So, the only way to get there is to travel there, either on foot or on horse. So you and Marcus are trying to find the safest route to cross the country over the next few days. It’s not a short journey, but you loved your Grandmother and it has been too long since you were able to talk to your mother. Perhaps you could even get a few more pointers on Necromancy while you are there.

You feel uneasy as you look at your undead brother. If Marcus is seen by someone who is with the Kingdom or, help you, the Inquisition, then it’ll be a shot trip to a painful afterlife or the torture racks. You need to figure out how to transport him as well. But first you need to actually decide how to get there.

Do you
>Suggest walking to the castle (Stealthy, slow speed)
>Suggest getting horses (Visible, quick speed)
>Suggest taking a merchant cart (semi-stealthy, medium speed)

>>37528463
>Suggest taking a merchant cart (semi-stealthy, medium speed)
It has a little bit of both

>>37528463
>Suggest taking a merchant cart (semi-stealthy, medium speed)

>>37528463
>Suggest walking to the castle (Stealthy, slow speed)

“I think we should take a merchant cart. There’s a town near our castle, and I’m pretty sure that some of the caravans that pass nearby head to there.” You point out the route, and it’ll take two days give or take to travel there.

“Grandma’s birthday is in three days. We’ll be cutting it a bit close. But it’s better than nothing.” Marcus mutters, absently scratching at the stitches on his neck. This brings up another problem, in how to get Marcus to the castle without raising any red flags. His skin isn’t nearly as dead looking as it should be, so that is impressive. But he still looks pale and anyone looking at him long enough will realize that he isn’t blinking or breathing anymore.

You and Marcus could try combining your power to cast an illusion spell, but neither of you are very proficient and it might have holes that you don’t recognize. You could try to disguise him, but again, a sufficiently perceptive and inquisitive person might recognize his ‘deficiencies’. The safest option is to convince Marcus to let you stuff him in a suitcase or something, but that’ll take him out of the running if you need help.

Do you
>Try to cast a spell
>Try to create a disguise
>Try to convince Marcus to tear himself apart.

>>37528880
>Try to create a disguise
should be the easiest. If anyone can sense magic from him being undead anyway we may as well try the spell too.

>>37528880
Suitcases. Not at all susspicious

>>37528880
>Try to create a disguise
What's the fashion nowadays with the cripplingly shy "merchant's daughter"?

>>37528880
Just take the stitches out. He doesn't need to bring his whole body. We can carry him in a sack and leave his body somewhere safe. If anyone questions us, he's a very detailed puppet we're working on. We're a tinkerer and part time bard. We use the puppet to tell jokes and insult ourselves.

do some magics, man.

>>37528880
>Try to create a disguise
Suit of armor.

>>37528880
>Try to create a disguise

You tell Marcus that he needs a disguise, and you start digging through your belongings to try to put something together.

“Waaaay ahead of you. He pulls out a bag of his from under the table and starts pulling out a lot of make-up. It’s not cheap stuff and it looks strangely worn considering he’s only had his body back for a week or so.

“Marcus. Some of this stuff looks a bit old. How long have you had thi-“

“That’s not important. Go get some gloves or something.” Marcus starts carefully apply the make-up while you go in search of clothes. You managed to find a scarf, some gloves and a hooded cloak to wear. You have a spare cloak too, so perhaps if both of you are matching it will draw a bit of attention away from him. You don’t mind the occasional stares as long as no one examines Marcus too closely.

In less than an hour, Marcus has a very well constructed face. It hardly looks different from how you remember him when he was alive, and you wonder just how much he’s practiced in the past to get this good. But some question are better left unanswered, and you pack a few things for the trip. You’ve got a few hours to spend, if your intel is right, until the weekly caravan is due to stop by the town and make it’s deliveries. You could head over there now, or you could spend time in your house doing other things.

Do you
>Go to the caravan roads now
>Prepare some curses (Max 5)
>Practice the lyre

>>37529235
>Prepare some curses
3 curses, in case some bandits attack or something.

>>37529235
>Prepare some curses (Max 5)

Some debilitating curses.

>>37529235
>Prepare some curses
3 should be enough. Plus that one anti-undead one we never used, in case a rogue necromancer comes calling.

>>37529235
Two curses, against living beings.

Also, take a last look at the garden before we leave.

>>37529235
>Prepare some curses (Max 5)

You take this time to prepare some of your curses in case you run into trouble on the road. There is the familiar sting of the knife as your blood spills into the ink and you bandage yourself up before you get to work constructing the curse itself. Marcus shrugs and agrees it’s probably a good idea, but he really hopes that we wont’s have to use them.

>-15 points HP
>+3 Curses (Affects Living Beings)

After writing out a quick note to Michael asking him to water your garden while you are away on ‘family business’ and leaving it on the doorstep (where Michael is bound to find it since he visits so often) you and Marcus head off to the trading post.

- - -

Marcus is quick to flash around cash, and soon you and he are secured a passage on a caravan carrying clothe and furs to the city of Belgris. Belgris is the town nearest to the former Barsley castle and though you never visited as much as Marcus, it was the closest thing you could consider a ‘home town’. Marcus immediately jumps onto the back caravan, where several attractive young men and women who work for the caravan are resting. You need to pick where you are going to sit. The Head of the Caravan, a grizzled old man, is sitting in the front and ignoring the brash young man who just jumped in the tail. And the other option is to sit in the middle cart where a woman a few years older than you is hitching up the horses and smoking a long pipe as she works.

Do you
>Join Marcus in the back
>Sit in the front with the man
>Sit in the middle with the woman

>>37529520
Sit with Marcus. If anyone tries to pay too much attention to him, we can play distraction

>>37529520
>Sit in the middle with the woman

>>37529548
this.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>37529520
1 = Marcus
2 = Woman.

Frankly don't mind either way.

You jump into the back caravan with Marcus just as it is taking off. So the long journey to the next few cities begins. There are a few stops between here and Belgris, so you’ll have to find some way of entertaining yourself. Marcus is already hitting it off, passing some wine (where did he even get that?) to the three women and two men that are lounging around the back. They seem to be having a laugh, and an hour or so in Marcus moves closer to you, smiling like a madman.

“Brother, don’t let anyone ever tell you Bards get all the action. Merchant workers are the most promiscuous lot in the world.” He whispers to you so the others can’t hear, and you just roll your eyes.

“Marcus, you don’t have a pulse! How can you even…do that?” You ask, equal parts curious are repulsed.

“Haha, a little thing like death wouldn’t stop me from enjoying life’s simple pleasures. I’ve already prepared for EVERY eventuality.” With a wink that makes you queasy, he returns to the women and starts telling some hilarious anecdote while wrapping an arm around each of them.

One of the men slides over with a grin and offers you some of the wine. You can smell that it’s potent stuff, but it seems to be quite a good vintage. Marcus is mimicking drinking it, seeing as how he doesn’t have a working digestive track either, and playing the part of the inebriated buffoon.

Do you
>Accept the drink
>Politely decline

>>37529976
>Politely decline

we got a designated driver. drink up.

>>37529976
Lets not drink in public. Plus, I'm not entirely comfortable with whatever date rape drug marcus put in this wine.

>>37529976
>Politely decline
"Thanks man, but seeing how much my brother drinks, one of us has to stay sober"

>>37529976
>Politely decline
"Sorry, after what happened last time, I'd like to be awake for this trip."
Of course, nothing happened 'last time', but it gives us an excuse not to drink.

You politely refuse the drink, mentioning that you have to stay clear-headed in order to make sure your brother doesn’t embarrass himself too badly. The man just laughs and grins.

“I doubt it could be any worse than anything we’ve already seen. We travel much of the time, and are prone to seeing the best and worst in all the people who share our adventures.” Marcus is laughing up a storm now and seems to have everyone completely spellbound. You’ve always thought that, should Necromancy have failed, he would have made an exceptional Bard.

- - -

By nightfall, the caravan has made it to the next city and everyone was hard at work unloading their merchandise, extorting as much as they could from the shops, and reloading new goods before setting up a small camp just outside the small town. The older man and the woman in the second cart are sitting around the fire, sharing drinks and some food. While Marcus and the younger workers are in the field, sharing more of their wine.

Do you
>go join Marcus
>go sit around the fire

>>37530244
Sit by the fire, talk to these salt-of-the-earth people, be a charming gent.

>>37530244

keep an eye on that buffoon.

>>37530244
>go sit around the fire

>>37530244
>go sit around the fire
I'm not sure about our brother. He is obviously a troublemaker. I just hope isn't as troublemaker to cause trouble in this situation.

You go to sit around the fire, despite the odd looks from the man and woman.

“Your brother is a promiscuous one. The girls took a liking to him the second they saw him.” The man says nonchalantly, filling up his pipe again and taking a long drag from the smoke. You nod and explain that’s how he’s always been, and you doubt it’ll stop anytime soon. “I don’t mind much. The girls have fun, and they work hard so they can keep having fun.The name’s Olaf, and this is my eldest daughter Mila.” The woman nods and takes the pipe from his father.

“So, what do you think of our workers? We noticed that you didn’t try to woo them as others have. That’s quite the oddity in our line of work. what, are my girls not pretty enough? Or maybe your tastes are a little…different?” Olaf smiles a little, a sly little grin that only someone as traveled and knowledgeable about the world as you assume he is could have.

"Some of the girls have been talking about you." Mila adds on, pulling out a flask and taking a drink. "You seem wealthy, and well-mannered and many of them would probably kill to have a husband like you." She seems to be eyeing you up now, and you feel a bit put on the spot given the situation.

What do you say
>Write-in

>>37530502

indicate that you find mannerisms more attractive than looks. you've seen what time does to a body.

>>37530502
"Well, I currently have quite a few things on my mind so I apologize if I seem rather distant."

>>37530502
confess that manners and a certain level of wealth are of no stranger to you, but that, due to family obligations, you cannot simply take part of such things

>>37530609
I back this. Our profession just became highly illegal, we just moved. We have trolls around our habitat... We got no time chasing skirts. Yet

>>37530502
"You've said yourself, I don't need to woo the ladies. Present yourself a certain way, and they'll come to you. And while they are certainly lovely, my brother and I have family business to attend to up the road, and unlike him, I take my obligations to my mother and father very seriously. Once those obligations are fulfilled, I'll be more than happy to flirt with your girls. But not before. Pleasure before business leads to failed business."

You admit that you are a bit busy lately, due to familial obligations and pressures of life that are not easily lost. The girls are pretty, but right now you aren’t in much of a mind-set to be looking for a bed partner. Olaf just laughs, slapping his knee and nearly falling over.

“You sound like a nobleman all right. I didn’t believe Mila when she said that you must have some blue blood in yer veins, but now there’s no denying it.” After a few more drinks and a drag of his pipe he sighs. “Well, better for you then. Take care of yourself and make sure you don’t get into too much trouble. You seem like you have a nice head on your shoulders, it’d be a shame to loose it over some harlot.” Mila jabs him in the side with her elbow, but the conversation tapers off after that.

Soon enough you go to bed, and there is some rustling in what you assume is Marcus and the other girls also returning. You open your eyes enough to see a satisfied smirk on Marcus’ face as he curl into his blanket. He won’t actually sleep, but he’ll pretend for the sake of the workers. If you had the strength you’d roll your eyes and tell him off, but now you’re just exhausted and you want some sleep.

- - -

The next day is much the same as the first. You are all packed up and about to move on to the next town. You’ll be in Belgris by the evening and after that you’ll part ways with the merchant caravan. Marcus takes his seat in the last cart and you wonder where you should sit today.

Do you
>Sit with Olaf
>Sit with Mila
>Sit with Marcus

>>37530810
>Sit with Marcus

>>37530810
Let's sit with Olaf. We can't be distracted by all these women trying to seduce us right now.

>>37530810
>Sit with Marcus
Good time as any to practice. Or get some tips roads proforming without sigils

>>37530810
>Sit with Marcus

>>37530810
>Sit with Olaf
Guy sounds like a fuckin bro

>>37530810
>Olaf

>>37530810
>Sit with Marcus

Oh hey dapper necromancer quest. the polar opposite of feral necromancer quest.

I did not want to miss this one. we get to meet the parents! (I'm hoping they're nutty as I'd expect of a pair of immortal liches living with each other in unholy matrimony)

>>37531042
Yeah, I'm following both, loving both. I expect necro-shenanigans when we get to ma and pa's place.

You decide to sit back with Marcus, he was still flanked on either side by a lady and the men still sharing wine, The road went on, boring as every and Marcus still entertaining the cart with stories of his many exploits when he traveled around as a younger man. But as the trip went on, the mood seemed to shift, and one of the girl started eyeing you up. When the carts were at a very lonely, empty stretch of road, the girl came over and straddled you.

“Listen, boy. We heard from Mila and Olaf that you have a bit of nobility around you. So, we’ll give you an option. On the one hand, we could cute your throat and leave you for dead. But that’s bad for business.” You share a look with Marcus, and he looks just as confused as you are. “So, how about a bit of blackmail? You can either be killed and left for dead, you could pay us, or…you sleep with us.” Another of the girl walks over to you as well, smiling the same way as her cohort.

“A bastard child is enough to keep the money flowing. You wouldn’t be the first and certainly wouldn’t be the last. Now, what is your answer?”

This is fucking ridiculous. You’d almost think this was Marcus’ plan if one of the girl didn’t pull out a knife and was holding it against your throat.

Do you
>Agree to pay them
>Reach for a curse
>Sleep with the girl

>>37531166
Agree to sleep with the girl, for now. Then, when we see a moment, use the curses on the women.

Then we can negotiate in equal terms. With our dagger against their throat.

>>37531166

>agree to pay, except instead of your purse, pull out a curse instead

>>37531166
>Sleep with the girl
in a magical setting I think stds is an issue.

>>37531166
Professional blackmailers?
Can we get to and use the a curse without them attacking us? if so, do that.

>>37531166
>Reach for a curse

>>37531229
Backing this.

>>37531229 here

alternative solution: sleep with her, then splooge on her face. and THEN curse her.

>>37531210
I would do it, with a little modification;
We pretend we pushed a nerve on them while we use the curse. We'll say we are well-versed in anatomy, and could kill them with a touch (which is partially true)
This way we get out safely, but hide the fact that we are necromancers
Y/N ?

No no sleeping with whores!

Then they'll just try and claim monthly extortions for whatever bastard child they squirt out. Much as I dislike it this seems more easily solved with killing them... unsavory things they'd just go on ruining lives for others if we let them live...

>>37531166
"What, my brother isn't good enough? Just get your bastards out of him. Heavens above know that he's embarrassed the family with enough of them. Besides, he's the older. His share of the family title is larger than mine, as are his pants."

Knowing full well that, being undead, our brother is infertile. They can romp all they want and all they'll get for their trouble is a funny walk.

>>37531290
Shit, this is actually a pretty good idea.

>>37531290
Haha, yeah. Let them try to get some babies out of his necrotic dick.

>>37531166
>>37531239
here.
Changing my vote to>>37531290

>>37531290
Thats... thats brilliant and he'd have almost no objections being the womanizing bastard he is.

If that fails though we'll likely have to fight them somehow. I refuse to be the sire of a bastard son to these harlots care.

You try to ask why they wouldn’t just accept your brother as a suitable sire to their bastard children, but the woman laughs.

“Your brother already told us of his infertility. He was fun, but he can’t give us what we need.” You glare at Marcus and he just shrugs.

“It seemed like a good idea! I don’t want a bastard kid, and I thought they wouldn’t either. My mistake…” Another woman holds a knife up to his neck, but he seems considerably less worried about the prospect of having his head removed that you do.

You agree to pay them, telling them that you need to reach for your purse since it is hidden in your bag. At first they don’t believe you but when they try to find your money purse (conveniently hidden in the lining of your cloak to be honest) they allow you the freedom to reach in your bag. Before they can do much, you whisper the words to activate the curse and pull it out, the familiar black and red marks leaping off the paper and binding the five blackmailers quick enough that the driver and the other carts don’t notice.

“Jeez. This is a pain.” Marcus pushes the bound girl off and begins digging through their belongings. He pulls out some papers, and smiles when you ask what he’s doing. “Just getting some of the names of people who they have. Wow, they have a member of the Inquisitorial Tribunal! I’ll just be taking those.” He pockets a bunch of their gold as well. “And if they try to bring us to ‘justice’ we could call on some of the nobles and have a bit of clout against them. Isn’t that right?” He pats one of the frozen figures on the head.

You are an hour away from Belgris by horse. If you want, you could try to sneak away now, or wait until you are closer to the town itself. The curse will definitely last until then, it’s just up to you when you try to leave.

Do you
>Try to leave now
>Wait until you are closer to Belgris

>>37531495
>>Wait until you are closer to Belgris

>>37531495
So, the bound people are aware while bound, right?

Do we think we could bash them in such a way as to knock them give them amnesia?

if not, we might have to kill them, to stop them running to the first inquisitor and for them to start a manhunt.

>>37531495
>Wait until you are closer to Belgris

>>37531495
Wait till we are closer.

Also, remove all weapons they have on them. We don't have to take tthem with us, just keep them out of reach should the curse end.

>>37531495

use the lady who put a knife to your throat as a pillow for the rest of the ride.

>>37531495
>>Wait until you are closer to Belgris

>>37531495
Have we searched all of the blackmailers?

If not, do that while we're on the cart to Belgris.

>>37531495
>Wait until you are closer to Belgris
We are sitting comfortably. If we would try to get away now we'll have to walk ANd get the attention of the driver

>>37531581
>Do we think we could bash them in such a way as to knock them give them amnesia?

Anything that'll give them amnesia is also likely to kill them. I'd rather not leave a bunch of corpses in the back of the cart.

>>37531631

unless this quest operates on Hollywood medicine. does it, OP?

>>37531654
Nope. That won't work without risking killing them or giving them brain damage.

You decide to wait, since you are already in a pretty comfortable position. You get all the weapons off of the blackmailers and tie them up in a few blankets and drop them onto the road. Other than that, none of them seem to have very important object on them. You push the bodies to the side and Marcus even uses strips of the blankets to tie them up in case something goes wrong.

When the town of Belgris is in your sights, you and Marcus slip off of the cart and wait until they pull far enough away to get away and enter the town from a different angle. The sun is low and the lights are bright as you walk through the town that you remember as a child. A wave of nostalgia comes over you as you realize you haven’t been here in years.

Marcus suggests trying to find a place to sleep or relax, but you think that it might be better to get over to your parent’s place as soon as possible.

do you
>Try to find an inn
>Head to the castle

>>37531631
>>37531654
>>37531670
Well, I was just thinking that it might be preferable to avoid rumours of a necromancer in the area spreading.

>>37531697
>Head to the castle

I'd rather avoid inns after that encounter with the killer hookers. Thats the first place they'll hunt for us if they want blood.

Lets go for the castle and sneak in and take our rest when we meet the family again.

>>37531697
>Head to the castle

man, our pockets are empty enough as they are. go to the castle.

>>37531697
>>Head to the castle

>>37531697
Let's get out of town straight away. The caravan was going to stop over at this town anyway, and I'd rather be away before a witchhunt begins.

>>37531495
Gather the paralyzed girls so they can see you. Smile a wicked smile.
"Now, as you've no doubt guessed, I'm a bit more than just some fop on a fool's errand. I have some small mastery of curses and such. So, here's what's going to happen."
Pull out an ink well, dip a finger in it, mutter some audible syllables of backwards gobbledygook while smearing a line of ink along the throats of each of the girls.
"You're going to go ahead and wash that off. Doesn't matter. The curse is soaking into your flesh as we speak. And that's what you won't be doing. If you ever try to speak of this, of my brother and I, to anyone besides yourselves, the curse will simply slit your throats on the spot. If you speak of being cursed, the curse will slit your throats. If you set foot inside a temple of the Silver Flame or speak directly to a priest, templar, or inquisitor thereof, the curse will slit your throats. Do you understand me? Were I a cruel or vindictive man, I would twist your insides, cursed to forever crave what you sought to steal from me yet infertile and wracked with pain at the slightest touch of a man. I am extending you this one boon not out of kindness, but simply because I really don't care about you. Oh, one last thing."
Dab a bit of ink on the center of each of their lips.
"If you ever get within five feet of my brother and I again without our express permission, that second curse will strip all the flesh from your faces without killing you. Goodbye."

Of course there are no curses there, but they don't need to know that. And if they did find a way around the 'curses', any templar would think them liars since there is no curse or sign thereof for the inquisitors to remove or punish.

>>37531697
>>Head to the castle

>>37531697
>Head to the castle

>>37531808
brilliant

>>37531808
That would be an alright idea and probably would have gotten a bit of traction if it weren't posted a bit too late.

>>37531808
sucks we can't use it.

>>37531872

indeed.

>>37531872
>>37531884
>>37531862
That's the problem with cool ideas here. While we think it trough, and type them down, something else and more simple has already been voted

After everything that’s happened, you could use a good break. The people in the back of the cart were probably found by now, and you just need to get somewhere safe. You don’t stop anywhere and breeze through the town, coming out on the other side and heading up the broken down road towards the remains of the castle.

It’s still in good shape, despite being abandoned now. It was built with longevity in mind, with the progenitor of your family working subtle magic into every brick and intending for the castle to stand for as long as the Barsley family does. You feel a sense of peace a you approach, but it’s broken up with you notice the small group of people standing in the front wielding torches. It’s yet another god damn adventuring group, and at least one of the is carrying the Inquisitorial Emblem.

“Damn it.” Marcus whispers as the two of you hide behind some trees. “What the hell is wrong with these people? Don’t they have anything better to do than explore old ruins?” You nod, as you try to figure out what to do. So far, there are two options. One is to try and take them out, seeing as they are desecrating your family home. The other option is pretty simple, and Marcus is bound to agree with it.

If you make it to the graveyard, your mother will probably just take care of them.

Do you
>Try to take care of them yourself
>Head to the graveyard

>>37531977
>Head to the graveyard

>>37531977
how many of them?

>>37531977
Lets see if we can't convince them that there isn't anything there. Already been picked clean by other adventureres ages ago. Being this close to town, it was bound to be empty, right?

>>37531977
>>Head to the graveyard

>>37531977
>Head to the graveyard
Keep curses as contingency plan. Mom should be tough enough to deal with them, but also respective towards family tradition to not give them the brutal treatment (unlike we did last time)

>>37532054
Why would they listen to us? Also, Marcus is a lich so the Inquisitor might be able to sense him.

graveyard. I'm not as worried about getting killed as I am about exposing our identity.

>>37532104
It's just the emblem. Doesn't mean he's an inquisitor, just means they've been authorized to do as they please by the church.

>>37532023
Six adventurers.

>>37532171
That's the rub. You don't know if he's just a pageboy for the Inquisition or a high ranking Executer.

You whisper to Marcus to follow you, and then burst into a sprint around the back of the castle. Of course, the adventurer’s see you, but that’s part of the point. None of them are equipped with a bow or arrows or any other ranged weapon, so it’s just a matter of being faster then them. You run around the side of the castle, using your knowledge of the layout from your youth to slip past gates and through hedges until you reach the goal.

A great iron gate, black and foreboding with a simple iron lock on the front. You grab the lock and pull, knowing it will immediately come undone under your grasp as the heir to the castle. You and your brother throw yourselves in and watch as the six adventurers step in behind you.

“Now.” The leader says, a behemoth of a man dual-weilding great sword. (Actually, everyone seems to be dual wielding their class of weapons. Weird.) “What the hell do you lot think you’re do-“ the man stops and looks behind you. You see a look of fear enter his eyes as a blue light starts to shine from behind you.

A lady, or the shape of one, with a bleached white skull where her head should be. She’s wearing a flowing black dress and you see blue fire, elemental magic of an extremely high caliber, floating from the tips of her fingers. It’s Mom.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again boys. Just let me take out the trash.” the blue flames burst forward and seem to engulf them, then there is a shining light as they are teleported away. “There. I hate those types, so nosey. Now, how about some tea.” the same light engulfs you, and before you know it, you are deep in the bowels of the catacombs.

File: 1351017624859.jpg (128 KB, 1280x1165)

128 KB JPG

>>37532388
Pic was meant to be attached.

>>37532388
>(Actually, everyone seems to be dual wielding their class of weapons. Weird.)

ehehe, I like that image. Dualwielding holy icons?

>>37532417
"Some tea would be lovely, thank you. You would not believe how miserable this trip has been."

complain about Marcus' maggots.

>>37532388
>Hi Mom. Tea sounds fine. Where id grandma and dad?
Also should we tattletale on Marcus's pet project?

File: 1365374072937.png (650 KB, 888x800)

650 KB PNG

Your eyes need to adjust to the change in light. The underground catacombs are incredibly well lit, with enchanted lanterns always burning and a few enchanted tools and cleaning supplies that keep everything in working order and in tip top shape. The floors are even polished marble now with the occasional carpet laid down for taste. You ask your mother what exactly she’s done with them and she laughs a bit.

“Just a dash of elemental magic to bind them, Psychometry to affect their mental processes to erase their memories and desires to explore the castle, and a teleportation spell to put them in a nice field. They’ll wake up tomorrow with a nice few bottles of ale gone and think they’ve just had a pleasant evening. Now come on, your father is dying to see you.”

You make your way deeper into the catacombs until you come to a beautifully polished wooden door. Stepping inside you see a large library and study with a fire burning in the fireplace. Your father is sitting next to the fire with a few cats curled around him. Your father, though allergic, loved cats and owning a few once he no longer had a sense of smell was on his post-bucket list.

“Oh, hello boys!” Your father says, brushing himself off and giving you both a hug. “It’s so wonderful to see you! The tea isn’t ready, but I’m sure that there is some crumpets or…Marcus, boy. what on earth have you done to yourself?” Your father motions to the stitches on his neck as he takes off the scarf and you realize he must not have told your parents about his ‘experimenting’.

Do you
>Stay quiet
>Tell them about the experiments
>Tell them about the experiments and the ordeal of getting him into one piece

>>37532568
Lets enjoy ourselves as marcus embarrasses himself to the parents.

>>37532568
How about instead

>Quietly ask Marcus if bringing the parent's into the mystery is a good idea, they're both experts on the topic and could shed some light on it.

inb4 they have super sonic parental hearing. or never let us.

We can't bail him out this time sadly. He went and died and never told the folks.

>>37532568
>Tell them about the experiments and the ordeal of getting him into one piece
But not in a ratty way, more like a haha Marcus being Marcus as usual

>>37532568
>>Stay quiet
I would like to find out more about the giant flesh golem.. see if they may be able to shed some light on that.

>>37532568
Let's give a chance for Marcus to explain himself, adding that our parent's expertise might help.
If he doesn't comply we will tell the truth

>>37532568
>Stay quiet
"Oh, this one is best heard from the source. Go ahead, Marcus. Tell Mother and Father what you did."

You don’t say a thing and let Marcus struggle to explain what happened.

“Well, I just wanted to do some experiments! I was doing things and I thought I could improve on the tired old ‘lich’ thing and I sort of…kind of…bound my soul to my body.” There is silence, until your mother stands up and, grabbing his head with both hands, jerks up quickly enough to rip his head off his body.” HEY!”

“This is why we don’t do this. Liches can put themselves back together by sheer will. You can’t.” Your mother throws the head back at Marcus’ body, which he catches and futiley tries to put it back without a needle and thread. “Come along. I have some steel twine that will secure it a bit better than that.” Marcus just holds his head against his chest and dumbly follows your mother as they go out into the catacombs into her personal room.

“Hahaha, she’s still as terrible a dictator as ever.” Your father says, ushering you to sit down. “I guess that makes you the living heir. It’s a big burden, but I can’t imagine you being unable to bring the family to greatness.” Your father says as he reaches over and puts together a nice cup of tea for you. You accept it and begin to drink, it’s prepared exactly how you like it, a dash of milk and no sugar and slightly oversteeped.

Now is a good time to make some small talk with your father. What do you want to talk about?
>Grimshaw and Marcus’ Home
>The Inquisition
>How your father and mother are doing.

>>37532860
>Grimshaw and Marcus’ Home

>>37532860
Music necromancy/magic

>>37532860
I'd have to go with grimshaw and marcus's digs. he's already been killed once in them and then theres the super golem living in it. He might have a clue who built that thing. and if they'll come back for it.

>>37532860
>The Inquisition

>>37532860
Ask after their well being, then ask after grandmother and the rest of the family.

>>37532860
>How your father and mother are doing.
Small talk baby

>>37532860
>>The Inquisition
And any tips he has for us. Things we should focus on.

>>37532860
How do you decide which option has been chosen?

Most votes in x minutes after the post?

>>37532860
>Grimshaw and Marcus’ Home
Marcus found something very fascinating, and in true Marcus fashion took it to be a toy or curiosity. I'm eager to hear what you have to say.

>>37533147
Yeah. I usually extend the time if it is close though, or people are writing up options.

You tell your father about the strange ordeal of getting Marcus his head back, and how it lead you to the fortress where Marcus was stationed up. You go into great detail to tell him about the monster known as Grimshaw, his body composition, the forces you felt at work, everything. Your father listens, raptured by every word and when you finish he just leans back in his chair thoughtful and drags his bony fingers against the fur of a white kitten.

“Alexander. We weren’t the first necromancers in the world. Before the precursors to the current Kingdom came, there were civilizations here that had a very advanced form of necromancy. They had no other magic, barely any alchemy, and their tools were barbaric, but their knowledge of death was refined to a point that it took our families centuries to attain.” He stops and picks up the cat, putting her on the floor. “I don’t know whats going on. But I’ve felt that something was…off. It’s weak, and faint, but it’s there. And I’m afraid that if it rears it’s head there will be something deadly in it’s wake.”

He stands up and pours you another cup of tea. “Or I’m mistaken and it’s nothing. Who can say. I don’t know who created this ‘Grimshaw’ but I will definitely investigate this and interrogate your brother.”

On queue, your brother and mother return. His head is now sewn on with a shiny silver thread, and he looks a bit like a punished child. Your mother has her head held high.

“Alexander, come. We need to summon up the family and get everything ready for Your Grandmother’s birthday party.”

Finishing the tea, wishing it had a bit of alcohol in it, you stand up and prepare yourself for the most difficult challenge you have faced so far.

Preparing for your Grandmother’s 200th birthday party.

- - -

things came up, so I'm going to stop it right there. I hope you folks had a good time.

>>37533631
thanks necroman. looking forwards to the next one

>>37533631
Have a fun one.

And also how much fun did you have imagining a mother ripping her own undead son's head off and make a lecture out of it?

>>37533631
Thank's for running NecroMan!

>>37533739
More than I should have.

>>37533753
Thanks for running.
Have a good night.

What do people think of this one vs. Feral Necromancer?

>>37534154
Can't compare the two. Very different, but I like them both. Especially if Father's hints about older necromantic societies mean that Feral is a pre-historic prequel of Hidden.

>>37534471
They're run by different QMs.

>>37528461
Just popping in to say that I enjoy your writing, back to archives.