becomes an enormous maw. Snakewomen yawns are terrifying.

"I don't think Belle would be big enough to eat him yet, anyway." You say.
"If you use a knife, big things are easier to eat." Quaz said. "But they don't wiggle as much."
"And I still have human teeth." Belle said.
"What, why would you want human teeth?" Quaz asked. "You can't eat rodents or anything wiggly. And you have to eat plants."
"The... vinefruit are really good." Belle said. "They're really sugary and sweet."
"Well, if you want to have a human teeth, you can." Quaz said, after a minute.

>>21166390
"It's reversible. You should try it sometime, Quaz. Some plants taste really good, and you can eat cookies!"

<Grayson, I have a curiosity that only you can sate. May I take a look at your mind? I think it could be similar to Belle's>

>>21166424
What

>>21166390
"Hey Belle, there's a wizard here who specialises in minds. Want to go see him? He might be able to find out why you don't have an underbrain."

>>21166438
Belle's mind is really weird in that it doesn't exist in a state we could observe. We couldn't find it. At all. The signals being sent to her nerves seem to come from nowhere at all.

>>21166438
Belle has no mind. Grayson, as some sort of construct might not have a mind either, so we should look at it so we might figure out what the Fuck is wrong with snake girl.

"It's reversible." You say. "You should try it sometime, Quaz. Some plants taste really good, and you can eat cookies!"

"Cookies are dry, though." She said, frowning. "I tried eating one and it wasn't very good. Then my stomach felt really bad for a few hours."
"I thought it would be too, but human mouths taste things a lot more." She said. "Things actually taste more, instead of just smells." She said.
"I might try it out, then." Quaz said. "You promise cookies taste good?"
"Promise." Belle said.

"Hey, Belle, there's a wizard here who specializes in minds. Want to go see him? He might be able to find out why you don't have an undermind."
"... Can I?" She asked, pressing the tips of her fingers together. "Yeah, I'd like to."

>>21166487
"Quaz, you'll probably need to come too, so he can see what an undermind is supposed to look like."

>>21166487
<Sardriel, are you free?>
"You should all come. Quaz can show him what an undermind is meant to look like and Grayson can be fluffy."

>>21166487
Should have asked Sardriel before asking her.

Key the ring to Sardriel and see if he's got the time to do it.

"Quaz, you'll probably need to come too, so he can see what an undermind is supposed to look like."
"If it helps Belle, I'll come." She responded.
<Sardriel, are you free?>
<For the moment I am, yeah.> He said. <If you need me, I'm in my quarters. I'm actually in a rather good mood. I was able to ease up on Nikita's enchantment and she doesn't seem to be getting upset.>

>>21166533
<I want you to look at Belle's mind. The snakefolk are supposed to have two minds, but she's missing her undermind. And Kal and I couldn't even find her overmind at all. You might want to do it in a different room from your girls though. They might get nervous around Quaz.>

>>21166533
<I've got somebody I'd like you to take a look at. She's not unhappy, just strange. Kal and I can't sense her mind at all.>

>>21166533
<That's good. I'd like to ask a favor of you.

I have two 'Children of the Great Wyrm' with me, one of whom has a normal brain for their kind, two brains and under and an over brain, and one in which I can't sense any brain at all though she acts as if she has only one.>

<I've got somebody I'd like you to take a look at. The snakefolk are supposed to have two minds, but she's missing her 'undermind'. And Kal and I couldn't even find her 'overmind' at all.>
<... This is interesting.> He said. <Go ahead and bring them here.>

You make your way toward Sardriel's quarters, and other than a girl sketching something on a nearby table, Sardriel was leaning back in his seat.
"Hey." He said, as Belle and Quaz slithered in, Grayson prowling behind them.
"... Interesting." He said, instantly. "Those two aren't warded, are they? Because I can see them, but I can hardly sense their minds."

>>21166617
"Unless someone else put wards on them, no. This is Quaz, and this is Belle. Quaz's mind has all the parts, so you can see what it's supposed to be like."

>>21166617
<oh well at least its normal then, quaz's mind was damaged, belle is her daughter.>

>>21166617
"I don't think so. I think they're naturally hard to detect."
<Don't tell them this, but the Great Wyrm was a demon and sniffed out magic. Yet it never reacted to the handmaidens who were all wizards.>

>>21166617
"Not as far as I know."

>>21166617
<And Sardriel, Kal and I have not told Belle or Quaz about Belle not having a mind at all so until we figure out why. Keep it that way>

>>21166678
He just said he could sense her mind. She has one, we just rolled horribly when we tried.

>>21166687
Kal couldn't find it using wizardry.

>>21166699
And Kal is not as good at enchantment as Sardriel. Who did find it.

"Unless someone else put wards on them, no." You say. "This is Quaz, and this is Belle."
"Hello." He said, nodding. Belle waved at him.
"Quaz's mind has all the parts, so you can see what it's supposed to be like."
"Good idea." He said, and got to his feet. "Quaz, may I examine your mind?"
"Go ahead." She said, and grinned at him. She bent over, and he put his hands on her temples, focusing. You feel the strong presence of enchantment magic, and then suddenly Sardriel smiled.
"Aaah, there it is." He said. "It's... hiding from me. From everybody. There's an enchantment spell that does this sort of thing- that hides one's mind and magic... but it seems she has it as a... talent. Interesting, interesting."
"What's interesting?" Quaz asked.
"You literally do have two minds." He said. "Your subconscious mind has a lot of the extra framework that the conscious one does. You have... two layers of minds, instead of just one basic bit and then a subconscious tacked on. Are all snakefolk this way?"
"Yeah, usually." She said.
"This is even more interesting because the different minds activate more the warmer you are." He said. "Both of them do. When you're cold, the... underconscious one is the only one active."

>>21166709
She was using biomancy. The signals going to her nerves spontaneously appeared at the nerve, instead of being sent from the brain.

>>21166718
"Yeah, they get slower and less intelligent the colder they are."

>>21166718
"Yeah, they think and feel differently depending on the temperature. Quaz is pretty normal for her kind in this respect."

>>21166718
No real need for us to comment right now is there? Just move on to Belle being examined.

>>21166721
It looked like that because their minds are warded.

>>21166769
That comment can only be made now after this post >>21166718, it still wasn't 100% thing from Ishy point of view.

"Yeah, they think and feel differently depending on the temperature. Quaz is pretty normal for her kind, in this respect." You say.
"There is some easily visible damage here, on the... uh, upperconscious. Damn, I don't even have the words to explain it." He said.
"We call it the overmind. Overmind and undermind. Or the thinking one and the hungry one." Belle said.
"Right." He said. "I can fix this damage to your overmind later, if you want me to, but I need to figure out how, and that'll take some time." He said, and pulled his hands away from Quaz's temples. "Belle, may I examine your mind?"
"Um..."
"Don't worry, I won't mess with anything." He said, patting her shoulder. "Promise."
"Okay." Belle said, and he put his hands on her temples, sliding his fingers underneath her hood. She shivered.
He closed his eyes, and focused.
"This one is hiding too, like another talent." He said. "But it's hiding a lot more... Okay, I found it."
He opened an eye.
"Your mind is normal." He said, finally. "For humans and elves, at least. There's a bit of ... disfigurement, I suppose, that makes your overmind act like you're constantly warm. And your undermind looks and acts like a human's subconscious."
"Really?" She asked.
"Really." He said.

>>21166788
Sardiel said that he detected a mind so she must have a mind, it's not fucking complicated. He said that and that they seemed warded in >>21166617.

>>21166793
"Thank you Sardy. You've been a big help.

I've never had a chance to formally introduce myself to any of your girls. Is that Nikita over there drawing?"

>>21166793
"Mystery solved! So this talent would provide defense against enchantment and detection relying on thoughts yes? Now we should see what type of magic you would be predisposed to."

>>21166793
"Do you know how that could have happened?"

>>21166793
"Interesting. Would you have any theories to difference between Quaz and Belle. Simply born with different talents perhaps?"

"Mystery solved!" You say. "So this talent would provide defense against enchantment and detection relying on thoughts, yes?"
"No." He said. "This talent would provide defense against... any sort of supernatural detection. These two could be oozing magic and manasight couldn't even catch a glimpse of them or their magic."
"Would you have any theories to the difference between Quaz and Belle? Simply born with different talents, perhaps?"
"Oh, no, they have the same talent." He said. "Belle's is just much, much more powerful."
"Do you know how it could have happened?"
"Well, Quaz's damage is what usually happens when someone gets a bad knock on the head. As for Belle's... I don't have enough information about snakefolk." He said.

"... Thank you for checking me." Belle said, and gave him a smile.
Sardriel chuckled, and patted the top of her hood again.
"Thank you, Sardy. You've been a big help."
"No problem." He said, and shrugged. "It's what I do."

>>21166896
"So, is this Nikita?"

"So, is this Nikita?" You ask, looking to the woman in the corner of the room. She suddenly looked up, and met your eyes.
"No, I'm Anne." She said. She held up her paper so you could see it- she was sketching a road between trees, leading to a cabin in the middle of the woods. She gave you an ecstatic smile. "I drew this."
"Nikita is off watching the knights train, outside." Sardriel said. "Apparently they're not wearing shirts or armor, and they're covered in mud."
"They are?!" Anne asked. She suddenly set down her paper, and ran out of the room.

"... Huh." Sardriel said, chuckling.

>>21166986
Giggle
"So they've been doing well, I take it?"

>>21166986
"Seems like they're doing well. Voluntarily leaving your side already."

>>21166986
"You just can't satisfy their desire to see sweaty, half-naked men wrestle, huh?"

"Seems like they're doing well." You say. "Voluntarily leaving your side already."
"Yeah, they are." He said, and sighed. "I've been a fool, you know? I thought it would help them more if they were somewhere isolated, where they could worry about themselves and not stress about their family or friends... and then I come here, and they're outside, and they're having fun, and they're getting better."

He sighed again, and pressed his hand against his forehead.
"I'm astoundingly stupid. I can see people's minds, but I can't... can't understand them."

>>21167047
"Well, they're doing well now, and that's the important part. Let me know when any are ready to fully integrate into society, so we can get them set up somewhere."

>>21167047
"Study them, see what works and what doesn't. You'll get better at it if you work at it, just like the magic."
Go on Sardriel, found psychology. Come up with lots of silly theories about penises.

"Study them, see what works and what doesn't." You say. "You'll get better at it if you work at it, just like the magic."
"Maybe." He said, and sighed. "But it's obvious that as I am... I really shouldn't be trying to take care of people. Forcing happiness into their minds doesn't work. Doesn't... doesn't stick."

>>21167112
"Forcing anything onto people doesn't work. But you're finding out what does work now. Learn from this like anything else in life."

>>21167112
It seems like you're growing as well

>>21167112
"My father has always told me that it doesn't matter how many times one fails, what matters is how many times they pick themselves back up again.
Don't take this failure as a sign to give up - take it as a lesson to be learned."

>>21167112
"Those girls... were in really bad places. The fact that somebody even tried to help them is a big thing. What would they have done if you hadn't come along? I doubt they'd be here having fun right now."

>>21167112
Some of those encouraging posts, along with
"Have you tried using a different version of the spell? Instead of adding happiness, try blocking sadness a little."

>>21167112
"You brought them here though. It seems to a good step to helping them.

Don't sell yourself short. You've only been trying to help. You're a good person."

"Forcing anything onto people doesn't work." You say. "But you're finding out what does work, now. Learn from this like anything else in life."

He sighed, got to his feet, and then walked over to examine the small sketch Anne had drawn, before slipping it into his pocket.
"After these girls are safe for me to stop using my spell, I'm done using magic." He said. "Enchantment is magic made for lies."

>>21167205
"Enchantment can do good things, too. Like fixing minds."

>>21167205
That's not true! Next you'll say necromancy is all about skeletons, or evocation is all about death. It's just not true. You helped these two, and you couldn't have done that without your experience.

Also, about Dras, I may have fixed her. Try not to be too angry with her, yes? She was.t herself until recently.

>>21167205
"It can do more than that. You just told Belle a truth she'd been wanting to know for years. You said you could fix Quaz's overmind if she wanted as well. Have you ever had a Passion?"

>>21167253
Dras didn't do anything to him. He tried to cast his spell on her and it failed catastrophically.

>>21167205
"Listen, when I first met Kaliel I believed that her new magic was only good for creating monsters and aberrations. But I've since come to find how much GOOD it does in the world. Not just creating new and wonderful creatures - but aiding those that already exist.
It is my firm belief that magic - ALL magic - has both good and bad sides to it. It's up to its wielder to determine how it is used. You have not failed, Sardiel. You're just finding the path."

"Enchantment can do good things, too. Like fixing minds."
"That's what I thought, too, for half a century now." He said. "I can make people happy, but it's not happiness, it's a poison. It's not them, it's from something else, someone else. It's a lie."
"It can do more than that." You say. "You just told Belle a truth she'd been wanting to know for years. You said you could fix Quaz's overmind if she wanted as well. Have you ever had a Passion?"
"No, never." He said. "I've never been close."
"Listen." You say. "When I first met Kaliel, I believed that her new magic was only good for creating monsters and aberrations." You say. "But I've since come to find how much *good* it does in the world." You continue. "Not just creating new and wonderful creatures- but aiding those that already exist. It is my firm belief that magic- all magic- has both good and bad sides to it. It's up to it's wielder to determine how it is used, Sardriel. You're just finding the path."

"All magic?" He asked. "Then what about blood magic? Is blood magic good? Can it be good?"

>>21167205
"Only if you allow it to, look what you did just now, you set a young girls mind at ease. She was so worried that there was something wrong with her but because of you she knows that she'll be okay."
"You could use your magic in so many ways but your only focusing on the negative aspects.

>>21167303
It's what I used inadvertantly used when we brought Cassius back to life.

>>21167303
"That's... It's always tragic, and I would never advocate it's use, but I have seen it used for good. The wizard Jeridan consumed his own soul to free the elves and bring them to this continent."

>>21167303
"Blood magic allowed distraut parents to send their children to another world in hope that they would survive, it aided in the resurrection of Cassial."

"All magic, even blood magic."

>>21167303
"Possibly. Without it, Cassiel would still be dead. And the elves would have never escaped to this continent and then returned to free the other slaves. And Azariel couldn't have escaped with you and the others."
"Listen, passions happen when you understand the true nature of your magic. Don't dismiss enchantment if you don't even know what it is yet."

>>21167303
"Azariel did save you guys with it..."

>>21167303
I don't like talking about blood magic. But yes. Blood magic was how the elves got to this continent, away from their slave masters. <namee> sacrificed himself, for the power, not others. Cassiel is only alive because blood magic provided the power.

The problem with blood magic is that it is so EASY to use for evil. Maybe your enchantment is the same way, you just need to be better at it to be good with it.

As an aside, ts the truth spell enchantment?

>>21167303
"When we bought Cassiel back to life, I inadvertently used it. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for that.
Jeridan used it to ensure his own people were able to escape the slavers and come to this continent."

>>21167362
I'm pretty sure we promised Azariel we wouldn't tell anyone that.

>>21167303
"Blood magic allowed distraut parents to send their children to another world in hope that they would survive, it aided in the resurrection of Cassial."

"All magic, even blood magic."
Fuck captia

>>21167377
Yes it is

>>21167379
Did we? Eh I'll have to re-read that to see.

yeah, let's not mention Azariel's use of it.
Cassiel and Jeridan are fine though.

"It's what I used when we brought Cassiel back to life." You say. "All magic, even blood magic."

He stared at you for a moment, and then sighed, and took a seat again.
"Listen." You say. "Passions happen when you understand the true nature of your magic. Don't dismiss enchantment if you don't even know what it is yet."
"No." He said. "Passions happen when you *embrace* the true nature of your magic." He said. He closed his eyes, and leaned back.
"Regardless of enchantment's nature, I'm not going to use it unless I need to. I'm more than my magic."

>>21167412
"...isn't that just common sense?"

>"Passions happen when you *embrace* the true nature of your magic."
But you can't embrace it if you don't understand what it is. You don't. You've never been close, never heard the whispering.

>>21167412
"Well, that's your choice to make, so..."
Shrug
"I'm also helping someone recover from a bad situation."

"Now its you who needs reassured, Sardial. You and the girls will be okay, thank you for hepping Belle."

>>21167412
"Of course you are. You're a sweet and caring man, and one of most generous people I've ever met. But to deny your magic is to deny a part of yourself as well.
Azariel told me that Kalak have Passions as their
Talents. Tyr told me that Talents can only arise when one is true and genuine to themselves.
I see no reason why this shouldn't be true of you as well.

>>21167449
Raziel did.

>>21167517
And the more she understood it the more powerful it got. So he must be seriously far off.

"Well, that's your choice to make, so..." You shrug. "I'm also helping someone recover from a bad situation."
"I got that impression." He said, and glanced over at Quaz and Belle, who were back to hugging Grayson, and then shoving him onto his back and rubbing his belly. "And I have a feeling I met them before."
He met your eyes. "It's the girl who I tried to help before, right? Were you actually able to help her?"

Does cat-grayson still wear his hat? Is that enchantment magic?

>>21167537
"Yes. Yes I was."

>>21167537
Yeeeeees? We will see, with time. I was able to make her whole again.

>>21167542
It is. It's a subtle enchantment that compels people to disregard the fact that he's a bear (or in this case a giant kitty thing) as well as making him look like a gentleman and a scholar.

>>21167537
"I found an incredibly powerful artifact that was able to undo the damage to her mind. We'll just have to wait and see how well she copes."

>>21167537
"With an artifact so powerful it was slowely destroying the multiverse. And even then she's not completely fine, just better."

>>21167537
"I've mange to restore her emotions. From there all I can do give her what support I can. It's really up to her to push forward now."

>>21167537
"Well it quite literally took the power of a god - but yes. It's still going to take time for her to recover, but at least now it's possible for her to do so."

>>21167537
"I have helped her the first steps on the way, but it is going to be a long road for her to walk"

>>21167537
"I restored her emotions. They aren't very happy emotions, but she's infinitely better off than she was without them."

"Yes." You say. "Yes I was. I've managed to restore her emotions. From there, all I can do is give her what support I can."
"Good for her." He said. "You know, that's your real talent. Not sorcery, and not awe-inspiring magical power, but the way you go out of your way to help people. Friends, strangers, even enemies. That's worth more than any spell."

>>21167606
"Anyone can do that. It's a shame so few people do."

>>21167606
"That's sweet. I heard you were helping Mar learn wizardry. How's she doing?"

>>21167606
It is only with sorcery that I can.

And I'll have you know that my true talent is my ability to appreciate fluffiness as it truely deserves.

Rolled 91

>>21167659
Rolling for a tiny portal to the elemental plane of Fluff to point to.

"Anyone can do that." You say. "It's a shame so few people do."
"It is." He said.
"That's sweet." You say. "I heard you were helping Mar learn wizardry. How's she doing?"
"She's never going to be a very good caster." He said. "She's struggling with abjuration, evocation, divination, and transmutation, but she can do healing and enchantment. She also has a rather good sense of controlling her mind, which is invaluable for enchantment."
He opened his mouth, as if to say something else, and then shut it again.

>>21167699
"Belle said she wanted to learn too. Do you think you could teach her?"

>>21167699
"Well, healing is what her Talent used to do, so it makes sense that she'd be good at that. Was there something else about her?"

>>21167699
Her talent went all squilligy.

>>21167699
"Healing's what her talent did originally, and she had to learn a great deal of control, since her talent went haywire when she had The Ankh."

"Well, healing is what her talent used to do, so it makes sense that she'd be good at that." You say. "Was there something else about her?"
"Not about her magic, no." He said, and shrugged.
"Belle said she wanted to learn too. Do you think you could teach her?"
"I can teach anyone you want me to." He said. "But for now, I think I need a rest. I finally get to have time to myself for the first time in ten years."

>>21167796
Keys walk around town with a snake on each arm and try to make kaliel jealous.

>>21167796
"Fair enough."
We should probably call that meeting and tell everyone about what happened on the trip.

>>21167796
"That had to be rough. We'll leave you alone then."
Herd the three stooges out.

gWe were going flying this afternoon, weren't we? Find the birds.

Or carver. We can get her to bug sardriel some more in our stead.

"Fair enough." You say. "We'll leave you alone, then."
"Have fun, and take care." He said, slipping his shoes off and laying back in his chair. You leave his quarters, tugging Quaz, Grayson, and Belle along with you.
"Do you know where Kal is?" Quaz asked you. "I kind of want to try having human teeth for a while." She said.

>>21167894
Sense where she is. Look over her shoulder to see if she's finished that light thing yet.

>>21167894
She said she was busy studying. I think she was in the tower.

You close your eyes for a moment and feel for Kaliel- she's in her workshop, almost tens of thousands of runes of light whirling about her head. She held a small rodent in her arms, and she whispered a word-

And the rat slowly started going gray, as Kaliel's bright red eyes go a little darker.

Her body almost wracked with pain, and she set down the rat, cutting off... whatever she was doing. The runes still whirling about, she curled up into the corner of the workshop, and covered her face.

You swear you hear her sniffle.

>>21167969
<Kal, are you ok?>

>>21167969
Methinks it's time to go talk to Kal.

Rolled 67

>>21167969
I'll be back in a moment.

Teleportal up to kaliel. Someone needs a hug.

"I'll be back in a moment." You say, and run down into the dungeons, making your way to Kaliel's workshop. You see a large, handwritten note on the front of the door. 'Experiment in progress; Do not Disturb'. and then you simply open it. The runes are continuing to spiral around, and Kaliel is still curled in the corner. You give her a hug. "Kal, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said, and gave you a slight smile- one that The Soul told you was fake. "I'm just... rather stressed right now."

>>21168105
"What're you experimenting?"

>>21168105
"What are you doing? You don't seem very fine."

Rolled 11

>>21168105
Pretty. Turn half the runes different colours.

>>21168105
"Do you want to share what is stressing you out so much?" proceed to comfort her

"You don't seem very fine."
"It's just taking a ... lot of focus to keep those up." She said, pointing to the whirling runes. "And it took me hours to set them up."
She took a deep breath.
"Do you want to share what is stressing you out so much?"
"Mala's book." She said, finally. "Mala left things out on... on purpose, so that I would have to figure it out on my own."

>>21168142
Yeah, that seems sensible. Play around with the giant magic circle just for the sake of it. What could go wrong?

Blood magic is bad, kaliel. I thought we agreed to stay away from it.

>>21168167
"Could I help? Take some of the load off? I don't like seeing you hurt."

>>21168167
"And you're having a hard time figuring them out?"

>>21168167
"Like?"
<sorry quaz, Kao has gone and.exhausted herself, she needs to rest.>

"And you're having a hard time figuring them out?" You ask, and she nodded.
"Could I help? Take some of the load off? I don't like seeing you hurt."
"You wouldn't understand the concepts either." She sighed. "But... I can rest for tonight, I suppose."
As soon as she said that, the runes went out, and she was asleep in your arms.
Tonight? It wasn't even noon yet.

>>21168167
"You do not need to rush yourself to understand the book, we have years, decades even to understand what he wants to pass on to you, there is no need to start right here right now and finish it yesterday. Why don't you come upstairs with me and spend some time with Quaz and Belle?"
>>21168187
iirc Mala's book was not about blood magic, Mala was the not-dragon that had mastered flesh-magic or whatever it is called that Kaliel does.

>>21168297
Let's bring her upstairs to her room and return to Belle and Quaz

>>21168297
Put her to bed.
See if we can find the notebook where she wrote down the runes for the spell she used on Belle, maybe we can cast it.

You pick her up in your arms, and try to look for the door out- this far underground, with no source of light, it was impossible to see. You shift Kaliel's weight in your arms, and cast a simple light spell, illuminating the room. You take a few steps, ignoring the crunching beneath your feet, and leave.

In the dimness, you don't notice the small piles of identical rodent skeletons, surrounding where Kaliel had been sitting. The final gray rat sitting there continued getting thinner and thinner, until it's skin and muscle and flesh turned to ash, and it joined the rest of the skeletons.

When you finally get up to your bedroom, you pull the cloak off of her, and set it to the side, gently tucking her into the bed and kissing her on the cheek. You see her notebook on her hip, and curious, you flip it open, looking for the spell she used on Belle. But you don't see spells. Instead, you see... lines of quotes, from the spellbooks. They're all in kalak, so you can't read them, but you flip into page, after page, after page, each with different quotes, with certain words painted certain colors, highlighted. Hundreds of pages of quotes, each carefully copied down, from ... every book she'd been reading, it looked like.

Rolled 10

>>21168297
Look back at what the light spells were, then recast them with our arms, then try to figure out what they do. Keep magic sight active.

>>21168406
What did we do with Dras's sword? We should give it back to her.

Rolled 45

>>21168406
roling to learn kalak

>>21168406
Leave a note with Kal that you would really like to spend some time with her once she is awake and has eaten, then go back to Belle and Quaz

>>21168406
We could try to cast a spell to let us read Kalak at the same time I don't feel it be the wise of thing to do.

Let's just go find Quaz or tell her over the ring that Kal isn't able to cast the spell today.

Rolled 76

>>21168406
Aging the rats?

Turn her back into a bird, they sleep better.

>>21168515
More like she made them to age very quickly. The spell she was trying to cast was most likely something to stop that aging.

At least that's my bet.

>Then again, I could misreading things

You put the notebook back where it was, and then write a simple note for Kal, draw Dras'lea's sword from her cloak and slip it into your inventory, and then give Kal a kiss on the cheek and make your way out of your bedroom, seeking Quaz and Belle.

You find them lying in a small pile in an abandoned room, just above the kitchen, with the fireplace on, both snoozing. Grayson rolled over and stopped licking his paws and rubbing them on his face, and his ears twitched.
<Was everything okay?> He asked.

>>21168575
Nope, Kaliel's going mad.

But that's nothing new. I don't suppose your new body likes berries, does it?

>>21168575
<She's over-working herself. I think she's trying to work out immortality so that I won't die so much earlier than her. I don't really know what to do about it.>

>>21168575
<Kal exhausted herself is all. She's sleeping at the moment.

With those two asleep, want to find something to do?>

>>21168575
"She is stressing herself out over the content of Mala's book, I do not think she slept tonight at all. I will have to talk to her about it later today.
How are you holding up, having died only yesterday and all?"

<Kal exhausted herself is all.> You say. <She's sleeping at the moment. With those two asleep, want to find something to do?>
<... How about we visit Lewin?> Grayson asked. <I heard he was extremely excited about something today. We could interrogate him.>

>>21168688
<Yea. Let's interrogate him. Tie him down to a chair and everything.>

>>21168688
"Excited? That's wierd."

remember last night

"Yeah, let's not do that. I'd much rather talk to pretty much anyone!"

>>21168688
>>21168701
<Then we tickle him until he tells us his secrets!>

>>21168688
Onwards with the tour! We'll get some choice eventually lads, I can feel it in my bones.

>>21168688
<I hope it's not last night. That would be awkward.>

<Yes. Let's interrogate him. Tie him down to a chair and everything.> You say. <Then we tickle him until he tells us his secrets!>
Grayson laughed. <I can use my claws to knead him, I suppose.> He said.

Together, the two of you wander about, before Grayson's ears twitch.
<I hear him.> He said. <He's somewhere in Triune's Gift. At a guess, I think the adventurer's guild.>

You climb on Grayson's back, and he starts running quickly, much more agile than he was in bear form. You go through the gate, and all the way down to the guild, and you see Lewin, leaning back with a cup of water, laughing and talking to a brown haired girl around your age, with modest clothing. She... resembled Lewin, strangely. Neither of them seemed to notice you or Grayson, so involved in their conversation.

>>21168825
Invisibilty cloak!

Sneak up behind him and prepare to pull down his trowsers.

>>21168825
Didn't he say he had sister at the start of this quest?

Anyways. Bust in there all 'AHA!'

"Hi."

>>21168825
"Are you Selene?"

>>21168825
<Try going invisible, see if it drags me along with you.>

"Aha!" You cry, and take a seat next to them. The two of them look over to you. "Hi. Are you Selene?"
"um... Yes, yes I am." She said, after a moment. "Hi."
"Selene, this is my friend, Queen Ishelda of new arcturus." Lewin says. "Ishelda, this is Selene Brewsson, my sister. She's visiting."
"Pleased to meet you." She said, giving you a smile. "Lewin's told me a bit about you."

That's when Grayson took a seat next to you, and Selene jumped, recoiling from the sudden appearance of a large feline.
Grayson seemed to grin at her, and started purring.

>>21168936
"So, Selene, where are you visiting from?"

>>21168936
"This is Grayson. He was a bear for a while but now he's a cat again."

"This is Grayson. He was a bear for awhile, but now he's a cat."
"I see." She said, and warily started petting his head. "He's, um, very large."

"So, Selene, where are you visiting from?" You ask.
"Dandrel's Rest, in Sirius Province. It's a small village me and Lewin grew up in." She said. "When I got a letter from Lewin that said he was here, I bought passage on one of the lumber shipments, and just got here with the rain. This city is awfully pretty. I've never seen a castle shaped like that before."
"You've only ever seen Sirius's great hall before, and I don't think that's technically even a castle." Lewin said, and she hit his arm.
"Shh, I'm trying to pay compliments!" She responded.

>>21169037
"Hah. It's ok. The castle is ogrish actually."

>>21169037
"You must not get to see him often, with him adventuring all the time. Have you met Treechild yet?"

>>21169037
"I'm glad you like the city, it is very unique on this continent, as it used to be an ogrish city, before they were killed by the lizardmen.
And do not worry about Grayson, he is a Gentlecat of noble stature.
How long do you intend to stay if I may ask, and has Lewin introduced you to Treechild yet?"

>>21169090
We designed it based on Arcturan castles. It's probably the only building in the city that isn't ogrish.

"We designed it based on Arcturian castles, with a bit of my own design." You say. "The castle is probably the only building in the city that isn't ogrish."
"The guildhall isn't technically ogrish, but I had it built in the same style." Lewin said. "Asked advice from the ogres."
"... Are the ogres brutes, like they say?" Selene asked.
"No, not at all. They love good food, good drink, and good stories." He said. "They're large and the laugh loudly, but they're not brutes."
"How long do you intend to stay, if I may ask, and has Lewin introduced you to Treechild yet?"
"Well, I'm staying for the winter, because Dandrel's Rest never gets visitors in the winter. So I never earn any coin working the tavern. If that's, uh, okay. And who's Treechild?"

>>21169142
"She's a friend, and an orc, made Lewin's bow when we were in the orclands two years ago. She's a wonderful woman."

>>21169142
"You can stay as long as you like. There's plenty of room here. He hasn't even mentioned her?"

>>21169142
"Of course you can stay as long as you like, Lewin is a good friend so you are welcome to stay. I am always happy to have new people around.
Treechild is a good friend, an orc who made Lewin's bow, and as I understand it she is quite... captivated by Lewin" with a sly you-know-what-I'm-talking-about grin to Lewin

"Of course you can stay as long as you like." You say. "I'm always happy to have new people around."
"I'm glad." She said.
"Treechild is a good friend. An orc who made Lewin's bow, and as I understand it, she is quite... captivated by Lewin." You say, giving him a sly grin.

Lewin's face is stone cold, and perfectly, utterly neutral.
Suddenly, on Selene's face, you see an expression you only thought Marigold could wear.
She grinned and Lewin. "Captivated? That's an interesting word." She said, giggling. Lewin carefully started drinking his water. "So, didja bed her yet?"

Lewin started coughing.
"And an orc? Is she pretty and dainty? Or lithe and muscled?" She asked, prodding Lewin with questions as he sternly refused to answer. "I heard orcs go berserk when they're... stimulated wrong. Is that why you have some of those scars?"
Lewin's cheeks went bright red, even through the scars, and he covered his face with his hand.
"Oooh, which scar? Is it the one on your cheek? Or the burn?"
He sternly refused to answer.
"The one on your shoulder? That one looks like a bite mark."
His cheeks reddened even more.
"An gentleman." He said, finally. "Doesn't kiss and tell."

>>21169276
But you're no gentleman, you're an ADVENTURER!

>>21169276
"You're not a gentleman. You don't even have a fancy hat. Did my father's suggestion work?"

File: 1350514938273.png-(189 KB, 292x333, GentlemanAdventurer.png)

>>21169296
GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER?

>>21169276
"Poor Lewin, I think you would like to meet my cousin Marigold Selene, the two of you would have a lot of fun together."

"But you're no gentleman, you're an adventurer."
"I can be both." He responded, petulantly.
"You're not a gentleman. You don't even have a fancy hat."
In response, he put... a fancy hat on his head, widebrimmed, with what looked like a robin feather sticking out of the top.
"A gift from Selene." Lewin said. "It's very fancy."
"Did my father's suggestion work?"
"It actually worked bett-" He said, and then frowned. "This is an improper conversation to have with young ladies." He said, pulling his hat over his eyes. Selene started giggling.

In response, Grayson donned his own hat. You don't even know where he had put it, when it's not in use. He hasn't had to use it in quite some time.

>>21169351
>He hasn't had to use it in quite some time.
You said he liked it and always wore it!
I feel lied to.

"So what's next for the guild?

Rolled 13

>>21169351
"I'm glad it worked out."
We will not be beaten. Summon the fanciest hat.

Rolled 73

>>21169387
He ended up outgrowing it long long ago, probably pre-timeskip. He probably got tired of trying to balance it.
Rolling to make it sit on his head via MAGIC

>>21169409
We are beaten.

Rolled 77

>>21169418
We are never beaten!

Rolled 99, 38 = 137

>>21169409
>>21169418
Of course we were beaten. We were rolling to be a gentleman while we're a *lady*.
Become Cain.
Don the fanciest hat.

"I'm glad it worked out. So, what's next for the guild?"
"Escorts, mostly." He said. "The wyverns in the elven lands are still bad, and they say that the sea serpents up near Guardian Island are growing in number, and they're going to attack ships soon... and I've been trying to set up correspondance with the ogres to the west, in case they have more minotaur problems. There are people who want to find missing loved ones and missing items, so we've been looking for those, too. There are also some mutants still around here. No more ogre mutants, but the spider and wolf varieties are still wandering."
"Mutants?" Selen asked.
"Don't worry, they only come out at night." He said. "And they stay far, far away from the city. Further south than here."

>>21169432
Dude, let him have his fancy hat, it's a gift from his sister.

At least use the magic to summon terrible party hats for us and Selene. then we can all have a hat.

>>21169434
Hey, ladies wear fancy hats too you know.

>>21169448
But that doesn't make them gentlemen.

Rolled 75

>>21169441
"That sounds quite ambitious, how large has the guild grown by now?"

Also, summon the fanciest ladies hats for Selene and ourselves

>>21169441
If you run out of problems to solve, tell me and I can arrange for some monsters to turn up.

>>21169487
We're not making problems for people just so they pay for the problems to go away. That's called extortion.

>>21169494
it's a public service!

You clasp your hands together, and focus your magic, as two fancy ladies' hats appear on yours and Selene's heads.
"... What?" Selene asked, pulling the hat off of her head to examine it.
"Selene, meet Ishelda." Lewin said, and chuckled.
"That sounds quite ambitious. How large has the guild grown by now?"
We have a guildhall in every province, and at least two to four parties in each guildhall at any one time. Then we have this one, which has three adventuring parties, if you don't count my own. They're always out hunting mutants."

>>21169532
That's paid for by me, isn't it?

I've heard that there are some bandits moving in on and around the roads, could your guild keep an eye out for them while they are hunting?

>>21169532
"Impressive, for such a short time."

Rolled 35

>>21169532
"I am impressed by how fast your guild is growing, obviously you had just the right idea at the right time, I'm happy that your dream became a reality."

"That's paid for by me, isn't it?"
"It is." He said.
"Impressive, for such a short time."
"Why, thank you." He said. "But each party is usually only a group of three or four. We train them in swordsmanship, archery, and then a few other tricks, like how to tie ropes, start fires, hunt in the wilds, and we keep maps for them to use of every area on the continent in the guildhalls themselves. So, say, if you have to go to some location in the elven lands, they know how to get to the nearest prism or village in case something goes wrong."

As you watch, Selene switches her own frilly, fanciful hat with Grayson's rugged brown one.

"I am impressed by how fast your guild is growing. Obviously you just had the right idea at the right time. I'm happy that your dream became a reality."
"It wasn't my idea, Ishelda." Lewin said, chuckling. "It was yours, remember? When we first met, you mentioned an adventuring guild."

>>21169609
"Hah, I suppose I did, didn't I? It just seems to suit you so well!"

>>21169609
Maps are good. They might come in handy.

>>21169609
"Did I? Well it's what you do with it that matters. Ideas that just stay ideas are useless."

"Hah, I suppose I did, didn't I? It just seems to suit you so well!"
"Well, I always wanted to be an adventurer, so the idea just... fit."
"Not always." Selene said, and gave you a grin. "There was the longest time he wanted to be just a hunter so that he had an excuse to visit the butcher, and leer at his daughter."
"And then she got married to dad." Lewin said, and frowned. Selene started giggling again, cocking her- well, Grayson's- hat.

>>21169682
"That sounds complicated."

"That sounds complicated." You say.
"It wasn't, really." She said. "She was way too old for him, and dad's one of the richer people in Dandarel's Rest, so all the ladies were after him. He just chose the butcher's daughter because her bosom was all the way out *here*." She said, pantomiming with her hands. "Then Lewin's crush became his stepmom, and he left to be an adventurer. I just started working in dad's tavern, around then."

>>21169766
"Is tavernkeeping a tough job?

You must be able to hold your alcohol"

bet you she can't handle swamp brew.

>>21169766
"He's done rather well for himself. Started a guild, befriended a Queen and sorceress, found love that involves handcuffs."

>>21169766
"Have you seen the tavern here? Is it any good? I don't know much about taverns."

Rolled 59

>>21169766
"I bet you have seen your share of bar-room brawls then. Any cool stories to share?"

>>21169843
Damn, why do I keep forgetting to turn the dice off?

"Is tavernkeeping a tough job? You must be able to hold your alcohol."
"I'm not the keeper." She said. "That's dad. I'm just the barmaid. I'm the one that serves the alcohol. It's not glamerous, but it's what I do." She said. "But I can hold my alcohol, alright."
"Have you seen the tavern here? Is it any good? I don't know much about taverns."
"The keeper is a lizardman, and I'm really not sure how to take that." She said. "And you need cute girls as the barmaid, that keeps 'em there to drink. I have no idea what swamp brew is, though, but apparently they sell it. Probably better then that muck ol' Dresden makes."
"Don't bet on it." Lewin said.
"I bet you have seen your share of bar-room brawls, then. Any cool stories to share?"
"Well, I've seen a lot, but there's one surprising one from a few years ago. Stuck with me forever. There was this freckled woman who was just leaning back, getting some food- she was obviously some sort of runaway- and then Dresden came and pestered her. Next thing I knew, she'd punched him in the gut, and threw him across the room. I think he tried to touch her, like he does sometimes."
She frowned. "Never caught her name."

>>21169876
Look at Lewin. "Jeanne."

>>21169914
is that pronounced 'genie' or 'je-ann'?

>>21169938
http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Jeanne

>>21169938
I imagine it's got a French pronunciation. So you'd say it kinda like 'jeen'.

>>21169938
>It's pronounced 'Jeen'

You give lewin a glance. "Jeanne."
He sighed.
"That was obviously Jeanne." He responded.
"Who?"
"One of New Arcturus's royal guards. She's here."
"Really?"
"Really. I met her, long before I did this whole guild thing." He said. "I met fellwind fighting over her."
"Wait, *that* was her?!" She asked, and giggled. "Small world. So, who won?"
"Fellwind did. I think they're planning on getting married soon."
She wrinkled her nose. "I guess I'll have the winter to meet her. Also... who is, uh, that?" She asked. You see Zeke wandering through the city, as the rain just starts to abate.
"That's Zeke." Lewin said. "A friend of ours."
"He's all... uh, birdy."
"That's because he's kalak. They're a very birdy people. Ishelda's girlfriend is one." Lewin said, and waved Zeke over.
"Really? How does *that* work? If my question isn't impolite." She asked you, as Zeke approached.

Rolled 59

>>21170028
"Shapeshifting."

>>21170028
"Magic."

>>21170028
"Uhh, shape-shifting magic usually.

>>21170028
"Shapeshifting magic really blurs the lines, both between genders as well as races, so usually both of us are in the same form. If you are interested I could show you what I look like as a Kalak."

>>21170028
"Well, you see you do this thing with your tongue and...what?

Fine. Magic."

Rolled 51

>>21170028
Magic.

Bird time!

>>21170028
Describe in more detail than she would ever want to know...

"MAGIC"

"Magic." You respond. "If you are interested, I could show you what I look like as a Kalak."
"That might be interesting..." She said, as Zeke came to the table.
"Hey, Ishelda, I was just looking for you. It looks like the rain is stopping, so we're all going flying. Want to join us? Dariel is incredibly drunk, but he should feel better with a bit of wind, and he's the best flier of all of us. You could probably talk Kaliel into it, too."

Rolled 75

>>21170110
"I'd love to. Kal's sleeping though, and she seemed like she really needed it. She thought it was night time."

Kalakshelda time.

>>21170110
"Kaliel's asleep. She spent all morning casting scholar knows what and exhausted herself."

Rolled 35

>>21170110
Kaliel worked herself flat already, she's sleeping.

Has vithriel no sense? You only get people drunk in the evenings, mornings are for light drinking.

>>21170110
"The last I saw Kaliel she fell asleep after staying up way too long, so she might still be asleep. Let me quickly check that."

"I'd love to." You say. "Kal's sleeping, though, and she seemed like she really needed it. She thought it was night time, and spent all morning casting scholar-knows-what, and exhausted herself."
"She's always gotten very deep into her research." Zeke said. "Frankly, if she was researching last night, I'm surprised you were able to get her to join our shindig."

You close your eyes, and reach inwards, bringing forth your power. Twisting your form, wings sprout from your back and your teeth become a beak.

"Wow." Selene said. "That's amazing! Can you turn me into one too?"

Rolled 3

>>21170175
Probably. Want to come?

Rolled 43

>>21170175
"Yes."

Rolled 80

>>21170175
"Sure, would you like to come along with us? That is - if it's alright, Zeke."
Rolling for shape-shift other.

Rolled 15

>>21170175
"Sure, you want in too Lewin?"
Shapeshift and impart knowlegde to fly.

"Sure, would you like to come along with us? That is if it's alright, Zeke."
"It's alright." Zeke said.
"Ooh, okay." She said.

You close your eyes, and press your hands- no, talons, now- to her forehead, and you bring forth your power again. As you see, she bursts free into a rather tall, broadwinged kalak, with a sharp, fierce look, like Dariel, but with gray plumage, and a thin, pointed crest, easily as long as Nieriel's. Her wings quivered.
"This is so cool!" She said, wiggling her wings.
"Do you want in too, Lewin?"
"Nah, I'll be fine." He said. "But I hope you have fun."

Rolled 84

>>21170276
Well, let's go and fly then.

>>21170276
"You too, doing whatever you're doing without us."

See? I told you there'd be a girl we hadn't met yet. Lea can impress her with magic an' shit.

>>21170361
Lea ain't goin' out wit no slutty barmaid.

>>21170377
She ain't no slut. She's a classy wench. A real down to earth girl that can ground Lea and keep her in the moment.

"Well, let's go and fly, then." You say.
Zeke suddenly pulls away from his staring. "Erm, yeah, let's. Normally, Ishelda's magic teaches you how to move, miss..."
"Selene. Selene Brewsson."
"Right, miss Brewsson." he said. "Did the magic teach you to walk and fly, or do you want me to help teach you?"

She took a few hesitant steps, and then grinned up at Zeke.
"Yep, I can do it. Must be magic." She said, and took a few steps back. She spread her wings, and nodded at the sky, before pushing up. Her larger-than-normal wings pulled her into the air. At the last moment, she gave Zeke a look. "And call me Selene."

"Um. Okay." Zeke said, as she flew away. "Selene."
Shrugging, you followed her, and Zeke followed you.
The clouds parted, and you know what the song the kalak was singing was about, last night- the first sight of sun after the rain stops.

As the sun grew over the sky, more and more kalak joined you, reveling in the end of the storm.

>End of thread!

>>21170399
Exactly!

>>21170399
All barmaids are slutty. That's a basic fact of the universe.

>>21170409
No, a slut is an immoral woman, which she isn't. A wench is a country girl, or a working woman, which she is.

>>21170403
Wait, I thought Zeke liked human women. Why is did he only notice her in kalak form?

Thanks Exabyte!

Rolled 72

>this tread has been prune or baleet.