>>21827719
>>Ask the girls about their backgrounds
8th post rolling...man, I hope we get much faster rolls than last time.

>Ask the girls about their backgrounds

spirit summoning

>>21827719
>Chat them up about their... backgrounds

>>21827719
>Ask the girls about their backgrounds

>>21827719
>>Ask the girls about their backgrounds
Seems like the reasonable thing to do.

>>21827719
>Ask the girls about their backgrounds

File: 1354326561596.jpg-(180 KB, 800x600, 127202107266816425962_sha(...).jpg)

>>21827719
"So, why don't you girls tell me a bit more about yourselves? What made you decide to take up adventuring? And why 765Pro, specifically?"

Hibiki speaks up first. "I just wanted to get out and see the world, you know? I grew up on a pretty small island, so getting to go out and explore is really fun! And when I found out there was an adventurers' guild I could join in the famous city of Kethyria, I just knew I had to go there!"

"How about you, Haruka?"

"Well, I guess it's because of something that happened when I was a little girl. I grew up in a small village not too far from here, and once we got raided by orcs. Things were looking pretty bad for awhile, but then some adventurers showed up to save us! There was on in particular, a woman adventurer who really stood out. She was a really strong fighter, but she was really nice too. I don't remember too much about her, but I remember how relieved we all felt when she came to help us, how safe she made everyone feel just by being there. And I thought, 'wow, I wish I could be like that someday', you know? Like, being a light of hope for people in hard times, I guess."

"So then why 765Pro? If you want to be a big hero, wouldn't it be better to join a more prominent guild where you're more likely to get petitions for those kinds of quests rather than clearing out random goblin camps?"

File: 1354326597297.jpg-(536 KB, 826x1262, 1318537489123.jpg)

>>21827995
"Well, I really like the friendly kind of atmosphere we have at 765Pro. Since there aren't many of us, it's kinda like we're all one big family. That and, well, I actually got rejected from some of the bigger guilds..." She chuckles sheepishly.

"And you, Makoto?"

"Well, my reason's kind of like Haruka's. My dad's always participating in tournaments, and he'd always drag me along with him and make me fight in the mock battles and stuff. I never really liked fighting -- I mean, I'm a girl, right? Fighting's so rough and unelegant, why do I have to do that? But at one tournament, I watched this one lady fight in the adults' bracket, and it was something totally different! The way she moved was so poised and graceful, it was amazing! So I decided if I was gonna fight, I'd learn to fight like that! And I heard that she had some kind of connection with 765Pro's Chief, so that's why I came here!"

Thinking back on the fight just now, you'd say Makoto has a ways to go before you could call her fighting style "elegant", but you decide to refrain from commenting.

Oh Harurun brain problems

File: 1354326973388.jpg-(55 KB, 1280x720, 1325604730885.jpg)

>>21828003
Haruka leans in inquisitively. "What about you, Producer? Why'd you become an adventurer?"

You were kind of hoping they wouldn't ask that, though you can't say it comes as a surprise.

"Well...part of it's definitely wanderlust, but I'd say mainly I wanted to become someone able to protect those I hold dear..."

Though you avoid her eyes, you can plainly hear the concern in Haruka's voice. "Did something happen?"

"Yeah, but...well, it's still kind of a sore spot..."

You continue onward in awkward silence.

>Break the tension with some teasing
>Just head back to the guildhall

>>21828068
>Break the tension with some teasing
Haruka has a good sense of humor. Right, right?

teasing

>>21828068
>>Break the tension with some teasing
This should be fun. Besides, Haruka and the others wouldn't mind, right?

>>21828068
>Tease her

>>21828068
>Break the tension with some teasing

>>21828068
Tease that tart.

File: 1354327996480.jpg-(18 KB, 300x380, 1312673634001.jpg)

>>21828068
After a few minutes, the awkward silence gets to be too much for you to bear.

"It's a good thing we took care of that pretty quick," you remark casually, eyeing the sun, which is sitting low in the sky as afternoon draws into evening. "I'd hate to have to walk through these woods around dusk...that's when the elves like to come out, you know."

You glance over to see how the girls respond. As expected, the mention of elves seems to have made them a bit uneasy. Haruka asks, "Do you really think there are elves in these woods? I mean, I've never heard of anyone seeing one around here before..."

"Oh, you never do see them. Or at least you don't see them and survive. I hear they lurk in all wooded places, using their magic to keep out of sight. Just waiting for an unwary human to get just a *little* bit careless...and then..."

You stop walking abruptly, letting the girls get a few steps ahead before they realize and look back.

"BAM!" They all startle a bit, and you could swear Makoto's feet actually left the ground. "Outta nowhere! They nab you and haul you off into the underbrush, never to be seen or heard from again!"

Hibiki glances around nervously. "What do they do with you with the people they kidnap?"

You shake your head solemnly. "Nobody knows. Some say they just like to kill people for sport. Some say they're man-eaters. But really, considering what happens to the people they find but *don't* take..."

Makoto is visibly quivering. "W-w-w-what do they do?"

>>21828286
"Nobody knows. They're so traumatised that they go catatonic."

>>21828464
>tension up

File: 1354328992565.jpg-(983 KB, 1280x720, 1351465036790.jpg)

>>21828286
"They torment you in all sorts of cruel ways. They'll use their magic to warp your mind and the woods around you. You'll start finding yourself going in circles on a straight path, seeing and hearing things that aren't there...hungry beasts stalking the corners of your vision, but never attacking, seeing long-dead loved ones who vanish into mist at your touch, incessant maddening whispers in the back of your mind. They'll keep this up for days before they've had their fill, though to you it'll feel like months. Your sense of time goes funny under their spell, see. An old adventuring buddy of mine, he got separated from us once as we were hiking through the woods. It was nearly a week before we found him, and by then he was a broken man. Kept rambling on about going months without food but not dying of starvation, just living on with the constant aching hunger...of strange faces peering out at him from between the leaves, human but not quite human, like those porcelain dolls you see in the fancy shops for nobles, the ones that look just off enough to be really unsettling...of things that made no sense whatsoever. He never got coherent enough to tell us what it was that did this to him, but we knew. We all knew."

You lean in and whisper in Makoto's ear: "E l v e s".

Makoto leaps back with a shriek, then clings tightly to your arm, burying her face in your shoulder. "Producer, stop it! No more scary stories!"

File: 1354329024640.jpg-(31 KB, 300x296, 1324079883380.jpg)

>>21828500
You shake her off with a hearty laugh and pat her on the shoulder. "Not to worry, Makoto, not to worry. You see, we were able to cure my pal Johnny, and you know why? Because elves have one weakness. You know what it is, right?"

Makoto shakes her head, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. You produce a dagger from a pouch on your pack and slip it partway out of its sheathe to reveal what it's made of:

"Iron. Elves can't stand the stuff, and it plays merry havoc with their magic too. Especially if you get the type they call cold iron -- something in the way they forge it, I don't know the details, but elves hate that kind especially. Don't worry, as long as I've got this dagger here, we'll be safe from elves!"

In truth you're not all too sure just how true that really is...but at any rate, you doubt there really are elves in this forest anyway. So close to one of the biggest cities in the land? Couldn't be, right?

>>21828507

>elves afraid of iron

I have a strange feeling we should be writing this down.

>>21828507
narrative causality, if there weren't before now there are

>>21828507
OK, Producer, no more jokes for you. I forsee this is only going to cause us trouble.

>>21828528
So if we're going against elves we should bring Iorin or the twins along since they both have daggers, preferably the twins since Iorin's not good with using hers and that could be bad.

>>21828528
That's pretty standard though.

>>21828507
Why do I get this feeling we should bring Takane along if we end up fighting elves?

>>21828629
That whole paragraph about the elves trickery and mentioning spells? Sounds like a good idea to me.

>>21828629

But what if she's an elf herself? M.Nightshymalamadingdong.jpg

>>21828661
So it becomes fighting fire with fire?

>>21828500
Sounds like Azusa had a run-in with Elves before.

>>21828690
I laughed hard.

>>21828629
My feeling is Takane will either do exceedingly well or spectacularly badly depending on how it goes. She's a cipher. Either way, I get the feeling Makoto isn't up to the scary stuff.

File: 1354330096357.jpg-(109 KB, 800x600, 133699499637613131378_crowa.jpg)

>>21828507
You get back to the guildhall just as the sun is starting to dip below the horizon and report to Kotori that the goblin camp has been taken care of, but that tunnel might be worth further investigation. She marks off some notes on her ledger. "Alright, let's see...looks like you'll have to go to the duke's palace to collect the reward for this one, so make sure to do that tomorrow, ok?"

"Haha, as if an adventurer would ever forget to collect his pay!"

Hm...speaking of pay, you don't have permanent lodgings here in Kethyria yet, and it sure would be nice not to have to burn your hard-earned silver on an inn...

"Say, this guildhall wouldn't happen to have member lodgings, would it?" You rather doubt it, given the small size of the place, but it's worth a shot...

Kotori shakes her head apologetically. "Sorry, I'm afraid we don't. There's a pretty good inn not too far from here though..."

You follow Kotori's directions to the inn and pay up for the night, springing for the extra bath option so you can wash the goblin guts off you.

File: 1354330129635.jpg-(176 KB, 800x600, 129656164498916301895_exd(...).jpg)

>>21828732
As you prepare for bed, you remember the notes Kotori gave you this morning to help you get to know the girls. You fish them out of your pack and read through them by lamplight as you lay in bed. It's mostly stuff you've already managed to learn through your sparring this morning, your lunch with Ritsuko, and working with them this afternoon, but there are a few useful insights to be gleaned.

For one, Kotori recommends bringing Haruka along for lengthy quests, noting that she's very good at keeping group morale up. Kotori also notes that Chihaya can use her spellsong to manipulate the surrounding environment to an extent, which did not come up during your sparring. She also recommends keeping the twins separated, at least until you learn how to handle them, as while they do work very well together, they also tend to be harder to keep in line when they aren't separated.

>In case you missed the link after last session, the full profiles can be found here if you want to read them: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?82tb23ozrmbz384

File: 1354330219803.jpg-(139 KB, 1000x1000, 1351705515864.jpg)

>>21828732
>it sure would be nice not to have to burn your hard-earned silver on an inn...
Is she implying what I think she's implying?

>>21828759
Those are P-san's thoughts, not something Kotori's saying. Note the lack of quotation marks.

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>>21828775
You'd think I'd have learned to ready by this point, but you'd be wrong.

>>21828807
read*
Guess I can't write either.

File: 1354330549199.jpg-(265 KB, 665x838, the idolf@ntasy.jpg)

>>21828743
The next morning, you arrive at the 765Pro guildhall to find that Ritsuko has taken Chihaya, Takane, and Yayoi to take care of the supposed monsters lurking in the man's basement.

>What do?
>First things first: Let's get paid!
>Let's see if there are any new quest petitions, maybe we can swing by the palace on our way to another job.

>>21828852
>First things first: Let's get paid!
Maybe the Duke will give us a quest.

>>21828852
>>First things first: Let's get paid!
But first, I wonder if we can find out how Ritsuko's quest went.

>>21828825
>>21828807
Lay of the Ale, champion

>>21828852
>First things first: Let's get paid!
Hey, we didn't do all that for nothing.

>>21828852
Let's get paid and shouldn't we figure out that one cool thing in our loot pile? Prep up then on to more adventuring!

>First things first: Let's get paid!
Well Producer said it himself.
That and the idols I was interested in are out anyways.

>>21828852
Let's get paid.

>>21828852
>Let's see if there are any new quest petitions, maybe we can swing by the palace on our way to another job.

I wanna start adventuring mang.

>>21828852
Say, do you hear that? That's the sound of flies escaping our money pouch.

Cash first, naturally. And make sure to split the reward four ways, equally.

>>21828852
>>First things first: Let's get paid!

GET MONIES

File: 1354331047139.png-(561 KB, 946x970, 1353969504690.png)

>>21828852
You didn't get nearly enough loot from that goblin camp, especially not split four ways. Time to go get that reward!

You ask Kotori how to get to the duke's palace, but after listening to her directions your head starts to spin. This city is like an enormous labyrinth compared to Nirzal's Reach!

"You know what, Kotori, on second thought, I think I'll just ask one of the girls to show me the way..."

A few of them seem to overhear this. Azusa, sitting on a nearby couch, raises a hand and starts to speak, but is quickly cut off by Ami and Mami rushing over in a clamor. "Ooh, we know the way to the palace, Nii-chan, we can show you!"

>Who will be your guide?
>Azusa
>Ami and/or Mami (specify one or both)
>Other (specify)

>>21828964
>Azusa
Because it'll be funny.

File: 1354331132027.jpg-(201 KB, 936x506, azusa butterflies.jpg)

>>21828964
Azusa always Azusa for lulz

>>21828964
>Ami AND Mami

don't want to get lost. fuck that.

>>21828964
Tokachis.

>>21828964
>>Azusa
She seems like a safer option than the twins.

>>21828964
Who else is available?

Bonding with the 'Zoos is fine and all, but we need to be paid sometime this century.

>>21828964
Geez...getting tricked or lost. Yeah, I'll pass on that.
>Ask Iori
She's capable and well-connected. Although seriously, I'll take any idol over the twins or Azusa for directions.

>>21828964
Well not Azusa, we're actually trying to go somewhere.

Take both of the twins, we may as well get used to their shenanigans in a non battlefield environment.

>>21828964
Azusa, what could go wrong?

>>21828997
Everyone except Yayoi, Chihaya, and Takane, as they're off with Ritsuko taking care of basement monsters.

>>21829008
>Take both of the twins, we may as well get used to their shenanigans in a non battlefield environment.

This

Ah-ha-ha, we're fucked.

>>21829019
Then I'm going to suggest Makoto, Hibiki, and Haruka.

It's only fair that they get their shares of the reward right then and there.

>Azusa
I'm sure we'll have lots of time to talk to her along the way.

File: 1354331411379.jpg-(470 KB, 1360x1968, 1354255441571 - Copy.jpg)

We've got a drawfag working on the clothing designs by the way.
Sadly they couldn't finish everyone in time before this session, but here's a preview for now.

>>21828964
Both twins.

>>21829060
Yeah, shame he isn't here tonight.

TAKE ALL 3

>>21829084
I agree with this.

Dem twins winning over Ara ara.

Seriously, guys? Seriously?

>>21829102
It's not like it'd make a difference either way. We'll never see our money.

>>21829102
Actually, by my count Azusa has the lead, and seeing as I'm halfway through writing the post...

>>21828964
Seriously, what if we run into elves?

Take Azusa, she knows the right shit jesus.

File: 1354331880218.jpg-(154 KB, 800x600, 1343696956201.jpg)

>>21829109
You want money? Here's your filthy money.

>>21829135
Yes!

>>21829135
You can't count. It's actually even.

>>21829137
Well since it's Azusa, it's guaranteed we'll see elves, even and by that I mean especiallyif they're at a very remote location.

Adventure!

File: 1354332033883.jpg-(200 KB, 800x600, 126822206225116424627_wit(...).jpg)

>>21828964
Hm...well, so far you've heard from both Ritsuko and Kotori that Azusa has less-than-stellar navigational skills, but on the other hand you don't much fancy the thought of bringing notorious mischief-makers like Ami and Mami to the duke's palace, especially not when your pay is at stake. Sure, it might take awhile, but it's not like you're on any sort of schedule, and besides, it'll give you a chance to get to know Azusa a little better.

"Sorry Ami, Mami, but I think I'll have Azusa guide me."

"Eh? Azusa-oneechan?"
"Nii-chan, are you sure you want to do that?"

You brush them aside with a chuckle. "Yes, I'm sure."

Azusa stands as you approach. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced; I'm Azusa Miura."

You introduce yourself to her as you shake her outstretched hand. Her skin is quite soft and smooth -- clearly the hands of a mage rather than a warrior. "A pleasure to meet you, Azusa. Would you mind showing me the way to the duke's palace?"

"Not at all, just follow me.~"

Let's see just how bad her sense of direction really is...

File: 1354332642225.jpg-(40 KB, 375x523, Azusa Lost but Seeking 2.jpg)

>>21829191
As you walk, Azusa talks your ear off with all manner of gossip and inane stories. While the content of her talk is rather uninteresting to you, her soft tone of voice and relaxed, leisurely cadence of speech is quite pleasant to listen to.

"So then Ritsuko told him -- Ara?" Azusa's ramblings stop abruptly as a young boy trips and falls a little way up ahead of you in the street, and starts to cry. She hurries over and kneels down beside him. "Ara ara, are you ok? Oh, poor thing, you skinned your knee! There there, don't cry, I'll fix that right up for you, ok?~"

She places a hand over his knee, and you see a faint blue glow appear around her fingers as the boy's eyes widen in amazement. "There, all better, see? You be careful now, ok?"

"I will! Thanks ma'am!" The boy gives Azusa a quick hug and scampers off to continue playing with his friends.

As Azusa stands up, you faintly hear her mumbling to herself: "Ma'am? Do I really look like a 'ma'am'? How troublesome..." She clears her throat then turns to look down the way you were going.

"Now, where was I...Ara? Actually, where are *we*?"

You shrug. "Don't ask me, this is only my second day in this city."

"Ara ara, how troublesome..."

File: 1354332695677.jpg-(50 KB, 476x345, ADVENTURE!.jpg)

>>21829191

File: 1354332768003.jpg-(61 KB, 294x294, 1329355597826.jpg)

>>21829283

>>21829283
>Azusa talks your ear off with all manner of gossip and inane stories.
>uninteresting

But I am very interested in hearing Azusa's inane stories and gossip...

>>21829283
>ma'am
Hah, poor lady.

>>21829319
Watching her cleavage bounce as she walks doesn't count as "listening."

>>21829283

Let's go get the money they said.

Nothing wrong with a little reward before we head out they said.

>>21829345
Gotta get paid, man. Don't you thirst for riches and shit?

>>21829354

I thirst for adventure and idols first and foremost.

>>21829345
Well we're with Azusa so out chances of adventure are pretty high.

>>21829334
I can't look AND listen?

File: 1354333430411.jpg-(165 KB, 800x600, 126450733520216115550_hun(...).jpg)

>>21829283
You wander the streets of Kethyria for some time, winding through back roads and alleys. "Azusa," you ask, "are you sure this is the right way to go about finding our bearings?"

"Don't worry, we'll get there eventually~", she says with a carefree smile. "Ara, Producer, look over here! Isn't that a cute little windowbox?"

"Yes, very nice, but Azusa, we really need to find out how to get back on track to the duke's palace..."

"Hm...well, I could try a fortune-telling..." She pauses to fish something out from a pouch strapped to her thigh, revealing a good length of very shapely leg as she does so.

You hear a voice from the alley behind you. "Oy, I gotcha fo'tune roight 'ere: You all's gonna run into a few noice gentlemen who's gonna relieve youse o' all dat heavy coin weighin' down you's poises, 'ow's dat fo' a fo'tune?"

As he speaks, a couple of rough-looking youths brandishing crude saps and cudgels step out from the mouth of the alley ahead of you to block the street, and turning around you see a few more do the same behind you. The one speaking -- presumably their leader -- has a knife.

You, for your part, left your sword and shield back at the guildhall -- this was, after all, only supposed to be a simple trip to the duke's palace -- but you do have a dagger tucked into your boot. Azusa doesn't seem to be carrying any weapons, but she does have her magic...

>Wat do?
>Fight!
>Run!
>Talk your way out!

>Also, roll please

>>21829424
>Fight

>>21829424
We fightan now

>>21829424
How high is Producer's persuasion?

Rolled 20

>>21829424
>>21829450

Whoops, forgot to roll.

Or maybe just fight.

>>21829448
How do I roll dice again?

Rolled 2

>>21829448
Disregard that.

There we go.

Rolled 12

>>21829424
We try talking our way out.

>>21829464
"dice+1d20"

Rolled 14

>>21829424

FIght

Bet the twins have been following us.

>>21829424
>Talk your way out!

Rolled 4

>>21829424

>Fight!

Gotta show our idols we're tuff enuff.

>>21829424
>>Talk your way out!
Maybe we can get her to talk our way out of this. She seems nice and persuasive.

Rolled 17

>>21829488
derp

Rolled 6

>>21829424
Say something about honor and fighting for the sake of someone else.
It worked for Jonathan

Rolled 11

>>21829424
>Talk your way out!

>>21829512
...we're boned, aren't we.

dice+1d20
Talk your way out!

Rolled 12

>>21829516
Low rolls are good.

>>21829512

Welp I'm not sure if that's a good enough number high or low.

Rolled 7

>>21829424

>Talk your way out!

Something firm and authoritative, like "You're making a serious mistake friend."

>>21829512
Surely this will end well.

Bloodshed would have been nice too...

File: 1354334559161.jpg-(36 KB, 300x204, 1316230555757.jpg)

>>21829424
>>21829512
While you *think* you could probably stand a decent chance of fighting your way out -- these are merely common street thugs, whereas you're a well-trained adventuring warrior with magical support -- it's probably best not to push your luck, and it probably wouldn't be good form to show up at the duke's palace with blood on your clothes. Let's try to defuse the situation peaceably.

"Hey now, boys, let's be reasonable here. First off, do we really look that rich to you? I bet the contents of our purses right now, divided between the five of you, would barely give enough to get each of you an ale.
And secondly, you see this?" You rap a knuckle to your brigandine, producing a muffled tap-tap-tap. "That's brigandine, friends. Armor. We're guilded adventurers. Even five-on-one, are you sure you can take us?"

Some of the muggers seem to be having doubts, but their leader steps forward, dagger pointed at you. "Ah, brigandine, you say? Armor you say? Yeah, and wot wuz all 'at about not bein' rich, eh? Oi reck'n 'at armor o' you'se is woith at leas' a few silver, eh? And while we's at it, you'se lady friend's dress looks real pretty, mebbe we's help ou'selves ta that too, eh? And mebbe a bit o' wot's aneath it, eh?"

"Well boys? Whaddaya youse waitin' foah?"

So much for the peaceful approach...

>Another roll, please

Rolled 2

>>21829608
We got heals. We can do this.

Rolled 2

>>21829608
Let's beat the cockiness out of this punk.

Rolled 2

>>21829608
ASSKICKING TIME

>>21829616
>>21829618
...well, this is awkward.

Rolled 11

>>21829608


>>21829616
>>21829618
>>21829622
Oh you guys.

Rolled 19

>>21829608

Shouldn't have threatened our lady-friend. Uppercut to the chin!

>>21829616
>>21829618
>>21829622
Dice why

Rolled 19

>>21829608

Sucker punch that nig nog. We street rules now.

Rolled 14

Fell deeds awake.

Rolled 15

>>21829608
Motherfucker's going down.

>>21829608
Did he just imply doing unpleasant things to Azusa? Fuck it, kill the bastard and his blood relations to the seventh degree.

>>21829616
>>21829618
>>21829622
>>21829629
>>21829632
>>21829637
Well, that's a very...schizophrenic set of rolls. Let's see what the final one is...two more to go.

>>21829644
Oh shit.

>>21829647
>>21829644
Nevermind, ninja'd. Please wait, scene loading...

>>21829647
Ah well we couldn't wait all night for eight rolls...but damn.

>>21829644

>inb4 low rolls are better.

>>21829663
They are, this was established last thread. I actually have a simple set of mechanics I'm using for this, with stats and everything.

No, you may not see the stats, don't even ask.

>>21829644
Welp, we're boned.

>>21829673

Would be able at least gauge how are own stats are? Or do we have to journey to find ourselves first?

>>21829693
As far as numerical stats? No. But you do know that you're a fairly well-rounded warrior of above-average capability.

Now shush, I have a fight scene to write.

File: 1354335979510.jpg-(305 KB, 550x769, 1340074724405.jpg)

>>21829608
>>21829644
One of the thugs charges at you, cudgel raised high.

"Too easy," you think. "He's telegraphing like crazy..."

You stoop down to drive your shoulder into his gut just as he gets close, tossing him behind you as you draw the dagger from your boot. You hear thudding footsteps behind you, and whirl around just in time to intercept another thug as he charges Azusa. You grab his wrist and twist it, causing him to block the cudgel, and put the dagger to his throat.

You hiss in his ear, "You just run along now like a good boy, you hear?" He gives a panicked nod and bolts off as you release his wrist.

At the same time, you hear a shriek as one of the other thugs whacks Azusa with his sap. She crumples to the ground as you turn on the offender, lunging to give him a sound punch in the jaw. He backs off, then comes at you with the sap, which you easily dodge. You counter with a pommel to the head and are about to follow up with a kick to send him sprawling when a solid impact from behind sets your head spinning. Your knees buckle, giving one of the muggers an opportunity to grab you by the hair and lock one of your arms behind you. Judging by the sharp blade pressed against your throat, it must be the leader.

"Oi, oi, 'at wuz some good foightan' 'ere! Youse ran off two o' my boys like it wuz nuthin! Too bad youse broad can't take care o' he'self, eh?"

"Tells ya what, as a bit o' a rewoid, I'll let youse watch us take care o' youse goil foist, eh? I bet youse'd like 'at, seein' wot she's got unna 'at dress o' hers, eh? Heheheh, I know I will..."

The remaining two thugs now have Azusa

No. NonononoNO. This will not stand...

>Roll again

Rolled 12

>>21829820
Gonna kill those bastards.

Rolled 1

>>21829820
Fuck you bastards, hurting our ara ara..

Rolled 8

>>21829820
No! Not Azusa! Kill the bastards!

Rolled 16

>>21829820

All of our rage focused into one powerful slam to the junk.

Rolled 17

>>21829820

Rolled 15

>>21829820
Here we go.

File: 1354336234337.jpg-(55 KB, 570x426, d20 is not our friend.jpg)

Rolled 10

>>21829820

dice pls

Rolled 2

>>21829820
Big mistake.

>>21829887
aw
yeh

>>21829887

Looks like rape is the only thing d20 will not tolerate.

>>21829887
You punks fucked with the wrong adventurers.

File: 1354336341040.png-(70 KB, 344x319, Miurasan 39-3.png)

Rolled 19

>>21829820
like hell we will let them treat Azusa like that

Hit them right in the Mii-chan

>>21829895
Let's stab 'im right in the nuts to show the punks in this city nobody touches our girls.

>>21829915
Wow, it's a good thing you rolled late or we really would have been fucked.

>>21829915

>kai in charge of saving Azusa with his rolls

lel.

File: 1354336576328.png-(87 KB, 220x347, azusa 12-1.png)

>>21829938
>>21829940
give me a break its my first time actually catching one of these threads ;_;

>>21829915
>>21829961
>tripfag avatarfagging
Please make it your last.

>>21829971
You'd have better luck winning the lottery. On a day where penguins are flying.

File: 1354337347934.png-(19 KB, 300x309, RageFace.png)

>>21829820
>>21829887
You can feel it boiling up within you, that burning fury you've felt so many times before. You taste blood in your mouth from biting your tongue when that thug hit you, you see blood trickling down the face of the thug whom you hit with your pommel and you hear the rush of blood pumping in your ears as your heart beats faster and you can swear you smell the droplets of blood seeping out of your neck onto the blade pressed against it and blood yes blood there will be blood this day yes yes --

"No." You whisper the word aloud, but not to the thug. You say it to yourself. In your mind, you repeat the mantra: Harness, do not succumb; control, be not controlled; protect, do not destroy.

With a sudden wrenching motion, you drive your elbow back into the lead thug's gut, causing him to loosen his grip on you. Grabbing his dagger arm, you pull his blade away from your neck and turn around, dragging your own blade across his torso to produce a shimmering ribbon of crimson. He staggers back and drops his dagger, which you quickly scoop up and fling at one of the thugs holding down Azusa as you charge the two of them. It lodges in his upper arm, and the other scrambles away at your approach.

You push the wounded thug over and pin his shoulder with your foot as you turn toward the leader, sitting stunned on the ground as his shirt soaks through with red. "Leave now, and you may keep your miserable lives."

>>21830099
Holy shit nice. and I can see where this may be going

>>21830099
Excelsior, bitches.

File: 1354338161327.jpg-(302 KB, 1200x900, 133474623262713202842_azusasan.jpg)

>>21830099
At this you feel a gentle hand on your shoulder, and a soft voice says, "Producer...I think that's enough."

You watch, astonished as Azusa kneels down beside the thug at your feet and pulls the dagger from his arm. Without a word, she heals the wound with her magic, then heads over to the leader of the thugs. His face is still plastered with a look of surprise, but now it's tinged with confusion. As Azusa begins to tend his cut, he finally speaks.

"Oi, oioioi, whaddaya doin'? We jus' tried 'a mug ya, yeah? Why'a youse helpin' us?"

Azusa replies softly, but firmly. "What you did was very wrong. But it would be wrong of us to leave you with open wounds. I hear the jail isn't a very clean place, and we can't have you getting infected, can we?"

"J-jail?"

"Oh yes. You'll be coming with us to turn yourselves in, won't you?" There's nothing visibly unusual about the smile she gives the mugger, but somehow it comes across as soul-chillingly terrifying.

"Y-yes ma'am, o' course we's 'll come witcha an' -- an' turn ou'selves in, yes ma'am."

She smiles even more broadly. "Very good!"

"Now, Producer, are you hurt at all?"

"Ah, well, nothing major really, just a bump on the head..."

"Ara! That won't do, here, let me tend to that..."

>>21830099
Nobody touches our girls. Nobody.

File: 1354338238083.jpg-(60 KB, 508x432, Sabot@ge.jpg)

>>21830226

>Thug Status:
[]Told
[]Not Told
[x]GROOVY TOLD
[x]FUNKY TOLDS
[x]TOLDEY SOUND

>>21830236
>blackdynamiteyoself.com picture

OH GOD THATS STILL UP SOMEWHERE? NIGGER YOU NEED TO LINK ME TO IT RIGHT NOW.


....p-please?

>>21830226
Knew it, Azusa is such an angel

>>21830260
>http://illcommunication.beastieboys.com/node/add

It's kinda on the picture.

>>21830226
Azusa is too sweet for her own damn good.

>>21830226
>comes across as soul-chillingly terrifying
Beware the wrath of angry Azusa. We'll probably never see it coming.

File: 1354338808180.jpg-(512 KB, 1200x1000, 10807685.jpg)

>>21830326
but would it really be a bad thing?

File: 1354338935723.jpg-(168 KB, 532x399, silver.jpg)

>>21830226
As Azusa touches her fingertips to your head, it feels as though you're being bathed in a cool, refreshing mountain spring, sweeping away not only the pain of your injury but also the lingering adrenaline rush from the fight. And you could swear she leans in just a little bit closer than is strictly necessary...


The remainder of your trip to the duke's palace goes quite smoothly, the thugs helpfully correcting your path when Azusa gets turned around and even showing you a few shortcuts. After depositing the ne'er-do-wells with the gate guard, you head in to collect your payment.

"Let's see here..." the clerk muses. "Ah, yes, 765Professionals, 'Report of Goblinoid Infestation', filed under the provision of the Royal Public Safety Fund. Your reward comes to 100 silver pieces." He hands you a sizable drawstring pouch, which clinks softly as its weight settles in your hand. 25 silver apiece, not too shabby for a single afternoon's work.

You consider whether you should mention the tunnel. Kotori did mention that since the guild hasn't received a formal petition regarding it, the only compensation you might get for exploring it would be whatever loot you happen to find. You might be able to find funding here.

This might also be a good place to ask about that skull charm you found.

>Ask about funding for a tunnel expedition
>Ask about the skull

>>21830360
>Ask about the skull
We'll ask about both, right?

>>21830360
>>Ask about funding for a tunnel expedition
Seems more appropriate to ask about this than the skull. We'll need to find a mage to ask about the skull later on, though. Or Takane.

>>21830360

>fund the tunnel expedition

We're poorfags that need the loot right now.

>>21830360
Aw yeah Azusa...

Ask about the skull first.

>>21830360
>Ask about funding for a tunnel expedition
We can go to someone else for the skull.

File: 1354339146435.jpg-(158 KB, 1280x720, 1310564691560.jpg)

>>21830360
>And you could swear she leans in just a little bit closer than is strictly necessary...
nothing is ever too uncessary in that regard

also
>Ask about the Skull

>>21830360
>the thugs helpfully correcting your path when Azusa gets turned around and even showing you a few shortcuts
It pays to be nice, it seems.

>Ask about funding for a tunnel expedition
Better nip the problem now before they become a bigger problem later.

>>21830386
You know what, the skull can wait.

>>21830360
>Ask about funding for a tunnel expedition
Skull can wait to ask someone who might know more.

File: 1354339722209.png-(1.19 MB, 2100x1990, upscaled HD - the only HD(...).png)

>>21830360
You figure this is probably the right place to ask about getting some compensation for dealing with that tunnel.

"Now, we did find a tunnel in the goblins' camp. We collapsed the mouth of it, but the goblins could probably open it back up again, and there's no telling where it leads to. We'd like to explore it and see if we can't arrange a more permanent solution, but we don't really have the funds to do so at the moment..."

The clerk nods smartly. "The Public Safety Fund makes ample provisions for goblinoid-related threats, I'm sure you'll have no difficulty getting that approved. Shall I send the forms to your guildhall?"

"That would be great, thanks."

>Ask here about the skull?
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?
>The skull can wait, let's see what new quests are waiting for us back at the guildhall!
>It's lunchtime, and I'm hungry, let's get something to eat!

>>21830489
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?

We don't want that shit to voodoo us at the wrong time and place.

>>21830489
>>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?
Better have it checked out. For all we know, it might be cursed.

>>21830489
We must find someplace to decipher the mystery of the skull.

It is NECESSARY.

>>21830489
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull
might as well

>>21830489
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?
PLOT!

>>21830489
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull
As long as Azusa isn't going to lead us to someone.

>>21830489
>>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?

>>21830536
Like who, the BBEG?

>>21830554
Or anyone worse.

>>21830594
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?

>>21830594
Azusa's sense of direction isn't that bad.

>>21830489
Grab some lunch. Invite Azusa.

>>21830489
>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?

Oh my the budget HD version. We really must have no money.

>>21830665
I don't know how bad quest Azusa is but the bandits had to show us the right directions.

>>21830676

This, if you haven't started writing the post already.

Right, lovely. I can post again.

Apologies for not having finished the girls' designs in time for tonight. Seems you're doing alright for the most part either way. Loving the events so far.

>Find someplace else to ask about the skull?

File: 1354341109947.jpg-(145 KB, 1024x768, 1328262629111.jpg)

>>21830489
Now, that just leaves that obsidian skull...

You imagine the clerks here probably wouldn't know much about it, but you're not too sure who would. Azusa might know, but after the morning's adventures, you decide you'd probably be better off asking for directions from somebody else first.

"Ah, and one last thing," you say to the clerk. "I found a strange item on one of the goblins in that camp, and I'd like to get some more insight into what exactly it is. Especially, like, whether or not it's cursed or something."

"Well, I would recommend old Magus Barclay down at the Academy..."

Fortunately, it seems that the Academy is fairly close by, so you're able to remember the clerk's directions fairly well. Azusa opts to accompany you rather than heading back to the guildhall.

"After all," she says, "what would you do without me if you ran into any more muggers? Ufufu~"

The Kethyrian Academy of High Arcana is hard to miss, being essentially an entire district unto itself, studded with soaring towers and populated almost exclusively by people clad in flowing, richly-colored robes. Azusa blends in reasonably well with her dress, but you feel somewhat out of place in your trousers and brigandine. After asking a few passing students for directions, you manage to find your way to a study door with a nameplate reading "Magus Bartimaeus Barclay, Director of Curiosities and Obscuritas". You knock at the door and are invited to enter.

File: 1354342273148.gif-(9 KB, 196x231, wizards.gif)

>>21830800
You are greeted by a diminuitive old man with a bushy white beard, enormous conical hat, and thick spectacles with various additional lenses attached by swiveling joints. "Hello, hello, how may I be of service?"

You introduce yourself and explain how you found the skull charm, handing it to him to examine. "Could you tell me what this is or what it does?"

After a few minutes of peering at it through various lenses of his spectacles while pensively muttering "hmm" and "yes" and "I see...", the Magus finally hands the charm back to you and says with a broad grin, "I haven't the foggiest!"

You stare blankly back at him and blink a few times. "I'm sorry?"

"Yes, well, that is to say, I haven't the foggiest idea what it's about, but I can tell you it's not magical. At least not in any way that I can detect, at any rate, and I'm fairly certain there isn't an enchantment that my Spectacular Spellfinding Spectacles can't see!"

"But other than that...no idea?"

"Well, I can tell you that you're not the first to bring me a charm like this. They seem to be cropping up quite a bit lately among goblins and bandits and the like. The design doesn't seem to fit anything I'm familiar with, so whatever it is it must be something new. Some manner of cult, I imagine. Either that or the latest fashion trend! Kids these days wear all manner of ridiculous things, dohohohoho!"

"Right...well, thank your for your help, Magus."

"Not at all, not at all! Do come again sometime!"

>>21831031
And with that I think it's about time we bring this installment of the quest to a close. I feel like today's session might've had a bit less crowd participation than the previous ones, so sorry about that.

As usual, I'll stick around for a bit for questions and constructive criticism and the like.

Man, this session was particularly tense. If not for that lucky roll at the end... god, I can't even imagine.

>>21831042
I don't want to imagine what would have happened if it was kai's roll we had to go with.

>>21831031

I have a feeling this skull has to do with Kuroi.

It's always Kuroi's fault.

>>21831038

This was my first time joining, but I quite enjoyed it. Fun idea and excellent writing.

>>21831038
Well it felt good, doing something manly that had a positive result.

File: 1354342939543.png-(75 KB, 319x356, Azusa and Miurasan being high.png)

>>21831031

well that yielded no resutls

ah well fun session

think you'll throw in puchis in this somehow

like as familiars or something?

>>21831038

Same time next Friday?

>>21831038
Well done again. I'm quite enjoying how this is going. Your writing is quite nice, I might add. Fun to illustrate in my mind. Now if only I had every time and day to draw more of it.

I read everyone's suggestions on the rest of the cast and i'll resume on the drawing tomorrow. Hopefully you find it useful on the next one.

As an aside I quite like that one anon's suggestion on how the twins operate. Ami the upfront con artist and Mami equally so but works in the shadows. Somehow i'd like to see that come into play. I had a scene in mind that, if time permit, I can draw out.

>>21831154
Oh yes, the puchis will make an appearance eventually. That was actually one of the first things that came to mind when I first came up with the idea for the quest, way back in summer.

>>21831159
Hopefully, though I can't say for sure just yet. I have finals coming up, so I might need the time to study.

>>21831208
I really appreciate the art, you have no idea how flattering it is to me that this little quest has already started inspiring drawfaggotry.
I actually have some slight differences between the two in stats, but hadn't thought too much about differences in MO. The stats would actually lend themselves well to that sort of setup, though.

>>21831236

Just two quick questions:

Will we be made aware of level ups, and will we able to customize idol gear or weapons?

>>21831291
Adding to that, I'd like to know what we have in our inventories.

>>21831236
Looking forward to what you had in mind with them, as well as the rest of the girls. Azusa today put quite the smile on my face so you have my thanks for that and certainly the others will be equally enjoyable.

And it's no problem. I've a soft spot for fun things like this is all. I was working on P@ranoiam@s as well but it seems our GM has disappeared so that's a shame.

But this setting in particular is something I love and combined with the series? You've just done me a great service.

>>21831291
There is no leveling up in the mechanics I'm using. It's really more of a loose narrative kind of thing -- the characters have simple stats representing roughly their degree of aptitude in various areas, and that serves as both a benchmark for about what magnitude of stuff they can accomplish and for what you need to roll to count as a success for something in that area. There's not really any purpose to leveling up because there isn't any really hard mathematical impact of the stats aside from the target number you need to hit for a success, and what a "success" means is purely defined by the way the scene is flowing.
Also, I'm working with pretty small numbers for the stats, so having characters increase their stats would quickly lead to a pretty homogenous cast in terms of capabilities.

Gear, on the other hand, could have some impact just based on the logical repercussions of what you're using. You will have some opportunity to fiddle with that once you start getting significant amounts of loot.

But ultimately, most of the inventory is pretty much plot-based too. Like, explicitly you have your armor, shield, sword, at least two daggers (one of them iron), and rope, but beyond that it's just "adventuring gear". If it's something that would be plausible to have, you have it. If you have an idea for an approach to a situation that involves a certain item, feel free to suggest it. Quests are a lot looser than video games or even typical tabletop games in that way.

>>21831513

Okay that makes sense. Thanks for taking your time to do this.

>>21831513
I would say we would eventually need something long range like a bow or crossbow or even magic?

maybe we can have idols teach us skills or we teach idols skills?

>>21831759
If you're thinking magic, that's not something that's easily taught or learned -- in fact, the majority of them couldn't teach you a damn thing, because elemental magic is an innate talent, and that's what most of them have. Iori's arcane magic could be taught, but it requires years of intense study (think like learning advanced chemistry or physics) -- not exactly within the scope of the quest. Hibiki's shamanic magic might be something anyone could do, or it might be restricted only to those whom the spirits happen to take a shine to; shamanic magic isn't terribly well-understood in-setting.
(Some of this was explained in previous threads, but some of it hasn't. I'm working on a document detailing these sorts of important setting details; I was hoping to have it ready by tonight's session, but that didn't quite pan out. Should be finished by next time, though.)

But as far as ranged weaponry goes, daggers can be thrown (in fact, P-san did just that in today's session), and and you could quite reasonably have a few flasks of some basic alchemical concoctions like acid and alchemist's fire among your gear.

>>21831879
Nice, it'll be helpful to know some of the basics of the world we're operating in.

>>21831879
ah i see.

I was just thinking of my Demons/Dark Souls playthroughs of how I mostly use sword and board but used a bow or magics if the situation calls for it, and I think daggers might lack in the range department a bit, so if magic is outta the question i hope we can get some crossbow or bow and arrow skills eventually

>>21831879
One slightly relevant question, if you're still there. Are you listening to anything in particular as you're writing? I tend to be as i'm reading these? It's a fun little thing and i'm just sort of curious. I quite like any bit of atmosphere I can get as close to what you had in mind as i'm reading.

I have on my playlist the Last Exile and Fam the Silver Wing soundtracks, Suikoden 1 and 2, Shadow of the Colossus and the Legend of Mana. As well the Breath of Fire bgms.

>>21832104
In past threads I mainly listened to iM@S stuff, switching over to a playlist I have of battle-appropriate music taken from my entire collection of soundtracks (anime, video games, and Western films) for the goblin camp fight.

This time around, though, it was all Lufia the Legend Returns soundtrack. Been on a kick with that pretty much all week, really. Which is not the best thing leading up to finals, since it makes me want to play the game again...

>>21831980
I think the idea is that we're supposed to rely on the idols for that stuff. Notice how none of them are sword-and-boarders?

>>21832286
well Haruka has the shield of Nonowa but I see what you mean

>>21831980
>>21832286
Well, ideally, yes, reliance on teammates is something you should do, but that said there's no reason why you couldn't pick up a bow or crossbow or something for P-san at some point. He wouldn't be as good with it as with sword & board, but it'd give you the option anyway.

>>21831980
Well depending on the tech level we could see about having a holdout crossbow or hand bow

Even at a stretch we could see an artificer about making a bracer mounted one shot that is basically a spring that we load a crossbow bolt into and trigger via ring with a metal cable on it or a button we press, the same thing can be done with small daggers

Also sucks that I missed this thread but it seems not much happened, keep it up OP because there definitely is interest in this it just seems the time of year isn't great for it

>>21832456
It just seems excessive with the number of magicians and physical range fighters we have. I see it useful when we're in a situation like we had with this quest, but most of the time we should have range skills well-covered by the team.

Tanks should be busy meleeing.

I honestly didn't think I'd be enjoying this sort of quest this much, but your doing quite a job of making the girls seem endearing and so far the threads haven't devolved into waifu wars. Though I am having some trouble telling some of the girls apart. Anyone know a good place for some basic information?

Anyway, archived this thread just in case and looking forward to the next installment.

>>21832487
True but if we need to help one of the casters it is something we could have on hand then.
It is all contingencies that once we are settled in to things more we can review and see what we need and don't need

>>21832502
You could probably look at the im@s wiki page or download some of the comics from somewhere

I don't know anywhere else aside from games or anime that would have much more and they aren't really a quick reference

>>21832502

http://www.project-imas.com/w/Main_Page

There is some questions raised about the accuracy about some of the details on the wiki, but it should give you ideas of who each girl is.

You can also download manga and videos and find lots of info on the /a/ maintained site:
https://sites.google.com/a/yukipo.com/namassuka/

>>21832502
I take it you're a /tg/ native?
Good to hear it, I was wondering if I'd get any fa/tg/uys in addition to the /@/ crowd.

Personally, it took me a good three or four episodes of the anime before I could finally keep all the characters straight, so I know what you mean about telling them apart. (Kind of funny, really, how far I've come since then...and to think, that was only a year and half ago!)
As far as basic info on the girls, questwise there's the profiles in the MF link here >>21828743, and you can find some basic info on the original characters on Wikipedia or the Project-iM@S wiki (though from what I hear, the latter is apparently hit-and-miss as far as accuracy of the content).

Also, even if you don't want to get too deep into the original content, just watching the first episode of the anime would be a decent way to get some basic first impressions of the girls. It's done in a faux-documentary style just kind of showing snippets of their day-to-day lives, so it's a nice surface-level introduction.

>>21832596
I think there are a few fa/tg/uys in here.
I know that there is me >>21832456
And I think a few others who at least lurk if not contribute

>>21832596
I'm a /tg/ native, I occasionally visit /a/ but I've never watched, read, or played anything involving iM@S before.

One other thing I would add is the Master Stories: http://forum.project-imas.com/index.php/topic,106.0.html

This is the background of the idols before they meet the producer. It shows some of their weaknesses, dreams, fears and ambitions. The characters do evolve quite a bit from that starting point. But I think it helps to give you some idea of their distinct characters.

>>21832619
>>21832637
Well, nice to see there's a bit of diversity in the audience, that's good.

What's not so good is that I've apparently been sitting here with my brain in neutral for several hours now...I think it's probably about time I got to bed.

>>21832665
Hey, I'm sure you're asleep by now but if you happen to read it on the archives...might not be a bad idea to link a recommended song to listen to while you think of something to write-up. Since people are interested in both iM@S and adventuring songs.

>>21832920

Just about every song by Chihaya is on my playlist.