IT BEGINS

Recent Events Summary:

You've learned that Lucifer, an angel second only to Sandalphon, is leading an excavation effort - and his goal is the very artifact you've set your sights on, the Staff of Winds. He's using Vonnegut's resources to accomplish this task as fast as possible, but his anxiousness to see it done created a rift between himself and the crime lord. You capitalized on that, earning Vonneguts allegiance and promising him access to your contacts, and to have him accompany you if you ever meet with the Black Lady, Queen of Vampiria.

Before Vonnegut could create his promised distraction, the earth split open - and the constructs of City 002 attacked in great force. You and your party managed to reach the inside of the excavation, and you discovered under the dirt was an airship once piloted by Flint's ancestors, long since buried after they fled from the skysever.

The ancient technology recognized Flint's touch, and began to power up once again. Poised so close to finding the staff, you decided to pilot the wind-driven ship through the storm of the skysever to reach the islands of Xile, the floating kingdom of Aeolus.

While your allies crewed the ship, you moved to the upper decks, where Lucifer was battling against a powerful robot powered by an earth dynamo. You were forced to intervene before the fight ripped the ship apart. Lucifer ignored you, for the most part, and your combined attacks destroyed the robot. You salavaged its dynamo core for yourself.

The ship entered the skysever, and, exposed on the decks, you were blown into the storm. You managed to fight your way through the winds and make it to Xile, injured, but in one piece.

You quickly ran across a strange abberation of darkness, powerful, but seemingly mindless. You evaded its attacks and made your escape. It briefly tailed you, then lost interest and let you go.

>con't

>>27071033
IT'S SHADOW TIME!

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The remnants of the airship made it through the storm, but promptly plummeted to the ground in a storm of smoke and fire. The resident dragon does not seem to have taken too kindly to the disturbance.

You reached the airship before the dragon, and managed to find your friends - but Flint was buried in the engine room. You decided to hold off the dragon while the others extracted him from the wreck. Abigail joined you, making a few summons to help you fight.

The dragon was strong - but you proved stronger. You managed to rip one of its wings off, and it spiraled into the barrier of wind that surrounds the island. You rushed back to the wreck.

Flint was safe, but he, Auriel, and the others were facing down Lucifer and a handful of his remaining angels. Vonnegut and three of his men were trapped between them.

Auriel and Lucifer had a brief, tense conversation - but neither were in the mood to fight. When Vonnegut voiced himself in favor of sticking with you and yours, Lucifer teleported himself and his troops away, somewhere else on the island.

With that battle put off for now, you were feeling a bit relieved - until Auriel pointed out that Abigail had not yet returned.

You found her holed up in a ruined building, defending herself from wind mages. The mages themselves were clad in rags and heavy leaves stitched together to form clothing. She was heavily injured, but Auriel managed to heal them. The toll on both of your companions, however, rendered them unconscious.

>con't

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The sun set, and the true horrors of Xile poured forwarth from a massive crevice running the length of the island. A dark fog wafting with shadowy abominations chased you and your allies through the forest, but you managed to shelter the night in a building reinforced with your magic.

You told Adavan of your time within the Archonium, specifically, that you are comprised of the shards of Erebus, and that your original goal, as Erebus himself planned, was to reunited and finish what you had started. What, exactly, you had started, is still an open question, though it is certain that Erebus was no friend of mankind, or even the elemental lords within his own faction.

Auriel recommended that the group take a day to rest, recover, and reorient, and you followed her advice.

Meanwhile, Abigail discovered the diary of a footsoldier of the Black Hand, the group that had attacked the native wind mages of Xile after Erebus and the other elemental lords had vanished. The scarred island still seethes with the magic following that battle. You heavily suspect that a shard of the Moonsong, a magical sword of great power, was used as a catalyst to fuel the Black Hand's magic - the mists and strange creatures you encountered earlier.

It's far into the evening of your second day on the island.

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Rolled 53

>>27071033
OH YOU BETTER FUCKIN BELIEVE IT'S GO-TIME

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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.

All Revealed Ability Descriptions:

http://pastebin.com/BCgtZZFe

Books the Main Character has read:

http://pastebin.com/dAXR00gP

Character Sheet including learned abilities and other important information:

http://pastebin.com/aPNv4aM7

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Current Statistics:

HP: 55/81
Mana: 29/58
EXP: 14

Shards of Erebus:
(Isolation) - Normal
(Silence) - Empowered
{Temerity} - Empowered

New Shards:
(Ardor) - Strong
{Humanity} - Resonant


--Summoned--

Wisp - 1 mana to order

--Automatons--

Earthen Construct (currently in Haven)

--Equipment--

Utility belt with purse

--Inventory--

Moonsong Shards x 3
Sun-Moon Key
Lightning Key
Succubus Reagents x 1

--Current Location--

Xile

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You peer at the video. Auriel does something that makes it happen in slow motion. The gruesome scene plays itself out again.

The metal thrusts forward. The man dies, and something goes into it.

As to the nature of the magic, you're still in the dark...

...but you recognize that metal. Or rather, you recognize what's on it - the glyphs imbued with shadow. You exchange a pointed glance with Adavan.

Vonnegut stares at the video. "...that's a shard of the Moonsong."

"The Moonsong," Auriel whispers. She shivers. "What a terrible weapon that was. To think they could even use its pieces..."

<You know about it?> you ask her.

"Know about it?" she says. "I barely avoided getting -erased- by it!"

<What happened to it?>

"It broke when David died, before the annihilation event," she says. "He tried to take on Hyperion. He escaped, but his sword didn't - not in one piece, anyway. We never found the remains. After that battle, he vanished." She frowns. "...if the Black Hand had them...well. Explains this magic a bit better. The shard itself is acting as a core to stabilize the spell's sigil and handle all that power efficiently. Just conjecture, but I can't explain why it would last 700 years, otherwise."

You think back to where you found the shards. One in Hecate's resting place, one a tomb under dwarven ruins...and now, in the hands of the Second, apparently. The Black Hand took the shards of the sword and scattered them about, sealed them away, or used them for new purposes.

One of the shards is here, and it's at the center of this spell of darkness.

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...I know that look," Auriel says. She gives you the angry eyeball that makes Flint stutter and Hamil mumble under his breath. "You want the damn thing. I can hear you now: 'Oh, but Miss Angel, it's not evil or anything. It's just a tool'. You can take that and shove it up your shadowy asshole. It erases things from existence. It's a force of destruction, and it should stay up here."

<But - >

"Nope! Don't even start!" She tosses the diary at you, then walks off.

You feel the other three shards of the sword resting heavy in your satchel. Well...what she doesn't know can't hurt her. Right?

Then again, maybe you should rethink the whole ancient evil sword thing.

Ah...who are you kidding?

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

You've got several options.

Closest to your current position is the city, which, according to Auriel, is where the airships are typically docked. Visitors to Xile were only allowed within the city limits. Perhaps you can find a working way off the island. You could reach it on foot before the sun sets.

In the center of the island rests Aeolus's castle, said to have housed his enormous treasure. It is your best lead as to the location of the Staff of Winds. However, the former home of an elemental lord is not a place to tread lightly. You could also get there before dark.

There are plenty of other ruins to explore, scattered about the island. You could spend time scouting them out alone, or with your group. However, finding the old buildings tucked in the forest will take time.

You could also try looking for an entrance to the underbelly of the island. That part was sealed to all but Aeolus's order, from which Flint is descended. You're reasonably confident that he could gain access. If there's any potent magitech to be found, that's your best bet...but who knows what you might encounter in the dark?

>con't

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Finally, your party's overall health has greatly improved, but Abigail and Auriel aren't quite at 100%, and there's a few shards you could empower, given time.

What do you do?

>head for the city
>head for the castle
>scout the ruins alone, returning to your current position before nightfall
>scout the ruins as a group, finding a new hideout before nightfall
>focus on finding an entrance to the bottom of the island
>stay the night as your currently location; continue to focus on recovery
>some other strategy

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>>27071280

Hmmm, I guess the castle is the obvious place to begin, this is also a race against Lucifer.

>>27071245
>scout the ruins as a group, finding a new hideout before nightfall

>>27071245
>head for the castle

>>27071245
>focus on finding an entrance to the bottom of the island

If we find the sharp then we can end the blood magic engulfing this place...I swear i'm not just trying to get another shard since we have been collecting them! Honest!

>>27071245
>>stay the night as your currently location

>stay the night at your current location

...yeah

Guess we're on track for a slow pace tonight. To the castle.

>>27071339
I'm not really sure that the spell animating the soul-monsters is located in the undercity.

Might be a good idea to find the undercity anyways, as only flint can open it and we could leave it sealed for when we need to go.

Course, we could also focus on other things, as no-one else would be able to get there before us.

At least scouting out the castle will be good, as we might get clues to the staff, and possibly find some treasure or a new place to stay.

So if the shadowy abomination we saw earlier was somehow created through using Moonsong, then we could possibly harm it with our own shards of Moonsong.

>>27071434
That's what happens when you don't have threads for a while and then give 4 hour notice that they're starting back up.

You gather your party together. <I think we should head for the castle,> you say. <The reason we're here is the staff of winds. If we left without it...then it's all pointless anyway.>

"Is that seriously worth risking our lives over?" Vonnegut asks. "What happened to finding a way home?"

You glance at Flint, then back to Vonnegut. <...I won't ask you to come with us if you don't want to, but my goal is the staff - nothing more, nothing less. And then, we find a way home.>

"As if I have a choice but to stick with you at this point."

You shrug. <I don't want Lucifer beating us to it while we muck around ruins. Once we secure the staff, we can take our time.>

"As much time as this place allows," Vonnegut mutters. "Don't take too much."

You use your arms to saw a hole in the side of the building, and your party files through. Ila gestures your way with her hands. ~I'll keep an eye on the criminal. Just in case.~

<Do that.>

You walk forward through the forest, heading for the raised islands floating above the center of Xile. Flint walks at your side. He glances back at the ruin, then around himself, then at the ground. His hands work in their gauntlets. He seems on-edge.

What do you do?

>stay silent, try to make good time
>ask Flint what's up

>>27071580
>>ask Flint what's up

Lets talk.

>>27071580
>ask Flint what's up

>>27071580
>ask Flint what's up

>>27071548
I think we either need to go for the masks (the solid parts) or just find and take apart the core.

Our shards of moonsong are of questionable usability, and it probably wouldn't be a good idea to just be waving them around, at least not until we are back in safety.

Also, trying to fight with the broken parts could easily lead to losing them, one way or another (monsters take them for more power)

>>27071580
>ask Flint what's up
Do we ever pass up dialogue?

>>27071580
>ask Flint what's up

>implying we would pick the other option
>implying this isn't blatant stalling.

>>27071637
>Do we ever pass up dialogue?

>this is me, stalling for time

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>>27071642
>>27071648

>>27071648
We are rpg players, dialogue is almost more important than plot

>>27071648
This is a quest SM, not a tabletop session. The rules are slightly different.

<Is something bothering you?> you ask Flint.

"...bothering me, no," he says. He gives you a quick grin. "Shadow. This is my homeland. This is it! We're here!" He stomps his next foot hard, as if trying to plant his footprint into the dirt. "I can just imagine the look on my father's face when I tell him I've been to Xile. That I've seen Aeolus's palace!" Flint chuckles. "I'd finally have that old bastard speechless."

<I see.>

"And...well...shit." He gestures to the castle rising in the distance. "After all this time - what we set out to do so long ago, after you told me that it wasn't me. That it could be cured - I wasn't cursed. I wasn't a fool. I wasn't talentless. That it was this thing inside me that was responsible." He fingers the medallion around his neck keeping the shel'kath in check. "My entire life, Shadow...I thought it was me. I thought it was all my fault. I thought I was a screwup. I was the runt." He clenches his fist. "When I find the other end of this thing...I'm going to smile, and destroy whatever its clinging to."

<And what after?>

"...after?" Flint pauses. "...I guess...I'll...well...I don't know." He looks at you. "I'll worry about it when the time comes."

>write-in
>continue forward

>>27071772
>other end
>implying it's not going to be the woman he loved
>implying it's not one of his brothers
>implying it's not feels

>>27071772

<Just remember to take a souvenir before leaving so you can leave your family speechless.>

>>27071819
>>27071772
On that end, ask him what if the thing on the other end is the precious to him.

>>27071833
>On that end, ask him what if the thing on the other end is the precious to him.
seconding

>>27071772
<And what if that thing is something dear to you?>

>>27071833
>>27071842
Should we really bring this up now?
Or if we do, a little more tactfully?

>>27071866
Yes, it's better now since we're walking and doing nothing, rather than in the middle of the fight which might be waiting on us when we actually get to it.

We should probably tell Ila about Vonegut's damnable hat if she does not know about it already

>>27071772
It's going to be his brother/father/family-member who was leeching his power to rule. He'll give a great speech on how he's done such a good job and Flint should just let it go because he couldn't fill these shoes.

Then delicious combat.

>>27071910

They're all aware.

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

<The other end of that thing seemed to point back to Arland,> you say. <What if someone you know is responsible?>

"...they committed the crime of ruining my life...but I suppose, legally, you could say it's intent to murder of the highest degree." Flint frowns. "...I would see them charged, and tried, and then..." He rests a hand on his sword's pommel. "Beheaded. If Fang's words are true, I'd have to do it myself." He looks at you. "But why do you think it might be someone I know?"

<Well, why would someone you don't know care to do this to you?>

"...a fair point," Flint admits. He squints his eyes. "But I have long since steeled myself for this."

You continue on to your destination.

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

Roll 1d100

Rolled 82

>>27072029
May the suffering begin

Rolled 32

>>27072029

Rolled 92

>>27072029
Time for nat 1s

Rolled 4

>>27072029

>>27072069
>72069
>Rolled 4
>>27072068
>>27072067
>>27072066
we can just stop rolling

>>27072029

>>27072068
>>27072066
shrek is love shrek is life

Rolled 17

>>27072029

Rolled 14

>>27072079
What the fuck am I doing?

>>27072029
Here we go again...

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You reach the castle.

A tapestry of floating rocks and islands stretches up to form a crown above the center of Xile. Aeolus's castle is an intimidating structure. You slowly grow closer, easing your way onto long bridges of stone and flexible, fibrous steel that connect the islands. You reach the gate of the castle without event. The only sound is the soft whistling of wind.

The main palace lies before you, an expansive structure holding many towers and rooms. Behind that is a smaller island rising above the rest, the highest point in Xile. Auriel informs you that the stone ring surrounding it is an airship dock, but you can tell from where you stand that it's devoid of any crafts. The ring itself is a sort of control tower, though her knowledge on that point is vague. She guesses that the treasure room itself is probably lower down.

The front door is massive - large enough for the dragon you fought earlier. It seems sealed shut.

"Maybe I can open it?" Flint asks.

"It might be worth a try," Auriel says.

"Why not just use a window?" Ila says. She points up at the walls. "Doesn't seem like the guards are at their posts."

"Doesn't that seem too obvious?" Abigail asks.

"It's been 700 years."

"Well...I don't know." Abigail folds her arms. "It's too quiet."

What do you do?

>go around the palace proper, explore the control tower
>have Flint try and open the front door
>climb up and enter through one of the many windows
>some other strategy

Rolled 36

>>27072217
>have Flint try and open the front door
If that doesn't work, then we can try a window.

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>>27072217
Can we shape ourself into a ladder?
>Window climb

Rolled 66

>>27072217
>go around the palace proper, explore the control tower

Windows be trapped by blood magic.

>>27072217
>have Flint try and open the front door

>>27072217
>have Flint try and open the front door
not going to hurt just to try... probably.

>>27072307
inb4 dragon is behind them

>>27072217
>go around the palace proper, explore the control tower

Flint can -probably- work most of the stuff here, but the summon knew his family-branch escaped/deserted the casting of the Sky Sever, and it's unknown how much of that might feedback into the systems of this place.

The airship we took here was specifically his ancestors, for why that one didn't fall under this.

Then again, i might just be incubating pointless paranoia.

>>27072333
>climb the window
>activate alarm
>get swarmed by automated defence systems
Good thinking guys.

>>27072217
>have Flint try and open the front door
We don't know the layout and I would hate to have to work my way through even one more room than is needed to find the staff.

>>27072217
It's window time!

>>27072217
why not at least climb up and look in the window first?

If there is nothing obviously waiting for us, we can try the door.

>>27072337
It seems all the Xileans currently have their souls trapped in the Sky-Sever. The dragon was only around because his master wasn't technically dead. Not an entirely unreasonable worry, but I'm doubtful if anything tech-wise was affected.

>>27072433
I can support looking through but don't try to go through the window.

<The easy entrances might be booby-trapped,> you caution. <Flint, give the door a go.>

Flint nods and walks up the gates. The party follows close behind, keeping alert for danger on all sides.

You don't sense anything. You glance at Abigail. She meets your eyes for a moment, then shakes her head. Nothing from her, either, and she has sharper senses than you do.

You're not sure what bothers you more - the silence, or the lack of any threats.

Flint places a hand on the doors.

A teal glow flickers on the hinges of the mighty stone. They groan, and open wide, remaining there.

A dragon-sized arched hallway stands before you. Teal-white lights set in crystal chandeliers keep the stone very brightly lit - almost harshly fluorescent. A pale blue carpet stretches its length. It appears untouched; apparently the Black Hand never made it this far.

There are several smaller side doors leading off into various other rooms and corridors. The main hallway goes on for some time, then appears to come to an intersection up ahead.

Vonnegut whistles.

What do you do?

>follow the main hallway
>first door on the left
>second door on the left
>first door on the right
>second door on the right
>avoid the palace, go explore the control tower
>discuss with party

>>27072510
Does anything set the doors apart? Do we sense any powerful magic?

>>27072510
>discuss with party

>>27072555
Oh, by the way, should we risk a Deep Focus?

>>27072555

Yeah lets talk this out.

>>27072510
>follow the main hallway
or
>discuss with party

I think considering the obvious dangers that come from trying to ransack an Elemental Lord's treasury we should avoid splitting up. Either just go straight or figure out a game plan.

>>27072555
Yea, don't want to get lost

>>27072553

You don't sense anything that stands out. The whole place reeks of wind magic, though. It's hard to pinpoint exact detail.

The doors are just sitting open. The magic that pushed them stopped when they opened to the extent the hinge allows. Nothing else about them has changed.

Discussing with party.

Roll 1d20 for party insight

Rolled 15

>>27072665

Rolled 13

>>27072665
fliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiint

Rolled 18

>>27072665
Oh boy...

Rolled 15

>>27072665

Flint glances at Auriel. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That depends on what you're thinking," she says.

"Well..." Flint says. "So, Aeolus was big. Right?"

"Right."

"And he'd only fit inside where places he could fit. Right?"

Auriel nods. "Right."

"So..." Flint points down the main hallway. "We just limit our search to places he could access. The staff should be there, right?"

Auriel fingers her chin. "...he made it as a weapon for the order. Their mages would use it as a catalyst to gather wind mana...it stands to reason he'd keep it where he could keep a close eye on it."

"Then let's go." Flint starts down the main hall. You keep at his side, eyes swiveling.

>change course
>follow Flint's logic

>>27072847
>follow Flint's logic
It makes sense. I don't think the other elemental lords were as...fluid as we are.

SM stalling for time?

>>27072847
Follow him, but keep a lookout. There are probably still going to be traps around here.

>>27072847
go with it.

>>27072847
Follow his logic, but keep an eye on our backs. Lucifer will probably try to follow us through the huge fucking entrance we've left open.

>>27072894

nah that was an actual choice

>>27072847
can we try to close the doors

<Wait, Flint!>

He stops. "What?"

<I think we should close the doors behind us,> you say. <No reason to invite anything in behind us.>

"Hold on," Ila says. "What if we need a quick escape? We know what's out there. We don't know what's in here."

Hmm...

>have Flint try to close the doors
>leave them open

>>27072986
Coin says close the doors.

>>27072986
>have Flint try to close the doors

>>27072847
It's probably in the throne room. Let's keep our heading.

>>27072986

<I am worry more about Lucifer and the black hand remnants.>

>>27072986
we could probably break a wall anyway, close them

>>27072986
Close the doors, if we need out we can Shattenkrieg them down. Hopefully.

>>27072986
>have Flint try to close the doors
If we must, we can either schattenkrieg our way through a wall or go down into the islands engine since that's where we'll likely need to head next to leave.

Rolled 25

>>27073035
>"Your son was kill. The driver was an alcohol"
>"No"

>>27072986
Keeping Lucy from following us is more important. the doors must close

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>>27073062
An alcohol, you say?

btw as for an escape route from Xile, the pastebin says that teleport stays open for two turns after we use it. Does that mean that we could teleport off of Xile and the rest of the party could follow?

>>27072986
>>have Flint try to close the doors

>>27073126
I think that only works with a portal anchor which we have to make first. So no, not without first travelling along a mana pool, establishing an anchor outside Xile, coming back, and then doing it.

>>27073160
Well, it would be surprising if there wasn't a mana pool on xile, so that's a near-definite possibility.

<...I can make a hole if I have to. I'm more worried about Lucifer.> Ila nods, and Flint walks back. His touch lights the hinges of the doors, and they slowly grind shut.

You turn back and march down the hallway.

You quickly reach the intersection. A potted plant - more of a potted tree, really - marks the junction. Your shadows are cast in three directions by the bright lights of the chandeliers. All is quiet.

Left, the hallway continues, level.

Straight ahead is another set of equally imposing doors, this time of wood - though they have similar hinges. Another Flintable entrance?

Right, the hallway begins down a vast flight of stairs.

What do you do?

>left, into another wing of the palace
>straight, through the doors
>right, down the stairs

>>27073193
Yeah, but I'm worried about the time it would take to set up and having to leave our party behind with shit like Lucifer and the Black Hand monsters around. Look what happened to Abby in the short time we were separated from her.

I also have doubts about being able to mess with more Chaos-aligned mana pools. We've only ever interacted with Shadow and Spirit ones so far.

>>27073213

Right. Straight on is likely the Throne Room. Powerful Artifacts are not kept in the Throne Room...

Rolled 61

>>27073213
On the one hand, I really wanna explore the palace before it is inevitably destroyed by the huge clusterfuck-storm that'll spawn by picking up the Staff. On the other hand, stuff on this island can kill us rather easily.

>>27073213
>straight, through the doors

>>27073213
ever forward. grand appearances seem to be something Aeolus was fond of

>>27073213
Straight!

>>27073213
>Forward
Man, this reminds me of our first dungeon in the quest. Anyone else remember that, with the gargoyles and the sun/moon key?

>>27073333
Been a long time since that. Maybe we should bring it up with Flint. Seems like a good time to reminisce with our best friend about our first adventure.

>>27073363
Good idea, get some spirits up.

>>27073398
Abby and Adavan were involved too so they'd get to chime in.

We'd also be setting off a death flag, but whatever.

<Aeolus was proud, wasn't he?> you ask Auriel.

"Very much so."

You wave an arm the doors ahead. <Think the staff would be in the throne room?>

"We might as well take a peek as not. Donovan?"

Flint nods to her.

<Reminds me of Jacob's Field,> you say. <Back in the keep.>

"...heh. Yeah." He strides toward the threshold. "We've come a long way, huh?"

His touch opens the doors, just as before. A long, groaning creek shudders through the air as the heavy wood shifts for the first time in many years.

The throne room is as vast as you might expect. The throne itself is made of immaculate white marble. The back of a chair large enough to seat a dragon is curved and fluted like a streamer of wind rising up into the vast ceiling. Sunlight pours in through open windows, though the glass within them is reduced to bits.

Skeletons are piled in the chamber - four or five stacked unceremoniously against one of four support pillars. The throne is untouched, but the scars of magic mark the walls, rivets dug in the floor and pockmarks chipped from the pillars.

>con't

I think you've had one too many long breaks, SM. Quite the slow pace tonight.

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A figure stands on the blue carpet leading to the throne - a huge man in plate armor. His arms are high and pressed tight to his chest. One one hand he holds a sword, and in the other, a long staff. It is twisted in an elegant spiral that culminates around a clear bulb that appears to be glass. It looks fragile, but the power emanating from it tells you otherwise.

"...it's the staff," Auriel whispers. "I remember it well."

"As do I," Adavan says. Unlike Auriel, his words are spiteful, not full of awe. He was on the receiving end of it.

The armor creaks. The figure moves. Its arms lower to its sides, the staff held vertically, the sword, low, relaxed. Not a fighting stance. "Knight of the Order." The voice is hard and monotonous. "The Great Lord is absent. For what purpose do you seek him?"

"...I think he means you, Sir Flint," Abigail whispers.

"Alright. Um..." Flint swallows.

What do you do?

>let Flint handle it
>suggest something (write-in)
>something else

>>27073646
let flint do this. this is his heritage, let him handle it. unless that damned parasite acts up

>>27073646
>suggest something (write-in)
Inform him that mentioning he's a Goddavi might be a real bad idea considering our encounter with the Dragon.

>>27073646
>Suggest something
Ask him about the current situation of the island, what exactly is going on, etc. The more we know about the island the better.

>>27073611

eh, you're just spoiled

>>27073646
Let Flint handle it, he's a smooth criminal.

>>27073646
>suggest something (write-in)
He could say something about requiring use of the staff to fight back invading shadows.

>>27073646
Let flint handle it.

>>27073688
This. But let him do most of the talking other than that bit.

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>>27073694
What? No. I'm not spoiled. I was just expecting more fanfare, I suppose.

I was just lonely without you is all.

>>27073611
Bah, kids these days.
I remember when dragon quest took hours to update. Uphill. Both ways. In the snow.

>>27073646
>let Flint handle it

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>>27073774

shhhhh

I'm here now

<Flint, don't mention the Goddavis. You know what happened last time. And try to get some information.>

Flint takes a long breath, nods. He steps forward from the party slightly. "Where has the Great Lord gone?"

"The Great Lord is absent from Xile. More than that, I do not know. State your purpose."

"...I seek the Staff of Winds."

The figure nods. "Without the Great Lord's personal judgement, I am to give access to the staff only to those worthy of its use."

"What do I have to do to prove myself worthy?"

"Best me in trial by combat."

Flint clenches his fists. "...where is the rest of the Order?"

"Some came here." The armored helm turns to consider the piles of skeletons. "They did not succeed in the trial. I do not know the whereabouts of the others. I do not leave my post, and they have not reported in."

Flint glances at you. "...Shadow," he whispers. "What do you do?"

>try to surprise the figure, take the staff by force
>let Flint fight the armored figure alone
>take it on as a group
>leave, return later
>some other strategy

>Let Flint handle it

Cool, Shadow Quest. Don't fail us now, Flintbby

>>27073915
Cover ourselves over flints body/armor
like we did with abagail in the duel

>>27073915

>Try to surprise the figure, take the staff by force

What the fuck, trial by combat? How is that even a thing? Fuck you guardiandick. We're strong and stuff, we can take him.

>>27073915
Let flint handle it.

>>27073964

Yeah mate, I'm sure the crazy wind guardian will love that.

>>27073915
Flint fights alone. That nigga stronk

>>27073915
On one hand, I don't really consider this the time to be following the ancient traditions of a bunch of already dead people, on the other hand crazy magic shit may enforce said traditions.

Pragmatism says to just gang up and jump the fucker, but Paranoia says to play this straight. Let's try the regular way and just dogpile the fucker if things go awry.

>>27073915
>other strategy
Do it classic style: Flint fights while you support from his shadow.

>>27073988
He's gonna try to kill Flint anyway.

>>27073915
if we fight him directly it could piss off mr. guardian dude so we should support Flint from his shadow.

>>27074013

If we just let Flint do it himself, then the thing will probably be all honourable, and avoid attacking the rest of the party.

If we combine with Flint into a shadowy monstrosity with a chewy light core, he'll probably not react well, and if there is a security system of some kind, he'll probably activate it- and we wouldn't be in the best position to defend ourselves.

If we just say 'Fuck you' and attack him, whatever security there is will activate, but we'll have the whole party attacking so it'll work out.

>>27073915

<If you are up for the challange, face him. If things are going south, you can always request our aid. I feel that it will only use the staff if the 'rules' are disobeyed.>

>>27074098
Why don't we just ask what the terms of the trial are?

>>27074125
Finer terms that is, like if he gets to use the staff.

>>27074125
Now that sounds reasonable.
Find out more about the combat trial, then decide.

>>27074086

And the Guardian is holding the bullshithax staff. Don't forget about that.

<Find out the details,> you ask. <What does the trial involve?>

"What exactly does the trial involve?" Flint asks.

"If you can destroy me," the figure says, "you may take and use the staff as you see fit. The Great Lord does not wish the unworthy to touch an artifact directly blessed by his power. You may use any means at your disposal to defeat me; you may come alone, or with allies. However, I will make use of the staff during combat."

Flint glances back to you.

What do you do?

>>27074305
Everyone attacks as one.

>>27074305
<If we work together, I think we can take him.>

>>27074305
>>"However, I will make use of the staff during combat."

Lets look to Adavan for help, he knows what being on the receiving end of this is like.

>>27074305
we should try to sneak attack while the others have him distracted

>>27074305
Well, we could retreat and come back at a later time, after exploring around some more.

Things are probably going to go into escape more once/if we get the staff, and this guy isn't going anywhere (and if lucy finds him, we will notice the battle, if he can even get in here)

>>27074373
Oh, agreed. Ask Aruiel too, they would know how it worked.

>>27074305
Huddle up! Grouptalk tactics with the party on combined assault.

>>27074305
Let's go for it, I guess. Focus on Shadow Dominate, Bind, and grappling to keep the thing down for the rest of the party with Nightflare and/or Nighblazes from us, Abby, and Adavan to keep it from casting any spells with the staff.

>>27074305
>inb4 the third coming of useless-abby

>>27074305
I say tell flint he can either try and take him, or he can make use of all our allies. That leaves it all in his hands.

>>27074458
Hey, the Banshee may have messed up the ship but at least it was helpful. Unlike our damn Earthforge idea.

>>27074305
We're gonna accept. Shadow Quest doesn't walk away.
But first, lets Analyze the Staff/our enemy/ask Adavan and Auriel about the Staff's capabilities.

<Adavan, you've seen it in action. What do you think?>

Adavan scans the party. His eyes flick back to the staff. "We would lose."

His blunt declaration doesn't fill you with confidence. <What makes you so sure?>

He points. "See the skeletons? This half of the palace isn't destroyed, which means this thing didn't have to use the staff's full power to kill knights of Aeolus's Order. It's strong. I suspect the knights wouldn't have thrown themselves against it unless they felt that had no other choice."

<Then there's nothing we can do?>

"...we would need some way of holding back the staff. That's the only scenario in which we have a chance." He snorts derisively. "Aeolus obviously didn't mean for anyone to actually take the thing without his permission. He enjoyed his little games."

>suggest that you focus on constantly nightflaring the staff to nullify or weaken it while they attack
>suggest Abigail summon a banshee and use its cry to target the staff
>some other strategy to weaken the staff
>retreat for now, explore elsewhere
>something else

SM why the hell did you choose the night where six other quests *I* participate in are running?!

>all this posting
>all this reading
It's just a matter of time before I suggest a 420nightblaze on the Quincy King with 3 bandwidth while we polish our scaly armor, damn it.

>>27074554
>>retreat for now, explore elsewhere
This staff isn't going anywhere for now, even if Lucifer finds his way in here.

We can take another day to allow Abagail and Auriel to fully heal, and for us to fully charge our shards.
We can also explore around the castle and see what else we can find.

>>27074554

I wonder what nightblaze would do to that dirty little slut.

>>27074554
If we cant win against the guardian, Lucifer cant either. So I'd say we can explore the palace/explore the undercity for something to help us.

>>27074615
Supporting him. If Lucifer somehow wins, then we can clean up his corpse

>>27074554

>Retreat for now, explore elsewhere

We should get up to full strength before we try this.

>>27074554
We could Erasure the golem.

>>27074554
>>admiralackbar.jepg

We need a clever ruse here. An open confrontation would probably end in tears, it would be sweet to take the staff of the hands of Lucifer.

Atleast, we need a better approach than shadow stronk!

>>27074554
The first two options sound like they could work but it also seems really damn risky to rely on it since we'd be at the mercy of the dice gods. The less we have to rely on them, the better. Plus not everyone is at full power.

Let's go a'sploring.

>>27074554
Hmm. Let's
>suggest that you focus on constantly nightflaring the staff to nullify or weaken it while they attack
>suggest Abigail summon a banshee and use its cry to target the staff
As questions to our party, ask if anyone else has any clever tactics or ideas of anti-staff methods.

However I think we might have to explore the castle a bit more for something, my RPG senses are tingling.

Also going to be Lucifer is waiting on us to get the staff and then take it from us when we are weak.

Also also that staff is hax, calling it preemptively.

>>27074554
>>something else
>Activate Erasure
>Problem gone
Just make sure to have someone hold our fannypack first.

>>27074554
Hm. Lucy probably doesn't stand a chance, either. Not unless he finds something that can suppress it.

Ah, if only we had a some kind of magical weapon of magic-cancelling that would let us straight-up duel the guy. Even if this hypothetical weapon of magic cancelling were seen as evil, you'd have to admit it was necessary for the moment and not stop us from getting it.
Alas, I don't think I know of such a thing...

>>27074643
>>27074673
We -could-, but we aren't in any hurry to do so now; the staff is as secure as it's going to be, so we don't have to worry about it falling into lucy's hands.

We can explore around Xile, find the shard of moonsong, plan our escape route, and get a bunch more EXP before we come back, claim the Staff, and head out.

Vote 1:
>'splorin

Vote 2:
>fightin'

Vote 3:
>erasure

>>27074711
1

>>27074711
3

>>27074711
>'splorin

>>27074711
1

>>27074725
Gotta vote with just a linked number

>>27074711
1

>>27074711
1

>>27074711
1

>>27074702
Yeah, I'm all for exploring the wonders of Xile.

Also, do you think we could send Wisp out to search for Lucy? Even if he kills Wispbro, an update on our competitor would be good.

Also, let's ask the golem about the island. The dude is willing to talk without insisting on combat, so let's take advantage of that.

>>27074711
1

>>27074711
1

>>27074783
I guess we could grill the golem for information if it's willing, seconding.

<Hey, uhh, so you remember how you said I should forget about the Moonsong?>
"Shadow please tell me you didn't do what I think you did..."
<Rainbows.>
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
<I mean sword>

>>27074711
Ask the golem about the castle while we're at it and close the door on our way out too.

>>27074783
Wisp could probably scout for us too, though he'd probably get killed in short order by -something- on the island.

As for the golem, it hasn't been outside and doesn't know what's going on at all, at least as far as it is telling us.

>>27074823
I wonder if Abby saw that part of our vision when we showed it to her. Like if we said that out loud she'd get the joke.

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>>27074878
I hope she makes a rainbow elemental summon thing just to fuck with us. It would be really really funny.

Right now, you don't want to risk taking this thing - especially while you're not at full strength. <We're going to have to come back. It sounds like this thing is too much for us to handle.>

"My thoughts exactly," Adavan says. "Now, if we had the Moonsong, maybe we could use its power to - "

"I thought I made my position on that perfectly clear," Auriel said. "No."

Flint opens his mouth, as if to say something...but then stops. Here is his goal, so close, yet so far away. He sighs, and turns back to the golem. "I won't try to fight you. What can you tell me about the island?"

"If you do not need the staff, then your business here is concluded," the golem says, ignoring Flint's question. "The Great Lord is absent."

"Helpful little shit, isn't he?" Vonnegut says.

"Well...where to?" Flint asks you.

There is still light in the sky, but the sun has now firmly set.

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

I'm going to call this one here, I only got 2 hours of sleep last night. Very tired.

Next thread will probably be Sunday night.

>>27074984
Thank you SM!

>>27074984
Thanks for the thread. Good to have you back again.

>>27074984
>get two hours of sleep
>run quest anyways

Well. Please get some sleep. Wouldn't want QM dropping rocks from stress.
The turnout of this thread was expected. Though I think the slow-pace is a bit better.

As usual, will stalk your twitter for more, will sacrifice virgins for the next dice call, etc. Sleep well.

>>27074984
Huh. Well, that was kinda short.
But understandable. Thanks for the thread.

So, you mentioned that we might be getting a normalized schedule for SQ? Any ideas about that?

>>27075075
Oh, that reminds me:
More writing when?

>>27075109
No one has suggested anything, and I've been getting stuff together for /tg/'s brand new weekly general, Sunday Smut thread. So... as far as posting smut in SQ threads, probably never.

>>27075075

Yeah. I'd probably be running on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Sunday and Tuesday have the potential for early threads that go on for a while. Monday and Wednesday would be the late night variety. The exact times will be dependent on work and family stuff, but I should be able to work in a lot more consistency.

>>27075304
>I have an 8:30 AM class M/Tu/Th/F
I- I guess I can still make the Sunday-morning threads...

>>27075304
Got here a bit too late to contribute this but I think it'd be a good idea to give Auriel a once over on the nature of our abilities, she might have a better insight on what to use during specific encounters. How much does she know about our powers?

>>27081476
>Just realising the time of the posts

Fuck

>>27081487
Yeah i was just about to do the same mistake

>>27081487
>>27084052

Well, how about I start writing? Woke up, got an hour or so, might as well tack on a few more posts rather than make another thread.

>>27084216
yisss

>>27084216
I'm in.

>>27084216
Sounds good

>>27084216
Lets keep going and see what happens.

The party walks back into the intersection of the palace, in front of the throne room.

"So what now?" Flint asks.

<We need a way to suppress the power of the staff while we fight that thing, or we'll lose,> you say. <I could use my magic to counter it, but if it's powerful, I'd run out fast.>

"Well...my banshee could probably manage something," Abigail says. "If it screamed just at the staff, at close range, it might disable it for a short time." She bites her lower lip, then looks away. You get the feeling there's something she's not mentioning.

Before you can ask her more, Adavan cuts in. "I think our best bet is the Moonsong."

"Not. Acceptable." Auriel repeats the words.

"We don't have any choice," Adavan says. "Our other options are unreliable."

"Auriel," Flint says. He steps forward. "We can use it just for this. And then seal it away."

Auriel folds her arms. She doesn't want to say no to Flint. She taps a foot, then takes a breath. She glances at you. "Not seal it. After we use it, we destroy it, for good. Forever."

What is your response?

>after we use the sword, we'll destroy it
>sure Auriel, whatever you say (lie)
>some other strategy

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>>27084319
<Nigga, I made that sword. I do what I want.>

No, but seriously. I want the sword.

>>27084319
Well. I don't want to really commit to one side or the other. We, as Erebus, apparently broke it for a reason and we never really intended on using it ourselves. Anyway we can just sort of agree to disagree? Just say we understand where she's coming from and makes a good point but we, as we usually do, just want more info before finalizing a decision?

>>27084385
Didn't Dave break that thing?

I could be wrong, it just rings a bell.

>>27084319
We can dispose of it in some way, be it consuming it for delicious exp, convincing auriel later, or hiding it in our pocket(if we buy it for that purpose) pretending that we've eaten it.
We need it now, and that's a fact.

>>27084422
David said we broke his sword and tossed him in the Nether himself.

>>27084432
So I suppose I'll go with saying something along the lines of "we'll cross that bridge when we get to it"

>>27084319
We could just consume it afterwards. That way we won't hust waste it

>>27084444
Oh, right.

>>27084444
>>27084458
I'm wondering if tossing Dave into the nether was not mutually exclusive from destroying the moonsong.
Which means if we use its pieces for something or manage to put it back together...
>specula fisiae
Yes captcha, DON'T STOP ME NOW.

>>27084491
As in, shattering the Moonsong is what cast him in to the Nether?

Restoring the power restores Dave to this plane?

Maybe, That mite b cool though. I'd fight Dave again.

<Right now, we need it,> you say. <But I can dispose of the sword afterwards.>

She waves a hand at you. "You can do that...eating thing, I suppose. That seems to work on just about everything."

<Why are you so adamantly against it? It could be a powerful weapon going forward.>

She lowers her head briefly, then looks at you. "It's hard to build, Shadow. With that sword, it takes only an instant to destroy. I can't and won't condone something like that."

<Then if you insist...we'll only use it for this one purpose, then get rid of it.>

Auriel sighs. She doesn't look happy, but she's accepted the resolution. "Well...if it's really powering whatever keeps those monsters up at night, we'll probably find it down below." She glances down the hall. "It's nightfall, now. We should wait until day, when its weaker. Until then...we might as well take a look around."

What do you do?

>return back down the main hall
>down the large flight of stairs
>hook a right into another section of the palace

>>27084522
Hook that right

>>27084522
Search for a royal library of some sort.
I know that's probably a bit too specific, but palaces are stereotypical like that.
>hook a right into another section of the palace

>>27084522
>down the large flight of stairs
I'm expecting a treasure hoard.

>>27084522
>>down the large flight of stairs

>>27084522
Find the control center.

Turn on automated defenses.

>>27084522
>down the large flight of stairs
Might as well make the castle our home for tonight.

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>>27084522
(should we tell auriel that we already HAVE some shards of the moonsong that we could use now? or wait that we maybe might find it before lucifer does?
because a lucifer with a moonsong shard sounds like fucking pic related)

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>SM's face when we actually DO sort of rethink the whole ancient evil sword thing.

>>27084582
Forget that, we find the last of the shards and just whip that shit out on someone and end them

Stairs seem to be winning slightly.

Writing.

>>27084582
(as an addition to that, didn't we show some of the moonsong to Adavan? Perhaps he only mentioned it because he knew we had pieces?
he's pretty damn good at keeping secrets)

(also there was that alchemist in kelvere that we promised succubutt related things with, i don't think we have to worry about that anymore, close parenthesis)

>>27084635
We really should just toss those extra succubutt reagents,

>inb4 Abby finds them on accident

>>27084670
Well now that you mentioned it I kinda WANT her to find them on accident.

All we have to do is drop our fannypack and have her pick it up...

<Let's try these stairs,> you say. Without any better heading, the party walks after you.

The stairs are huge - meant for a giant, not for people. Each one is several paces long and a meter down. At the bottom of the stairs is another huge hallway.

Left, you can see a set of those massive double doors - but they're stone, and encrusted with glimmering bits of purple and teal. Right, the hallway continues, reaches another corner, and turns on. Everything is still washed in the bright glow of the chandeliers.

>left to the stone doors
>right, continue to follow the hall

>>27084701
I like going to covertly eat them to make more room in our pack only to be noticed and drop major spaghetti trying to explain what we just did.

>>27084703
>left to the stone doors
Big, important doors tend to indicate big, important stuff.

>>27084703
OOOOO SPARKLY DOORS

>>27084703
Doors

>>27084703
Bust down those doors like a playa

>>27084703
>left to the stone doors
What could possibly go wrong?

>>27084703
Go towards the purple and teal! They're obviously the royal colors from what I've gathered so far.

Also, I'm glad I was stalking your twitter SM or I would have missed your brief return. I think the slow pace suits the quest much better, less arguing and more getting progress. Of course that is until you throw a real humdinger at us, but the thread feels more... patient. Which is very nice.

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>>27084774

It does feel a bit smoother. Don't have to stop and take a vote every time.

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

"Now those doors look interesting," Vonnegut says. "Sir knight...why don't you work your magic?"

Flint sniffs at the man's words, but he starts down the path and opens them up with a hand.

Everyone stops, and stares.

The room is like a sun. Light reflects off the gold as if they're a hundred little mirrors. Where mounds of silver and gold don't take up the space, you see great chests, boxes stacked with cups and chalices, shelves of golden trinkets and necklaces and rings, tapestries, paintings, even statues scattered throughout the room.

Vonnegut picks a coin up from the edge of a pile and flicks it with his finger. It spins into the air, rises, falls, and he snatches it back into his hand. "Now this is what I call a return on investment."

The party splits up through the room. "Use caution," Auriel calls. "If you sense magic, don't touch it!"

A few nods and shouts of agreement come back.

What do you do?

>swim in gold. You always wanted to do that
>go talk to someone (one at a time, okay! I can't write everything forever!)

>>27084842
>swim in gold. You always wanted to do that
Also
>Find room FULL TO THE BRIM with gold
>We have 14XP
>Pocket is 15XP.
Curses!

>>27084842
>swim in gold. You always wanted to do that
since when?!

Deep focus. Let's find the BEST MAGICAL ARTIFACTS.

>>27084842
>talk to someone (one at a time)

>one at a time
pfffttt

TIME FOR MASS EFFECT
TALK TO ALL THE THINGS

>>27084842
Man, we just need 1 exp to buy Pocket and just load up on this. I know we weren't told to touch anything magic but damn, just one enchanted trinket down the gullet and this could all be ours.

>go talk to someone (one at a time, okay! I can't write everything forever!)
Abby still seems worried over her Banshee. Let's talk to her.

>>27084842
You know.

A dragon king wouldn't be cheeky enough to create treasure-gold golem traps that activate upon disturbance, right? Right.

>SWIM!
Or search for magical stuff? Magical stuff is tasty.

>>27084868

I'm just going to write one at a time.

>>27084881
Yeah, if we choose to talk to anyone, abby would be nice.

She's been kind of useless lately and maybe that's affecting her magical confidence or something and we can restore it with camaraderie and OLOVUUS's or shit.

>>27084842
Let's see how Abigail is doing.

>>27084842
WE NEED POCKET!

>>27084842
>"Now this is what I call a return on investment."
SM I'm really starting to like Vonnegut. You aren't going to kill him right?

>>27084950
Nah, he's just going to betray us at a later date and we'll have to kill him ourself.

You dive into the treasure. Gold coins splash away from you.

Hmm. It's a bit harder to swim in than you thought. You ink your way through the spaces between the coins.

When you ink out of the gold, you find yourself near Abigail. She's in front of one of many gold-trimmed mirrors scattered through the room; this one is full-length. She's already wearing a gold necklace, and she appears to be trying to do up her hair with a long pin. It reminds you of the Archon style she used to wear...when she was younger.

"Oh, Shadow!" She sees you in the mirror, then lets her hair fall, turning. She works the pin in her hands. "Um, what's up?"

>write-in

>>27084991
<How are you feeling now?>

>>27084991
<Just thought I'd see how you're holding up. I know you're still not 100% from before.>

>>27084991
<Is everything alright my sweet little divine pumpkin of spiritual radiance? I'm your moooon.>

>>27085022
Hah. HAH. hah. No. Fuck your couch.

>>27084991
<You can tell me what's wrong. I might be able to help.>

>>27085022
I think I just threw up a little.

>>27084991
<Do you require assistance with that pin and your hair?>

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>>27085022

>>27085022
>mysides.jpg

>>27085049
>>27085083
What's so bad about it? I mean, it wasn't that bad.
Here's a more timid one instead, I guess;
"Sweet Abby-Sabby, where doth thy troubles lie? Within this vicious land of sky? Or in the islands of your mind? Fret naught, you may share with I."

>>27085122
Oh god why

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>>27085122
>>27085022

<Something seemed to be on your mind, earlier.>

"Well, no...I mean, not really."

<You can tell me.>

She has a strange look on her face. Uncertain...but happy. She doesn't want to talk about it, but she's glad that you realized. "...it's about...me, I guess."

<Yes?>

"Maybe...better to show you." She lefts a hand.

It changes. The skin pales almost to white. The fingers thicken, extend. The nails grow into claws, sharp slashing needles. She drops her hand, and exhales. It returns to normal.

<...well then.>

"I'm...not human." She looks back in the mirror. "I can tap into it at will. The Banshee. It's me, now."

<Is it under control?>

Abigail nods absently. "It's like blinking. It's not something I have to control." She looks back at you. "I know, for you...you understand. And I'm glad for that. I'm glad I don't have to explain myself to you. But the others...what if Auriel..." Abigail's eyes well up. "What if she hates me?"

<Abby. Firstly, if she does, she's not worth the friendship. Secondly...you don't know, but she really has changed. She would accept you. They all would.>

Abigail nods. "I...yeah. But...keep it a secret, ok?"

<...alright.>

She fiddles with the pin. "You know, I used to wear my hair up. Which do you think is better?"

>no preference
>wear it down
>wear it up

>>27085131
Okay, okay, I got this. Let me try just ONE more time.
<The incidental expressions upon your visage leads me bewildered of your troubles, for every passing day that you decline to share your history is another day of the life you have lose to me, of which I sincerely desire to know; only, however; to the greatest, and best extents; entirely of which for the purpose, most seemly, to help my friend.>

>>27085179
>wear it down

>what do you think is better? :)

why sm

>>27085195
That one wasn't as bad, but it was more confusing.

>>27085179
Oh, great, THIS loaded question.

>>27085179
>wear it down
<You seem more relaxed looking with it down.>

>>27085179
>wear it up

Even if you're a summoner keeping your hair up in battle is still a good idea. And this IS the land of wind after all.

>>27085179
>wear it down
but in battle it's better to have it up.

>>27085179
>Auriel's a bitch anyway, don't worry about what she thinks

>>27085222
>>27085227
Oh, if we go with this don't say "in battle" because she's a woman and she wants to know what makes her LOOK BETTER to us, rather than our opinion on what is practical.

>>27085218
It's a trap for sure, but if you say no preference it's even worse because it like you don't care or pay attention. Best to just state your honest preference and try to give a good or flattering reason in case she doesn't like the answer.

>>27085179
<I like both styles.>

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>>27085233
Hey! I like Auriel. She has come a long way since we began arguing about the nature of the universe.

Which reminds me, boy isn't she going to be confused if she finds out our true nature.
Remember WAY back when we first met her and she said pic related? Yeah. I bet this was temerity's face when he heard that.

>>27085179
>wear it down
Up is practical but it just seems to stuffy for her.

>>27085179
<My dearest Abby, any garnish you wear is merely an accessory to your natural beauty, the greatest of trinkets look only dull in comparison to your beauteous form. No matter what choice you make is the right choice, Abby-Sabby. MmmWHA!>

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>>27085297
I know you're just fucking with us but c'mon.

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>>27085297