>>31342854
B
Keep going... Till we can get this thing out of us

>>31343978
You allow your body to continue onward toward the source of the smoke.

You arrive in just under half an hour, and behold the sight of a great, burning mansion resting up on a hill. The front gates have been broken open, and bodies litter the yard. You approach, watching as flame and smoke pour from the upper windows. You look around the area and see no one, not even Pietra's men.

"She may be within, mortal. The girl you prize. Her, the shaman, and the rogue. The flames will consume them soon, but I can help you. Let me help you, mortal."

A) Agree
B) Decline

>>31344217
A

>>31344217
A) Agree

>>31344267
You agree to the voice's terms.

"Very well. Enter the fire, I will return your power to you." You feel a chill move throughout your body, and eventually it seeps into the back of your skull. There is pain for a moment, but soon it subsides, and you regain full control of all limbs and appendages.

A window high above shatters as flames burst forth, along with a cloud of black smoke. You make your way toward the mansion, reaching the door in moments. The flames seem to have avoided the lower floor for now, but soon they will spread throughout the house, and before long the whole place may collapse.

A) Check the ground floor
B) Check the second floor
C) Check the third floor

>>31344355
C then b then a

>>31344734
You make your way to the staircase, avoiding a beam as it comes crashing to the floor beside you. When you reach the stairs, you can already see embers beginning to catch on some of the steps. You do your best to stomp them out as you climb, and eventually you reach the third floor.

Here, the mansion seems to be facing the worst of the fire. The whole of the ground appears to be blazing hot, as well as all of the furniture. You look around for any sign of your comrades. There is a sort of groaning noise from down the hall, but you aren't sure if it's of human origin. On top of this, even the walls going in that direction seem to be burning now.

A) Brave the flames
B) Other

>>31344970
A

>>31344970
>>31345098
Also stay low and cover mouth with cloth

>>31345098
>>31345118
You stride into the burning flames, lifting your shirt from beneath your armor to try and stave off some of the smoke in the hall. A few steps in, you feel the floor crack beneath your foot, and you nearly fall through. You manage to catch yourself, but you fall sideways into a body of flame. At first, you think you feel the heat, but soon you realize that while the fire licks and dances around you, there is no burn. It would seem the fire has no effect on you.

"I cannot keep this up forever mortal. Find your companions and be quick." The voice seems to struggle. You stand and continue making your way down the hall, until you reach an office door similar to the one you saw in the other mansion. It is wide open, and the room behind it looks to be the source of the fire. You enter.

Inside you see a fat man with dark skin and a gaping mouth laid across a desk. There seems to be a knife stuck in him. Around the floor are the bodies of several slain men, as well as Maurice. You approach him, barely able to make out his raspy breaths. You grab him and pull him up, but he doesn't seem aware of the world.

A) Try to wake him
B) Carry him
C) Other

>>31345208
B
Straight outside and straight back in

>>31345305
You throw Maurice over your shoulders and run out of the room. You leap over the cracked floor in the hall, cracking the floor where you land, and nearly float down the stairs. Once outside, you lay Maurice on the grass, and he begins to cough up small puffs of smoke. You leave him and rush back in.

You make it to the third floor office again, but see no more of your comrades. You start to panic, wondering if they made it out, or managed to get themselves stuck elsewhere. Then, you spot something at the far wall. There seems to be a door ajar. It seems to lead into a back room.

A) Look in
B) Enter

>>31345366
>A) Look in

>>31345575
You approach the door and peer in.

Inside you see piles upon piles of gold and chest overflowing with papers and treasures the likes of which you've never seen. Bars of silver and gold are stacked up to the ceiling. All together the contents must be worth ten castles. You also see two people lying on the ground, Pietra and Annalise. Pietra groans, grasping at her side. She must have been injured somehow. Annalise doesn't fare much better, leaning against a stack of bricks with half her face covered in blood, as well as a her sleeve. Pietra hears you crack the door, and looks back to see you. She reaches out a hand, coughing on smoke, trying to form words.

A) Approach
B) Lift
C) Other

>>31345775
>A) Approach
>B) Lift

>>31345816
You enter the room and step through the carpet of gold and silver. You reach Pietra, who grabs onto your pauldron. Coughing, she points over to Annalise, gesturing and trying to make words which will not come.

A) Carry Pietra
B) Carry Annalise
C) Other

>>31345837
>A) Carry Pietra
>B) Carry Annalise
why not?

>>31345843
You lift Pietra and toss her over your shoulder. She continues to cough as you make your way over to Annalise. You kneel down to see her face, and find that she is completely unconscious. Whether it be the smoke, or the blast that likely caused this disaster, something has put her under. You grab her by the belt and pull her up, tossing her over your remaining shoulder. With two young women on your back like barrels, you carefully make your way out of the treasure room.

You enter the office again, just in time to see a gout of flame erupt from the hallway. Going back through here may not threaten you, but the ladies will be in danger. Still, there doesn't seem to be any other choice.

A) Charge through the hall
B) Other

>>31345923
>B) Other
find another way out

>>31345938
You look around for an alternate route. You find a window.

A) Dangeresque
B) Charge the hallway

>>31345987
how far up are we?

>>31345987
Look outside and see if there's something that can break our fall. Look inside the room for stuff that can break our fall.

Additional precaution, go out of the window with our back to the ground and the girls above us.

>>31346020
Third story, nothing outside but some bushes

>>31346125
check>>31346125

>>31346315
>>31346326
damnit, quoted the wrong thing

>>31346326
You got some flaming tables, some flaming bodies, some flaming drapes, and some flaming rugs.

Dangeresque?

>>31346381
ok, then, use the final precaution.

>>31346411
It looks like you're going to have to jump. You find a window that has already burst open from the fire, and position yourself in line with it. You do your best to hold both Annalise and Pietra in your arms and against your chest, to protect them from what is about to happen. Then, when you're as ready as you can be, you run at the window.

You leap up and out, barely squeezing through the frame, and making it out to the cool air outside. As you begin your descent, you twist in the air and turn so that your back will hit ground first. You fall nearly thirty feet in a few seconds, but the adrenaline in your blood makes it feel like entire minutes pass by. You have time to look up as flames burst out of several more windows before you crash into the grass below. You manage to keep your neck from whipping back and slamming your head on the ground, but you do feel pain run up and down your spine.Your arms release the ladies, and they tumble from you. There is a mighty ringing in your ears, and your vision is slightly blurred. Once again, the voice speaks.

"You are brave and perhaps insane mortal. I will heal our wounds."

A) Accept
B) Refuse

>>31346634
"Whatever."

>>31346648
You give in to the voice. Your back begins to twist suddenly, and you can feel your spine cracking and moving in your back. The world comes back into focus, and your strength returns to you. In a few moments, you feel as though you'd just woken up from sleep. You are able to stand and move normally.

You look around and see that nearly all of Pietra's troops outside are incapacitated, along with the enemy. The building continues to burn and collapse. Your companions however seem to be still breathing. With three more mansions to assault before this battle is over, things don't look good.

A) Retreat to the church
B) Bring the group to Leon
C) Bring Leon here
D) Othert

>>31347058
>B) Bring the group to Leon

>>31347058
>>31347104
change my mind

Send a runner to leon and get hm to come to us. We'll be meeting at the church. And bring the fat guy.

>>31347104
>>31347130
You scour the yard for at least one man who seems able to walk. You are forced to settle on one who can limp at a reasonable speed. By the blessing of the Father, he speaks just enough of your language to understand that you want him to find Leon and bring him to the church, though it takes a minute or two to get to that point. He moves out, and you begin looking for something to help you carry your comrades. The best thing you can get is a small cart meant for carrying bales of hay. You unload it and fill it with your friends, then toss a filthy tarp over them before making your way back to the hideout.

The streets are still clear of civilians, and it even seems like most of Pietra's men have cleared out or gone into hiding. You attempt to make a beeline for your goal, but as you round a corner you spot a group of three guards standing watch, keeping people in their homes. To detour around them may cost you precious time.

A) Fight
B) Avoid

>>31347260
a

>>31347293
You release the cart and round the corner, drawing your sword. The guards spot you and approach, shouting angrily. You brandish your sword at them, stopping them in their tracks. Then, one of them draws steel, leading the others to follow suit. They run at you recklessly, allowing you to cut them down like so much grass. They fall in the street, bloody and bruised, one after another. You spy someone peeking at you through a window, but when you turn to see them, they pull the shades closed again. You turn and pick up the cart once more, heading back to the church.

One the way, you are forced to skirmish with a few more guards, but none of them are as tough as those you had to fight in the mansion. You reach the yard of the church in time, and meet up with a handful of wounded soldiers who seem to have been awaiting Pietra's return. Seeing her injured they begin helping her off of the cart, along with the others.

A) Let them
B) Other

>>31347563
>B) Other
Carry Anna inside, the go back to help the others

>>31347612
You reach in and scoop up Annalise, carrying her out of the cart and into the back of the church. You bring her down to the rooms below, and place her in one of the beds. She begins coughing and stirring, giving you both a sense of optimism and worry. You head back up to see to the others.

By the time you make it back, Pietra's troops have already dumped Maurice in the chapel, where several other wounded men are being seen to, and now work to bring Pietra into a private room.

A) See to Maurice
B) See to Pietra
C) Other

>>31347792
see peitra first and see how she's doing, then talk to maurice about our parasite problem. And do be sure to focus all our strength and will into communicating this particular problem.

>>31347850
You follow the men to Pietra's room. It appears smaller than you would have thought, consisting of nothing but a large bookshelf, a single sized cot, and a writing desk. They bring her over to the bed and lay her down. One of them moves past you and back into the chapel, but the other begins emptying a leather bag full of medical supplies, and opening up Pietra's jerkin. You cross the room and stand beside her. She stirs, opening one eye to see you.

"Shit. Did we lose? I'm not dead am-" Pietra is cut off by a coughing fit. The man beside her presses down on her stomach briefly, then gets back to treating her.

A) Tell her about the mission
B) Ask something
C) Other

>>31348029
>A) Tell her about the mission

>>31348029
>>31348063
"You should probably just lay back for the moment."

>>31348063
>>31348077
You tell Pietra to rest, and she seems to understand, shutting her one eye again as the medic works. You tell her about your success with Leon, and about her own target being dead and charred by now.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Well, at least we've got one of them. As soon as Leon gets here we'll have to lock up the target and regroup. How do the men look?"

A) "They need rest."
B) "The odds aren't good."
C) "Don't worry about them now."
D) Other

>>31348157
b then a then c

also

"you just take your time recovering, we'll talk later."

>>31348186
You give Pietra the news. You can see her wince at the revelation. You tell her to worry about her own wounds for now, and leave her to recover.

You step out of the room and into the chapel. One of Pietra's men is giving Maurice water, and helping him cough up the smoke in his throat and lungs. He seems to be doing well, all things considered.

A) Approach Maurice
B) Go to Annalise
C) other

>>31348260
a

>>31348273
You make your way through the crowd of wounded and aiding to reach Maurice. He coughs up more blackened water as you kneel down beside him.

"Afternoon, sir." His speech is raspy and punctuated by light coughing. "It's good to see you unharmed. Are the others well?"

A) "Yes."
B) "That's not important right now."
C) Other

>>31348344
"Kind of. They're going to need some time to recuperate.

Listen, I got a problem you might want to hear about."

Focus all your will and strength into telling him about the thing inside.

>>31348373
You put aside the question of the others for now, and try to tell Maurice about the voice. Your throat seals up before you can begin.

"I won't be exposed, mortal. I've told you as much. If you insist on fighting again, I'll pull back on your leash." Words will not flow from your lips, to the confusion of Maurice. Then, e places a hand on your cheek.

"I understand sir. I encountered something similar in our mission. Let me rest, and I will do what I can."

A) "Okay."
B) Ask something
C) Other

>>31348544
>A) "Okay."
>B) Ask something
"so what was it you encountered?"

>>31348601
"Those men, the men running this city, are in debt to powers greater than ours. Wealth, power, all of it loaned. The being that burned down that mansion was not of our mortal plane, but I was able to seal it away. The bottle is likely in the remains of the mansion, so we must make a point of recovering it soon. Until I have time to look at it properly, I can't be sure what it is or what it wants."

A) Ask something else
B) Leave him to rest

>>31348704
>A) Ask something else
"We'll find out sooner or later. Get some rest."

find Anna

>>31348704
>>31348733
sorry, meant to choose B

>>31348733
>>31348758
You stand and give Maurice leave to rest for now. He wishes you well, and you go on your way to find Annalise.

She is in the same room where you left her, only now she appears to have regained her consciousness, and sits up in the bed with her holy symbol in one hand, pressed against her stomach.

"Oh, there you are. I was worried someone had thrown me in a cell. What's going on? What happened to the others?"

A) Explain everything
B) summarize
C) Other

>>31349060
>A) Explain everything

"...and that's how I'm sharing a body with daemon or something."

>>31349086
You go over the events of your mission, through the capture of the target, and up to rescuing them from the fire. However as expected, the voice holds your tongue from speaking of the circle, the four bodies, or itself. Annalise seems grateful, and finally finishes treating her own wounds.

"Well, I'm really glad you and Leon made it out alright. Hopefully things don't go from bad to worse. Would you mind fetching me a drink, though, my mouth tastes like soot."

A) "Sure."
B) Other

>>31349153
>A) "Sure."

>>31349192
You leave the room and head up toward the chapel to fetch some water.

"Again with the resistance, mortal. You are like a pup, so unable to learn the simplest lesson. Is this the appreciation you show one who aided you in not one, but three rescues? I could have let them burn, but I chose to help you in hopes that you may see my nature is not as you believe."

A) "Shut up."
B) Ignore
C) other

>>31349313
"Actions and words can be used to manipulate. I only trust that you will do whatever it takes to complete your objective, whatever it is. I just don't know if it will be to the benefit of me and mine. So you keep your words. Until we know what and who you are, get used to this."

>>31349359
The voice seems to laugh in your head.

"You are nothing if not tenacious. That is a trait I admire in your kind. Very well, fight me to your heart's content, but know that I will do what I must to preserve myself, just as you would."

You make it up to the chapel and find a small basin. As you lift it up, you get a glimpse at the water. Something appears over your shoulder. When you look again, it is gone.

A) Take the water to Annalise
B) Other

>>31349574
>B) Other
investigate

>>31349592
You take a closer look at the surface of the water. As it ripples, you think you can make our a small red light hovering above your shoulder, but the more you focus on it the harder it is to see.

"My eye, if you must know, mortal. It is merely an extension which allows me to see without stealing your vision. Likely it is how that shaman was able to see me."

A) Ask something
B) Take the water down

>>31349841
>A) Ask something
"I'd hate to see how ugly the rest of you looks like."
>B) Take the water down

>>31349879
The voice grumbles at your comment. You proceed to bring the water downstairs.

Annalise begins by taking mouthfuls of water and swishing and gargling them in her mouth. She spits them out on the stone floor after each rinse. Lastly, she washes her face and hands and wipes them on the inner surface of her robe.

"Finally. I can't wait to get home and take a bath. Oh, wait. We can't even go yet. ah, this rebellion thing is way harder than I was expecting."

A) "Overthrowing a government usually takes at least three days."
B) "Nothing is keeping us here."
C) Other

>>31350055
>A) "Overthrowing a government usually takes at least three days."
but
B) "Nothing is keeping us here."
"we just need to let the others know where we're going and when we'll be back. and maybe have them send someone after us in case we don't come back in time."

>>31350117
Annalise seems to chew on your words for a moment. After, she sighs.

"No. I want to go home, but I've already made my decision to help here. And now that she's lost so many men, Pietra needs our help more than ever. We should finish what we started. And I mean, if we leave now you might not get another chance at you dream."

A) "Dream?"
B) "We'll have another chance."
C) "Just rest for now. Once everyone's together and healthy, we'll worry about it."
D) Other

>>31350055
A

>>31350382
That was meant for
>>31350360
oopsies

>>31350382
You ask her to elaborate on her statement.

"Your dream, remember? you always wanted to be important and remembered by lots and lots of people. If you were the one responsible for a whole reform of government, then of course people would remember you. That's why Leon and I agreed to help Pietra, because we knew it would help you. Maurice, I can't speak for though. I think he just doesn't have any friends."

A) "You didn't have to go through all this."
B) "I didn't realize."
C) Other

>>31350655
>A) "You didn't have to go through all this."

>>31350655
>>31350674
add b

>>31350674
>>31350690
You confess your mild surprise. Annalise seems amused by this reaction.

"Of course we'd do it. You ran all around the continent to help Leon, and as for me...er well that's not important. We just wanted to help you do this, so don't feel guilty or anything. And besides, we do feel indebted to Pietra for saving us when we first came here. We probably would have tried to help anyway. Put it out of your mind, and let's go help with the injured, okay?"

A) "Alright."
B) Other

>>31350967
>A) "Alright."

>>31350992
The two of you leave the room together and head upstairs to the chapel to see about assisting the medics in treating the injured members of Pietra's forces. Most of the ones who made it here are in decent condition, but some will not be able to take up a spear again anytime soon. You even lose two or three of them to their wounds along the way, as even holy magic has limits.

In time most of the wounded are sorted out, and even Maurice gets back on his feet. Leon shows up some time after dark, pulling a large wagon with a bound and gagged fat man in the back. Pietra's men deal with him, incarcerating him in a place they refuse to tell you about. Once Leon is rested, briefed and fed, the five of you gather in Pietra's room. There Pietra, dressed in only shorts and bandages around her torso, asks her top men about the situation.

They explain that the two operations you were able to execute were of middling success. You lost one target, and three more remain, but they will likely be ready for you now. Pietra curses.

"We don't have a load of men left. We'll have to lick our wounds and hope things don't get worse between now and the next operation."

A) Agree
B) Disagree

>>31351239
"We could try and frame one of them as a traitor. Make them think one of them sent assassins after the others to take power for himself."

>>31351239
>>31351328
"You guys rest, I'll get Leon and Maurice to formulate something."

>>31351328
>>31351349
You propose framing one of them as a traitor. Pietra chews on it, then shakes her head.

"No, that wouldn't work. They know about us by now, even if they don't know where we are. And besides, they're too tightly knit to go behind one another. For now, all we can do is stick to the old plan and adapt as problems arise." You ask the ladies to get more rest while the three of you think on it some more. Both Annalise and Pietra shoot you a sharp look.

Annalise speaks first. "We've got just as much stake in this as you, and we did pretty well without either of you on our mission. If it wasn't for the fire nothing would have gone wrong."

A) "That's not what I mean."
B) "It's more important to everyone that you fully recover."
C) Other

>>31351615
>B) "It's more important to everyone that you fully recover."

>>31351695
Pietra and Annalise continue to glare at you. You fold your arms, and Leon and Maurice merely glance around the room. Suddenly, Pietra smirks. She raises her left hand, and snaps her fingers. The door to her room flies open and a half dozen of her men enter.

"Take these dusty dogs outside, I have something to discuss with my associate." Pietra orders them coldly, and the men grab a hold of you. They begin to drag all three of you out of the room. Maurice doesn't put up a fight at all, and Leon seems too confused to resists properly. This leave four men to escort you out, and despite your best effort to pull away, you find yourself unable to. They manage to get you out of the door and push you away. The locks inside click, and all six men stand guard, glaring at the three of you.

Leon and Maurice look over to you, curious.

A) Ask to be let back in
B) Demand to be let back in
C) Other

>>31351894
>A) Ask to be let back in

>>31351894
>A) Ask to be let back in
Sorry I'm late, got caught up with the Nintendo Direct stuff.

>>31351913
>>31351960
You approach the door, but the six men block you together. You shout, asking to be allowed back in the room. The only response is laughter and snickering from the other side, followed by a taunt from Annalise.

"The three of you should just go wash up for supper while the grown ups talk. Don't worry, we'll be there to tuck you in!" More laughter ensues. Leon himself chuckled under his breath.

"Smooth as silk, you. I'm hungry, let's go Maurice." Maurice smiles and heads off with him.

A) Knock on the door
B) Give up
C) Other

>>31352174
>A) Knock on the door
B) Give up
C) Have Maurice check you

>>31352174
>B) Give up

>>31352203
>>31352221
You continue to knock, but give up around the time the guards begin chuckling under their breath. You then sigh and turn to find Maurice and Leon.

You enter the hall and run into Maurice immediately. Apparently he sent Leon ahead alone, and promised to catch up. You ask him if he can help you with your problem, and he scratches his chin scruff.

"Well I'd have to get a good look first, but there is a chance." Maurice grabs your cheeks and looks into each eye carefully. He then pries open your mouth and inspects your teeth. "Ah I see. This is what Annalise meant this morning. At any rate sir, I believe I know the solution. You just need to cut off the arm the creature used to enter you."

A) "Let's say I already tried that."
B) "Is there a second option?"
C) Other

>>31352453
>A) "Let's say I already tried that."
>B) "Is there a second option?"

>>31352483
I'll second this.

>>31352483
"Well, I suppose we could exercise the thing. It would be painful for you, but if it works I could seal it up tight and we'd be able to dispose of it as you liked."

A) Agree
B) Decline

>>31352638
>A) Agree
>exercise

>>31352638
"This thing's got a habit of making me shut my mouth when it wants.

Let's interrogate it first, then we'll see about the exorcism."

>>31352669
You decline Maurice's offer. Your mouth moves on its own, and your body stiffens. Maurice raises an eyebrow, and pulls his cards from his sleeve.

"Are you sure, sir? It would be difficult, but I'm sure it would work if we had enough time." Maurice begins shuffling the cards.

A) "Do it."
B) Other

>>31352964
A
>B) Other
attempt to make slicing motion

>>31352998
>>31352964
this, too
>>31352676

>>31352998
You try to move at least your hand, but the voice fights you for every inch. You tell Maurice that you'll be fine for now, and not to worry about you. He draws one of the cards from the top of the deck and looks at it.

"So let me be sure, sir. You don't want me to help you remove the creature?"

A) Fight it
B) Give in
C) other

>>31353245
>A) Fight it
punch ourselves, if we have to.

>>31353245
>A) Fight it

>>31353269
>>31353284
You continue to resist in your own head. Despite this, the voice gains full control, and assure Maurice that everything is fine.

Maurice flips one of his cards over, revealing a smile pile of blueish dust. With one puff, he blows it in your face, hitting your nose and eyes. You fall backward, hitting the floor hard. You feel slightly woosy for a moment, then regain control of your body. The voice seems to have subsided.

A) "What was that?"
B) "It's gone."
C) Other

>>31353601

A) "What was that?"
nice

>>31353601
>A) "What was that?"

>>31353617
>>31353674
You stand up, rubbing your rear end as you ask Maurice what he did.

"Just something I use to put down ornery things that go bump in the night. You may experience side effects such as nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, and impotence. At the very least it will keep the creature at bay for the next few hours. Meanwhile, the more I know about it, the better. Start from the beginning."

A) Explain everything
B) Explain everything relating to the voice
C) Other

>>31353898
>A) Explain everything

plan on interrogating it later on

>>31353898
>A) Explain everything

>>31353898
>>31353920
make sure to have them explain this shit to the girls as soon as possible, just in case, but keep it between the lot of us.

>>31353920
>>31353925
You go over every detail you can remember. Maurice seems to mentally note every word as he presses one of his cards to his lips. When you finish, he closes his eyes and tilts his head back, grumbling.

"If what I think is true, is true...We don't have too much to worry about. Removing this creature should be quite simple, and easy in fact, so long as things go our way. We just need a sharp blade and a willing -or unwilling- victim which we can feed the creature. With all of that, it'll be out in no time at all."

A) "Victim?"
B) "That's a relief."
C) Other

>>31354162
>A) "Victim?"

>>31354162
>A) "Victim?"

>>31354183
>>31354184
"Yes, sir. A victim who we can pour the creature into after we extract it. Without one, it will only rebound and try to implant itself in me, or anyone else nearby. A victim is very important to this process." Maurice looks you dead in the eye with a helpful grin.

A) Agree
B) Refuse
C) other

>>31354274
"Try and find some volunteers. I'll look through them. In the meantime, shackle me up."

>>31354274
>>31354301

"I'll evaluate any volunteers. If there aren't any, we'll just have to keep it between ugly and me."

>>31354274
>>31354323
"and make sure to keep that blue powder handy. How much do you still have, anyways? Can you make more?"

>>31354274
>B) Refuse
I'm not putting anyone else in harm's way to get this thing out of me.

>>31354301
>>31354323
>>31354379
"In that order: I'll see what I can do, it won't help because the creature has access to your spells, and none and no. Not without a proper lab, and from what I've seen here we won't find one nearby."

A) Ask something else
B) Other

>>31354479
>A) Ask something else
"Well, it may be wise to have me under armed guard. Better wait for that interrogation party, huh? How long's the powder supposed to last?"

>>31354523
"Setting any of the men we have left to guard you would only be leading them into the jaws of the beast. And interrogation will do little good, as the creature can lie and cannot be made to feel pain without also wounding its host. And the powder should last until the morning. Talk to me if you feel the creature fighting again."

A) Ask something else
B) Other

>>31354786
"Gonna say it right now. If you ever feel that I might not actually be in control, don't be afraid to get paranoid on me."

>>31354786

"that having been said, I'm going to tell the girls about this, you go and tell Leon. Just keep it between the five of us. As for the volunteers, make something up that doesn't involve daemonic possession."

>>31354868
"Don't worry sir, my eyes aren't so easily fooled as normal men. And I'll be sure to speak to Leon when the time is right. At any rate, you should get some food and rest. Trouble will be coming our way soon, in one form or another."

A) Agree
B) Ask something else
C) Other

>>31354936
>A) Agree
go see if the girls are ready to talk.

>>31354955
You leave Maurice to his business and move back into the chapel to check on Annalise and Pietra.

Inside, most of the moaning and groaning has ceased, thanks to the medics. Nearly all the injured are attempting to rest. You approach the podium and the door behind it, which leads into Pietra's room. The same six men stand watch, and you explain to them that you want to see the ladies. They whisper amongst one another, shrugging and elbowing each other. This continues until something appears in the corner of your vision. The young boy you met so long ago has reappeared, smiling, with a cake in his hand. He chews, and speaks to the men in their own tongue. They seem relieved as they speak to him. The boy turns back to you as he takes another bite of his cake.

"They say you aren't allowed in. Our leader says the meeting is for important tacticians only, and I think the redhair says something about not making a kiss? That doesn't make sense, but these guys say it's true."

A) Ask something
B) Knock
C) Other

>>31355422
>C) Other
facepalm.

B)
"This is f&#($ing urgent!"

>>31355449
This, minus the swearing.

>>31355449
>>31355464
You muscle past the guards and pound on the door with a mailed fist. You shout as you do this, causing the chapel to fall silent. The boy approaches the door alongside you, smiling at your antics. Eventually the lock clicks open, and the door cracks, revealing Annalise's face.

"Apologize, and we'll let you in."

A) "Now isn't the time."
B) "Fine."
C) "No."
D) Other

>>31355546
"Apologize for what?"

>>31355546
B) "Fine."

>>31355573
Annalise's expression turns sour.

"You think we're too weak to take a few hits, just because we don't have manhoods. When Leon breaks his arm, you let him do what he likes, and Maurice was in the fire same as us, and doing worse after, but you tell us that we have to rest? As if I haven't spent longer than you training to do what I do! As if Pietra hasn't been fighting a rebellion for years! When you're ready to treat us like we deserve, you can come in."

A) "We don't have time for games!"
B) "If it will calm you down."
C) "This is absurd."
D) Other

>>31355768
C) "This is absurd."
>A) "We don't have time for games!"

If this persists,

"Look, I didn't mean to belittle you, I just wanted to make sure all of us were in proper fighting shape for next time."

>>31355810
Annalise nearly closes the door before you force out a half-baked apology. She stops just short of the tumblers clicking into place, and opens the door back up.

"Fine. Come in then."

You enter. Pietra is still sat up against her headboard with her chest wrapped in bandages, only a bit of blood has seen its way through them now. Annalise sits at the foot of her bed, leaning back and crossing her legs.

"Well, what's so important?" Pietra pulls the thin sheet up over her chest as if you intended to burn her with your eyes.

A) Explain it plainly
B) Make it sound better
C) Play it up
D) Other

>>31356082
>A) Explain it plainly

"Also, what were you guys talking about in here?"

>>31356100
You go over the details with them. Their faces slowly turn from sour to shocked to concerned. At the end, you explain Maurice's plan to put the voice in someone else, if any volunteers should step forward. Annalise looks down at the ground, shaken. Pietra closes her eyes and rubs the bridge of her nose.

As they take in the story, you ask them what they were conversing about. Annalise looks up and smirks a bit.

"We were thinking about storming the next mansion first thing in the morning. If we wait too long, they'll marshal more forces before we have a chance to act."

A) "That's probably best."
B) "If you say so."
C) "I don't think that's wise."
D) Other

All this quality time together after so long, eh Wren?

>>31356357
>A) "That's probably best."

"Also, what was that about kissing?"

you have no idea

>>31356406
Seconding.
>>31356357
not as alone as you think, not yet at least

>>31356406
>>31356519
You agree with their plan, despite the other goings on at the moment. Before you turn to leave though, something occurs to you. You ask Annalise what she meant.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. Me and Pietra are going to talk some more, so you can do as you like until morning."

A) Rest
B) Other

>>31356710
>A) Rest

>>31356710
>A) Rest

>>31356734
You leave the room as Annalise and Pietra giggle to one another. You shut the door behind you, barely able to make out their first few words to each other as you do. The guards stand aside for you, and you make your way down to the dining hall to get something to eat, then head to bed.

At some point in the night, Annalise opens the cell door and creeps into the room, rousing you from sleep. She carefully tip toes in, trying to be as quiet as she can as she undoes her leathers beneath her robes.

A) Sit up and say something
B) Do nothing
C) Othert

>>31356845
>B) Do nothing

>>31356845
>B) Do nothing

>>31356854
>>31357019
Eventually Annalise plops herself onto the mattress and lays down. You feel her push her back against yours, and hear as she releases a long breath. The two of you fall asleep pressed together, despite the sweat it causes.

The next morning you wake as a pain hits the side of your head. You sit up and rub the temple. It seems there's a ringing in your ear that grows louder and louder. Finally, it becomes a voice.

"Your shaman is talented, mortal. He took my strength from me for nearly a day. I had to sit in the dark listening to your mate snore and feeling that disgusting layer of sweat between you. I'll be glad when he removes me from your body, if it means not having to put up with all this hassle."

A) "Let me sleep."
B) "You're not going to resist?"
C) Other

>>31357236
>C) Other
"Glad you liked it. I have a few questions to ask. I'd like a truthful answer."
B) "You're not going to resist, are you?"

>>31357284
"No. I don't need your body for my goals, only a living one, and a weaker one might serve better. Ask your questions and leave me to think."

A) "What's your endgame?"
B) "What are you?"
C) Other

>>31357499
>A) "What's your endgame?"
>B) "What are you?"
C)
Who are you?
Why were you summoned?

>>31357516
These sound good.

>>31357516
"My final goal is merely to find my counterpart. My twin, in some respects. Once he is destroyed, I will have my freedom. As for what and who I am, that is a complex question. I am merely an entity born of cosmic power, but not the power you know. I am a being of the nine rings, the corpse of the primordial beneath that which you reside. I am born of his decaying power, just as holy beings are born of the power of gods. My true name is beyond mortal understanding, but the closest approximation I have is Samael, the Burning. It is a silly name, bestowed upon me by fanatics, but it is the only mortal name I have. The rulers of this city summoned me as well as some of my kin to advise them in their affairs. We know much and more, and they trapped us within those circles to torture us, and squeeze us for knowledge. I have been sealed in that mansion for nearly fifty years."

A) Ask something else
B) Other

>>31357804
a)
Who is his twin?
Why kill him?

What are their powers?

>>31357843
You press him further on his origin.

"My twin is a being made from holy power. He is a counterpart, forged to serve as a weapon by the god of the moon. If either of us is destroyed, we will both be, for we are connected by our purpose. If we are destroyed, I will be free of my existence as a slave, and my fate of eternal pain in the nine rings." You ask about their specific powers. "I have already explained that we exist to serve as weapons to our cosmic masters. To that end, we are forced to fight. However, my twin has gone silent. This means he is not serving his purpose, and is likely sealed away somewhere on this plane. If this is true, I may never have my freedom. Therefore, I seek him myself, to end this pain."

A) Ask something else
B) Other

>>31358075
"What's his name?
You both served the God of the Moon?
Are you also made of holy power?
Isn't there some way getting him unsealed without killing him?"

>>31358121
"He is Uriel. He serves the moon god, I am merely his shadow, born and bound to him against both of our wills. As I said, I am made from cosmic power, but not that of a god. I am born of the power of the nine rings, where fiends and abominations are born. And no, there is no other way. Either we both live, or we both die."

A) Ask something else
B) Other

>>31358231
"And once you've been freed? what then?"

>>31358231
>B) Other
"Thanks for the straight answers."
Go find the others.

>>31358284
"I will cease to be. I will be given the sweet release of uncreation." At this point, Annalise begins stirring and sitting up in bed. She coughs on some of her hair and looks over at you.

"What's wrong? I didn't wake you up, did I?"

A) "Just talking to myself."
B) "No, I just woke up myself."
C) Other

>>31358377
>C) Other
Just having a chat. Guess.

>>31358377
>B) "No, I just woke up myself."

>>31358398
>>31358404
Annalise crawls over to your side of the bed and throws her arms over your shoulders. She presses her cheek against yours and speaks into your ear.

"I know you're in there, creature. If you harm him, I'll show you what my family does to creatures from other worlds." She follows this with a kiss on your cheek and then falls backward onto the bed before rolling off to get her boots on. The voice speaks softly.

"She is foul with white magic. How can you stand the smell of her in your bed?"

A) "Shut up."
B) Ignore
C) Other

>>31358510
>C) Other
"Just because you don't appreciate white magic doesn't mean I can't. Now stop whining before I have her cast some. We've got work to do."

>>31358510
>B) Ignore

>>31358533
Gotta go folks - I have a flight to catch. Don't fuck anything up whilr I'm gone, and remember that we're a paladib.

>>31358680
have a nice flight

>>31358527
You snap at the voice, and it seems to quiet down. You rise from the bed and begin strapping your own armor on. As Annalise can finish dressing well before you, she crosses the room to help you. Her hands are inexperienced with the process, and in fact her help may slow it down slightly, but you talk her through it until you're wrapped tight and ready to go. The two of you head out together.

You run into Maurice in the hall. He is flipping through a small notebook, and smiles when he spots you.

"I have good news sir. I have found a volunteer who is willing to take your burden from you. I've already prepared a circle in the chapel, and we can begin whenever you like. I recommend not eating beforehand, as there may be a great deal of vomit."

A) "Let's start now."
B) "Give me a little time first."
C) Other

>>31358760
>B) "Give me a little time first."
>C) Other
explain everything that we've learned about the one possessing us.

>>31358780
This+ ask who the tribute is

>>31358780
>>31358876
You begin relaying what you've learned to Maurice. He seems to lose interest about halfway through, and steals glances at his notebook. When you finish, he only nods and hums quietly.

"I see. Well, we can sort all of that out once we've ripped him away from you and tucked him safely away inside Miss Pietra. Come see me when you're ready." Maurice slides past you and begins making his way to the chapel.

A) Get something to eat
B) Other

>>31358948
B) Other
"Wait, what? No!"

>>31358948
>>31358961
"Ok, if that's the case, this things better off inside me for the time being."

>>31358961
>>31358975
You stop Maurice and protest the decision. He flips to the next page in his book without looking at it.

"She volunteered, sir. You told me to find someone willing to take it into them. In fact, I hadn't even begun looking when she approached me last night after she let Miss Annalise hurry to bed. She's already preparing, so don't worry."

A) Refuse
B) Accept

>>31359119
"Ok, maybe I should have been clear. Any volunteers who aren't you, Anna, Pietra, or Leon. Look, get her to stop. I'll just hold the beast in until we can exorcise it later. Maybe after we're done fighting here."

>>31359119
We have a bunch of wounded right? Lets implant this creature into some guy that got a limb chopped off.

>>31359146
>>31359231
Why not ask it's opinion?

>>31359146
Maurice looks at you puzzled.

"Sir, I've already expended a great deal of my resources to prepare the ritual. Miss Pietra has undergone a good deal of discomfort in your name. And if we don't remove the creature now, it will only grow more powerful inside you. Are you sure you want to take that chance?" As Maurice speaks, the voice raises its opinion.

"He wants to put me into the rogue? That will serve nicely. A lithe, dexterous body like hers will make things much simpler than having to drag your lumbering form around."

A) Refuse the ritual, take the risk
B) Accept the ritual, be done with it
C) Other

>>31359262
>A) Refuse the ritual, take the risk
"Find me another volunteer. If one does not show up, I'll hold it in."

>>31359262
>>31359274
"Besides, I think it wants to be in her."

>>31359274
>>31359309
You tell Maurice to find another volunteer, or you will flatly refuse to participate. He scratches his chin scruff and stares at his notebook for a moment.

"I will see what I can do. But you must afford me some time, and that means you will need to face today's battle with the creature inside." You tell Maurice you understand, and let him go on his way. Annalise looks up at you.

"She really did want to do it, you know. We talked about it last night. She wants to repay you, and honestly I think she wants that thing to help her somehow. I tried to talk her out of it, but she's stubborn."

A) Say something
B) Find Pietra
C) Other

>>31359438
A) Yeah, she can be kind of like that. I'll talk to her.
>B) Find Pietra

>>31359476
You put Annalise at ease, and tell her to have something to eat while you go to talk with Pietra.

You move upstairs and into the chapel. Many of the wounded from last night are gone now, likely healed enough to carry out small duties, and the rest have been pushed away from the center of the room. You pass them to get to Pietra's room. A guard steps aside to let you knock, and in a moment Pietra comes to the door.

"Oh. Um, good morning. I was just getting ready for the ritual. I'm getting dressed, so make it quick, alright?"

A) Ask her something
B) Tell her it's off
C) Other

>>31359632
>B) Tell her it's off
"Ok, I didn't know it was going to be you. Stop this, now."

>>31359655
You tell Pietra that the ritual is cancelled, until you can find someone else to take on the voice. She seems slightly angered by this news.

"What? No, it's fine, I volunteered myself. This thing can help me, and you don't want it, and Maurice says as long as we can find a balance I can get everything I need done and the creature shouldn't give me much trouble. I get that you're worried but I'm an adult, and I've made my decision." The voice speaks up again.

"Do it, mortal. This bargain works for us all. Give me her body and you will be free of me."

A) Refuse
B) Accept
C) Other

>>31359809
>A) Refuse
'There are a number of reasons I am not ok with this: You're the leader of your group and we can't risk you getting compromised. This thing also wants your body, so I'm not inclined to give in to that. Also, I'm not comfortable having my friend go through something like this."

>>31359843
You rattle off your list of grievances for Pietra. She crosses her arms as she listens to you.

"It's because I'm the leader that I'm agreeing to this. With the knowledge this creature has, and the power it might hold, this fight can be over much quicker and with less bloodshed. If it wants my body, all the better. Once the rebellion is over, I'll hand power to someone more capable of running the city and we can complete whatever ludicrous quest it has in mind. And it's because we're friends that I'm even willing to go through the pain to help you. I've-hm. I've come to terms with Annalise, and how you feel about me. I get it. So let me do this much to repay you, or else I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life." Pietra looks away and down at the ground.

A) Accept
B) Refuse
C) Other

>>31359910
"You don't have to repay me. Especially not like this."

>>31359910
"Let me act as the conduit until we're done here. It says it has a little sidequest to do and it'll die off anyways. What better to see it through than a meatshield like me?"

>>31359910
"If you want to repay me that badly, live a legitimate and respectable life."

>>31359924
>>31359943
>>31359955
Pietra grows more impatient as you try to reason with her.

"I already told you, this is what I want. Me! I want to take this thing in, and I want its power. After that, you can go back to your fancy palace and-and...and bed that stupid girl all you like and I'll be with the creature. I'll do what it wants and kill it off, and you can live in peace. It's too late for me to stop being a killer, or a thief. That's already what I am and frankly, I've accepted that. I'm good at what I do. Now either you prepare for the ritual as well, or you can mount that horse of yours and leave me alone!" Pietra slams her door shut, bashing your nose and startling the whole of the chapel. Everyone's head turns as they go silent, and watch you stare at the wooden door.

A) Try to open it
B) Speak through it
C) Other

>>31360064
>B) Speak through it
"Pietra, it's not too late. To change. To be better. I can help you. We can. All of us. Together. You don't have to be alone after this."

>>31360080
You speak through the wooden door, hoping to sway Pietra's heart from this course of action. The guards look at you strangely as you speak, seeming to pick up on your intent but not your meaning. You promise Pietra a better life, with help from all of your comrades. There is no response from the other side.

"Something approaches." The voice speaks inside your head. You attempt to swat it away, but it nags you. Suddenly, you hear a great and thunderous boom behind you. You whirl around. The entire chapel is gasping in shock. Another boom, coming from the barred wooden doors. The medics begin pulling the wounded away from it. Pietra steps out of her room, half wrapped in a robe and wiping her eyes. Another boom. Annalise emerges from the hall, along with Leon now. It seems the noise had echoed throughout the church. Another boom, and the wooden door shakes and splinters. The crowd gives a shirt whimper and a gasp. People begin moving away from the door, even abandoning the wounded. Leon draws his twins, and Annalise follows suit. Pietra seems to be reaching for words, but they won't come. Another boom, and the wooden beam blocking the doors bends as the doors try to open inward. Maurice appears now, running to your side.

"Sir, I fear we may have been-" Maurice is cut off by one final crashing noise as a ram breaks through the great wooden doors. A myriad of armored and armed men begins pouring into the room and attaining formation. They kneel behind round shields with spears aimed at you. At a guess, there must be ten dozen. At the far back are three fat men in golden plate, sitting atop high chairs being carried by several muscular men in rags. One of these troops, dressed in much finer wear than the rest, steps forward and speaks.

"In the name of the peace of our great holy city of Hollag, we are placing you violent rebels under arrest for conspiracy, murder, inciting panic, and treachery."

>>31360220
Wrapping up, hopefully someone besides my bfff Wrenloft will want to play tomorrow. Thanks for hanging out all night Wren, you can finally get some sleep.

See you in about eight hours or so, same thread if it's still alive, new thread if its not.

>>31360232
had a lot of fun

>>31360232
shame we couldn't go harem route.

>>31360248
Who says you can't? I didn't.

>>31360251
oh, bollocks.

>>31360251
well, this changes a few things for me.

>>31360251
night

bump

Anyone about?

>>31364036
I'm on mobile and it will be erratic

>>31364732
About to head out anyway, no thread today. Maybe tomorrow, I'll say as much on twitter when it's settled.