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You resist the urge to roll your eyes or sigh. “I have my reasons. There is a temple I wish to visit, and I still have family in El-Amin. The work I've done on my scar at least means I cannot be outright arrested or killed, and my armor does a good job of keeping it hidden.” She seems to soften at the mention of family. “Well, I suppose I can understand wanting to see your family again... how do I know you won't go back to raping, or murdering, or whatever it is you did to get banished in the first place?” You raise an eyebrow. “Shahzadi, you should have been able to figure out why I was banished just from what I've already said. I was accused of slandering your brother, when I merely told the truth. Did my tirade about your gardens not tip you off?”

Eser speaks up, almost begrudgingly. “She's not the most observant.” To which the Shahzadi responds by slapping him in the arm childishly. “What is that supposed to mean?!” You cut in. “That you're not very observant. He said it clearly, Shahzadi. Look, we're getting off topic. Is there anything you could do to make my travel easier?” She grumbles something to herself, folding her arms in front of her chest. “I could give you a symbol of the dynasty, it would allow you safe passage into El-Amin and anywhere it controls. So long no higher ranking officials find you.” She pauses. “I would deny every granting it to you, if you got caught. Claim you robbed it from me on my way north.”

“That's very generous of you.” You're even half serious about that too. You'd never have thought, after essentially insulting from the moment you met her, she'd so easily aide you. Perhaps she just has difficulty standing up to perceived authority? None of your business, really. After a few moments of silence she motions Eser towards the cart, and he marches off. He returns with a signet ring. A cursory glance reveals it to be entirely nonmagical, though quite well made.
(2/3)

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>>31485973
so how long are you gonna continue?

You take it from Eser, inspecting it carefully. Overall, you'd judge it inferior to the ring you already wear. However, this ring has the benefit of being an actual Symbol of the Dynasty, where as your signet ring is an old relic that can do a few neat tricks when used in conjunction with certain spells. You slip the ring gladly onto your finger. “Thank you, Shahzadi. I'll do my best not to get arrested.”

She sighs, and turns to climb into her carriage. “I would hope so, I would likely be in as much trouble as you.” Somehow, you doubt that. “Now, if you'll excuse us Master Abdul. I'd like to get as far away from this pass as possible before I have a chance to regret my decision. I hope you enjoy your -brief- stay in the homeland.” Her guards climb onto the carriage, one taking up the reigns, and then they set off.

Chryssa approaches you once the Shahzadi has left, holding out a bag full of coins. “Eighty three silver, collected from the corpses. Nothing else of particular value. They didn't wear much in the way of armor and their weapons were average at best.” You nod, and stuff the money into your cloak. “Lets get out of here, I'm tired of this pass already.

>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.
>Head straight for the Water Temple.
>Write-in

>>31486020
>>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.

We should probably rest up first though.

>>31486009
Until I pass out or can no longer reliably type words. So... 2 hours? Maybe? Jesus, it's already 2 AM...

>>31486020
>>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.

>>31486020
>>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.

>>31486020
>>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.

>To the bandits!

>>31486040
It's something of a time-sensitive offer. One of the bandits mentioned that someone named Baldev will clear the place out once he learns about the botched raid.

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>>31486101
good to know.

>>31486117
>>31486009

Oh anon, you always know how to make me laugh.

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>>31486137
Eh i figured if i'm gonna fuck my self over for class this morning might as well laugh.

>>31486020
>Head for the Bandit Hideout, to loot it for all it's worth.
Meditate on the way.

>>31486157
Don't worry Anon, I'm fucking myself over for class two nights in a row.

>>31486168
and we love you for it Soma

You pull yourself into the saddle of your guar, casting your eyes towards the south. Someone further along the pass is an abandoned silver mine loaded with loot from raided caravans over the last several weeks. You can only imagine the sorts of luxuries you might find inside, not to mention the wealth of supplies you'll surely need to travel safely through the desert. You spur Al Gasreed and for a few moments, enjoy the silence.

Unfortunately, Profectus decides to break that silence. “Are you sure treating the... Shah-shady or whatever she was so disrespectfully is a good idea? I mean, what if she turns around and tells her father that some bandit is on his way through the pass, having just robbed her and now intending to go on a killing spree or something?” You wave him off. “She doesn't have a communication brooch, Profectus. It's not like she can just contact the Shah with a thought. She'd have to reach him by letter, and that would take at least several days, if not a week. Besides, I didn't actually tell her where we were going. Just that it was a temple.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “If you say so Mik, I'll trust your judgment.” Chryssa speaks up. “That's probably not wise, keep in mind he thought putting on that mask was a good idea.” They're not going to let you live that down, are they? “Hey, a man takes one risk that turns out badly and all of a sudden his judgment can't be trusted? Come on. I've taken plenty of other risk that turned out okay.”

The three of you chat for a little longer, Fulvia largely staying silent. She hasn't really talked much at all since you left Anthus, come to think of it. She's been staring off into space, or at the things you ride past, for most of the day. Then again, you'd probably stare dumbfounded at your surroundings too if it was the first time you'd truly been outside in a thousand years.
(1/2 Still writin')

Eventually the conversation peters out and you pick up Abusing Metaphysics as if They Were Your Serving Girls. You've actually knocked out a fair chunk of the book, it was always fairly short, but you think you can finish it before reaching the bandit hideout.

The last few chapters of the book start to describe the various adverse effects that weakening the 'fragile fabric of modesty that separates the voluptuous assets of the universe from the groping hands of a vatis'. He talks about hearing voices, seeing things, sudden urges to do one thing or another. Usually it's harmless stuff, like shout obscenities in public or leave the house naked. Other times it's more sinister, though he claims to resist the worst of the impulses. If you're interpreting this book correctly, the author seems to suggest that tampering with the 'silken slip which obfuscates the sensitive nether regions of reality from the tender ministrations of a vatis' expert hands' weakened the author's mental fortitude. It didn't happen immediately of course, he'd been doing it for years before any negative effects started to show, but basically he's been driven absolutely insane. He even gets a little self aware and suggest that tampering with reality is why he interprets everything as some sort of lewd sexual metaphor.
>Abusing Metaphysics as if They Were Your Serving Girls (Finished)
(2/3)

You snap the book shut, slipping it back into your cloak. You'd been noticing for a while now that the further you go, the more and more evidence you've seen of foot and animal traffic up and down the mountain trails that line the pass. If you had to guess, you were firmly in bandit country by this point, though you don't think you're anywhere near the 'middle of the pass' yet. An abandoned silver mine should be pretty easy to find in the mountains, since the road leading to it will carve up the cliff face and probably through the mountains itself. Still, it might be wise to start thinking about ascending the mountain.

>Head for the top of the pass now, and proceed the rest of the way to the Bandit Hideout through the mountains. More dangerous, but probably much faster.
>Stick to the pass until you see some sort of evidence that a silver road once ran through the area. Safer, but a chance you may miss the road or arrive too late.
>Write-in

>>31486307

Didn't we pass the bandit hideout that the prisoner describe on our original journey north? The mine and the tower both?

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>>31486307
>Head for the top of the pass now, and proceed the rest of the way to the Bandit Hideout through the mountains. More dangerous, but probably much faster.

>>31486324
No, that was much further into Pidjata, in a canyon carved through the desert by a river.

>>31486307
>Stick to the pass until you see some sort of evidence that a silver road once ran through the area. Safer, but a chance you may miss the road or arrive too late.

>>31486327

Can I have the name? The exhentai expedition isn't working for me right now.

>>31486307
>>Stick to the pass until you see some sort of evidence that a silver road once ran through the area. Safer, but a chance you may miss the road or arrive too late.

We're not too hot with our energy reserves right now, and Chryssa ought to have mad perception bonuses.

>>31486351
san se fang is the author.

>>31486307
>>Stick to the pass until you see some sort of evidence that a silver road once ran through the area. Safer, but a chance you may miss the road or arrive too late.

I'll get us up to the bandit hide out, then call it. Probably shouldn't have created an entire thread for this, but I wanted to be able to get to the Water Temple in the next thread.

Anyway, that's still a few post away. Writin' for
>Stick to the pass.

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If a strange being shrouded in mist demanded Mikhael return an artifact, would he do it? Or would Mikhael stick to his guns and refuse to give up the artifact?

>>31486408
He would attempt to bargain with it.

>>31486416
This

Can we leech trees and sit along the way to replenish our reserves?

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>>31486520
bad habits

>>31486534
Meh, I figure meditation won't escape us since we use it when the day's over.
Leeching's just good during the day when we don't have time to meditate.

You eye the rough trails winding their way up the canyon walls. “Lets stick to the pass for now. I'm pretty exhausted after that last fight and I've got no desire to run into any more bandits. Not until we at least reach the hide out, at least.” Chryssa nods. “That is wise, attempting to take a shortcut now would likely just land us in trouble, further delaying us in the long run.” Profectus scoffs. “You two are too paranoid. We wiped out those amateurs earlier, it wasn't even a fair fight. We could take any other bandits lurking these mountains no problem.”

You shake your head admonishingly. “Pride and arrogance lead only to a swift comeuppance, as my Master used to say. Don't get cocky, Profectus. Especially not now. Weren't you almost passing out in the middle of the fight to begin with?” He draws himself up. “Well, yeah, but I feel fine now! I might not last long, but I've got a lot of power and I make a quick recovery.” Chryssa speaks up. “Have you been meditating? If you bothered to actually learn fire magic, instead of relying on that arm of yours, your endurance may improve.”
(1/2, or 3)

He scratches the back of his neck. “Well, I've been meditating. Just not... frequently. I love sleep too much to give it up completely like you two seem to have.” You shrug your shoulders. “That is fine, sleeping is probably healthier in the long run anyway. Just try to squeeze it in during the day then, next time we stop somewhere for a few days.” He nods, and you turn to Fulvia. “I've been meaning to ask you, can you teach me Metal magic? You mentioned being knowledgeable.” She seems to snap out of her reverie, replying with. “Unfortunately no, my knowledge of magic is dependent on the body I inhabit. I lack all but the most basic understanding of magic.” Well, damn. “Is there any way you could learn more magic then” She thinks about it for a moment. “I suppose, if you were to enter the Core and program in the knowledge directly, it may work.”

Well, that's something to think about for the future then. Hopefully entering the Core won't be as cryptic an experience as it was the first time, and you won't just be guessing wildly as to what you're supposed to do. Those questions answered you focus on looking for the silver road leading up into the mountains. It's a few hours later, with dawn imminent and the moon dipping out of view, that Chryssa finally spots the silver road. She points her finger up, to the remnants of a collapsed bridge high above the floor of the pass. “There, that's our road. Come on, lets find a way up.”

It doesn't take long to find a narrow trail climbing its way up the canyon wall, and the four of you ascend the pass one at a time. You lead, of course. The guar have some trouble traversing the narrow trail but eventually all four of you make it safely to the top. The road you're standing next to winds its way east, through the mountains and hopefully towards your silver mine. Across the collapsed bridge, the road shoots straight west. You even think you see a tunnel carved into a mountain in the distance.
(2/3)

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As you travel eastward, you see more and more signs that this is bandit territory. You mean that literally, there are signs hammered into the rocky ground every few hundred yards. They remind you in many ways of old imperial insignia, except instead of the image of a Palaka worm curling up upon itself, or the Imperial Eagle of Rhynia, it's just a blue banner with a white image of a key stitched on.

The higher into the mountains you go, the colder it gets. Your armor adjust to keep you warm, to some extent, but there is only so much it can do. You start to see snow after a few minutes of steady climbing, and by the time you reach what you think is your destination everything is coated in a thin layer of the stuff. You're a little mystified, frankly. This is only your second time ever seeing natural snow. You'd forgotten it was a naturally occurring phenomena, frankly.

Unfortunately you've no time to enjoy the novelty of real snow. Rather than the tiny little backwater mine shaft you'd been expecting, you're staring at a full blown Rhynian fort carved into the mountainside. It towers above, and sinks into the depths below. You're shocked that forty some odd bandits managed to secure this place, or if they ever managed to actually clear out whatever native creatures came to inhabit it.

Fulvia speaks up as you get closer to the fort. “Fort Longia. This was where we sent criminals from all over the province to work off their debt to society.” She pauses. “It's larger than I expected it to e.”

>Aaaand end thread.
>Pick up next time with RUIN EXPLORATION

Archive in the usual place. I'm going to pass out now.

>>31486654
Thanks for running. Good night!

>>31486654
Thanks for the run Soma. G'night.

>>31486654
Night soma, and when is the next thread?

bump