The efforts to stabilize Bronze Peak have been going mostly smoothly. You arrived to find a crowd of debt dodgers at the doors to the underground city, all of them unhappy that the Citadel Dream is over. With some quick thinking, and calling upon some representatives from Coins. You were able to put together a plan to purchase the debts. It's a quick fix, and just adds to the mounting pile of things that Citadel disapproves of.

It also turns out that the representative of the Coins guild, was the Fey Court thief Robin Goodfellow, along with his partners Ryan, the dizzying revolutionary, and Jessi, the goth who may possibly be a necrophiliac. They were happy to help, as it kept their current cover.

The talks with the harpies did hit a snag. The Bear Shrine was now occupied by the outlaw mercenary force known as the 'Glass Assassins.' A group that, according your father's old cohort Tallow, was the latest incarnation of the 'bad guy merc group' created by the Dramatae.

You decided to run a stealth mission up to the shrine, hiring Robin and his crew to aid you. Turns out that, once you get past the revolutionary rhetoric, goth makeup, and over-priced flashiness, Robin's team are amazingly competent and professional.

Your stealth assault on the shrine went amazingly well. Guards were dropping left and right, and you were also able to surprise the Dramatae's direct agents within the group, the pre-requisite comic relief members. They were less than loyal to Peace. Turns out that the female of the group was Rage's daughter, and the grandmother of her partner in crime. She told you that the Dramatae's plan was to scrap the current Lightbringer story and start over. Using Adhan as their new Shaper of Darkness, making him into a Fallen Lightbringer. The Glass Assassins were here to stop the harpy talks, try to remove you and your progress enforcing friends, and seize the remaining Iron Books that the Bear Tribe had written. Using the knowledge within them to convert an army of monsters to their 'new' master.

She also gave you a token that was supposed to allow you entry to Comedy's secret apple grove and Tragedy's 'real' manor.

In return, you left them to be collected by the Occuli later...and most likely escape after that. Hopefully, that wont come to bite you on the ass.

You emerged from the underground library and met up with Robin's crew to find that they had silently taken out fifteen of the Glass Assassins that were watching the skies for harpies, with only one death.

Your plan to assault the remaining leaders of the group was not as elegantly executed, due to a magical malfunction mainly manifested by Mage's mistake. It turns out that the Glass Assassin leadership was not as easy to dispatch as their rank and file. However, the timely arrival of your Red Occuli backup, along with the harpies, (Of which there are only 29, apparently) brought the battle to a close.

Then the Harpy Queen announced, via Paul, that she had been impressed by a show of skill and daring, and that she would be amicable to talking terms about relocation, provided that the one that impressed her remained for her to...study.

With that announcement, the Harpy Queen bowed to Robin Goodfellow.

>>24516788
Time to die of laughter.

>>24516788
Well, Harpies are big birds. Birds like stealing, Robin likes stealing, it's a match made in Citadel!

Gasp! I thought there would be no lamia quest tonight!
>>24516834
Quest's over! Ssen's dying of laughter!

>>24516788
So, we arranged for the food to be on its way here from Bronze Peak. Does the Bear Shrine have some kind of dining hall that could support this many people? Or, could we set something up outside?

Okay, enough thinking about the far-off days of forging orders and being a grandmaster and mourning when we hear the buzz of a bee.

What's on the current agenda? sending for Isen, sandover, and the food? also, ensuring all these assassins are arrested so we can talk to them later?

>>24517008
>What's on the current agenda? sending for Isen, sandover, and the food? also, ensuring all these assassins are arrested so we can talk to them later?

We've done both of those already. Right now we have a diplomatic meal to enjoy, and some negotiations to mediate, with Robin as a interesting wildcard in the mix.

>>24517020
oh boy, now we can have those diplomatic talks. I still don't even have any idea what kind of proposal we're going to have.

Offer them citizenship? There aren't enough of them to send one to be on the council. are there?

>>24517008
We still inviting the Princess as well?

>>24516788
You get back to Bronze Peak, and tell Isen, and the 'Diplomatic Corps' that he has formed, what has happened. His audaciousness' reaction is one of sheer hysterical laughter at the scenario, and seething jealousy that someone scooped up a hot piece of royal tail before he even got a chance to work his 'magic' on her.

"Ah well," Isen says. "All she'll need to see is this face, and she'll be all over this." He grins.

Tara rolls her eyes and throws a small but heavy chest of cutlery at her beloved.

Princess Mumei is also very interested to see the harpies. She's got one of her even nicer dresses on, and is touching up her makeup.

"So," Jeremy sighs. "How exactly are we going to do this? I mean, I know how to smile and laugh at people's jokes but that's about it."

"For this kind of thing, that's actually most of what you need." Isen says. "Sit down, eat your food slower than the guest of honor, laugh and nod at the jokes, don't spill your drink, and belch into your napkin." He shrugs. "The diplomacy happens after dinner in a room with soft chairs, good liquor, and cigars."

"You know a lot about this, Isen." Lea says.

Isen shrugs. "I got all of this nailed into my head when I was five."

"Alright," Jeremy says. "Ssen, any Paladin things that we have to do to make this official?"

>>24517055
"Heck if I know, I didn't get the handbook. I'll probably have to sign on some document Isen makes up, from experience. No pressure, Isen."

>>24517128
man, that's a real non-answer. I wish I could think of better.

Just to throw up the consensus from the last thread.
Beacon/Clang on heavy targets, and only using the claws for stealth and light targets.

>>24517128
"Heck if I know, I didn't get the handbook. I'll probably have to sign on some document Isen makes up, from experience. No pressure, Isen." You say.

Isen shrugs. "We've been pretty much making this up as best we can as we go along, but best not to let too many people know about that." He sighs. "Alright, lets just look at what we have available to offer them...what do we have available to offer them?"

>>24517187
Ah, improvisation. That might be preferable to most of OUR so-called plans.

>>24517187
"All we have for sure to offer is a consistent food source in exchange for the work. That's the backbone of the deal. To make it work, though, we'd have to give them the kind of legal protection humans get. I've had hard times with laws not applying to me before I was a paladin and officially, you know, a person. I doubt they'd take a deal that didn't include it. What would be the best way to do that? The lizardmen got citizenship, but they had an entire city of people. This is just a small group.

Maybe we could have them declared emmisaries or something?"

>>24517187

If they're not averse to moving out of the peaks with all of the shadow-possessed harpies, we could also see if there's a place for them to settle on the mountain above Bronze Peaks.

>>24517317
a good thought. Add that to the list of things we can offer. Heck, we might even offer non-exclusive hunting rights, if such things have to be given.

>>24517187
"Right now, we have food to offer them, which is a good symbol of them not needing to scrabble for food with the wild harpies; there will be enough to go around if we can save Bronze Peak. They'll have work, of a type we think many of them will enjoy. They'll have protection. And..."

>>24517238
This:
>we'd have to give them the kind of legal protection humans get. I've had hard times with laws not applying to me before I was a paladin and officially, you know, a person. I doubt they'd take a deal that didn't include it. What would be the best way to do that? The lizardmen got citizenship, but they had an entire city of people. This is just a small group.

>>24517365
"Right now, we have food to offer them, which is a good symbol of them not needing to scrabble for food with the wild harpies; there will be enough to go around if we can save Bronze Peak. They'll have work, of a type we think many of them will enjoy. They'll have protection. And to make this work, we'd have to give them the kind of legal protection humans get. I've had hard times with laws not applying to me before I was a paladin and officially, you know, a person. I doubt they'd take a deal that didn't include it. What would be the best way to do that? The lizardmen got citizenship, but they had an entire city of people. This is just a small group."

"Hmm...well, I don't think we can squeak another thing by like we did with the Lizard People..." Isen bites his lip. Then he tilts his head back and forth. "There might be a way, but you aren't going to like it." He sighs. "As harpies, they have no rights, just like Nagas and Lamias. Present company excluded." He says. "However, pets DO have rights. Or at least laws that apply to them and their treatment."

"You want to declare the harpies all as PETS?" Tricia says. "That's amazingly insulting."

"Just on paper." Isen says. "It's that or we spend ages bickering over every last thing. This is a quick solution that we squeak under the door."

Lea shakes her head. "It's a bad way to start negotiations by telling people that they'll be known as pets."

"Well, it's better than being a monster...wait...that came out wrong." Isen looks at you. "You know what I mean, right? Is this a stupid plan? I don't think it is, but..." He shrugs.

>>24517566
"No, if it were a stupid plan we'd probably be all for it. It does seem like a bad idea, though.

But we might be able to pull off a similar bit of legal fiction. Could we arrange for them to all be, well, 'employees' of some kind? Aren't there laws there too?"

>>24517566
"I'm gonna be square? I really, really don't think I could sell that no matter how I package it. I take it there's absolutely no other legal status we could affix? refugees, diplomats, or the like? Maybe mercenaries?"

>>24517566
"I don't think we'll be able to convince them to go with it, besides, I'm worried it might set a bad precedent, even if it is 'just on paper'."

>>24517566
"I don't think we can solve all the potential prejudice against them on paper, but declaring them as 'pets' doesn't even try; it'll color how people look at them from the start.

We treat the people from the Phoenix Empire as having rights, even though they're not exactly the same. I'd settle for treating the harpies similarly.

>>24517675
This.

>>24517675
I like the idea of giving them diplomatic status. Sidesteps the issue of slave/monster/pet/person entirely.

cannot see labeling them as pets being productive, even if it would solve a problem short term.

>>24517865
well, that's really not our ballpark. I hope it can be done. otherwise... pets. Fuck. I don't think I can do that with even my sharpest, most serpentlike tonguework.

>>24518053
>>24517865

Well.. if Citadel law won't help them... what about PHOENIX EMPIRE laws?

If we really wanted to be diplomatically wily, couldn't Princess Mumei induct them as citizens of the Phoenix Empire or something like that? Then grant said citizens asylum in Bronze Peaks for whatever reason?

If the kingdom doesn't acknowledge them as people, they'll be offending the (powerful and recently diplomatically aligned) Phoenix Empire.

Making them officially be pets would not be much better than de jure slavery. They would be property.

Unacceptable.

>>24518117
you canny motherfucker. that just might work.

>>24518117
That's brilliant. Mumei *is* a princess, she probably has enough power to do that, and anyone on this continent would have a long way to go to appeal that decision.

And the Phoenix Empire does have quite a bit of affinity with birds.

>>24518053
There's nothing TO be done unless it's a loophole like diplomatic status or employment.

Refugee status doesn't normally afford even close to what full legal citizenship does and it can be insulting into the deal, and being considered as pets has the same lack of legal protections with even more insult. And some people aren't going to go along with us declaring something they consider to be "monsters" as being their equals on top of all the financial problems.

Because some people are racist pricks.

>>24518117
This could be our best option right now. Lets ask Mumei.

>>24517675
"No, if it were a stupid plan we'd probably be all for it. It does seem like a bad idea, though. I really, really, don't think I could sell that. No matter how I package it. I take it there's absolutely no other legal status we could affix? refugees, diplomats, or the like? Maybe mercenaries?

"We treat the people from the Phoenix Empire as having rights, even though they're not exactly the same. I'd settle for treating the harpies similarly."

Isen pauses and thinks. "That...might be a loophole, though we'll need Mumei's help on this."

"How?"

"If she declares that the harpies are members of the Phoenix empire, then she can make them part of her retinue. Then, since she and I are supposed to be married...eventually...that would make her 'household' honorary citizens of Citadel, like she is right now. It's enough to give them rights under law."

"Yeah, but can the Princess do that?" Peri asks.

"Who's going to say she can't?" Mari says. "The only other people from the Empire are in Citadel. She IS the Empire on this side of the kingdom."

"But will she be willing to do it?" Lea asks.

Everyone looks at you.

A few moments later, you're knocking on the door to Mumei's carriage. She opens the door and welcomes you inside. She shows off her dress and her feathered headdress. "King Snake, welcome and well met. Do you think the Artful Fliers will find my plumage fitting, or is this too much like the loon's peacock display?" She asks.

>>24518239
oh man this is going to be so good I'm gonna get popcorn

>>24518239
Less a loon, more a mockingbird: you wear feathers but have no wings.

Not meant as an insult, but the Artful Fliers might need their concerns allayed.

>>24518239
"I honestly have no idea what the Harpies think of fashion."

Fill her in on the plan

>>24518239
"I think you look wonderful, but then again, I'm growing fond of the loon's displays as well. He brings me much laughter, but that's aside from the point. I'd actually like to ask you for some aid with the issue of the artful fliers. You see, they are not technically considered people by the citadel, which means they aren't afforded the protection of law. We can't easily circumvent this problem without major legal changes or declaring them slaves of some sort. The best solution we've come up with to solve this problem comes from you- you would declare the artful fliers members of the phoenix empire, and take them into your retinue. The protection you get would then extend to them, and diplomatic talks could continue.

Is this something you could do for us, Mumei?"

>>24518239
>>24518406
"I just saw the Harpy Queen place a feather in Robin's hair; I believe it will work quite nicely. The peacock has its place, and now might be the time for a bit of strutting, as long as you don't turn into a mockingbird.

At the moment, the loon and the serpent could use some help from the peacock's authority. We want the harpies respected, not treated as monsters in need of a cage. We can't easily get them treated as anything better than pets under Citadel's authority. But if they were adopted by a Phoenix..."

>>24518239
Alternate response to her initial question:
"I believe the Artful Fliers might respect a raptor moreso than a songbird, especially if you wish to convey a position of power rather than one of ornament. You might choose something you can move more freely in."

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>>24518445
Once again story seeker beats me in trans-lingual idiom usage. I'll have my revenge when we're doing poignant short motivational phrases, and detailed explanations.

>>24518445
Explain it as being similar to a cuckoo, except with citizenship laws.

>>24518546
Good call.

>>24518553
Glad to be of service.

>>24518444
"I think you look wonderful, but then again, I'm growing fond of the loon's displays as well. He brings me much laughter, but that's aside from the point.

"I just saw the Harpy Queen place a feather in Robin's hair; I believe it will work quite nicely. The peacock has its place, and now might be the time for a bit of strutting, as long as you don't turn into a mockingbird.

"At the moment, the loon and the serpent could use some help from the peacock's authority. We want the harpies respected, not treated as monsters in need of a cage. We can't easily get them treated as anything better than pets under Citadel's authority. But if they were adopted by a Phoenix..."

She sighs and taps her seat. "That is...a lot to ask for." She says. "I would be doing this without approval from the flock. It is not something that is done." She sighs. "I am not meant to fly." Her eyes look towards the malformed appendages that are her feet. "I was meant to sit, and preen, and make hatchlings. I should not have a flock." She chuckles. "It is one thing to fly on your own, without care. But to have others within your wings..." She sighs. "I am not a brave one. I'm sorry. Seek someone else to soar."

>>24518542
I'd actually first tried to find a reasonably well known hybrid bird species, aiming for an idiom of "little of column A, little of column B", but I didn't find any. Somehow "Perlin" seemed like reaching too much, and I figured it'd come across more like noise.

But revenge is easy; just take advantage of one of those times where my purple prose looks more like a bruise.

>>24518628
"You have flown far from the nest for one professing to be meek. You called me a cuckoo once; perhaps you came from a hawk's egg in a nest of finches. You are here, and the flock is not; there are none else who can act in your stead. Would you have the Artful Fliers raised as pets, with seed dishes and clipped wings?

You fought against the gilded cage for yourself; would you not fight against it for others?"

>>24518628
"You may have been clipped, but I believe it is nonsense that you can't fly, even soar as high as the great ones. If you cannot do it for fear of betraying your family and flock, that's fine. Family bonds are important and strong. But if you are simply afraid, I challenge you to soar on that fear like a raging thermal."

And for the usual Ssen punnery, there's a "birds of a feather" joke in here somewhere.

>>24518628

Should we try to convince her that they would be able to take care of themselves, that it would be de jure and not de facto, or do you think she wouldn't go for that?

hmmmmmmmMM
>>24518719
this one. maybe include the part about family bonds being an acceptable reason to refuse our request, from the other one.

I'm tempted to just say

"Not brave? Can't fly? someone ELSE to soar? we can't have that."

Head outside, call down a harpy, put mumei in the harpy's talons, and having them FLY. Can a harpy carry a person?

It seems like a stupid plan, but I also want Mumei to be able to fly.

>>24518719
"You have flown far from the nest for one professing to be meek. You called me a cuckoo once; perhaps you came from a hawk's egg in a nest of finches. You are here, and the flock is not; there are none else who can act in your stead. Would you have the Artful Fliers raised as pets, with seed dishes and clipped wings?

"You fought against the gilded cage for yourself; would you not fight against it for others?

"You may have been clipped, but I believe it is nonsense that you can't fly, even soar as high as the great ones. If you cannot do it for fear of betraying your family and flock, that's fine. Family bonds are important and strong. But if you are simply afraid, I challenge you to soar on that fear like a raging thermal."

Mumei laughs softly and shakes her head. "The Song of the King Snake." She looks at you for a long two minutes. It's a little unnerving at how few times she blinks. "I will do this for you...on one condition." She says. "I want to fly. And that's not a metaphor. You do the impossible, you /are/ impossible, so I ask the impossible." She nods. "I want to walk, I want to dance, I want to run, and more than anything, I want to fly. You want me to be something grand, like yourself, the loon, and the others in your draft? Then that has to happen first. Promise me that...and I will offer the artful ones my nest as theirs." She sighs. "And may the Great Phoenix's laughter at our folly be louder than when she weeps when we crash."

>>24518872
"Walking, running? These things are possible, so they will be difficult for you. But flying? That's impossible, and thus, in my realm. I'll not rest until I see you soar."

>>24518872
"I've taught a Dragon to revere the Light as a fellow dragon and ally. Teaching a kiwi to fly seems about on par for a Dawnchaser plan. But [looking down at her feet] we might want to start with running and dancing, first.

I give you my word, you will have a chance to dance and to fly."

>>24518965
let's change that to "stop".

not stop until I see you soar.

because we rest a lot. resting's good.

>>24518965
Nice. I like this better than the ending to mine.

I wonder if Granny healing magic could solve this ... at least the feet part.

And what she would want in return ... nothing is free in life.

>>24518963
Mage has enough on his plate. We might check with Cups, or with Jeremy.

>>24518872
I thought she meant literally fly. I'm okay with that too. Let's get barney on this. We ornithopter now.

>>24518963
Hmm... there's flesh shaping magic of course, is there anything like polymorph spells? Temporary ones. Don't want her stuck as a harpy forever.

Wait, wait, transformative items! Those masks the Dramatae wear, they don't just make people youthful do they? Could a worn enchanted item, allow someone to fly? Even if just a short distance. It would have to be a research project separate from healing the princess.

>>24519038
Hadn't even thought of Barney pulling a Da Vinci.

>>24518978
>Teaching a kiwi to fly
I almost said "penguin", and then I thought of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs .

>>24518993
The issue of princess' feet is a little trickier than just healing magic. It's not an injury or a wound per se. Her feet were bound when she was a child, professionally and carefully. Technically, there's nothing to heal. Her feet are healthy, not wounded, and her body 'knows' them to be this shape. So basic healing magic, even Granny's heavy duty stuff, can't really fix this. You'd need something stronger, or out and out polymorphic magic and find a way to make it stick too.

>>24518978
"I've taught a Dragon to revere the Light as a fellow dragon and ally. Teaching a kiwi to fly seems about on par for a Dawnchaser plan.

"Now, as for walking, dancing, and running? These things are possible, so they will be difficult for you. But flying? That's impossible, and thus, in my realm. I'll not rest until I see you soar."

She sighs and shakes her head. "You say such things with perfect conviction, that I have to doubt your sanity...or mine that I believe you." She nods. "I'll write up what you will need. I will take on the Artful Fliers as my attendants...handmaidens...umm I'm not sure what I should call them. I doubt you'd want me to call them servants." She shakes her head. "This new menagerie of a kingdom you and the Loon are making is impossibly strange."

>>24519045
I would be incredibly cautious about sticking something that literally channels citadel/dramatae magic on anyones face, let alone on of our friends faces. for all we know it could 'take over' like when we where in Grand Citadel.

>>24519211
I think he meant making a similar item such as a necklace or bracelet she can wear. Passion Masks are icky and the effect ends immediately when removed so she needs something more discrete.

>>24519169

Hmm. What if Jeremy, Quentin, Mage, and Mari collaborate together to make some sort of mentally reactive prosthetic foot? Jeremy has extensive surgical experience, Quentin is a master of metalmaking, Mage knows a lot about fleshshaping, and Mari knows enough about everything to probably contribute to the effort significantly.

Or if that's not possible, we could just see if Jeremy and Quentin could work together to make a more mundane prosthetic foot. Still well-designed, mind you, but is not magically controlled by mental cues.

>>24519169
> The issue of princess' feet is a little trickier than just healing magic. It's not an injury or a wound per se. Her feet were bound when she was a child, professionally and carefully. Technically, there's nothing to heal. Her feet are healthy, not wounded, and her body 'knows' them to be this shape. So basic healing magic, even Granny's heavy duty stuff, can't really fix this. You'd need something stronger, or out and out polymorphic magic and find a way to make it stick too.

Yeah, footbinding isn't something you take a healing potion for.

Jeremy might have some useful thoughts here.

We might also consider, in the short term, some kind of prosthetic attached to the lower leg, so that she doesn't put weight on the foot itself. That'd be enough to walk, run, or dance, with some getting used to. And we could probably make a rudimentary prototype of *that* pretty quickly, maybe even today so she can try it out.

Long-term, we'll probably need some kind of magic to help her fly, and that magic might well help her feet as well. She might settle for one of Barney's inventions, but there isn't a huge difference between that and having one of the harpies take her for a ride.

There's also the mind-sharing stuff Mari and Peri pulled off; she could share a Harpy's mind for a bit.

>She sighs and shakes her head. "You say such things with perfect conviction, that I have to doubt your sanity...or mine that I believe you." She nods. "I'll write up what you will need. I will take on the Artful Fliers as my attendants...handmaidens...umm I'm not sure what I should call them. I doubt you'd want me to call them servants." She shakes her head. "This new menagerie of a kingdom you and the Loon are making is impossibly strange."

"Would they have to be part of your household for this to work, or would it suffice to adopt them as citizens of the Phoenix Empire?"

If she says the former: "How about representatives, diplomats, or heck, royal accountants?"

>>24519277
Quite a collaborative effort; a rune-enhanced part-biological prosthesis. That'd be a sight to see, and one worth of the impossible task she just set for us.

>>24519169
"Well isn't that simple? They're your royal accountants."

>>24519169
"oh, and you might be smart to doubt my sanity. I've been known to leap into things that would kill most. Sometimes literally."

>>24519286
I was hoping hitching a ride on a harpy would qualify for flight. I'm not sure, honestly, how we'd get her up there under her own power. Perhaps we could try gliders, and parachutes?

>>24519363
Her ancestors were birds; perhaps some of that red moss that Granny found for us would help her?

>>24519378
I dunno, I thought her ancestors were humans who saw the world through bird metaphor.

but there MIGHT be some roc blood in there, now that you mention it.

>>24519169
Actually, I think we should share some of our thought process with her, just to show her how we think about doing the impossible.

"Perhaps we are a bit insane, but I think that's a requirement to pull this kind of thing off. If I agreed that it was impossible, my thoughts would end there. If I assume it is possible, I'll start thinking about how to do it.

So far, I'm thinking that in the short term we could rig up a simple prosthetic leg and foot attached to your lower leg, to take the weight off the bound foot. That'd be enough to walk, run, and dance, though it'd take some getting used to. And we could try that fairly quickly. We could come up with something more advanced with the help of Jeremy's skill from Cups, Mage's fleshshaping magic, Barney's and Quentin's manufacturing ability, Quentin's runework, Mari's orthogonal brilliance.

To fly, there are magics that could help you share a mind with a harpy to get the experience, there's a red moss I used recently that will get you in touch with any flight-capable ancestry you might still have, and we know an inventor who might be able to create a mechanical bird you could ride on.

And all of those ideas started from knowing that I'm going to find a way for you to dance and fly."

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>>24519303

Well, I was more thinking of a prosthesis that would be magically attuned to a person so it would function more like cybernetic prosthetic, rather than just a regular one. A bio-prosthesis would require regular maintenance and nutrition and other such things since it would be a separate organism.

Unless we wanted to "grow" a proper foot and replace Mumei's current feet with the grown ones. But then you get into junk like transplant rejection. At that point, it might be simpler to see if there are any really really smart/powerful flesh-shapers out there who could essentially GROW a new foot for Mumei. But I have a feeling that any flesh-shaper of that level of skill would be hiding for his life from the Dramatae, or might possibly be in their payroll.

What kind of prosthetic technology does this world have, I wonder. We're going to need some kind of fully functioning exo-leg. Maybe something as primitive as a stilt, strapped to the shins.

And we should CERTAINLY teach her to ride.

Posted this at end of last thread, but we should keep this in mind as a goal possibly for after we get Bronze peak settled.

>Guys. Idea. We could expand the Caligo Clarus. The Caligo Scholarus. Detachments of scholars and highly skilled artisans accompanied by the wisest, most patient and open-minded men we can find among the red occuli, serving as bodyguards. They'd travel from town to town, emparting practical and technical knowledge upon any willing and able to learn. I bet a lot of the problems stemming from the loss of citadel's training wheels will be solved by giving people a bit of education.

>>24519286
"Would they have to be part of your household for this to work, or would it suffice to adopt them as citizens of the Phoenix Empire?"

"It's simpler for everyone if they are part of my nest." She says.

"Then isn't it simple? They're your royal accountants." You smile. "Oh, and you might be smart to doubt my sanity. I've been known to leap into things that would kill most. Sometimes literally."

She nods. "Of that I have no doubt. You'll have your documents, and your menagerie."

You leave the carriage. The others look at you.

"She's up for this plan?" Isen asks. "Anything she want for it? Cause His Light knows that all we need is more demands."

>>24519501
Either one of those approaches could make sense; I think we should leave it to one of the several experts we're charging with the task.

>>24519524
"Of course she agreed, it's only the proper thing to do. As for demands, well, she only wants what is reasonable for anyone with bound feet, trapped in a royal cage. She wants to fly. We'll be consulting with the mages and runesmiths and inventors about that later."

>>24519524
"Isen, I'm surprised at you! Thinking I'd come out of this having promised the impossible and plotting how to deliver?

All we need to do is find a way for her to walk, run, dance, and fly. Literally, not figuratively. Hardly the most difficult thing we've done this week."

>>24519580
"Isen, I'm surprised at you! Thinking I'd come out of this having promised the impossible and plotting how to deliver?

All we need to do is find a way for her to walk, run, dance, and fly. Literally, not figuratively. Hardly the most difficult thing we've done this week."

"That's it?" Isen asks.

"Yeah, we should probably be consulting with the mages and runesmiths and inventors about that later." You say.

"More for the to-do book." Mage says.

"At this point, I think it's more like a library." Tricia says.

Your brother puts his head in his hands and shakes his head in bemused despair. "I dream of a day where I have nothing to do, and a pile of baked sweet potatoes."

"It's good to have impossible dreams." Peri says.

"Alright." Isen says. "Tara's beaten me up, Mage is depressed, the food's loaded to go, Ssen's made outrageous promises, the tables and cutlery is prepared, Lea's said two dozen prayers, the cook is procured Tricia was cute and pouty, the harpies are waiting for us with your elves from Coins that I shouldn't ask questions about, Peri and Mari were snarky, the princess was poised but slightly depressing, and I'm as unbelievably awesome as I've ever been. If not more so.

Are we good for a night of diplomacy?"

>>24519711
>Lea's said two dozen prayers

Oh, we so need to give her a hard time about that later.

> Are we good for a night of diplomacy?

"We're better prepared than usual. Shall we?"

>>24519711
Fuss Isen's hair a little
"Okay, now we're ready."

>>24519711
>"More for the to-do book." Mage says.

"Actually, Mage, I was planning to get some help on this one. Your skill with fleshshaping seems likely to come into play, but I was thinking Quentin for some metalsmithing and runework, Jeremy for his healing skill, Mari for the brilliant suggestion nobody sees coming, and possibly Barney for invention help."

>>24519711
"Prepared? Well... this certainly feels different somehow. IS this how it feels to have a plan that actually makes sense?"

"Not sure I like it."

>>24519783
It's good how we've gotten our group to be able to manage almost entirely if Ssen-less. A while longer, and they'll be able to invent, execute, and produce their own bad ideas.

>>24519522
we should get the scholarus started soon. I am thinking it's top on the list of projects once we get an industrial cashflow.

>>24519907
I like this one.

>healing the crippled and raising them into the sky
Guys, if we succeed here we might just go fullprophet

>>24519751
>>24519736

"Actually, Mage, I was planning to get some help on this one. Your skill with fleshshaping seems likely to come into play, but I was thinking Quentin for some metalsmithing and runework, Jeremy for his healing skill, Mari for the brilliant suggestion nobody sees coming, and possibly Barney for invention help."

Mage nods.

"But that's for later." You fuss Isen's hair a little. "Okay, now we're ready. Actually, we're better prepared than usual. Shall we?"

Isen frowns, but then looks at his reflection in Clang. "This might be a good look for me. I'll try it, later."

You all load up and the wagons bump up the trail and you reach the Bear Shrine. It actually looks kind of nice. The harpies and Robin's crew have set up some torches and cleared away the old debris. It looks very nice.

Isen strides out of the carriage. He's carrying the Princess in his arms and gently places her in a chair.

The tables are set up, and grills are assembled. Fishes are cooked in mass quantities, and kegs of wine are tapped.

After a bit of work, the table is assembled, the food is laid out, and Isen bows as the harpies take their seats. Robin is standing next to the Harpy Queen, but he has a fixed smile on his face and his eyes scream 'help me!'

"I would like to dedicate this dinner, to the Bear Tribe." Isen says. "Tonight, we try to take up their mission again."

The Queen says something. Paul nods. "Her majesty says that you talk a lot. However, you say a few interesting things in your babble. There are old memories of the Bear Tribe, and we respect them." He says. "We are also thankful for the food, for we are very hungry and have not eaten well for a long time. Thus this food is welcomed, as is our new consort." The Queen strokes Robin's cheek. "We will eat now and then we will have a lot of talk of what will happen next, but for now we will eat."

(cont)

>>24520172
>she goes immediately for octopus first
>insists robin has the first bite
>robin must now eat wriggling octopus

>>24520172
The harpies dig into their food with relish. They seem to get the concept of eating with knives, but forks and spoons are a little beyond them. Still, Isen seems to be in his element. Smiling at the Queen and eating slowly. Robin looks like he's about three steps away from cracking, from the way that the Queen keeps 'dusting' him with her feathers, and occasionally rubbing her talons along his leg.

"You've got to get the boss out of this!"

Ryan and Jessi are now at your side. They've been serving fish. They're back to looking like the loopy revolutionary and goth, but they look about two steps away from either screaming in terror, or laughing hysterically.

"She's been talking about things like eggs and nests." Jessi says. "The boss is a trailblazer...but he's not THIS kind of an explorer."

"She keeps asking to see Robin and us jump up and down off of the roofs and show our rope swinging skills." Ryan says. "We cannot have our glorious leader be led astray by the vile harpies of the female...harpy." He sighs.

>>24520172
>>24520297
I'm trying to think of a polite way to ask for the queen's name, so that we can call her Queen Something rather than just Queen. "my liege" and similar titles don't quite work in this situation.

But in any case, here's one way to get the conversation started about the Queen and Robin:

"Queen, I would love to hear of the feats of daring and cunning that your new consort has done to impress you. We fought in two groups in the battle, with him leading the charge to take out the archers, and our group sneaking inside the shrine to take out the patrols and the rest. We have yet to hear the details of their exploits, and surely he himself would modestly undersell it."

Which is a roundabout way of saying "so what do you see in him, anyway?".

>>24520297
"I'm going to be honest with you two. This is the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. I'll try to help robin, just as soon as I get over my interminable case of the giggles."

>>24520320
Then this, once we stop laughing.

>>24520297
>"She's been talking about things like eggs and nests." Jessi says. "The boss is a trailblazer...but he's not THIS kind of an explorer."

Perhaps Robin needs a chat with Isen about expanding his boundaries.

>>24520297
>rubbing her tallons along his leg
>talking about things like eggs and nests.

Oh, THAT type of consort

>>24520402
Is there another kind? Otherwise she would have said "escort" or "dining companion" or some such politeness.

>>24520461
poopsnatch
bunt?

>>24520447
>Hot Cloaca action.

File: 1367208596942.gif-(1.17 MB, 200x118, aw_yeeeee.gif)

1.17 MB GIF

>>24520402
>>24520417
>>24520447
>>24520461
robin's situation just makes me chortle harder and harder. I must be a bad person.

>>24520417
dictionary definition alternates includes a companion, associate, or partner: a confidant and consort of heads of state.

so it could have been either definition for consort. this just clarified it is the first type and not the alternate.

>>24520491
Fair enough. None of those feel like a temporary role, though.

>>24520367
"I'm going to be honest with you two. This is the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. I'll try to help Robin, just as soon as I get over my interminable case of the giggles." You say.

"This isn't funny!" Ryan snaps.

"It actually is...but seriously, what are you going to do about this?" Jessi says.

"Well, Robin could talk to Isen about expanding his boundaries." You say.

The hilarity of the night just keeps building. Mage has noticed that Mumei has been talking and flashing her eyelashes at Paul all evening. He leans over and whispers something into her ear...and the Princess' face goes from shock, to disbelief, to despair, and then a curious face that makes you think that now she's even MORE enthralled by Paul.

You clear your throat. "Queen, I would love to hear of the feats of daring and cunning that your new consort has done to impress you. We fought in two groups in the battle, with him leading the charge to take out the archers, and our group sneaking inside the shrine to take out the patrols and the rest. We have yet to hear the details of their exploits, and surely he himself would modestly undersell it."

The Queen replies. Paul translates.

"We live on a mountain that is much like this roof was, ledges and hiding places, and covered with those that would hurt us. The other harpies, and other predators dwell within it and keep trying to take our nests, our eggs, and our lives. To see someone so skillfully and silently remove such a force, it reminds me of my Father, the Great Master of the Wild Winds of Snow."

"Oh Lord, Robin reminds her of her father." Tara chortles. "He's doomed!"

Paul continues. "Babbling one, Beautiful One,...you promise us many things, food, names, the power to be of your flock, but can you promise us safety? Can we stay on your mountain and sleep soundly? That is something that we have lacked."

Isen looks at you for the go ahead.

>>24520572
"I can promise it will be better. Not absolutely safe, but vastly safer, at least."

>>24520572
This is the safety we talked to mumei about, right? and she DID say okay to it. So, I'll whip something up.

"Actually, I had planned on you all sleeping IN our mountain. We've carved it out most ingeniously. If that's not to your fancy, though, on the mountain works too. Either way, you will be afforded the protection of the law, the kind of protection all those of our flock receive. I can't promise sound sleep- it can be quite noisy living with people. But it will be a much, much safer rest."

>>24520672
Spot on

>>24520572
"It will not be an easy road, and I would be lying if I promised you immediate acceptance by all the people of Bronze Peak. If you have heard the tales of Stone Hall, you know that this can be a difficult thing.

But you have our word that you will be afforded the same rights and privileges granted to representatives of another nation. Princess Mumei has graciously offered to appoint you as part of her retinue under the authority of the Phoenix Empire. In that way, you would be protected by the local authority as well.

>>24520697
>Actually, I had planned on you all sleeping IN our mountain. We've carved it out most ingeniously. If that's not to your fancy, though, on the mountain works too.
This.

Bronze Peak has a ways to go to save itself. With you having a hand in the city's rebuilding, it would be unthinkable not to offer you a place in it. If will not be perfect at first, but you will not have to battle your wilder kin for scraps of food, or a place to live, work, and sleep.

In many ways, you'll have an easier time of things, with there being 29 of you; the city will not suddenly need to absorb a huge population increase."

(I wonder if Jeremy might be amenable to offering some lodgings as a short-term solution?)

>>24520572
This is an incredibly stupid idea, but: if Robin really wants to get out of this, he could always act like he has something in common with Paul.

But I think the sitcom "solution" seems like a bad idea to try in the middle of a diplomatic situation. And Paul seems likely to either misunderstand, have his feelings hurt, not play along well enough, or all of the above.

So, no, let's not suggest that.

>>24520874
the obvious solution is to have isen steal her away.

>>24520722
this is the most complete explanation, if she would excuse some babble.

>>24520881
Given that she's clearly not looking for something temporary, that Isen already has relationships or at least entanglements with both Tara and Mumei, and that he has promised to go back to Stone Hall and serve Granny, that seems likely to end badly on all fronts.

>>24520881
Of course, someone could always steal *Robin* away...

>>24520672
"I can promise it will be better. Not absolutely safe, but vastly safer, at least.

"It will not be an easy road, and I would be lying if I promised you immediate acceptance by all the people of Bronze Peak. If you have heard the tales of Stone Hall, you know that this can be a difficult thing.

"But you have our word that you will be afforded the same rights and privileges granted to representatives of another nation. Princess Mumei has graciously offered to appoint you as part of her retinue under the authority of the Phoenix Empire. In that way, you would be protected by the local authority as well.

"I had planned on you all sleeping IN our mountain. We've carved it out most ingeniously. If that's not to your fancy, though, on the mountain works too. Either way, you will be afforded the protection of the law, the kind of protection all those of our flock receive. I can't promise sound sleep- it can be quite noisy living with people. But it will be a much, much safer rest.

"Bronze Peak has a ways to go to save itself. With you having a hand in the city's rebuilding, it would be unthinkable not to offer you a place in it. If will not be perfect at first, but you will not have to battle your wilder kin for scraps of food, or a place to live, work, and sleep.

"In many ways, you'll have an easier time of things, with there being 29 of you; the city will not suddenly need to absorb a huge population increase."

Paul translates, and the Queen nods. She says something and then finally releases her grip on Robin.

"You can go. The Queen thanks you for humoring an old woman and letting her feel young again by playing with a brave, strong, virile, man. She hopes you didn't find it too unpleasant."

Robin blinks and then gives the Queen a polite bow and cocks his head. He and his cronies are gone.

Isen smiles at the Queen. "Paul, tell her majesty that if she ever feels the need to feel young, I'm happy to play the role as the kept man."

(cont)

>>24520934
hmm. meri HAS been eying him for a while.

But Meri's like... 13. 14 maybe, if we're ignoring birthdays.

>>24521012
>"You can go. The Queen thanks you for humoring an old woman and letting her feel young again by playing with a brave, strong, virile, man. She hopes you didn't find it too unpleasant."

I like this Queen. She's got class.

>>24521012
Paul rolls his eyes and talks to the queen. Judging by Princess Mumei's sudden burst of laughter that she tries to cover up, he didn't quite say what Isen told her to.

She adds something to the conversation. Pointing at Isen and flapping her hands.

The Queen laughs, and the two women talk for a bit. With lots of pointing at Isen, and a lot of laughter.

Isen's just grinning and nodding. "See? I told you I was a natural at this diplomacy stuff."

You don't speak harpy, but it's close enough to Phoenix tongue that you get a few words and uhh...well...Loon, Peacock, and tiny worm are all words that have popped up. Repeatedly.

Still the Queen is smiling and laughing.

>>24521012
Isen ...

>>24521012
my sides hurt from laughing so much at the entire consort situation.

>>24521073
and Isen just makes it better!

>>24521073
>tiny worm

The metaphorical subtext here is rapidly becoming...text.

>>24521073
Say nothing ... just try not to laugh.

>>24521106
>try not to laugh
we failed. we're laughing. we've been laughing.

We can't stop laughing.

>>24521135
We can't do that to Isen. No matter how funny it is.

>>24521135
>laughingbirdwhores.jpg

>>24521073
"Why, I never doubted you for a moment."
Down some wine. and a lot of meat. The harpies have had time to have fists and seconds by now, the lamia is free to dig-the-heck-in.

>>24521073
Is Mumei speaking fluent Harpy, or does it seem more like she's managing to have enough of a conversation to get by?

In any case, might be worth casually joking with Mumei a bit in Phoenix Tongue. Isen needs to learn to get more worried when women talk in front of him in languages he doesn't fully understand.

>>24521168
Indeed, Ssen shouldn't miss the opportunity to see if she enjoys octopus.

>>24521180
oh man, Ssen should totally try some octopus. I bet she loves all the seafood.

I've found a song that seems eerily similar to something our political opponents would have written about us. Especially with all the convincing and diplomacy and impossible tasks we do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaDsbEIy23I&feature=endscreen&NR=1

>>24521206
Funny, half those lyrics apply just as well to Citadel and the Dragon who Was of Shadow.

>>24521274
yes. they do. I find this sinister. If I'm just being dumb, then feel free to taunt me like a fat ginger.

>>24521298
No, it works remarkably well. It's like a soft-rock Ghost Rider.

>>24521168
"Why, I never doubted you for a moment." You say, as you dig into the food.

Things are going great. The harpies are happy. The princess is handling actual negotiation with Paul, and Isen's being...Isen. Robin and his cronies are probably half-way to First Wood by now. Plus, the food is really good.

So naturally, it all has to be spoiled when the person handing you a new plate of fish is a familiar face.

"You're going to want to clear everyone out of here in about forty minutes." Robbie says. "Come midnight, the big three are arriving with their new toy to get the Iron Books. You better leave yours here too, or else they'll come looking for it. This is Pre-Show set up, so they aren't worried about subtlety or body count or power usage." She says. "Also, they're going to try and start with the Mer in the ruins of Coral Gate. They're nearly all feral there."

>>24521326
Get a runner to the Old One now, this handing them on a silver fucking platter.

>>24521326
My first thought is "Yeah? They can go fuck themselves. Books stay ours."

Maybe I'll come up with something better written.

>>24521326
Evacuate now. The harpies'll understand. I say we take all of the books as we leave if possible. Fuck the Dramatae and everything that makes them happy. Let's knock down their stupid goddamned sand castle and leave.

>>24521326
"new toy"?

And thanks for the information about the Mer; we've been needing to find some. "Nearly all", you say? How might we find the ones who aren't?

>>24521367
He should at least know. Paul can take the message. Though we're definitely not asking him to play cavalry.

>>24521374
>I say we take all of the books as we leave if possible.

Yeah. Let's go track down the keys and snag them, right now.

And we'll need to clear out the innocent bystanders.

>>24521326
"Oh, and just for future reference when people we like less try to pull the same stunt, how did you escape, anyway?

>>24521355
"Are you implying I'm going to let them take the books? Honestly are you mentally handicapped?"

"Your funeral." Robbie says. She walks away.

Tricia does a double take at the servant, recognizes her, and then pulls your plate of food away and knocks the drink out of you hand. "DON'T!" She yells.

>>24521326
"Oh come on, I just ate what seems like a whole school of fish. I'm gonna be sleepy for the big fight! Thanks for the heads up though."

Then stand up and tap a fork on a glass

"Excuse me, I apologize for interrupting such a wonderful meal, but it has come to my attention that there will be a second act to the little pre-dinner play we had tonight. I'm going to have to insist we all wrap things up and get out of here, so we can deal with these new uninvited guests."

>>24521410
Smile at Tricia. "Thanks; I recognized her too. I'm less worried about poisoned drinks, though, and more worried about the three masked maniacs that are about to show up inside of 40 minutes."

>>24521422
>"Excuse me, I apologize for interrupting such a wonderful meal, but it has come to my attention that there will be a second act to the little pre-dinner play we had tonight. I'm going to have to insist we all wrap things up and get out of here, so we can deal with these new uninvited guests."

Classy, I like it. That's the most diplomatic "RUN AWAY!" I've ever seen.

I wonder if we can fry food on those protective book charms. If so, dump fish on them until they burn out, claim books, vamoose. IT took one human body mass and two axes to burn the dragon book's cage out. We had a few carts of food. hopefully there's enough left over.

>>24521410
"Good catch, sweety. But, a. Robbie wouldn't warn me then poison me, kinda counterproductive either way and b. I'm immune to poison. Still, it shows how much you care."

Think paul could be entrusted to take the books and fly to the Old One with them? The dramatae cannot penetrate their.

>>24521445
instruct the harpies to go down to the bronze peak with our noncombatants, they can continue the discussion there.

>>24521410
Wait a minute, I think I might know what their new toy is. Adahn?

Can we get Ava here inside of 40 minutes?

>>24521410
"Alright people listen up! Hate to be the buzz kill here but I just got some information that this place is no longer safe. I'll have to ask everyone to leave as soon as you can and by that I mean now."

"Paul, can you give a message to the Old One for me ... tell him the Dramatae are coming to the Bear shrine to steal /his/ books."

So. let's evacuate everyone, spend some time trying to open the cases, and then get into defensive positions or leave with the books. depending on if cases open.

I suggest we have a few people looking for the keys, trying caligo emblems and the like. one person should see if just dumping raw fish on the thing expends fry charge, and if so, how much fish can cause an overload. Also throwing weapons from afar at it.

>>24521501
>>24521479
maybe have paul fly there while we're working on busting the locks open?

Fighting all three of the Dramatae at once seems like a good way to get ourselves killed. We should just take the books and skedaddle.

>>24521526
The mining compass will point the way to the keys. I hope.

>>24521566
Pretty much.

>>24521566
yeah, get books and run. though I'd really love to be able to trap this place somehow.

Do you think leaving acid gas in the room when we leave would just fuck their day?

>>24521566
Agreed entirely. Save the books, run away, don't try to confront the Dramatae here.

>>24521586
That wouldn't do anything, they just blow it away with magic. Remember, they're in 'give no fucks mode' now.

I'm also still wondering if this is a trick to have us do the hard work of retrieving the books, but that's probably too much paranoia. I'm going to have to try to believe that Robbie was genuine last time.

>>24521613
it's a semi-invisible gas. If they're not giving any fucks, they might walk right into it.

Then they'll magic the effects away, of course, but it's been established that we're draining on their nebulous magical reserves with our actions. Getting them to burn more to heal themselves? wonderful bonus. If we could kneecap one with a beartrap, why, that would be ideal.

>>24521615
Well she had no reason to come back and warn us, especially if the Dramatae are in panic mode.

>>24521648
It's yellow, not invisible.

>>24521615
Can we get harpy scout to look while we prepare? Trust but verify

>>24521677
Good way to get them magicked out of the sky.

>>24521677
btw we have the lamia/leviathan/mer book. i say we send that with paul to bring to the old one when he delivers the message. just in case something happens with us, the pricks won't get all of the books

File: 1367212778496.jpg-(10 KB, 276x350, 65945-004-1F0658DC.jpg)

10 KB JPG

>>24521667
fair enough. Got any good booby trap ideas of your own? Anything to slow them down, really, while we get the books out-of-dodge. Also, I really hope we don't have to deal with evil mode adahn.

>>24521709
we have the fire/dragon book. not the mer book. that's in the stands, right?

>>24521709
we only had the Dragon book, the other 3 are still locked in the cases.

>>24521423
"Wasn't going to, honey, but now I have fish on my tail...anyway, hope you guys haven't pigged out. You're gonna be sleepy for the big fight."

You stand up and tap a fork on a glass. A little unnecessary as everyone has been looking at you since Tricia's outburst.

"Excuse me, I apologize for interrupting such a wonderful meal, but it has come to my attention that there will be a second act to the little pre-dinner play we had tonight. I'm going to have to insist we all wrap things up and get out of here, so we can deal with these new uninvited guests." You say.

Isen looks at you. "You want us to turn tail and flee when we know they're coming?"

"When they're three masked maniacs that are about to show up in about 40 minutes, yeah." You say.

"All three?" Tricia says. "Shit."

"Okay," Mage says. "Everyone calmly get to the carriages or to your wings. Back to Bronze Peak. Now."

Mari is there at your shoulder. "They're here for the books, right? Come on."

"Wait!" Paul says. The Queen is chattering. "Who are these people that send you scattering at their mere mention? We come to you for safety, and security only to find that there are foes that send you scattering at their mere mention? How can you promise us safety when I see fear on your face?"

>>24521615
I don't think they'd have much trouble opening a few magical locks. I have to wonder what they planned to do with books none of them can read though.

>>24521709
The problem I have with that is we'll be putting the old one in danger here by giving him those books. Remember one plan was to kill him. Now that the big three are moving they wouldn't blink an eye lash to do that and get the books.

>>24521731
oh i thought because we could read it... well then. Yeah send the dragon book with Paul while we try to open the other 3.

>>24521756
remember they couldnt teleport in and they had to have the gate opened. old one can take care of himself and his horde.

>>24521743
>"Wait!" Paul says. The Queen is chattering. "Who are these people that send you scattering at their mere mention? We come to you for safety, and security only to find that there are foes that send you scattering at their mere mention? How can you promise us safety when I see fear on your face?"

"The right way to fight an enemy is not always to face them head-on. These three have the ability to stop time, or kill at a distance. Brute strength will not work against them, but cunning may yet. They're after the four Iron Books of the Bear Shrine, one of which we have and three of which remain in the shrine. We're going to take away their target, and clear out the innocent bystanders, because after the last time we encountered them they're more than angry enough to have no problem firing into a crowd."

>>24521743
"This isn't fear you see but respect for their power. We understand just how strong they are and the fact not everyone here is a able to fight. them. We need to get as many people away from here as possible so we can do are job."

>>24521798
Sorry, this is me.

>>24521743
If I wasn't afraid, I'd die a fool. Discretion is the better part of valor. I refuse to let my foes choose the circumstances of our battle. I will fly circles around them until i find their back, -then- I will bury my blade in it.

>>24521718
Threshold runes. There has to be some ghoul magic regarding that. Either to delay them or possible kill people who cross it. Do that then bugger out, rig the cave to collapse if they try that way possibly?
As for the queen. I think others have attempted to calm her doubts. Although, telling her that these three are responsible in part for the insane harpies might also be worth noting.

>>24521743

They are ones who are powered by, channel, and in turn fuel the the very same force that has turned all your harpy brethren wild.

Such a force cannot be handled lightly.

>>24521743
"These foes are after precious, precious objects. I would like to get my esteemed guests and those who are precious to me away, with the precious objects, if possible, so that the fighters may fight without the foe snatching victory away before the battle has begun. Though I will admit, these are our most fearsome foes- I wouldn't have cancelled the dinner for some rabble."

>>24521798
>>24521842

Both of these.

>>24521798
I like the first part, but instead of "firing into a crowd" change to "with taking and murdering hostages."

plus >>24521842

>>24521875
Fine by me, though they'd happily do both.

>>24521835
"If I wasn't afraid, I'd die a fool. Discretion is the better part of valor. I refuse to let my foes choose the circumstances of our battle. I will fly circles around them until i find their back, -then- I will bury my blade in it.

"This isn't fear you see but respect for their power. The right way to fight an enemy is not always to face them head-on. These three have the ability to stop time, or kill at a distance. Brute strength will not work against them, but cunning may yet. They're after the four Iron Books of the Bear Shrine, one of which we have and three of which remain in the shrine. We're going to take away their target, and clear out the innocent bystanders, because after the last time we encountered them they're more than angry enough to have no problem taking and murdering hostages.

"They are ones who are powered by, channel, and in turn fuel the the very same force that has turned all your harpy brethren wild.

"Such a force cannot be handled lightly." You say.

"We will speak more of this threat to my flock later." The Queen says through Paul. "Until then, we will go back to your city."

"I'll get the princess and the help." Isen says. "No leave the fish...but spike the whole damn thing with as much arsenic you got! Maybe we'll be lucky and they'll get peckish!" Isen yells at the staff as they start to clean up.

Mari has the compass out, and is motioning for you to follow her into the library. The others are helping the evacuation.

"You can smell metal right?" She says as you wind through the shelves. "Now, if the keys are metal plates that fit into the slots then that must mean that they'll leave trace elements of themselves on the lock. You lick the lock, and then sniff out the metal. Then we use the compass to find the other ones." You get to the rotunda with the Iron Books.

"So, how's THAT for a Dawnchaser Plan?" She says, panting slightly.

>>24522037
"What are the chances that the locks are electrified, too?"

If she doesn't think they are, give it a shot.

>>24522037
"Shawty, youdabest. Youdayoudabest."

>Alternately

"Sounds just stupid enough to be pure genius. You've done it again."

>>24522037
"If I get zapped doing this ... I'm going to pinch you so hard."

>>24522037
"degrading and crazy. Perfect. Better than plan fish. Hop on, you look tired, and we need to be fast about this."

I assume Ssen+1 is faster than Ssen and one running along. right?

>>24522037
Mari is awfully good at making dawnchaser ideas. She might be a good replacement, if her lifespan wasn't so darn short. Hmm.

>>24522089
"Degrading and crazy and stupid enough to be pure genius. Perfect. Better than Plan Fish." You say. "But what are the chances that the locks are electrified?"

Mari shrugs.

"If I get zapped, I'm going to pinch you so hard." You say.

You lick your tongue in the lock of the Iron Book of Air.

Roll 1d20

Rolled 3

>>24522174
lick likc

Rolled 6

>>24522174

Rolled 9

>>24522174

>>24522196
>>24522198
dice. please. work with us. don't ELECTROCUTE OUR TONGUES.

oh wait, you did that anyway.

>>24522196
Welp.

If we can still taste anything after that, let's try the Leviathan book. Perhaps it'll like us more.

Rolled 11

>>24522174

>>24522196
and so it begins

>>24522196
...
ZZAP!

>>24522206
I'm hoping that this isn't so much "zap" as not tasting the trace metals we need. Which means we might have another shot with another lock.

>>24522291
Yes. Even worse if we get zapped- our tongue numb and hanging would not be an image suitable for Isen audiences.

>>24522196
You get a little jolt, but nothing too serious. Though it's going to take you longer than you'd like to get the taste of the metal.

"Come on...come on..." Mari says.

She's not helping, and this is a finite science. You have to get the shreds of little metal that's different from the other metal, and not electrocute yourself. It's, sadly, a very SLOW science.

Finally, you manage to get enough of a taste to get a clear smell of the metal.

"Okay, now...let's see if we can sniff it out." Mari says. "And pray for no booby-traps."

"We've got the harpies gone, and Isen's taken off with Mumei." You hear Lea cry from the entrance. "We've still got the staff, Jeremy, Gregory, Rachel, and five suicidal idiots, and thirty minutes left. Hurry up down there!"

Roll 1d20

Rolled 7

>>24522341

Rolled 3

>>24522341

this is going to be one of those times isn't it?

>>24522352
>>24522348
>>24522346
Plan fish is looking real good right now

Rolled 15

>>24522341
"Yoah nod da un gedding shocked down ear!"

>>24522346
"Yoah nod da un gedding shocked down ear!" You snap back, your tongue hanging out.

It's another too long step, and the Bear Scribes didn't have the decency to hide the key in one of the bookshelves that was near the Iron Books.

Finally, you get a strong whiff of the metal. Iron and bronze with a hint of gold. You open one of the books, and you see it. A lovely piece of metal with a beautiful Roc carved into it.

You rush back to the Iron Books, and fit it into the case. The cage clicks open with no fanfare at all.

Mari grabs the iron book and puts it in her satchel.

"You see if you can smell out the other key." Mari says. She puts the roc key on the compass. "I'll see if this is useful at all."

"Fifteen minutes!" Lea calls. "Remember, we don't want to be HERE when they get here!"

Pick which book you're going for, Water or Earth?

>>24522560
Water. It matters the most to us, and it seems the most useful to the Dramatae if they wanted to go after the Mer.

>>24522560
water. Trolls are bad, but losing our naval superiority chance is worse.

>>24522560
I vote Water. Presumably that screws the Mer plan sufficiently.

>>24522560
use the compass trick on the metal. that should cut down search time.

>>24522560
water, we need to learn more about the mer, and ourselves more then we need to learn Granny's stuff right now.

>>24522560
water

>>24522591
>use the compass trick on the metal. that should cut down search time.
>>24522560
>"You see if you can smell out the other key." Mari says. She puts the roc key on the compass. "I'll see if this is useful at all."

>>24522604
ooop nevermind.

Rolled 12 + 1

>>24522575
>>24522577
>>24522579

You give the roc key a good lick before you go looking for the Water key.

"Okay, I'll go where the compass points away from you." Mari says.

Roll 1d20 +2 because of the better sense and Mari can point you in the general direction.

Rolled 3 + 2

>>24522672

Rolled 17

>>24522672

>>24522674
why. why dice.

>>24522674
DAMN IT what are you, redaeth?
Man this whole damned shrine is cursed. No wonder the Bear Tribe ate shit.

>>24522672
OK, it's getting to the point where I'm seriously wondering if we need to spend a reroll before we run out of time.

oh damnit, our dice are NOT friends today, thi9s is almost as bad as last nights battle

should we spend that last reroll?

>>24522672
Hmmm. If we're working together, 13 and 5 is not awful. Here's hoping it's enough.

>>24522674
/tg/ dice are getting revenge for yesterdays amazing rolls...

>>24522709
Unless thats the Dramatae's progress in getting here.

>>24522722
>/tg/ dice are getting revenge for yesterdays amazing rolls...
They already did that with the battle against the final Glass Assassins. What more do you want from us, dice‽

>>24522722
>>24522699
Bear shrine:

ONLY FOR SNEAKING MISSIONS. All other activities are frowned upon.

>>24522739
We were fucking preparing to do more sneaking dammit. What do they want Mage to do? Not cast stealth spells!?

>>24522777
See, robin's team made the mistake of pointing out how cheap magic was.

>>24522777
Mage jinx'd it, and as >>24522823 said our friendly competition said it was cheap/cheating.

guess /tg/ dice agreed with him.

>>24522674
"Got it!" Mari says from the other end of the library. "Is that a troll? Damn they're ugly." She says.

You're still looking for the damn thing.

Mari comes up and helps you look. It still takes too long, but you find it.

You look at the figure on the key. It...kinda resembles a giant turtle mixed with a whale, with tentacles...that has an island growing on its back. Huh.

You rush back and open the cage, collecting the last Iron Book and pocketing it.

"Five minutes!" Lea yells. "We have to leave. NOW!"

You and Mari run out of the library. Lea's waiting for you.

"We sent Jeremy and the others ahead." She says. "Problem is that now there's no way for us to get down from this place quickly. So we either make a run down the mountain, head for the caves, or hide in the shrine. Tell me you got the books."

"Yeah." Mari says.

"The others are clear. So how are we making our strategic advance to the rear?" Mage asks as he and Tricia come up.

>>24522925
Gas the library?

think you could cast that stealth spell again? going unnoticed is probably a good idea while we head to the caves

>>24522925
"We go to the caves. We'll collapse an entrance behind us if we can. If we're lucky, they're not approaching through the caves."

>>24522925
"Hiding in the shrine seems unlikely to work; that's ordinary stupid, not Dawnchaster stupid. Do we have any clue whether the Dramatae know about the caves? I'd say we head that way.

Either that or we do something really stupid like running for Dark Peaks and teleporting back to town."

>>24522953
Good call.

>>24522925
Collapse the tunnel as we head out. Chances are they have one coming in that way if they know about it.

>>24522925
all aboard the snake train and quickquick the fuck outta here?

>>24522925
Also, while we keep moving, both Mage and Tricia should do what they can to see if they can detect the Dramatae.

>>24522971
Absolutely. Even with passengers we're likely faster than anyone on foot.

>>24522977
No, lets not do that. It screams hey were over her guys!

>>24522998
here even.

>>24522925
"I want to say the caves, but they may know we used that in the past, down the mountain."

>>24522971
>>24522986
>>24522925
is a quick-snake-passenger-train faster than running on foot?

>>24523016
Sounds like a question for Echo.

Either way, sounds like we're booking it to the caves, and possibly collapsing them behind us. Or would doing that just draw attention to the caves? Not like the Dramatae can't teleport.

How bout going to the goat tower? Is there a path to the goat tower that doesn't put us naer the Dramatae?

>>24523040
we can get there through caves.

>>24523033
hmm maybe we ought to be subtle for once. Let's take as stealthy a route possible. The dramatae know us well enough to expect the stupidly reckless badass route.

>>24522964
"Hiding in the shrine seems unlikely to work; that's ordinary stupid, not Dawnchaster stupid. Do we have any clue whether the Dramatae know about the caves? I'd say we head that way.

"We'll collapse an entrance behind us if we can." You say.

The others nod and you all run for the wall that has the entrance to the caves.

Roll 1d20

Rolled 9

>>24523068

Rolled 10

>>24523068
please.

Rolled 16

>>24523068

*sigh*

File: 1367218019271.png-(193 KB, 640x400, dice gods.png)

193 KB PNG

This isn't even remotely funny anymore now ...

At the start? Maybe. Now? Fuck it.

File: 1367218023194.gif-(1.9 MB, 469x264, 1361915012784.gif)

1.9 MB GIF

>>24523072
>>24523074

that doesn't seem to matter, someone else just inherits my luck

Wanna use that reroll?

>>24523068
OK, screw it, if this is us trying to get away from the Dramatae I think we might need to spend a reroll on it.

... oh gods, if echo is suggesting a reroll we might want to take it

>>24523122
Request: would you consider having Mage roll for stealth while we're moving?

>>24523122
Scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being we're fucked if we don't use it?

>>24523122
Nah, we need those rerolls.

>>24523122
I would put it at a 7. This is one you might want...cause this is a character death is really really possible scenario.

Cause if you don't use it now, you WILL be using it very very soon.

>>24523122
can we take that 16 we got earlier with the reroll?

because I don't trust our ability to get better than a 9.

alright then, definately use it

>>24523144
You can't take them with you. We'll earn more later, or we won't, but let's not treat them as that item that sits in our inventory until the final boss and then goes unused.

That said, could we get a stealth roll at the same time and *then* decide whether to use our reroll, please? We did request that Mage use stealth while we were going.

>>24523152
I say use it, but it won't turn out a high number.

because we're doomed.

>>24523152
use it.

>>24523152
Use it.

We're fucked anyways.

>>24523177
>>24523176
>>24523163

Okay, but redaeth picks who rerolls.

>>24523190
>>24523177
>>24523176
and let redaeth roll

>>24523193
The man who rolls low when we need him and high when it never matters.

>>24523191
yeah i was gonna say give redaeth this one >>24523193

Rolled 12

>>24523191
alright if you guys are sure... rolling

better then a 9 at least, hopefully its high enough

>>24523213
...maybe yay? That's an improvement, at least.

>>24523213
that's actually marginally better! It might even do it!

There's SOME SMALL FRACTION of hope!

Im hoping we as a group has levelled up enough that we no longer require 13-14 for this sorta thing... but we are facing the Dramatae directly

File: 1367218590140.jpg-(164 KB, 1280x720, Despair.jpg)

164 KB JPG

>>24523223
Hope only leads to despair ...

>>24523223
Fuck yes. Redaeth, champion of mediocrity.

>>24523236
we have a 5 minute head start. AND the dramatae will have to decide whether to go for us or go for the books, which gives us a bit more time.

>>24523236
In theory, we're five minutes ahead of them, running away in a direction they're not going, moving as fast as the lamia train can go, and we're going to get help from Mage's stealth.

We can do this.

aren't I the champion of crits and utter failures?

>>24523247
If this goes sour, we get the others out of here and go sown swinging.

>>24523261
>utter failures
Yes.

Could Tricia stir up some very obtrusive bugs in the other direction? We need all the help we can get.

>>24523261
We love you though, because without you, whatever falures we suffer would be attributed to anon and then we wouldn't have sch a convenient scapegoat.

>>24523308
I'm fine with Anon taking the fall. Fuck that guy.

I wish my luck would change, it seems like for the last ocuple months its been just horrible

>>24523324
A man makes his own luck.

unfortunately I do not have control over tgs RNG

Guys. once we get into the cave, we can send our friends ahead and slow dramatae down with gasses and ambush. Assuming we can't cause a cavein directly.

>>24523353
More planning: If we survive this, we butter up Echo with more cute fanart and possibly pizza.

>>24523368
damnit I can't draw! All I can do is suggest tragic things I read somewhere!

Like an ancient Ssen with her hands to her face in the background, while in the foreground one paladin asks the other "Why does the grandmaster cry when she sees bumblebees?"
The other would respond
"She's just weird like that, I guess. Try not to let it get to you."

>>24523353
Ideally a low spot in the caves, where our intended path leads back uphill. I'm assuming our poison gas is heavier than air?

>>24523213
It's JUST enough.

You all bolt through the shrine and charge into the cave entrance that you opened up. Mage points his staff at the opening and it crumbles in a mass of snow and ice.

You all keep running. Noise be damned, but you keep running through the caves, Mari guiding the way with the Miner's Compass. Finally, you reach the exit and you see the Eastern Gate of of Bronze Peak. You all sag in relief.
- - - -
"Looks like we missed the party." Comedy says as she pokes at the food. She sniffs it. "Poisoned."

"They knew we were coming." Tragedy says.

"Well, I suppose that's a shame." Comedy says. "Alright, lets do this."

The two Dramatae then go up to the pair they have tied on the ground. They waste no time. They draw their blades and ram them into Robbie and Ralphie's chests, right between the ribs into their hearts. They pull out the blades, and then Tragedy slices off the pair's heads with one swift blow. Then a snap of Comedy''s finger and the corpses are reduced to ash, and then nothingness. Their souls have already been dedicated to Citadel. The pair idly wonder what they'll be rebuilt as, a new fountain perhaps? Maybe a new road. Either way, no one betrays the Dramatae or Citadel, and all have use.

Peace walks out. The boy is still in the trance. Comedy likes the new black armor, but the polished, featureless, obsidian mask on his face is a little tacky for her tastes. She gets the irony of when the new Lightbringer looks upon the Fallen One and sees his own face reflected back at him. That's a clever trick, but...eh...the mask just doesn't work for her for some reason.

"The books are gone." Peace says. "Kill the pair."

"Already done." Tragedy says. "There was other proof that they were expecting us."

"So...what now?" Comedy asks.

Peace just stands there. She doesn't answer.

"Peace...what now?" Comedy says.

(cont)

>>24523386
Heh i suggested that earlier. good to see someone else's feels took a hit from that.

>>24523386
That was impressively tragic. All the more motivation to make sure it never comes to pass.

>>24523398
Damn. And I was just starting to tolerate Robbie.

poor robbie and ralphie, I wish we could have done something for them. May their souls find the Light despite the Dramatae's wishes.

>>24523398
>Their souls have already been dedicated to Citadel. The pair idly wonder what they'll be rebuilt as, a new fountain perhaps? Maybe a new road.

Holy shit, does this happen to EVERYBODY who dies under Citadel's influence?

>>24523398
They really should have smuggled themselves back into the prison. I expected they would. Guess they were fool enough to try to report back.

>>24523398
Peace: have pause. Like Ssen does.

Think of some... bad ideas.

its no surprise honestly, but it is saddenning. Perhaps its best that Citadel dies.

All the souls dedicated to it can go finally to their Journey.

>>24523471
That's what I've said from the start.

>>24523398
I can see ancient Ssen keeping bees. She'd be exceedingly kind to them, and just take care of them doting on them, never collecting their honey but for a little bit one day out of the year, so she can spend the day alone, sealed up in her chambers, having a cup of tea on her and Trish's anniversary.

>>24523460
Maybe we can free them up a bit to act as generalized guardian spirits, if not free them entirely?

>>24523471
It does explain why Citadel might collapse into a crater when we beat it.

>>24523460
There are materials you can build cities with other than the souls of your citizens?

>>24523477
was meant to be reply to >>24523413