You headed up into the mountains with Crazy Ted hoping to get to the Bear Shrine library, and maybe get a boar or two for dinner.

What you actually got was the scent of porcelain and orange oil behind you and in front of you. You took a detour into a cave to ambush your ambushers.

You learned that Ted isn't a dragon, or some lizard-kin, but a Dragon Servant. A tribe of humans who were raised, trained, and bred to be the gentleman's gentleman for Dragons. Apparently he used to work for Whitefire, until she went on an insane rampage and your Father put her down. He's been looking for Old One, because he /needs/ a master. He's also been arranging for Dragon Hunters to disappear or have accidents when they go out looking for Old One.

You sprung the trap on your pursuers. They were the Shadow Sisters, the beautiful vampires that work for Jeremy Sandover. With help from your weapon, Beacon, and its regained power, you dispatched the pair. Upon interrogation, you got some upsetting news. There are three sisters. Two of them were sent to kill you, and the other one was going to the Bear Shrine Library to obtain a book for Sandover.

Using a One-Hasted-Boar-Open-Canvas-Sheet-Sleigh, you swiftly made your way to the shrine, which turned out to be more of a large temple, now fallen to ruin.

At the entrance to the Library, you found the Occuli guard there, wounded but alive. Apparently the Sister didn't arrive alone. She had a friend in a mask. The two of them were able to enthrall the Occuli's unit, 7 soldiers, and then went down into the library to search.

Time is short, and there's no telling what could happen in those cramped quarters, not to mention that you have to deal with two powerful enemies, and their now-aggressive hostages. But you need that book, or at the least, Sandover can't get it.

Well obviously we follow them in. Try and take out the occuli nonlethally. Be sure to remind Crazy Ted about that too.

alright we need to get down there pronto. Mari\Peri should split up and try and get around them. So should Lea. I really doubt theres any insects around here but Tricia should at least look.

Ssen and Mage should confront the group. Mage will try a group disable with sleep or stone to mud for the Occuli. Ssen will try to destroy the masked man's mask with an arrow shot as our opening salvo. Once everyone is distracted by us two Lea shall go after the vampire while Mari\Peri shall go after the masked man.

we need to catch up to them, after that;

Mage and Lea take on the thralls, Lea is mostly nonlethal damage, and Mage can spam sleep spells. Leave Ted to help subdue the guards too, as he was recently hurt.

Peri/Mari and us take the vamp and the Mask, and hope our friends can take the guards quickly.

>>24149170
forgot Tricia, she should help subdue the guards too with bugs, as they are mostly nonlethal.

Think we need to know more about the situation to decide anything more than 'spam submission stuff at the guards', really.

I would like to make one statement.

If it comes down to kill or be killed; I'm fine with dropping these guards.

Non-lethal is all good to try for at first but I prefer Ssen friends to live over getting killed in an attempt to do something that might not be possible.

My two cents. And yeah I can see the 'oh god no we have to save them all!' post coming after this.

>>24149445
I agree, but we should definitely make sure our friends (and especially our currently allied crazy dragon worshipper) know that we don't want to kill them unless it quite literally comes down to us or them and we have no choice.

>>24149445
the way I see it, a guard losing an arm could be considered nonlethal when it comes down to a choice of our friends getting killed, or harming the guards.

>>24149445
Yeah, although hopefully they'll be awful at fighting.

>>24149481
Which is fine. I said to give it try first time through even. However, as you said, if it comes down to them or us we need to see where that point is and actually act on it. Not keep banging our heads against a wall and screaming "NON-LETHAL! NON-LETHAL!"

>>24149564
I have my doubts. They are supposed to be guards, you know have some training in how to fight. If its true or not we'll find out soon enough.

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posting this since it was only posted to the Q&A thread

All credits for the artwork go to Slow Drawfag.

Oh man what's this not doing on the front page, I almost missed it.

And echo, is it as stupid an idea as I think it is to bite ourselves so that our blood is corrosive to vampire fangs?

>>24149611
see, we're not banging our heads on non-lethal.

we just had to yell NON LETHAL YOU JERKS when we were outnumbering the vampires 3-1

in a 7-6, we TRY nonlethal on the guards, but I am sure as fuck going to stab the guy controlling the guards. RIght in the mask..

>>24150045
That sounds hilariously stupid.

Obviously we're gonna end up doing it at some point.

okay, PLAN FOR ACTION:

Guard A, watch the downed guard and the door, yell if you notice anything off.

Guard B, go get your boss and re-enforcements. Come in and help us if you hear battle.

We go in to investigate.

>>24149963
Apologies on the gap, was called away.

"Alright, let's try to not kill the Occuli as best we can. That goes for you too Ted. Mage, sleep spell duty, Tricia any friends that can lay people out are good. Lea, pull the punches. Peri/Mari, I want you to scout forward and find the real vamps. THOSE two we take out as quick as we can."

"Are we gonna try to keep one alive, like that vampire torso we left with the Occuli?" Peri/Mari ask.

"Not a huge priority." You say. "Also, don't risk your life if you can't go non-lethal. Got it?"

The group nods and you head down the stairs.

The Library is a spiderweb of book shelves that go from floor to ceiling. The smell of old dust and mildew is everywhere, and there's no real light sources. Normally Occuli go inside here with hooded lanterns. That's what they must be using.

You don't have one, but you can see in the dark, and Peri has excellent low-light vision. Of course, there's always lighting up Beacon, but that's a giant 'We're HERE!' sign to anyone nearby.

Also the hall you're in ends at a T-section, you can head right or left. There's no signs or labels telling you what is where. All you know is two things. 1) You occasionally see flickers of light looking through the shelves of books, 2) By general maze structure, if you stick your hand to the left wall and keep walking, you'll get to the center.

>>24150144
stupid library, why is it a maze. How dare they. I bet they have way too many books on biography. That's what is going on here.

I want to light up the beacon and call them to us, but they might choose to run away instead of conflicting us. How many exits are there to the librarium? If there's only one, I say we're cleared for beacon. If we don't know the answer to that question, well, maybe ask tricia the answer to that question with bugs.

>>24149611
>>24149564

Echo DID say that they were all members of the green occuli.

Desk Jockeys

>>24150144
We can utilize bugs to get a feel for the maze, right? Unless Tricia has poor spatial-awareness.

>>24150194
>How many exits are there to the librarium?
Just one, and you're in front of it, right now.

>And echo, is it as stupid an idea as I think it is to bite ourselves so that our blood is corrosive to vampire fangs?

Your blood is already a bad idea for vampires to snack on. Just in general toxicity, not for your venom. But no, that method wouldn't work.

>>24150045
We're not immune to Lamia venom. We'd melt ourselves.

>>24150225
not ONLY are they fucking librarians, they're vampire enthralled librarians. They not only suck at fighting, they have significantly lessened personal initiative.

We'll have no trouble with nonlethals as long as we keep a tactically strong position and don't let the vampire and maskman fuck up out takedowns.

>>24150237
We ARE immune to our own venom. Just not others.

>>24150226
wait, calling bugs. into an ancient library.
probably not our best idea.

>>24150237
we are immune to our own venom, but if a different lamia bites us its heart attack death within 2 minutes. cant bone melt a lamia.

>>24150237
that's wrong for two reasons:

A. lamias, when biting each other, cause no bone melting, and instead a simple and easy stopping of the heart.

B. lamias are immune to their own personal poison.

Rolled 5

>>24150194
>>24150226

"Tricia? Some idea of the area would be good."

"Okay, there's some ants and plenty of dust mites...give me a bit to try." Tricia closes her eyes and starts to concentrate.

>>24150144
Pop out for just a split second, looking down one branch of the intersection and holding our shield out toward the other.

>>24150255
>>24150194
I think we might be overthinking this with the bugs.

we're in a library. We're a snake. We can see in the dark.

slither up the top of the bookshelves and get a good look. And smell.

>>24150255
You think there aren't a gazillion bugs around already? Must be plenty to use.

>>24150261
Tricia shakes her head. "No dice, not enough of them around here. The Occuli caretakers did a good job of keeping this place pretty insect free."

>>24150261
Is it a maze of bookshelves, or straight walls? If bookshelves, I again suggest peeking over.

>>24150283
Would the shelves even hold us? We're not exactly light.

Still, might as well try.

>>24150247
>>24150259

Ahh all I remembered was us not being immune to Lamia venom. Didn't know our own was safe or that others' would have a different effect.

>>24150283
>slither up the top of the bookshelves and get a good look. And smell.

The bookshelves go from ground to ceiling.

>>24150275
>Pop out for just a split second, looking down one branch of the intersection and holding our shield out toward the other.

Left or right?

>>24150315
right, I assume our shield is on our left.

>>24150315
Get mage to cast a tracking spell of some sort to our target (or closest living human if that's too specific).

>>24150315
Look left, shield right.

Then look right, shield left.

Then get a good smell going on, because I aint got time for mazes. Hopefully we can get a smell or trace going on, since we'll have to beacon soon otherwise.

>>24150315
Makes no difference really. If you need a direction though then first look right w/ shield left, then look left w/ shield right.

>>24150358
"You have any tracking spells, Mage?" You whisper as you look around the left turn. Dead end.

"No, but I do have the stalking spell." Mage says. "But I have to focus on that, so I wont be able to drop anyone until I stop that spell."

You look right. There's a person there dressed in cold weather clothes about halfway down this hall of shelves.. They've got a hooded lantern and are slowly scanning the books. They haven't seen you yet.

>>24150438
well, standard plan for if we aren't sure of hostiles.

"Hey get out of here, there's vampires around"

If they attack you, shit, you know to clobber them upside the head with your pole. If they leave, then they were a civilian.

Right? Or am I stupid here? I have really no idea how smart or good vampires and thralls are in this universe, so I am winging it.

>>24150463
Or you can just sleep spell them and move on.

>>24150471
see? I was being stupid here.

Mage, sleep that spell up. Duh. Sleep spells. How could I forget.

>>24150438
I'd say we should approach and talk, on their own no-one down here should be much of a threat and there's a chance for information.

>>24150493
>>24150502
Would you accept a compromise where we talk to a person, and have mage READY a sleep spell to gank them if they make sudden moves?

>>24150463
>>24150471
>>24150493
>>24150502

So two for approach, two for Mage knocks them out...need a tiebreaker.

>>24150584
Approach while he has sleep spell ready.

>>24150584
approach, but have mage ready a sleep spell.

>>24150578
>Not the guy talking too
Personally. No. If the guy is enthralled giving him even one chance to yell out is bad. Prefer to keep the element of surprise for as long as we can.

Prayer to open the conversation.

"May his Light clear our eyes, ears and heart of Darkness."

ITT: Ssen's ACTUAL moral quandry:

Lamia sneakiness or paladin brashness. This problem haunts her.

Rolled 1

>>24150610
>>24150607
>>24150578

You signal for Mage to be ready. He nods and starts to generate the blue wisps around his staff.

You take a deep breath. "May his Light clear our eyes, and our hearts, of Darkness."

You carefully slither towards the person. He's got an Occuli amulet on. You get within five feet of him and he spins to look at you pointing the lantern directly at your eyes.

He hisses.

"Mage, now!" Tricia says.

Mage nods and fires the spell

>>24150655
The devout knight of practicality and idealism.

Ssen is a Pragmadin.

>>24150690
...you want to live with that one or burn on of your three re-rolls?

>>24150690
...

Mage ... what the fuck.

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>>24150690
Fuck.

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>>24150690
>1
>on a magic roll
dis is gonna be good

>>24150710
Honestly?

I am actually sort of interested in seeing how this plays out. If we live it will be hilarious.

IT WILL END IN TEARS
also I thought rerolls only worked on our own rolls

>>24150690
Jesus Christ

Leave it, let's see how we fuck this up.

>>24150690
son of a bitch /tg/ dice...

did he target it on himself or something?


torn of if we burn a reroll or not, leaning towards let it stand for the comedy factor.

>>24150758
>>24150754
>>24150740
You know its going to hit Ssen right?

Rolled 1

Okay keeping it it is...rolling for what happens.

>>24150765
Nah. It's AoE

>>24150765
He -might- hit himself.

but you are totally right this is what is going to happen.

Fine, you have me changing my vote from
>>24150740
to use it, since LIVES happen to be on the line.

>>24150788
Well that's even better ...

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>>24150786

... welp

>>24150786
Uuuuh...

that is a low is better or result has no direct relation to size of number roll right?

Please?

>>24150786
Really Mage. a 1-in-80 maximum magnitude fuckup.

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>>24150786
So, how much backlash?

Rolled 18

So how many 1's does it take for the "target and adjacent target die" rule to take effect?

>1 is AoE
>everyone is asleep
>BBEG doesn't play around
>TPK

Well that as great quest everyone. What now?

>>24150786
Mage's sleep spell is modified Ghoul Magic. The spell constricts the blood flow to the brain until the target passes out. In this case, there was a slight hiccup. Instead of choking off the blood, he sends a massive MASSIVE rush of blood to his brain and head.

Blood pours out from his nose, ears, and mouth. Then his eyeballs bulge and go bloodshot before they burst. He drops to the ground, screaming and howling in pain.

There's a cry from deeper within the library, you hear multiple sounds of footsteps all running. Some sound like they're going away from you, and some are coming closer to you.

>>24150839
tears.

>>24150839
Lamia Child Afterlife Quest.

Seen: fast knockout blow to the head, with the flat of Beacon.

>>24150852
well, we're not dead, but it is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE of what we wanted to happen.

Nice job dodging the TPK while simultaneously fucking us over. Good dicedodge.

How smart do we think they are? The ones running away are probably our targets, unless they're bluffing.

>>24150862
...never mind, too late.

>>24150852
Welp. No more time to pussy foot around full speed into the heart of the library. Full body check anyone that tries to stop us on the way.

>>24150852
>>24150862
kind of redundant now I think.

block off the entrance/exit

>>24150852
Well it wasn't TPK at least. Still, bit of an issue, this.

Retreat to the single tunnel we entered from; don't want to get ambushed from behind while fighting. Prepare for trouble, and make it double (because they're coming from both sides, you see).

>>24150862
Tricia, use your scythe to keep him from dying. Everyone else prepare to battle!

>>24150899
No, the occuli guy is dead. Mage is fine.

>>24150892
This.

>>24150899
no no, mage isn't blind. the GUARD is.

Though, I'm feeling less... levity now. Let's be more serious.

Maybe KO that guard if we can, but that would just cause more hemmoraging. I hope he lives.

>>24150915
He isn't dead, judging by all the noise he's still making. Just very unhappy and blind.

Rolled 8

>>24150892
>>24150889

"So much for subtlety." Peri says.

"I...uhh...guh...sorry." Mage says.

"Just shut up and come on!" Tricia says.

You all start to run towards the center of the library.

As you get to a straight away, two Occuli Thralls round the opposite corner and charge at you, daggers drawn.

Roll for initiative. This is for your whole group. Also, the corridors are only wide enough for two people to stand side by side and be effective in combat, so tell me who's in front as well.

Rolled 1

>>24150972
Us and Lea

>>24150972

>>24150972
Ssen and Lea in front.

>>24150921
No point. He's already been rendered a non-combatant and stealth is already broken. Plunge in and through. Ssen should take point in the center of the halls Mage and Tricia in the middle, Peri and Lea guard the rear.

Rolled 9

>>24150972

welp
>>24150972
>>24150983
anyone have a tg dice reactionary image? cause we need it to feed the dice gods

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>>24150983
>1
I normally reserve gifs for these times, but have now completed my prepared gifs for lamia quest.

You are drainin' me dry.

>>24150983
Damn it, dice.

>>24150972
Definitely Ssen and Lea in front. But tell Mari/Peri to keep an eye out behind us, so we don't get ambushed.

Rolled 7, 19 = 26

>>24150983
The thralls charge at you screaming, swinging with their daggers at you and Lea.

>>24151071
FFFFFFFF

at least it wasn't us, so maybe the curse is broken (or transfered)

Rolled 15

>>24151071
Yours misses, but Lea gets a gash to her arm.

>>24151021
Sauce?

>>24151089
Lea does a kick that slams him into the wall and causes him to slump down, cold.

Your action.

Rolled 2

>>24151071
Spear haft->head.

>>24151103
Cabin in the woods.

>>24151106
Tail slam him or shield bash.

>>24151106
wrap him.

>>24151106
blunt end of staff, and a tail slap to the remaining one.

>>24151103
Cabin in The Woods...(really really hopes that it's just a coincidence and that the guy who picked that GIF doesn't realize how freaking perfect that movie is for this campaign.)

>>24151112
is shield bash an attack? It works best for us charging through these fuckers.

If we can't shield bash, go with the blunt staff as per
>>24151118
We aint got time for wrapping.

>>24151071
Tail trip the one who attacked Lea while turtling up and thrusting from behin the shiled at the one who struck us.

second one is out cold already people

>>24151145
>>24151118
>>24151110

Beacon's blunt end to his head.

1d20 +2

Rolled 19

>>24151174
!

>>24151174

Rolled 20 + 2

>>24151174

>>24151179
Aww yeah.

>>24151179
... i hope we didn't just kill him

>>24151189
Can we go with the first linked one to use the +2?

>>24151213
Automatically added to the roll I believe, meaning 19 still becomes 21.

>>24151213
I think a 19 is good enough.

>>24151213
it's the first linked roll. The + doesn't REALLY matter.

>>24151213
no, first linked roll that used the correct dice(with or without the bonus already added.)

>>24151230
True, but still. I'd like to think maybe we can enjoy the crit after all the nat 1's.

>>24151243
no. nonono.

No more crits and 20s.

I want some nice, even rolls.

>>24151258
er, 1s and 20s.

In short, I am saying stop being such unpredictable punks, dice. Grow a bellcurve.

>>24151179
TOK! You bring it down clearly right on top of the occuli's head.

He makes a little gurgling noise before he drops to the ground.

There's no sound of any further attackers.

Tricia taps you on the shoulder.

"The guy that Mage mutilated."

"It was an accident!"

"Look he's still bleeding back there." Tricia says. "We don't have time, but if you like I can use my sickle's pollen to stem the bleeding. But you know, I can only make so much..."

>>24151273
do it. hopefully he'll survive.

>>24151273
"Do it, but only enough to stop the bleeding."

>>24151287
Agreed. Hold the line while Trish works. Fucking Thermopylae style. Also ask her to do so quietly if possible so we can focus on listening for signs of action.

>>24151273
That's a hard call. I would personally save it for our group. But this is Ssen she would say do it. At the very least stop the bleeding but no more.

>>24151273
"Try to do it quickly, please."

>>24151273
"Do it, but be quick about it. "

Honestly I am surprised if he is alive. If we get through this objectives intact and that guy still alive? A miracle. Light be praised.

and by light I mean snake.

>>24151313
Consider this a learning experience.

TED was smart enough to bring healing potions on this adventure. He already used two.

We should find out where he got those.

>>24151352
He's a Dragon-butler. He probably has all kinds of cool stuff and secrets.

>>24151273
>>24151287
>>24151294
>>24151318
>>24151338
"I'm so proud of you for not making the same mistake I did, kiddo. Even if it brought you into my life, the same and what-if's never stopped haunting me."

>>24151352
Agreed. Someone needs to become an alchemist in our group to make stuff like that. Someone that isn't Mage.

>>24151370
hence ted is a high ranking objective, almost as high as the book.

Keep ted alive. Learn where the hell he got healing potions. We should have really done this after the trollblood incident, but we got distracted by CITADEL.

>>24151384
Yeah, maybe Ssen should take it up herself? Can't let paladin duties be an excuse for not pulling our weight, and with Tricia as a reagent-finder we'd have it covered as a duo.

>>24151294
"Do it, but quickly. Hopefully he'll survive."

Tricia nods and dashes off and then comes back. "He's passed out, but breathing. The sooner we get him actual help though, the better."

Lea is using strips of her bandages to constrain the other two Occuli.

"I'm sorry!" Mage said. "Magic's fickle and libraries are notorious for causing weird things to happen."

"Don't apologize to us!" Mari says.
"Come on!"

You all run towards the center. You hear two people talking as you approach.

"But it's wrong wrong wrong, you see. We can't get the book off, if we don't have the key." A female voice says.

"We'll just have to brute force it." A male voice says. "Get the Occuli to pry it open."

"But the trap, and the pain, we'll lose our toys without much gain."

"The trap can't have that much power to it, eventually they'll pry it loose enough for you or me to collect it. No matter if we lose them in the process. We need that book now, before she gets here."

"Who?"

"The Paladin Serpent...her." The male points at you and your company as you enter the center rotunda.

>>24151447
>Ssen trying all kinds of crazy concoctions to turn Lamia Venom into healing potions.
I'm game.

>>24151475
(Mari knows alchemy)
(Long post coming)

>>24151464
"Then I guess you're screwed, aren't you?" And then attack.

>>24151464
"I would suggest not using those thralls to set off any traps, as you are going to be asking us for quarter shortly. Surrender now, or take your twisted lives into your hands."

We're getting paladin enough to threaten, yeah?

>>24151464
Well that didn't work out well for them. Good thing we were in time.

"Please step away from the book."

>>24151475
>implying ssen knows anything but hunting and righteousness
Ssen's the ingredient pantry, not the actual alchemist.

>>24151504
She'd learn.

Plus, a paladin alchemist is pretty unusual, so it'd annoy Citadel more.

>>24151520
I imagine Ssen will probably pick up alchemy EVENTUALLY, but eventually is a long time. It may happen after the lifespan of this quest.

Even though I hope this quest goes on into lamia paladin quest, lamia mother quest, lamia mayor quest, and so on and so forth until we find a new protagonist, who will then have Ssen as a granny type figure.

>>24151608
I would like to know the story of the original Clarigo Clairus. That could be a possibility.

>>24151635
Eh, I am pretty sure we are going to find that out. Hard.

Like... peace is the original lightbringer hard.

>>24151475
>>24151486
>>24151504
>>24151520
>>24151608
Healing bites ahoy!

>>24151659
I thought there was a difference from the original Clarigo Clairus and the first Lightbringers...

>>24151608
Slime girl Bard Quest

>>24151694
Yes. There is. The original caligo clarus travelled with the original lightbringer. They weren't the same thing, thought they were his partymembers.

it was always peace, though.

>>24151665
we can only hope. Because, for real, who needs poison deboning bites when we've invented cooking food?

>>24151464
With a deadpan, lazy expression on our face, say, "You get one. Yield." If they say a single word or make a single move that does not ooze complacency, charge them in silent fury.

>>24151486
The center of the library is a very large circular room. There's a dome overhead with a faded fresco painting of men and women in bear hooded cloaks. They're hunting, building, writing, etc. It's a record of the Mountain Tribe that lived here. There's a lit chandelier of old iron and large wax candles above you all bathing the area in flickering orange light.

There are four corridors leading out of the rotunda, you came in from the east one.

The 'walls' are the same as the rest of the library, curved bookshelves, and all of them packed tightly with old books.

There's four pedestals in the center of the room, arranged in a cross but in an opposite configuration as the exits. (The corridors are N,S,E,W. The pedestals are NW, SW, SE, NE) They're four feet high, and each of them has a large book on them. Each book is locked within a metal cage. There's a circular indentation in the center of the cage, suggesting that you need some kind of circular shaped key a little bigger than a Medallion to open the cages. There's a prybar, scribbled notes, and other signs that make it clear that this group has been trying to open one of the book display cages.

There's three Occuli standing around the book pedestal. On the ground is the fourth one, he's twitching and his hands are charred and smoking. The prybar on the ground is also smoking. Apparently there's counter-measures to prevent opening the cages without a key. It also looks like the Occuli are going to keep trying to open the cage, regardless of their own safety.

There's the third Shadow Sister. She looks like the other two. White mask with just the eyes showing, and black clothing wrapped around her tightly.

The other man standing next to her is dressed in the non-descript brown robes that you've seen the Dramatae wear in your dreams. Only this one is wearing a different mask. This is the face of a person with a wide toothy smile and their eyes gleefully looking upwards. This is Passion.

(More coming)

>>24151766
Yeah, I think that's what echo is writing write now. Something similar.

We might be merciful and nice as hell, but we're not above doing lethal damage to the mastermind of a plot. Whether or not we can heal up that lethal damage later, well, that's for triage to decide.

>>24151464
To the third sister: "We already stopped your two sisters, and they regretted following him. Consider now whether you'd like to regret it before or after we defeat you."

>>24151783
Let's see how much Passion enjoys a sword in his gut.

>>24151783
The Shadow Sister has a scepter in one hand. It's a small wand of obsidian, clutching a red egg-shaped gem.

Passion has a mace. It's a simple looking thing, a steel shaft, wooden handle, and the head is a large metal ball with small metal bumps on it. However, it's also showing the blue wisps of magic coming off of it.

Passion holds up his hand. "A deal. You walk away, and take the Occuli with you. No one dies."

>>24151828
no, you IDIOT.

we stab him in the face.

We have to kill all the humors and devoted humors minions with facestabs.

We will lose the style points if we don't.

>>24151792
Amen. Any man who makes the conscious choice to present himself as a combatant, no matter how just his cause, forfeits his life. Simply the cold truth of the nature of battle. We ought not show quarter; these two know EXACTLY what they signed up for.

>>24151783
See if Mage or Lea could quickly extinguish the chandelier's candles. We can fight just fine in infrared.

>>24151783
I think we should heatscan probably-most likely-Sandover. He might have applied some of his own "techniques" to himself...

>>24151846
Fuck. Hostages. I forgot they could do that.

Have we had to deal with hostages before? I can't remember.

Well, either way. Point to the charred oculus.

"And what about him?"

>>24151854
Oh man. A full speed Lamia Charge with Beacon to his face sounds very satisfying.
and dangerous as all hell

>>24151783
"I'm sorry, but breaking and entering, stealing, and attempted murder are crimes I cannot overlook."

>>24151846
"What do you want with the book?"

It's totally Sandover, but might as well make sure, and delay while thinking things over.

>>24151846
"You know I can't do that. And you know I can't let you have that book."

>>24151846
How about I take the Occuli, the book and your head?

>>24151846
I wonder if Mage could melt the sister's wand? Either way, Mari's first move should be to snipe the sister before she can cast.

>>24151846
"Let them leave and you have my word as a Paladin that we won't kill you."


(which leaves us lots more options.)

i say we fight, its a fools bargain to let them have what they came for

>>24151846
I'm for: >>24151766

>>24151864
I think this is somewhat of a bright idea.

After any banter, kill the lights.

>>24151940
you forget our foe has magic, and the other one is a creature of darkness.

Sure Ssen can see in the dark, but I doubt the rest of our party can.

>>24151940
NO. HELL NO. That bitch is a vampire. And do you really think the dramatae or any of its close associates wouldn't have some way to counter that?

>>24151888
"What do you want with the book?"

"I choose to not answer that question." Passion says.

"And what about him?" You point at the charred Occuli on the ground.

"He's not dead...yet. But he needs attention. Quickly."

"Let them leave and you have my word as a Paladin that we won't kill you."

"You get to carry them off, and we stay here to collect our goal."

>>24151887
>"I'm sorry, but breaking and entering, stealing, and attempted murder are crimes I cannot overlook. You know I can't do that. And you know I can't let you have that book."

"And I know a Paladin would rather twenty evil men escape in exchange for saving one innocent life." Passion says.

>>24151963
>>24151973
okay, sure. We don't have to kill the lights.

I was going to have us give a line about being "the light in the dark", but we already did that in the cave. I forgot.

>>24151988
"You're talking to the wrooong Paladin." Aaand attack.

>>24151940
Also, vampires don't give off body heat. We were lucky the other two sisters recently ate.

>>24151988
"You may know a Paladin, but you don't know this one"

>>24151988
Say nothing. Charge in silence.

>>24152000
alternatively: " Maybe in Citadel."

>>24152000
Unfortunately he has got a point though, our past actions do suggest that Ssen DOES care about saving hostages.

>>24151988
"Those paladins are stupid. Twenty free evil men will cause more than one innocent death."

>>24151988
>"And I know a Paladin would rather twenty evil men escape in exchange for saving one innocent life." Passion says.

"A real paladin would find a way to apprehend all 20 men AND save that innocent life."

>>24151988
"That might be true for many Paladins. But I prefer to remove a threat to as many innocents quickly as I can."

>>24151988
>and I know a paladin would rather twenty evil men escape in exchange for one innocent life

Oh jeez. Okay guys, you know how you said we would deal with a few lives down the line when we had to re-adjust citadel economies?

Here's our first eggbreaking to make an omelette. How do we deal with it?

>>24152006
This one ate the guy at the door.

>>24152017
This. We'll have them off guard for a moment if we pretend to be going to pick him up but just speed up and charge them.

>>24152055
>>24152017
I wish we had an arrow knocked right now.

We could just firefly this shit. Is it too much to ask that Mari pull a Mal of her own accord? Probably, given /tg/dice.

>>24152026
Yeah, but we're a paladin of Pragmatism. We told everyone going into this, don't bother with nonlethal if it risk your own life. I say letting the Dramatae get what they want it enough of a reason to go lethal.

>>24152032
this, and it followed our theme of not following lawful stupid.

>>24152041
Not everyone can be saved. We can try but the larger goal is important. Blood will be spilled. Lives will be lost. It will happen if we want to free the people from Citadel.

>>24152026
>>24152074
we SUPER care about hostages.

We really, really care.

Hence why we are stabbing this guy in the face, I think?

He hit on a softspot. Even paladins have them.

>>24151988
But I know letting you go will only get more people hurt.

>>24152086
can we stab the guy, and THEN explain ourselves to him, as his lifeblood drains from his body?

Lives are on the line.

>>24152099
See >>24152032 He hit the mark. We do care and will do what we can save them but evil must be stopped when we're faced by it.

>>24152125
Please do.

Only times I have ever seen Ssen go full lethal:

When hostages and those under our charge are on the line.

It's the only time we don't give a single shit about nonlethality.

From a pragmatic standpoint:

After we finish here, we should spread word that paladin serpent does NOT fuck around with hostages.

Get lea to write a song about it even.

Hopefully we won't have any repeats.

>>24152187
>implying we win this fit

>>24152187
For every innocent life a foe of ours destroys, their own is undone before their eyes a thousandfold. It is known.

>>24152197
They're pulling the hostage card. It's demonstrating a clear disadvantage on their part.

The question is not whether we'll win {dicegod cruelty nonwithstanding}, but how many will die.

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Well, I hope you guys are ready.
We made the right choice. Now to observe as its consequences haunt us forever, as per
>>24151381

>>24152274
So...you want to quip or go Firefly and charge in?

>>24152320
Firefly.

>>24152320
dont answer ans slowly move up, charge, then quip

>>24152320
You're asking ME?

Charge in. Quip when the guy is run through. Lives, line, they're on it.

>>24152320
As much as I love quips, the time for them is when lives are not on the line.

>>24152274
>>24152338
Honestly, I want to throw our fucking spear. But I am certain that dicegods will laugh at me.

>>24152320
Charge
Quip after he's been ran through.

>>24152349
But if we throw it we can't use our light tokens to shoot ~laaazeeeeers~.

>>24152349
I want to as well but... Lamia charge is /almost/ just as good.

>>24152320
Go to pick up the charred one, then attack: wrap and Beacon to the face (or unprotected neck).

>>24152320
Firefly that smirking fucker.

>>24152349
Beacon is not balanced for throwing. We have no experience in throwing it. We don't have a backup close combat weapon once we've let go of it. We have a bow if we want to attack at long ranges.

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>>24152375
It doesn't change how much I want to do it. Like some basic roleplayer instinct.

>>24152320
Blitz them. Flurry of thrusts while serenely and slowly saying our prayer in a voice so low it's almost a whisper. Quickly rouse beacon and let fly with the AoE flurry.

>>24152389
Instead of picking him up we should look at say.. Lea then nod towards him. She'll follow us on our advance and can then secure him while we charge.

Rolled 10, 6, 4, 10, 2, 2, 9, 1, 5, 5, 5 = 59

>>24152417
Roll for initiative 1d10

Rolled 2

>>24152451

>>24152417
Sounds good.

Rolled 1

>>24152451
All those rolls scare me.

Rolled 1

>>24152451

Rolled 8

>>24152451

>>24152459
how on earth would we lose initiative on our own attack

>>24152459
>>24152467
WHY /TG/ DICE WHY!?

>>24152451
I hope we get a bit of a surprise bonus, if not a full surprise round.

>>24152459
>>24152467
>>24152468
Welp, is someone willing to use a re-roll.

>>24152459
>>24152467
>>24152468
WHAT IS THIS

>>24152476
we trip on our tail or some such stupidity.

>>24152476
That's what I'm wondering. Don't we get first strike rules or something.

>>24152492
Not on fucking initiative.

>>24152467
You'd best start believing in /tg/ dice laddie.
>>24152468
You rolled one.

>>24152509
Can't...stop...laughing...

>>24152492
if we need to, to get initiative?

in this circumstance?

yeah.

I'll be nice and let you give orders. Who does what?

I'm beginning to believe that the /tg/ dice aren't weighted evenly. Between this and the other three quests I've followed.

>>24152548
>beginning to believe

>>24152538
Have Peri pick pocket Passion and switch his dice with ours.

>>24152459
>>24152468
I propose we spoof the dice to get a more even distribution. When we intend to roll n d(F) +k; (n = quantity, F = num of faces on die, k = constant bonus;) we instead roll n (d(F*5)*(1/5)) +k;

>eg. substitute (1d100)/5 for 1d20;

>>24152553
I am not one to instantly assume shits broken just due to bad luck. However this is ridiculous.

>>24152557
We should've had Quinten make us a set of Quicksilver dice.

>>24152538
Lea and Mage on the sister.

Ssen and Peri on the Passion guy.

And Tricia trying to keep everyone else off us, I guess. Either that or she helps with the Vampire.

>>24152538
I assume you mean the party members choose to do this of their own fruition.

As you know, Ssen is charging in. The others react to this-

Lea is the alternate pointman, and charges in too.

Mage gets a-sleepin' the thralls.

Tricia, I am not entirely sure, she would either heal the guy or be on ssen's back, but I have not quite a good enough grasp of her mindset right now.

Peri/meri I have no idea, that's like two people in there.

>>24152538
Lea and Ssen act like they go for the downed Occuli, then Seen attacks Passion and Lea the vampire. Anyone with a ranged weapon or attack shoots Sandover. And Mage prepares for spell reversal on the thrall from Sand over.

>>24152604
Quite obvious the spell is being generated either from the staff or the mace.

>>24152592
Have Meri shoot at Passion's hand to disarm him as Peri charges.

Alright orders:

Peri\Mari shoudl see if they can't fade into the shadows and get the drop on mask when hes focused on us.

Why are lamia the new sergals?

>>24152622
Yes, exactly. Tail disarm.

>>24152538
we charge Passion, Peri/Mari shoot/attack the vamp, Lea hits a thrall, mage sleeps a different thrall, and Tricia try and help the burned one, or try and knock out a thrall, even if she has to maim him.

>>24152625
redaeth would you mind changing the subject of the nation builder chat?

Rolled 4

>>24152635
>>24152604
>>24152592

Okay.

Checking what Ted does.

I'm gonna go get my sadness vodka.

Things are gonna go badly before they get better.

(Has anyone archived this yet?)

>>24152704
Ted apparently is still bad at the Sisters for tearing up his face and nice coat. He's fighting with you guys.

Tricia goes to knock out the Occuli that's going to pick up the pry bar again.

Lea goes for the Sister.

The Sister responds in kind.

Mage tries to put an Occuli to sleep.

Rolled 7, 10, 5, 12 = 34

>>24152765

>>24152778
At least the Sister whiffed too.

hmm, I think mage actually managed his spell!

>>24152805
Does anyone have the list of our moves and list for our party members to-hit on hand?

Rolled 11, 3, 6 = 20

>>24152778
Tricia doesn't hit the Occuli hard enough, but Mage's spell causes him to drop.

Two Occuli try to attack Tricia, because she's trying to block people from touching the cage.

Mari shoots at Passion.

>>24152860
Whiffs all around. (Note: Tricia can only distract 2 Occuli like this.)

Your turn.

all misses

dear TG dice... I hate and love you.

>>24152860
>people on tricia
Oh you mofuggers you don't even know what you are doing.

>>24152880
Push Passion into one of the cages, since they seem electrified.

>>24152860
Right, spear to the guts of Passion. tail whip one of the occuli

>>24152880
Have we finally gotten to the masked man yet?

This entire initiative phase we've been charging him, as far as I'm aware. Or are we changing plans?

>>24152880
Spear Passion, tail an occuli.

>>24152899
>>24152901
>spear him!
>push him into the cages!

Gentlemen, gentlemen

if we are in a position where we can push him into a cage

we are in a position where we can SPEAR him into a cage.

>>24152880
Tail disarm the magic items!

>>24152917
this, spear passion, tail whip an occuli thats attacking tricia.

>>24152880
>Tricia being attacked.
Push harder but do not let your emotions fight our emotions get the better of us. Tail trip and spear on Passion

>>24152918
The spear would form a circuit between his body, our body, and the ground. We'd get shocked too.

>>24152946
I can't type today. I don't even words parse for sense.

>>24152901
>>24152917
>>24152941

Spear Passion and tail whip Occuli.

2d20 +2 to each. 1 Light point only if Beacon hits.

Rolled 1, 14 = 15

>>24152986

Rolled 14, 13 = 27

>>24152986
!

... reroll?

>>24152994
Maybe we ought to reroll that.

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>>24152994
>first roll
>>24152996
>my rolls
>mfw

>>24152994
reroll?

>>24153024
Yes, please.

>>24153007
>>24153014
i am in agreement
reroll

>>24153024
Alright, Archivist has to do it though.

>>24153034

(Mind archiving this thread, please?)

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>>24153024
It's our dramatic stupid facestab. I am clearing one (1) reroll for use.

Gentlemen, please rotate the keys simultaneously with me.

Rolled 9, 6 = 15

>>24153041
(will do, soon as we hit 300 or so)

>>24153040

>>24153051
...

>>24153051
whiffs for everyone!

>>24153051
...sigh.

I'm starting to think that Citadel controls the dice gods.

>>24153051
/tg/ DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!

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>>24153051

Man, staying in these quests for the combat is always so depressing. I'll come back in a few hours and see if we're dead.

>>24153067
What really kills me, is that it equals out to the exact same damn score. So unless 1s are critical failures or something, we wasted that re-roll.

>>24153089
The stabbing of people is the worst part of being a paladin.

It's also one of the most important to make sure you get right.

>>24153051
#$%& /tg/ dice.

i think i burned all my luck in that one thread a while back in this quest with the multiple 20s in a row.

>>24153095
1s are totally critical failures.

>>24153095
It's not the score. Its one d20 for a tail attack and one d20 for the spear attack. Score means nothing.

Rolled 7, 20, 9, 4 = 40

>>24153051
Two rerolls left.

Damn, Passion is skilled. He calmly deflects the blow. Your tail also misses. Your concentration has been shaken.

Ted comes in a swingin' at the Sister with his silver axe.

Passion swings his mace at you.

The charred Occuli gets the pry bar and gets up off the floor.

Tricia tries to knock him back down.

Mage shoots to drop another Occuli.

>>24153144
>Passion crits us

FUCKING DICE

Rolled 18, 12, 15, 14 = 59

>>24153144
Passion hits you dead on with his mace.

Roll 1d20 -1

>>24153144
>nat 20

Really?

... damn it TG dice.

>>24153144
>+3 mace of Lamia Seeking

Rolled 8

>>24153169
!