Oh neat, it's that time again

File: 1372384013289.gif-(797 KB, 500x269, tuning_in.gif)

797 KB GIF

Woo, I knew I was right to stick around. Time for my stories. Archive's in place already.

Welcome back Echo.

First order of business is to get into the cell I guess and start chatting up the Kingfisher

>>25686968
yeah, we're talking over a, frankly, ridiculous method. We should cut down the chain of communication at least one link.

You finished your preparations at First Wood and returned to Stone Hall with Jesse-May Prosper in tow.

Using her skills you discovered that the spies aren't exactly on a pure hunger strike. You also asked one of the spies to get you in contact with the Kingfisher.

The spy's response was to roll his eyes back in his head, have blood drip from his nose, and have the Kingfisher himself talk from his throat.

Jesse-May Prosper has you enter the jail and face the spy/Kingfisher in person. She wants to use the Whisper Flute as little as she needs to.

"So," The spy says. "Even with a willing host, this is a traumatic spell to the body. So please be swift and don't waste my time with small talk and needless questions.

"First let me say this, there is no way I will be fool enough to meet you in person on your territory. You wish to see my face, you must come to the Phoenix Colony." The Kingfisher says.

Damn. I keep meaning to catch up with this story from the archives, but there's not enough hours in a day.

>>25687008
just jump in modern day. we're trying to set up a meeting with this dude so that we can get his spies out of our hair in a more permanent manner.

>>25686996
"That would put me in your own territory. A meeting on the border would be the most fair for both parties."

(wait are we in PE tongue or citadel tongue?)

>>25686996
"You think I am fool enough to come to your territory when you've already tried to kill me? I'm sure we can find some neutral ground."
We totally are fool enough but he doesn't need to know that.

>>25686996
"Ah, I'm afraid I'm terribly busy these days, so that seems unlikely to happen any time soon. But I'm sure we'll meet eventually."

>>25686996
"Fine, walking into traps is my job. Where is the colony, and how will we signal the meeting when we arrive there? Will you be offering us passage through whatever military you may have, or will we have to find a covert route?"

Straight to the point so we can talk about more points. Right?

>>25687064
No. We want to meet him asap. The problem is he wants it on his land

>>25687058
Hmm. I didn't actually think to ask him for an on-the-borders meeting, I figured he'd refuse.

Well, go for it, and if that fails then we can go with mine.

>>25687097
We are good at walking into traps

>>25687091
Pffft, we got shit to do. Sure meeting him would be a fine use of our time if it didn't require MOVING TO ANOTHER CONTINENT. That shit takes ages! No dice.

>>25687139
The colony is south of Purple Sands.

>>25687139
oh, you must be the guy who missed a few threads. let me brief you:

To the south, past the desert, there is some kind of phoenix encampment. We have intel they have 500,000 soldiers. The kingfisher is somewhere in that encampment, on the same continent.

>>25687153
Oh, that makes more sense then. Although that begs the question of how they took control of that area so as to move that many troops there.

He could send a Lieutenant just as easily if we were to negotiate ransom for the prisoners.

We know they're planning to invade. We'll need a (reliable) means of prisoner exchange if and/or when they do.

>>25687208
they have had a full blown colony there for decades, one of the spies was born in the colony.

>>25687208
They've been landing troops there for close to twenty years and subjugated the local Ettin population.

>>25687208
they claim to have had it for 20 years already. And to have brought-to-heel the local population of ettins(?)

The rest, though, are questions we should remember when we're talking to someone important.

>>25687208
>>25687225
>>25687226
>>25687242
what'd I say? perfectly fine to be in here without reading a few threads, we'll fill you in with pertinent info.

>>25687212
Having a chat with him is what we are ransoming them for.

>>25687225
>>25687226
Oh. To be honest I've read every thread, I've just missed everything about the encampment beyond 'there are some phoenix dudes around purple sands' when it first came up because I've been intensely bored by this whole spy storyline and skimmed most of it. I guess I'll just sit out the rest until it goes somewhere else.

>>25686996
this strikes me as a bad idea.
neutral territory or talk through pawns. going into the phoenix colony is a bad idea

>>25687272
that's sort of why I want to talk to the kingfisher. If we can just get him to stop with this spy shit, and move on to PE diplomacy or orc wrangling.

>>25687298
He probably won't stop the spy crap, but we can start to sway him to our side and get in character knowledge of who's running in the show.

Then we play with the orcs

>>25687298
I enjoyed the beginning, and I still enjoy the phoenix empire as a concept...but ever since the interrogations started with the blacksmith I've kinda started to zone out whenever the spies come up.

>>25686996
"You will not meet me in my territory, and you ask for me to happily waltz into yours? I am known for walking into obvious traps, but this is rather taking the cake, isn't it? We can meet in a neutral area."

>>25687342
I do enjoy the elsewhere that feature the Kingfisher. He's like the Rage we never had.

>>25687342
I quite like the tonal shift. Spy games are fun.

Incidentally, 'Burn Notice with wizards' is one of the most enticing premises for a campaign I have heard.

"Ah, I'm afraid I'm terribly busy these days, so that seems unlikely to happen any time soon. Anyway, that would put me in your own territory. You think I am fool enough to come to your territory when you've already tried to kill me? I'm sure we can find some neutral ground." You say.

"No such thing exists." He says. "Consider this to be our negotiation then, as we're both as secure as we could be. Now, I want my people back, what's your ransom? Please keep in mind that diamonds and gems are more stable currency with us than precious metals."

>>25687345
This one is pretty good, actually. Let's see if he agrees to a neutral zone. Maybe somewhere in the godforsaken desert.
>>25687342
yeah, I think just dealing with spies is terrible, regardless of what empire they are. we'll wrap this up and move on to dealing with how unpleasantly cold the north is.

>>25687393
one favor owed for each

>>25687393
"Information. I want to know which Sky Lord has you over here and what he wants."

>>25687393
going with this>>25687419

>>25687419
Ah yes, favors. Always worth it. Though we'll have to make he honors them both to the word of the request and intent of it. Which is easier said than done at times.

>>25687393
"How many of your men would a face to face cost? Failing that, I suppose I could settle for information on the means and motives of the empire forces, or a halt to covert activities in my lands."

>>25687393
"How much would it cost to get you to speak with me face to face? That's my ransom.

I understand that you don't get to be a spymaster by trusting things at face value, but I actually have no intention of making an attempt on your life should you choose to meet with me. I would rather discuss things at length, and this method of communication seems rather... unseemly."

Wait a minute. Cold frozen north....Snow....Ice....Cream....We need to find a way for Mage to cast an ice spell while we are up north. Hopefully the cold will be an inspiration!

>>25687393
bryllite.
best chance of getting a lot of refined brylite

>>25687419
change to two for Cai, and 10 rubies for the one mentioning they were posted

>>25687456
>>25687475
This is also good. A face-to-face is really what we want at the end of day. Though favors are always a good second.

>>25687476
wait wait I've GOT it.

We'll buy a cow. Follow me on this one. We'll buy a cow. we'll also take barney's machine with us. When we go up north, we'll have a constant supply of milk and ice.

We'll have as much icecream as we can handle eating without hypothermia setting in!

>offer gems, gold
>receive demands for a nice meeting, or perhaps some favors

Fucking devil snake

>>25687486
Doubtful they'd have much and they'd know what is is capable of.
>>25687487
The fuck would we want rubies for?

>>25687495
what if the cow gets hypothermia? why not just take tara?

>>25687393
"And yet, one currency still trumps anything shiny: Information.

Why has the Phoenix Empire suddenly decided that Citadel interests them? What does your Sky Lord have up his sleeve? Because I suspect it has something to do with Citadel's twisted puppetry. And that is not a sort of magic I would ever allow to be used."

>>25687534
wait until we get there jeez

>>25687534
Getting a bit metagamey there.

>>25687516
to insult the bitch with how low his ransom is. then he'll start wondering why Cai's was so high. it'll hopefully spread dissent

>>25687514
Spy games, anon

Spy games.

>>25687514
>offer gems, gold
But we don't want those things. We want info and new friends or at least people not wanting to kill us...

>>25687534
We can save the direct questions for a face to face meeting.

>>25687549
That is a retarded idea.

>>25687516
They may know what it does generally, but they sure as hell don't know what we want it for.

>>25687534
No metagaming. We haven't been dreaming this set of interludes. PE's interest in Citadel magic is unknown to us.

>>25687567
The lump we need is enough to wipe them off the face of the planet.

later:

Ssen gets bitched out by Isen because those rubies would actually have been pretty damn useful

>>25687578
Hmmmm. Do they know that? Until Mage mentioned it I don't think there was anything previously about brillitite being *explosive* rather than just anti-magic.

>>25687592
They probably do, lets not give them any hints as to what we are up to

>>25687592
well, the explanation he gave for it being anti-magic is that it just let out a burst of blank-flavor magic that overwhelms others. So I guess this would be just a HUGE ASS pulse of blank-flavor magic.

"How many of your men would a face to face cost?" You ask.

"My my, still hung up on this, are we?" Kingfisher says. "I think your lover might be a bit jealous the way you're going after me. Do I need to worry about her sending fleas or lice to next in my bed?"

You sigh. "Two favors for Cai, Information for the magic user regarding the Sky Lord sending the attack, and three...no...two large rubies for this one."

A pause, and then the Kingfisher slowly nods. "Clever. One favor, I give you the Sky Lord's name, and the two rubies. It'll be a good lesson for Sun anyway. Also, I'll throw in this, I'll tell the Sky Lord that Princess Mumei is dead." He says. "She's of no political use, her family's back in the Empire, and the Sky Lord I serve is paranoid and twisted enough that when he hears of her flying contraption, let alone her ability to walk, he'll order her death. I have better uses for my people than to kill little girls for someone's vanity."

>>25687721
"Fair deal, we have an accord"

>>25687721
we probably would have used a favor to save mumei anyways, so fair deal

>>25687721
Okay this is just getting creepy how much he knows.

>>25687756
just ignore it, he's trying to creep us out

>>25687756
He is the head of all these fucking bird spies and has advanced communication magic and is generally feared in the bloody PE.

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

>>25687745
>>25687755
>>25687756
agree with all of these

>>25687756
He's a master among spy masters, and we are pretty damn famous. The fact that we know Princess Mumei and that Tricia and us are lovers wouldn't be secrets to any reasonably observant person who's been hanging around Stone Hall for a while.

>>25687721
"Ah, you think of my friends, how considerate. I can accept that deal, sure, but with one provision- your people have to join me for card games or something while we are delivering them to wherever they are being dropped off. I never did get to finish telling Cai all my jokes."

>>25687790
PERFECT

>>25687790
I would settle for them merely behaving themselves in the future. They can be quite rude.

>>25687721
Wait how big are we negociating? chicken egg big? or smaller than that?

Also we are probably fighting back a quip about how many scales are on our tale at the moment. Just to test his knowledge.

>>25687790
>I never did get to finish telling Cai all my jokes
Haha. Yes. The Pun train never ends!

>>25687790
I love this idea. Cai has to go back to her boss with a list as long as her arm of the terrible, terrible jokes the serpent-monster tormented her with. And the Kingfisher will look over the list and laugh his head off at all of them.

>>25687790
We've not been a little silly in a while, I like this

"Ah, you think of my friends, how considerate. I can accept that deal, sure, but with one provision- your people have to join me for card games or something while we are delivering them to wherever they are being dropped off. I never did get to finish telling Cai all my jokes." You say.

"Don't you savages have RULES about torture?" A chuckle. "Very well, although I would prefer to have your favor now than later. You would too. I've been told by many that I have no honor, so you can extract your request while you still have something I want."

He pauses. "If you like, I can supply you with some Ettin battle fetishes, the orks were long rivals of the two-headed ogres. Tey'd respect someone who'd show up with trophies in tow."

File: 1372387781400.gif-(2.39 MB, 300x132, reddit arrives.gif)

2.39 MB GIF

>>25687790

Oh boy, here we go.

>>25687889
"Wow... just wow."

Fucking hell.

>>25687889
"I think I have more than a few ideas on how to gain their respect. Thank you for the offer"

>>25687889
eh, battle fetishes aren't so great, and I can't think of any favors right now. Unless you guys come up with better, I suggest something like

"Oh, don't let them besmirch your honor, I'm sure you're perfectly upstanding. I think I'll hold onto this favor until all of this unpleasantness is settled- I'll make you cover the cost of the celebration."

>>25687889

"Honor is nice, but I've found practicality to be far more valuable, and from what I've heard about you, you may be the most practical man I've ever 'met'."

>>25687911

It's not *that* unreasonable to assume that the UFK would seek allies elsewhere when most of their standing forces are trapped in a magical bliss-bubble. The Orcs are pretty much the only other allies that the UFK can seek out that are in close proxmity.

>>25687950
yeah. or there's a leak in the elven guards, either way, it's entirely plausible.

Now the spies are getting official big-bird orders that they have to play games with us.

A new lowpoint in all of their careers.

>>25687889
"There are a lot of similarities between honour and good business sense. Even if somebody completely lacks the first, they can have an overabundance of the second, as I suspect you do.

So I think I will keep that favour and trust that you will do the practical thing when the time comes. I have a bad habit of making it all go up in flames when people try to make me dance on their strings, you see."

>>25688057
It's like being forced into a rockoff with the devil

>>25688110
no, that's awesome. this is like being forced to play street fighter with rob schneider.

>>25688110
Sing the best song in the world or I'll eat your soul...and the best part is that they identify with birds.

File: 1372388740387.gif-(174 KB, 300x160, 9408eac07d56bd4.gif)

174 KB GIF

>>25688110

>She can do what she wants
>Whatever she's got she's gonna flaunt
>There's never been one she's ever lost

Yep, pretty much.

Quickly, we must compile a list of terrible bird puns!

>>25688173
Punstorm 2, the Punning?

>>25688173
>>25688182
http://pastebin.com/wThr3e8L

Google gave me a present.

File: 1372389128421.jpg-(22 KB, 500x500, 1347251986783.jpg)

22 KB JPG

>>25688196
>http://pastebin.com/wThr3e8L

>you've got talont
>whatever tweaks your beak
>you finched

File: 1372389184608.gif-(2.69 MB, 400x232, 1372082004369.gif)

2.69 MB GIF

>>25688196
>http://pastebin.com/wThr3e8L

YES

THE LEVIATHANING HAS NOT EVEN BEGUN

>>25688267
I just google bird puns.

Please don't hate me, we need to cook up our punstorm for the trip
>>25688281
You're Welcome

"Oh, don't let them besmirch your honor, I'm sure you're perfectly upstanding. There are a lot of similarities between honour and good business sense. Even if somebody completely lacks the first, they can have an overabundance of the second, as I suspect you do.

"So I think I will keep that favour and trust that you will do the practical thing when the time comes. I have a bad habit of making it all go up in flames when people try to make me dance on their strings, you see." You say.

A pause. "Alright. Tomorrow at sunset, there will be a small boat arriving at the fishing village known as Ridge Sands." He says. "Put them on that boat, and our business is concluded, save your favor."

>>25688162
>>25688196
goddamnit Ssen stop being the devil for one second

Rolled 12

we should ask for pure brillitite.

>>25688289
Done then. And good day.

>>25688289
(Actually change that town's name to Elle's Cove. I realize that's my second Sands town.)

I wonder if we can put tracking charms on these spies. Just to get where these guys are located.

>>25688345
sounds a lot better to me.

>>25688289
"Marvelous, I'll see your people deposited there safely. Give your man a break, our business is done until I catch some more spies."

>>25688369
I tried so hard to come up with a pun about game-night and new members or something.

but I couldn't think of one.

Wait, this is the deal for these ones. Does Prosper want to made a deal for the ones the Elves are holding?

Then again the guys the elves caught were army recon, not with the Kingfisher.

>>25688359
Nah we're gonna play nice with this guy. He' seems to be starting to like us

Unlike his spies.

>>25688289
"Then we have an accord.

I'm glad to have had the chance to see just what kind of man you are, Kingfisher. I'm sure I'll be talking to you again soon. And I'll give Cai that list of puns for your perusal."

>>25688395
playing nice doesn't necessarily mean stop playing the game. He won't stop.

>>25688390
yeah, they're gonna be POWs until all of this is over. At least we took away their suicide blades.

>>25688359
He didn't get to be spymaster by falling for such amateur hour bullshit like tracking charms

Spy games, anon.

>>25688424
then put the tracking charm on something he won't expect. The boat they are using perhaps? Or our punlist.

>>25688412
It's no fun to play a game that the other player isn't participating in. Besides the trackers would either not work as we would like them to and not tampering with the prisoners would nudge him further to our side.

>>25688400
This. He seems like the sort of man that would appreciate Leviathan humour.

Well, not full Leviathan humour.

>>25688439
err he IS going to keep on playing the game. At least ICwise we have no reason to suspect otherwise.

>>25688436
He'll expect us to try putting a charm on something that he doesn't expect.

>>25688463
then put it on something that is too obvious to expect to be tracked.

>>25688459
Still doesn't matter because a tracking charm would be ineffective. We do want to be his friend.

>>25688479
why would tracking his spies make him unfriendly?

"Marvelous, I'll see your people deposited there safely. Give your man a break, our business is done, until I catch some more spies." You say.

"Don't worry, you wont." He says.

"I'm glad to have had the chance to see just what kind of man you are, Kingfisher. I'm sure I'll be talking to you again soon. And I'll give Cai that list of puns for your perusal." You say.

"That'll certainly make for interesting reading, if nothing else." He says.

Sun's body relaxes and he collapses onto the floor. He groans a little and holds his head gently. Apparently, willing or no, that spell REALLY hurts.

>>25688488
Get the man some ibuprofen. Or the fantasy equivalent thereof.

>>25688474
Wait.

Tracking charms on the list of puns.

>>25688486
I thought you were smarter than this Redaeth...

>>25688527
that... doesn't answer my question. What has given you the impression that a tracking spell would make him less friendly?

>>25688488
{"Hey little bird, who's got two legs and gets to go home?"}

>>25688535
we are putting tracking spells one people we are letting go? That doesn't sound very nice.
>>25688542
Seconding this

>>25688488
Okay, let's get the man a hanky to help with that nosebleed, have a good meal put together, get the spies all into the same room, and then tell them about the game-playing requirement on their release.

>>25688563
We're putting tracking spells on people we know have an army of 500 000 strong... when we don't even have a fraction of that at the very least we should be learning more about it. Plus this guy is a spymaster. He will know that we mean nothing 'mean' about it. Information is his stock and trade after all.

>>25688527
Actually, he's right. A good spy wouldn't take it personally. If nothing else, he'd appreciate the effort.

>>25688599
>>25688606
>Spy games

Rolled 9

>>25688542
This.

>>25688513
>Get the man some ibuprofen. Or the fantasy equivalent thereof.

This reminds me: long terms plans to set in motion.
We need to start stockpiling medical supplies. Things that will be needed but won't go bad if they sit around for a few months.
Are there magical items like wands that could hold healing spells?

>>25688629
I myself wonder how medicine has been doing since citadel magic was cut. We've not finished our magic replacement quite yet, so they're doing purely non-magical healing.

>>25688488
"So, Jessie-May. You've solved my problem in the span of some twenty minutes.You're free to play them for any more information if you like, but we will have to be going soon. I'll have to find a map with Elle's cove on it.

>>25688620
Spy games is beginning to sound flirty.

>>25688763
Peeking at Tricia in the wash isn't how you play spygames!

>>25688879
I don't want to live in that sort of world

>>25688763
It's the catchphrase for season 3 of Lamia Quest. Also a catch all excuse.

>>25688940
I thought lamia brain was it.

>>25688567
They'd all commit suicide.

>>25688974
I thought that was season 2?

Really, we've got a lot of catchphrases.

>>25688974
we DO use that to explain away why we're so crazy, historically.

Too bad we integrated all these lamia into our society, now people will be able to call us on our lamiascuses. It turns out, we have just been good old fashioned crazy. Ever since we headbutted Tara, in fact. I blame brain damage.

>>25689097
We don't know that. The others might be just like us.

But I don't think the world is ready for a meeting between the Lamiae yet.

>>25688488
well, that settles that.

So, are we going to let Jessie May at our books? If we only let her read them privately INSIDE the library, and search her when she leaves, she can get the info she needs secretly and we can be assured we kept our books.

Guys, Things we ought to consider for the coming war:

Musketoon-wielding, fire bomb-toting, airborne shock troops via Mumei's ornithopter/glider/what-have-you, possibly harpy-trained.

Anti-magic fields or similar disruption to erase the golem component of their forces by unbinding the elementals within.

>>25689342
punji traps and landmines

>>25689394
Peri's explosive runes would work great if we wrapped a skin of petroleum (or similar substance) around them, or if we embedded them in the cobblestones/outer surface of the walls of a town we ha to defend.

"Get him some willow bar tea." You tell Jesse-May.

{Hey little bird, who's got two legs and gets to go home?} You say.

{Crack my eggs serpent...two rubies? Really? Fuuuuck. They're never going to let me hear the end of this...you're going to PAY for this insult.} He fumes. {My Lord never lets anyone 'owe' him. It'll burn inside his mind, and it'll fuel his own fire until he sees you roasted upon a spit...ugh, my head. I need to lie down, can you tell the other two that I threatened your life and the lives of your loved ones? I'm too tired to do so right now.}

I was thinking about the grove and maybe we can use it as a short cut from stone hall to first wood. We can send regiments of troops from that field near Stone Hall to First Wood or set up Holting manor as an outpost. We can be very tactically flexible with this.

>>25689573
"{It would take forever to cook me on a spit, not to mention you'd have to find one to hold me first. Also no freebies. You have to come up with your own threats like everyone else.}"

>>25689573
{Don't worry, you'll come up with some real good ones once you're recovered. Probably involving ironic uses of vermin and bugs. Rest up, we've got some travel ahead}

>>25689573
{They are large rubies. What's the normal price for this sort of thing, anyway?}

>>25689573
"He said he would like to take a quick walk to clear his head. Stand him up."

{"I love being biliingual."}

>>25689573
{Think of it this way- you'll have a grand old story you can tell whenever you want to lighten the mood.}

>>25689573
{I should have those gems appraised when I receive them. Should be a good indicator of how smug I should be.}

>>25689573
{I think I'll miss you the least.}

>>25689641
>>25689694
these two, just the right mix of crazy and smug

>>25690117
:D

So, we've basically made these three the laughingstock of their local spy community.

I love it.

What's next on the agenda?

Introducing Jessie May to Isen? Getting the crap out to a small fishing town?

{It would take forever to cook me on a spit, not to mention you'd have to find one to hold me first. Also no freebies. You have to come up with your own threats like everyone else.} You say sweetly. {Don't worry, you'll come up with some real good ones once you're recovered. Probably involving ironic uses of vermin and bugs. Rest up, we've got some travel ahead}

{It's going to be very amusing when the Empire takes control of this madhouse.} He mutters as he walks back to his cell. {I'm usually not one for mass executions and public displays of dead. But, in THIS case...ugh...head. Forget it. Take me back to my cell...two fucking rubies...snake just HAS to rub it in.}

{I think I'll miss you the least.} You say.

He goes a gesture you think must be a rude symbol in the Empire.

Jesse-May nods as the two of you exit the prison. "The Kingfisher's better than I had expected. Don't let the stuff that he knows rattle you. Half of it is always guesswork or shots in the dark to get emotional responses. Like you did when he mentioned Tricia or the Orcs. Your tail clenches and twitches involuntarily. Bad tells to someone who knows what to look for." She says. "So, any ideas on this Favor that we've gotten from him? Those things are better than gold, but don't ask him to do anything that would compromise his morals or make him go against his precious Empire. Rookie mistakes, those two."

>>25690423
The main reason I wanted to wait on it. Convince him that them taking this continent isn't in the Empire's best interests. Then cash in the favor to get him to help us keep it ours instead.

>>25690423
"If I had any good ideas, I would have asked for those instead of the favor. I'll probably cash it in if I need help with a third party, or more likely, use it on some frivolty after we're done being in conflict.

So, did you notice any more tells? Or just the tail thing? I've not needed to worry about being hard to read much in the past."

>>25690423
"He won't get the best of me, Worse people have tried much harder and failed."

>>25690532
what? That... doesn't really make sense. In context. It's all disjointed from what was being said.

Let's find a map with that town on it. Who knows how long it'll take to get there.

>>25690548
He's trying to upset up and get us to do something. Peace tried that and failed.

>>25690639
upset us*

>>25690639
hmm. I didn't actually mind this one so much, it didn't feel like he was trying to get at us so much as trying to get us to admit to information via trickery. Different feeling!

>>25690493
not actually a bad idea. Now we have to make it unprofitable for the empire to conquer our place.

>>25690697
He is a spymaster, who knows what he wants out of getting us riled up.

>>25690739
I had not actually noticed the riling attempt as anything out of the ordinary until it was pointed out.

Anyway, after whatever response we have to her involving the favor, we should shift the conversation. Do we want to introduce her to Isen, have her read our books, or get motoring on out? We could also visit the kids and granny real quick, but it would only be for like an hour, which really isn't much at all.

We should talk to Mumei about the developments with her being dead and all.>>25690781
And get her to tell us more about their culture like the details of the snake monster thing the scout was scared of.

>>25691123
Yeah we probably should talk to her.

>>25691205
>>25691123
I don't think he actually told us about the myth though. Maybe he did, it was unclear.

the real question is: Is Mumei aware of the story, and was she using it to her own advantage?

>>25691235
She told us about the snake reincarnation bit but nothing else as far as I'm aware.

>>25691123
I also get the feeling that discussing said developments with Cai might be a good idea.

I don't know why, and I can't give a good reason. It's just an instinct.

>>25691331
we'll have time to discuss it over cards.

has it been long enough that I'm allowed to worry about echo?

>>25691355
It's a quarter past 11pm here. He could have just fallen asleep.

"If I had any good ideas, I would have asked for those instead of the favor. I'll probably cash it in if I need help with a third party, or more likely, use it on some frivolty after we're done being in conflict.

"So, did you notice any more tells? Or just the tail thing? I've not needed to worry about being hard to read much in the past." You ask.

Jesse-May shakes her head. "You're a Paladin. You're supposed to give easy to read tells, be unquestionably moral, have a solid yet humane code of actual honor. Let me, Maxine, and your King Itzak be the ones who do the political backstabbing and maneuvering. It's good that you're trying to stay on top of the game. That's critical, but stay in your wheelhouse." She says as you walk back into town. "Don't try to play the spy game with Kingfisher. He's too good. You play the 'barge into things and smash them to pieces' game, and sends us scrambling." She grins. "It's what you do best, and it fucks with our days...usually. So don't play his game, play yours."

"Which means?" Tricia asks.

"Turn them over, and let me work." She says. "Then you have to go north and knock enough orc heads around for them to agree to not fight us and point them at the Empire." She shrugs. "It might not be that hard actually, the more we learn of it."

"Go on?" Lea says.

"Well, they obviously have a rigid government, with haves, have-nots, and so on...Orcs, from MY intel...despise the concept of 'Government.' An orc should be able to stand on their own. Even their lowest caste is expected to be an orc without help. If the Empire has slaves, or Ettins...then that's weakness or worse, charity." She shakes her head. "No orc helps another orc unless it's to further their own goals. They NEVER would take to the idea of NEEDING others." She nods. "Use that. And now," she gets off Wagon. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to walk around town on my own and book a room at an inn. I'll send for you when the prisoners are secured and ready."

>>25691387
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
>>25691416
We need to talk to Mumei about the PE and Avery and Bales about Orcs (I think it was those two who knew about them, I don't remember)

>>25691416
"Go, enjoy the town, scope out some high-profile targets or whatever it is you do. I'll go visit some friends, share news, and ponder why the most powerful groups that live in the north have no concept of charity. Probably the cold."

>>25691416
>I'd like to walk around town on my own and book a room at an inn
she somehow makes this sound sinister.

also. Fuck, diplomacy with the orcs sounds like pain in the ass.
Especially as we don't know about the whole "change peoples souls" bit without metagaming, because I think that would convince them to kick some ass.

>>25691530
well, at the very least they respect strength, so we could probably beat up the strongest one if worse comes to worse. I wonder if we'll be able to teach them the values of charity.

>>25691530
actually I think Prosper justy handed it to us. Orcs have a rivalry with the ettins right? Tell them that the ettins have been enslaved and I think we have our hook. We can also use the fact that for better or for worst people are allowed to do what they want in the UFK.

"Go, enjoy the town, scope out some high-profile targets or whatever it is you do. I'll go visit some friends, share news, and ponder why the most powerful groups that live in the north have no concept of charity. Probably the cold." You say.

Mumei is sketching on her porch. She has a bunch of little models with her. She smiles at you and nods. "Ssen. Here, catch." She tosses a little model at you, it glides gracefully through the air and you catch it gently. "I'm starting to work on larger models. It's all about the materials and shape of the wings."

>>25691530
The cold will be worse. We still need to something to keep us from stealing everyone else's warm.

>>25691595
Marvel at the little glider she's made
"Oh my, the inventor's guild will be so jealous when you finish your work. I think you've got a real talent here. Have you made many large ones yet?"

after talking with her about planes a bit, move on to
"So, about the reason I stopped by. I've spoken with the kingfisher, I think. He claimed he knew you were here, and has agreed not to tell whatever sky lord is on the continent. Unsettling news, but I figured you had a right to know."

>>25691595
"I'd imagine so. However there are some darker things we need to speak of. I've just negotiated the ransom for the Kingfisher's spies we captured and it concerns you. The Skylord in charge would have you killed if he found out what you are doing here, but the Kingfisher would tell him that you are dead as according to him you aren't of political use. I also need to know more about what your culture thinks of snakes as one of the spies the elves caught was much more afraid of me than all the others, he called me the snake of sins."

>>25691576
To best sum up the Orc's culture, think: 'Is a man not allowed the sweat of his brow?' and then 'We Do Not Sow,' and mix them together. Think those cultural mindsets with the classic Orc tropes frosting that cake.

"Oh my, the inventor's guild will be so jealous when you finish your work. I think you've got a real talent here. Have you made many large ones yet?" You ask.

"I'm starting on some basic models, it's going to be a while before I actually jump off a roof, much less a cliff." She smiles.

"So, about the reason I stopped by. I've spoken with the Kingfisher, I think. He claimed he knew you were here, and has agreed not to tell whatever Sky Lord is on the continent. Unsettling news, but I figured you had a right to know." You say.

She stares at the model in her hand. She sighs. "So, I'm now a real free bird." She smiles and makes one of her models sail out over her porch, past the little overlook balcony and into the ocean. A breeze catches it and it soars and spins and drifts, until a cross-breeze rips the paper wing apart a little and it goes into a spiral and lightly touches down into the water, where it sinks. She smiles. "I don't know why a Sky Lord would be interested in me, or want me dead in the first place." She shrugs and then smiles at you. "Thank you. You've ruined my life, and killed me. I don't know what I can say that can express my gratitude for that."

Man, mumei, you're making some fucking progress. All we really need to do is give her time to make the runup, and she'll fly on her own.

>>25691888
"Must people hate me for that... Odd."

Have a very toothy grin after that.

>>25691888
"The Kingfisher claimed it was vanity. With your project and being able to walk now."

>>25691888
"The best gratitude, I think, would be flying high enough that the sky lord couldn't reach you."

"Huh, well I also need to know more about what your culture thinks of snakes as one of the spies the elves caught was much more afraid of me than all the others, he called me the snake of sins."

Mumei scoffs and waves her hand. "That's a story mothers tell children to behave. Go to sleep or the Sinner Snake will get you. That sort of thing." She shakes her head. "I've seen paintings, trust me, you look NOTHING like it. It's supposed to be a big black snake with blood red fangs and glowing red eyes with a tongue as white as death." She waves her hand. "But I suppose people change common folktales, from family to family."

>>25691958
This is nice.

>>25691966
"Oh, well, that's a load off. My job's hard enough as it is without also looking like some kind of folklore bogeyman. Thanks for the talk, and sorry about the whole, er, ruining your life thing. I hope you'll fly high enough to be above such concerns soon. Best of luck."

Well, I'm a different kind of snake. I don't eat birds. I eat cages.

>>25691966
Well getting blood on our fangs and covering our tongue in white death is easy. The black scales will need Mage or we might eventually be able to unlock that camo that was an option when we did the binding ritual. Glowing red eyes I don't know. Do they look any different when we use magic sight?

>>25691966
oh, we're going to need some body paint when we get back from Orcland

Mage has that hair changing spell. I wonder if he can tweak it to work on scales.

One thing about this scenario sort of bothers me. Isn't it prejudiced to treat a Lamia like a human? They have different biology, language, and culture which you're forcing to conform to the mold of humans/humanoid races. Isn't that tremendously disrespectful and bigoted?

>>25692162
It's more treat one as a sentient

File: 1372403079395.jpg-(90 KB, 1132x1124, Night_eyes.jpg)

90 KB JPG

>>25692162
honestly at this point all we've really done is get legal protection for them at stone hall, bronze peak, and coral gate, in addition to offering "how to get not get lynched by humans" guides. If they really wanted, they could go back to what they were doing before. Basically living in the woods eating stuff.

>>25692074
how are we to know our eyes don't glow already? We have low light vision, which means they shine at the night.

>>25692162
It's exceedingly rare to find someone who can think in purely objective and acultural terms. So instead of expecting people to recognize that humans aren't special, I'll settle for treating nonhumans as social and legal equals rather than as monsters.

"Oh, well, that's a load off. My job's hard enough as it is without also looking like some kind of folklore bogeyman. Anyway, I don't eat birds, I eat cages."

Mumei rolls her eyes and takes her model back. She walks with you to Wagon.

"Thanks for the talk, and sorry about the whole, er, ruining your life thing. I hope you'll fly high enough to be above such concerns soon. Best of luck." You say.

"Best of luck to you as well." She says. "Oh, there's rumors that you're going to the north? To talk with a barbarian army?"

"Close enough." Tricia says.

"Wait here." She goes back into her house, and then she comes back with a rather fluffy looking version of those sleeveless dresses. It's got much more feathers around the arm and neck holes. It's a white dress with a fish mosaic stitched into it. "Feel this."

You slip your hand inside the dress. Oh! It's warm...nice and warm.

She smiles and nods. "Maidens and brides are often expected to sit and stay in places for long times as they watch their husbands do many things. Sometimes they have to be in large cold halls with wind rustling through them, or in rain, or in snow. These were made to handle that." She hands it to you. "You'll need your tailor friend to re-fit it, and sew it into your armor's padding. Also, don't expect it to keep working if you jumped in a frozen lake or something like that. But I think this should help."

"How many of these things do you have Mumei?" Mage asks. "I'd love to see them all."

Mumei smiles at Mage. "You are welcome to make a formal visit. I apologize for not sharing these, but these things are common as clay back in the City of Cages. I don't really think of other uses for them." She shrugs. "Also, and you'll forgive me, they were still my connection to home. But now that I'm dead, you'll have more use for it than me."

>>25692221
That's just eyeshine. It doesn't do that unless there's a strong light source in involved, and it has to be properly positioned.

>>25692278
You always said you wanted to be reincarnated by a snake.

Do what you want with your life. It truly is yours alone now.

>>25692278
"Oh before I go, One of the ransoms for the spies was two large rubies. Would you happen to be able to appraise it and determine the equivalent worth in UFK currency?"

>>25692278
"You've saved me, Mumei. You don't know how worried I've been by the cold."
Then, look at your tail
"Well, it will at least keep me less frozen. Worse comes to worse, I'll make a stunning block of ice. I'll give Gregory your regards."

Later, with your group
"I suppose we'll have to get you lot something extra warm too, won't we? A few days with a rune collar is one thing, but an expedition probably requires some doing."

>>25692355
this is nice. I wonder if we can work that in somewhere.

Ssen will continue stacking thermal layers on her armor the further north she gets.

There will be poor desert times later.

>>25692278
"You know, the more you talk about it, the harder a job being a maiden sounds. I don't envy it."

"You've saved me, Mumei. You don't know how worried I've been by the cold." You look at your tail and then back to the dress. "Well, it will at least keep me less frozen. Worse comes to worse, I'll make a stunning block of ice. I'll give Gregory your regards."

"Oh before I go, One of the ransoms for the spies was two large rubies. Would you happen to be able to appraise it and determine the equivalent worth in UFK currency?"

She nods. "I'll try."

You all pile into Wagon.

"I suppose we'll have to get you lot something extra warm too, won't we? A few days with a rune collar is one thing, but an expedition probably requires some doing." You say.

"Yeah, but we're not like you." Lea says. "A few more furs and we're fine...well, I don't know about Tricia. How DO you handle heat anyway?"

She shrugs. "Temperature doesn't really bother me much like it used to." She looks at her hand. "Bugs live everywhere, and my swarm just adapts as needed."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask," Mage says. "Does your swarm actively change while it's inside you or you put grasshoppers 'in' and grasshopper come out?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that." She says.

"Magic babble?"

"Druid babble."

"Ah, okay." He says. "Write it down at least, so I can figure it out."

"Why?" She asks.

"Well, there's got to be other Wasp Witches out there. This should be their home too, right? Probably lots of druids could use help." Mage says.

Tricia rolls her eyes and hugs her 'brother-in-law.' "Never change, dummy."

You all return home to the Lighthouse and have an easy night. Gregory stays up late working on the new heated armor.

The next day, the prisoners are loaded, and you set out for Elle's Cove. Jesse-May, Avery, and a small squad of Occuli and the Arma Nitor follow. The A.N. now includes humans and some lizard people and a minotaur, come with you. Gregory and Adhan have been aggressive in his recruiting and training the new contingent.

(con)

>>25692654
Fuck adahn, I was going to ask you to do that and you're already doing it. As always, kudos to gregory.

>>25692654
You arrive at Elle's Cove at a few hours to sunset. Obviously that was done intentionally by Kingfisher, giving you little time to do much else but travel. A clever move, you suppose.

You set the three spies down on a crate. They've been stripped of all their goods and just wearing simple shirts and trousers, legs and hands bound.

They've said little to nothing since your conversation with Kingfisher. Cai looks upset, Sun looks annoyed, and the Magic User is being as stoic as she's always been. Jesse-May told you that not even she was able to get much out of her. She's as cold as the crystals she can summon.

You can see the small dot of an oncoming boat in the horizon. If you want to say anything more to your hostages, now's the time.

So... whos up for a game of mud, sticks and stones?

>>25692724
(we'll tell puns the entire time we're playing heh)

>>25692691
{Sideways! We need to keep in touch become pen-pals or something!

{Sun, lighten up your about to get freed for two rubies!

{... Well Magic Person... Can you at least give me name? Can't give you farewell without one!}

>>25692691
"Well, I'm sure you're all glad to be returning to your flock. I hope next time I see you all, I can treat you as proper guests- All that prisoner nonsense is far too dreary.

Oh, and buck up, the boat's not here yet, you can still try to beat me at my own game. I know whist, mud pluckin', pick up sticks, and a good deal more."

>>25692784
oh, wrong language, use the PE brackets here. I forgot. Amend that to have brackets
>>25692760
>>25692724
These, as well, are pretty good.

{Sideways! We need to keep in touch become pen-pals or something!

{Sun, lighten up your about to get freed for two rubies!

{... Well Magic Person... Can you at least give me name? Can't give you farewell without one!} You say.

They all give you a withering glare.

"Alright," Mari said. "She tried to be nice...hit them with your worst weapon. Full force, Ssen."

The Dawnchasers all cover their ears.

I'm bad with puns...

Someone else do it.

>>25692800
"Oh come on, most of you don't even know the language. Still, hard to get a better chance than this."

Take a quick moment to ponder.

{Look you silly goose, I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers, but you've got a talon-t for being unpersonable. Now give it a nest already, or you'll leave with nothing but bitter memories, and I hate it wren that happens.}

Time. How long did it take to compose a small bit of puns?

>>25692849
if this doesn't have the desired effect, feel free to shrug and say
"Eh, I was wingin' it."

>>25692844
Eh, they're hard to do on demand. We need to work on integrating them into every day dialogue.

Seriously though, we should level with Cai. None of this would have happened if she didn't kick things off by trying to poison us.

Hopefully the Kingfisher will let her off easy for getting herself captured, her comrades captured, and single-handedly destroying the element of surprise for the Phoenix Kingdom's impending invasion.

>>25692943
oh, true enough. We should probably take her aside and ask her if she'll be OK.

Something along the lines of "Cai, sorry for so thoroughly ruining your mission. I hope the kingfisher treats his people as well as you make it seem. Good luck out there."

>>25692943
This.

>>25692980
I get the distinct impression that they're all in trouble.

I'd also like to ask why Cai didn't pull something like a hunger strike before the other two showed up.

>>25692800
Well, soon you guys won't be holed ostrich (hostage)

>>25693038
a good question. Perhaps she didn't have the "clay"?

We still have that. we should really examine it. In fact, we have all their magic shit.

I think, ultimately, these bird questions will mostly be left unanswered until long after this conflict has been settled.

>>25693069
Of course we won't get answers if we never ask the questions.

We're trading in our hostages for unspecified favors and a couple of rubies. Had I been here from the beginning of the thread I'd have been screaming about it.

Hmm. Does anyone think our core party's been a bit static? Could we use the Kingfisher's favor to add Cai to our ragtag band? We'll have someone new (grudgingly) follow along AND have our own captive audience!

>>25693126
I'm happy with our party as is. Static is good in such things like this.

{Look you silly goose, I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers, but you've got a talon-t for being unpersonable. Now give it a nest already, or you'll leave with nothing but bitter memories, and I hate it wren that happens.} You say.

The three just stare at you, jaws open, bug-eyes, and the magic user looks like she's about to shriek in horror.

{Eh, sorry that it's not my best. I was wingin' it. I guess I'll end up eating crow, but I'd like you all not not feel soar about this. After all, it was that whipper-will-snapper Cai that tweeted me to your preen-sence. If you hadn't try to make me croak, I assume you'd still be free as a jaybird. Not here, waiting to migrate home to deal with Kingfisher, who'll be less than pleased to see you three turkeys.}

{MAKE IT STOP!} The Magic User shrieks. {She's BUTCHERING the finest language in the world! MAKE IT STOP!} She sobs in agony.

{Told you.} Cai says, whimpering. {I told you it was going to be horrible.}

{This kingdom is the source of all evil in this world...I have no doubt...by the Phoenix...and they're just giving me back for TWO rubies? Do you have NO shame?!} Sun shouts.

The boat has arrived. There's a light crew, and they're all armed. A woman gets off the boat. She's not Phoenix. She's too tall, blonde, blue eyes, and you swear you've met her before. Another spy? Either way, the lower half of her face and mouth is covered by a lacquer mask. It's of a tiger's jaw, open and bearing fangs.

{You three. On the ship. Now.} She says, motioning for the three spies to move.

She takes out a pouch, and then dumps two large rubies, the size of chicken eggs onto her hands. She also holds up a letter covered in Phoenix Script. She opens it, and shows you the paper inside. No dust, no spells, no tricks.

Mage nods in confirmation.

The woman puts the rubies back in the pouch, and the letter back in the envelope and hands them out for you to take.

(cont)

>>25693100
I'm feeling pretty good about the trade, still. We've gotten a pile of magic stuff, contact with the kingfisher, the sky lord's true name (Note: We must extract this as we are handing them over, at the same time we are gaining the rubies), and a free test-of-character for the kingfisher. The main reason I backed the favor thing was to see what he'd do with it in the future.

>>25693126
It HAS been a while since we folded someone into the group or had any sort of within-group character development. It's been a year and we still can't get Mage laid, for chrissakes. Seems the party is fairly set.

Not sure Cai's Dawnchaser material, but then again we've never actually TALKED to her. You know, as opposed to interrogation.

>>25693181
>>25693126
we're finally going off on like, an adventure now. Orc shit, hoo yeah. Ever since citadel imploded, it's been refugees and spies. Time to get the focus back on in-group behaviors.

And you know, I tried to get mage Laid. I stuck him on the project with Sophie. He was having none of it.

>>25693159
I don't see why they're so upset...

>>25693159
"Kingfisher sends his regards, and hopes you use the favor he owes you swiftly and wisely."

Jesse-May takes the items, and she inspects the pouch and the letter. Then she tosses the pair of items off the dock. "Nice try. Time-Delay Fire Runes on the inside of the envelope, and spider eggs woven into the cloth pouch."

The woman nods. "Jesse-May Prosper. You were reportedly just working for the Fey Court."

"I am. You are Shiroshotu. The Bird-Born-Of-Citadel and the Kingfisher's valet and apprentice." Jesse-May says.

"Correct." She shrugs. "Apologies for the clumsy attempts, Kingfisher has been ordered to kill the Paladins. He felt that such methods would be easily discovered, and if not. then you wouldn't be worth his time. Anything else, Paladin Serpent?"

>>25693181
And we DID promise to open Cai's eyes to what was REALLY going on with Citadel. I'm still for cashing the favor to have Cai indebted to follow us, with a modicum of freedom.
>>25693151
But, you know, static is good too, keeps things less confusing. I mean, we already have Dana, and not gotten much screentime with her.

>>25693159
Last chance to offer them asylum if they'd rather not chance returning to face Kingfisher.

>>25693159
I wonder what bird puns are in a language based around bird metaphors.
>>25693215
probably has something to do with this.

>>25693231
Any personal messages you want us to send to youe family?

>>25693231
Okay folks, if you want Cai this is your chance. Otherwise she's heading off on a boat and we won't see her again until we're back from orc lands at the earliest.

>>25693236
>we DID promise to open Cai's eyes to what was REALLY going on with Citadel
Strange how details like that end up being forgotten.
>>25693239
They DID just try to kill us, even if it WAS a halfhearted attempt. We'd have every right to go back on the deal at this point.

Assuming we had a reason.

>>25693231
she tossed the envelope and bag off the dock, or the letter and rubies too? We sort of need that letter, and rubies are nice.

>>25693231
"Tell me, will any great harm come to these three for how their missions turned out?"

If they're gonna have some bad shit happen to them, we could burn the favor to lessen it. If you guys roll that way. Otherwise, we save it for who knows when.

Also, we've been lugging around those fireworks for far too long. We should set them off as these guys leave.

>>25693280
We could say it'd be her extended lesson for screwing up. Even let her retain her loyalty to the PK, and allow her to keep reporting back about Citadel and what's really going on beyond the whole invasion thing. Truth and whatnot.

>>25693306
Ah, since Kingfisher tried to pull some shit, I'd suggest that some sort of penalty is in order.

>>25693231
"Anything you'd like me to tell Isen?"

>>25693236
>But, you know, static is good too, keeps things less confusing. I mean, we already have Dana, and not gotten much screentime with her.

That's why I like static party size, a small at that. There's a lot of quest that suffer greatly from having too large of a 'main' cast and you end losing some of them because of it.

I like Dana and all. She's great when she shows up. Adds a bit of fresh air when we need it but I couldn't see her traveling with us very well.

>>25693231
"Give us the Sky Lords name. Really I just asked for the rubies to piss off sun there."

>>25693336
>we could burn the favor to lessen it
No thanks. As much as 'nice' thing we could do I'll personally pass on it. That favor can come in really handy when we really really need it.

>>25693348
Nobody'd believe her anyway, so why the hell not?

Seriously, if someone told you that Houston was slowly devouring the souls of the people who lived there and using them to subsume the entire United States, would you believe them?

>>25693387
Yes. Houston is fucking hell hole.

>>25693376
yeah, get the skylord name out of this deal at least. I'm personally neutral about the Cai issue, but I doubt she personally would appreciate it much.

>>25693376
I think you overestimate the value of that favor versus the value of potential intelligence or even a double agent. ESPECIALLY since we already suspect from various sources that Kingfisher has no honor and can't be trusted.

>>25693387
Maybe.

>>25693422
Personally, I think you underestimate it so we'll agree to disagree.

>>25693415
>I doubt she personally would appreciate it much
When does anyone ever appreciate being subjected to us ruining their world? I mean, aside from Mumei?

I'd like to see it play out, personally.

>>25693336
This. We may been Punny, but we do care about people, and I see no idea to let the Kingfisher we're trustworthy.

>>25693401

As someone from houston, I'd rather my soul be made into a brick if it meant I got out of this heat.

>>25693306
>she tossed the envelope and bag off the dock, or the letter and rubies too?
Just the envelope and bag.

>>25693336
"Tell me, will any great harm come to these three for how their missions turned out?" You ask.

"Dock their pay, demoted to less exciting, and more drudgery based missions, and re-training." Shiroshotu says. "They're still talented agents. My lord, the Kingfisher understands that an agent who has learned from an error," She looks at Cai. "Is of more use and less expensive than to find a new agent. Also, we do not execute people like you do in your new Kingdom. No child's head is placed upon the block while they scream and beg for mercy." She says. "In the Empire, people are corrected, or clipped. And before you say anything about the attempts on your life, you are NOT of the Empire, and a snake as well."

Sun and the Magic User are on the ship. Cai is waiting for her bonds to be undone beofe boarding.

"Are we done here? I have work to do, and you have Orcs to speak to." The blonde woman says.

Tell you guys what. We'll ask what punishment is in store for them when they get back.

If it's nasty, we'll take cai along with us, probably as our favor. She's going to take the worst of whatever is coming to them at the kingfisher's place.

>>25693487
(Echo, I'm assuming she's Isen's sister here, in case my previous post didn't make that clear enough).
"Anything you'd like me to tell Isen?"

>>25693440
He's an enemy whose eventual goal is to kill us and take over the continent, among other things that have been hinted at OOC. Our respective interests conflict directly.

It is impossible to underestimate the value of a "favor" from him because we cannot trust him. He is practically guaranteed to try to screw us over at the first opportunity.

So yes, I will continue to disagree. Feel free to do the same.

>>25693422
I don't see her as being a double agent. She'll be a spy that we know, and that they know we know. So anything she reports is going to be with full knowledge that it's approved by both us AND herself, placing Cai in such a position which paints her as a blatant traitor (which is/will be, given her current view of us and her current loyalties, extremely unlikely) or one where everything she says just HAS to be true and on the level.

>>25693511
It's kinda of meta question there man.

>>25693487
"There may be some amount of value to that. depending on what clipping entails."

>>25693511
This is a real damn good shot in the dark, and it's a good way to end our time-in-spyville. Go for it.

>>25693487
"I suppose killing their soul is more acceptable to killing their body? The boy felt others were less then him just because they were of a different race. He was convinced of this. If you know of a better way to
>>25693518
Echo specifically said we KNOW we've seen her before. I'm assuming she looks similar to Isen.

>>25693518
>>25693554
Sorry, just thought of something else. If you know of anyone else who is high-born enough AND from this continent who went to the Phoenix Empire, tell me.

>>25693554
I think your post got cut off mid-ways through. Also, we should really look into the phoenix legal system, I want to see how they would "correct" or "clip", say, a murderer.

>>25693487
"Given what I've seen you do to nobles, I'm not so sure I want to imagine what your 'corrections' are like."

>>25693554
>"I suppose killing their soul is more acceptable to killing their body? The boy felt others were less then him just because they were of a different race. He was convinced of this. If you know of a better way to 'Correct' people, tell me."

Arg, sorry about that. Don't get much sleep.

There's a lot to be said for rehabilitation. I just want to see if they do it via classes, repentance, and moral methods, or if they do it with lobotomies and mutilations.

They're... pretty different.

>>25693586
yes, I would like to know what the better way would have been with him. According to the phoenixes. We may or may not learn a thing or two, depending on the response.

Have we come to a consensus on Cai and the favor yet?

>>25693487
"There's something LESS exciting than watching a small town in the middle of nowhere day in and day out? Perish the thought."

"And for your information, I've seen what "correction" looks like... in its most extreme form. For all your talk, you still reduce human life to numbers and values. The people of the Empire are just building materials, part of the very cage that houses them. And for all our faults, at least we're trying to do better. It's not perfect, it never will be, and it never SHOULD be."

"Cai, I trusted you when you gave me that lie when we first met. I wanted to believe you were really as sick of the cages as you pretended. I could have shown you the way the world works... the way your Empire works, the way our Citadel worked, and why it had to be stopped. The offer stands."

Think that covers all bases.

>>25693624
>ask cai if she wants to come with us
Fuck, why didn't I think of this before? That would settle the issue. You're some kind of genius.

>>If consensus agrees for conscripting Cai into the Dawnchaser's service
"Almost. I do believe I know what I wish my favor is to be."
Cut Cai's bonds.
{A chance to let us be the ones to teach this bird, and show you, truths beyond the Flock. And how, as absurd as you may find, a Serpent flies.}
Offer Cai the knife.
{Jokes aside, I promised to show you the truth. I would have you confined to the nest with your wings bound, but to fly in our formation, if only for a while.}
>>else
"Is there anything {of the clutch} you wish us to convey, or not convey, to His Audaciousness?"

>>25693511
Calling meta. You have NO way of knowing that. She just looks kinda familiar, you've seen blondes with blue eyes before. But that's not going to equal Isen to you instantly. You're thinking 'Have I seen this woman before?' not 'Who does she look like?'

>>25693542
"There may be some amount of value to that. depending on what clipping entails. Given what I've seen you do to nobles, I'm not so sure I want to imagine what your 'corrections' are like." You say.

"Perhaps one day you'll discover it for yourself." The woman says. "We're done here. See you soon, Paladin Serpent."

She gets back on her ship and the boat pulls away.

"Huh." Jesse-May says. "Interesting."

"What? That we have more people on the 'Want to kill us' list?" Peri asks.

"No. She's right, those things were clumsy. Any of you could have spotted them, and it's blatantly obvious to me." She nods. "They aren't in favor of the kill order on the Paladins. Sounds like there's a LOT that the Kingfisher doesn't like..." She smiles. "This got interesting. I think the Kingfisher isn't on the side of the Sky Lords."

"So, he's on our side?"

"Oh, by His Light, no." She says. "He's still a man of the Empire, and we're not of the Empire. You heard them, they barely treat us like people. Just that there's a very ver big weapon we can now use against the Kingfisher...he gave it to us himself. We just need to find a way to use it right, and decide if we want to use it at all."

"Skipping to the part where you tell us what it is?" Mage says.

"Please," Lea says. "My head hurts with all this spy and shadow nonsense."

"Agreed." Tricia says. "The sooner we're off to talk to the orcs the better."

"The Sky Lords. We get the right information, and they'll kill Kingfisher and his nasty little flock for us." Jesse-May says. "It won't be that easy...but right now, that's my plan A."

>>25693635
We've tortured her with puns and scared the shit out of her ever since we captured her. I just took it back in the suddenly very serious Paladin direction.

They can have one of the rubies back, if that softens the blow. Then that one asshole would be even more embarrassed.

>>25693661
Well, there goes another secondary character we might've had some fun with.

You know, this entire business with the prisoners has kind of gone Sideways

>>25693661
Well, the boat's left on the issue of wrangling Cai in.

Literally.

>>25693660
Gahh, first time I've been in a thread in ages, I've been hoping we could find a way to bring Cai with us for a long time, it feels like we've needed a new party member for a while now, and she's both interesting and accessible enough. Plus she's got the smarts for about half of the job, so she's a perfect dawnchaser.

>>25693661
Alirght, alright alright. Since you guys seem so gung-ho for it...we'll back up a bit.

Before Cai gets on the boat, you look at her. {>>25693624
>Cai, I trusted you when you gave me that lie when we first met. I wanted to believe you were really as sick of the cages as you pretended. I could have shown you the way the world works... the way your Empire works, the way our Citadel worked, and why it had to be stopped. The offer stands. It's a chance to let us be the ones to teach you, and show you, truths beyond the Flock. And how, as absurd as you may find, a Serpent flies.

Jokes aside, I promised to show you the truth. I would have you confined to the nest with your wings bound, but to fly in our formation, if only for a while.}

{Cai!} Shiroshotu says. {Get on the boat.}

You have ONE chance at this. Roll 5d20, the target number is VERY high. You're talking about her turning her back on EVERYTHING she's known, AND the Kingfisher who IS her world. She's scared, terrified, an admitted murder (And that murder was NOT a pleasant thing. She broke into the house of a noble who raped her and slaughtered him AND his family. She has the blood of innocents and children on her hands and she's NOT sorry about it.) You are asking her to take an unfathomable leap of faith. It's all but impossible, but I'll give you a chance.

>>25693715
Not to mention the fact that I was literally about to pose the question of how she knew we were going to the Orcs, and how she knew about the execution.

She has a source, and the intel is fresh and coming from someone close to us.

>>25693661
"It's a thought. I'd much rather get at the skylord who wants me dead than the man ordered to make it happen, though. Just seems more prudent. Enough of that business though- my friends are right, we can't get freezing our tails off with the orcs fast enough. I swear, this whole prisoner situation has gone all sideways."

Sorry to the Cai supporters out there, but just think- all might not be lost. We never did get Tara into our party, but she's still a regular castmember.

Rolled 6, 10, 5, 9, 10 = 40

>>25693721
Welp. Here goes nothing.

Rolled 13, 1, 7, 18, 1 = 40

>>25693721
Hah, echo, you didn't need to give us a roll on this. You could have just had her just say no, I would have understood. This is quite generous.

Rolled 3, 17, 7, 12, 16 = 55

>>25693721
Eh.

Rolled 10, 9, 11, 10, 5 = 45

>>25693737
>>25693738
>>25693738
>rng seed shenanigans

>>25693737
>>25693738
>>25693742

Cai looks at you, then looks at the ground, and gets on the boat. She doesn't say a word or look at anyone.

>>25693721
Ehh. The redemption bit seems a bit Citadel. I was all for burning the favor and force Cai to come along, THEN developing her further as Book 2 begins.

Rolled 16, 3, 18, 8, 8 = 53

>>25693737
>>25693738
>>25693742
>>25693748
That's pathetic. I mean, really.

>>25693749
Meh. Honestly, I think it's better this way. Cai might have been interesting and all but I just didn't see her meshing with the group.

>>25693749
"{I understand Cai Wei Zhe. I won't force someone to leave their cage."}

>>25693749
"Don't feel bad, it's the right choice if you think it is."

then fireworks as they leave. If we still have those. If not, we move on with this scene, right?
>>25693661

>>25693756
Oh yeah, well jump that wall if you're so great.

>>25693738
Well, you guys wanted it, so I thought I'd give you a chance. Weirder things have happened in this campaign.

Alright, the cloak and dagger, and nationbuilding junk is OVER. Back to ADVENTURE in the tundra with Orcs, Other Nasties, and Bloody Brutal Combat-Based Diplomacy!

Sunday, June 23rd 3-6pm PST

May His Light watch over you all.

>>25693783
I thought you were taking a break?

>>25693783
>Sunday, June 23rd
wut

>>25693783
>adventure
AAADVENTURE!
Yeah, good on you for experimenting with nationbuilding, but that is not the appropriate place for a paladin. Not the right place at all. Thank the light we saved Isen and got him to do it. I still don't know how we tricked him into that.

>>25693793
We're gonna need a time machine.

>>25693783
[Spoiler] Ack, wait. No. Sorry NOT sunday, just checked my schedule and saw there was a recent change.

Tuesday, July 2nd. 3-6pm PST. THAT'S the date. Apologies. [/spoiler]

File: 1372410518368.jpg-(42 KB, 527x625, 1320458415654.jpg)

42 KB JPG

>>25693737
>>25693738
>>25693742
>>25693748
>>25693756
I think it's about that time of night.

>>25693793
>23rd
>it is the 28th
wait. that's right. what?
>>25693792
Well, he did say "break next week". maybe sunday is our last session for a week.

>>25693801
Okay... that's a bit better.

>>25693792
Nah, got inspired with the ork stuff and chopped more spy games since they weren't going anywhere fun. This is better. Plus I'll get a few days off with my schedule as it is right now. Tuesday July, 2nd means back to what you all want. Violence and such!

>>25693801
Marvelous! See you Tuesday! I hope you have a good 4 days of no quest, have a good rest and all that. I greatly look forward to visiting the orcs.

And also don't look forward to visiting the orcs at the same time because we will get stabbed at least twice, and at least one of those stab wounds is going to freeze. I just know it.

File: 1372410786724.jpg-(25 KB, 200x266, 200px-Blood_Bowl.jpg)

25 KB JPG

>>25693820
No no, all this spy stuff is far too violent for us. Papercuts on prisoners and execution of murderers is just too much.

Far better to have glorious deaths on the battlefield. Also, echo, before you go, can I put this thought into your head-

What games do orcs play? Have fun with that.

>>25693661
Sorry Echo. Showing us what we aren't supposed to see doesn't give...well me, I guess a great balance on meta/non-meta.

>>25693783
For future reference, the more dice rolled simultaneously, the closer to the average you'll get. /tg/'s rng may be kind of crap, but it does reflect that law of probability rather well, even at relatively small sizes. We were never going to succeed on that roll if you set the goal much over 60 or 65.

Just an observation. Take it how you will.