>>22154022

You make your way to the deck proper, where Astora was standing, a long stick in her hand, while Cass carefully circled her, a long staff in place of the spear she'd been using. As you watch, the changeling charged forward, jabbing the staff, as Ariana twisted, parrying and knocking the staff away.
With a few savage cracks of wood against wood, Cass and Astora met and parted again, their weapons crashing against one another. With a quick sweeping attack, Cass knocked the 'blade' from Astora's hands, and then grinned to herself, and lunged.
Astora's response was to place both hands on the far end of the staff, and twist, tearing it out of Cass's hands, bowling the changeling over and spinning it above her head. With a second crack, she slammed the end of the staff into the deck, standing there, the wind blowing her hair out to the side- she didn't even smile, but you could tell she was gloating.

Cass sat on her hands and knees, resting, her tail slipping out of her skirt, wiggling in view of everyone. Every sailor, worker, and even the captain himself was there, watching the duel.
"... Well, would you look at that?" Grubwort asked. "The girl's not human."

Fuck yeah Grubwort
We should ask him at some point if he's considered running his own ship

>>22154024
"Don't make too much of a fuss over it."

>>22154024
"I trust it won't be an issue." As deadpan as we can manage. We're from Order territory, the tiniest hint of paranoia about that is pretty much mandatory.

>>22154024
"Eh, I don't exist sometimes. Doesn't make her less of a good person."

>>22154024
Let's load our revolver, just in case.

"I trust it won't be an issue." You say, an implicit threat hiding in your voice. You grab the bullets from your pouch, and slip them into your revolver, careful not to let him see, despite how he shouldn't know what it is.
"Oh, of course not." Grubwort said. "You guys aren't the first nonhumans we've carried. Though you are some of the worst at hiding it. Especially the elf over here."
Grumbling, Cass got to her feet.
"Hey, I've had a Glamour the entire time!" Kale said.
"Oh, you look human enough, but the way you act..." Grubwort said, and chuckled, clapping Kale's arm before going back to work.

Panting, you rest for a bit, before deciding that you could spend your free time however you wanted...

>>22154107
Since they're sparring anyways
"Either of you feel like sparring still?"

"Either of you feel like sparring still?" You ask.
"I do." Cass said, getting to her feet.
Tori tossed the staff at her, and then tossed the wooden sword to you. She gave you a small grin, and a wink. "Good luck, Abel."
"... Good luck, Abel." Cass said, her staff in hand, as she took a step back, taking a stance you didn't recognize.

>Swordsmanship!

Rolled 17

>>22154193
sordsmanshipping

Rolled 5

>>22154193
Sword!

Rolled 27

>>22154193
>>22154198
>>22154199
well this is going to go well

>>22154198
>>22154199
>>22154206
Welp, gg.

>>22154206
Well, at least it's above 25, so the defeat shouldn't be too humiliating.

You swing your blade, and a loud crack rings through the air, knocking it away. The thrust of the staff's head crushes into your chest, making you gasp for air, and then the edge slammed into your hand. Your sword was knocked out of your hand, skidding across the ground. Your head pounded, and you swayed, before falling to your feet, wheezing.
"... Are you going to fight back?" Cass asked, before she dropped the staff and ran down to you, giving you a hug. "Sorry, Abel! I thought you were ready!"

>>22154229
"Heh, I was." somehow manage to say that with the wheezing

>>22154229
Whatthe... What just happened? Okay, i totally didn't expect that. Let me catch my breath and then try again.

>>22154229
"Just a bit tired from the shipwork is all!"

>>22154264
>>22154263
>making excuses
how about no?

>>22154249
this

>>22154276
What excuses? It read to me like we really didn't expect to be attacked. Just doing a practice swing and then getting our stick punched away.

Let's not make excuses.

You laugh through the wheezing, and when you finally get your breath back, you meet her eyes.
"Heh, I was." You say.
"O-oh." She said. "Let's, um, let's try that again."
"You'll just go easy on him, now. That's not how you spar with someone." Astora said, picking up the staff and twirling it over her head again. "Let me try."
Tori shot you a smile, and then kicked the sword to you. "Go on, Abel. Pick it up."
"I won't go easy on him!" Cass said, frowning. "Well, um, maybe I'd give him a bit more time..."
"Exactly." Astora said. "Come on, Abel, I'm waiting."

Rolled 36

>>22154308
Let's try this again.

Rolled 15

>>22154308
>in during nat 1

Rolled 77

>>22154308
>getting our arse kicked by two girls
>inb4 Ari does it next

Rolled 29

>>22154308
Alright, time for someone who can actually roll worth a damn to roll.

>>22154325
I was really expecting a nat 1 there.

Rolled 43

>>22154308
Well, let's see if we can't make a better showing of ourself, shall we?

Rolled 94

>>22154022
I invoke ye dicegods, let us not make a fool of ourselves in front of the waifus!

>>22154356
...
Is...is that what the dicegods want?
Prayers?

>>22154368
Not really. They're trolls.
Someone in an old thread offered prayers and got a nat 1.
Someone else cursed them and got a 100.

>>22154368
No, they feed on sacrifices of typo demons.

Really.

Eying the smiling Tori, you snatch the wooden sword, and get to your feet. Kale, with Tannis sitting on his shoulder, both cheered you on, as you stumble to your feet, still trying to catch your breath, your chest and hand pounding.

Astora didn't wait to attack, going first, the staff whistling just above your head as you duck, and leap forward, swinging the blade at her. She stepped out of the way, blocking your blow with the staff, and went spinning again, making you skip out of the way. As she skidded to a stop, she reared back, and jabbed at you as if the staff was a spear, so you did the only thing you could think of at the time- get closer, where she can't abuse her longer range, and then bring the 'hilt' of the sword down on her hand, making her drop the staff. You swear you hear a crack, and she grinned.
"Better. I'm glad." She said, and stepped away, getting ready again. "See, Cass, you don't need to coddle anyone."

She suddenly burst into movement, and you barely step out of the way of two, maybe three blows, trying to get close again. As she swings once, you step away, and launch your spare hand out, taking ahold of the staff and yanking it out of her hands, putting the dull end of the 'sword' up against her neck.
Tori grinned.
"I approve!" She said.

>>22154417
Whisper "Well, you'd have to ask Cass first if she wanted to share."

We'll, we got a 77 so we SHOULD be fine.

After all, we've recovered a bit from the rowing.

Sigh, and relax. "Guess I just needed a warm up."

>>22154417
Grin back.
"Oh yeah, I wanted to show everyone something."
Let's get somewhere privateish and show them the revolver.

>>22154417
"Round two, Cass?"

>>22154417
"Hey Cass, how about round two now that I've got my bearings?"

>>22154431
Let's not.

>>22154470
Let's hold out on this. We'll keep as our Ace in the Hole.

>>22154490
Well it is our ace in the hole, but we should still tell them about it. Wouldn't want them finding it and drawing bad conclusions.

You sigh, and relax. "Guess I just needed a warm up." You say, and turn to Cass. "Hey Cass, how about round two now that I've got my bearings?"
"Well, okay." Cass said, and Tori threw the staff at her. The elder witch looked like she was almost pouting. "You *are* going to be read this time, right?"
Cass caught the staff, and then twirled it above her head. "I'm ready."

Rolled 96

>>22154510
"Well, let's go for round two!"

Rolled 60

>>22154510
Let's do this

Rolled 95

>>22154523
Oh dear, I hope we at least don't hurt her.

>>22154551
...that's a 95 to not hurt her, right? That's a good thing?

A strange, burning light enters your limbs, and you burst into movement. Once, twice, eight times, Cass backs up, swinging her staff, but you knock it aside or step out of the way each time. Panting, she picked up the pace, and finally pounced, leaping toward you, jabbing the staff like a spear. In a single movement, in slow motion, your mind burning like a star, you catch the end of her staff, and then kick it out of her hands, twisting it through the air, sending it colliding into her shoulder. You hear another crack, and she was knocked back, the splintered end of the staff skidding across the ground. You pull the staff back, and give it a look- Apparently you'd swung it with enough force to break it against Cass's shoulder.
"... Ow." She said, holding it. She rolled her shoulder. "That was good, Abel, but... you could be a bit more gentle."
"Not if you're fighting." Astora said. "You can't be gentle while fighting, even if it's only sparring. Doesn't work that way."
Cass gave Astora a glance, her eyes glowing green for a moment, and her shoulder twitched, apparently healing.

>>22154612
"Sorry, Cass."

>>22154612
"That was... cool. Sorry, Cass." Offer a hand to get her up

>>22154612
Did... Did we just achieve bullet time?

Anyways:
"Well, you can spar without having to kill or hurt someone. Sorry Cass."

>>22154612

well, that was strange. Did we have any control over that?

"are you alright Cass?" helping hand(s) go!

>>22154612
"I'm sorry! I just, well, it started and I focused too much."

>>22154612
"Sorry Cass, don't know what came over me. Felt good though. Like fire."

"I'm sorry!" You say, and hold out a hand. "I just, well, started, and I focused too much."
"It's okay." She said, took your hand, and you pulled her to her feet. "I'll be fine. I heal quickly, remember? There won't even be a bruise."
"Is it time for food yet?" Tannis asked, and Kale chuckled.
"Yeah, let's all grab some food." Kale said.

You end up sitting down belowdecks with Ariana, Kale, Tannis, and Cass and Tori on either side of you, some driedbeans and salty eggs in front of you.
"How did you move like that?" Ariana asked. "That was cool."
"Don't know what came over me." You say. "Felt good, though. Like fire."

>>22154699
"There's been a lot of weird things going on around me lately. I had another one of my weird dreams last night, and woke up with a gun in my hand."
I really think we should tell them about the gun

>>22154699
I... Everything just slowed down. Ariana, i think whatever it is i am, lately i've been getting closer... Yesterday this weapon i dreamed of materialized in the real world. I woke up and it was just lying underneath my pillow.

>>22154761
Not in public.
Also at a point when we can't be seen remove ammo from the gun because herp derp durr

>>22154761
We probably should, yes.
>>22154779
We're belowdecks, that's about as private as it's going to get on she ship.

>>22154761

>feels like i'm hiding nothing at all.

i agree but we should do it away from the crew, this stuff shouldn't even exist (yet).

>>22154761
So do I, but not now.
"A lot of weird stuff has been going on lately for me. My dreams have started to effect reality."

>>22154789
They wouldn't even know what it is. To them it'd just be a strange chunk of metal.
But yeah, we should only mention it if there's no crew around.

"I... everything just slowed down." You say, and shake your head, before looking to make sure nobody else was there. "Ariana, I think... whatever it is I am, lately I've been getting closer."
"Closer? What do you mean?"
"... Yesterday, this weapon I dreamed of, materialized in the real world." You say, and pull the gun up, setting it on the table. "I woke up, and it was just... lying underneath my pillow."
Kale examined it more closely, while recognition dawned in Cass's eyes.
"That's the same type of weapon Gabriel used on us, wasn't it?" Cass asked. "That one had a wooden handle, though."
"... It could have been my Gift of Truth." Ariana said, quietly.

>>22154837
"It's the exact same type of weapon. It even came with ammunition."
Make sure the safety is on, just in case.

>>22154837

her gift can make stuff appear out of our dreams?

"looks different but is just as deadly." "how would the gift of truth be able to do that?"

>>22154837
"It was, Ariana. At least a part of it. I could've trained with my sword but instead I went exploring. I woke up after getting stabbed in the chest by a metal spider."

Rolled 65

>>22154837
if it was the gift of truth then how did gabriel get one?

all the more reason to put distance between us and were we last say him

>>22154837
"I don't know. I just know that my dreams are very weird. Sometimes i spar with the sword against a shadow version of myself, once i spoke to Gabriel, once i relived fighting that bear. Yesterday my dream was... weird. I saw Skylla again, and she warned me of a "Kraken", as well as a women i never saw before... And a metal spider that killed me. Seriously, i have no idea what is going on."

>>22154837
"Might be, Ariana, but it's not doing it by itself. I think it's interacting with my nature."

"It looks different, but it is just as deadly." You tell Cass, making sure the safety was on. "It even came with ammunition."
Then you turn to Ariana.
"If it was the Gift of Truth, then how did Gabriel get one?"
She went silent.
"It might be, Ariana, but it's not doing it by itself. I think it's interacting with my nature."
You sigh, and shake your head. "I don't know. Yesterday my dream was... weird. I saw Scylla again, and she warned me of a 'kraken', as well as a woman I've seen- I- I never saw before." You say, tripping over your words. "And a metal spider that killed me. Seriously, I have no idea what is going on."
"What did the spider look like?" Kale asked, unusually seriously, while Ariana got to her feet.
"Kraken? You need to tell the captain about that." Ariana said. "Astora told me that sometimes my Gift can tell the future. You should warn him."

>>22154951
"The metal spider was just that, a giant spider made out of metal, with eight pointy limbs. It could talk."

>>22154951
"It was large, made of brass. Eight legs, egg shaped body. It was reciting words in a strange language I didn't recognize. Seemed like it might've been broken, or malfunctioning."

>>22154951
"It was huge and brass.Stabbed me through the chest."

>>22154951
"Kraken? ...And here I was hoping I could just sit back and watch the clouds or something. The Spider might be related to the Rods."

>>22154951
the spider was large, brass and talking a weird language.

it attacked me after I told it my name.

>>22154951

describe spider and warn the captain, no need to be very subtle about it.

>>22154995
Add: "Are you thinking of those metal creatures you told us about? Hm. I think they might be involved, i remember Gabriel wielding a bronze staff the last time i saw him..."

>>22154951
"This seems like a good time to bring up in another dream of mine I saw Gabriel push open a door to some caves. He had one of those control rods for the... war machine things."

"The spider was large, made of brass, talking in a weird language. Eight legs, egg shaped body..." You say, and Kale relaxed. "Are you thinking of those metal creatures you told us about?"
"They're called the Forged, and what you described was not one of them." He said.
"Hm, I think they might be involved. I remember Gabriel wielding a bronze staff, the last time I saw him..."
Kale nodded, and then went very, very silent.
"We should tell the captain about that kraken." Ariana said, tugging on your sleeve. "Though, I'm worried about how to explain it. Should I tell him what I am?"

>>22155093
"We'll just tell him that we've got a reason to believe that there might be a kraken attack.
It's possible that it was in the past, not the future.

Rolled 11

>>22155093
I think it's best if we don't. I doubt that the crew will pull anything, but they might talk when we get into town.

I don't think a kraken is actually going to attack. I don't see any girls with glasses and white robes, do you?

"We'll tell him I had a dream about a mermaid I saved warning me about a kraken. If he's superstitious, he'll take it seriously."

>>22155093
"Well, they don't seem to mind that Cass' a changeling, so I don't see why they'd have trouble with you being you. But... hm. I don't know, let's see when we meet him?"

"I don't think a kraken is actually going to attack." You say. "I don't see any girls with glasses and white labco- and white robes, do you?" You ask, and Ariana gave you a Look.
"... We'll tell him I had a dream about a mermaid I saved warning me about a kraken. If he's superstitious, he'll take it seriously."
"Okay." She said, and the two of you made your way abovedeck, where the captain was sitting by himself, eyes closed, as he mumbled to himself. When you approached, he opened his eyes.
"Ah, hello." The captain said. "Don't worry about bothering me. What is it?"
"... Abel had a dream." Ariana said. "and I'm making him tell you."
"Oh? Some say dreams are messages from the gods. Go ahead."

>>22155241
"Some days ago, we rescued a mermaid. Got her scales back to her after a fisherman took it to blackmail her with.
Last night, I had a dream where that same mermaid came to warn me of a kraken."

>>22155241
"A while back, I saved a mermaid, and I had a dream last night where she warned me that "the kraken is coming".

>>22155241
"It was one of those short but action filled dreams. I was stuck on some sort of iron ship, it was underwater, but there was still air. I saw a mermaid through a window, and it urged me to flee. Then suddenly, a Kraken started tearing everything to bits, and the dream ended."

>>22155267

i like this one, it has my vote.

>>22155267
this

"Some days ago, we rescued a mermaid. Got her scales back to her after a fisherman took it to blackmail her with."
"That's good to hear." The captain said, and nodded approvingly. "That's a kind thing you did."
"Last night, I had a dream where that same mermaid came to warn me of a kraken. Then, suddenly a kraken started tearing everything to bits."
"... Hm. That's not a good omen." He said, after a moment, and got to his feet. "Thank you for bringing this to me. I'll get the crew ready for an attack. Not much else we can do."

>>22155347
Have you seen a kraken before? Is there even something that can stop them?

>>22155347
"I doubt a Kraken will actually attack, but I think it is better to be prepared, in case one does."

"Wait, so Krakens are actually real? I don't suppose there's anything in your fairy tale book, Arianna?"

>>22155347

i do believe we should offer to help defend the ship in case of an attack.

"Have you seen a kraken before? Is there even something that can stop them?"
"There is. Javelins, and spears. You take dinghies out, call the kraken with a loud horn or clamour, and when it attacks, you spear at it until it bleeds out." He said. "I've fought only two before, but the ship was lost both times. Scholars say it's similar to hunting whales... but it's not. It's not. At the very least, Angvard gives away bounties for kraken horns, so if we succeed, we'll have enough gold for a new ship."

>>22155459
ha, that's not so bad then. it's just a dangerous way of refurbishing.

"Just tell me where you need me, I know how to swing a sword, and Cass can use a spear. The others won't be much help though."

>>22155459

>if it bleeds we can kill it.

lets hope it won't come to that, i am growing quite fond of these sailors for some reason.

>wishful thinking: i would like to see Ariana stuff a Kraken down it's own shadow.

>>22155516
I wonder if it would drown.

"Just tell me where you need me. I know how to swing a sword, and Cass can use a spear. The others won't be much help, though."
"Astora would be really offended if you told her that." Ariana said.
"Well, right now we don't need anything. I'll have the crew load the lifeboats up with our spears and javelins. When we sound the alarm, we just need you in one of them." The captain said. "Anyone that can't help should be fine on the ship itself, since we'll be coaxing the kraken away from it."

>>22155574
I can't think of any response to that, that was an outright mistake on my part. Sorry.

>>22155574
"Alright, easy enough. Thanks, Captain."

"Alright, easy enough." You say. "Thanks, Captain."
He nodded, grinned, and then stopped, and turned back.
"... There didn't happen to be a paper swallow in your dream, was there?"
When you shake your head, he shrugged.
"Woman in white?"
Silently, you nodded, and he chuckled.
"Good to hear. Thank you again, Abel."
As he left, he started bellowing to the crew, and they quickly got to work.
"... He's a strange person." Ariana said.

>>22155700
A paper swallow? That would be a strange creature. How would it fly?

>>22155700
"Indeed. But i think he knows what he is doing and thats what is most important right now.."

>>22155700

paper swallow?

what does he know about the woman in white?

do the dreams depend on the persons location?

>captains sailed these waters for a long time now
>he has probably seen the woman quite a number of times in his dreams.

maybe we can help the crew prepare for the Kraken.

>>22155805
The woman in white seems like a good omen. Although the fact that she tried to kill us is a problem. But he doesn't need to know that.

"Indeed. But I think he knows what he's doing, and that's what's most important right now."
"He's kind, too." Ariana said. "I was there when Cass... fell over.
"A paper swallow? That would be a strange creature. How would it fly?"
"No, it's a thing you fold from paper. You throw it, and it flies." Ariana said. "Come on, I'll show you how to make one."

Some time later, after Grubwort came and grabbed your and Kale's help to lower the sails, the sun slowly set, as black clouds started to arrive in the distance, as the wind strengthened.
"Now, we'll get rocked around a bit, but don't worry. This won't be a very bad storm." Grubwort said, as he taught you to tie knots so you could help lash everything down. "The captain's always had good luck with the weather. Bad luck with people and monsters, though. The same kraken has broken his ship three times, now."
"And you still follow him, despite his luck?" Kale asked.
"You don't meet a man like Brenner often." Grubwort responded. "He's a good man."

I gotta point out that we're also good with a bow and that's probably more helpful. Astora is also a good fighter and Ariana can use her shadow ability.

>Example, what are the limitations on tenacity points? Could we pick up a bear and throw it?

>>22155834

"i am inclined to believe you." "how do you know it has been the same Kraken? and why does it keep coming after his ships?"

>>22155834
"The same kraken three times? I would have moved to farer waters after the first."

"Does Rowan wood work especially well on krakens?"

Are we skilled in papercraft yet? Or still unskilled?

>>22155834
"That's sounds more insidious than just bad luck. Maybe he was cursed or the Kraken was told to go after him."

>>22155834
This sounds a lot like a reverse Captain Ahab.

"The same kraken three times?" You ask. "I would have moved to fairer waters after the first."
"Phell is the goddess of freedom." Grubwort said. "You saw the bird tattoo on his shoulder, right? And the centauress carved into the prow? Those are her symbols. She teaches her followers to overcome adversity, to ignore those who try to stop him. The captain takes that a bit too seriously." He said.
"Does rowan wood work especially well on krakens?"
"Rowan wood works on undead." He said, with a sigh. "And only undead. Why would it work on krakens? You ask the strangest things, boy."

>>22155933
"Eh, I'm not really that knowledged in stuff besides hunting... So, you travelled with other elves and changelings before?

>>22155933
Well It might be a zombified Kraken, who am I to know?

The rules of magic elude me completely. For all I know if you throw salt at a fairy they owe you three wishes. It would make about as much sense as anything else.

>>22155976

>all of this turns out to be true

would be funny.

"Well, it might be a zombified kraken, who am I to know?" You ask. "The rules of magic elude me completely. For all I know, if you throw salt at a fairy they owe you three wishes. It would make about as much sense as anything else."
"Technically, it's honey, and only one boon." Kale said. "And it has to be done as a gift. They hate being bound like that, though, and they'll sabotage your boon. I don't recommend doing that."
"So, you travelled with other elves and changelings before?"
"And maenads, and shapeshifters, and once I think it was a warlock." He responded, and chuckled. "People hunted by the order leave the free cities as quickly as they can. Some go north, into the Triumvirate, some go west to Skiitari, and some come south. It's the way of things."

>>22156018
You mentioned a boon, Kale? Could I spend that to get you talk to the kraken and get it to stop hunting Brenner?

>>22155933
"Sorry, I meant silver. Does cold iron have an effect?"

> Can we seriously think our questions over before we ask them, we're coming off as an idiot.

>>22156018
"So what's it like in Atlask for non-humans?"

>>22156064
silver works on changelings, and cold iron of fae.

Now who's and idiot?

>>22156018
"Are Kraken magical in nature?"

>>22155976
>>22156009
>>22156018

i... thats, awesome.

>>22156083

Cass wanted to cut off her tail with cold iron so it wouldn't grow back (as fast?).

"So, what's it like in Atlask for non-humans?"
"Well, officially, they don't accept nonhumans as citizens, else the Order would attack." He said. "Unofficially, you can find a place to live in any of the cities, villages, hamlets, and such, and they'll be fine. They just can't vote. And then there are always priests and clerics- they'll protect you no matter which god they follow. Every now and then, an order knight tries to find retreating nonhumans, but when I was a child, I remember an entire village rallying together to talk the knight into not fighting. It's pretty safe here, if you don't mind the salt or the heat."

>>22156083
You. The Kraken might be a magical beast and cold iron might effect it. Silver has a history of purification as well.

Now, THINK before you type.

>>22156169
I'm pretty sure bullets will affect it. If it isn't too huge.

>>22156157
>Whoops, sorry, forgot part of the post.
>Also, dropped my name.

"Are Kraken magical in nature? Would Silver or Cold Iron have an effect?"
"Ah, I don't believe so." Grubwort said. "If it was as simple as that, we'd have slain the beast two ships ago. It may be magical, but there's no material that wards it off, save silence. Common parlance says that sound infuriates them, so the bustling of a crew and creaking of a ship does it moreso than any creature."

>>22156157
"Oh I'm sure we'll manage. Anything's better then a ghoul filled swamp."

"So tell me, Kale, what can an elf grant for a boon? I don't want to hold you bound to me against your will."

>>22156192
Don't bullets kill with pressure shock anyway? So it should work well on a big squelchy thing. Assuming a kraken is a cephalopod, that is.

>>22156220
"So we take to the boats, and make a racket, and the ship sits silent and unmolested?"

>>22156245

> "So tell me, Kale, what can an elf grant for a boon? I don't want to hold you bound to me against your will."

I think he told us that already when we got the boon.

>>22156280
Do yuo remember which thread that was?

>>22156220
"How effective is fire? Or a large amount of force?"

Trick the Kraken into eating a barrel of gunpowder POTC style.

>>22156292
13:

>"Here you go, Kale." You say, buying both a loaf of bread and an apple. He crammed half the loaf in his mouth, and the two of you continued walking."What exactly does a favour from a fey entail?"

"Well." He said. "The traditional boon is clothing woven of moonlight, or the words of an animal, or, perhaps, the gift of a glamour."
He shrugged, and continued to grin. "Sadly, I don't find beauty in smithing, or I would make you some arrows. But if you'd like something, simply ask."

>need to sleep

looking forward to reading the archive, best of luck to you gents!

>>22156303
We don't have enough ingredients to make a whole barrel of gunpowder, and cooling up same on board a ship is suicidally stupid.

"So we take to the boats, and make a racket, and the ship sits silent and unmolested?"
"That is the plan, yes." He said.
"How effective is fire? Or a large amount of force?"
"The creature lives in the ocean. I don't believe fire would do much. And I don't know about force. They're too large for much force to affect them."
You shrug, and he chuckled.
"Now, I've got to get to work. Take another break, you two, you've been working almost all day."

"So tell me, Kale, what can an elf grant for a boon? I don't want to hold you bound to me against your will."
"No, I willingly accepted it." Kale said, and chuckled. "There are many things I can do. Weave concepts or beauty into an object, bring forth truth from the wind running through the trees, spin hay into gold, create a glamour... But my greatest ability has to do with my compulsion. Anything that has to do with experiences, or history, or adventures. I'm not a smith, or a creature-whisperer. I'm a storyteller."

>>22156434
"Can you tell me the story of this?" Hand him the sword.

>>22156434
"What can you do with history then?"

"What can you do with history, then?"
"I can tell you what happened." He responded. "Mortal memories are short. Mine are not. And, rarely, if an object has enough history, I can see it with a touch."
"Can you tell me the story of this?" You ask, and draw your blade.
"... I can try." He said. "Are you certain you want me to, in trade for the boon?"

>>22156540
"Yes. This sword has given me enough headaches, i really want to know where it came from."

>>22156540
Greentext?

I'd say yes. I can't see there being much else we'd want from Kale, given his skillset.

>>22156540
"Tell me my history, Kale."

>>22156540
Yeah, if you're okay with it. You don't have to, you know, if you don't want to. I mean... Argh, it's just that you're my friend and this sort of feels like I'm using you or something...

"Yes." You say. "This sword has given me enough headaches, I really want to know where it came from. If you're okay with it. You don't have to, you know, if you don't want to. I mean..."
"It's fine." He said. "Now hand it to me."

You hand him the sword, and suddenly... things change. Reality is once again contained within a small sphere, in front of you, and his voice echoes.

"... I see it." He said, his hands hovering over it. "Foremost, in the heart of the earth, the core, the source of everything, the wellspring of power and personhood became this blade. The heart of all the world, of each four seas. First came the one great shard, crafting the land and the sea and placing the blade. Second came the first people, soon to become the free cities, and third came the fey. Fourth came... a dark angel, angry, and nameless, desperate for her Self back, bursting free from memory past this world. Fifth came... the One. The source of all things, hiding in the blade, using it as a window to see into this world. Sixth came... came the Others. The Outsiders. Two faces, one of a red planet, and other of a meddler, each from their own realms. Speaking into the One's two ears. Seventh... the blade was taken up, by a young man named Abel."

He let go, and took a deep breath.
"... There is no more history there. No mortal or fey hands forged it. Whatever forged the earth itself forged it, and placed it where it was so that it would be found."

>>22156710
"Holy CRAP. No wonder I've been having weird dreams. And the red planet, the meddler, those are the voices I hear. I'm sure of it. And Gabriel seems to be implying that he's the dark angel."

>>22156710
"Ares and the Rogue, the voices in the sword, are the Outsiders... The Dark Angel... Sounds like Gabriel, he is nameless after all. So, the question is who's the One? Any insight on that, Ares, Rogue? Or is that a forbidden topic?"

>>22156710
"How strange. I am the first to hold it?"

"Thankyou, Kale, you have given me a lot to think about."

Theory Time! Ares and The Rogue are the outsiders and Gabe is actually a girl.
Also, it seems that we are not 'The One'. Which is odd.

>>22156710
"That...actually answers some of my questions. Thank you, Kale."

>>22156804
That's wrong. We ARE the One. We are just not Able. Consider that our viewpoint changes whenever we hand around the sword.

>>22156804
>theories
>implying we aren't 100% sure of this already
not sure if Abel is though, he seems a bit slow on the uptake usually.

>>22156836
We're 42/1, Gabriel's 1/42

>>22156804
No, the Outsiders - Ares and the Rogue - speak to the One's two ears. If you'll recall what Ares and Rogue said, we weren't Abel until we took up the blade.

>>22156836
That's a very good point. Poor little Abel, bending to our whim.

Come on Abel, thank Kale with a kiss, nothing could possibly go wrong.

>>22156804
no we are the one I think but we have moved our self into the body of Abel... or whomever the sword is held by becomes the ones vessel

So we're the One to balance the for-I mean save reality

"... Holy crap." You say. "Ares and the Rogue, the voices in the sword, are the Outsiders... the Dark Angel... sounds like Gabriel. He is nameless after all." You say. "So the question is, who's the One? Any insight on that, Ares, Rogue? Or is that a forbidden topic?"
<You are.> Rogue said.
<You're the One, Abel.> Ares said. <At least... that's who you're acting as. This 'One' doesn't exist, not truly. It's a mantle that some in this world take on. Whoever wields the sword takes on that mantle.>
"Thank you, Kale." You say.
"It was no problem." He responded. "Payment for the bread. And... I won't tell anyone else about what I've seen. Not unless you want to tell them yourself."

>>22156862
Current working theory for me is that Abel is some kind of Avatar, a player character created by us (who are the "One") to wield the sword. That's why he has some of our knowledge. He is literally metagaming.

>>22156942
"So wait, am I 42/1 or am I mantling 42/1 and I'm actually just some hick who got lucky in the woods, but has since become important via my actions?"

>>22156942
Still voting that we kiss the guy thanks.

>>22156986
Seconding this.
It's not gay if it's an elf. Especially a shapeshifting elf.

>>22156986
nah.

>>22156986
Sure, why the fuck not

>>22156942
not being gay but he needs a hug or handshake or something to express our gratitude.
we should clean ourselves and find Cass, maybe a nice dinner with her alone before we all die by the kraken

"Again, thank you, Kale." you say, and kiss his cheek. The elf chuckled, and his light brown skin reddened.
"Again, it was no problem." Kale said, patting your cheek. "I'll leave you be so you can speak with those voices."
He nodded, and then scrabbled up to the crow's nest.
"So wait, am I 42/1 or am I mantling 42/1 and I'm actually just some hick who got lucky in the woods, but has since become important via my actions?"
<... This is one of those things we're forbidden to explain.> Ares said.
<Yes.> Rogue said. <You're both.>
<... Or we could give you a very unhelpful answer like Rogue did. It's the same as not answering at all.>

>>22156986
Nope.

>>22157015
Seconding the Nah.

It'd be weird.

>>22157035
It must have been a bit dull sitting there waiting for someone to find the sword.

>>22157035
Well, we apparently came into existence little before we stumbled upon the sord, we willed our mom (Ishelda) into existence...

>>22157003
>>22156986
No, now shut up and do something productive, assfags.

I say we go and try to make some gunpowder cakes, they might come in ha dying later.

Lets go on the hunt for ceramic bottles and start making some grenades, or just start making some gunpowder pouches.

>>22157035
Seconding, making gunpowder.

>it appears we have idiots with bad memories participating today.

>>22157094
>>22157124
Are you fucking stupid? Ships are highly flammable. Cooking gunpowder on a ship is tanamount to suicide. NO.

>>22157124
>>22157100
>>22157094
>productive
>making gunpowder on a boat
>stealing supplies from the ship

And you insult us.

You nod to Kale, and make your way below decks, seeking out a nice, empty space to make gunpowder. While walking down one of the corridors, you run almost entirely into Astora, who was sitting back in a chair, eyes half-lidded. When you almost walked into her, she jumped.
"Sorry. It's just... my familiar. Dodging arrows and stuff." She said.

>Also, I'll need a single 1d6 roll to see if Brenner just happens to be carrying ceramic bottles for some reason.

>>22157162
Garamon is being attacked?

Rolled 2

>>22157162
my roll

"Garamon is being attacked?"
"No, scouting." She said. "They're on their way. Don't see Crios anywhere, though."
Still half-lidded, she bobbed her head for a moment, and then hissed and twitched her shoulder. "Okay. okay, I'm heading home now. Arrow in the muscle. Eldin owes me something big for this. Maybe I'll have him introduce his cousin to Ari someday."

Rolled 6

>>22157273
oh? does Ari have an eye on him?

>>22157159
Are you fucking stupid? You don't 'cook' gunpowder, the constituent re-agents aren't reactive till they're mixed.

>>22157309
And we don't need to cook charcoal because we bought some. There's no source of heat or fire in this process.

>>22157161
>>22157159
>Ships from the renaissance all the way up to the modern era have had massive stores of gunpowder and cannonballs on board.

Totally a bad idea guis.

Rolled 5

>>22157162
rollz
>>22157273
"Oh, I didn't know Ari liked someone"

>>22157335
Yeah, they didn't MAKE the gunpowder on board.

>>22157362
You have no idea how gunpowder is made, do you?

>>22157362
>You're just mixing the ingredients together- they're all already cooked and ground and such, and you'll be using a mortar and pestle- stuff that doesn't spark when you scrape it, because the people who made it weren't stupid. It's safe, and I'm not even requiring a roll for it.

"Oh? Does Ari have an eye on him?"
"She doesn't." Astora said. "But I've met him. She would like him, I think. I wish I'd met him earlier, so I could've arranged their coming of ages at the same time."

>>22157362
Making gunpowder is literally just mixing the ingredients.
There's no fire involved whatsoever.

Rolled 34

>>22157406
you mean like yours and Eldins?

no it's quite all right that they are out on the of age business separately.

>>22157406
"Good for her. I hope she grows up well."

"Do you want to see how you make that explosive stuff?"

>>22157406
It's amusing to see you playing the matchmaker.

I'm going to mix up some more gunpowder, but without your power, we'll need another way to light them.

>>22157438
That's really patronizing.
So let's not say that.

>>22157406
Now, while I trust you, I also expect you to have them meet casually and not force them together if she doesn't like him.

>>22157438
Nope

>>22157509
This, also if she starts complaining inform her that we only wish to look after her because she reminds us of our sister and apologise, we only want what's best for her.

>>22157509
She wouldn't do that, and even if she did, Ariana's her sister, not ours.

Rolled 47

>>22157406
isn't your family the one with status?

wouldn't that be doing him a further favor?

>>22157473
you have a point...

>>22157536
This

>>22157509
this is a pretty dickish thing to say

"Good for her." you say. "I hope she grows up well."
"So do I."
"... Do you want to see how you make that explosive stuff?" You ask.
"I've nothing better to do while I wait for Eldin to heal my shoulder." She said, and smiled. "Might as well."

The two of you make your way into a brightly lit room, and you take out the three satchels.

"The saltpeter is most important." You were saying, taking the saltpeter and start mixing it in, crunching the crystals into a finer powder. "It serves as an oxidizing agent, while the charcoal serves as fuel for the reaction. The sulfur increases the rate of combustion, as well as take less heat to ignite."
"... I hardly understand most of what you're saying." She said, as you started mixing the rest of the ingredients. "But it was the, uh, nitrate you made from the bat poop, right? And the charcoal from the wood... Okay, I think I get it."
"Fifteen parts saltpeter, three parts charcoal, two parts sulfur is the most efficient." You said, as you finished up with an entire satchel of the stuff.

>Sturdy Alchemy Set- Large Satchel: Saltpeter (Half), Large Satchel: Sulfur (Mostly Full), Large Satchel: Charcoal (Mostly Full), Large Satchel: Black Powder (Full)

"... I think I get it." She said, and the ship suddenly shook.

Rolled 2

>>22157699

get a lantern and a length of hempen rope sword and the satchel.

>>22157699
Uh oh, I'd better go see if that that's not a kraken attacking.

>>22157699
Quickly pack away our alchemy stuff then head above deck to see if it's either from the storm or we're under attack.

>>22157699
"Is that the Kraken? I hope it's not the Kraken. I think that's the Kraken."

You quickly pack the alchemy stuff away, and then grab your lantern, rope, and your sword, making sure they were all there.
"Is that the Kraken? I hope it's not the Kraken. I think that's the Kraken."
You hear the loud crack of thunder above, and Astora laughed.
"The look on your face! You're worried." She said, and laughed. "It's sweet. It's just the storm. The crew's been talking about it all day, and told us not to worry."

Just to make sure, you made your way abovedeck, with Astora in tow, and made your way outside- just to become instantly dripping wet, as what looked like the entire ocean was falling down on you. There was another loud crack of thunder, and a long spear of lightning shot through the sky.
"See, it's fine!" Astora said, grinning. "You helped them pull down the sails, didn't you?"

>>22157801
"Yea, yea. I'm just making sure. I wouldn't want to die just yet, you know?"

>>22157801
"To be honest, I kind of wanted to toss my satchel into it's mouth and watch it explode. I thought it might finally be the ticket to getting a song written about me."

>>22157801
"I almost wanted to see a kraken. I suppose this is for the best."

Let's find somewhere to hide and play with tannis. See if she goes after string.

Rolled 93

>>22157814
find the captain or the Quartermaster or somebody who isn't busy and see if we can borrow the smallest cask they have and a spool of twine...

might as well make some powerful

"I almost wanted to see a kraken. I suppose this is for the best. To be honest, I kind of wanted to toss my satchel into it's mouth and watch it explode." You say. "I thought it might finally be the ticket to getting a song written about me." You say over the roaring storm.
She giggled, her hair sticking to her face as she stared up into the sky.
"Just ask Kale to write a song for you." Tori said, still grinning, as she spun in a circle- you hadn't seen her this... happy, before. "I would, but I can't sing very well."

>>22157872
"I heard you the other night -when I burst in, it's really quite good."

>>22157872
"Well I've hardly done anything worth a song yet."

"But you, one could write a song of you. About fire and passion, about family and friends. About a dragon eating a werewolf."

>>22157872
"Well then, I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree about that."

Rolled 18

>>22157872
Tori, did Eldin give your familiar any medication for the pain?...just curious.

Dancing in the rain time? Dancing in the rain time

"Well then, I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree about that."
"What? You've never heard me sing!" She asked.
"I heard you the other night. When I burst in. It's really quite good." You say.
"... I'd forgotten about that!" She said, and grinned.
"And I've hardly done anything worth a song yet." You say. "But you, one could write a song of you. About fire and passion, about family and friends... about a dragon eating a werewolf."
She giggled, and then started to unwrap the bandage around her demonic, stone hand, holding it out to the rain. "Well, that would work, too. But I'm not that interesting. Though... I probably should've waited until after the werewolf ate Cass."

>>22157980
Ooh, harsh.

You really like the rain, don't you?

>>22157980
"On the contrary, we might not be friends if I'd had to watch her beaten to death."

"On the contrary, we might not be friends if I'd had to watch her beaten to death."
She stopped grinning, and gave you an even look. "I was kidding. I don't really hate Cass enough to let her die, it's just... a casual dislike. Ariana likes her."

"You really like the rain, don't you?"
"I *love* the rain!" She said, and started grinning, staring up at the sky. "It's... the feel, and the smell, and... everything. It makes your hair stand on edge. It's... soothing and exciting at the same time. Going somewhere warm to dry off is almost better, some of the time, if you have enough warm blankets to curl up in."

>>22158061
well we're going somewhere warm, but we might not get there before you have to dry off.

Attempt not to shiver and be miserable.

>>22158061
"Blankets are obviously inferior to a nice warm fireplace. Then again, blankets and a warm fire place... now we're talking."

>>22158098
"Only a nice brandy would make that better."

"Blankets are obviously inferior to a nice warm fireplace." You say, sopping wet and rather miserable. "Then again, blankets and a warm fireplace... now we're talking."
In response, she pushed her normal hand up against you- it was warm to the touch, despite the rain and the cold.
"I *am* a warm fireplace." She said, and took it away. You shivered, and she grinned. "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you out here so long."
She hooked her arm around your elbow, her touch warming, and led you back below decks, where the ship shuddered again, the sound of the rain everpresent, no matter how far down you went.
"There, does that help you be less cold?" She asked, still beaming at you.

>>22158164
"Very much so."

"That is, by a long margin, the best of your gifts so far."

>>22158164
I would imagine you get more snow then rain, where you are from.

"Very much so." You say. "That is, by a long margin, the best of your gifts so far."
"It's one of the many sides of my Gift of Flame." She said, still sopping wet. "It doesn't make *me* feel any warmer, but Ariana used to make me hug her after getting inside from playing in the snow."
"I would imagine you get more snow than rain, where you are from."
"Your imagination is right." She said as you walked, and shivered. "Now, I might be helping you, but I need to go get dry or a blanket or something."

>>22158240
Find a towel for the nice warm lady.

And Tannis. A nice warm cat would help.

Rolled 78

>>22158240
or indeed both.

in the mean time we should get some sleep.

I wonder what cass is up to...

Out of your everpresent bag, you pull out a mostly-dry towel, setting it on her head, as the two of you approached the three rooms alloted to your party.
"I'll go change into something dry." She said. "Then I'll be back."
She quickly let go, and rushed into the nearby quarters, coming out with little but white cotton clothing.
"Strange. Ariana isn't there. You probably want to get dry, so I'll stay out here while you change."

>>22158316
second this, we haven't seen her all day. when we find her welcome her with a huge hug and continue to tell her about our new found information with ourselves.

>>22158388
"No peeking."

>>22158316
We do need to find Cass.

>>22158388
Bet she's in the room, since if I remember correctly we're sharing one. Lets check.

>>22158388
Do we even have spare clothes? Check room for cats, witches elves or lizards.

"Very strange. Maybe she's exploring."

>>22158429
seconded

"No peeking." You say.
"No promises." She responded, still grinning at you- apparently the rain had done wonders for her mood. Sighing, you enter the quarter, and check for cats, witches, or elves, but the room was entirely empty. Being very careful to stay out of view of the door, you quickly change into some new clothing, despairing that you'd forgotten to wear your traveling cloak when you went outside. Your spare set of clothes were warm, and you quickly change into them.
When you come back out, Astora was peeking into one of the *other* rooms, with a frown.
"... Apparently Astora went sleeping in Cass's room." She said.

Rolled 7, 6, 4 = 17

>>22158513
"What? You are Astora?"

>>22158513
>>22158536
>ariana, damnit.

Rolled 48

>>22158513
um what?

>>22158513
With Cass? We shouldn't wake them.

Looks like it's you and me in a room, since I don't want to wake up in the early hours with a face full of claws, and I'm sure you don't either.

We're going to get in trouble tomorrow

Rolled 19

>>22158541
wasn't cass in our room?

that might be kale in disguise...or she's sleeping with tannis which is possible...

>>22158513
"Is Cass in there as well?"

"Looks like it'll be you and myself sharing a room"

>>22158513
but I thought we were sharing a room with Cass? exa you just want to type up that sex scene with Tori don't you?

Rolled 66

>>22158607
suppose he had it pre-written and has been hoping he could steer us into it...

he should have learned that in nearfuture quest...getting us to do as he wants is like herding maenads

File: 1356136459321.gif-(1.08 MB, 512x288, 127646713889.gif)

>>22158607
>implying he doesn't have that written in a .txt file ready to be pasted

Rolled 56

>>22158643
>>22158648
preparation-mind?

>>22158566
No.

"Is Cass in there as well?" You ask, and Astora nodded. "Looks like it'll be you and myself sharing a room."
"I don't mind if you don't." She said, and shivered, making her way into the room, curling up in the blankets of one of the beds.
You make your way to the other bed, and curl up.
Sometime before you fall asleep proper, you feel a shivering, warm arm curl around you, the claws on the end of the hand slightly glancing across your chest.

Sometime later, you wake up with a bang, as the entire ship starts quaking. and an unnatural grinding noise came from below.
"Kraaakeeeeen!" You hear Kale cry, his voice amplified by glamour. In response, you hear a loud angry screech reverberate from your chest, crying anger toward Kale for the noise.

>End of thread!

>>22158729
exa! you Nigger faggot! I wanted to fight before I went to bed smh lol

>>22158729
>Not 'from your chest', that's stupid. 'from below', even.

>>22158729
Thanks for the thread. The mystery seems to be unveiling itself. I hope you can keep us in the dark for another 15 threads though!

>>22158793
Ah, that makes sense. I was wondering why we were screeching at Kale.

>>22158729
So cute...

>>22158729
Thanks for running, Exa!

>>22158793
And here I thought you meant it resounded IN our chest.