>>23066258
"I'm not even surprised anymore, not after Atlask."

>>23066258
"She was. I miss her.

Would it have killed Dad to mention that I had family literally scattered around the world in high positions?"

>>23066258
"How long ago was it that he came to Skiitara?"

"And neither one of them told us much of anything about their past.

From what I've discovered so far, dad was an adventurer like myself, had a strange spear not unlike my sword, hung out with an elf named Leez, and sewed at least one other wild oat.
And mom apparently had some favor with the mermaids.

I don't suppose there's any chance you could tell us more?"

>>23066298
*sow

"She was." You say, quietly. "I miss her."
The three of you looked down to your tea for a moment, before you looked back up. "Would it have killed Dad to mention that I had family literally scattered around the world in high positions?"
"There was only the two of us." The captain said. "Are you saying..."
"The Atlaskan Governor of Vann'ikal." Lyra said. "Apparently dad dallied with her mother before either of us were born."
"I'll have to send her a letter, then." The captain said.
"Neither of them told us much of anything about their pasts." You say. "From what I've discovered so far, dad was an adventurer like myself, and mom apparently had some favor with the mermaids."
She laughed, and nodded.
"That sounds exactly like Zeke, not to tell his own children about his adventures." She said.
"I don't suppose there's any chance you could tell us more? How long ago was it that he came to Skiitara?"
"Eighteen years." She said. "It's been twenty years since he last stepped foot into this palace."

>>23066376
>"It's been twenty years since he last stepped foot into this palace."
>Whoops, correction. Eighteen years.

>>23066376
"Oh yes, and on the matter of family, according to one of the Crones of Sanctuary, our line are descendants of Saint Kristoph."

>>23066417
I'd keep that under our hat for now. If we don't, though, probably add "Though how they know that is beyond me."

>>23066376
"Sounds like he moved around quite fast. Who knows, maybe we've all go relatives in every nation?"

>>23066417
He's not a saint. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was said that the Order dislikes religion.

>>23066440
Why? She's family too.

>>23066450
You make a cogent point, my friend.

"Sounds like he moved around quite fast." You say. "Who knows, maybe we've all got relatives in every nation?"
"I doubt it." She said. "He was always Amelia's, after we met her on that island with that unicorn. He was instantly stunned. You look just like she did, Lyra."
You look over at Lyra, mentally comparing the tall, muscular blonde, with your mother, a thin, small, absentminded woman who could hardly bring up the strength to walk, when you were young. There was something strange about the idea.
"On the matter of family, according to one of the crones of sanctuary, our line are descendants of Kristoph of the order." You say.
"... Hm, interesting." She said. "I wonder if it's on our side, or your mother's."
She took a deep drink of her tea. "We never knew our parents." she said. "So we took Byrne from the family that raised us. Until that fire, of course. I wonder how these... crones get their information."

>>23066543
"Island with the unicorn? That wouldn't happen to be the one south of Amberway, would it?"

>>23066543
"I'm not sure, my guess is magic.

You said island with a unicorn, I think I visited that island, the unicorn liked me. South of Amberway, that the one?

Father never really talked about his past, what do you mean by fire and the family that raised you two?"

>>23066543
"Well the obvious answer there is 'magic'.

An island with a unicorn you say? Was its name Grump by any chance?"

>>23066543
"So, when dad was in Atlask, he killed a dragon. What did he get up to here?"

>>23066658
He killed a wizard and maimed a dragon.

>>23066658
Half blinded a dragon. We fully blinded it than Cass killed it.

"I'm not sure, my guess is magic."
"They seem awfully well informed, even for magic." She said, and sighed. "If only I had magic, then my job would be a hell of a lot easier."
"You said island with a unicorn. I think I visited that island, the unicorn liked me. South of Amberway. that one?"
She nodded. "Yes, that one." She said. "You actually met the unicorn? Huh, guess that old grump is still kicking."
"Father never really talked about his past." You say. "What do you mean by fire, and the family that raised you two?"
"When we were kids- as long as I can remember- we were alone, on the streets of Malston." She said. "Everyone assumed we were the children of serfs, and didn't raise much of a hand to help us, until the Byrne family picked us up. They were kind, and though they couldn't have children of their own, they chose to raise us instead."
She closed her eyes. "Then there was a fire, when I was about sixteen, and when your father was... twelve, I think it was?" She shook her head. "We were out on the street again, but now we knew enough to survive on our own. I joined the army, and made sure Zeke had enough food to eat, until he was about sixteen. He left, and started adventuring, before coming back four years later and dragging me off to Atlask, with this... whorish elf, and a Forged. Together we had an adventure. Your father blinded a dragon, while I distracted it, and then together we killed some sort of... I think it was a wizard, or magus, or something."

>>23066716
"Leez is still in that area. She was where I got most of my information about dad actually. And my tattoos.
The troll changeling with us finished off the dragon - which I'm now wearing - and I took down the undead wizard and burned the body."

>>23066716
"Yeah, that. We finished off the dragon and killed the wizard a second time, though."

>>23066716
"wizard he came back I put him down Cass out there finished off the dragon , self spicing meat, it was great"

meet the elf too and her husband, good people

>>23066716
"I've met the elf you're talking about, her name's Leez, she's a nice girl gave me a tattoo. I can show you if you'd like. (Show her the sword tattoo, not the Fae tattoo)

The Wizard you killed, you know it's a Wizard because they steal people's gifts, came back to life so I killed him again. I blinded the Dragon's other eye and Cass here killed it. Really tasty."

>>23066785
Cass isn't here.

>>23066716
It's almost like we're repeating your adventure, too many similarities.

>>23066716
"What happened after Atlask? Did you both go your separate ways?"

"I've met the elf you're talking about." You say. "When we were down there, we finished off the dragon, and took down the undead wizard." You say.
"And so that's what you're wearing." She said, looking to your scale armor. "How'd that bastard taste?"
"Self spicing." You say. "What happened after Atlask? Did you both go your seperate ways?"
"Well, after I talked Zeke into leaving that elf behind... I really didn't like her... Zeke insisted we'd sail our own boat across the sea, instead of paying for passage. We did good, for the most part- until we crashed at the island. There was that unicorn, and Amelia. She was... strange, really. The most tenacious person you'll ever meet, but... she didn't remember any of her past. The three of us and Lellvoc spent some time there, as I repaired the ship. Your parents didn't help even a little bit." She said, frowning. "I'm still upset about that. Then we sailed to Amberway, and after Lellvoc broke down, we went our separate ways."

File: 1360438386967.png-(1.22 MB, 1162x850, Deus Vult.png)

1.22 MB PNG

Oh god, my sides. I don't even know why I'm laughing so hard.

>>23066874
"...I'm starting to think maybe she WAS a mermaid. Found on a desert island, always praying to the spirit of water, and we got a ride off that island from the first kraken thanks to some boon that was owed to her. They refused to elaborate on that."

>>23066874
"That's certainly quite the tale."

"We were hoping to meet Andalus, or make our way to Vigil, what would you say is the quickest way there?"

"I'm starting to think maybe she *was* a mermaid." You say. "Found on a desert island, always praying to the spirit of water, and we got a ride off that island from the first kraken thanks to some boon that was owed to her. They refused to elaborate on that."
"I don't know what boon you might be talking about, but if she were a mermaid, Lyra would be." She said.
"... I don't have a skin or anything." Lyra said, and shrugged.
"That's certainly quite the tale." You say. "We were hoping to meet Andalus, or make our way to Vigil. What would you say is the quickest way there?"
"You should be warned." She said, seriously. "Andalus is... rather eccentric. And Vigil doesn't quite let anybody in, lately. But last I heard, he headed up there to look up information about cold iron. Something about it connecting to other metal. The quickest way there is to take a horses north, to the lake, and leave it there while you go further north on foot. It has a road, so you shouldn't get lost."

>>23067015
"We have his the Princess's implicit permission and a Grand Knight with us, I think we'll be allowed in."

>>23067015
So, Magnets then?

>>23067067
"He also said something about recommending us for the Gauntlet."

>>23067111
Wait, does Abel know about magnets, or are they a mystery even with magic?

>>23067146
'lodestone' probably.

>>23067146
>He doesn't, even with magic.

"We have the princess' implicit permission, and a Grand Knight with us, I think we'll be allowed in."
"I'll write you passage, just in case." She said, and pulled out some paper, writing. "And can you tell me about that Grand Knight? I've never met him before, but that sword... It's enchanted like a seal. Nobody else can wield it. We haven't done that to swords for hundreds of years."

>>23067199
"Well... He /is/ hundreds of years old. Spent some time as someone else entirely, in fact."

>>23067199
"He is an elf, after all. If you want to talk to him, his name is Kelaris."

>>23067199
"He's an elf. Last time he was here, the empire stretched halfway across the known world."

>>23067199
"Well that's because he became a Knight hundreds of years ago, then he became someone else, and then stopped being someone else last week. His name is Kelaris. He's an elf, Kale, who he is but isn't right now, is pretty much married to Leez."

>>23067199
"He's an elf who's hundreds of years old. Originally born here in Skiitara as I understand it.
Apparently he even still held up what I assume is an outdated tradition of proposing to the princess when we met her. She went bright pink."

"He is an elf, after all. He's hundreds of years old." you say. "Apparently he even still held up what I assume is an outdated tradition of proposing to the princess when we met her. She went bright pink."
The captain laughed, boisterously, her head rolling back.
"Poor Anala. She probably had no idea how to handle it. She likes to pretend she doesn't feel anything."
"If you want to talk to him, his name is Kelaris." You say.
".... Wait. Kelaris?" She asked. "One second."

She dove under her table for a moment, and came up with a thick, heavy book, written in skiitaran.
"The lifetime and death of Emperor Peridal." She said. "He's been the only emperor who carried elven blood. His grandfather was the greatest Grand Knight ever known, and a full elf. He created the Gauntlet, and Skiitara has used it since. Forged the first blades, taught us our combat doctrine... A true terror to behold. Kelaris."

>>23067354
"Yeah, that's the one. He didn't mention some of that, but I'm not really surprised. Do you want to meet him?"

>>23067354
"So, you're saying that he's actually a lot more important than he's been letting on?"

>>23067354
"...Kelaris said his wife and daughter were killed by the forged. But that would explain why the princess has eyes just like his."

>>23067354
"I knew that motherfucker was related to an emperor! Is the current imperial line tied to that emperor?"

>>23067354
"Well, he got a new Name since that time, which is a big deal for elves, and effectively became a different person. As far as I know he's mostly been wandering, and skeezing it up with Leez."

>>23067389
She just said he was the only emperor who carried elven blood, I think they would have mentioned if the rest of them had it.

>>23067354
"Huh."

>why can't i hold all these relatives?
>i'm so far past being surprised, i'm just sort of nodding and smiling.

Kelaris thought all his childeren died.

"Kelaris said his wife and daughter were killed by the forged." You say.
"... During the Forged War, Neras fell, and Kelaris vanished." She said. "It was a few months later that his family arrived in Skiitaris, as refugees. He never came back, and it was said he was hunting down the creator of the Forged. His daughter eventually had the child that would become Emperor Peridal."
"I knew he was related to an emperor!" You say. "Is the current imperial line tied to that emperor?"
"It is." she said. "Every daughter of the emperor eventually marries the new emperor. That is how the Skiitaran imperial line works."
"... Huh." You say. "Well, he thought all his children had died, got a new Name since that time, which is a big deal for elves, and effectively became a different person. As far as I know he's mostly been wandering, and skeezing it up with Leez."
"With Leez?" She asked. "You mean Kelaris and that... woman are..."
"Married. Or lovers. It seems to swap between the two." Lyra said.

>>23067501
I should say that Kelaris isn't exactly Kale, it's complicated. Elves, you know?

>>23067501
"I think it depends on which one you ask. Kelaris' new name is Kale, and Kale is a lot different. More...whimsical I suppose."

>>23067501
Let's bring up the Gauntlet, before we forget, shall we?

>>23067501
"She's a little...forward, but nice enough."

"Are you sure his family lived? I think he'd be pleased to hear that, if you want to tell him."

>>23067501
"Close, but not quite. Kale and Leez are shacked up, Kelaris isn't involved with Leez. They aren't exactly the same person."

>>23067501
"He WAS Kale for a good portion of time before he became Kelaris again. Names are a significant thing for elves.

We need to tell him he has descendants."

>>23067501

that incident with the forged had a devastating effect on him and him meeting Gareth pushed him into despair.

after that he took a new name and effectively became a whole new person.

you'd have to see it to believe it, but its all true.

"I think it depends on which one you ask." You say. "Close, but not quite. Kale and Leez are shacked up, Kelaris isn't involved with Leez. They aren't exactly the same person."
"Kale and Kelaris are... different sides to the same coin." Lyra said. "The same elf, but different people. I think it has to do with the different names."
"We need to tell him he has descendants." You say.
"We do."
"He didn't know?" The captain asked.
"That incident with the Forged had a devastating effect on him, and him meeting Gareth pushed him into despair. After that, he took a new name and effectively became a whole new person. You'd have to see it to believe it, but it's all true."
"No, no, I believe it." She said. "I can't believe Kelaris would just vanish for no reason, according to the stories. And Gareth... Garethiel, this crescent." She said, looking at it. "That means that... Kelaris came back because she did, doesn't it?"

>>23067647
"I believe so. Would you like to find him now?"

>>23067647
"At least in part, yes."

>>23067647
"Could you tell us a little about the Gauntlet? I think Lyra was interested in taking part."

>>23067647

Garethiel drove Kelaris into such grief that he saw no other way than to change his name, change who he was as a person. and now, Gareth is back... because i let her out.

>>23067759

i should have wrote "she tricked us into letting her out"

"At least in part, yes." You say. "Would you like me to find him now?"
"No, I can speak to him later." She said. "No matter how much I want to meet him, work is more important. I need to get the report about Garethiel, to see if she's in our records, and prepare for the Forged."
"Garethiel drove Kelaris into such grief that he saw no other way than to change his name, change who he was as a person." You say, quietly. "And now, Gareth is back... because she tricked us into letting her out."
She was quiet for a moment, and then nodded.
"Then we'll just have to kill her." She said. "We just need enough cold iron for the commanders..." She said, and started thinking.
"Could you tell us a little about the Gauntlet? I think Lyra was interested in taking part."
"... Interesting." She said, and eyed Lyra. "The Gauntlet isn't far from the dungeons, but you need to speak to a Grand Knight about it. If he... wait, nevermind, Kelaris is probably the one who told you about it. It's very dangerous, and you can bring little else than a lantern, some rope, a weapon of your choice, and clothing. You have to make it through a dungeon filled with traps and monsters, and when you get out, duel a Grand Knight. If you win or lose, it doesn't matter- only the Grand Knight's opinion matters."

>>23067821
"I think I'd like to take it as well, if only for the honor of being a Grand Knight."

>>23067821
"Any weapon? No restrictions?"

>>23067821
"And what do you get for succeding?"

Stil not sure why we should risk our life.

>>23067821
"It does seem like a nice way to pass an afternoon. Is it different from what it was like back in Kelaris's day?"

>>23067849
Free usage of their armory, political prestige, nobody in Skiitara getting on our case for carrying weapons around, a title fancy enough to beat someone to death with.

"Any weapon? No restrictions?"
"Only one weapon, but yes." She said. "You could take a bow and some arrows, or a sling and stones, or a blade, or hammer."
"And what do you get for succeeding?"
"Prestige, honor, a title, for someone born outside of skiitara, citizenship, and the right to enter the armory. It's as old as Skiitara itself, and sealed by magic. It's said that the Divine protects it from thieves, and you can choose a weapon from it- weapons of great power, of legends, or weapons so eccentric and alien that it's obvious it was never made by human hands."
She said.

>>23067907
"Would some of these eccentric and alien weapons function by using an explosion within a metal tube to propel a chunk of lead at extremely high speeds?"

>>23067907
let me guess that's wear dad spear is too?

>>23067907
"I'm willing to bet there's a spear in there somewhere. A very particular looking one."

>>23067933
Oh, of course.

And we'll have to use the sword, or we won't get to play Abel, even though I'd rather use the bow.

"Let me guess, that's where dad's spear is, too?"
"No, that's what he won from the armory when he went through the Gauntlet." She said. "I don't know where his spear is now, I'm afraid, but I doubt it's back in the armory."
"... Is Kristoph's sword in there?" Lyra asked.
Brina had a slow smile on her face, and then she nodded. "It's a great, flat blade, almost more a slab than a blade- but it gleams as white as the moon. I saw it, when I was in there."

>>23067907

on the chance that the spear is inside that armory, i think its worth it to brave the danger.

i don't think Lyra would be permitted to grab weapons from it and then hand them out to us when she makes it through.

>>23067984
We have our sword and dragonbow, can we give the weapon we find to one of our friends?

>>23067984
"Out of interest, do any of them look slightly like this?"

Show the rifle.

Heh. Maybe we'll find an assault rifle in the armory.

>>23067984
"Let me guess Lyra, you want a fancy new sword.

Honestly I can't think of any weapons that'd be an upgrade, I'm not going to use a different sword, and my bow is made out of a dragon.

Though if they have guns that might be a different story. Auntie dear, do any of the weapons look like this rifle? Do they explode and use the explosion to make a hunk of metal go faster than the speed of sound?"

>>23067984
"Well then, I would like to formally request to run the Gauntlet."

>>23067984

>>23068000
>scratch that then

"can you claim more than one weapon from the armory?"

>>23068034
"Why isn't that peacebonded?"
"It's alchemy gear."
"What does it do?"
"Applies aqua ignis from a safe distance."
"..."

Maybe that's not the best of ideas, I'm not sure.

>>23067984
"Are we allowed to work together?"

>>23068073
aqua sanctis.

>>23068073
Then we explain we're being followed by someone who can appear wherever they want and we didn't want to take any chances.

"Out of interest, do any of them look slightly like this?" You ask, holding up your heavy, two-barreled carbine. She appraised it with an eye, and then shook her head.
"They don't, no." She said.
"Can you claim more than one weapon from the armory?" You ask. "And are we allowed to work together?"
"No, you cannot, and no, you aren't. However, you can give the weapon away, or back to the Armory."

>>23068128
If we give it back can we change it for another?

>>23068128
"Well, it sounds like a bit of fun for the afternoon. What do we need to do to start it?"

>>23068128

i'm sure if we really need to enter the gauntlet, i'm interested to see what kind of challenge it is, but it would be a great place for an ambush, away from our friends with limited weapons.

>>23068177
let's not treat it to lightly.

"If we give it back, can we change it for another?"
"No, I'm afraid." she said. "Some have tried, but the Armory doesn't open for them."
"Well, it sounds like a bit of fun for the afternoon. What do we need to start it?"
"I can have Rachel find Kelaris and lead you there." She said. "But you'll have to go one at a time. Are you certain you want to do this?"
"I'm certain." Lyra said.

>[] Yes
>[] No
>[] Other?

>>23068237
[X]Yes

>>23068237
>[X] Yes

It seems like a nice way to spend an afternoon.

>>23068237
Yeah, and take the bow.

We'll try to do it all sneaky like.

>>23068237
You even have to ask?
[X] Yes

>>23068237
Yes!

>>23068266
I think we should take the sword. There's likely to be narrow, twisty areas and if we end up in melee, things could go very badly.

>>23068237
>No
but that hasen't stopped me yet

>>23068266
There's going to be all sorts of stuff where the sword'll be more helpful, we often won't have enough range to use the bow effectively.

>>23068287
And also, while I'm sure we can trust Kelaris to hang onto it, leaving the sword with someone else is a bad idea.

>>23068237

yes

take the sword, we wouldn't be real without it and we can have someone to talk to.

"You even have to ask?" You ask, and give your aunt a grin.
"I'll see you later, Auntie." Lyra said, with a wave, as the servant lead you through the halls of the palace. While walking, you saw the servant from earlier talking with Tannis, reluctantly petting her, while Cass, Hannah, and Kelaris sat near.
"Hey, Abel, Lyra." Cass said.
"We're going to go do the gauntlet." Lyra said, with a grin.
"Well, then, I'd best be there to open the way." Kelaris said, and got to his feet, as the servant continued to lead you.

Eventually, you ended up in the open again, with a small structure, sitting isolated from everything, the doors slammed tightly shut and locked.

"Which one of you are going first?" Kelaris asked.
"Ooh, I am." Lyra said, and the elf nodded.
"Remove your armor." He said, his voice low, almost ceremonial. "And what shall your weapon be?"
"My blade." Lyra said, pulling off her armor, belts, and crossbow, dropping them into a small pile. Kale gave her a lantern, full of oil.
"Very well." He said, and placed his palm on the door. "May the Divine be with you. Seek the red stone. Touch it with your palm, and return."
Lyra nodded, and the doors unlocked themselves, creaking open. Carefully, with a long, deep breath. Lyra stepped in, and the doors, of their own accord, slammed shut and locked.

"And now, we wait." Kelaris said, drawing his sword. "You'll all want to step back. When she returns, I will duel her."

>>23068428
Does the Gauntlet ever get cleaned?

>>23068428
"Kelaris, I was talking the the Captain earlier, she said that your wife and son didn't die to the Forged, apparently."

Should we tell Kelaris about his family not actually dying? I think we should probably wait until after the gauntlet, since that's probably going to have a big effect on him.

>>23068428
so Kelaris I was right earlier about you and the princess you asked your great idk how many grand daughter to Mary you

>>23068428
"I've already dueled you, can I count that or am I going to have to do it again?"

>>23068480
Definitely after.

>>23068428

"come back safe sis"

we're in the middle of a very important ceremony, talk about family when Lyra gets back and finishes her duel.

>>23068552
"Come back safe, sis!" you call out.
There was no response, and for some time, you waited.

"I've already dueled you." You say. "Can I count that, or am I going to have to do it again?"
"That was a spar. This is a duel. They are different." Kelaris said. "If you lose in a duel, I'll kill you."

There was a loud scream from the building, an agonized, painful sound- Lyra's voice, certainly, and angry, hungry screeches- sounds you remember from that night in the swamps, when Ghouls were chasing you. There was nothing but silence afterward, and just when you were starting to worry, the door banged as something slammed into it.

Then it creaked open, and Lyra stood there, a broken sword in hand. Her leg was wrapped up in a tourniquet, and all the fingers on her right hand, save her pointer finger, was cut off, the stumps burned with what looked- and smelled- like lantern oil.
And on her shoulder was a great, salamander-like creature, with great claws and a very wide head, dead, the shattered blade of a sword in it's neck.
"That was easy." She said, limping toward Kelaris. "Few ghouls and a manticore. Nothing I couldn't deal with."
"... Your weapon is broken." Kelaris said. "Are you still willing to duel?"
"Hell yeah." She said, with bloodshot eyes.

>>23068652
I'm fucking scared.

>>23067354
>Gauntlet
so Kelaris invented it huh.

>>23068652
"You're missing some fingers, are you sure this is wise?"

>>23068670
YOU SHOULD BE!

But really, just remember to follow Kelaris' advice. Use caution.

>>23068652
Step back to give them room to duel.

>>23068652

whatever you do, don't interfere.

when the duel is finished, rush over there and start patching her up as best we can.

this gauntlet hurt our sister, are we going to let it get away with this?

>>23068652
"Watch out for his Glamours, sis."

>>23068652
>"I've already dueled you." You say. "Can I we can take rope too right?

find rock make rope hammer cover in lamp oil as well for fire

"You're missing some fingers." You say. "Are you sure this is wise?" You ask.
"I had to coax the ghouls away *somehow*." She said. "They like human flesh, after all."

You take a few steps back, and Kelaris reached for his blade-
And Lyra threw the lizard creature at him, bowling him over.
"Third method." She said. "Trickery." and she pulled a strange, bone spike out from behind her, pouncing- and stabbing Kale in the chest with it. He started twitching instantly, collapsing.
She dropped the bone spike, apparently removed from the lizard's tail, and shrugged at you.
"That was it?"
Then she collapsed.
That's when the servants rushed in, medical gear in hand, as one pulled the manticore off of the twitching, seizing Kelaris.

>>23068763
"Oh my goodness gracious."

>>23068763
The fuck?!

Was it really worth your fingers??

How will you fight?

>>23068763
"Lyra, I'm going to be quite cross if you've just killed Kelaris."

>>23068763
"Oh heavens to Betsy!"

>>23068763
Start laughing our ass off. Then check on Kelaris.

>>23068763
Go make sure Lyra isn't dead.

>>23068763
"Oh my stars and garters!"

>>23068804
Oh, wait, missed the
>Then she collapsed
Let's check on her, first.

>>23068791
>>23068809
>>23068824
Come on now y'all, you'll be givin' me the vapors if you're not careful!

>>23068824
>>23068809

When the fuck did Abel turn into an old American woman?

>>23068763

make sure Lyra and Kelaris are alright and ask the servants if there is a way for her to regain her fingers.

"Oh my goodness gracious." You say. "Lyra, I'm going to be quite cross if you've just killed Kelaris."
She laughed, as the servants bandaged up her hand, as others examined her leg. "Just... just paralyzing. Manticore poison. It got my leg first, so there wasn't much left in the stinger."
"Was it really worth your fingers?" You ask. "How will you fight?"
"'M left handed." She said. "Just need my arm for my shield."

>>23068866
"That doesn't sound safe at all."

>>23068866
"Even I know you need to be able to grip a shield to use it properly."

Stroke chin, "Y'know, I bet I could make you some new fingers."

>>23068866
That's no excuse, we've got to find a witch.

>>23068866
"You're an idiot. I love you, but you're an idiot."

>>23068866
"What if you ever need to hold a sword with both hands?"

>>23068866

surprisingly, that doesn't make me feel less concerned.

>>23068866
"You really didn't think this through did you? My idiotic little sister.

We know more magic people than we know what to do with, do you remember where you left your fingers? Am I going to have to go back in there for you and get them back so a Witch can stick them back on?"

>>23068866
Ill just have to make you new fingers fingers that fire bluets,

>>23068914
The ghouls probably ate them.

>>23068892
>>23068929
Clockwork fingers? Could be fun.

Do we have the gift of flame?

"You're an idiot." You say. "I love you, but you're an idiot. What if you ever need to hold a sword with both hands?"

She took her half-bandaged hand away from the servants and showed it to you, wiggling her index finger and thumb. "I can still point with it, and I still have my palm."
"You really didn't think this through, did you? Do you remember where you left your fingers? Am I going to have to go back in there for you and get them back so a Witch can stick them back on?"
"They're eaten by now." She said, and laughed, light-headed. "Aaand now I can't feel my waist at all. yaaay manticore! Go mister manticore!"

She continued talking about manticores, cheering them on and thanking them for defeating Kale for her, until eventually she just lay there, perfectly still, eyes still open- though they twitched now and then.
"She's just paralyzed." A rather gruff young man said, a white sword on his back. "She will be fine, eventually."
Then he sighed, and looked to Kelaris. "So will he, but it will be some time until he's able to open the door again."

>>23069008
"I am immediately rethinking this decision."

>>23069008
"Sorry, my Sister is an idiot. Do you know of anyone who can regrow fingers or anything like that?"

>>23069008
Pour some of that magic pancea the order has down her throat.

I'm seriously rethinking this, guy, I can't imagine anything's going to be worth losing an arm, say. That means no more archery. Forever.

>>23069008
how long ? is there a forge near by I guess Ill make her some new fingers and a gantlet to hold them on

>>23069008

is there anyone in the city, magical or medical, who can replace lost appendages, like fingers?

say what she will, i'm not sitting by and letting her run around with her hand in that shape if there is anything that can be done about it.

Guys, magic is illegal in Skiitaran cities.
She's stuck with no fingers until we can leave and find a witch with Gift of Healing.

>>23069093

illegal? i thought it just had very strict rules regarding its use.

"Is there anyone in the city, magical or medical, who can replace lost appendages, like fingers?" You ask. "say what she will, I'm not sitting by and letting her run around with her hand in that shape if there is anything that can be done about it."
"There isn't, I'm afraid." He said. "There are laws against the usage of magic, here, and our medical doctors probably need the fingers- but they're down there, and likely infected with ghouldom."
"I'm seriously rethinking this." You say, looking down at Lyra. "I can't imagine anything's going to be worth losing an arm."
"The girl took the Gauntlet the way she takes everything, I assume." He said, and chuckled. "Brashly, without thinking of consequence. Charging right in. It's how I lost my arm."
You look at the man more properly, and saw that he only had one arm, with heavy armor, and a long sword, similar to Kelaris's sword on his back.
"It shouldn't be nearly as dangerous to someone careful and quiet." He said, and chuckled. "But if you back out now, then you're a coward."

>>23069093
I dunno about any one else, but I'm talkin' science, here.

>>23069131
"I can do careful and quiet. I am a hunter after all."
C'mon guys, we can't back out now.

>>23069131
Let's go in with the rifle.

That'll show them who's a coward.

>>23069131
"Nah, you're right. Lyra did it her way, I'll do it mine."

>>23069159
That also shows that we've been scorning the law regarding bound weapons.

>>23069131
"True, I'm not as dumb as she is. I actually am careful. Though the thing with the Manticore was pretty clever.

Fixing her fingers is going to be a pain, making her brother do all this work."

>>23069131
I know I'm going to get outvoted, but: "I'd rather live as a coward then die as a fool without doing what I have to."

>>23069131
Sigh, then say "I suppose I'll look into some mechanical avenues then. If I can cobble together a spider out of forged pieces, I should be able to do that much."

Bend down over her and stare her right in the eyes, "Mother made me PROMISE to take care of you. Letting you run around with half a hand missing isn't what I'd call care."

>>23069131
"Kelaris told me as much. I'm still taking it."

>>23069131

not backing down but i will have to rely on everything i know.

>>23069197
>You don't know enough about cybernetics to create a Forged hand for her. If anything, they'd end up as essentially brass 'peg fingers' connected to her hand.

"Kelaris told me as much. I'm still taking it."
"Good man." He said. "I'll let you in, like Kelaris planned to, and duel you when you return. Which weapon will you be bringing?"

<... If you set down the sword, instead of giving it away, it will remain yours.> Ares added, helpfully. <At least, that is what I and rogue have noticed.>

>>23069266
Sword

>>23069266
I vote bow.

We can kill them before they even get close.

>>23069266
Bow

>>23069266
"I'll take my sword, the area is too small for my bow to be of best use, and it's not the most effective against things like ghouls."

>>23069286
and if they do get close?

>>23069266
Fuck, are we more skilled with the bow or the sword?

>>23069266
I vote sword.

>>23069314
>You've had more time with your bow, but you've been trained nightly with your sword for several months. You're skilled in both- as well as skilled with using firearms.

>>23069306
we punch them inna face.

>>23069338
In that case I'll say sword.

>>23069346
so they can bite our hand.
Brilliant.

>>23069266
Sword

>>23069266
Taking a firearm will betray the "alchemical tool" lie, even if it is somewhat accurate, and I think the bow's reliance on range may be a handicap, so
[x]Sword

>>23069266

we are probably more skilled with the bow but we've had quite a few fights with the sword which showed we're actually not that bad.

voting sword because whatever else is in there, it likely will get close pretty fast.

>lets not take a gun in and reveal we've been carrying unsealed weapons.

>>23069358
Fine then, take the rifle and it's 12 shots and shoot everything.

>>23069266
sword
Ares

rogue

keep your heads? on a swivel alert me to any danger.(cheet a bit)

how far can you see around me/the sword?

>>23069266
Warhammer.

>>23069381
They use our perception. No cheating that way.

>>23069386
genius, lets use a weapon we have no skill with what so ever

>>23069410
we see tone of stuff we don't notice it could be helpful even if extremely limited like that

>>23069461
Ok, you must be intentionally making those spelling mistakes, nobody's that dull.

"I'll take the sword." You say, and he nodded, as you pulled it loose from the scabbard- and the peacebinding fell to the ground.
"Alright, then." He said, and lowered his voice the same way Kelaris did. "Remove your armor."
You peel off your scale armor, and take off most of your bags, and your slew of knives.
"Are you prepared?" He asked.
You look down to Lyra- who, mostly paralyzed, gave you as much of a reassuring smile as she could- and you nod. The servants gave you some rope, a lantern full of oil, and you were as ready as you could be.
"Very well." the one-armed Grand Knight said, and placed his palm against the door. "Seek the red stone. Touch it with your palm, and return." He said.
The door creaked open.
"May the Divine be with you."

The moment you stepped in, the door slammed shut. One of the enormous, salamander-like manticores were clinging to the wall, it's skin slowly changing colors as it stared at you.
Then your arm burned, and it suddenly went bright yellow, visible even in this darkness, panting, tongue out, happily. It rolled on it's back, wiggling it's legs.
That... didn't seem right.

>>23069515
Tori doesn't happen to have the gift of vermin, does she? I don't think she's ever mentioned any gifts aside from Flame and Sight

>>23069515
Ha, awesome. Slowly approach the Manticore, be prepared to jump back. Then pet it, carefully, very very carefully.

>>23069515
Scratch manticore's belly.

Is it big enough to fit on our shoulders and keep as a pet?

>>23069515
Laugh a big belly laugh.

Rolled 39

I agree.

>>23069555
Maybe it's the gift of flame making it friendly? Or part of Leez' boon, like how the unicorns like us now.

>>23069515
Don't even. Just observe.

>>23069515

thats... odd, is this because we're technically half part familiar now?

slowly approach it and maybe scratch its legs/chin/head wherever you can scratch salamander manticore?

>>23069555

they don't have any salamanders in Sanctuary so that could be entirely plausible.

>>23069515
We never declared Leez's boon, did we? Man, even trying to explain the link with Tori's Gift of Flame would be all sorts of awkward.

Let's... cautiously scratch its belly, and move along.

>>23069515
Don't approach, keep at distance and see what it does.

Very slowly, and carefully, you made your way closer to the manticore, and scratch it's belly.
It made a giggling noise, and twitched, ecstatic, the spiked tail coiling up, as if not to accidentally hurt you. It hopped up onto it's feet again, and then nudged your in the leg, nuzzling the side of it's head against your leg. It was like a very, very large dog, but excited to see you, hopping in circles around you, tongue hanging out. It giggled again as it nuzzled your hand. So strange to hear such a human voice coming from an oversized, muscular axolotl.

>>23069629
Whisper to it. "Hello little one, I'm looking for the red stone, do you know where it is? We're being very quiet."

>>23069629

is our arm still burning? how many more of these creatures are around us and of those, are any more acting so strangely?

>>23069629
"Do you want to play a game? It'll be fun, we just need to kill all the ghouls and find the stone. And be quiet."

>>23069629
Pet it on the head. "Well aren't you just adorable. Would you mind leading me to the Red Stone? Remember we're being sneaky."

Carefully, you look around. It was just a single, long, dark hallway, and far in the distance there was a T-shaped split. Your arm still buzzed, but it wasn't painful at all, and no other manticores were near. You kneel down.
"Hello, little one." You say. "I'm looking for the red stone, do you know where it is? We're being very quiet."
It licked your face, numbing it with the creature's saliva, and yipped, going back to giggling again.

Then a pair of orange, glowing eyes leaned around the corner, peeking at you. You hear a sniff- and a low snarl.
The manticore stopped giggling, and crouched low, ready to pounce on the ghoul.

>>23069728
"Shall we kill him together, Mr. Core?"

>>23069728
Let's do this. Draw our sword, let the ghoul approach so we can surprise it, and with the help of our new friend we should be okay.

>>23069728
Charge the ghoul and kill it before it summons any more.

>>23069728

"well Giggles, would you like to help me reach the stone?"
"i might even be able to take you with me if you like."

take out sword

>Don't forget to roll for combat actions.

>>23069728
Wait for it to come to us, see if we can get the Manticore to ambush it a bit.

Rolled 56

>>23069771
CHARGAN, STABAN, BEING QUIET!

Rolled 22

>>23069771
Sneaky attack with Manticore backup.

Rolled 91

>>23069771
I'd like to stay stealthy for now, then as it approaches we chop its head off.

>>23069660
This.

You creep forward, silently- and then you charge, silently, sword in hand. The ghoul starts to snarl when you slam the end of your blade into it's throat, slashing off it's head.

The second ghoul behind it, which you hadn't seen, started to snarl- until the manticore- Mr. Giggles, you call him in your head- ate the ghoul all the way from the head to the waist, snapping it in half with a single crunch.

It giggled again, and hopped this way and that, as sickening cracking noises come from it's body- the stomach was crushing the ghoul's writhing body with incredible force.
The ghoul head underneath your feet started gnashing it's teeth repeatedly, and you smashed it with a heel of your boot.

Then you look at the T-shape in the hallway. From the left, you hear a low hum, and from the right, you hear nothing.

>>23069855
"Okay buddy. Which way is the best way to get to the red stone?" And pet Mr. Giggles for doing a good job.

Rolled 48

>>23069855
Towards the humm!

>>23069855
Which way did the Ghouls come from?

>>23069855
Which way did the ghouls come from? We should go that way, since the only thing that way will be more ghouls, but we don't know what will be down the other way.

>>23069896
The ghouls, as you recall, came from around the right corner.

>>23069906
Then we go right!

>>23069855

good job, i hope you like ghoul meat because there are probably more of those.

see if we can get some sort of useful directions out of Mr.Giggles.

>>23069927
(and we do it quietly and stealthily)

You creep around the right corner, and the manticore seems to recognize the way you were sneaking, as his skin flushes to pure black, making him perfectly invisible in the darkness.

You creep into the next room, and blood was all over the floor. Two dead manticores were there, as well as four dismembered ghouls, and three standing ones, crunching on the other dismembered ghouls, eating them.
You smell burned lantern oil, and see the shattered lantern in the corner- so here's where Lyra'd cut off her fingers.
Mr. Giggles whimpers at the dead manticores, and the ghouls didn't seem to notice you quite yet, too focused on their cannibalism.

Rolled 93

>>23069992
Back up, go the other way.

Rolled 73

>>23069992
Well if Lyra went this way the Red Stone ought to be on the way. So go full sneaky, sneak past them, keep Mr. Giggles with us.

>>23070013
The other way might be a dead end.
Let's back up so they have to go single file through the doorway, then get their attention.

Rolled 85

>>23070041
It 'might' be a dead end, but this way IS full of ghouls. So let's give it a go.

>>23070060
The whole reason we went this way was because we know it's ghouls here. We don't know what's down the other way.
Better the evil you know and all that.

>>23069992

something tells me Lyra went this way but stumbled on a dead end.

but if we're still going that way, i suggest trying to lead the ghouls to a spot where they can only pass through in limited numbers.

Carefully, you creep back, through the doorway, and slam your sword against the wall, causing a noise to echo into the next room, ready.

Two of the ghouls charge straight in, and with two flicks of your sword, you decapitate them. When the third charges in, Mr. Giggles slams his tail into the ghoul's heart- then slams the tail into his head, neck, and spine, until the ghoul collapsed, trembling.

The manticore quickly gorged himself on ghoul heads, and giggled into the next room, looking this way and that. You follow, despite the sickening cracking noises in the manticore's stomach, as it looks up to you, tilting his head. The next room had two doorways- the one you'd come from, and the next way through- which, for some reason, had small, slightly luminescent red clouds in it.

>>23070197
Poke the clouds with the sword.

>>23070197
Approach the red clouded door, carefully, see if there's any way to look through the door without opening it. Put some cloth around our face to help filter out the clouds in case they're poisonous.

>>23070197

throw something at the cloud, not with a lot of force but enough for it to reach.

>>23070254
The rope

Rolled 24

>>23070227
>>23070242
Seems reasonable.

Also see if we can find any of Lyra's fingers uneaten.

Rolled 17

>>23070266
I'm not sure if this roll will be used for anything, but it's bad, so I'll roll again in case it is going to get used.

You approach the empty doorway, trying to peer through the hallway, but apparently it had a corner there, that you couldn't see around.

Carefully, you slid the broken lantern into the cloud with your sword, but nothing happened. The manticore, still grinning and happy, walked through, trotting through the clouds as if they weren't there. At the corner, he grinned, and yipped.
When a bright flash of red cloud, so light you had to squint, burst through the corner, boiling Mr. Giggles entirely.

The barghest stepped through, tall, proud, and leonine, larger than both Primm's familiar and Mutt, back in Sanctuary.

It gave you a disdainful look, and gave a snuffing noise, letting out more blinding red cloud at the manticore, where it's flesh burbled and boiled, Mr. Giggles screeching for help, half of it's body already reduced to bone.
Hellfire.

The barghest met your eyes, still proud.

Rolled 21

>>23070308
Fuck. We need to take it out fast before it can hit us.

Rolled 54

>>23070308
What a dick. Cut it's ball off.

Rolled 72

>>23070308
No, Mr. Giggles.

Take it down fast and hard.

>>23070308

that fucking dog... if we get into those clouds we're trespassing on its territory.

on a side note, is it kinda of related to a wolf? can we talk to it because we have Leez's glamour?

Rolled 59

>>23070308
Wait for it to make a move on us, then feign an overhead slash but finish with a side swipe.

Rolled 3

>>23070308
Run the FUCK away. hatceP and

The other way is looking mighty fine right now.

Rolled 62

>>23070308
I'd like to wait and see what it does.

Rolling for dodge if it jumps at us, I guess.

"No." You snarl, and charge. The barghest took a deep breath, and let out a large cloud of blinding red hellfire.

Hellfire that you sail over, leaping over in a single bound, slamming your sword into it's chest
In response, it whined, and it's mouth snapped up, clamping down at your wrist, snarling and growling as it tried to break your forearm, head tugging this way and that. Involuntarily, you let go of the sword, where it stuck into the barghest's chest.

>Wat do?

Rolled 49

>>23070426
Gouge it's eyes out with our other hand.

>>23070426
Twist our sword free quickly.

Rolled 35

>>23070426
Break the lantern on it. If that doesn't get it to let go, gouge out its eyes with our free hand.

Rolled 18

>>23070426
Snap it's neck, but make sure to pin it first so it can't do a fire breath on us or bite our fingers.

Rolled 49

>>23070426
Kick the sword in deeper, bite it's ears off.

Rolled 100

>>23070426
Climb onto its back so it can't bring its claws to bare, gouge out its eyes and snap its neck.

Rolled 39

>>23070426
We have two hands. Use the other to retrieve the sword and take its head. Maybe use tenacity point?

We're rolling like such crap, I'd like to use a Tenacity Point so our face doesn't melt off.

>>23070458
won't count since it's after the first three.

>>23070489
I'll go with that.

>>23070489
Yeah, I'll third this.

>>23070489
I like our face, so I guess I'll have to agree.

Wrestling with the barghest, you reach your other arm around it's neck, just as it's jaw clenches down harder on your arm, causing you to involuntarily gasp in pain, as you wrestle with it, trying to get it to let go- or trying to break it's neck. It's wings suddenly spread, and it rears back, letting go at just the right time to fling you across the hallway. Your forearm was bleeding, and hurt, but the bone wasn't broken, and it took a deep breath, ready for more hellfire.

>[] Tenacity point go?
>[] No, we can do this without using a point + 1d100.

>>23070541
>[X] Tenacity point go!

>>23070541
Tenacity point go.

Rolled 67

>>23070541
No, we can get it, if we can just get to the sword.

Rolled 69

>>23070541
[X] No, we can do this without using a point + 1d100.

It has a sword in its chest already.

Rolled 51

>>23070541
No guarantee that dice'll work, let's try it anyway.
(God I hope more people vote Tenacity)

Rolled 33

>>23070541
We can do it on our own! No tenacity!

>>23070541
Yes, already.

>>23070541
>Tenacity
we Tenacity now

>>23070541
Tenacity point, do it.

>>23070541
Yeah might as well. Bit of a shame about the 100, though.

You close your eyes, ready for the hellfire, and time seems to slow. You wait, patiently, as it rears back, the fire and tension in your body building, and then, finally, *finally* it lets go of the hellfire. So you let go of the fire burning in you.

You sling Mr. Giggles' body forward, into the cloud, at such speed that it split the hellfire, making it melt into the walls, giving you enough open space. Moving quickly, furiously, you spring to your feet and slam straight into the barhgest. Repeatedly, repeatedly, you slam your knuckles into the wolf-like being's head, crunching away at it, until you dig your fingers into it's eye. It rears back, taking another deep breath-
And you kick the sword further into it's chest. It collapsed, dead.

In your off-hand, the one that wasn't bitten, you grip the sword, and tear it out. Black ichor- the barghest blood, it seemed- ran down the blade's edge.

>>23070714
Cut off its head just to be sure. Also to avenge Mr. Giggles.

Then move on.

>>23070714
Remove the head! It shall be our trophy!

Rolled 2

>>23070714
Brutalize the body.

It killed Mr giggles, and it will be left as a sign for those to come.

>>23070714
Check out the next room

>>23070747
I like the trophy idea.

>>23070714

take something off the body of both the Barghest and Mr.Giggles, as a reminder of a friend and an arrogant foe

he was the nicest Salamander-Manticore we ever knew and that damn winged dog took him from us.

>>23070812
>>23070738
If nothing else, we can chuck the head at whatever we have to deal with next

With a powerful, yet unweildy offhanded blow, you slice off the barghest's head, picking it up and dragging it with you.

In the next room, surprisingly, is a sphere, a red stone. You step up, and touch it- and it flared into life, gleaming red, and you hear a clang, from Somewhere. You'd completed the Gauntlet.

Some time later, stumbling out into the light, holding your bleeding arm and stained with black ichor, you peer out into the light.

The one-armed Grand Knight stood there, sword in hand.
"You look injured." He said. Do you still wish to duel?" He asked.

Lyra weakly raised an arm in a thumbs-up, sitting on Ariana, and Captain Brina stood there, arms behind her back. Surrounding you were other servants and knights, watching, as well as your other friends... but Kelaris was nowhere to be seen.

>>23070916
"That's what you do to complete the Gauntlet, right? Of course. How's Kelaris?"

>>23070916
"I'll fail if I don't, and my sister managed to do this with no hand and paralyzed legs, so, yes, I do."

>>23070916
Drop the head, shake out our injured arm to loosen it up a bit. "Yup."

Time for method two. Endurance.

Rolled 35

>>23070916
Sure, but I'm going to bite your other arm off.

Rolled 79

>>23070916
"Yes."

>>23070916
"I'm pretty sure I have to do that to complete the gauntlet.

Am I allowed a minute to rest and mourn the death of the friend I made in there?"

>>23070951
She had one and a half hands, not none.

>>23070964
I think it'd probably be a bad idea to tell them that we'd been able to make friends with a Manticore.

Rolled 54

>>23070916

"... yes." that Barghest might actually be helpful if we can find a way to use its head during this fight.

Rolled 38

>>23070956
Assuming we're rolling now, here's a third.

>>23070993
They saw Lyra do the same thing, so I don't think it'll work here.

Rolled 16

>>23070916
of course

>>23071005
Actually, they came in AFTER that happened.

>>23071005
Maybe we can squeeze out a bit of hellfire from it to distract him for a moment?

>>23071024
Well, they can extrapolate.

"That's what you do to complete the Gauntlet, right?" You ask. "Of course. How's Kelaris?"
"He's still paralyzed." The knight said. "But he will live."

You nod, and then raise your sword.

The knight charged, sword in hand, and you started parrying his blows, knocking them away, and stepping around him, sword clashing against sword.

Minutes passed, as your body wore down slowly, as you caught or dodged every one of his blows, forcing him to smash himself uselessly against your defense, but you were wearing down just as quickly as he was.
Minutes later, sweat beaded on your forehead, and the ichor covering you started to dry. Knocking his sword away, you fling the barghest head into him. With a single, deft movement, he slashed it in half in the air, and when you swung, he knocked it away, whirling, and the blade whistled right up to your neck.

He panted loudly, and then wheezed, and fell to his knees.
"I'm not as young as I used to be." He said, huffing. "You've succeeded the Gauntlet, Abel Byrne. You now bear a title- Grand Swordsman, Grand Warrior, or whichever similar title you wish, save Grand Knight. What do you wish to be?"

>>23071068
"Grand Huntsman viable?"

>>23071068
Grand Hunter.

Or Grand Angelslayer, preemptively.

>>23071068

thank you.

>>23071084

i like this.

>>23071068
Clean our sword off, help him up.

"I dunno, Grand Artificer, Grand Huntsman, maybe Grand something about killing Angels. I'm not good at naming things."

>>23071068
"Grand Adventurer okay?"

>>23071084
I like this one

>>23071084
I like that
A huntsman is someone who hunts with guns.

>>23071104
I quite like Artificer, but we don't solely build guns and use those just yet.

Huntsman seems decent

>>23071084
This.

"Grand huntsman." You say, and he chuckled.
"Grand huntsman it is, Abel Byrne." He said, and you pull him to his feet. He wheezed, as some of the servants started cleaning and bandaging your wounds. "Now, you no longer have to keep your weapons peacebound within Skiitara. You are a citizen, can keep land, can become emperor, and various other boons."

Lyra pulled herself to her feet, her limbs still struggling to move properly.
"Now, I can guide you and the Grand Paladin to the armory." The one-armed knight said, nodding to you and Lyra. Lyra leaned on you.
"Hey, find my fingers?" She asked, and giggled, apparently still rather woozy from the paralytic poison.

>>23071219
"Nope. But I did find the ghouls who took them."

>>23071219
"I found the room where your fingers were devoured. How'd you get past that Barghest?"

>>23071219
"Afraid not."

>>23071247
>>23071254
Seems good.

"You sure you want a pick a weapon while you're still a bit wonky?"

>>23071270
She already knows what she's going for.

>>23071219

"couldn't find them individually but i'm pretty sure i avenged them all, those Salamanders weren't so bad..." while looking a bit sad.

we better make a damn pendant from that Barghest's teeth, we can even show that Primm shit if we ever cross paths again.

So what kind of weapon should we go for, here? We already have a sword and bow that are about as good as it gets. Maybe an offhand dagger?
Assuming there isn't something that jumps out at us that is.