>>33824359

A) Focus on Jirad
get the clerics to help subdue him

>>33824359
I say C) Diplomacy
lets try to calm them down first and if shit hits the fan
A)

>>33824406
You turn your attention back to Jirad, worried more about what he might do than what two timid clerics might.

Jirad, sensing himself outnumbered, raises his sword and plunges it into the wall beside him. The wall explodes in a cloud of steam, knocking you back into Pietra and Annalise. In the explosion, you head Maurice and the clerics cry out, unprotected by your shield and armor. When the air clears, you are able to see a gaping hole in the wall, melted away into a puddle which now freezes again. Jirad is nowhere to be seen.

A) Search for him
B) Deal with the clerics
C) Other

>>33824661
>A) Search for him
and check on Maurice

>>33824661
>C)Other
try and talk to the Clerics failing that exterminate

>>33824688
You rise to your feet and run to Maurice. His face is badly burnt, still sizzling as he writhes on the ground. When you look closely, it's clear that his right eye was boiled right in his skull.

"Y-you there! Stop where you are!" You spin around and see the clerics struggling to draw their weapons and face you. "In the name of the church, we place you under arrest, pending further investigation!" Pietra and Annalise stand and draw steel as well.

A) Stay
B) Chase Jirad
C) Have someone else chase Jirad
D) Other

>>33824855
>A) Stay
stay and kill the cleric's then heal Maurice as best you can He's been with us through thick and thin we oughta do the same...

>>33824855
Have the girls take care of Maurice.

we chase Jirad

>>33824905
if we are to proceed with this action,

we will need to talk them down instead of killing them

>>33824905
>>33824970
You forget Jirad for the moment and turn to face the clerics, shield raised. You tell them you don't want to harm them, but that you will resort to violence if necessary. They do seem to hesitate.

"W-wait! Don't move! Tell us how you got into this storeroom!"

A) Explain
B) Attack
C) Pietra
D) Annalise
E) Other

>>33825173
>A) Explain

>>33825173
>A) Explain

>>33825187
>>33825503
You sigh and give them an abridged version of your story. Once you mention Dordak Khan, they seem much more open to your words. At the end, when you recount your climb up the frozen tower, the clerics lower their weapons and look at one another. They seem to silently exchange glances, and then turn back to you. One of them finds the courage to speak.

"I see. So you mean to slay the ancient dragon. If you truly have the Hammer of the Storm Lord, and the Wind King's Dagger, then you may truly have the ability. If what you say is true, we have been waiting for you to arrive." At this point, Pietra chimes in.

"Indeed. My sworn sister warned you about us. Now take us to your leader." The clerics are surprised. They look at each other again.

A) There's no time for this, Jirad comes first
B) Maurice needs to be healed
C) Go with them
D) Other

>>33825678
>B) Maurice needs to be healed

>>33825678
>>33825701
>B) Maurice needs to be healed
He's been there for us time we were there for him

>>33825701
>>33825829
You turn your attention to Maurice, leaving Pietra to deal with the clerics as you and Annalise rush over to aid him. Annalise raises her holy symbol and begins speaking from the verse, words that you once understood but can no longer. As her symbol glows, Maurice begins to kick and scream. Eventually Annalise stops, realizing that her magic only makes it worse. Then, shaking, Maurice raises a hand and points at his pack as it lay on the cold ground.

"B-b-bottle...white...drink..." He struggles to speak even that much. You reach into his back and find a few items matching what he means, but in your panic, you can't seem to recall which bottle you remember him drinking from.

A) White porcelain bottle
B) White labeled bottle
C) Bottle with white fluid

>>33826057
>B) White labeled bottle
what does the label say?

otherwise...

C

>>33826105
You grab the bottle and pull the cork out with your teeth, spitting it across the room. You then hold Maurice's head up as you pour the contents of the bottle into his open mouth. He chokes a bit, then swallows. You watch in awe as the burnt skin on his face slowly begins to reform, and his hair regrows. His eye is the last to regain it's previous health, turning from milky white to bloodshot and darty. Maurice looks up at you and smiles through yellowing teeth.

"Sorry to be so much trouble sir. What have I missed?"

A) Go with the clerics
B) Find Jirad
C) Other

>>33826057
Exactly what Wrenloft said

>>33826403
leave him with the girls and the clerics, we're going after Jirad

>>33826403
>B) Find Jirad
Regroup and tell the clerics to start searching for the crazy demon possessed child who has it out for our sexy thief Waifu

>>33826432
>>33826465
You leave Maurice in the hands of your companions and the two meek clerics and begin following the path Jirad made as he left the room. Your friends call to you, but you only tell them to make sure Maurice is healthy, then find somewhere safe.

You follow a few wet footsteps down a hall which in turn leads to a set of stairs. You ascend them, spiraling upward. The first few doors you find are locked tight, but on the fourth floor you come to you spot a fallen cleric. You inspect him and find him unconscious, bashed in the side of he neck with something hard. You leave him and continue climbing until you reach a door which has been broken down with what looks like a machete.

A) Enter boldly
B) Enter cautiously
C) Other

>>33826579
>B) Enter cautiously

>>33826579
>B) Enter cautiously
Enter with your shield up and dagger of wind drawn

>>33826596
>>33826647
You reach behind your back and draw the dagger. A small whirl of air surrounds it. You press forward with your shield, widening the hole in the door until you can enter.

The room beyond is tall and wide. The walls are carved intricately into lavish patterns, and colored water seems to have been used to give the walls life in the form of ice murals. A great crystalline sculpture hangs from the ceiling, reflecting the light from small windows surrounding it so that it illuminates the room. You'd wager that this is where the clerics here do their worship. At the far end of the room is a stand made of ice, with a circular rug laid onto it. On the wall behind the stand is a visage resembling a snowflake, and one that has been painstakingly carved into the wall. It must have taken the artisan months to get it just right. Finally, all around you are large square and circle pillows on which those attending service must sit. They are scattered randomly, unlike the orderly pews used in Lumen.

On the far end of the room, sitting cross legged on the circular rug, is Jirad. He is slumped over with his hands on his knees, and his sword lay on the ground before him.

A) Approach
B) Call out
C) Attack
D) Other

>>33826893
>B) Call out
"What the hell, man."

>>33826893
>>33826911
this

>>33826893
Shield still raised in anticipation of any false moves Jirad might make, you ask what the meaning of his outburst was. He raises his head and makes eye contact. You see that his eyes are dry, and there is a tiny bit of blood on his lip.

"I'm...sorry..." He pauses, and looks back down at his sword. "I realize this must put you in a bad position. I've talked it over with Sam, and we agreed that the past is the past." Jirad stands and picks up his sword, sliding it home on his back. "When all this is over, I'll sort out my demons alone, pun not intended. For now, I need you, and you need me, so what do you say we forget about this and focus on the task at hand." Jirad approaches, stopping just out of reach of your sword should you need to swing it.

A) Accept
B) Refuse
C) Other

>>33827296
>A) Accept

>>33827338
>>33827296
on the condition that he does not seek to bring harm upon our friends and family

>>33827296
>A) Accept
but be sure to keep an eye on him...

>>33827338
>>33827361
>>33827373
You lower your shield and nod, accepting the offer. Of course, you add in that he must swear not to try and harm any of your allies.

"Of course. What happened earlier was only my emotions getting the better of me. From now on, I swear to only raise a hand for the good of the group. Sam wants to seal the deal with this." Jirad draws his sword again and begins carving something into the icy floor. At first it only looks like random scratches, but once he is finished, you see it is a ritual circle.

"Sam says this will allow us to create a new magic weapon. It took him a while to decipher all of the notes in the book, but since we finished, he's got it down pat. Unfortunately, it requires a soul to power the spell. We'll need one, and the bigger the better."

A) Keep it in mind
B) Ask something
C) Other

>>33827649
>A) Keep it in mind
We'll likely run into another dragon or two before we meet the big one.

>>33827649
>A) Keep it in mind

>>33827649
>A) Keep it in mind
Save that dragon soul and hopefully we can double up

>>33827649
>A) Keep it in mind
Dragons and wyverns and such.

>>33827723
>>33827731
>>33827753
You agree, and Jirad uses his boot to wipe away the scratched circle. The two of you head back out of the room together, only to exit and come face to face with two armored clerics. They don't look pleased.

After a brief exchange, you realize that they have been sent to collect you and bring you to to where Pietra and the others have gathered. They insist you come quickly and quietly.

A) Follow
B) Refuse

>>33827866
>A) Follow

>>33827866
>A) Follow

>>33827866
>A) Follow

>>33827866
>A) Follow
...even after all these years, I'm still reading that in the Fable voice.

>>33827892
>>33827893
>>33827906
You follow them, taking a significant number of strange twists, turns, and circular routes until finally coming to a large door. One of the clerics knocks rhythmically, and the door creaks open. You all enter, and come into a cramped room full of your allies, and a few decorated clerics. Those who escorted you nod, then leave and shut the door again. You stand in a circle now, and Pietra is the first to step forward.

"I'm glad everyone made it here. Now that we've called this final meeting to order, it's time to finally put into motion our plan to assassinate the bishop. Before we begin, does anyone have any questions?" A cleric steps forward, his face is stony and weathered.

"I would just like to remind everyone here that should something go wrong, we are not to contact one another until the incident has blown over. We only have one chance." Another cleric steps forward as well.

"Let us finally be rid of this nuisance. Today the price of our goals will be payed in blood."

You look to Annalise, Maurice, and Jirad. They seem unsure of what's going on.

A) Go along with it
B) Ask something
C) Other

>>33828238
>B) Ask something
What bishop and why are we killing him?

>>33828238
>B) Ask something
just as a recap, what is our primary objective and what were the deals set in place to achieve this?

>>33828269
ditto
>>33828317
Well we got banned from one town... and the primary goal is to find and kill one Giant Motherfuckin Dragon that has many little dragon's and several warlords and their armies under his control...

>>33828269
>>33828317
You ask what exactly this plan is all about. The clerics present groan and roll their eyes. Pietra motions for them to calm down.

"It's fine, it's fine. He's a fighter, and one hell of a lover, but he's not too bright." She then turns to you. "The bishop here has seen Dordak Khan, and thinks he's a harbinger of the gods. He's offered food, gold, and even young women to the damned thing to earn it's approval. We're gonna sneak into his chamber, gut him, and then put Levin here into power. In exchange, the clerics will unroll their banners and march with us. Once we join up with the forces I bought you in Ferris, we'll have a force large and well armed enough to take the rest of the north back."

A) Accept
B) Ask something else
C) Other

>>33828533
>A) Accept
Finally, something in this ice hole that's logical.

>>33828533
>A) Accept

>>33828533
>A) Accept
>C) Other
say: "It's not because i'm not bright, it's because you made this plan without telling me and yet, expect me to know the details and then belittle my intelligence. Kind of a turn off Hon."

>>33828647
i'd rather not say this in front of everyone

>>33828533
>A) Accept
>>33828606
That's not an ice thing to say.

Hey Rags, you planning on running tomorrow? Might not be here, at least not for the entire time, first session of a Cyberpunk 2020 campaign/character creation session.

>>33828677
I'm don't think I'll be around for much of tomorrow, either. I'll probably end up at a friends place for quite a bit.

>>33828677
Chill out. Let's face it, most of the things we've seen since we got here are a little cracked.

Likewise, my time may or may not be limited. Chances are I'll be a bit sore, stiff, knackered and/or unconscious.

>>33828606
>>33828630
>>33828677
You agree, and the clerics nod.

"Alright then. Everyone get into position. At exactly one after, we move." Once Pietra is finished talking, the group breaks up and leaves the room. You are left alone with your allies.

"So how did things go in Ferris? I'm guessing you left the troops out of sight so the city wouldn't get suspicious." Pietra approaches and touches your nose lightly with a finger.

A) Yeah, they're just waiting
B) There are no troops
C) We need to talk about these plans
D) Other

>>33828677
>>33828733
No, I work Saturday mornings now

>>33828831
B) There are no troops
>C) We need to talk about these plans

>>33828831
>B) There are no troops
>C) We need to talk about these plans

>>33828831
>B) There are no troops
>C) We need to talk about these plans

>>33828831
>B)
>C)

>>33828864
>>33828961
>>33828873
You tell Pietra that there are no troops from Ferris.

"What!? After all the work I put in to fix it for you? All you had to do was shake hands and we would have had enough armor and spears to knock over Lumen in an afternoon!"

A) It was a little more complicated than that
B) There were a few complications, I'm sorry
C) Hold on, I don't remember asking you to do any of this!
D) Other

>>33829099
>A) It was a little more complicated than that

>>33829099
>A) It was a little more complicated than that.
greedy bitch wanted money on top of everything else..

>>33829127
>>33829166
You explain that the deal came down to more than just a handshake. Pietra groans and rubs her temples.

"I didn't actually expect you to marry her," at this, Annalise snaps to attention and her mouth goes agape. "You just had to promise you would and we could backstab her later! Lords, it's like you've never performed a coup before. Agh! Now we don't have all those resources to work with. Nevermind, we have to get moving or we'll never be on time."

A) Hold on, we're not done here
B) Fine, but this isn't over
C) Other

>>33829166
That's not actually true. There was no talk of money.

>>33829099
>A) It was a little more complicated than that
She wanted rather more than a handshake.

>>33829394
>B) Fine, but this isn't over

>>33829394
>B) Fine, but this isn't over
10 seconds. Captcha is a bugger.

>>33829394
>B) Fine, but this isn't over.

>>33829428
>>33829431
>>33829513
The five of you exit through the large door and enter the hall outside.

"Kor is already in position, but I need to get to the top of the tower. The rest of you will only get in the way, so head outside and wait for me to come get you. Oh, except Jirad. I can actually use his help with something."

A) Alright, be safe
B) No way
C) Other

>>33829660
>A) Alright, Be safe
>C) Other
"Keep an eye on Jirad"

>>33829660
>A) Alright, be safe

>>33829660
Take Maurice with you. Anna and I will go

>>33829660
>A) Alright, be safe
"If you're sure."
Anything happens, Jirad is a corpse.

>>33829677
>>33829678
>>33829760
You hug Pietra and place a kiss on her forehead, telling her to be careful, and subtly emphasizing her need to watch Jirad. She returns the kiss and you let her go. Jirad crosses over to her side and the two of them run off down the hall. You, Maurice, and Annalise find your way out of the tower just in time to slip by the guards as they return from lunch. You hide out a little ways away in a pub, ordering just enough to not seem suspicious.

You nervously wait for some signal to let you know that whatever Pietra is doing has worked out. Annalise seems anxious too, stirring her tea endlessly without taking a sip. The only calm person is Maurice, who is content to scribble in one of his many notebooks.

A) Wait patiently
B) Talk about something to pass time
C) Other

>>33829904
>B) Talk about something to pass time
ask Maurice what he thinks of Sam/Jirad

>>33829944
seconded

Just a reminder, since it's been a while:

>You
Bastard Sword
Damaged Full-Plate
Hammer of the Storm Lord
Wind King's Dagger
Mithril Shield
Dragon Scales
Mithril Ingot x3

>Annalise
First Light
Chainmail
Holy Symbol

>Maurice
Rusty Dagger
Tarot Deck
Soul of a Fire Drake
Who knows what

>Pietra
Leather Plate
Shortsword

>Jirad
Ancient Tome
Demon Blade Samael

>>33830111
what about Kor?

>>33829944
>>33830012
You try to calm down with conversation. You look to Maurice and ask his opinion regarding Jirad and Samael.

"The Demon is evil, of course. However Jirad seems to have control over his person. Were he being used as a puppet, as you were in Hollag, I would have sensed it by now. At worst, they've grown to be symbiotic, united in purpose. Of course, that doesn't mean I suggest following his every whim. The demon no doubt has some sort of agenda, and it can't be good in the long term."

A) Ask something else
B) Wait silently
C) Other

>>33830185
You haven't seen her

>>33830338
>A) Ask something else
Maurice
"I'd like for you to come up with some contingency plans if you can, just in case our possessed friend tries anything funny. Also, you may want to examine Pietra after this just to make sure nothing is wrong with her."

>>33830387
ditto I'd rather have a plan just in case something goes down.
Best to have a tool and not need it than need a tool and not have it.

>>33830387
>>33830558
You tell Maurice to come up with something to keep in store, in the event that Jirad reveals himself to be less than friendly. He nods.

"I did so the moment we encountered him. I can expel the demon briefly, and once I've done so, we can either kill or apprehend Jirad. Unfortunately I don't know of a way to separate the two of them completely at this point. He's too far gone." You nod in understanding. You take a sip of your tea before bringing up Pietra.

"She hasn't been exposed to him long. I he does have some way to influence her, I'll be able to sever the ties easily."

A) Ask something else
B) Wait silently
C) Other

>>33830819
>A) Ask something else
catch up with Anna
see how she's doing right now

>>33830819
>A) Ask something else
"What do you think we should do after we finish the target.

>>33830819
seconding Wren >>33830849

>>33830849
>>33830938
You turn to Annalise and ask how she's faring during all this. She sighs and sips her tea.

"I'm not sure. Everything has happened so fast lately. When I left Lumen, my sisters were in tears. When I left the outpost, Eva and the baby were being moved to a hiding place while Leon dealt with the rumors of missing Berets. And now we're up here, doing dirty deeds and facing some ancient monster. It's just about fried me."

A) It'll all work out
B) You don't have to come along if you don't want to
C) Other

>>33831066
>A) It'll all work out

>>33831066
>A) It'll all work out

>>33831110
>>33831189
You comfort Annalise, assuring her that everything will resolve itself in the end. She sighs and takes another sip of her drink. The table is silent for the remainder of your wait.

Soon, you hear a single bell sounding in the distance. It rings once, loud and long, and in less than a few minutes a cleric enters the pub. He approaches your table.

"You've been summoned to the chambers of the bishop of the frozen tower. I suggest you do not resist." He hands you a folded bit of paper. You open it and discover nothing on it but a kiss mark.

A) Follow
B) Other

>>33831510
>A) Follow

>>33831510
>A) Follow

>>33831510
>A) Follow

>>33831520
>>33831554
>>33831665
The three of you stand and follow the cleric. He leads you outside and up the road, back to the frozen tower. You notice as you enter that the guards who once stood watch here are absent. Inside, clerics and clerks alike run back and forth in something of a panic. Many of them carry scrolls and ledgers, and they are all much too concerned with what has happened to consider your position in space, thus bumping and rubbing up against you all repeatedly.

Eventually you find a staircase, and a few long minutes of scooting and climbing later, you come to a hallway. Around a corner from here, you enter a large set of double doors. Inside is a room made of ice, just the same as the rest of the tower, but with a wooden throne at the rear, and a white carpet leading up to it. Seated on the throne, which is stained with just a bit of blood, is a large, grizzly man with a thick beard and stern eyes. He is draped in fur and hide armor, and on his head he wears a crown of silver and diamonds.

Men and women line the carpet, mostly clerics, but your comrades are here too. As you approach the throne, the cleric who escorted you holds you back.

"Bow before his holiness, Bishop Levin of Old Winter's Hold."

A) Bow
B) Refuse

>>33831854
>A) Bow

>>33831854
>A) Bow
but be ready to draw your blade at a moment's notice

>>33831854
>A) Bow

>>33831884
>>33831934
>>33831935
You take a knee and bow before Levin. He smiles, but even his smile seems cold. He motions with his hand and you are allowed to stand.

"Your emissary has brought word of your proposal to slay the beast Dordak Khan. Though the death of our beloved and much respected bishop still bleeds fresh in our minds, we must not allow such sorrow to stifle our decisions going forward. For the good of my people, I grant you three legions of five-thousand each. Each will be commanded on the field by my most elite Paladins. The will be prepared to march east within the week." You look to Pietra, who gives you a wide smile and a wave.

A) Thank you, your holiness
B) Ask something
C) Other

>>33832145
>A) Thank you, your holiness

>>33832145
>A) Thank you, your holiness

>>33832145
>A) Thank you, your holiness
should we see if we can join his church to get paladin stronk back?

>>33832191
I wouldn't. You've seen how stupidly bureaucratic these people are.

>>33832246
I second that. These guys are so bureaucratic it makes my brain hurt and me want to murder them...

>>33832246
They are under new leadership though, if I'm not mistaken.

>>33832295
I get the feeling it's a case of "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."

>>33832337
Yeah, same here.. One corrupt CEO replaced by another corrupt CEO
>>33832295

>>33832155
>>33832163
>>33832191
You thank him for his time, and he waves his hand. The clerics guide you and yours from the room and into the hallway. The doors are shut behind you. Before you realize what's happening, Kor scoops you up into a great hug and squeezes so hard you can hear your armor creaking.

"Oh, it's been so long since we've seen each other! It feels like ages!" She waves you around effortlessly, causing the rest of the group sans Jirad to laugh heartily. You wait for Kor to finish and set you down before moving onto the next topic.

A) The assassination
B) The army
C) Other

>>33832367
army then assassination

>>33832367
but first, tell her we've missed her as well and return the hug

>>33832421
Seconded everything Wren just said

>>33832398
>>33832421
>>33832462
You wrap a merry arm around Kor and return the affection. The room comes down, and you turn to Pietra, inquiring about the forces you have apparently just acquired.

"The clerics here are devout and stubborn. They'd lop off their own arms and fight with a dagger in their mouths before they'd surrender to a foe. Not only that, but their holy magic makes them powerful artillery when they gather. I had hoped to put them behind a wall of armored knights from Ferris, but I suppose that plan is shot since you couldn't even pour on a little charm for all this." You rub your temples and ask about the plan.

"No biggie. Jirad and I did stuff like this all the time. Kor seduced him with a little exotic dancing from the islands, and he hired her to entertain him at lunch. Today we made sure all the guards watching him were ours, then slipped in and run him through before anyone noticed. We had some butcher's son pinned for it, but he's long gone by now with a pocket full of gold."

A) Ask something else
B) Move on

>>33832677
B

also, ask Kor how she's has been doing so far

>>33832677
>A) Ask something else
say: "Any other plans that I haven't been told about?"

>>33832762
The group begins to move away from the bishop's chambers and out of the tower. On the way, you ask Kor how's she's been since you separated.

"Oh, traveling with Pietra is very exciting. We fought bandits, played in the snow, and I got to perform my people's most ancient dance for a very noble audience." You smirk, unsure of how much of Kor's story is colored by her upbeat attitude.

You exit the tower at its base and Pietra leads you all to a large inn. Before you can get a word in, she purchases a bath for herself, Annalise, and Kor, and rooms to fit you all. You split up and spread out, splitting between two rooms. You sit with Maurice and Jirad in your own room, peeling your armor of as Jirad and Maurice work to write down the ritual circle needed for the creation of a new magic weapon.

About two hours after you've gotten settled, the ladies enter in warm robes, clean and refreshed. Kor drops down onto the bed between Jirad and Maurice, scattering their notes. Pietra and Annalise both sit on either side of you, competing to see who can lean on you the most before you call them out.

"So." Pietra kicks off her slipper and begins laying out the details of her plan from now on. "Next we head to the tundra. The roaming tribe there have horses and are amazing with bows. If we're smart about it, we can make do by killing their chiefs and wresting control for ourselves, and then we'll have real numbers. After that, we only need to let them do what they do best, and we'll have a large enough force to march on Dordak Khan."

A) Sounds good to me
B) What is all this about?
C) We have plenty as we are
D) Other

>>33833138
>B) What is all this about?

>>33833138
additionally, if we have time, I would suggest that we talk to Kor a bit more. Remember that time we told her that Leon was into her and waiting for her to come back?

We may need to tell her that he's not into her any more...

>>33833138
>B) What is this about?
make her elaborate a bit more
Other
talk to Kor a bit more.

>>33833199
>>33833220
>>33833391
You ask Pietra what all these plans are meant to accomplish. She smiles and presses her cheek against your shoulder.

"Well when you and Leon were talking about slaying the dragon, I of course believed from the very beginning that you could. And as you know I'm a lady of very fine taste. So while Kor and I searched for clues about the hammer like you asked, I came up with a plan to set all of us up for life. It'll be my magnum opus as far as thieving goes. I'm going to steal the northlands, and make my lover it's ironclad king. Then Annalise and I will both be queens, and all twelve of our little children will be rich and powerful. All we need is to win the trust of the northmen, which I've been working hard to do, and then slay Dordak Khan. nobody would ever try to dethrone a king who drank of Dragon's blood." Pietra giggles when she finishes her speech. You aren't sure what to say.

A) I don't want to be king
B) You're devious, and you're going to get us killed
C) Fine, but let me in on the plans from now on
D) Other

>>33833502
>D) Other
"Twelve kids?"

>>33833502
>B) You're devious, and you're going to get us killed

A) I don't want to be king

>>33833502


on second thought, siding with Spring>>33833567

>>33833567
This was my first reaction XD

>>33833502
though, in all honesty, I'm not sure about becoming monarchs.

Maybe could just make ourselves nobles? Probably in charge of whatever region is closest to the Rangers so we can meet with Leon as often as we like?

>>33833567
>>33833595
You ask about the particularly high number of theoretical offspring Pietra seems to propose.

"Well not all at once, obviously. But I had three sisters and two brothers, and Annalise's parents couldn't keep their hands off of each other either, so I'm just being logical." Pietra hugs your arm. "Of course it's all dependent on how much you have at the end of the day, isn't it." You sigh. You look to Annalise, who seems flustered beyond her ability to hide.

"Oh, I do hope you name one for me! I'll teach her all about the Sunset Islands, and I can take her to visit when she's older, and even teach her to dance!" Kor seem overly ecstatic about the news of your yet to be conceived children.

A) Ask something else
B) Turn in
C) Other

>>33833702
>B) Turn in
I think that's enough for one day

>>33833702
on second thought,
A) Ask something else
to Anna and Pietra, move them to a corner and ask
"Are you thinking of making babies now?"

>>33833692
I feel the same way but think about it.. Once the dragon and his warlords are gone there will be a power vacuum.. we'll have an army that can fill it and keep civil war to a minimum..

>>33833787
As the others begin to show how tired they are from travel and tactics, you lean into Annalise. She is still overcome with embarrassment regarding children, and you take the moment to poke fun at her a bit. You ask her if she's got babybrewing on the mind now, and your reward is a strong slap across the face. You laugh as Annalise hides in your shoulder.

The group then moves to go to bed and rest. Annalise leaves in a hurry, but Pietra lingers for a moment, asking if you mean to join the two of them. You look back and see that Maurice has already fallen sound asleep, and Jirad is pouring over the tome again.

A) Sleep with the boys
B) Sleep with Annalise and Pietra

>>33833930
>B) sleep with Annalise and Pietra
time to start creating the progeny that will rule an empire

>>33833930
>A) Sleep with the boys
but just check up on the girls before they go to bed. talk to them about what we plan to do after we beat up the dragon

>>33833930
>B) Sleep with Annalise and Pietra

>>33833952
>>33833980
You leave Kor in the care of the Necromancer and the Demon Swordsman and follow Pietra to the other room. Annalise is surprised to see you come in, and hurries to tie her robe back on. Pietra sways her hips all the way over to her and embraces her, giving her a long kiss before falling onto the only bed. Say what you will about Pietra, she's clever and always thinks two steps ahead. Pietra spreads herself out, stretching on the clean sheet and allowing her bare leg to slip out of the white robe. Annalise seems more shy, brushing her hair from her face and trying not to look directly at your face.

A) Sit on the bed
B) Embrace Annalise
C) Other

>>33834054
>B) Embrace Annalise
have her loosen up and relax, then move onto Pietra

>>33834090
ditto

>>33834090
>>33834150
You cross the room and approach Annalise. You reach out with one arm and grab a hold of her waist, pulling her in close and wrapping both arms around her. She shivers a bit as you hold her, but soon accepts and returns it. You stroke her back, feeling her silken, red hair and listening to her soft breathing.

This hold is broken suddenly when Pietra rises from the bed and grabs Annalise from behind, pulling her back down and laughing as she holds her hands.

"Come on, no more of this coddling." Pietra giggles as Annalise struggles to break free. "Just have her; break her like a mare to be ridden. That's what she wants, she told me so candidly." Annalise shrieks quietly as Pietra proposes this.

"I-it's not true! I didn't say that! Pietra, let go!" Despite her protests, you can hear Annalise's breathing pick up, and her arms aren't pulling as hard as you know they can.

A) Let her go
B) Grab Pietra
C) Untie Annalise's robe
D) Other

>>33834307
>B) Grab Pietra

>>33834307
>B) Grab Pietra
didn't she say we had sex with her? That was obviously a lie. What a naughty girl, wouldn't you agree Anna? Perhaps she should be punished?

>>33834365
>>33834307
I would suggest fading to black sometime soon.

>>33834395
Don't tell me how to live my life

>>33834441
You tell 'im Rags-sama!
>B) grab Pietra

>>33834353
>>33834365
>>33834497
You feint grabbing Annalise's belt, but instead reach around her and grab Pietra's arm, sliding her out from under Annalise and pinning her to the bed. She seems legitimately shocked by this turn of events, and is thus left wordless. Annalise snickers as you tease Pietra for her lies to Viviana of Ferris.

"Come on, that was just a joke. Haha, see?" Pietra shakes beneath you, rubbing her legs together in anticipation. You reach down and pull loose the knot of her robe.

The following morning, you rise and pull your tunic and trousers back on. As you slip back into your boots, you look back and see oth of the girls have taken to holding each other in you absence, likely to substitute the warmth you took with you when you awoke. You pull the thick furs over them and step over their discarded robes as you exit the room.

In the hallway you take a long, refreshing breath and stretch yourself out. You are then shocked by the sudden appearance of Maurice, shuffling his card deck with an eery smirk.

"Do you recall, sir, that years ago I performed a reading of these very cards for you?"

A) I do
B) I don't believe in soothsaying, you know that
C) I don't. Remind me.

>>33834576
>C) I don't. Remind me.
apologize for not remembering

>>33834576
>A) I do

>>33834603
Maurice draws three cards from the deck. One by one he flips them to reveal their faces.

The face of the first card, a demon with curled horns, above a lake of fire. The card is aptly titled "The Devil".

The face of the second card, a young man in robes and a hood that obscures his face. Before him is set a table with a goblet, from which rises blue fire. "The Apprentice."

The face of the third card, a white sword pointed toward the sky, cutting the face into two. On the left, a field of blood red, and on the right a field of pure white. "Justice."

"In your future, temptation. There will be an offer placed before you, and one that you will find hard to resist. It will drive you to the brink of ruin. The second card tells me that neither choice will truly be wrong. They each have the potential to bring your life to a horrid, or joyous end. And the final card tells me that choosing either will have consequences that will echo to all those around you." Maurice replaces the cards in the deck and shuffles it again.

A) That's all nice, but it's been this long and none of that has come true
B) Why bring this up now?
C) I'll keep it in mind
D) Other

>>33834924
>B) Why bring this up now?

>>33834969
seconded this

>>33835010
>>33834969
"In truth, sir, I do not know. I do not foresee the future, the cards do. They speak to me from a place beyond thought. They know all. They see all that has been and will be. And what's odd, is that until last night they have never asked me to restate a drawing. I only feel that I must. If I may speak, I believe some cosmic force has conspired to bring us all together. Which, I cannot say."

A) I'll keep that in mind
B) Other

>>33835158
>A) I'll keep that in mind
thank him

then go see Kor and Jirad

>>33835216
Ditto

>>33835216
>>33835277
You thank Maurice for his reminder. He shrugs and goes back to leaning against the wall and shuffling his cards. You turn and make for the door to the other room, opening it slowly.

Inside you find Jirad curled up in his bed, Samael resting sheathed on the nightstand. Kor sits against the wall, cross legged and silent. She is still in her robe as she meditates, and you find yourself having to watch your gaze for fear of catching something private.

A) Wake Jirad
B) Wake Kor
C) Leave them
D) Other

>>33835512
>B) Wake Kor

>>33835527
Seconded..

>>33835527
You move over and set your hand on Kor's shoulder, shaking her until her eyes open. She looks up at you with a warm smile, letting her legs slide loose and stretch across the floor. It's now that you're reminded she is nearly your height, which is large even among men.

"Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

A) Ask something
B) Other

>>33835614
"You could say that."

maybe we should wake up Jirad and get everyone to breakfast?

>>33835614
>B) "Wouldn't quite say that, but I had a good night nonetheless."

>>33835614
>A) Ask something
Ask how was her night

>>33835640
>>33835655
You allude to the events of the previous night, but Kor seems oblivious. You chuckle, and cross the room to wake Jirad. He sits upright like a bolt, and looks around. You ask the both of them if they'd like to get something to eat.

The four of you sit downstairs at a small table, gathered around plates of meat, bread, cheese, and fruit. Both Annalise and Pietra seemed to be in greater need of sleep than food for the time being. As you finish your meal, Jirad and Maurice get your attention.

"Like I told you, to make a magic weapon you need the spell, which we have, a soul to imbue it with power, and a mundane weapon to reinforce. Maurice thinks the drake soul he has will be good, but it will also mean you won't be able to recall the beast. Of course, Dordak Khan is an ancient dragon, and his soul would undoubtedly make a weapon worthy of warring over."

A) We'll worry about all that later
B) Let's use the drake soul
C) We'll find a soul to use
D) Other

>>33835789

Well, we don't want to make a weapon people are going to fight over, just one that'll kill the dragon

B

>>33835789
>D) Other
Lets use the soul of Dordak Khan. Since there will be a ginormous power vacuum after he's been killed we will need some power to keep the north from tearing itself apart.

>>33835824
>>33835878
You tell the both of them that all you need is to slay Dordak Khan for the time being. However, the thought of a weapon that would no doubt be the root of legends is unarguably tempting.

Once you're all finished, you return to your room and find the girls dressed and ready to go. All six of you head out of the inn and make for the city walls. A cleric there tells you that the three legions have already begun forming, and that the Paladins will set them to marching east within a few days.

"We should leave someone behind to hold down the troops for us. Traveling with all of them will slow us down severely otherwise." She brings up a good point. And if her plan is to take over the warriors of Grand Talon, an obvious force would not serve you well.

A) Leave Annalise
B) Leave Maurice
C) Leave Kor
D) Leave Jirad
E) Other

>>33836151
>D) Leave Jirad

>>33836151
>E) Other
Leave Pietra. She's got brains and tactical strategy. It's best if she stay's with the army.

>>33836182
You decide to leave Jirad in charge of the cleric legions. He shrugs.

"Well I'm not used to being a leader, but I guess if all I have to do is babysit them until we reach Grand Talon then I can handle it." Before you separate, Jirad hands over the tome to Maurice, who stuffs it into his pack. You exit the city as one of the clerics escorts Jirad to the training grounds of the city.

The five remaining members of your group leave via the ice gates, and follow the road east. Rested and full of vigor, you cover a log distance throughout the day. After a week, you leave the city behind only because of the fog of distance, as the terrain is flat for miles and miles to come. On the fifth day however, as you walk you are approached by a man in a green cloak, mounted on a black horse. He brings his mount around in front of you, forcing you to stop.

"Excuse me. Are you all the companions of Leon the Lionheart of the Black Berets?"

A) Who's asking?
B) We are
C) We aren't
D) Other

>>33836358
>A) Who's asking?

>>33836400
"I'm Marius of Bloodend. I'm to deliver a message from Leon the Lionheart, and it must be received immediately. Are you the group he traveled with on his pilgrimage?"

A) Yes
B) No
C) Other

>>33836542
>A) Yes

>>33836358
>A)who's asking?

>>33836542
>A)Yes

>>33836612
>>33836551
The Ranger dismounts and runs over to you. He reaches into his messenger bag and pulls from it an envelope sealed with wax. You rip it open and read it.

"My friends,
The outpost has become unsafe. The dragon knows it's position, and we cannot defend it from the sky. I've evacuated Eva, and sent her and the other children south, to the Ranger outpost along the Spine, and to the Salt Plains. I'm bringing the fighting force of the outpost, along with the handful of living Berets north. Tell me where you are, and we'll ride day and night. Dordak Khan will die by the blade of a Ranger."

You look up and see the Ranger has produced a roll of paper and a bit of charcoal. He eagerly awaits your word.

A) The City of Ice
B) Grand Talon
C) Ferris
D) Other

>>33836551
(oh shit what should we say) I wanna consult Pietra...

>>33836683
consult Pietra as to where we should meet up

>>33836744
>>33836683
well i'm out Peace! I leave it to you Wren, God speed.

>>33836683
Consult Pietra.
>>33836846
Not quite just to Wren, I'm back.

>>33836744
>>33836718
You look to Pietra. She seems a bit surprised. She scratches her head and thinks for a few moments.

"Well we're on our way to Grand Talon, so he could meet us there. And if they're on horses it'll take no time at all. Then again, there's no way to know what we'll be doing when we get there. Ferris is probably not a great idea, thanks to you. If it were me, I'd say Grand Talon." You scratch you cheek stubble.

A) Grand Talon
B) The City of Ice
C) Ferris
D) Other

>>33836896
>A) Grand Talon

>>33836896
>A) Grand Talon

>>33836912
>>33836943
Wrapping here for tonight. The child and I are gonna catch a midnight show of GotG, she's een annoying me all week.

It's archived so no worries. Come back next week when we teach a horse to manage a small business.

>>33837012
See you next week then, Rags.

>>33837012
what's GotG?

>>33837050
Guardians of the Galaxy

>>33837078
nice. enjoy the show