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Events Summary:

You continued to follow Adavan's trail. After walking through Tarun Gakth for some time, you were set upon by a large group of orcs, led by an old orc mage named Rogul. Rogul denied you passage across his land, but, inspired by Flint's plea, a human with Rogul's group named Kirt offered to vouch for the party while they were in orc territory.

You've spent the day recuperating, then sparring with Flint and Kirt, who is an incredibly skilled swordsman himself.

You found a Shadow mana pool hidden below refuge in the upper levels of the Timorian Deep. You fought a powerful Shadow Elemental and consumed it, earning a Shard of True Darkness...though you don't yet know its purpose.

In the early morning, you finally resolved Flint and Auriel's relationship. Flint has openly declared his affections for her, and, for now, has put his old pains firmly behind him. Satisfied, you took some time to reflect.

You met with the Sage, Taremtis, who answered one question from each member of your party. You learned that Kirt is in fact Obis Vin, the rightful king of Kan Abar. He has decided to assist you on your journey, but remains undecided on whether he wishes to return home and face his brother.

You managed to resummon the succubus, Annette - and learned her true name, Xella. Using your Shard of True Darkness, and with a little help from Joey, you managed to convince Xella that indiscriminately devouring humans is not a good thing. She has promised not to question you again, at least on that.

You've made it through the Rock Worm nesting ground, but Adavan chose a dubious exit - the tunnel left behind by a huge worm. You fought and delayed a smaller rock worm from, but the battle collapsed the cavern entrance behind you.

The party continued through the cavern, and barely escaped an ambush set by the Vog - vicious, burrowing creatures with interlinked minds and powerful earth magic.

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Ability Tree

GREEN abilities have been unlocked and learned.

BLUE abilties are unlocked, but are not yet purchased.

RED abilities are revealed, but locked due to prerequisites.

UNDERLINED abilities are active-use, as opposed to passive. Not all active abilities require mana.

Unlocked Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/jTS7uCVX

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/X59yWD5p

-----------
Active (intent-use abilities that don't require mana)
-----------

Consume - Devour the latent energy of enemies and magical artifacts to add to your own power and restore your health.

Glide - Your aura allows you to glide, dropping safely from large heights or covering large distances if starting from a high position. Gliding is always stealthier than flying.

Flight - Spread wings of darkness to soar through the air. Carrying capacity is based on physical strength.

Supersonic - Fly at supersonic speeds. You'll move extremely fast, but suffer a large penalty to stealth and magic stealth. Takes 1 turn to activate.

Mimic - Take on the vague form of things you've seen. Won't stand up to close examination, but works well in the dark.

Snuff - You shadow can put out the lights it touches.

Blink - Sight-range teleportation. (Cannot blink through walls, through the ground, into places you can't see, etc. 5-turn cooldown in battle. Auto-cooldown if battle ends. You can only Blink yourself and inanimate objects on your person. Max range 1/4 mile or 0.4 kilometers)

Focus - With a burst of concentration, you can significantly improve your detection of both the mundane and magical, but you also drastically increase the risk of giving yourself away. (think sonic ping)

Berserk - Ignore your defenses and strike all around you in a vicious physical assault. Difficult to determine friend from foe.

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Spells (and other abilities that DO use mana)
-----------

Shadow Strike - Strike the foe with needles of darkness. (base power 2. Costs 2 mana)

Shadow Assault - Launch a flurry of shadowy projectiles at the enemy. (base power 4. Costs 4 mana. Can hit multiple enemies)

Nightflare - Disrupt target spell or enchantment. (costs 2 mana)

Shade - Create an illusory projection of yourself to confuse enemies. (dodge buff. Costs 1 mana)

Spirit Whip - Lash the enemy with a whip of spirit magic. (base power 2. Costs 2 mana)

Bind - Trap an enemy in ropes of spirit magic. May spend 0 to 10 mana (determines strength).

Water Strike - A pressurized blast of water imbued with magical force. (2 base power. Costs 2 mana)

Heal - Spend either 2, 4, or 6 mana to heal a target 4, 7, or 10 HP, respectively.

Purify - Spend 3 Mana: 100% chance to heal 1 ailment on target. Spend 6 mana: 85% chance to heal all target's ailments. Spend 9 mana: heal all of a target's ailments and the ailments of all those you are physically touching.

-----------
Summons
-----------

Wisp - A shadowy wisp from the Nether. (2 base shadow attack). Costs 1 mana to summon, 1 mana per action. Never breaks your control; if you run out of mana, it will merely vanish. [Level 0, Shadow]

>>25178693
>sexy succubutt waifu

10/10, would derail quest to obsess over.

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Current Statistics:

>note: some HP recovered from regeneration between last thread and now

HP: 25/37
Mana: 2/20
EXP: 4
Humanity: 105
Temerity: 54
Shards of True Darkness: 1

Party Members:

Sir Donovan Flint - A knight of Dobshire, the capital of Arland. Fourth son of the lord and ruler of Arland. Wears iron armor and wields a two-handed longsword. 29 years old.

Joey - A young boy from Jacob's Field, now Sir Flint's squire. No particular magical talent. Wields a shortsword. 16 years old.

Angel Auriel - Formerly a powerful angel of the Ringed City, now traveling with you, ostensibly to protect Sir Flint and Joey from you. Wears heavy plate steel and wields a one-handed sword and a wide, round buckler. 732 years old.

Obis Vin - The exiled Prince of Kan Abar. He wears steel-adamantium plate armor and wields a Ram-headed shield and a one-handed sword. 32 years old.

Xella - A succubus firmly bent to your will. She has agreed without condition to obey your commands - when they're important, at least. She commands powerful fire and shadow magic. ??? years old

Summoned:

Wisp (1 mana per order, does not break control, stealths with you)

Equipment:

Utility belt with purse

Inventory:

Shadow Sword Shard x 2
Fancy Sun-Moon Key
Mind-Scribing Pen
Succubus Reagents x 1
Jen Fang's Diary (Abigail's father)
Golem Power Core

Current Location:

The plains between Tarun Gakth and the Valendrak Peaks

You focus your energy into Flint's leg.

The rock is drawn out of the wound. There's a spurt of blood as his heart beats - but then the vein begins to seal itself. You push harder on the water within the blood, and you manage to shove some of the blood back in.

The muscle around the vein wavers, then grows back around it. You feel the strain building on your body as you continue the flow of mana. When you're done, the wound is still exposed - barely scabbed - but it's sealed, and most of the color has returned to Flint's face.

Auriel is lying on top of him, shivering. She cries into his chest. She murmurs something - in a language you've never heard before. But you feel the Translation unravel in your mind. "Please don't die."

Flint's hand moves. It brushes the back of her head. "...huh."

Auriel draws her head back. Her eyes are red and puffy. "...Donovan?"

"An angel fell out of the sky to save me," Flint mutters. He closes his eyes and sighs. Auriel cries harder.

"Shadow," Obis says. He's spent the last few moments with Joey, tying some bandages on the nastier scratches. "We need to keep moving. The Vog might catch up if we don't get enough distance."

<Yes.> You spread your senses thin, and - without any trouble at all - you find the next sigil.

It floats into the air, rotates...and points along the curve of the mountain range, almost due east.

>con't

<Xella,> you say. <Carry Joey and Obis. I'll take Auriel and Flint.>

Without a word, the succubus moves to collect the young boy. Joey hasn't said much. He's pale, and his eyes are wet. Clearly, he's in a bit over his head.

Obis accepts the demon's embrace stoically. She takes off with both of them in a firm grip.

<Come.>

Auriel doesn't voice a complaint as you wrap a tendril around her waist. She does, however, look back to Flint. "Be careful when you move him. You might reopen the wound."

You nod to her, then gingerly cup Flint under your form. You unfurl your shadowy wings and take off into the skies, gliding up next to Xella.

You fly for a short time, land, and repeat, heading in the direction of the mountains.

After another hour, the sun is almost gone, but you've made good time. The painted cliffs of Tarun Gakth have almost faded down into the horizon. You reason that the Vog probably won't follow you this far from the underground.

You make camp. There are no horses to water, anymore, but thanks to the loss of the horses, and their saddlebags, the party is dreadfully short on food. You manage to hunt down a few rabbits, which make a good enough meal for one evening.

The fire burns low. Eveyone is quiet, contemplating what amounted to a very close brush with death. Auriel sits next to Flint, tending his wound with heated water and a soft strip of cloth. Xella patrols the skies around the camp.

What do you do?

>talk to Obis
>talk to Joey
>talk to Auriel
>talk to Flint
>talk to Xella
>something else

(write-in if you want to talk)

>>25178849
IT'S SHADOW TIME!

Dammit SM, I wasn't expecting you to use those pictures from last thread.

>something else

Meditate

>>25178849
Did we lose our items that were in the saddlebags?

>>25178997
A very good question.

>>25178997

Yes, the summoning books you borrowed from the Duke are buried back in the cavern.

>>25178961
>>25178849
Also supporting this

It's quiet today. Only the truly hardcore arrive on demand.

>+stealth pics

That's good, because it's been a while since shit has truly hit the fan.

-------------
-------------

You've decided to meditate a bit. Writing.

>>25179094
Haven't quit on you since the graveyard.

>>25179094
I think out of the 28 threads we have had so far I've only been late to one of them and that was because I wasn't anywhere near a internet capable device for a whole day.

The mood around the campfire doesn't lend itself to conversation, serious or otherwise. You decide that the best thing to do is let everyone work it out for themselves.

You meditate quietly.

You slip into something...a feeling you've had before. Wide, dark space. Tiny pinpricks of light blink at you here, there, everywhere, like a map of stars.

Two of the lights feel different than the rest.

You try to pick them out...discern something about them...but it doesn't come to you. They feel familiar, but you have no power in this strange world you see when you meditate.

When you draw yourself back from the present, it's dawn. Auriel is sitting with her legs crossed, arms resting gently on her knees. The rest are asleep. Xella still scouts the perimeter, keeping strictly to your command.

You turn toward the angel. <Are you awake, Auriel?>

She opens her eyes and nods.

<How is Flint?>

"...not well," she says. "But I've spent the night gathering mana. I should be able to help his injury along over the next few days. My. powers...are not what they were." Her brow bends deep. On her face rests a mixture of frustration and sadness. "...a few weeks past, he would already be completely healed. A few weeks past and we wouldn't even have had that fight."

What do you do?

>write in a response
>remain silent
>something else

>>25179094

I usually only find these threads when they're halfway done. This is a nice treat for me.

>>25179200
I think we should keep it short.
<I have faith in your ability.>
And go back to remaining silent as the mood is quite heavy at the moment. Been awhile since we have had a real life or death situation.

>>25179200
Maybe we can think on the morality of our companions? Maybe even our own after this incident.

>>25179200
do what you can. and doesn't he have some healing ability as well? i admit i do not know the exact mechanics others magic.

>>25179200
>>25179375
While things are fairly serious, I think we should ask her how she gathers mana.
It's something we still haven't been able to do, and if we could we would be able to heal teammates without worrying about having to eat a mage or find a mana pool, along with being less restricted with all out other mana abilities. (Though framing the question in the context of healing would be the most diplomatic)

>>25179200

<How do you regain mana? I would help, though I know not how to gather mana other than directly from a source>

<I have faith in your ability,> you say. <You distraction helped us escape the Vog...whereas my magic collapsed the ceiling.>

Auriel waves a hand. "They had us surrounded and on the run. The collapse might have been the very thing that gave us a chance to escape...though, it -was- lucky that no one died."

<Perhaps.> You turn away. You should probably do some early-morning hunting.

"...Shadow."

<Angel.>

"...I'm not an angel anymore. My name works just fine."

<What is it, Auriel?>

"When the rocks were about to hit...I saw what you did. If not for that...we wouldn't be here."

<...it was more a reaction, than anything.>

"A good instinct to have." She looks away. "...thank you, for helping me," she says. "And for...me...with Flint."

<...you are welcome.>

You start away. The early morning dew on the grass rolls off your body as you use your senses to locate a new rabbit hole. The plains seem full of them. One piece of good news, at least.

...maybe, just maybe...Auriel is slowly starting to change her mind about you.

But you find yourself changing your mind about Xella. If she truly is as she is, there will be no changing her...unless you fundamentally alter the spell that -is- her existence. As she is now, she could explode as soon as your vigilance wavers.

You are glad to know that Obis can be relied upon. He went back for Flint, and he seems to be a good man in general. But you wonder if he has it in him to return to the position he once held.

Breakfast is a simple affair. Obis was able to save some of the hard biscuits, so the party isn't limited to just pure protein. Auriel uses her gathered mana to work on Flint's wound. The scab improves significantly, and he's able to walk along without problems. You lend him your support as you move forward.

Your party continues to trek across the plains.

>con't

>>25179556
>>25179500

Will ask during travels

writing

>>25179556
A good question.

<A question, Auriel.>

She glances at you from Flint's opposite side. "Yes?"

<How to you gather mana? I have been unable to do so without a more direct...source.>

She shrugs. "Gathering mana is the most basic of magical skills. Latent energy lingers in the world around us; it merely takes time to collect. Can't you feel it?"

<...yes...but to my perspective, it is immovable.>

She shrugs. "Frankly, I don't know what to tell you. How you can cast spells without first gathering mana is beyond me."

You feel disappointed. Perhaps that ability is within the purview of humans...but not elementals?

"Hey, Shadow," Flint says.

<Sir Flint.>

"Thank you, my friend. You saved my life."

<You would do the same for me.>

Flint smiles, and nods. He glances up at you. "...about Geb...and whatever power lies beneath Jacob's Field...are you sure you want to continue toward those goals?"

<I've never been sure in the first place. It just seems like the right thing to do. Whatever was under the village was in pain. It was crying for help.> You speak so only he can hear. <And...as you know...it called me Erebus. Perhaps, whatever it is, it has answers for me.>

Flint nods. "Answers are well and good...but what about Geb? The Empire keeps people from trespassing on the waste where he dwells. Not that anyone in their right mind would go there anyway - but so it is. Freeing him - ally of the shadow or not - would really stir the pot. The world is unstable enough as it is."

<...I will consider your words.>

Flint nods. "Good."

You continue onward...

>con't

Obis glances up. He cocks his head. "...anyone else hear that?"

You focus your senses. Something is coming up the plains from behind you. <I sense something.>

"I as well," Auriel says. You stop, and turn.

Rolling up the grass of the plains is a small, steel box. It feels like Earth magic...mixed with quite a bit of Spirit. But it's not a soul...closer to the power core still in your satchel.

What in the world could it be?

What do you do?

>destroy it outright
>wait carefully
>use Focus
>something else

>use Focus
perhaps Adavan has sent a messenger.

>>25179926
move away from the group. use focus. tell them that if it proves hostile you will try and lead it away.

>>25179958
>>25179926
I like it!

>>25179926
Use Focus

>>25179958

Thirding

>>25179958
probably should do this quickly, and be ready to run back and help carry the injured if the thing keeps going after the group instead of us

>>25179926
>>25179958
Using focus while away from the group and trying to communicate seems like a good idea.
Not too far though, if it turns hostile or actually responds, we don't want to be totally separated.

<Ready yourselves,> you say. <Auriel, take Flint.>

You hand off your friend her. "Be careful," she says.

You move to the front of the party. Xella lands just behind you, tense. Obis draws his sword and readies his shield, and stays back next to Joey and Flint.

You slink out to the right, away from the party. The steel box follows you. You use Focus.

A small core of Earth and Spirit powers the center of the box. You can detect hints of all the elements working in harmonic concert. Surprising...but then, you realize that they are carefully compartmentalized. Separated. Opposites are set far away from one another.

You still have no idea what the thing actually is.

<Xella. What is this?>

"I am unfamiliar," she says. "I think it can move faster than that, though. It isn't using its full power."

You have the sense she's correct. The core isn't really pushing itself...if it even is a "self".

What do you do?

>destroy the box
>continue to wait, ready
>something else

>continue to wait, ready
Curious thing. If its not moving at full power perhaps its friendly.

>>25180238

Attempt some form of interaction.

>>25180238
Continue to wait. Let's not make any enemies we don't have to.

>>25180238
>continue to wait, ready
and try giving it an impression

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>>25180238
>continue to wait, ready

>>25180285

An Impression of what?

>>25180305

Question Mark?

>>25180305
haddnt thought that far yet. i am leaning toward hopeful warrieness but i will bow to a better option

>>25180305
Maybe of greeting and curiosity?

>>25180335
>>25180333

Without objection, we'll begin with an impression of curiosity.

You Impress the box with a mixed feeling of greetings and curiosity.

The steel box rolls up a few yards in front of you, then stops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia2VhQD5Y4I

It opens up...then begins to unfold. Slowly at first, and then more of the unfolding pieces begin to unfold themselves. It continues to grow, as if assembling itself - and assemble it does. Green lines of energy connect larger portions of green-grey metal. An incredibly large amount of material was packed extremely tight within that simple box.

>con't

>>25180396
ohh damn. its the older transforming brother of the mechs from earlier. they are after our power cores!

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When the box finishes assembling, before you stands a steel construct - but one more humanoid than any you have seen before.

"Greetings," says the robot in a metallic, echoing voice. "I am unit 234.X4-B, from City 001. I have been programmed with updated linguistics for means of emergency communication as per the most recent interpretation of Derivative 29.3.1. I am here to investigate the recent disturbance in Shadow energy as conjoined with my mission to retrieve extant wild power cores."

>...run that by me one more time?
>got a name besides 234.X4-B?
>write in
>something else

>>25180425

no one takes our power core! we need that for glorious science!

Hey all, sorry to cut out a bit early but I'm going out for a couple of hours.

I'll continue the thread once I return! In the meantime, you can decide how you want to respond to this latest development...

>>25180451
Where is City 001?

>>25180451
>...run that by me one more time?
can you tell me what derivative 29.3.1 is? and define extant wild power core.

>>25180451
>got a name besides 234.X4-B?

Captcha: She
No, I don't think it has a gender.

>>25180425
You called it.

>>25180451
I think this is a good question to ask.

>>25180496
...When you return.

>>25180451
<I am not a wild power core. Though I have been attacked by one. May I know more about City 1?>

>>25180530
>>25180499
This question I meant.

I'll post on twitter when I get back as well. Probably a good 2-3 hours

>>25180451
Who gave you the mission to retrieve power ores and the mission to investigate the disturbance?

>>25180842
cores*

>>25180451
"The recent disturbance would probably be me. I must ask, how have you managed to get power cores of so many elements to cooperate? I am intrigued."

Rolled 8, 6, 43, 2, 7 = 66

>>25181841
Typical dorf engineering

>>25181880
Well YOU are forbidden from rolling. 5d100s and not a single # above 50, shit man.

Rolled 8, 96, 85, 32, 11 = 232

>>25181921
Ive had several 100s so far

Rolled 94, 46, 33, 12, 90 = 275

>>25181921
Let's try for atypical dorf engineering then.

Rolled 44, 25, 69, 26, 9 = 173

>>25181951
you kinda suck at rolling...
lets see if I can do better

Rolled 64, 6, 4, 10, 72 = 156

>>25181967
Seems that this is catching

Rolled 29, 55, 10, 84, 99 = 277

You guys wanna discuss whats going on? Maybe a little meta?

>>25182052
Can we make a drinking game for this pls?

Rolled 11, 73, 67, 90, 78 = 319

>>25182092
for every minute shadow master is gone we take a drink or are you referring to the dice?

Rolled 36, 22, 39, 33, 25 = 155

>>25182092
How about everyone below 20 or above 80 take a drink

>>25182052
I think we should meditate more often. Perhaps direct ourselves in how to meditate and what exactly to think about. It's interesting.

>>25182092
Absolutely.
0-5 is ten gallons,
6 to 70 is fifteen cups.
71 to 100 is a shot.
All 96% proof vodka.

>>25182131
>for every minute shadow master is gone we take a drink
how about we don't all die from alcohol poisoning?

>>25182184
What are ya a three beer queer?

Rolled 60, 66, 88, 31, 2 = 247

>>25182184
We just play >>25182164s

>>25182194
no I'm more of a 14 beer kinda guy

>>25182200
Ten gallons 45 cups & one shot. GL HF.

Rolled 35, 35, 11, 59, 21 = 161

>>25182228
Shit, I don't think i have that much vodka.

Erry time Flint drops the spaghetti, take a drink
Erry time Odis laughs, take a drink
Erry time we debate the nature of evil, read the entire post while downing the drink, can't put it down until you've read the whole post.
If someone chews a doorknob, finish your drink and grab another, drink it to halfway down.

Rolled 80, 12, 57, 43, 70 = 262

>>25182257
100 drinks for a nat 1

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Rolled 16, 60, 11, 77, 60 = 224

Thread is dead

You glance at Xella. She eyes you sidelong, then shrugs.

You look back to the construct. You see no reason to be aggressive - this robot seems a bit more open to conversation than the last you came across - so you decide on a straightforward explanation. <The recent disturbance was likely...me. I am a Shadow elemental. I was traveling through Tarun Gakth with my companions.> You gesture to Xella, and your party behind you. <I did not mean to disturb you, or yours, however...though I am unfamiliar with City 1.>

"I see. Once again, I am 234.X4-B. May I inquire as to your name?"

<Shadow will do. This is Xella,> you say, indicating the demon. Xella smiles and curtsies. Do you have a...simpler name?>

The construct pauses for a moment. "Steward 2, Mobile Form. -Steward- is acceptable."

<Well, Steward,> you say. <We're in a hurry. So if you have business with me...>

"The Shadow is aligned with the Earth," the construct says. "I am glad to see that the power core has fallen into good hands. However, I request that it be returned to us. Many outmoded constructs were, unfortunately, unstable, and had to be put down. Retrieving their energy cores is an important task."

<On who's authority do you act?> you ask. <What is this City 1?>

"City 1 is the semi-permanent residence of the Constructs, Golems, and Processor-Engines as designated by Derivative 4.5.1. Its exact location is classified, as directed by Derivative 4.5.4. I act on my own authority."

<...what I meant was, who is your leader? Who gives the orders?>

"I am the mobile thought-copy of Processor-Engine 234.X4-A, known as Steward. I am the leader of City 1. However, I do not give orders. City 1 is comprised of 23,546 individual mind-states, which first come to consensus, and then act as one body."

You feel stunned. Before you stands the leader of a race of Constructs that you didn't even know existed until just a few moments ago.

>con't

>>25183092
"Quite frankly, I'm more interested in the knowledge about how these cores work than about any particular core. Would you consider a trade along those lines? Any information you have about the cores, in exchange for the peaceful return of one? I would point out that the construct in question attacked me, and thus taking the core to incapacitate it seemed entirely justified."

<I don't understand. I thought the dwarves were wiped out in the Elementomachy. How did you come to survive?>

"I see the line of your logic," Steward says. "However, such information is ultimately irrelevant, and classified."

<You just said I was an ally.>

"In element, in theory - yes," Steward says. "But times change, and so do allegiances."

You ponder that for a moment, then look back to him. <What do you need the power core for?>

"We do not have the means to create more such power cores," Steward says. "The construction of their housing is unknown to us. Therefore, we ask that you return it."

What is your response?

>Alrighty! Here you go! (give him the power core)
>Well...what's in it for me?
>I don't mean any offense, Steward, but I'm holding on to the power core for now.
>write in something else
>some other strategy

>>25183152

not worth starting a war with what could prove to be useful allies at a later date. Return the core to them. Also, ask if they have seen a Spirit Mage or two pass though the area recently. You never know, it might have seen Adavan and could give us an estimate on how far behind them we are...

>>25183152
Return the core to them, I'd rather not anger a whole city of constructs, and it hardly seems fair to take it from them.

>>25183152
I'm all for returning the core, but I'd like to try to get something out of it. If not knowledge of cores, then some other useful information.

>>25183152
Ultimately useless classified information for an irreplicable, irreplaceable power core doesnt sound like too bad a trade

>>25183152
Return the core and ask if he has seen a spirit mage and a little girl pass by this way. Also, if he is looking for power cores maybe he could travel with us in search for them? I mean we are going to do a lot of traveling and no doubt we will run into more contructs along the way. If he comes with us he might be able to help with the rampaging ones so they don't have to be destroyed or if they do at least he can make sure that the power core remains undamaged.

>>25183152
>write in something else
>"We do not have the means to create more such power cores," Steward says. "The construction of their housing is unknown to us. Therefore, we ask that you return it."
<I had held on to this core with the intent to look into the methods of their construction, but I would be unable to do so without a specimen to observe. I believe that I may be in a unique position to begin to understand what allows these dynamos to take form.>

<If you and yours would be content to remain allies, I would be willing to share the fruits of my research upon its completion.>

>>25183256
>>25183256
I like this

>>25183152
>>25183185
Probably should return the core, and ask for what more information we can on Adavan and Abagail.
Though, if no one else minds, we could tell him that we are researching how to duplicate....
>>25183256
And you just said it was I was typing.
Just make sure to keep out any references to the duke.

>>25183256
This seems like a fairly intelligent response that keeps our options open and baits him for more information.

>>25183256
><I had held on to this core with the intent to look into the methods of their construction, but I would be unable to do so without a specimen to observe. I believe that I may be in a unique position to begin to understand what allows these dynamos to take form.>
><If you and yours would be content to remain allies, I would be willing to share the fruits of my research upon its completion.>

I like this! We need to figure out how they work, and we need some way to research them. Pose that to him as our negotiating constraints.

<I would point out that the -wild- construct in question attacked me, and thus taking the core to incapacitate it seemed justified.>

"I see," Steward says. He gives a mechanical nod. "You did what was necessary to defend yourself. We are attempting to deal with this problem in a methodical manner, but Tarun Gakth is not of insignificant size.>

<Indeed. However, to reaffirm what I believe should be friendship between Earth and Shadow, I will return this to you.>

Steward's lips turn upward with a click. "Excellent."

<But before I do...>

"Yes?"

You heft the power core in a Shadow fist. Earth magic swirls in its depths. <I held onto the core with the intent to look into the methods of their construction - doing so without a specimen would be rather difficult. I believe, as an elemental, I am in a unique position and possess unique perspective to understand what allows these cores to take form.>

"I see. The idea has merit."

<If you and yours would be content to remain allies with myself, I would be willing to share the fruits of my research upon its completion. Of course, that would be easier if this one remained in my possession...>

"I see." Steward gives a mechanical nod. "One moment."

A spout of spirit shoots out from Steward's back. It flies off, then dissipates.

Roll 1d100

Rolled 1

>>25183392
If they have one made of Shadow, that'd be even easier for us to look into.

Rolled 62

>>25183392
Oki.

Rolled 36, 69, 11, 85, 11 = 212

>>25183427
OH MOTHERFUCKER

>>25183427
Hahaha

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>>25183427

>>25183427
You are... the problem. Don't delete your roll either, that makes things worse.

Rolled 5

>>25183427
welp. Rolling saving 1d20 pre-emptively.

Ok, one thing failed miserably.

Roll 1d20

>>25183427
We are really bad at diplomancing constructs...

Rolled 5

>>25183460
Save..

Rolled 20

>>25183460
inb4 1

Rolled 6

>>25183465
I got a bad feeling aboot this.

Rolled 16

>>25183450
I wouldn't dare.

>>25183460
redeeming myself...

>>25183480
Nicely done! Hopefully the best possible thing failed miserably.

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>>25183480

And SAAAAAVED

Rolled 15

>>25183460
SAVES HERE

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>>25183480

>>25183500
So far I have rolled one 100 and one 20 in all quests I have participated in, and they were both in shadow quest. Huzzah!

>>25183427
Well, there goes that plan, I guess.

>>25183480
No idea what this is going to do, but I'm looking forward to seeing how this thing is going to play out.

>>25183500
Awesome.

>>25183528
I remember SM saying a while back that saving throws are for allies to come in a save the day.
So presumably someone in the party is going to step in and scoop up our spaghetti.

hopefully this is just going to be a 'NOPE!' thing rather than a 'Screw You' thing...

either way, let them have the Core. We can always find another...

>>25183598
No we can't always find another. That's the primary problem here.

A long, quiet moment passes. You look back at the party. They make a bunch of faces at you. You send them an impression of patience, and hopefulness.

A line of Spirit suddenly shoots back into Steward. He looks at you. "The collective has decided to seek the return of the power core, immediately."

<...I see.>

"However," Steward says, "an alliance with forces of Shadow is thought to be potentially fruitful. And yet, it has been long since Earth and Shadow fought together." Steward looks at you directly. "If you will permit me, I will observe your affairs on behalf of the Constructs, and on this basis, we shall judge whether to open formal diplomacy with you. I will not interfere in your affairs - to help, or to harm. Merely observe. If there truly exists an opportunity to discover a method to create more power cores, as you claim, then it will arise during the course of my observation."

<...as potential allies, could you give me a bit more information about the Constructs, and City 1?> you ask.

"No," Steward says simply.

What is your response?

>Ok, sounds good (hand him the power core)
>I'll give you the core, but I don't want you bothering me.
>I'm keeping the core, but you're free to observe.
>No...the ring is mine!
>something else

>>25183626
Oh man how does that count as a saving throw that's like, even worse than complete denial.
Also, keep it. Our precious.

>>25183626
>Ok, sounds good (hand him the power core)

"Very well. It was worth asking.

If I may ask, are any of the power cores in the Constructs' possession made of Shadow, or have you ever encountered such a core?"

>>25183626
>Ok, sounds good (hand him the power core)

Though ask a teeny tiny question of if he has seen a girl and a lich pass by here.

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>>25183666

>implying your 20 didn't save your negotiations from devolving into violent conflict

<Very well.>
Lets continue on our journey.

>>25183682
>If I may ask, are any of the power cores in the Constructs' possession made of Shadow, or have you ever encountered such a core?"
>>25183685
>Though ask a teeny tiny question of if he has seen a girl and a lich pass by here.

Both of these.

>>25183687
>>25183626
A construct couldn't possibly try deceiving us, right?

Yes, inquire about shadow cores.

>>25183709

adding my vote to these

>>25183626
>I'm keeping the core, but you're free to observe.
<I will return the core to you upon the conclusion of your observation. I imagine that it will remain safe while we are under your supervision.>

<I suspect you can see the reasoning behind not wanting to hand over an object of such interest when you have told me outright that it still remains to be seen whether you will choose to part with us on amiable terms.>

<Those terms are acceptable,> you say. You raise the power core, and Steward holds out a hand. You hesitate, and look him in the eye. <The Shadows do not take betrayal kindly.>

"This is noted." Steward takes the core. "Neither does the Earth."

<Have you ever seen constructs of Shadow, or cores made of Shadow?> you ask. <Creating such a one might be easier for me.>

Steward pauses for a moment. "...yes, but they were all lost in the Elementomachy. It is thought that cores of any element are possible."

<And, as to my current goal,> you ask, <have you noticed a young girl with a spirit mage pass through your lands? They are both strong in Spirit magic.>

"Not two days past," Steward says. "That was within the canyons, on the other side of the worm-made cavern. After that, I know not what became of them."

You're only two days behind. Just two days! You feel a budding sense of excitement.

You glance at Steward.

What, if anything, do you tell Steward about your current goals?

>write-in

>>25183626
>Ok, sounds good (hand him the power core)

>>25183709
>>25183709

>>25183816
Nothing. Move on, and live without the core. We weren't doing much to study it yet anyway. We'll find another way.

Okay,
A fallen angel with authority issues, a runaway prince pretending to be a knight, a succubus, a lamb, a dishonored prince, and a robot walk into a bar.
What happen.

>>25183816

<Thank you for the information. Let us be on our way. Time waits for no elements.>

inform the others of our new friend and continue our adventure!

Steward can take whichever form he wishes. We do not hold preference or judge.

>>25183842
Yes.

>>25183848
Nothing at all, agreed.

>>25183816
Let's continue and explain the steward to our party.

>>25183870
>>25183848
Seems like a good mix. Maybe add if he has any questions on the journey feel free to ask. He may be an observer, but that doesn't mean he has to be a stranger!

>>25183816
Look at him, and ask how exactly he plans to be subtle in his observations. Giant robots don't really do "subtle".

>>25183914
...He is not a giant robot anon.

Really not sure why people were so eager to give the core back to this guy immediately. He told us that he is going to be following around and observing us anyway, so there's really no reason WE can't be the one carrying it instead of him.

That, and keeping it in our possession until we part ways gives him a greater incentive to deem us worthy of diplomacy since telling us that we're not worth bothering with has the potential to make us try and keep the core for ourselves, which goes against what the collective has deemed an urgent priority.

Oh well, too late now.

>>25183816
>What, if anything, do you tell Steward about your current goals?
Just the short-term; reuniting with two companions who have been traveling alone for some time now.

>>25183914
He folds up into a little box, as we saw when he first approached us.

>>25183961
>Really not sure why people were so eager to give the core back to this guy immediately. He told us that he is going to be following around and observing us anyway, so there's really no reason WE can't be the one carrying it instead of him.

We tried. Then I rolled a 1. Sorry about that, but it pretty much derailed any plan that would have let us do that.

>>25183961
I dunno. People feel like in a giving mood, it's kinda weird. The next thing that'll happen is people suggesting the giving of the shadowy D.

<Let us be off. If you have questions, let me know.>

"Understood."

Steward follows behind, remaining in his "unfolded" humanoid state. <Why were you in that smaller form?>

"My compact size if for stealth, energy conservation, and faster linear movement," it says.

<I see.>

You get back to your party. It takes you a moment to explain all the particulars. You carefully avoid mentioning around Auriel that the duke is investigating power cores to undermine the empire's monopoly on airship maintenance and repair.

Flint just smiles. "Well, the more the merrier, I suppose. We've got a living shadow, why not a construct?"

"Forgive me my skepticism," Auriel mutters dryly.

"I'm with Flint," Obis says. "Hell. Leftover constructs from the dwaves? Imagine the secrets they're holding onto!"

"Unfortunately, that information is classified," Steward says.

"Ah, you'll come around. The Shadow's a friend worth having, let me tell you."

"That remains to be seen," Steward says neutrally. "Unfortunately, your testimony is biased through previous interaction."

Obis raises an eyebrow. "How...logical."

Joey's eyes are like saucers. "A talking golem." He looks at Flint and points at Steward. "A talking golem!!" Joey sidles up to the construct.

"Joey, stay away from that thing!" Auriel calls.

"Hey, did the dwarves really make you?" the boy asks.

"No. I was made in City 1. The dwarves created my thought-copy-template, Steward 1."

"So...you're like, the grandson."

Steward cocks his head. "A crude metaphor, but not inaccurate."

"Cool!" Joey says.

Auriel sighs. Flint smiles a murmurs something to her, but she doesn't seem very appeased.

The party continues onward...

>con't

>>25184009
Joey is so going to be the one to get him to trip up and say something classified.

>>25184009
"Steward, what do you know of Geb?"

I wonder if City 1 and Geb are related? Perhaps City One is *inside* Geb.

>>25184031
Nah, too predictable. SM will probably make it so the robot gets Joey to say something classified.

>>25184043
pls

>>25184031

and yet another reason why Joey is secretly important! He is the powerless every-man... boy... caught up in extra-ordinary adventures!

Rolled 9, 5, 3, 6, 6, 1, 9, 5, 10, 1 = 55

>>25184043
oh god, gebs female

>>25184031
>>25184063
we are going to turn joey into a protagonist if it kills us. and the angel

Alright, time for a traveling song!

>>25184043
This, and if he says that Geb is classified, mention casually that both Geb and City One are classified, isn't that funny?

>>25184063
His survival probability is worse than... lvl 0 Usopp. I'm amazed he's made it this far, even though it's just because of the help of the rest of the party.

Rolled 85, 73, 90, 84, 16 = 348

>>25184082
lets break him with logic!

>>25184080
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc?

>>25184009
I think Joey just made a new friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoZnQNtrO2k

------
...traveling...
------

Joey continues to talk Steward's ear off. Steward answers the hundred questions plainly, and without much embellishment - but you notice he avoids giving away any information of serious import. The best you can gather is that City 1 is located either in Tarun Gakth, or in the Timorian Deep underneath it. Since it's gone this long without discovery, and the dwarves also lived underground, you'd put your money on the Timorian Deep. If you had money. And if you had any inclination to gamble.

To travel faster, you and Xella continue to fly the party. Stewart can run fast enough on the ground to keep up if you fly at a medium pace.

Auriel focuses on healing Flint's leg. It's getting much better - he says he could put up a fight, now.

The parasite has been quiet for some time. You hope it stays that way. He could use a break.

You find several more sigils, and they paint a straight line in the ground.

It's getting colder. You remark upon this to Auriel, who says it's because the plains leading up to the Valendraks actually slope up quite steeply. You're gaining altitude. That, and fall is really starting to set in.

By the time you reach a river that your party declares the Palorian, you've traveled for three days. You hope you've made up some time on your friends.

The next sigil points you north, upriver. Auriel is rather certain, from having sailed the river several times in her long experience, that Palthair, a vast mining town, is only a day or two north.

What do you do?

>speak with one or more of your companions (write-in)
>timeskip to Palthair

>>25184143

>timeskip to Palthair

>>25184143
Timeskip

>>25184143
Time skip.
Thank god we chose a traveling form.

>>25184143
>speak with one or more of your companions (write-in)

Offer Flint a bit more healing to supplement Auriel's.

Talk to Xella, and impress upon her the importance of behaving herself in Palthair.

And talk to Auriel a bit as well. Just see how she's doing.

Rolled 65, 78, 27, 52, 50 = 272

>>25184143
Skip that time

Timeskip is good. we have nothing of import to discuss at this time...

>>25184143
Why are we not helping Auriel with Flint?

And take advantage of that to talk to Auriel more about mana absorption and see if we can learn something.

>>25184156
>>25184176
>>25184183
>>25184190
Plot... FORWARD!

Rolled 23, 22, 12, 37, 53 = 147

>>25184186
No, if we use all our mana, Xella gets loose

>>25184199
>And take advantage of that to talk to Auriel more about mana absorption and see if we can learn something.

Good point, she talked about it before but we were too busy.

>>25184199
We can't use our deep end mana reserves because of the contract.

>>25184210
>>25184199
I'd second this, if it weren't going to do nothing now that skipping has been majorly elected.

>>25184226
Nthing this as well, and that doesn't seem to be decided yet.

>>25184143
Also, talk to Xella; we're no longer critically in need of her, and she seems rather irredeemably dangerous right now until we have the ability to resummon her differently. And we already got all the information she has to share.

>>25184143
Talk to Auriel about mana and about healing Flint; see if we can learn how to do the former so we can help with the latter.

And talk to Xella, and if that conversation doesn't go exactly the way it ought to, she's gone now that we don't need her to save our friends' asses anymore.

>>25184216
>>25184204
Ugh, between that and her actions back at the cave...

Honestly?
>>25184143
Talk to Auriel about Xella. Tell her she might be right, and tell her what Xella said and what we actually did instead.

>>25184143
>timeskip to Palthair

>>25184287
>Talk to Auriel about Xella. Tell her she might be right, and tell her what Xella said and what we actually did instead.

This would be worth it just for the look on Auriel's face when Shadow says she might have been right about something. That just because we don't want beings of Shadow seen as evil just because they're Shadow doesn't mean there aren't evil Shadows out there, just as there are evil Light beings out there.

>>25184247
>>25184271
>>25184287
This
>>25184199
And asking about mana.

>>25184199
>talk to Auriel more about mana absorption and see if we can learn something

Flint is stabilized right now, and we can't use all our mana, but this.

>>25184313
Well that's just too in character to pass up. Seconding.

>>25184313
This seems so very much like Shadow.

>>25184313
This, but have Xella wander off somewhere first, if we don't just dismiss her first. No sense letting Shadow have a spaghetti moment talking about her in front of her.

A living shadow, a paladin, a fallen angel, a prince-in-exile, a lich, a little girl, a succubus, a living construct and Joey walk into a bar...

>>25184374
And they all say "ow" and try not to do that again.

>>25184374
The bartender is Geb.

>>25184374
Joey complains about them not warning him about the bar

>>25184374
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/25060085/#p25062499

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After a night spent in rest, you're pretty sure Flint is back to 100%. He's been quiet the past few days, but now his wounds are totally gone, and he's back to his normal self. Auriel's mood improves exponentially with his health. A few times, you're pretty sure she event forgets you're the Shadow she's supposed to hate.

When Steward is not patiently speaking to Joey in his mechanical monotone, you can feel his eyes on you. He's said nothing regarding his observations. You wonder what he's looking for.

It begins to snow.

Soon enough, you arrive outside Palthair. The sun has an hour or so in the sky; a dusting of snow covers everything. The town is nestled in the crook of the mountains, continuing lengthwise for some ways up and down the slopes. At the head of the many creeks that converge to form the Palorian, it boasts impressive architecture.

"The city is an important city," Auriel says to the party, mostly to you and Joey, as it comes into view. "Over 60% of the empire's mineral resources come from the vast mines here, which are funneled down the Palorian and out for trade at Port Vanta. Tin, Iron, Copper, Silver, and even Adamantium. That's one reason it's protected by Gaphold at one end, and Wallfront at the other." She glances at you. "Before the elementomachy...Paloir was a country. Rich, prosperous. Peaceful. It was where the Black Hand first struck, after consolidating Temerland, to region north of the Valendraks. It became the meeting ground of many armies, and the war shattered the Frontier into constant chaos." She looks back to the town. "Eventually, the Empire joined Ulund in reestablishing Palthair, and it has since slowly healed into what it is today."

<I see,> you say.
"I see,> Steward says.

You glance at each other, nod, then look away. Auriel fingers her temples. "...anyway. The last sigil clearly pointed to the town.What's the plan?"

>con't

>>25184410
We did, but we didn't get much of an answer. We could take a little more time and get her introspecting about how she manages it herself, and we could look closely at the process with our own abilities and try to learn something.

>>25184410
Ah, k. I guess it would have to be something related to our skill tree then.

>>25184401
I was really hoping that was going to be a cameo.

That would be the best thing ever.

What do you do?

>scout inside alone
>choose another person to scout
>head on in with the party, making sure to keep a low profile
>some other strategy

>>25184427
Oh my god.

Steward is like a proto us.

BROTHERRRRR!

>>25184440
>head on in with the party, making sure to keep a low profile

Head on in, stay in someone's shadow for now, and meanwhile talk to Auriel about Xella as
>>25184271
>>25184313
>>25184323
>>25184333
>>25184352
>>25184365
suggested.

>>25184438
It would, wouldn't it?

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>>25184440
split up and search

>>25184440
>>25184440
Scout alone.

>>25184474
Somebody who is following Tavern Quest should link here and suggest it.

>>25184440
We're the only one that can see the sigils, but we shouldn't wander off alone. Bring the party along.

Either hide in Auriel's shadow or just practice our non-imposing humanoid form.

>>25184440
alright. we probably have to go in since we find the symboles. and we cant take steward with us or it will cause a ruckus. humm. now i wonder if we could just cover him with us and we look like a normal person. he doenst exactly need to breath. if that one works then head in with the party, making sure to keep a low profile. though before that we might ask steward if he has some way of going unnoticed.

>>25184509
By our powers combined...

>>25184509
I agree with making sure Steward can keep a low profile. But he does need to stick with us and observe.

So,
>>25184440
>head on in with the party, making sure to keep a low profile

Go in as a group.

>>25184440
Probably just head on in with the party. We can take unconspicuous form now, so things should be good.
Steward is a bit of a problem though.

>>25184462

This has been noted. You'll speak with Auriel when you have a chance.

So, are you hiding in someone's shadow, or entering in your travel form?

------------
------------

You glance at Steward. <Do you have a means of blending in with...humans, perhaps?>

"Indeed." Steward seems to pause a moment. A bit of the shadow and spirit him in flares slightly. The green energy panels on his outsides glow. A moment later, he takes the form of a nondescript man with brown hair, brown eyes, and dressed in normal traveling clothes. You wouldn't glance twice at him. "Is this acceptable?"

<Perfect.>

>>25184562
>So, are you hiding in someone's shadow, or entering in your travel form?

Our travel form is unconspicuous to any normal person, and anyone magical can see us easily enough in someone's shadow too.

Go in as a person for a change.

>>25184562
i say run our travel form through its paces. traning. remember stuff like "humans dont stretch their arm when trying to grab something far away."

>>25184562
>This has been noted. You'll speak with Auriel when you have a chance.

*not* that we're doing it for that reason, far from it, but do make sure that Steward is around for that conversation.

>>25184562
Entering in travel form, I suppose.

That's pretty much the point of it, isn't it?

Anyway, we should find a tavern or a bar and ask if an old guy and a small girl have been seen around. Probably look like they've come a really long way.

>>25184587
I can so see Shadow forgetting and doing that, yeah.

>>25184562
Time to practice being human. This should be good.

>>25184562
Is that a reference? Please tell me that's a reference.
It isn't a reference, is it? :(

>>25184562
Travel form, and:

"OK, everyone, this is my first time trying to pass as human, so I'd appreciate a warning if I'm failing particularly badly at it."

>>25184599
We don't really have to ask around for that stuff, we just need to follow the sigils.

>>25184427
>head on in with the party, making sure to keep a low profile

Also, I get the feeling we share something special with Steward since we are both in a way learning about the world.

>>25184562
>A bit of the shadow and spirit him in flares slightly.

Uh? Earth and spirit, surely?

>>25184617
Yup, we don't need to draw attention to ourselves, though I suspect some of the others would welcome a comfortable place to sleep.

>>25184615
>"OK, everyone, this is my first time trying to pass as human, so I'd appreciate a warning if I'm failing particularly badly at it."

This.

>>25184625
no. he has all of the elements in that chassi of his. and shadow and spirit are illusion. so they would be used to make him look normal

>>25184625
It appeared to us before that he had a little of everything.

>>25184653
But he said he had not seen Shadow cores, so how?

>>25184689
right. and i dont think he has actual cores. we might have run into a syntax problem in that he has something smaller that is not called a core. something that allows him to use that kind of magic.

>>25184689
Maybe he can't safely open himself up to look at his insides?

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>>25184562
Travel Form, though we might want to smooth it down a bit.

also this >>25184615

>>25184640
Interesting.

We could hold him/her/it up as a perfect example of the elements in balance.

You morph into your human form. <Let's get moving.>

You walk into the town, keeping to the main road. It's relatively quiet. The party leaves a trail of footprints behind them. You inch up towards your truest and most loyal companion, Sir Flint. <Flint. A word.>

"Mmm?"

<Well...acting human...is...new, in a sense. I will require guidance.>

Flint grins and slaps you on the back. "I've got you. Might want to try talking out loud, though."

You create a passage through which to speak normally. "...how do I sound?"

"A little deeper than I'd expect," Flint says, "but normal enough. Just don't sprout an extra arm or something dumb like that."

<Right. Proportion is everything.> You frown slightly. You're quite used to bending and warping every which way as it's convenient. Now, you'll actually have to -turn- to reach something. How...restricting.

You enter the town. It's quiet. Lights burn in many houses, but the streets are empty but for a few passerby crunching through the snow. You receive some curious looks, but nothing more.

Auriel seems confused.

"What is it?" you ask her, to practice your new voice.

"...it's quiet," she says. "I just finished telling you how important this town is. It doesn't just stop during the snow. They're used to it." She glances at you. "I just realized something. On our way up, I didn't see a single boat going downriver. There's usually more boats than water." She frowns deeply. "Something's up."

"I will stay alert." You glance at Xella, who should merely appear as a normal human to any that see the party. "Xella. Stay modest, and subdued. We don't want attention."

"As you say," she says simply.

She's been giving you one-word answers for a while, now. Obviously, there's a disconnect there.

<Auriel,> you say, <I am speaking so that only you can hear.>

Auriel looks at you, but, taking the hint, says nothing.

>con't

>>25184761
Compartmentalized and sterilized into a golem for purposes related most likely to warfare. Great example King George.

>>25184773
><Auriel,> you say, <I am speaking so that only you can hear.>

Oh well, guess we don't get any credit for this with Steward.

>>25184798
We don't know that he can't hear us actually...
He could have dog^10000 hearing.

>>25184832
Doesn't mean he can hear telepathy.

>>25184840
Our impression telepathy turned into word telepathy?

>>25184848
What else are we doing when we <talk like this>?

>>25184745
Obviously the eyes and mouths don't come out to play unless something royally pisses us off.

>>25184848

we can only 'speak' due to Ink in conjunction with communicate.

Communicate itself is 'ethereal words into their minds'

>>25184745
This really is amazing. Looks like a character out of a western.

Hopefully not a spaghetti western.

>>25184863
We've always talked like that since we got communication.
SM, has this been word telepathy?

<I believe...we need to rid ourselves of Xella, as soon as possible. She is unstable, and cannot be trusted.>

Auriel goes blank. She walks over to you, and you both hang back slightly, away from the others.

Slowly, her eyebrow raises to the top of her face. "Are you saying I'm right?" she whispers.

<...you were absolutely correct. If a demon is based in magic, there is no changing a demon.>

Auriel nods. "Then we should do it tonight. Desummoning is simple; just a matter of -willing- it, so I understand. We can support you, in that."

<...tell me. If Xella is unable to change, because of what she is...is that why you believe I cannot change?>

Auriel says nothing, but her expression speaks volumes.

<I am not like her,> you say firmly.

"You don't know that," Auriel says. "You have no memories. You admitted as much."

<But look at my actions. Have they not spoken for me, as even you said they would?>

"Unless you..." Auriel stops, then starts again. "Unless, the act of gaining trust is completely intentional...and betrayal comes only when it is unexpected. How are you to know you aren't merely the summoned creature of a powerful mage? How are you to know that you yourself aren't being controlled right this moment? Your nature hides any insight into your being and form. I've...I admit I've tried to discern that, many times. But I cannot. That is why I can't trust you, Shadow. You can't even trust yourself." She leans forward. "What if you -were- made? What if, at the worst possible moment, you are forced beyond your control to attack us? What if - " She lowers her voice even further. "You were sent to ensure Flint did not rid himself of that parasite? Why is it you can see it, and no one else...nothing else but a demon?"

What is your response?

>write-in

>>25184883
>Communicate itself is 'ethereal words into their minds'

Right, and there's little chance of Steward hearing that.

>>25184883
Ah, alright. Was confuzzled with the terms. Thanks.

>>25184773
>"A little deeper than I'd expected."
And now I don't know whether to continue with Neil Gaiman voicing Shadow...

>>25184902

Yes.

<This is telepathy. It has the same range as a normal voice, but can be sent to one particular person.>

"This is normal speech. Ink+communication gave you this."

>>25184906
Oh damn did her IQ raise like ten points?

>>25184906
huh, Auriel's cold shoulder makes a lot more sense now, maybe giving her some impressions of our early days would help?

>>25184906

<I know not why it is I can see the parasite, Though I would expect no less Justice done upon me as done upon anyone who betrayed their friends. I trust that you would find yourself willing to end me should that be the case?>

<Either way, We seem to be getting catching up to them, Then we shall see exactly what this thing upon Flints soul is...?>

>>25184932
Sweet. Thanks for the clarification.

>>25184906
<If that is the case, then there is little I can do about it. I have no choice but to proceed as if it isn't, and do everything in my power to be a force for good and justice, and not for evil. If there is some way of finding more about my nature, I wish to do so, and it seems you do as well. I could just as easily wonder if your downtrodden "fallen angel" bit is an act to investigate me further and gain my confidence, but I do not believe it so; you seem genuine.

I know only that I do not believe myself evil, and if I am summoned by some force other than myself, I will do everything I can to break free. If I am ever in a position where I cannot, and I'm fighting against my friends, please do whatever it takes to stop me.>

>>25184906
"Oh..." and sent Auriel the vague impression of an existential crisis. Also, still not understanding the Xella hate. With minimal precautions we have an additional loyal caster/flyer in our party. Remind me, without her help in the cave in wouldn't someone have died?

<If I was there to prevent Flint from ridding himself of this parasite I would not have attempted to eat it. Then when that failed encouraged him to seek out others who could rid himself of it. I wouldn't have even brought it to his attention.>

>>25185021
I agree with sending Auriel a feeling of genuine concern for her words.

>>25185020
This, especially the last bit. <But don't be *too* eager for the opportunity, please.>

>>25184906
<If we operate on that assumption, then what is to stop us from believing that everyone and everything is simply a magical construct which is adhering to it's programming? How would I know that you are not simply a cleverly disguised demon sent to stop me?

No, I refuse to accept that such a thing is possible. I'm not a pawn, you're not a pawn. Flint, Obis, Adavan, Abigal, Joey... None of them are pawns. I gave Xella a chance. I wanted her to not be a pawn, as well... But, as much as I am loathe to admit it, I don't think she is capable of breaking her nature. I was wrong. Not everything can be defined by Who rather than What. Not everything.>

>>25185043
Agreed, explain our logic.

>>25184906
My will is my own. if anything i would call that my defining feature. but you cannot trust a suspected lair if they tell you they only tell the truth. if it would help i would be willing to let you see my memories until i reached flint. but even that would not be enough. there is no thing i could tell you that could not be construed as me tellinging you what my "summoner" wanted me to tell you. so i will simply say. i did not think i would survive my first battle in jacobs field. you can see that. if my goal was to hurt flint, then my own survival would be a higher objective. self sacrifice does not work well with someone trying to gain trust. if and only if the sacrificer does not know if he will live though it

>sorry rambled and got a little wordy

>>25185021
Obis can throw all the fireballs she could have, but he does lack the handy flight ability.

>>25185043
I seen that on Hollow Quest. Nice to know I'm not the only one participating in both...

>>25185021
It's more of the whole high potential threat when our mana reserves are depleted. And since mana reducing anti-magic is a thing is this setting it's quite the possibility. I'd like to keep her for more utility but frankly she's dangerous.

>>25185021
>Also, still not understanding the Xella hate.
The only thing keeping her loyal to our cause is our control over her. And she's clearly not enamoured with us judging from how she's gotten snippy with us.

If we lose control over her by running out of mana she'll most likely turn on us, or worse escape and harm innocents. She's a ticking time bomb.

>>25184906
>Why is it you can see it, and no one else...nothing else but a demon?
I mean, the crazy seer guy seemed to know about it just fine, and Auriel was quite awed by the means he was using to do his scrying, so I'd imagine it's legit.

>>25184906
>"You were sent to ensure Flint did not rid himself of that parasite? Why is it you can see it, and no one else...nothing else but a demon?"

<If that is the case, I would not have told him of it, so he could know the nature of what he is fighting against, and so he could strengthen his resolve against it. But I remain concerned by what you say; I was worried about my own nature as well, and now I am even more so.>

Tell her about the voice that called us Erebus. Trade a little information for her confidence; we have no reason to tell her that if we're evil, unless we don't know that ourselves, and in that case there's nothing we can do about it, so
>>25185020
this.

>>25185077
>mana reducing anti-magic
Well I forgot about that. Yikes.

>>25185089
Good point.

>>25185106
>Tell her about the voice that called us Erebus. Trade a little information for her confidence; we have no reason to tell her that if we're evil, unless we don't know that ourselves, and in that case there's nothing we can do about it, so

Good idea.

>>25185020
>do everything in my power to be a force for good and justice

Maybe not quite that superman, yet.

>Tell her about the voice that called us Erebus.

That's a pretty serious step right there.

Let me hear some opinions on this.

>>25185089
Oh yes, definitely mention that the Seer understood it as well.

>>25185089
Yeah, I get the feeling that its due to how we see the world interfering with its ability to hide itself more than anything else.

I mean its not like we have eyes. Normally.

>>25185130
i say mention the seer, but not erebus. there is not way for her to not take that wrong. really there isnt. it isnt worth it right now

>>25185130
I'm not sure about telling her what the voice said, she's already been specifically cherry-picking her observations to look for reasons that can be used to draw conclusions on us in a negative light.

>>25185130
>Maybe not quite that superman, yet.

Tone it down a bit, then; I was just going for "nobody's going to *make* me evil, I'm going to fight that and be what I'm trying to be".

<If I'm secretly evil and trying to gain your confidence, nothing I say can convince you otherwise. I'd point out that the seer did not see it, and that I would not have been trying to help Flint know of the parasite and fight it, but that aside, I am concerned as well. If it is possible for a summoned creature to not know its own nature, that worries me, but I can do nothing about it, so I will proceed as if that is not the case and try to be better than that.>

>>25185171
>...
And giving her more fuel, while honest, is not necessary.

>>25185171
That's the point; if we're knowingly evil and being secret about it, then there'd be no reason for us to tell her that. So that would downgrade it to, at most, "evil but don't know it ourselves and trying to fight it".

---------------
---------------

Alright, it's going to take me a bit of time to compile these.

Writing.

>>25185130
>>Tell her about the voice that called us Erebus.
>That's a pretty serious step right there.
>Let me hear some opinions on this.

She's starting to trust us more. If it ever comes out without us telling her, we ruin any future chance of that. If we tell her now, that's a sign of trust. And we can make it very clear that we don't know *what* we are, but that we don't want to be the evil she thinks we are.

>>25185130
>>Tell her about the voice that called us Erebus.
>That's a pretty serious step right there.
>Let me hear some opinions on this.

While we're not ready to tell her about the Duke and the orbs, since that's not our secret to tell, I think we should tell her this bit if we have any hope of ever getting her to believe we're not evil.

>>25185130
It's a risk, and not a small one, but I think it's one that Shadow should be willing to take at this point.

>>25185130
humm. just realized that we would not only be saying that we were called erebus by a voice, but we would have to explain the spirit elemental underneath jacob's field. she does not know about that. she only knows about adivan

>>25185254
>>25185241
>>25185228
>>25185212
>>25185199
>>25185171
remember that we would also have to explain why we take this voice calling us erebus seriously

>>25185274
I'm OK with that.

>>25185274
Wasn't it because of Abigails nickname? The Nice Lady?

>>25185286
we would have to explain that we think the elemental lords are not dead. at least not all of them. spirit still lives in a vault. water is the keyston of atlantis. geb is bound.

>>25185130
I agree with the idea of not keeping secrets from the rest of our party at this point.

>>25185318
We don't have to go into that much detail for her to believe us. And we don't know that it's the spirit elemental lord; it was a voice from a vault with the general feel of spirit, that's it.

>>25185286
>>25185318
You are entirely okay with telling Auriel that the elemental lord(lady) of spirit is lying and wait? And you will assume that she couldn't derive out intentions to free it considering we talked of freeing Geb? This seems a very... interesting choice.

>>25185357
*We* don't even know that that's what's in the vault.

>>25185337
I'd second obscuring the likely truth with that, since we don't actually know for sure.

>>25185382
Likewise; we're telling her our observations, not our conclusions. Similarly, we don't know if we're Erebus or not right now, we're just telling her what we know.

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>>25185378
>>25185382

>>25185357
alright. i was trying to get everyone to understand exactly what we are telling her. and note that i do not support telling her. at all. it will bite us. but i will bow to the majority as long as yall understand the risks

i also vote not telling her about being called erebus. She HATES Erebus for his decision not to interfere in the war.

>>25185422
What is she going to do to us, exactly? We could eat her at any time if we wanted to, and she knows that. Instead we've done everything in our power to be exactly what she thinks Shadow isn't.

>>25185437
Not like we're going to make the same mistake.

You send Auriel an impression of worry, and concern. But that concern swiftly hardens into determination.

<If I'm secretly evil and trying to gain your confidence, nothing I say can convince you otherwise,> you begin. <I am worried by the prospect that a summoned creature might not realize its own nature, but the seer was able to see the parasite just fine, and he seemed to have confidence enough in my presence with Flint. But even if it were the case that I am being controlled,> you say, <I can't do anything about it. I've no choice to proceed as if I'm not. If we operate on your assumption, then what is to stop us from believing that everyone and everything is simply a magical construct adhering to its programming? How do I know you are not a cleverly disguised demon sent to stop me?>

"That's ridiculous," Auriel hisses.

<Is is possible for summons to be of the light element?>

"I'm telling you that is - "

<Is it possible?>

"...they can be of any element. But Shadow and Spirit are many times more common, as some component of them is required in summoning magic."

<There you are. I could just as easily wonder if your downtrodden angel act is just that - an act put on to investigate me and gain my trust, for some purpose I do not yet understand.>

"...you don't actually believe that." She gives you a sober look. "Do you?"

<Of course not,> you say. <It's obviously a stupid idea. So, perhaps, you could admit the same, and grant me at least the fact that I'm in control of my own sensibilities.>

"But - "

<If I were sent to look after the parasite, I would not have brought it to his attention in the first place. I would not have tried to harm it. Surely my -programming- would have stopped those sorts of things.>

"...a fair point," Auriel admits. "...I suppose...that either way, it is what it is."

<More importantly, we need to get rid of a known unstable variable - Xella.>

"...alright. We do it tonight."

>con't