>>34161924
>C) We'll head out in the morning

>>34161979
You decide to remain within the veil for tonight, and Maurice agrees.

"Leon is likely to arrive any day now, but I'm sure the tribal scouts will spot him. In the meantime, what shall we do with the clerics?"

A) Have them double time to meet us
B) Tell them to keep their distance
C) Other

>>34162228
>A) Have them double time to meet us

>>34162265
Maurice nods and turns away, likely going off to relay your orders through the tribal scouts. You're starting to feel more like a leader lately, perhaps against your will.

The tribesman finishes anointing you and allows you to stand. When you do, you notice an immediate difference in how well you can move your neck and shoulders. He bows and takes his leave, allowing you free movement around the camp.

A) Find Annalise and Pietra
B) Rest
C) Contact Ross
D) Other

>>34162400
>C) Contact Ross

>>34162418
You look around the camp, bustling as people prepare to begin the big move tomorrow, and try to find a quiet spot to pray. Or meditate. Whichever this counts as.

You settle on a small stone by the camp's bonfire. The people gathered around it only mutter, making it quieter than most places at the moment. You sit cross legged and close your eyes. You allow the world to fall away around you, and your senses begin to dull.

You regain them atop the stone tower. You stand from a sitting position and look over to spy Ross and his spider ally pouring over a long roll of paper. The spider takes quick notes as Ross dictates, reclining on a stone chair and drinking something from a wood cup.

A) Approach
B) Call out
C) Other

>>34162527
>A) Approach

>>34162543
You move over to Ross, and as you do you can begin to make out his speech.

"Make it something nice, like red on orange. Or red on black? That's good too. Oh, and remember the fasting thing. And whatever Ai, said, she's better at this stuff." Upon noticing you, Ross kicks up and off of the recliner, floating just an inch above the floor as he slides over to you.

"Welcome back, buddy! I figured out how we're gonna do this whole paladin deal. Whenever you're ready I'll start telling you the rules and then start pumping you full of the good stuff."

A) That's not why I'm here
B) Sounds good, let's get started
C) Other

>>34162626
>C) Other
Well, I was actually going to ask about whether or not you've got any info on the dragon, but we can work on that as well.

>>34162656
"Dordak Khan? I've got my love working on it. Sadly my knowledge feeds this place, and I haven't been at this long, so I don't expect much to come of it. But if you want to get started on powers, first things first you'll need to take a seat."

A) Prepare to receive Ross' boon
B) Wait until later
C) Other

>>34162694
>A) Prepare to receive Ross' boon

>>34162735
You kneel down before Ross, and he sits cross-legged in front of you. You close your eyes and feel his hands come to rest on your shoulders. There is sudden heat snaking down your torso, wrapping around you like a hot chain. It is quite painful, but something about this world makes pain more of an abstract feeling than reality.

After a minute, Ross removes his hands and you open your eyes. You behold your bare chest, and see that an odd pattern has wrapped itself around you. It resembles a serpent, but you cannot see the head.

"This will serve as your holy symbol. It's basic, but it will allow you to channel my powers just the same. I've amplified your Stone Skin technique, the one that tall girl taught you. What was once merely a mirror is now the genuine article. It'll last longer, and be more effective. On top of that, you've got your old strength back. However, no magic I can give you will allow you to fight unarmed, so you'll still need a weapon to be of an use. Now come the boring parts."

A) Just get it over with
B) Can't it wait?
C) Other

>>34162879
>A) Just get it over with

>>34162918
Ross smiles.

"Rule one, meditate. Do so once a day whenever possible. Basically you just have to show up here and contemplate this landscape. It's surprisingly invigorating. Rule two, protect. Protect those who can't protect themselves. Never allow a life to be taken when it doesn't need to be. Rule three, work. Train every day you can. Rule four, fast. You will spend the first week of spring meditating and taking in nothing but water. During this time, come to me, and I will keep your body strong with my own force. Rule five, fidelity. Monogamy. And all children you bear will be given to me as servants. They are free to disown me when they come of age, but you will spare none of them my teachings. Follow all that, and we're good as gold."

A) Deal
B) Other

>>34163036
>B) Other
Well, we might have an issue with the monogamy part.

Tell him we'd be willing to do all the following, just that we'd be allowed to wed Pietra and Anna.

>>34163036
>B) Other
Monogomy might be an issue.
Fidelity is doable. Very doable. Happily doable.
But monogamy? Not so much.

>>34163082
>>34163175
"Hm. I dunno. Truth be told, that was Ai's suggestion and she's all about it." Ross chews on the thought for a moment.

A) It's the only request I have
B) Do you need time?
C) Other

>>34163191
>A) It's the only request I have
>B) Do you need time?

>>34163217
"Well...Tell you what, I'll alter the rules but you've got to do something for me. You've got to build me a church. A temple. In the north."

A) How am I supposed to do that?
B) Alright
C) No
D) Other

>>34163322
>A) How am I supposed to do that?

>>34163322
>D) Other
Any sort of time limit on that?
It's doable, but it's not doable in the immediate future.

>>34163334
>>34163372
"Not my problem. And I want it done before your first child is of age. If you can do that, I'll lift the polygamy rule, but if you go back on your word...Just spiders. All the spiders."

A) Fine
B) No way
C) Other

>>34163419
>A) Fine

>>34163419
>A) Fine
That probably works. How old is 'of age', precisely?

>>34163433
>>34163528
"Neat and tidy. Have fun doing that thing, then."

You are suddenly thrust backward, and regain awareness in the camp of the White Pine. You squint your eyes and look around. Your torso itches fiercely, and the men and women of the tribe stare at you, murmuring. You stand, slightly wobbly on your feet, and look at yourself. Your body feels nourished, and your muscles have become more pronounced and toned than they have been in months, maybe over a year. What's more, the pattern that appeared on your body in Ross' realm remains.

One of the tribals, a small girl clutching a grass doll approaches you, wide eyed and curious. She looks you up and down, and then reaches up with one hand to feel the serpent printed on your stomach.

A) Find the others
B) Kneel down
C) Scoop her up
D) Other

>>34163601
kneel, pat her head, then find the others

>>34163629
You take a knee briefly and place your hand on the girl's head. She looks up at you with awe, but you don't spend much time worrying about it. You rise and head back the way you came, hoping to find your comrades.

You spot Annalise and Pietra talking by a fire, chewing on touch skewered meat. You approach, not blind to some of the odd glances that the tribals give you as you pass. When Pietra notices you coming, you notice her eyes dart around you for a moment, and then she taps Annalise. They both watch you until you are upon them.

"Um, hello? Are you okay? You look a little different." Pietra jokes, but there is something uncomfortable about the way she looks at you. Annalise is likely more embarrassed that you're still topless.

A) I'm fine
B) Explain what happened
C) Other

>>34163886
>B) Explain what happened

>>34163886
>A) I'm fine
>B) Explain what happened

>>34163916
You explain everything about what happened, down to the rules and negotiation. Annalise stands up and points an accusing finger at you.

"So you just sold my children's faith without even asking me about it?" Pietra shrinks a little, returning to her meat skewer.

A) I had to
B) It's not like that
C) Other

>>34163965
>B) It's not like that
They're allowed to choose their faith when they're older. But that was the condition for staying with you two.

>>34163965
I'm sorry, I probably should have asked to think about this first and talked with you guys.

>>34163989
Sure, this

>>34163989
>>34164005
>>34164062
Annalise continues to point her finger at you. You can't help but focus on it, as it's so close to your face. You feel the floor shift to one side beneath you as you grow slightly nervous.

Eventually she sighs, and lowers her hand. She shoots one last angry glance at you before turning back and sitting by Pietra again. Pietra looks over to you and shrugs.

A) Sit down
B) Find Maurice
C) Other

>>34164104
>B
See what he thinks about all this.

>>34164104
>B) Find Maurice

>>34164104
>A) Sit down
She's still mad. We can't just bail out and abandon Pietra to the angry-Anna.

Also, I'm afraid I really don't see the issue here. Would someone mind explaining why she's angry?

>>34164188
on second thought, yeah, let's go with this

>>34164188
Well, we agreed that our children would be servants to Ross, but that they'd be able to choose their own faith when they come of age.

I don't think the girls like the idea of the kids being made servants to a god without input. Bad call on my part...

>>34164216
>>34164188
You find a spot nearby and set yourself down. As you sit, you notice how much bigger you feel suddenly.

You sit quietly for a while as Pietra and Annalise struggle to chew their food. You don't feel hungry yourself, but doing nothing feels awkward.

A) Eat
B) Say something
C) Other

>>34164321
>A
Gotta eat anyways to keep our strength up.

>>34164321
>A) Eat
>B) Say something
let's just say that we'll try to talk to Ross again and see if we can make certain arrangements that will be more agreeable to the girls.

>>34164321
>A) Eat
>B) Say something
Ask what they have a problem with, specifically.

>>34164366
>>34164382
>>34164439
You reach over to a small cloth with uncooked skewers laid on it. It's not very clean, but heat kills illness, according to the clerics. You begin roasting it in the fire and ask Annalise what exactly has her so upset.

"Good question. I wonder why I'd be so upset that I'm not allowed to teach my own children about my faith. The faith of their grandfather. The one responsible for their bloodline." Annalise takes a vicious bite of her skewer and chews it angrily.

A) I'm sorry
B) It was the only way
C) Other

>>34164545
>A) I'm sorry
C) Other

We'll try talking to him again and see what we can do.

>>34164545
>C) Other
Why wouldn't you be allowed to teach them your faith?
I teach them of Ross. You teach your own faith. When they come of age, they can make an informed decision.

>>34164560
>>34164625
You apologize, though you know your heart isn't fully committed to it. You tell her she can still teach them as she wishes, regardless of Ross' deal.

"But I can't bring them to mass. I can't have them baptized beneath the sun visage. I can't listen to them sing the hymns at their communion. I can't take them to worship in the chapel, or let them sunbathe in the gardens, or teach them to read the verse. Their father can't even return to the home I knew as a child." At this, you look up at Annalise and see the tears beginning to stream down her cheek.

"I've lost all ties to my home, and now my own babies won't be able to know the life I knew."

A) Stay silent
B) Other

>>34164759
>B) Other
Tell her we'll talk to Ross about it and inform her before we make any more decisions

>>34164759
>B) Other
"Then we'll find a way to get them back."
Fuck.
It's not about the oath. That's just the catalyst.
This was a long time coming. It's a real issue that we need to work through, and there's no quick, clean answer. The only real way to fix this is to get our exile-by-way-of-heavily-armed-stabbyfolk lifted, and that's a long term goal.
If we can get though it- when we get through it, we'll be the stronger for it. But for now... all we can do is endure, and plan.

>>34164811
>>34164915
You stand and sit by her, wrapping a gentle and overly thick arm around her shoulder. You promise to do what you can, if it's talk to Ross or the church. She continues to cry, silently. Pietra lifts your other arm and slips beneath it so that you are forced to hold them both. The three of you sit by the fire a while longer, until you notice something odd in the bonfire.

It is hard to make out at first, but the more you focus, the more it resembles a round bottle. It is deep within, but doesn't appear to be damaged by the heat. Inside is something golden and glittering.

A) Find something to reach it
B) Ask the girls about it
C) Other

>>34165105
>B) Ask the girls about it

>>34165105
>A) Find something to reach it
Bottle full of shiny gold stuff appearing in a fire.
Is Monk Ross sending us gifts?

>>34165125
You ask Annalise and Pietra if they know anything about it. They both squint and look.

"Oh, I see it. Is it medicine? No, medicine is usually a sick green color." Pietra pulls away from you and gets down on her hands and knees, trying to peer into the flames without getting too close. "I think I can get it."

A) Go ahead
B) Be careful
C) Better not
D) Other

>>34165254
>C) Better not
>D) Other
let us do it

>>34165254
>C) Better not
>D) Get it out yourself
If it is from Monk Ross... best we be the one to grab it.

>>34165304
>>34165319
You tell Pietra to hold off, and kneel down yourself, leaving Annalise alone on the log on which you all sat. You reach in, feeling the serpent on your skin itch as your arm is licked by flames. You grab the small object and pull it out.

It is indeed a small bottle, and inside is a plump looking golden flame. It seems familiar, and yet not. The cork is tied down with a red ribbon.

A) Try to open the bottle
B) Ask the girls about it
C) Other

>>34165370
>B) Ask the girls about it

>>34165370
>C) Other
Huh. Someone put some fire in our fire.[/nonplussed]
>A) Try to open the bottle

>>34165388
You turn to the others and ask if the recognize it at all. Neither of them seems to know it at a glance, but after each inspecting it closely, Pietra notices something.

"You know what it reminds me of? Whenever Maurice gets hurt, like when his tongue was cut out, or when his leg was missing, or when his face was cooked, he drinks those little white bottles. It looks kind of like that, but different. Those look more liquid. This is like a tiny flame."

A) Send one of them to fetch Maurice
B) Put it away for now
C) Try to open it
D) Other

>>34165487
>A) Send one of them to fetch Maurice

>>34165487
>B) Put it away for now
The spirit of curiostity demands we open it.
But Chekov asks we delay.

>>34165513
You tell Annalise to run and fetch your mage friend, and she wastes no time. You sit by Pietra as you wait, contemplating the bottle together. Something about the flame truly does seem familiar.

"It's a soul." You turn and see Maurice approaching. His face is still painted, even more grim looking in the firelight. He snatches the bottle from your hand and examines it closely.

"I don't know what sort of monstrosity this came out of, but it is old and powerful. Even more powerful than our drake soul. This is...almost godlike."

A) Then we should be careful with it
B) Then we should use it
C) Any suggestions?
D) Other

>>34165591
>A) Then we should be careful with it

>>34165591
C

>>34165591
>A) Then we should be careful with it
>D) Very, very careful
Ask Monk Ross about it next time we visit.

>>34165610
>>34165634
Sudden emergency, calling it a wrap here, sadly. If one of you guys will archive, I'd love it.

So, so, so, so sorry. Like, painfully sorry. Next week, we will get a lot further, I promise. We will see Dordak Khan by the end of this month.

>>34165696
catch you later.
I'll try and archive.

>>34165696
No worries, Rags. Life take priority.
See you next week, and I hope your emergency works out in non-horrific fashion.