>>32902436


>Morgan

Glancing at the wall you were listening through, you shrug.

Whoever it was can probably answer your questions, when you find them...

Your gut is screaming at you that something's not right, and as you slink your way through the second floor, you look around a corner cautiously.

Footsteps to your right.... Fire crackling to the left,* a few rooms down.

As the steps get close, you spin around the corner, axe at throat level.

You find a sword pointed at your throat, and look Inigo in the eyes, both of you surprised.

"I found some stairs up, and thought we could take whoever's up here quicker as a team." He says, shaking his head and lowering his sword. "Is he up here?"

You nod, moving back, glancing the other direction.

"We need to go. I think they're burning research journals, or something up ahead."

The two of you start moving through the hall... A handful of doors await- probably the old guest quarters, and the lord's chambers...

...Only two look like they've been opened anywhere near recently, with dust covering the handles and decoration of the others... And you can't pinpoint the crackling of fire...

>First used door on the left?
>First used door on the right?
>Write in

>>32902446
>>First used door on the right

>>32902436
Check for signs of disturbed environment, proceed through door that has most signs
OR
Split up, Inigo goes right, Morgan goes left

>>32902446
Back from the dead I see. What was the plan again? Hmm...
>Inigo has "betrayed" us
>Backstab whoever comes.
weeell, I guess we can split up then. Call for help in one room, while Inigo goes for a blitz in the other. When Inigo is surrounded, back him up.

I'm worried that they know we're not on their side, though.

>A trick!

You glance back at Inigo, and gesture to hold still, as you head to the left. He seems to get the idea, and nods.

....This one... The floor looks fairly worn, and it's in about the right place for the one you listened in to...

You slam it open, ducking in and looking around , while feigning panic.

...The room is lit by a torches, and you can see a pair of jar filled with a liquid glowing a sickening purple under a small table...

A few marks on the floor seem to be where the teleporter left, and there's a few old-looking tomes scattered near there...

Damn.


>Make a ruckus to draw attention?
>Head back across?
>Write in

>>32903703
Just charge into the other room, then

>>32903733
this, if nothing else we head back

>>32903703
Charge into the room, nothing bad can happen then.

>Charge into the other room

You turn around, charging out the door. Inigo seems surprised, but tenses up, moving his sword to the ready as you barrel into the other door.


You roll to your feet, looking around.

...Standing by the fireplace is a man, watching as a pile of books burns. His clothing's similar to yours, including a less ornate purple cloak...

He glances over at you, and then at the door.

Show time

"You! You're Ardiel, right?!" You ask in as panicked of a tone you can manage. "My guard has gone mad! He killed your partner when he found out about the 'Child Hunt', and then tried to kill me, too!"

"That is disastrous." His voice is monotone, and he pulls a dagger from his side, moving towards the door. "I shall eliminate the threat."

... You nod, watching as he pauses just before goes through.

"Beginning by disabling you."

You start to move backwards, but are slower than him- you feel a slash hit your side, and some warmth spread around it. Crap. It's not much of a wound, but it is one.

"Inigo! He's ready for a fight!" You yell, seeing what you can about this person...

...Nothing.

>Action?

>[Tactical Knowledge] failed

>Morgan's HP: 17/20

>>32906242
>Use Shaver Tome

>>32906242
use the thunder tome while yelling out for Inigo to watch out for the wizard and hope he gets some ideas of his own

>>32906507
>The wizard is disarmed. Incapacitated. Rendered a non-threat.

>What I'm saying is that he's dead.

>>32906242
you know, when people say "charge", they usually mean "drop the act and just fight". Whatever.

>Wind Tome
pray for crit

>Roll me 1d20, please.

Rolled 11

>>32906814

Rolled 5

>>32906814
Im assuming that this is for everyone

>>32907092
>Yeah. I take the best of the first three rolls.

>So, one more chance to crit!

Rolled 11

Rolled 10

Neat, glad you're not dead OP

>Shaver! 20!

You grab the tome from your pocket, already forming the words and starting the gestures to cast as you move backwards.

The blade of air slashes through Ardiel's hood as he rolls out of the way, but doesn't seem to leave any damage on him. It slams into the wall, as Inigo runs through the door, shield first.


A quick kick from your opponent hits Inigo's leg, and sends him into a tumble, landing next to you.

"Gah." He grunts, looking over towards the door as he stands up.

Ardiel seems to be taking a defensive stance, and now that you look at his face without the hood... It seems... Odd, somehow. Dark hair, surprisingly sharp features, but... Something's off about it.

>What do you do?

>Morgan HP: 17/20
>Inigo HP: 19/21

>>32908747
>Use Axe and team attack with Inigo

Rolled 5

>>32908747
analyze the situation using magic or something to that effect while Inigo distracts Ardiel

File: NONONONO.gif (1.94 MB, 329x319)

1.94 MB GIF

>Coin flipping at 10 til, if I don't get a tiebreaker.

>>32909030
I'm down with this

Rolled 2

>1 >>32909102
>2 >>32909030

>Please give me 1d20, then. Best of the first three rolls.

Rolled 2

>>32909759
Why am I so great?

Rolled 15

>>32909759

>One more shot, if you want.

>>32910123
>Meaning you have one d20 roll left.

Rolled 14

>>32909759

>>32910123

I'll give this a bump

It's our OP, alright. Passing out mid thread is Classic Golden.

Bump

Bump. Please return, OP

Ah, sorry. Fell asleep in my chair, then was swamped with a few chores when I woke up.

>Writing

>Axe!

You shoot a look at Inigo.

"Together?" You ask, slipping the tome back into your coat pocket, and hefting your axe.

He nods, shifting to a two-handed grip and rushing forwards, yourself following not far behind.

The man manages to step away from the worst of Inigo's attack, but a slash mark crosses his torso, and you can see a glistening of liquid.

Your own swing hits solidly, but forces him into a roll past you, and you can see him produce a second dagger from somewhere in his clothing, making a slash at the both of you as he dodges past.

His attack grazes you, but you can see Inigo wince as his swordarm's sleeve gains a cut and goes red.

Standing up, he looks over at the fireplace as you turn around.

"Excellent." He says, again, in a flat voice.

You glance over, and see that the books he was shoveling into the fireplace are beyond saving. Great.

"So, you were stalling for time, then?" Inigo asks, shaking his head. "Too bad you're stuck here with us. I know my blow hit, and you can't keep dodging forever."

You nod, looking at your axe. It's covered in some dark liquid, that's... Not quite blood. Whatever this guy is, it's not human.

"Yeah. We have you outnumbered, and have the door blocked. What makes you think we won't make you talk, huh?" You shift your grip on your axe, menacing him.


"My task here is complete. I have no doubts the two of you could defeat me, but no longer have any reason to remain." He replies in that creepy monotone, throwing off his damaged cloak and brandishing a staff. "I shall deal with you later."

You see the telltale circle of a teleportation spell appear under him, and he vanishes within a moment.

You hear Inigo bite back a curse.

(1/2)

>>32924161
(2/2)

....Probably should get to those books, you realize, and rush over, reaching into the fireplace and pulling them out quickly. No burns, luckily, and your cloak isn't even singed!

Quickly smothering the flames. you glance at the heavily damaged tomes. You probably won't get much useful out of them, huh?

Stuffing them into several of your pockets, you turn to Inigo.

"So, think we're clear to get the kids moved out of here?" You ask, getting a cautious nod.

"There weren't any Risen wandering the halls, and we didn't fight many coming in. We should be able to get them out safely." He says, resheathing his sword and glancing around. "We'll see what's in those journals later."


>Go on and get everyone cleared out
>One last thing...

And sorry THAT took so long. Distractions popped up, and, well... Yeah.

>>32924178
>>Go on and get everyone cleared out

>>32924178
Clear 'em out. Nothing to see here.

>>32924178

Seconding >>Go on and get everyone cleared out

>>32924198
get these people out of here!

>Back and writing.

>Clear 'em out

You and Inigo quickly move through the place, herding the children formerly being held prisoner out of the keep.

After a quick discussion, you agree that returning with them to the city of Rada'tou, and finding somewhere to leave them in the care of would be best...

After a stressful journey back, the two of you and the rescued children are let in by one of the gate guards, and directed first to the church of Naga in town, then to go meet with the captain of the guard.

After explaining to the priest what had occurred, and where, you found yourselves shuffled off to the current office of the captain.

He's a gruff looking old man, in somewhat worn armor. Bald, with a graying beard.

After a brief interview and debriefing later, and you and Inigo are being... Politely asked to remain within the city for a few days, as your story is investigated and evidence brought back.


Seeing nowhere better to stay, you and Inigo wind up back at the inn you stayed in last night, waiting for your permission to move on...


>Thread end.


Next thread... Sometime.Or, if I wake up properly tomorrow, I could continue in this one.


I just, well... Was off today. Something-something writer's block.

>>32929245
It's okay. It happens.