File: newWorldMap.png (1.49 MB, 4612x1704)

1.49 MB PNG

>>33656980
Current Date and Time: Late night on November 6th, 1952PC

>You have 1 FR point

“Despite your apparent hesitancy, I would appreciate it if you would consider my proposal,” Sylvian says as she stands, obviously finished with you. “You may think better of whatever Fenix and Alyce have offered you but you don’t strike me as the type to only consider the short-term. There’s more to the world and Gauron than just their fracturing empires.”

“There’s other concerns I hold in regards to you. I’m not sure how welcoming you might be to some of those under me,” you say, careful not to reveal that you’re talking about Caitlyn.

Sylvian gives you a sideways look and ceases her movement to the exit. “If you’re talking about your bodyguard then don’t bother. If I had a problem with her I would have dealt with her years ago.”

“You know?”

“I keep close track of Lairos’ activities,” she answers with a sharp smile. “It was trivial to determine the cause of his actions at the time.”

You stand, wary despite her words. Most likely Sylvian wasn’t aware Lynn was here until today so she could just be bluffing.

“Given your history I have my doubts about that,” you say.

Sylvian shakes her head. “Enough damage was done to Gauron over feldragons once. I see no reason to do it again. Particularly not over a girl happy to serve rather than rule. If she were free, like her needlessly destructive father still is, then I might worry. There are other dragons I worry over more.”

You frown at that, processing it slowly as Sylvian gives you a short bow at her waist and begins to leave. Given Tylarne was supposedly the equivalent of a king you suppose that means her worries are alleviated by the fact Lynn is making no such claims. Or maybe there’s something else. That last line, though…

>continued

File: 002.jpg (494 KB, 980x572)

494 KB JPG

>>33657003
Giving you an exasperated look, Sylvian deigns to answer your last question. “Let’s just say that the royal blood of the dragons is still active within some of them. It adds little value to them but it is detectable by other dragons and that fact means that any dragon with enough of it could potentially form a new kingdom. There are typically a few dragons alive at any time capable of this, though none have attempted as such.”

“Why would that worry you? Surely a new draconic kingdom is in your interests?”

“Not if it’s a short-lived kingdom. Amassing so many dragons, most young and weak, would be like sending lambs to the slaughter. There are too many people who would take advantage of an opportunity to slay so many dragons at once if they weren’t protected.”

And with that, Sylvian slips out of the door. Her overwhelming magical presence dims the second she opens the door and then vanishes within moments of her leaving the room. It’s considerably more complex a spell than any that you’ve seen before – most attempts to hide magic are usually very obvious. This was good enough that you weren’t even aware she was there until she wanted you to know. A necessity for her, as you would be able to tell if she was anywhere in the province otherwise – you sincerely hope that other similarly powerful dragons can’t use the same trick. The last thing you want is Lairos popping up in your study with no warning.

>continued

File: 003.jpg (247 KB, 1215x883)

247 KB JPG

>>33657038
After calming Karise and several of your knights, who burst into the study as soon as Sylvian left (a spell having warded them out), you decide that you want a bit of calm. In the library you find Caitlyn wearing her nightdress and doing some late night reading. You…

>1. Leave her be.
>2. Ask her what she’s reading.
>3. Talk to her about the tournament.
>4. Talk to her about Sylvian.
>5. Custom

>>33657074
>2. Ask her what she’s reading.

Ah so that is where those Marnn Mountain Dragons got off to. Interesting.

Congratulations on 40+ threads man, glad to be along for the ride.

>>33657074
>>2. Ask her what she’s reading.
>4. Talk to her about Sylvian.

>>33657074
>>2. Ask her what she’s reading.

>>33657074
>4 Talk about sylvian
the best stress relief would be some fluffy tails, but this will be okay
How's that FTB with Taira from last week coming btw?

>>33657074
>2

File: 004.jpg (931 KB, 1000x3750)

931 KB JPG

>2 & 4

“I don’t usually expect to find you here doing some reading, Lynn,” you say as you take a seat opposite your bodyguard.

Lynn jumps slightly, almost dropping the book. She wasn’t paying much attention to her surroundings. You catch the title of the book but figure it might not hurt to ask too.

“So, what are you reading?” you ask.

Ignoring the glare you receive in return for the question you wait patiently, your hands resting on top of one another on the desk. Eventually she sighs and puts the book under the table.

“Maloric collected some books on dragons and their sorcery when he was in Ahm,” she says. “I was just reading one of those.”

“That was book about sorcery?”

“No. It was a book about dragons.”

You hide a smile at the answer. You saw enough of the book to recognise that it was almost certainly a fiction book on dragons. It seems to embarrass her a bit that she’s reading it so you drop the topic for now.

“I received an interesting visit from Sylvian, the helldragon from the Mage Guard,” you say, changing the topic abruptly.

Lynn stares at you in shock. “What? When?”

“Just then. She’s apparently known about you since your village was destroyed and has done nothing,” you say.

There’s several long moments before Caitlyn appears to relax, looking surprised. You wait patiently for her to think over what you just said. Instead you busy yourself with the fact that Lynn’s wearing a rather sheer nightdress – not exactly the sort of thing you would expect her to wear around normally.

“So, she’s not concerned about me… or my father?” she asks.

>1. Honest response. Tell her about the servitude comments.
>2. Semi-honest response. Just tell her that she’s not worried about her, just her father.
>3. Lie. Tell her there’s nothing to worry about at all.
>4. Custom

>>33657611
>1. Honest response. Tell her about the servitude comments.
"Literally every word that came out of her mouth made me want to punch her more."

>>33657003
>Lairos

>>33657611
>1. Honest response. Tell her about the servitude comments.

I'm actually super interested in Lynn's opinion on this.

>>33657611
>>1. Honest response. Tell her about the servitude comments.
No reason we shouldn't trust our loyal bodyguard

>>33657611
>2. Semi-honest response. Just tell her that she’s not worried about her, just her father.

>>33657611
>1. Honest response. Tell her about the servitude comments.

Aka, be mine forever.

>>33657611
>1
servitude, with a side of erection, comin' up

File: Big G heard you were talk(...).gif (1.96 MB, 400x168)

1.96 MB GIF

>>33657611
In any case it might be wise to warn her that daddy dearest might come in unannounced. We'd better get ready as well..
>So I heard you've deflowered my daughter and you're building an empire..
gif slighty related.

>>33657718
I prefer to think of it as "be informed of what will make you her enemy and be ready if/when you do".
I want her to be mine forever, but not because she is afraid of some threat

>>33657611
1

I suggest we tactfully reword the servitude bit. So rather than saying "She's not worried because you're content with servitude", we say "She's not worried because you haven't made any overt attempts towards establishing your own kingdom."

>>33657611
Hey, I've got a random question: While I know the monk orders don't spread their spiritualist knowledge, could a fox teach a human spiritualist techniques, or are their methods incompatible?

Also, has anyone tried teaching the Darfir spiritualist techniques? I know they can't use sorcery, but spiritualism isn't sorcery.

>>33657979
Nope.

File: 016.jpg (454 KB, 1920x1200)

454 KB JPG

>>33657687
Hmm? The use of Lairos in Sylvian's comment was intentional.

>1.

“Well, she’s not concerned about you right now,” you say, thinking carefully about how to say this. “She seemed unconcerned by you so long as you were in my service.”

“Oh,” Lynn says, tilting her head in confusion. “That seems strange.”

You shrug. “Judging by some of her other comments about not liking the regular dragons forming a new kingdom I think any concern she might have with you is over empire-building. If we swapped places she might change her opinion.”

“I don’t think we’ll be swapping places any time soon, Talon,” Lynn says with some amusement. “I think Finn would be better suited to lead an army and empire than I would.”

You frown at that. “That’s why I want you as grandmaster. You’ll learn and learn fast. Back to your question – she seems concerned about your father. I think she described him as ‘free and needlessly destructive’ in a rather negative manner.”

Lynn gives you a sharp look as you paraphrase Sylvian’s opinion of her father. There’s several seconds of awkward silence as Lynn seems to be trying to read something from your face that isn’t there. You merely return her inquisitive gaze with placid confusion.

“Um, that’s how she described daddy?” she asks you, her voice slightly nervous.

“That’s right,” you say. “It’s not that surprising given their history.”

“M-Maybe,” she says, shaking her head. “Anyway, it’s good that she’s not a worry for you. I don’t really have any interest in forming my own empire. It seems rather silly to butt heads with you, Talon. Though it might be fun I think I’ll keep that restricted to sparring.”

Lynn gives you a lopsided smile. You decide to move on to…

>1. Ask her for an opinion on Rayza.
>2. Talk to her about becoming grandmaster.
>3. Something about her draconic heritage. <write-in>
>4. Custom

>>33658063
>1. Ask her for an opinion on Rayza.

>>33658063
>2. Talk to her about becoming grandmaster.

>all that Finn support
Fucking aces, best squire ever.

>>33658063
>Talk to her about becoming grandmaster.

File: 019.jpg (266 KB, 793x1200)

266 KB JPG

>>33658018
>Hey, I've got a random question: While I know the monk orders don't spread their spiritualist knowledge, could a fox teach a human spiritualist techniques, or are their methods incompatible?
The basic concepts of manipulating astral power via spiritual techniques are compatible (the foxes help the monks refine their techniques, for instance) but the foxes use arrays that can only be used with their tails as their techniques. Learning new spiritual techniques from the basic teachings of the foxes would take centuries.

>Also, has anyone tried teaching the Darfir spiritualist techniques? I know they can't use sorcery, but spiritualism isn't sorcery.
Generally, the more magical power they can use the less astral/spiritual power they can use and vice versa. The two don't play well together. For that reason, the fact that the Daerfir have huge reserves of magical energy within them prevent them from ever using spiritual techniques safely. Their body would actively reject any attempt to do so and if they somehow forced it they would probably explode the second they attempted to channel the astral power with a technique (once the power comes in content with the copious amounts of sorcerous energy in their body).

>>33658063
>1 Ask about Rayza
huehue time to hear if finn done goof'd

>>33658063
>1. Ask her for an opinion on Rayza.

>>33658162
Darn. 0 for 2 then.

File: 021.jpg (265 KB, 1024x512)

265 KB JPG

>1.

“You’ve got the main event for the next few days and, judging from the seed, the last battle is going to be between you and Rayza Starrn,” you say. “You saw her fighting the other night. What’s your opinion of her?”

Lynn makes a face at the mere mention of Rayza and you hide a look of surprise. You wonder if this relates to Finn in any way.

“I was hoping that the last fight would be between me and some excellent warrior,” she says grumpily. “Instead I have to fight a spellcaster pretending to be a warrior.”

“Spellblades are extremely dangerous, Lynn,” you say, worried that your bodyguard is going to enormously underestimate Rayza. “She’s not pretending to be a warrior – she is one. She’s fast, strong and exceedingly lethal with just her sword. It’s just that she can also throw fireballs and use other magic.”

“She’s not that dangerous with her sword – it’s not exactly very versatile with how thin it is. It’s like a staff in the shape of a sword,” she says.

“”It’s a khazite sword. The shape’s not hugely important as there’s nothing you can do to break it, Lynn,” you say. “I’m serious – I survived Rayza by luck when I fought her years ago and she’s much better now.”

Lynn harrumphs a bit, unhappy with the fact you’re praising her foe. “I know what she’s doing and how she fights. I won’t lose to something like her.”

You sigh. There’s some clear bad blood here. You’re not sure if you should say something more on the topic or just move on.

>Response?

>>33658471
Sspie is the Fuck huge sword and shield combo the only way of fighting that Talon could do? Or is it the best for him?

>>33658471
"Just don't underestimate her is all I'm saying." and then insert some affectionate and physically intimate gesture here, "I'd prefer you to win."

>>33658582
Works for me

>>33658471
Move off topic, let her bring out her frustration in battle

>>33658471

>"Think of it this way, greater the foe, greater the victory. Just don't go in there thinking you've already won, remember the first time we met, I learned that first hand. You'll do win, I believe you will, just don't underestimate her."

>>33658640

>*You will win

Words are hard.

>>33658582
If we go with this I'd like to add a joke: "Should I give you some article of clothing to wear as proof of my favor as the noble ladies do with knights?"

>>33658665
Hah, Talon shows up to the tournament wearing a freaking ascot. Everyone's confused until he gives it to Lynn.

File: 022.jpg (362 KB, 899x950)

362 KB JPG

>>33658526
Talon can use most weaponry with more-or-less equal skill. He sticks to sword-and-board as it's versatile and he's comfortable with it. Lynn is similar for slightly different reasons (natural talent against Talon's experience).

>Quick dragon recap
As it's been ages since dragons have come up I'm going to do a quick recap for those who don't remember the huge lorebin (or never read it).

There's three races of sentient dragon: normal dragons (from whom the royalty is derived), helldragons (Sylvian is one of only two alive) and feldragons (dragons who used magic to modify themselves and make themselves more powerful).

Tylarne was supposedly like a feldragon king and involved in a civil war between feldragons and the dragon royalty that nearly destroyed the race. He was a blue dragon. Lairos is a crazy black feldragon who goes around wrecking shit now. Caitlyn has black wings/tail and claims to be the daughter of Tylarne and a human woman which appears to have resulted in a half-feldragon hybrid rather than a full-blooded dragon (which is what usually happens when dragons mate with humans).

RESPONSE VOTE
>1. Change topic. Let Lynn fight her own battle. You just want her to destress now.
>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.
>3. More emphatic speech about how Lynn can win but musn't underestimate Rayza.
>4. Custom

>>33658727
>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.

>>33658707

Talon rocking a day ascot sounds hysterical.

Watch it catch on and become a popular fashion statement.

>>33658727
2.

>>33658727
>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.

>>33658727
>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.
Who is more stronk a helldragon or a feldragon

>>33658727
>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.

>>33658727

>colors
>Sylvian telling us, "like her needlessly destructive father still is"

Jesus H Christ are we all dense. Tylarne isn't her father is he?

>>33658727
>>2. Gentle reminder not to underestimate her before showing some minor physical affection and making a joke about giving her some clothing to show your support.

>>33658825
You mean Larous. Possibly.

>>33658727
>>33658825
>being spoonfed this much by aspie

Sorry man, you must be tearing your hair out by now

With that attitude, losing here might be good for her.

than again, at the power level these fights have I worry about a loss being fatal

File: 052208alist2_t607.jpg (124 KB, 607x877)

124 KB JPG

>>33658750
>Never heard of an ascot
>Googles it
>Comes across this

Thanks for the new headcanon on what Talon looks like

>>33658825

I think that was a type as Lynn is half black feldragon. Tylarne was a blue feldragon and Larios is a Black feldragon...

Larios is her Dad, not Tylarne....

we said 'Larios' and she said 'Daddy'...

>>33658864
Tylarne was supposedly like a feldragon king and involved in a civil war between feldragons and the dragon royalty that nearly destroyed the race. He was a blue dragon.
>Blue Dragon

Lairos is a crazy black feldragon who goes around wrecking shit now.
>Black Dragon

Caitlyn has black wings/tail and claims to be the daughter of Tylarne
>black features

No I didn't.

File: 025.jpg (248 KB, 685x1024)

248 KB JPG

Option 2 has won but...

>>33658825
>Tylarne isn't her father is he?

NEW VOTE
>1. Raise your suspicion about Tylarne not being Lynn's father with her.
>2. Don't bring up your suspicion now. Just stick to the tournament.
>3. Custom

>>33658899
>we said 'Larios' and she said 'Daddy'...
No she didn't. You were mentioning how Sylvian described her father - Sylvian never stated who she believed the father to be.

>>33658825
It was pretty obvious given how the helldragon flat out said "I'm watching Larios closely."

I had a feeling something like that was up when he said to look at the colors of the dragons but I don't think I've ever seen Tylane explained as blue before now.

>>33658945
>2. Don't bring up your suspicion now. Just stick to the tournament.

>>33658945
Still do the original option 2 (ascot), but then come to the realization and
>1

>>33658945
>2. Don't bring up your suspicion now. Just stick to the tournament.

Yeah let's not give her that burden right now.

Great, so now we have to worry about the Black Feldragon of doom and destruction showing up on his daughter's birthday.

>>33658945
>>2. Don't bring up your suspicion now. Just stick to the tournament.

Lets not.

>>33658968
>Tylane explained as blue before now.

That was the only reason I hadn't thought of it before as well.

>>33658968

It actually mentions it in the Lorebin. But it's been such a long time since I've gone in there that it must have slipped my mind.

>>33658945
>2. Don't bring up your suspicion now. Just stick to the tournament.

>>33659017
Yeah reading the pastebin I always assumed he was a black feldragon. If he is blue and given the other is black it's pretty obvious.

File: 026.jpg (220 KB, 669x1024)

220 KB JPG

>>33658968
You already knew that Lairos had destroyed Caitlyn's village. It was brought up in thread 3, IIRC.

And yeah, thread 3. Part of the issue with this subplot is that it's been thirty threads since anything relating to it has been touched. If I'd been smarter I'd have put some more descriptions etc of the actors into the prose earlier.

>Tylane explained as blue before now.
It's been mentioned in the lorebin and a couple of times before around when Lynn brought up her ancestry IIRC (thread 4)

>She looks put out at that and ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ for a little while before continuing. “Um, he was the first feldragon – the blue dragon who discovered the process in the first place. He’s the only one other than Lairos to still be alive.”

>>33659038
Ah, I get why I didn't notice. The old bins didn't mention it so I never checked when it was updated.

>>33659076
Yeah I done forgot half of the early threads by this point. It is rather interesting though. I had an idea that is what you meant when you said that he color of the dragon is important but when I checked the bin at the time it didn't mention any colors being different and there is no way I'm reading all the threads again for this.

>>33659076

CHARACTER PROGRESSION

It's okay Aspirational, we're all too fixated on Fluffytails and lamenting on our awful rolls to remember that much.

>>33659184
Eh, I remember most of the old threads. reading last time, I was surprised that Talon was attracted to Fenix's scheme. Some of his comments in earlier threads would incline me to believe that he would be rather annoyed by Fenis's explanation.

>>33659233

Out of curiosity, why is that?

>>33659233
Talon likes his Ego being pampered. I play Fenix's charisma.

>>33659233

Actually agreed. I was surprised people actually went for it.

Reading some of the old threads is interesting though. I was reminded of our desire to contact dwarves and get our own MMK design from that earlier this week.

>>33659299
It honestly isn't that bad of a deal and since we already have ties to Alyce we can funnel both. The bigger issue is the culture war it will lead to.

File: 028.jpg (104 KB, 550x825)

104 KB JPG

>>33659153
Well, the only lorebin with Tylarne in it (#3) does mention he is blue...

>2. & 2.

You’re about to give Caitlyn some reassurance when something about her earlier behaviour strikes you. She’d been acting awfully oddly in reaction to Sylvian’s description of her father – you’d initially thought it was a description of Tylarne. Sylvian likely blamed him for the destruction of her race. Lynn’s reaction makes you wonder if that description was of a different dragon.

There was also the colour issue. Caitlyn’s wings and tail were black but Tylarne was a blue dragon according to her. Lairos, on the other hand, was infamously black in colour. You didn’t know if there was any connection between the parent’s colour and the child’s but it was a possible link.

None of this explained why Lairos would have destroyed Lynn’s home village, however. If she was his daughter why would he attempt to kill her? If she were Tylarne’s there was at least the possibility of a grudge between the two dragons.

As Caitlyn looks at you oddly you decide not to bring this suspicion up. Accusing her of lying to you may not be a good idea at this juncture. Especially when you weren’t certain yourself.

You give her a smile, having fallen silent for some time. “Just don’t underestimate her, Caitlyn.”

You reach across the table and give Caitlyn’s shoulder a squeeze and she returns the smile, slight traces of bashfulness in her expression.

“So, do you want me to give you a piece of clothing to show my support for you? Do a slight reversal of the usual approach of the noble lady supporting the knight?” you ask her teasingly.

She gives you a mild glower. “I’m not sure I’d trust you to give me something that wouldn’t be embarrassing.”

“I’m hurt,” you say. “When have I ever given you that idea?”

>continued

>>33659260
Talon, when asked why he was ambitious said that one of the main drivers for his ambition is to give his men something worth dying for. Which, makes sense, given his background as a mercenary general who sent people to die for causes he might have considered stupid. Quote:

>“But I am a man of the earth. My aim is to be an emperor. As for why," you say with a shrug, "a mix of ambition, a desire for a challenge, for the perks, to genuinely help those under my rule and to see that my men die for a decent cause. I've seen far too many die for nothing - almost done it myself on quite a few occasions. I've had entirely enough of that."
Then later he expressed scorn at the idea of conquering shitloads of territory only for it to collapse quickly:

>"To build. I have no desire to only conquer and burn. Those who topple empires only to replace it with a foundation of sand have nothing but my eternal scorn. History may call them great, but I never will.”

The idea that Fenix deliberately sent his men off to die for a lie (IE, royalty), and had no intention of building a solid foundation of his kingdom, that he intended all their sacrifices to be in vain from their perspective, would really, really piss Talon off. Especially since Talon himself sent men, sent friends, off to die in the name of an empire who's king intended for it to come to naught.

File: 031.jpg (488 KB, 1024x498)

488 KB JPG

>>33659371
Caitlyn doesn’t rise to the bait and instead rises and heads out. You follow her, particularly as she’s going in the wrong path if she wants to head to her room rather than yours. This is one way to raise her spirits, you guess.

Cleaning up in the morning, and receiving your intelligence report from Karise (much to Caitlyn’s annoyance when the two of you are interrupted), you need to decide where to go for now.

The main event is running over several days. Due to the high use of magic it’s frowned upon to require fighters to fight more than once a day – the last thing you want is for a battle to be decided based on how capable their last opponent was. Far too vulnerable to match rigging and poor seeding. That means the fights today will likely be quite boring. It might still be a good idea to stick around past the opening speech, though.

Alternatively, the summoner event starts today. You initially intended on catching up with Alyce over the combat magic event in two days but this could work, too. Or you could just watch the summons battle.

>1. Watch the main tourney event today.
>2. Watch the summoner event with Alyce.
>3. Watch the summoner event without Alyce.
>4. Custom

>>33659233
We are attracted to all of the schemes, the major players all seem to have a silver tongue, understandable because how else would they get into power... also because aspir is writing all of them

Well.

We could:
Get the mage and the helldragon to thrash out an agreement, with the hell dragon explaining ex-damn-actly her point and worries.
IF we allied those two to our north, and concentrated on the RISK, we could leave the more stable northern front alone while we conquored south, then when thats done turn right around and march through the mage guard lands. This is of course after we finish with termina. The key would be getting the hell dragon onboard.

>>33659389
>3. Watch the summoner event without Alyce.
I'm tempted to try to visit the Genedarms actually. Though that's probably mean of me.

>>33659389
>2

>>33659389
>>2. Watch the summoner event with Alyce.

Just need to watch the finals. And maybe the semi-finals.

>>33659426
I kinda want to kill her though. I disagree with everything she says, and consider her a bit of a bitch.

>>33659389
Watch Caitlyn's fight the the rest of the summoners with Alyce if possible

>>33659451
And?

we have bigger problems than philosophical differences. If we don't bash the continent together sharpish, when the angel comes knocking shit will go south fast.

>>33659389
2. Maybe we could mention off hand that her and Fenix might have some more in common then assumed.

>>33659497
>we have bigger problems than philosophical differences
When the price of her agreement is adopting a philosophy I find abhorrent I'm gonna say no.

File: 033.jpg (513 KB, 1280x904)

513 KB JPG

>>33659380
Fenix appeals to Talon's raw desire to be an emperor and hold power. Hence the comments about him appealing to Talon's base desires. He appeals at a fundamental level rather than an intellectual level (which is also why Talon comments about Fenix being a monster).

>The idea that Fenix deliberately sent his men off to die for a lie (IE, royalty), and had no intention of building a solid foundation of his kingdom
This isn't what Fenix said. If anything, what was said appeals to Talon as it's a reflection of his own thoughts at times - the existing nobility are weak and Fenix was actively worknig around that while maknig use of them.

Fenix is a representation of raw power and callousness in his rule and lust for power. That's not completely unappealing to Talon.

>>33659451
That's certainly a visceral reaction.

>>33659380
You realize that Talon is also a very prideful man who when he says "Worth dying for" He pretty much means "Me."

He'd probably be more pissed about it being Fenix who did it and so wastefully in the long term.

>>33659426
>Get the mage and the helldragon to thrash out an agreement, with the hell dragon explaining ex-damn-actly her point and worries.
She is intentionally vague
The agreement basically boils down to giving her the power to veto certain avenues of research and make them banned empire wide. and to leash and contain dangerous powers.
We want vampires? fine to as long they are on a short leash, unacceptable if we let them roam completely free.
Also, as long as we are persuasive enough, and we earned enough of her trust, we could probably convince her to allow an otherwise banned avenue of research.

>>33659514
The mage wants no royal line, the dragon wants limits on high end magic, and the king wants us to conquer his empire.

We placate the mage with a democratic system of some form, placate the dragon with mage collages or university or such, something that is independent of the towers were we can spread the information to be damn cautious and influence future generations of mages and we placate the king by conquering his land.

Everyone wants it their own way, and we all know that is not happening, but it dosent rule out a reasonable compromise.

>>33659522
>You realize that Talon is also a very prideful man who when he says "Worth dying for" He pretty much means "Me."
He means a lot more than that. Or at least, I meant a lot more than that when I typed in the write in initially. Among other things, I meant victory, that his mean could die knowing that their deaths accomplished something more than a meatgrinder stalemate.

>>33659426
>Get the mage and the helldragon to thrash out an agreement, with the hell dragon explaining ex-damn-actly her point and worries.
>Get the mage and helldragon

Fuck son do you know anything about the characters? Alyce (and Fenix) HATE Sylyvian. And absolutely none of the workings and goals of the League and Guard match up, as they seemingly act against one another.

>>33659380
>who's king intended for it to come to naught.
But that isn't true. we didn't know it at the time but fenix's goal wasn't conquest, but social engineering to create a stronger warrior society

Talon thought he was just wasting his men's lives conquering lands he cannot hold. when in fact he was smashing his men against the other nation's men to make both stronger.

>>33659589
They all hat each other yes, but were not going to be able to play everyone and get away with it.
Not without it becoming a super long bloody war on two fronts.

>>33659426
>Get those more powerful than us which we seek to subsume to work out all their problems
Isn't this against our goal of conquering them all?

>>33659635
They admit their way is fractured, failed, and falling apart.

They made the offers because we are the best solution available. Its work with us or go and build from fuck all again.

>>33659389
>>2. Watch the summoner event with Alyce.

>>33659628
>but were not going to be able to play everyone and get away with it.

I honestly disagree with this approach entirely.

>>33659587
>I meant victory, that his mean could die knowing that their deaths accomplished something more than a meatgrinder stalemate.

For him. Which is pretty much the same thing. His ideals.

>>33659426
Too much bad blood here and she would want to limit too much of the league and the likes. Honestly we shouldn't ever really ally with anybody since in the end we plan on taking them over.

>>33659681
Completely opposing interests and the fact now we are a national power and thus have a reputation to deal with means we need to make public announcements, or be judged, either way, every move we make will be known, allying with both and then subsuming at the same time is going to look really damn dodgy from the prospective of those were subsuming, unless we flat out admit to just conquer then,

File: 035.jpg (267 KB, 720x1100)

267 KB JPG

>2.

You wish Caitlyn luck, not that she’ll need it, and give the opening speech for the main event. Most of the fights today are rather boring – most of the qualifying thirty-two are average fighters so the seed was simple enough. The more interesting battles will be over the coming days so you feel no regret over instead attending the summoner event.

The frosty look from Alyce when you step into the special stand you invited her to makes you wonder if you’ll regret this invitation. Merce looks unconcerned so you wonder exactly what you’ve done to annoy Alyce. Maybe she found out you looked at her elemental book?

“Did you enjoy your meeting with the bitch-dragon?” Alyce asks, her voice as frosty as her expression.

You raise an eyebrow as you approach, wondering if her mood is in response to the mere presence of Sylvian rather than yourself.

“That’s surprisingly harsh of you,” you say. “I guess I’m right in assuming that everybody in the province felt her.”

“She has a talent at making herself known when she wants to,” Alyce says. “Was she here to threaten you or bribe you?”

>1. Threaten.
>2. Bribe.
>3. Neither.
>4. Custom

>>33659582
>democratic system

Never. Also we honestly don't really know what the archmage really plans.

If anything the only one who has been mostly to the point is fucking Fenix.

>>33659768
"Both."

>>33659768
If you consider 'offering to join in to my empire once i've conquered all her lands 'bribing', then that's what happened in there.

>>33659668
Not exactly
Alyce - her method of having basically a wizard republic is failing as everyone is splitting up their own way now that they are secure enough in their power or undermining her. So she is giving that up in favor of a strong totalitarian government, but retaining her hate for the religious zealots (melathaine), the nobles (RSK), and the luddite inquisitors (Mage Guard).

Fenix's - His plan is working as intended. He was sacrificing people to make the poplace more warlike and stronger. And he views talon as the successor he sought ever since his son was killed. That this plan involves some rebellions and fragmenting is fine since a lot of the changes he wants to make involves stamping those out with the death toll including the undesirables (nobles who view blood purity as more important than purity of character).

Sylvian - She founded the mage guard, but never sought to rule it despite ample opportunity. She does not WANT to be queen, instead setting herself up as chief inquisitor; she views herself as providing a service to the world.
Talon's handling of the vampires has inspired confidence in her, confidence she doesn't have in the current rulers of the mage guard. And she wants to throw in with talon, becoming his chief inquisitor and working together to safeguard the world.

>>33659768
"Both really. She wanted me to become the new mage guard."

>>33659768
>4. Custom

>"Felt like a little bit of both to be honest with you."

>>33659768
Both

>>33659925

Thank you based Anon, I'm so glad someone else wrote this up.

>>33659925
>She does not WANT to be queen
In retrospect, she explained why.
A dragon queen would serve as a beacon for young, impressionable, weak and vulnerable dragons to congregate in one place where they would be easily slaughtered by those who view all dragonkind as enemies

>>33659925
Close, but a few corrections:
>the religious zealots (melathaine), the royalty (RSK), and the luddite inquisitors (Mage Guard).
She's nobility


>And she wants to throw in with talon, becoming his chief inquisitor and working together to safeguard the world.
Deserves noting that she wants us to safeguard the world how she wants it safeguarded, according to her philosophy.

>>33659925
A nice run down. Thank you.
The south will be a controlled fracture, the north will be messy as all hell, but is slower to get there.
As such, the north is the more liable to wait while we deal with the other side. But it'll be a damn hard march once we finish up. The proposal is not to give in, but to deal with the proposals in a piece meal fashion and attempt to keep some faith on which to build.

File: 1399523198015.gif (831 KB, 500x281)

831 KB GIF

>>33659925
Fucckan Based

>>33659991
>She's nobility
So? she was born to noble blood, but her biggest crusade has been to abolish the authoritative power of bloodlines

Also, its worth noting that she is basically the elected president of a republic... one she is ALSO the founder of.

>>33660065
>So? she was born to noble blood, but her biggest crusade has been to abolish the authoritative power of bloodlines
Nope. Nobility is still very much A THING in her empire

>>33660084

Well it's in our Empire as well.

Mage Tower's petitioned to be granted Nobility status in line with Knight Orders, and we granted such.

I think Nobility is a "thing" everywhere. Just how it is defined and used is entirely different.

>>33659925
>That this plan involves some rebellions and fragmenting is fine
Now that I think about he. In his conspiring with talon he explicitly outlined how, if talon joins him, they will intentionally spark some rebellions for the sole purpose of crushing them and destroying the factions involved.
He is a xanathos and he is literally planning out those rebellions in advance. Some of which won't even happen for years to come

>>33660119
Yeah, but it was mentioned specifically that she didn't challenge the power of the noble bloodlines, just the royal ones (most of which she supposedly didn't kill off incidentally.)

>>33660084
>Nobility is still very much A THING in her empire
Actually, it has been explicitly stated that she ran them out of the league.
Any survivors like her, are there on their own merit as powerful mages. (which incidentally, tends to go hand in hand with being born into nobility)

The key is that the right to rule comes not from an inborn noble title, but from achievements as a wizard.

>>33660190
Sorry, but that's just flat out wrong.

File: 036.jpg (182 KB, 1000x682)

182 KB JPG

>>33660190
She dethroned the royals. She hardly touched the nobles.

>4. Both

“Both, really. Join with me to protect the world together or I will kill you one day,” you say as you take a seat next to Alyce.

In response to your words, Alyce simply stares at you dumbly for several seconds. It’s a rather cute expression. It’s a shame that you can’t just leave it there but you dispel the likely cause of her confusion.

“Not together like that,” you say. “More of a working relationship.”

Alyce nods at that, her expression turning to normal. “The way you initially said it made me wonder if she made a marriage proposal. So she’s jumping ship, or trying to. I’m not too surprised – her slippage in power in the Mage Guard has been mostly related to its slow descent into a quibbling mass of witch-hunters rather than any loss of face on her part. Sidling up to somebody capable of actual rule, rather than a grouping of zealots, and simply enforcing her own zealotry through him seems more effective.”

“I don’t think you’re a fan of her,” you say.

“She’s literally anti-progress. You can’t just say ‘magic is a tool’ and constrain it to its current uses,” Alyce says, her voice laced with something between passion and disgust. “Active research into new and sometimes dangerous fields is what magic is about. Her approach will cause magic to wither and die and we’ll be left with nothing but magitech that nobody can recreate.”

>continued

File: 037.jpg (289 KB, 1200x502)

289 KB JPG

>>33660258
You hide a frown at that. Nothing Sylvian said indicated that her opinion on mages was this harsh. Either Alyce knows more than you or the ideological differences runs very deep. Or both, really. You doubt that a dragon like Sylvian would limit magic to such a degree but to a mage, all but the strictest limits may look like a straitjacket.

“In any case, I didn’t give her a response,” you say, trying to shift away from this topic. “It’s just one of many things to think about.”

“Think hard about it. There’s few people in the world who will work with her,” Alyce says, providing a poorly veiled threat.

>1. Continue on this topic with <write-in>
>2. Shift the topic to the summoner event.
>3. Shift the topic to the possibility of Alyce working with Fenix. She may be alerted by this.
>4. Custom

>>33660258
>She dethroned the royals. She hardly touched the nobles.
what is the difference?

>>33660274
>3. Shift the topic to the possibility of Alyce working with Fenix. She may be alerted by this.

>>33660274
>>2. Shift the topic to the summoner event.

>>33660282
Whats the difference between the kings family and baron bugfuck no where?

>>33660274
not a vote, question.
>3
>She may be alerted by this.
who? what?

>>33660282

Royals are nobles, but most nobles aren't Royals.

>>33660258
>and we’ll be left with nothing but magitech that nobody can recreate.
I can picture it now, an Imperium of ten thousand years 'ruled' by an Emperor long-dead, where progress is a lie, Inquisitors have the authority to obliterate cities and an insane church blares their anti-knowledge philosophy at full-blast.
Magical races are, of course, to be exterminated.

Rolled 14

>>33660274
>>3. Shift the topic to the possibility of Alyce working with Fenix. She may be alerted by this.

Be cool Alyce. We're not hopping through the looking glass yet, just taking a peek.

>>33660274
>2. Shift the topic to the summoner event.

Fuck son I just want some info on those mage's down there. Need to recruit as many as possible.

>>33660327
Not that hard. It's pretty much saying "Hey will you work with the man you've been trying to kill for the past couple of years." She is probably going to be a little alerted by that.

>>33660274
>2. Shift the topic to the summoner event.

>>33660325
>Whats the difference between the kings family and baron bugfuck no where?
the baron of buttfuck nowhere is the 8th son of the third baster of the cousin to the king from 10 generations ago and is currently 267th in line to the throne.
they are all notoriously inbred.

>>33660356
>She is probably going to be a little alerted by that.
I had to look up a dictionary. Apparently "alarmed" is one of the possible (but less often used) definitions of alerted.

>>33660274
>3. Shift the topic to the possibility of Alyce working with Fenix. She may be alerted by this.

>>33660274
How private is this box? I would hate to discuss something as critical and private as #3 where someone can overhear it.

(I am not sure I am even in favor of number 3 at all, but if we do, it needs to be the strictest of secretes)

>>33660274
Maybe we should congratulate her on the success of her anti royalist crusade. We don't think there's a single monarch left who actually gives a damn about their royal bloodline's royalness.

File: 039.jpg (194 KB, 1280x640)

194 KB JPG

>>33660380
>Apparently "alarmed" is one of the possible (but less often used) definitions of alerted.
There's slightly different connotations though. Alarmed comes across as more severe than alerted - the former implies she's actively worried, the latter that she'll be merely be more aware and prepared to take action but isn't actively wary.

>>33660422
Nobody outside the box can hear you as they're warded against sound escaping. You have to step up to the very front or outside in order for those outside to hear you.

>>33660274
>3. Shift the topic to the possibility of Alyce working with Fenix. She may be alerted by this.

>>33660456
what about lip reading?

who is currently in the box?

>>33660274
>>2. Shift the topic to the summoner event.

File: 041.jpg (456 KB, 900x569)

456 KB JPG

Contentious vote in a few minutes to decide between options 2 and 3.

>>33660483
>what about lip reading?
No. Plus you're higher up than everybody else.

>who is currently in the box?
You, Undine, Alyce and Mercenie.

Actually why do people want the two powers at war that could crush us easily to get along?

File: 051.jpg (148 KB, 708x965)

148 KB JPG

CONTENTIOUS VOTE

OPTION 1
Talk to Alyce about the possibility of her working together with Fenix. She may be alerted to your possible interest in playing both sides. You will not be overheard by most mundane or magical means (just like the other serious conversations).

OPTION 2
Shift the topic to the summoner event.


Rules for voting are to make a post with a link to this post and the number you are voting for. No other text, no greentexting the number. All informal votes will be discarded. Voting window will be five minutes after the first vote.

>>33660568
We don't need them to get along, just not become our foes when we absorb one.

>>33660602
1

>>33660602
2

>>33660602
1

>>33660602
2

>>33660602
2

>>33660568
We don't, we want Alyce to get along with Fenix.
Their factions apparently won't be obeying them much longer.

>>33660602
2

>>33660602
2

I think we already know the answer. The key thing is making sure we can maintain an outward alliance if we choose to exploit one at a time.

>>33660602
2

>>33660602
1

>>33660602
2

>>33660602
2

File: 058.jpg (903 KB, 1024x766)

903 KB JPG

>2.

The political topics seem a little taboo to you after that so you decide to focus more on the actual event you’re ostensibly here to watch.

“You know, I’m surprised that you actually did a summoner event,” Alyce says as the two of you watch a number of relatively mundane summons battle it out below.

“Because it’s looked down upon?” you ask.

“That and most participants wouldn’t be serious researchers,” she says. “Summons and constructs are something that many mages look into in their spare time. A guilty pleasure for some and an amusement for others. Serious summoners are rare and most also have a broader focus, such as your friend, Magister Reegan.”

“There’s a dedicated tower for summoners here in Vitria,” you say.

“And none in Ahm,” she says, giving you a smile. “That should say enough.”

“It says that mages are no less prone to irrational prejudice than others,” you respond, taking a sip of your wine. “Summons have always seemed enormously underutilised.”

Alyce shrugs, not taking your retort personally. “It draws on the same talents as enchantment. Which is also to say that it’s tremendously difficult. Enchantment has been historically considered more useful so disrespect for summoning has been encouraged as a way of directing mages to more useful endeavours.”

“Considered more useful by whom? The rulers?” you say, giving her an inquisitive look.

>continued

File: 060.jpg (61 KB, 491x799)

61 KB JPG

>>33660943
“Mages, too,” Alyce says. “To be honest, I suspect it’s mostly jealousy. Enchantment is a way for specifically talented mages to lend great assistance to others, including other mages. Summoning strengthens only that mage in particular. Constructs and patterns are broader but are so difficult to not be a consideration.”

“In other words, mages with no talent in enchantment want to encourage enchanters to empower them, rather than letting the mages gain their own power from summons,” you sum up.

“That’s my pet theory,” Alyce says. “I’m rather independent of the entire concern as I’m less reliant on enchanted objects than other non-enchanters. My magic is powerful enough that most channeller’s staves and equipment has minimal benefit and my own protective spells are an order of magnitude better than protective equipment.”

You shake your head at the whole mess. You wonder if encouraging summoners might be bothering some other mages. On the other hand, you don’t particularly care – nobody’s going to challenge Maloric over the topic, you feel. There’s no mage in your territory that can hold a candle to him in any of his disciplines, his magister rank notwithstanding.

Speaking of Mal, it’s his turn. His opponent appears to be a grand magister from… the Tower of the Moon.

“Really?” you ask Alyce, who returns a sweet smile.

“As I said, for some mages it’s a guilty pleasure,” she says. You wonder if she brought along the grand magister as a way of testing you and Maloric.

[DC11/16 Opening Summons]

Next post may be slightly delayed.

Rolled 10

>>33660959

Rolled 13

>>33660959

Rolled 6

>>33660959
Come on Mal.

Rolled 13

>>33660959

Come on.

Rolled 5

>>33660959
here we come mal, nat ones on their way

Rolled 2

>>33660959

>>33660972
>>33660990
>>33660995
well, mediocre is better than failing.

>>33660959

I'm incredibly interested in seeing what kind of crazy stuff Mal thinks up. His Hellhorses are fun.

That said, BEAT HIS ASS MAL.

>>33660959
>On the other hand, you don’t particularly care –

Literally fuck those guys. We's got magics to do.

It's so interesting hearing the what the "old guard" thinks and doesn't do. The fact no one has ever gone in depth with Vampire research as we have is incredible on its own. The whole prejudice against summoners even more so. No wonder patterns and constructs are a lost art.

>>33661122
That's one of the nice things about Talon, he's like Genghis Khan in this respect. Does whatever is the most brutally effective thing to do, tradition and established orders be damned.

>>33661122
The real issue with constructs and patterns is lead time. Basically, it takes years to remake, and a certain heldragon will nuke your lab 12 months in. Its one of two things she doesn't like.

>>33661122
>Literally fuck those guys.
lets not, i don't want them as waifus

>>33661178

Mongol horde equivalent when?

We still need to figure out how to make mounted combat relevant dammit.

>>33661281
Patterns or jetbikes, that's how.
We just can't make them yet.

>>33661281
All we gottah do is find them griffons dammit

Either way we win

>>33661281
Mage-Barding. Give them speed, strenght and durability enhacements, and a Massive lance with enough cutting enhancements to make LMK look like tanks.

>>33661307
>jetbikes,

Anon pls, it was ridiculous then, it's ridiculous now.

>>33661329
No, that was the normal bikes.
Jetbikes were a perfectly valid option.

>>33661313
Or we can create them via patterns

File: 1401069499910.jpg (48 KB, 490x490)

48 KB JPG

>>33661355
>Normal bikes were ridiculous
>Jetbikes aren't
>My fucking face when

>>33661329
>>33661355
it was neither
it was magictech hover bikes with weapons

>>33661408
Seriously, go back and read the threads, more specifically Aspie's comments.
Bikes were kind of shit, Jetbikes were just hard to make.

>>33661404
Nah mang want mah griffons au naturel

We gon find dat griffon and raise it to be the emperor of all griffons

So it hurts more when the dice kill it

>>33661426

I literally can never see a vote going through to support pouring money into that venture.

Patterns, yes. Whateverbikes, not so much.

File: 066.jpg (111 KB, 970x547)

111 KB JPG

>lower target met

As you watch Maloric and Grand Magister Torphane prepare their initial summons you reflect on the difficulties you and Mal had in designing this event. You had initially wanted to conduct it like the archery tournament with different events for different styles. The problem was that summons were so varied, not just in what the summons were but in terms of the summoner himself.

Focusing on speed meant that most summoners would be using a small number of weaker summons. Except then you’d have somebody like Maloric who could summon a single powerful summon pretty fast and would win without contest. Or you’d end up with the event focusing on powerful summons swamped with hordes of weaker ones.

Essentially, the problem was that breaking down into categories didn’t actually solve the problem of unequal match-ups. There was no good way of determining a summoner’s talent through such a simplistic approach. Instead Mal proposed that each duel would have three phases and the summoner himself would not be involved. What mattered was which summons won.

This first phase was limited to one summon spell that couldn’t take more than a minute to cast. It was intended to avoid battles where the first quarter-hour was nothing but drawing ritual circles and chanting.

No issues with that this round, however. Mal summoned what appeared to be seven plate-armoured scorpions, each the size of a large dog, in about forty seconds. Torphane summoned a rock golem approximately your size in roughly the same time. Not that the appearance mattered much – such short summon times meant they were relatively weak despite their appearances. You remember the fact that Mal’s horses have fire that doesn’t actually exist – it’s possible the appearance is completely wrong.

Mal directs his summons to…

>1. Encircle and assault their opponent from all sides.
>2. Attempt some form of long-range attack.
>3. Charge the golem enmasse.
>4. Custom

>>33661433
I vaguely remeber that still funny

>>33661426
I would love to see this

>>33661447

I keep trying to think of ways we can find them. I thought about asking the Heldragon but given the context of the conversation it seemed inappropriate.

I know Aspirational has said he's still thinking on it but I want it in my life regardless.

Rolled 4

>>33661463
>>1. Encircle and assault their opponent from all sides.

>>33661463
>1. Encircle and assault their opponent from all sides.

>>33661463
>4. Custom

Fly?

>>33661526
Second

I can get behind this

>>33661463
>1. Encircle and assault their opponent from all sides.

Quick strikes and movements. A presumably lower tier summon like that is more strength than finesse and could be tripped up with an ever circling barrage of attacks, that while harmless distract. Once balance is lost a hording charge to take it down would likely finish the job.

>>33661463
>1. Encircle and assault their opponent from all sides.
>>33661526
Plate-armoured scorpions where does that hint at the ability to fly?

>>33661604
"You remember the fact that Mal’s horses have fire that doesn’t actually exist – it’s possible the appearance is completely wrong." That part

>>33661447
remember that elves, fluffy tails, helldragons, felldragons, lynn, and many other creatures are the descendants of artificial magical creations. And that our elemental waifus are all naturally occurring patterns (as far as everyone knows)

I don't think there exists such a thing as a natural gryphon

>>33661639
In that case, might as well make custom be "Do what ever plays to the strength of what you actually created because I don't know what it is you made"

File: It_100a6a_663520.jpg (79 KB, 720x479)

79 KB JPG

>>33661604
The plate armor was a ruse
also
>You remember the fact that Mal’s horses have fire that doesn’t actually exist – it’s possible the appearance is completely wrong.

Led me to believe that you can trick someone with the appearance of your summon quite easily

>>33661463
2

File: 067.jpg (239 KB, 1020x613)

239 KB JPG

To an extent, your choices will shape the ability of the summon. I was trying to imply that with the choice of a long-range attack when they wouldn't necessarily have one. SO yes, fly was a possible option.

>1.

The little beasts skitter across the field, shredding the grass and dirt beneath them as they move faster than a sprinting mage-knight. Based on your past experiences with Mal’s summons and his philosophy in designing them, the scorpions can probably do three things – move very fast in a straight line with minimal turning ability, withstand top-down blows with their armour and hit hard and fast with their stinger. Mal had once explained to you that the biggest failing of most summoners was that they often included superfluous things in their summons.

A summon didn’t need to breathe. It didn’t need to make sound or communicate in any way. It didn’t need organs or even proper muscle. You weren’t creating a living, breathing creature – you were creating a manifestation of your will. It should do whatever you needed it to do and nothing more. Every extra thing it needed was more time and energy wasted.

Mal had privately confided to you once that it was this thinking that meant he could never create constructs, which were the exact opposite. He had chosen the path of cruel, calculating efficiency in his summons. That led to the path of patterns. The opposite led to constructs.

As the summons surround the rock golem, which stands still and silent, Mal gives the order to attack. You’ll find out shortly which school of thought Torphane sits under.

[DC14/19 Attack]

>>33661659

Well Aspirational has stated that "mythical creatures" exist but are rare or gone.

It could very well exist, we're not quite sure how that works with the more bestial things.

Rolled 1

>>33661797
Here we go scorpimals, time to get smushed

Rolled 12

>>33661797
Poor Mal...

Rolled 4

>>33661797

Rolled 2, 7 = 9

>>33661797

Rolled 10

>>33661845
what have i done

>>33661845
>>33661846
>>33661850

Hysterical.

Welp two rounds to go Mal.

>>33661845
Whelp, round one goes to the competition...

File: 640x640_6014_Golem_Valor_(...).jpg (65 KB, 640x640)

65 KB JPG

>>33661845
>Golems Confirmed for Master Race

>>33661867
You made Mal look weak (and perhaps slightly incompetent) in public. Not sure how deep Aspirational's political system is but there will probably be some consequences if his performance continues at this level.

>>33661824
>Well Aspirational has stated that "mythical creatures" exist but are rare or gone.
But I am saying that those mythical creatures were never "natural".

>>33661913
As long as we do well in the next rounds it'll seem like this was all a ruse... r-right?

>>33661797
>That led to the path of patterns. The opposite led to constructs.
I am confused now, what is the difference between a pattern and a construct?

>>33661930

And I'm saying we don't actually know if that's true or not, never been confirmed one way or another. I'd offer the theory natural creatures were the basis for the constructs and created races before such a thing was common.

>>33661935
Less ruse as an underestimation of the competition or a failed gambit. It's certainly still salvageable, but this sequence is going to affect Mal's professional reputation...

>>33661992

Talon has taken more blows that has left him borderline dead, hell recently Taira pretty much dismantled him in front of everyone. They didn't stop calling him Imperator. Mal will be fine.

Rolled 20

>>33661797
Rollin' anyway

>>33662052
Meant to quote; >>33662006

File: 1405850350087.png (252 KB, 843x1200)

252 KB PNG

>>33662063
Man I fucking hate this quest sometimes I need liquor

>>33661970
Sounds like the difference is that constructs are fully realized, they have bones and organs and simulate life if not actually havinging something like it. Patterns are essentially holograms, shells of projected power lacking the same level of...structure that you see in constructs.

Make sense?

File: 068.jpg (223 KB, 1023x976)

223 KB JPG

>>33661970
I'll see if I can dig up an old post I made about the two. Constructs are detailed creations, animated by magic. Patterns merely have a physical shape that is inhabited by a magical pattern (which determine what it can do).

>Dramatic failure

The scorpions attack with brilliant synchronicity. As all but one charges in you can see how they’ve paired off, each pair slightly lagging behind the other. It will be a series of consecutive blows, fast and numerous enough to overwhelm whatever defences the golem can muster. Most likely the last scorpion is for clean-up.

The first pair whirl around the golem, each taking one side of their immobile foe. Their stingers lash out at the golem as they pass, gouging huge holes deep into their foe. You can see the rock ripple off the golem as it takes damage yet Torphane keeps it stationary and unmoving. The other scorpions move in to take more action as the first two begin to wheel around behind them.

You almost missed it, you think, and you’re certain Mal did. Rock doesn’t ripple.

>continued

>>33662085

I'm busting out the gin now.

File: 072.jpg (451 KB, 2000x1250)

451 KB JPG

>>33662189
As the last pair of scorpions pulls away, the golem appearing to sag from the damage sustained, it’s clear to the murmuring crowd that something is awry. Torphane’s golem has done nothing and is nearing destruction.

You notice that none of the rock that should have been broken away isn’t on the ground.

Then the golem seems to… flex, almost. It stands slightly taller, stretching its arms and legs out. As it does so, the scorpions appear to respond in sympathy, their stingers cracking under the strain of their own muscles. Then they shatter, the chitin scattering all over the ground. The image of the summon, weakly constructed, shatters as well. Motes of magic rise into the air before vanishing, leaving behind just a thin film of grey slime that the scorpions had picked up from the golem when they attacked. The seventh scorpion, summoned at the same time with the same spell, also vanishes with the others as the binding breaks.

The golem wasn’t made of rock but of some form of jelly. It probably was incapable of serious movement but once attacked it could manipulate the jelly that was spread around.

Mal’s lost the first round but he looks more contemplative than frustrated. He learned something about his opponent then. Plus, he needs to worry about the next two rounds which are the really serious ones.

[DC11/16 Mass Summons]

Rolled 17

>>33662208
First roll of the quest

Rolled 8

>>33662208
16692

Rolled 1

>>33662208
Bad Mal!

Rolled 19

>>33662208

Saving roll

Rolled 3

>>33662208

Go Mal go.

>>33662224
Damn captcha

Rolled 14

>>33662208
time to redeem myself i hope

>>33662215
Welcome friend, please stay so we can milk your rolls until-- >>33662231 happens.
This quest seriously... about to join you >>33662085

File: 1405603168073.gif (1.79 MB, 500x281)

1.79 MB GIF

>>33662231
>>33662232

Rolled 10

>>33662231

anon y

Rolled 18

>>33662208

>>33662231
Typical. And I'm pretty sure this is putting us behind schedule with all the rolls anyway.

File: zS9Rm.jpg (213 KB, 954x897)

213 KB JPG

>>33662215
Did I do good coach?

>>33662231
...
I quit

File: 073.jpg (160 KB, 800x1228)

160 KB JPG

>Patterns v Summons v Constructs

As my lorebin is pretty vague and a tad confusing, I'll see if I can do a very quick summary here (by which I mean a long summary).

Summons are basically creating magical beasts with magic. They use a ton of magical power, usually need a ritual to summon and only last for so long. Simple but effective.

Constructs are essentially building physical parts then imbuing them with magic to create an automaton. They can be upgraded and maintained on the fly as the magic is in their individual parts, not the whole thing.

Patterns are permanent summons. A pattern is basically a blueprint that shows where the logic centre is, how it shovels around magical power, where and what the enchantments are and where the junction points that go into the shell are. A shell is just the physical representation of the pattern, but it also needs to sort of match the pattern itself - if the shell is a suit of armour, you'll want the pattern to have junction points for the strength enchantments on its arms and legs. You then basically build the shell physically before binding a copy of the pattern to the shell (which is why it's called a pattern - it's reproduced en masse). Because the shell is a permanent object, the magic in the pattern is bound to it permanently as part of the ritual (like good barriers in walls).

They're complicated as the only way you can easily work out how to build all of this is via trial and error or somebody else's work. Plus, the pattern bound to the shell can become unstable if the shell changes too much (excessive damage, upgrades etc) - this would vary depending on how good the base pattern's design is. Plus, patterns can technically be unbound from the shell but Mal, an expert on enchantment and disrupting magical flow, doesn't have the slightest clue how you'd do that.

>>33662280
Well, hopefully we'll deal with the Genedarms after the match or something.

>>33662375
I'm looking forward to Sarah's interaction with them the most.

>>33662280

Given the three rounds of Summons was expected, we can assume it was already planned for the night.

>>33662375

You know I never really understood why people wanted to meet them so much, I'm pretty impartial.

>>33662375
>Genedarms

Ok, I'm pretty sure I'm caught up with the quest, but who the hell are these people again?

File: 074.jpg (112 KB, 610x900)

112 KB JPG

>Target not met

The second event is the one with the longest preparation time. Having lost the previous round, Mal has to create his summons before Torphane. He has a half-hour himself to cast no more than three summon spells. The idea is that this is the event where most summoners will summon large numbers of weaker summons. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem for Mal but it appears Torphane’s easy victory has thrown him off.

He spends ten minutes thinking and muttering, obviously trying to invent a new summon to use. That costs him, as only gets two of his spells off and only barely. If he’d been thirty seconds later with his second ritual he would have lost his second batch of summons.

Or summon, in this case. Completely contrary to expectation, Mal has instead summoned individual summons with each spell. Two armoured shells stand as tall as the Archangel Raphael at almost twice your own height. They appear to be suits of armour but nothing connects the pieces of plate apart from air. One holds a spear twice his height and the other a shield as big and broad as himself.

Torphane instead responds with dozens of flying imp-like creatures, their hands glowing in an array of colours. Clearly he’s decided that the way to deal with obviously land-bound summons is to use flyers with ranged attacks.

Mal keeps his summons immobile this time and its Torphane that launches the first assault.

[DC14/19 Defense]

Rolled 7

>>33662474

>>33662291
are any of those involved in the creation of artificial races like helldragons and feldragons? I was under the impression a pattern is

Rolled 12

>>33662474

Rolled 4

>>33662474

>>33662422
>You know I never really understood why people wanted to meet them so much, I'm pretty impartial.
I think its because they seemed pretty interesting, we don't really have any admin people at all, and OP keeps putting them just out of our reach.

Rolled 15

>>33662474

>>33662484

Evoking the name of the Fated One won't help you, anon.

>>33662484
>>33662496
>>33662506

Mal I am so sorry we are failing you.

Rolled 2

>>33662474
Good roll plox

Rolled 2

>>33662474
rollin' just because

>>33662472
Neir's family.
>>33662422
Eh, they're a touchstone to Talon's past. Also, sarah's reaction to another female noble after talon, this one with a history with him, will be... fun.

>>33662507
>we don't really have any admin people at all,

I don't specifically remember any of them being mentioned as "admin people" themselves. Also Aspirational has mentioned that they've been put off because they are 'boring' and he's trying to figure out a way to make them not so. I just don't get it, I'd be fine with never meeting them.

>>33662484
>>33662496
>>33662506

Well, Mal's out of the competition. Might as well congratulate Alyce on her victory.

>>33662601
>I don't specifically remember any of them being mentioned as "admin people" themselves.
They do rule territory.

File: 1321027528910.jpg (84 KB, 316x693)

84 KB JPG

Rolled 16

>>33662474
demrolls

>>33662601
It's been mentioned a few times that they do administer various fiefs.

>>33662528
>wrenloft
>fated one
I get it!

So I'm wondering, both our squire and Mal are showing themselves to be much less impressive than expected in this tournament... Is anyone else concerned that our nation's supposed strength is being re-evaluated for the worse? I'm thinking we're losing bargaining strength with some of our neighbors.

>>33662714

What? Our squire kicked ass in the grand melee and placed in the top 4 for the archery competition. That's damn impressive.

>>33662714

>Finn
>less impressive

How fucking high are you Anon?

>>33662601
>I just don't get it, I'd be fine with never meeting them.
I'd personally be pretty unhappy, if only because I stayed up till 5 am last time so I didn't miss them.

>>33662655
So, they would be branded traitors if we poached them from RSK..?

>>33662714
Russia lost a hockey match to Canada in 1972. Doesn't mean any of Europe's hockey teams ever stopped shitting themselves every time they were on the other side of Russians in the rink.

File: 079.jpg (437 KB, 1280x720)

437 KB JPG

>Target not met

As you’d expected, Torphane’s imps fly high into the air and unleash a multi-coloured barrage of simple magical missiles. Probably to keep Mal guessing, Torphane has instead gone for the painfully obvious route. You’d been thinking that this was likely to keep Mal out of the game – clearly his recent concentration on enchantment has thrown his game on summons. Particularly because he doesn’t often use them for snap battles like this.

You’re pleasantly surprised by the fact that his constructs appear to still be standing afterwards. Or kneeling. The one with the shield guarded both, though it appears the multi-directional nature of the attack meant that the spear-wielder had taken severe damage. The glow of the imps had vanished, meaning they either needed to recharge or they had lost their ranged ability.

Either way, that means it’s Mal’s turn. Though you don’t know how he’ll fend the imps off.

Mal raises his hand and commands his two summons to…

>1. Respond with their own ranged attacks.
>2. Split up and attempt to sweep up the imps.
>3. Engage in aerial combat.
>4. Custom

>>33662785
Possibly, depends on how we handled it with Fenix.

>>33662714
Probably a little since a tourney is supposed to be a show of strength as well as a gathering etc. At this rate we should probably think of something to give to the foreigner who wins the main event in place of the Grandmaster position. Critstorms and Botchquakes's the death knell of any preplanning.

>>33662827
>3. Engage in aerial combat.

>>33662827
>>1. Respond with their own ranged attacks.

I've got a good feeling about this one.

>>33662737
High? Not so much? Slept in the last two days? Also not so much.

>>33662728
Somehow I'd completely forgotten about the grand melee. Feeling much better about this mess now. Thank you.

>>33662827
>1. Respond with their own ranged attacks.

Seems a good compliment to a solid defense.

>>33662827
>4. Gattai, then engage in aerial combat firing lasers from the shield/pile bunker their weapons fused into.

>>33662827
>3. Engage in aerial combat.

We Gundams now.

>>33662785
Nobility tends to be more complicated than that

>>33662728

Actually 3/4 of our guys were in the Archery competition, and Nier's sister just barely beat our guy.

And technically, Vad and Finn were top 4 in the Grand Melee, even though Vad was all but out by the time Finn was done with that Knight.

All things considered we aren't doing horribly. If anything the crowd might be getting a bit bored, but the main Tourney filled with our guys will fix that right up.

>>33662827
>4. Custom

Combine

I'm just going for Rule of Cool now and trying to have fun with this

>>33662979
Now that sounds like fun.

>>33662979

Yep. Going to have to support this.

>>33662902
>>33662979
For reference, Gattai effectively means combine.

>>33662979
>>33662902
GATTAI?!

>>33663012
>>33662827
Going with this

File: 1405736913541.gif (2 MB, 396x216)

2 MB GIF

>>33663012
I know didn't see that post

its time

File: Continue.jpg (39 KB, 480x511)

39 KB JPG

>>33662827
>>33663012
This is either going to go very bad, or very good. I really don't want to find out which it's gonna be.

>>33663165
Clearly it's a high risk, high reward, possibly rule violating gambit.

Expect someone to roll a 1.

>>33663244
Only some*one*?

>>33663244
It ain't failling if you got Style

File: 081.jpg (105 KB, 950x547)

105 KB JPG

>4. GATTAI

You honestly wonder what the hell Mal has been reading lately.

No, seriously, what on Gauron gave him this idea?

You’d thought Mal had gone bonkers when the shield summon punched his arm into the other summon. Then you’d thought maybe they were going to self-destruct when they seemed to both glow with magic.

Then, when the dust settled and there was one four-armed armored summon standing, carrying both the giant shield and spear, you wondered if maybe Mal needed to lay off the books from Pharos. Somehow you knew those would cause trouble.

The crowd, on the other hand, loved it. The damage the imps had done was gone now, completely invalidating Torphane’s initiative. Combined with the lightshow and the never before seen combination ability it appeared the watchers were in love.

As the imps massed and charged the single summon, their ranged attack gone, it instead reared back and hurled its spear directly at the largest mass. As the spear came near them it glowed and, rather than combining with something, actually did explode. That still left half the imps remaining but it became clear that their claws simply lacked the ability to scratch the armor of such a strong summon. If summons didn’t evaporate into magic after death there’d be a rather nasty mess to clean off the ground and the summon’s shield.

Mal and Torphane stand at one victory each and the final round remains. It didn't look good, though - Mal had won from ingenuity and Torphane's dedication to making summons one-trick ponies. His actual performance had been... lacklustre. That wouldn't cut it for the last round.

[DC11/16 Power Summon]

Rolled 13

>>33663347

Rolled 20

>>33663347

Rolled 3

>>33663347
....roll.

File: President A.J..jpg (1.11 MB, 3072x2304)

1.11 MB JPG

Rolled 8

>>33663347

Rolled 4

>>33663347

Rolled 11

>>33663347
Mal you asshole loving it

cant wait to use a unit of these guys in the next war

>>33663386
we back niggas

>>33663386

FUCK YEAH MAL BRING IT HOME SON

Also that whole update had me in stitches Aspirational, I was laughing so damn hard.

>>33663386
Ok then.

Rolled 9

>>33663347
Rollin' anyway. So what's a dramatic failure? 2?

>>33663386
Beautiful just beautiful

File: 1401348347169.png (2.2 MB, 1440x1078)

2.2 MB PNG

>>33663386

File: Westside 'Nid.gif (1.99 MB, 400x212)

1.99 MB GIF

Rolled 11

>>33663386
Good motherfucking roll!

>>33663347
>It worked.
>It worked so well we didn't even need a fucking roll.
All of my yes.

>>33663386

>Anon worried about our guys "under performing"

O, Y OF LITTLE FAITH BE GONE.

File: Ah yeah son.gif (186 KB, 320x240)

186 KB GIF

>>33663386
Glorious! Well done sir!
"All according to plan, folks love the come from behind win" -Mal his face pic related

File: Casshern.jpg (58 KB, 1280x720)

58 KB JPG

Rolled 1

>>33663386