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>>38065893
As I tweeted earlier, this is going to be an SoL session with a Valentine’s Day focus instead of a siege. The siege will be next week. The first reason for this is just that I underestimated how much prep I needed – enemy force, local force, time, reinforcements, possible negotiations and, most importantly, a proper breakdown of Harrowmont itself. There’s no good description of Harrowmont anymore and I’ve had to trawl through emails to start creating one due to my bad habit of not recording any of the details. The second reason is just that I’m really busy – I’ve changed areas at work and am currently doing 9-10 hour days for the next few weeks.

Current Date and Time: Early evening on February 13th, 1955PC
FR Points: 1

“You do remember what tomorrow is, don’t you?” Maloric asks you.

You glare at your friend over the table, where a decanter and two almost empty glasses of brandy stand. “My reign would come to an abrupt end if I didn’t. Especially because I’ve received more hints, subtle reminders and demands about tomorrow than I possibly imagined.”

Snorting, Maloric refills both glasses and takes a sip of the brandy. “You’ve only got, what, four or five of them? Did they think you so thick they needed to repeatedly remind you?”

“Six, actually. Eight if you include a couple more. I think it was more a game of one-upmanship between the sisters, actually. Going to have to keep them separate,” you say, muttering to yourself at the end.

>continued

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>>38065908
Mal stares at you in shock. “Eight! How the hell did your harem get that large? Oh, unless you’re including Tsucchi and your vampire.”

“No, but…” you say, trailing off with a frown. “I might want to do something with Tsucchi. It might be a good time, if Ren wasn’t bullshitting me.”

There’s no answer and you notice that Mal is simply staring at you in shock. His glass practically dangles in his hand, the precious brandy within it a little too close to freedom. You shrug in return, not sure what he’s so bothered by. It must be that…

>1. Mal’s view on life has been shattered by the news that two women is far, far too few.
>2. Mal’s heart has stopped. Clearly two women were far too many for him.
>3. Mal’s brain has gone haywire. You’d thought that baby brain only affected women.
>4. Custom

Also, if you have any ideas for scenes with various characters that you want to see, post them.

>>38065936
>1. Mal’s view on life has been shattered by the news that two women is far, far too few.
Ahahaha, man. I suddenly don't envy Talon anymore.

Hmm, how about a nice date on a lake on a small boat? And with tons of guards following, because hey, keep the emperor safe?

Also, could you please remind us of undine's physical appearance and clothes she usually wears?

>>38065936
>4. Mal is clearly hatching a plan to impersonate you. Let this proceed...

1
And I'd like a scene of us talking to Alyce and Merce about our trip to the forest. Including formally informing Alyce, that no marriage proposals were involved.

>>38066038
That would be nice to see.

>>38065936
If this:
>4. Mal is clearly hatching a plan to impersonate you. Let this proceed...
was carried out, Mal would be murdered. I doubt he has the gall to try. Besides, the man will be busy with his women.

therefore voting for:
>1. Mal’s view on life has been shattered by the news that two women is far, far too few.
Even if 4 would be funny.

>>38065936
>2. Mal’s heart has stopped. Clearly two women were far too many for him.

>>38065936
>4. Mal is clearly hatching a plan to impersonate you. Let this proceed...

>>38065936
>1. Mal’s view on life has been shattered by the news that two women is far, far too few.
>Also drop hints about our suspicion of him impersonating Talon and being the author for all of those porn novels.

I'd like to see Talon being forced to go shopping with someone, like many dates go IRL. I don't remember a scene like that, only that one with Syl, but it wasn't the same thing. BOnus point for how the girls' shopping spree will break the empire's finances.

>>38065908
>As I tweeted earlier, this is going to be an SoL session with a Valentine’s Day focus instead of a siege
I'm here anyway. ;_;

>>38065936
>>2. Mal’s heart has stopped. Clearly two women were far too many for him.
Man, the kid will make him flip the fuck out, then, if he can't even handle two women.

>214 pages and 75k words

Fucking Christ I know a lot of that has to be quotes and off topic, but damn. My bad.

>1

>>38066007
the girls are more than enough protection for us. out of the 8 women in our harem, we have a 9 tailed fox, a 7 tailed fox, 1 vampire, 1 dragon-born, 3 elementals, and 1 protege aspirant mage (also a duchess).

>>38065936
>>1. Mal’s view on life has been shattered by the news that two women is far, far too few.

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So this looks like 1 but I'll include a joke about him planning to impersonate you.

Also, the pdf attached is an example of what I'm hoping to put together for all of Harrowmont.

>>38066007
>Also, could you please remind us of undine's physical appearance and clothes she usually wears?
Reasonably tall (5'10?), busty (though less so than Gnome), trim build, short brown hair (not quite to her shoulders). For her clothes, I've always pictured her in a fancy black jacket/tunic (that covers her arms, torso and waist) with silver trim and a matching pair of pants.

>>38066319
The quotes probably don't make up more than 20-30% of it. The initial figure was 220k words, but that was because Gmail freaked out at some point and stopped hiding quotes.

>>38066471
For some reason, I always imagined her wearing caster's clothes, from Fate/Extra.

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>>38066429
The harem is actually Gnome, Sala, Undine, Lynn, Sarah and Taira plus Adele and Noah. The latter two aren't really 'attached' to Talon in the same way as the first six.

>>38066319
Also, I didn't say this but don't feel bad or anything. The only bad thing about the size of it is the fact I didn't record things that I shouldn't have.

>>38066567
That's probably more like what Taira or Tsucchi wear.

>>38065936

>scene suggestions

>Going to an opera/symphony in Vitria with Sarah, Undine, maybe Aladria/Felix? Throw some bits about culture and architectural stylings of Vitria we haven't gotten in awhile.

>Walking in on Felix and Aladria having a moment. Finally figure out why or vampire has a thing for the knight in shining armor.

>Gnome, La scene building the stairway to the Imperial Academy, possibly with an elated Bartom's help. They argue about what to do with the wall behind it, turn it into a relief, mosaic, whatever?

>Downtime with the RSK General friend whose name I cannot remember(Neir's father), hear about his opinions on Harrowmont, banter about VDay shenanigans, some of his past.

>>38066471
Sometimes I think ArchitectAnon has put more thought into this quest than you, Aspir.
That level of dedication is inspiring.

>>38066617
Nah, I just like building stuff. Aspir is great at framing the amount of nonsense I throw at him and making it work. My wiring is too scatter brained to function as a description.

That said I probably know Harrowmont and its defenses better then most. It's one of my favorite projects.

>>38065936
I know it passed but, I still would like to see Lyn's birthday scene.

Also a scene with a meeting of our Architect "Arcanon" and wise world sage "Aspie"

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>>38066471
nice. A brofist for you.

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>>38066617
Well, that word count includes both sides. I think we both tend to write hugeass emails (though he certainly has more 4+ page emails than me). The emails are a real delight to read through and respond to, though.

>1. But with some custom

“For what it’s worth, I do apologise for ruining your perspective on life,” you say to your friend in the most obnoxiously regretful tone you can manage. “Two women is still plenty for an ordinary man. Continue living your life as though you never saw what the real world was like.”

Snapping back to reality, Mal practically snarls at you. You laugh in his face at the way he reddens in a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Swirling the brandy in your glass, you wait for your friend to start forming coherent words.

“Two is more than enough for an intelligent man,” he says with a clipped tone. “What’s your plan for eight?”

You pause, not expecting the counterattack. At the same time, a suspicion builds. “Why? What do you plan to do with that information?”

“What does that mean?”

“I remember a time in the past where you tried to take advantage of my reputation and general preoccupation to have some fun,” you say. “You wouldn’t be planning that again?”

There’s a brief period of silence before Mal barks out a laugh. “As much fun as it would be to do so, I have no wish to be murdered. Noah will kill me if I sleep with a woman that isn’t my familiar and the woman I sleep with will kill me when I don’t act like you in bed.”

>continued

>>38066892
>Also a scene with a meeting of our Architect "Arcanon" and wise world sage "Aspie"
Please, no. That's a literal 15yr-old's first fanfic tier idea.

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>>38066930
“I don’t follow the last part,” you say, frowning as you empty your glass.

“I struggle to keep up with both of them at once. You’re planning on indulging eight of them in one day,” he says, pointing his glass in your direction and spilling a little brandy on the tabletop.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be doing anything with one of them and a couple probably want more romance than sex,” you say, trailing off.

“From what I hear from Sylph, it sounds like you’re dreaming if you think that’s the case,” Mal says, grinning into his glass maliciously.

This was going to be a long Valentine’s Day. You should probably work off the alcohol before going to bed. You’re pretty sure that Sala and Taira were going to ‘intrude’ on you in the morning. You…

>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.
>2. See whether Tsucchi wants to do anything tomorrow.
>3. Talk with Aladria about tomorrow and her plans.
>4. Custom

Also, I just noticed that Talon and Vad's birthdays would have only been a few days past (9th and 12th respectively).

>>38066792
I am very tempted to open up 3ds max and create a rough 3d model of Harrowmont keep in my spare time.

>>38066965
>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.


Valentines day, the one day the Imperator is no were to be found.

>>38066965
>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.
Time to tease Merce until she cries "Mercy" and demands Talon to fuck her right then and there. Or did I get the names switched up.

>>38066965
>>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.

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>>38067028
It's the night before. You'll be back in time. Unless you meant that Alyce and Merce were going to stop him from leaving.

>>38066965
>3. Talk with Aladria about tomorrow and her plans.

>>38066965
>>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.
In some ways I'm tempted to give Finn a heads up, but Undine almost certainly already did that, and watching those fireworks will be just too much fun

>>38067141
I imagine that the thought would cross their minds for a little fun. Merce would certainly try just to tease gnome.

>>38066965
>3. Talk with Aladria about tomorrow and her plans.

Oh man a Talon and Vad double birthday scene with them comparing presents would be funny.

>>38066965
>>1. Visit Alyce and Merce in Ahm via teleportation. The archmage has been bugging you for an update on what you did in Terrnaine.
But don't bang her and/or Merce, guys. Nothing against her, but that's the last thing we need right now. We're already getting swamped in pussy.

>>38066965
>2. See whether Tsucchi wants to do anything tomorrow.
Work on adding her to the harem.

>>38066617
And to think, I sometimes worry about how much I send to Aspirational.

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That's a 1. Writing.

>>38067266
It's harder to count the length of your emails because it's not just one huge chain of replies. I imagine the chain would be pretty big, because I sometimes send back some rather long responses to your questions.

>>38067141
and then when the 8 women find Talon along with Alyce and Mercie, thus begins Talon's most challenging and terrifying quest:
Valentine's Day Endurance Run
Goal:
>Satisfy all 11 women before the end of Valentine's day
Conditions:
> All women must be satisfied before the end of the day.
> If a woman is able to go for another round, you must fuck her again until she's satisfied again before you can move on or stop.
> You must bang each woman at least once.
> Once you start fucking, you cannot stop until the woman is satisfied.
> If a woman joins in the middle of a session, you must satisfy that woman as well the current woman you're fucking before you can stop.
> You must survive
> You cannot use Viagra or any potions that increases your sexual stamina.
Fail conditions:
> If you collapse from exhaustion, you lose and suffer 8 days (per unsatisfied woman) worth of work from not satisfying them on Valentine's day.
> If you run dry (cannot produce any more cum), you gain the ire of the woman you're currently fucking and spend 1 day(s) worth of work to regain their favor again.

Targets:
Sarah, Undine, Gnome, Salamander, Taira, Tsucchi, Adele, Lynn, Noah.

>>38067611
All I see there is death by snoo-snoo.

>>38067611
>Noah
Nope. She's too busy manipulating Ren.

>>38067611
Eh, he's got the PoP bound to him, right? He'll make do. Could even grow a second dick if he wanted to.

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>1.

Convincing Karise to teleport you to Ahm at this time had been surprisingly easy. Probably because she’s spent almost the entire day scouring the markets of Harrowmont for a good gift for Sarnn. He was a lucky little fox for Karise to still follow her own culture for the day and try to make him happy instead of the opposite.

“Are you sure the stores are still going to be open?” Karise asks you as the two of you step out into the main street of Ahm, her tails twisting in nervousness.

“Ahm never sleeps, let alone the night before Valentine’s,” you say, pointing towards all the people around you and obviously active market life around you. “See all the stalls and shoppers? Expect to be drowned in ideas. Try not to bankrupt yourself, Karise.”

You farewell the foxy spymaster and make your way to the palace, where you’re allowed entrance without much fuss. It’s not exactly your first time turning up unannounced. The speed with which Jace swoops down on you is downright terrifying, however.

“Imperator Talon, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he says with a smile, his positive demeanour not entirely hiding his practiced caution. You’d be lying if you said that Jace still didn’t make you feel wary – he wasn’t exactly a mage that you wanted to get on the bad side of, given his reputation. “I take it you’ve heard the news?”

Frowning, you shake your head. You ask with some levity, “Did Alyce finally accept a marriage proposal?”

>continued

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>>38067798
“Hah. No, thankfully,” Jace says with a chuckle. “We’ve received word from the Last Retreat that another assault on the barrier has begun. The Mage Guard and Lord of Air have deployed forces to assist in the defense.”

“And the League?”

“Alyce plans to send some elite mages to assist, to at least signal some support despite the resistance of the League at large,” he says. “You haven’t been contacted?”

You shake your head, curious as to why you haven’t heard a thing. Then again, Raphael had all but outright told you that he wanted you to become powerful enough to assist him by yourself and drawing on your forces now might slow that process.

You farewell Jace and step out of the lift and into Alyce’s floor. Her familiar, Merce, is lazing around on one of the couches with a book and gives you a glance.

“What exciting news brings you here now, Talon?” she asks you.

You answer with…

>1. Blatant lies. Say you’re planning on getting married
>2. Not-as-blatant lies. Say you need help with Finn, because his love life is getting out of control, even by your standards.
>3. Be honest. Admit you’re here to talk about your trip to Terrnaine and the lack of marriage proposals you received.
>4. Custom

>>38067663
um his status as being enhanced by the source and binded by the PoPs do not count as potions. I explicitly stated that he can't use any consumable stamina enhancers. PoP and the Source don't count as consumable stamina enhancers.

>>38067840
>2. Not-as-blatant lies. Say you need help with Finn, because his love life is getting out of control, even by your standards.

>>38067840
>4. Blatant lies. Say you’re planning on getting married to Mercie, then switch to Being honest and Admit you’re here to talk about your trip to Terrnaine and the lack of marriage proposals you received.
We must tease Mercie Mercilessly until she cries "mercy".

>>38067840
>3. Be honest. Admit you’re here to talk about your trip to Terrnaine and the lack of marriage proposals you received.

>>38067840
>>2. Not-as-blatant lies. Say you need help with Finn, because his love life is getting out of control, even by your standards.

>>38067840
>>2. Not-as-blatant lies. Say you need help with Finn, because his love life is getting out of control, even by your standards.
Oh god yes

>>38067840
>2. Not-as-blatant lies. Say you need help with Finn, because his love life is getting out of control, even by your standards.

>>38067840
>3. Be honest. Admit you’re here to talk about your trip to Terrnaine and the lack of marriage proposals you received.

>>38067840
>>3. Be honest. Admit you’re here to talk about your trip to Terrnaine and the lack of marriage proposals you received.
Maybe make a joke about how Finn has been corrupted by royalty.

>>38067840
>>3. Be honest. Admit you’re here to talk about the lack of marriage proposals you received.

>>38067840
>1. Blatant lies. Say you’re planning on getting married

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Rolled 1 (1d2)

Tie-breaker roll.

1 = Option 2
2 = Option 3

Yo real talk, wasn't Jace suppose to be retiring soon? He seems like a pretty good pick up to teach at the Imperial Academy if we can manage to wrangle him away from Alyce

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>2.

“It’s about Finn. I’m worried about his health,” you say, using a worried tone and taking a seat on one of the plush chairs near Merce.

“What?” she says, alarmed. She springs upright, giving you a sharp gaze. “Did things get worse in Terrnaine? I thought a Caelfinn would be able to help his tattoos.”

“They did, they did. It’s not about his tattoos, it’s about the women in his life,” you say, still sounding worried but greatly enjoying Merce’s reaction.

“What,” she says flatly, glaring at you.

“I’m all for having plenty of women in your life, but Finn’s worrying even me. He’s collecting them at an astounding pace and going mad with lust,” you say. “At first it was just Rayza, but now it’s his mystic fox aides, nobles, other elves and even Larrya.”

“What!” Merce shout, standing up and her voice is full of anger. “He’s being taken advantage of and you’re here just talking?”

“I don’t think he’s being taken advantage of. He seems to enjoy it,” you say, struggling to maintain your façade.

“What is happening out here?” Alyce asks as she wanders in, giving her familiar.

“Tarfinn’s been corrupted. I need to go help him,” Merce says, her voice full of pride and determination.

You’re not sure you can hold on any longer.

[DC16 Personal Willpower]

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>38068448

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>38068448

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>38068448
trollin

>>38068475

Willpower of the fucking gods

>>38068475
After this blows over, we should say "Going to be honest, I thought you had better spies than that."

>>38068475
and there was much trolling/teasing to be had.

>>38068475
Inb4 we burn all of our good rolls this week and the siege next week is disaster of 3s and 7s.

Well it was nice knowing you Harrowmont

>>38068656
Inb4 we roll 20 four times then roll a 1 on saving someone from the enemy generals last ultimate attack.

>>38068656
Or we could abuse the source for a ludicrous number of summons.

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>Target met

You manage not to burst out into raucous peals of laughter. This may be a bad thing.

“Merce, come back here!” Alyce shouts at her familiar as she literally charges out of the room and into the lift. “Talon, what the hell just happened?”

“I told her about my worries for Finn’s health because he’s sleeping with lots of women,” you say, brain somehow still running after this absurd turn of events. “She’s really going to Harrowmont, isn’t she?”

“God, I hope not,” Alyce says, cradling her head in her hands. “And is he really sleeping with lots of women? He doesn’t seem the type.”

“I think he’s got four, with another one or two interested,” you say, shrugging.

“You corrupt everything you touch, I swear,” she mutters. “Aside from driving my familiar crazy, why are you here?”

You get down to business, explaining what happened in Terrnaine relatively briefly. It doesn’t take too long but the fact that Merce hasn’t come back yet is worrying. Is she really going to Harrowmont?

“And I can officially tell you, with all the respect of my office and my very reputation on the line, that I received no marriage proposals while I was in Tellornaine,” you say.

Eyes narrowing, Alyce does nothing for several moments. Then, “Awfully specific. Did you receive one outside the city limits.”

You give her a look of reproach. “I received no marriage proposals in the forest whatsoever. Really, Alyce, do you think everybody is lining up to ask for my hand?”

“Do you know that I’ve been asked several times by young, single female mages to introduce you to them? Sometimes they’re not young, either,” she says.

“That’s not a marriage proposal.”

>continued

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>>38069138
Alyce hands you a letter. You take it cautiously, half expecting it to explode. Its sealed with wax and carries some minor spells to keep it in good condition. You recognise the seal as that of Carrthrus, one of the larger cities in the Torryus region and the kingdom in which you grew up, even if the area you grew up in is now under Guard control.

“What is this?” you ask her.

“Open it.”

“Alyce.”

“I mentioned to Grand Magister Eleni that you were from north-eastern Carrthrus. I received this letter last week,” she says, smiling sweetly.

You stare at the letter. “That’s one. How many did you receive since I saw you last?”

“Three, though two of them were just repeats,” she says. “Aren’t you going to open it?”

Placing the letter in your jacket, you change the topic and avoid teasing Alyce for the rest of the night. Instead you talk business, namely that of how the elves are settling in and thanking her for her assistance in moving the elves last year despite the lack of a detailed explanation.

“Oh, and before I forget – you should receive a package shortly. Do try to enjoy your birthday present as much as you enjoyed your birthday,” Alyce says, trying to sound nonchalant.

You farewell Alyce and consider the letter as you wait for Karise to return. You…

>1. Open it.
>2. Don’t open it.
>3. Custom

>>38069164
>1. Open it.

>>38069164
>1. Open it.
This should be interesting to say the least.

>>38069164
>>1. Open it.

>>38069164
>1. Open letter

Either our parents want to know why we haven't been writing them or our family is dead. This should be good.

>>38069164
>1. Open it.
captcha: tratp
this is going to be eithera hilarious and horrible trap or something serious horrible trap.

>>38069164
>>1. Open it.
The Mage Guard part of that is in the Traditionalists sphere of influence right? Who knows, they might actually be useful.

>>38069301
Or it's gonna be a letter from a trap.

>>38069164
>1. Open it.
This isn't going to end well. Or it will be hilariously cringe-y.

>>38069347
Its either going to be a marriage proposal, an invitation to a noble gathering or an invitation to her estate/diplomacy.

>>yy38069324
>Alyce is a man!
>shyamalan-what-a-twist.jpg
Eh.

>>38069164
>1. Open it.

>>38069511
>Not WHAT A TWEEST!
Ya blew it

Its a trick from Alyce. She wants to see how vain we are. Also why do you anons think Valentines day celebrated in this universe?

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>1.

As you open the letter, you wonder why the Grand Magister of Pax Carrthrus would send you a letter bearing the royal seal of the deposed royal family. Before you can find the answer the letter is whisked from your fingers and a shield of white fluffy tails separates it from you.

“That’s not for you, Karise,” you tell your spymaster.

“No, but it should be amusing,” she says, continuing to turn and bat at you with her tails. You’re about to just stroke them to make her comply when she suddenly bursts into laughter. “It seems you have an admirer, Talon. ‘Come join me and help re-establish the great royal family of Carrthrus!’ indeed.”

“What royal family? I thought it was deposed,” you say, taking the offered letter back from Karise.

A quick skim read of the letter makes it obvious that this isn’t from the Grand Magister. Instead it’s from Princess Aerii. Who is all of fourteen years old.

“She knew,” you mutter, glaring up at the top of the Tower of Stars. You then frown. “I’m pretty sure the royal family didn’t have any princesses that weren’t of age.”

“Did you really keep up with the royal family of your old hometown, Talon?” Karise asks you, sounding rather amused. “There was probably just an illegitimate child then, or a cousin that could claim to represent the bloodline.”

“Maybe,” you say. “Though Carrthrus was rather traditional. I can’t imagine a princess ever being able to make such a claim. It might not hurt to invite her to visit Harrowmont, I suppose. Carrthrus is close to Albanon so we might be able to use it to sandwich it.”

>continued

>>38069872
Just realized that myself.

Demanding a canon reasoning behind VDay in universe.

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>>38069895
Karise is carrying a small wooden box, and absolutely refuses to show you what’s inside it. Given how red she is, you have a feeling you know why she couldn’t find it in Harrowmont. You head back to Harrowmont with her, and have the first night that isn’t interrupted by a woman for a very, very long time.

Not that the morning is uninterrupted. You make your way to the large dining room after the very early awakening and a quick shower, hoping that you’ll be able to avoid public displays of explicit affection in numbers.

“I’m surprised to see you here at this time, Trav,” you greet Trielle’s husband with surprise as you help yourself to a large serving of sausages, gravy and eggs. “Did you pull the graveyard shift?”

“No need. Nicole sleeps rather well these days,” Travon says, a bundle of paperwork next to his plate. “I suspect Maloric is the only one in that boat.”

You talk business with Travon for a short while, interested in the progress of the production and export of olive oil to fill the gap that the RSK embargo on exports has created. When you look around, your plate empty, you notice that the room has filled up rather swiftly. You talk to…

>1. Maloric and Neir, with their little bundle of ‘joy’.
>2. The elemental sisters, who appear to have clustered together to discuss something.
>3. Vad and the little foxes. Plus several other women keeping the hyperactive foxes entertained through breakfast.
>4. Custom

>>38069932
>Maloric, Neir, and their bundle of 'joy' on a playdate with Vad and his kits.

>>38069932
>3. Vad and the little foxes. Plus several other women keeping the hyperactive foxes entertained through breakfast.

>>38069932
1

This should be good

>>38069932
>2. The elemental sisters, who appear to have clustered together to discuss something.

>>38069932
>3. Vad and the little foxes. Plus several other women keeping the hyperactive foxes entertained through breakfast.

>>38069984
One's a baby.
The other area bunch of hyperactive, mentally five-year-olds who recently acquired the ability to throw undirected blasts of force around.
What could possibly go wrong?

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>>38069917
One of the old Angel Lords is called Valentine and there used to be celebrations each year in Aefierla when he visited which then spread elsewhere as humans spread the practice over the centuries. It evolved into a day between lovers over time due to various perceptions of angels and their supposed interests in humans (as well as other misconceptions about them).

>>38069984
Little Marle is only about 6 months old. He's probably trying to crawl, so a bunch of young, intelligent, hyperactive children would probably find him boring (though he'd probably find them very interesting).

Shit, I can't choose.

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>>38069932
>>38069932
>4. Custom
No one

Slip out the back.

They'll never take us alive

>>38069932
>4. Custom
Disappear out a back door.

>>38070076
What's an angel lord anyway? I assumed they were roughly analogous to Great Knights, but I don't think that title has ever been explained.

>>38070190
I assume the were Angels higher in the hierarchy. Archangels > Angel Lords > Angels

>>38070255
I think there's also something called a primarch, though I have no idea what that is.

>>38069932
>>2. The elemental sisters, who appear to have clustered together to discuss something.

>>38069932
>3. Keep the kits out of the wrong kind of trouble.

One of the kits is gong to end up being a tactical mastermind. We've set a strong future.

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Doing 3.

>>38070190
It hasn't been explained because no angels other than the Archangels will ever matter in-quest. But there's basically a hierarchy, where the Archangels oversee all angellic matters in the world, with each Angel Lord (there were seven, historically) overseeing a company of angels plus three additional companies that were available as necessary. There were also the Primarchs, who were basically wandering agents who dealt with problems that didn't require a full military response (but they could also command other angels as necessary) and were led by the Chief Primarch (who was himself underneath an Angel Lord).

There's a ton of detail to the angels but none of it will ever come up in the quest.

>>38070421
Hey Aspie you ever considered running a quest in either a different time period or maybe in Talons empire after we're done?
>Implying we don't die

>>38070544
If I remember correctly this entire quest is in the past of the setting.

>>38070564
We shattered canon into a thousand pieces by thread 3 I think.

>>38070544

>We'll never get evil overlord side quest
>we'll never get Kushan backhands the world quest

Why live?

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>>38070544
I've had a few ideas but I don't think I can squeeze them in without AEQ slowing down immensely.

>3.

“Uncle Talon, tell Caitlyn that I really did come up with the strategy on my own,” Sai tells you almost immediately after you wander over.

“I don’t know the context, Sai,” you say, ruffling her hair and noting the way that Dain and Naite were being cooed over by Tsucchi and Taira. You tried not to think too hard about the implications of their behaviour.

“She’s talking about battlefield strategy. I wonder why she finds that such an interesting and exciting past-time?” Vad asks you dryly.

“Must be the influence of her martial father,” you say, meeting his gaze blandly. “And Sai probably did come up with it, Lynn. She’s pretty good at tactics and the like – though she still needs to learn to bend rules more.”

“Not at this age,” Vad says, batting Sai’s tail away from his face as it shuffles around wildly. “You really shouldn’t be teaching them to think outside the box at this age. It makes their magic unpredictable.”

“Isn’t that what makes black tails so dangerous? That you do magic differently to other foxes? It should be good for her,” you say.

“I’m going to be the greatest fox!” Sai shouts suddenly, roughly following the conversation.

“No, I will be,” Dain says, hearing his sister and getting riled up.

While the three young foxes get into a playful argument you sit down next to Vad and jab him in the ribs. “So, what’s your present to Nate?”

>continued

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>>38070769
“I keep the little ones busy for the morning while she relaxes and does some shopping. If I can get them tired I get a reward,” he says. “I think I’ll just dump them on Tsucchi and Noah. They’ll enjoy it.”

You shake your head. “You enjoy making other people’s lives difficult.”

He snorts. “You and Ren can just deal with their maternal behaviour.”

Taking it as a good sign that Vad was at least willing to accept that Noah and Ren were a thing of sorts, you find that breakfast ends all too fast. You’ll need to act fast if you want to keep the initiative and not get drawn into the plans of the girls, particularly given the evil glares of the elemental sisters.

>1. Take Undine out shopping.
>2. Explore Gnome’s handiwork around the fortress with her.
>3. Take Lynn out on a date.
>4. Custom

>>38070792
>3. Take Lynn out on a date.

>>38070792
>1. Take Undine out shopping.

Undine is probably rather willing to go along with it and Gnome is less likely to team up with Sala to get vengeance, which means this is the ideal way to split the most dangerous power bloc up.

>>38070792
>1. Take Undine out shopping.

>>38070792
>>2. Explore Gnome’s handiwork around the fortress with her.

>>38070792
2

We haven't gotten any good Gnome time in awhile

>>38070792
>1. Take Undine out shopping.
Although I'm voting for Undine, I do feel that Lynn is left out for quite some time.

>>38070792
>1. Take Undine out shopping.
These choices, will be my end.

>>38070792
>2

>>38070792
>>2. Explore Gnome’s handiwork around the fortress with her

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Rolled 1 (1d2)

Tie-breaker roll

1 = Option 1
2 = Option 2

>>38070792
>2. Explore Gnome's handiwork around the fortress with her.

>>38071134
Booo that roll.

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>1.

You silently thank Sala for her general unthinkingness, as her statement that she was happy for you to spend time with Undine ‘because she had already had her fun this morning’ redirected Gnome’s ire from you to her. Though you made a note to spend time with Gnome. Lots of time, given how long this shopping trip had been so far.

“I thought most of the luxury stores were up in the merchant district,” you say idly, staring at all the jewellery and clothing surrounding you.

“A few have setup near the canal, as its reduces transport costs,” Undine says, holding a dress against herself. “How’s this?”

“It’s nice. Undine, how often do you wear dresses?” you ask her.

“When I feel like it.”

“So, once or twice a year,” you say.

“You’re not supposed to question me today,” she says, pouting.

“It’s my money. I’d like you to see you wearing it if I’m going to buy it for you,” you point out, hoping she doesn’t take it too poorly.

“Oh, so you want to go over there?” she says, nodding her head in the direction of a very different section of the store. “Okay, let’s go there.”

Ah, so that was her game. If the other sisters were going to be similar, then this would be a rather entertaining game. Still, if Undine thought taking you into the lingerie section of the store would intimidate you then she was very wrong. You…

>1. Act as fabulously as possible, helping her pick out the best pairs possible and demonstrating your great knowledge.
>2. Continue to be unfazed, helping Undine pick out the items she wants to purchase.
>3. Play along and pretend to be intimidated and embarrassed by this area of the store, just to see how Undine acts.
>4. Custom

>>38071134
Sweet! Undone can help us pick out gifts for eveyone. A Champion's thankless work is never done.

>>38071403
1

Yeah this sounds hysterical

>>38071403
1

>>38071403
>1. Act as fabulously as possible, helping her pick out the best pairs possible and demonstrating your great knowledge.

>>38071403
>1. Act as fabulously as possible, helping her pick out the best pairs possible and demonstrating your great knowledge.
Public Dressing room sex anyone?

>>38071403
>>1. Act as fabulously as possible, helping her pick out the best pairs possible and demonstrating your great knowledge.

>>38071403
>3. Play along and pretend to be intimidated and embarrassed by this area of the store, just to see how Undine acts.
She knows Talon well enough to think 1 would be normal.

>>38071403
>1. But make her try on all our top choices before making a final selection.

>>38071403
>1. Act as fabulously as possible, helping her pick out the best pairs possible and demonstrating your great knowledge.

>>38071492
Supporting 1>. with a "Hands On" Approach.
Like what we did with Sarah as a setup for her FTB.

So, bets on when Merce is going to show up?

>>38071555
I bet she shows up while Talon is in the midst of having sex with one of the girls.

>>38071555
In the lingerie section?

>>38071582
Her target is finn though

>>38071645
She finds finn too young anon, its more a motherly concern she feels for him.

>>38071645
Yeah she thinks Finn is being bullied by aggressive women and becoming lewd.

>>38071673
Oh I know, but she wants to check in on him. She might walk in on something.

>>38071746
Frankly i imagine the fall out from this is going to be hilarious. And we will probably be gotten back at for it.

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>1.

“Okay, come with me,” you order Undine, grabbing her hand and dragging her along to the lingerie section.

Looking around, you spot a pair that might work for her. You place it against her, before shaking your head.

“It’s too hard to tell like this, though I do think this pair isn’t dark enough,” you mutter.

“Um, Talon,” Undine starts to say.

You don’t give her the chance to speak, instead whirling about and placing another pair of lingerie into her arms and signalling one of the attendants.

“Oh, Imperator! Is there something we can do for you?” the middle-aged woman asks, looking shocked to see you here.

“There is. Choosing the right lingerie is time-consuming but intensely private. We’ll need privacy, which means a private room. You understand, right?” you say, your tone imperious.

“Of course. I-I’ll clear out the staff room for your purposes, Imperator,” she says, nodding rapidly.

Within minutes you’ve sequestered Undine in the staff room where she’s getting changed into the first set you gave her and you’re choosing other pairs with the help of the attendants while several other customers watch on.

“No, that’s too frilly. That’s too light. Hmm, I like how sheer that is – do you have it in a different colour?” you say, responding rapid-fire as the attendants bustle around trying to find you the next sets for Undine.

“Um, Talon,” Undine starts to say again.

“Oh, you’re done. Perfect,” you say, directing the attendants to continue while you push Undine back into the staff room along with a small pile of clothing.

You give her a once-over, giving her an approving nod while she shyly stands in front of you, unsure of what to do. “Perfect. Now, take that off and we’ll try the other set.”

>continued

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>Valentines Day.

Today is the day we conquer the Dragon Comrades!

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>>38072070
“Um, Talon,” she starts to say again.

“Hmm, this might work better,” you say, as you admire the look of another bra over her chest. “Yes, I think it will.”

Then you swiftly unclasp the bra she’s currently working and place the other on her before she can react. You then test its feel, trying to appear clinical rather than perverted.

“Hmm, not as good a fit as I’d expected,” you mutter, removing the bra and hunting around in your pile. Undine continues to watch, stupefied.

Almost an hour later, you leave the store with several large bags of clothing.

Undine is practically glowing, “SO I get to wear lots of this, right?”

“Put on a pair for later,” you say. “And make sur eit’s for you. A few of those are for your sisters.”

“I saw. I don’t think my chest is that big or small that I’ll mistake them for my own,” she says dryly. “Now for more shopping!”

It’s midday as you renter the inner courtyard, having recruited the soldiers who were following you through the city as servants to carry the various items purchased.

“I’ll see you later tonight, Undine,” you say, giving her a deep kiss.

Waiting for you patiently just inside the inner courtyard is…

>1. Gnome, who wants to spend some time going around the fortress with you.
>2. Sarah, who wants to enjoy a nice lunch in her manor with you.
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.
>4. Custom

>>38072105
Tough choice.

>2. Gnome

>>38072193
>picks >2.
>text choice says "Gnome"
wat.

>>38072105
>1. Gnome, who wants to spend some time going around the fortress with you.

>>38072105
1

Little known fact, being the ruler of a nation requires extensive knowledge of women's under garments.

>>38072105
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.

>>38072089
COMRADE!

>>38072105
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.

>>38072221
I couldn't choose.

>>38072105
>1

>>38072105
>2. Sarah, who wants to enjoy a nice lunch in her manor with you.
Man, that was fun.

>>38072105
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.

Ha, damn Talon so pro at shopping.

>>38072105
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.

>>38072105
>3. Caitlyn, who is looking forward to a fun date.

>>38072105
>2. Sarah, who wants to enjoy a nice lunch in her manor with you.

>>38072105
>1. Gnome, who wants to spend some time going around the fortress with you.

Time for praise, fun, and last minute defensive modifications before hell creeps over the Wall.

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Rolled 2 (1d2)

Another tie-breaker roll. Guess you guys are feeling indecisive today.

1 = Option 1
2 = Option 3

>>38072631

These dice have it out for Gnome.

>>38072631
of course. This is one of the accursed downsides of having so many women in a harem. So many dates and appointments with your girls, so little time.

>>38072722
As usual.

>>38072868
but when we do pick Gnome and do something nice with her ..........

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>3.

“Ready for our date?” Lynn asks you, wearing a rather frilly shirt and skirt combo.

You nod but before you can say anything you find yourself soaring through the air. There had been a rush of sound as Caitlyn’s wings burst out from her back but then it had just been the whistling of the air as she takes you over the walls and out into the land surrounding the fortress.

“Aren’t we going a little far?” you say, shouting to be heard over the wind.

“I heard about a really nice place just north,” she shouts back.

‘Just north’ meant Ren’s little fortress-town and so it is that you touch down with Caitlyn shortly after take-off in the mystic fox part of the city. A couple of four-tailed foxes rush towards you, magic warping around them but stop when they recognise you and instead wander off. You give Caitlyn a rather rough ruffling of her hair to admonish her.

“You should have touched down outside the town and gone in. The last thing we need is to startle the guards,” you say, ignoring the petulant glare that Caitlyn throws at you. “Plus, this isn’t the town.”

“Hmm? I know that. The restaurant is up near the shrine itself,” she says, skipping up the short terraces.

You glance around you, wondering what she’s talking about. Mostly it’s houses and storehouses around you. The fortress is divided into a series of terraces, much smaller and shorter than those at Harrowmont and lacking large, imposing walls. The town below sports stone walls like many towns, though much smaller than those of Harrowmont. You still didn’t quite understand the defensive nature of this ‘fortress’ of Ren’s, to be honest, but had been told it was quite normal.

Caitlyn takes you into a building that looks like any other house, except that it appears to be built into the cliff face. Large poles with blank cloth banners wave in the air above it. Once inside, you’re swiftly escorted into a private room by a young male fox.

>continued

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>>38073166
He gives you a wink as he lets you inside, whispering, “The room’s get cleaned between visits, so don’t worry.”

You don’t get the chance to respond as he closes the door behind you and locks it, most likely for your privacy. Inside is one of the strangest rooms you’ve seen. It’s a large room, with plenty of space, and the centre contains a table and two chairs, set out for two and with an array of cutlery and crockery. On one side is a large plush sofa and the other has plush chairs. The floor is wood and you can feel coolness radiating from below you, a nice reprieve from the summer heat. Potted plants fill the corners of the room and a small pool of water, large enough for two to bathe in but not heated, sits at the other end.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Lynn says, giving you a broad smile. “Karise told me about it. She might be here, too.”

You nod slowly, having a pretty good feeling about what Karise and Sarnn might be doing right now. This wasn’t a room that was meant just for dining. You…

>1. Decide to get lunch out of the way first, talking with Lynn over the food. (Feel free to choose a write-in topic).
>2. Go for a dip in the pool with Lynn, refreshing yourself after your flight.
>3. Get the excitement out of the way, so that you can relaxedly eat lunch and talk with Lynn after.
>4. Custom

>>38073198
>2. Go for a dip in the pool with Lynn, refreshing yourself after your flight.

Also, where the others at?

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>>38073198
>1. Decide to get lunch out of the way first, talking with Lynn over the food. (Feel free to choose a write-in topic).
the choices man....>>38073336
they're so hard to decide

>>38073198
2

>>38073198
>2. Go for a dip in the pool with Lynn, refreshing yourself after your flight.
These choices... So hard.

>>38073198
>>2. Go for a dip in the pool with Lynn, refreshing yourself after your flight.

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>2.

You undress and slip into the pool, Lynn sliding up against your chest and nestling her head into the crook of your neck. She’s cuddling more than anything, so you don’t take things any further for the time being.

“So why did you organise something for the two of us?” you ask her, blowing warm air on her ear.

“Because I wanted something a little different,” she says, squirming a bit and running her hands over your legs as she does so. “That, and the keep is getting a bit… active lately.”

“You mean the children.”

“Yes. Even Mal has one. I don’t mind them but I don’t get excited about them in the same way as the other girls,” she says, turning around and pressing her chest against yours as she goes in for a kiss.

Returning the kiss, you stroke her back underneath the water and cuddle with Lynn for a little while. You say, “That’s because quite a few of them have children or want them.”

“And maybe can’t have them,” Lynn says, frowning as she rests against you. “Still, that doesn’t make it any less annoying for me. It gets boring when all everybody talks about are babies and children. Even Vad can be a little boring now.”

>continued

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>>38073821
“You said that a while ago,” you say slowly.

“And now it’s worse. He used to be funny around me, now he just acts normal, which is boring,” Lynn says, pouting. “Mal’s still great but Sylph tends to occupy his time more lately. Why can’t you keep her busy like you do Sala?”

You’re not sure if you should tell her why Vad is acting normal around her now, or why you’re not going to be keeping Sylph busy any time soon. Sometimes you forget that Lynn’s still young and used to getting her own way. You…

>1. Explain that Vad’s all but married right now, which is why he no longer acts like a horny teenager around Lynn. Most people are ‘boring’ if your interest in them is based around how attracted they are to you.
>2. Point out that Sylph is Mal’s familiar, and that you don’t keep Sala that busy – it’s just that Lynn gets along better with her.
>3. Avoid the thorny topics and simply enjoy a nice, relaxing time with Lynn.
>4. Custom

I'll probably do the Gnome scene after this.

>>38073855
>3. Avoid the thorny topics and simply enjoy a nice, relaxing time with Lynn.

>>38073855
>3. Avoid the thorny topics and simply enjoy a nice, relaxing time with Lynn.

>>38073855
>>1. Explain that Vad’s all but married right now, which is why he no longer acts like a horny teenager around Lynn. Most people are ‘boring’ if your interest in them is based around how attracted they are to you.

>>38073855
>>3. Avoid the thorny topics and simply enjoy a nice, relaxing time with Lynn.

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>3.

You think better of lecturing Lynn on Valentine’s Day and instead remind her of exactly where she is with a deep kiss. As you expected, she responds hungrily and it’s a fair amount of time before you’re drying off and actually having some lunch. You try not to respond too badly to her attempts to feed you with chopsticks, particularly because she doesn’t have the slightest clue how to properly use them. There’s only so many times she can drop food on your before you get annoyed.

“It was the image that mattered more,” she whines as you leave. “Oh, Karise! Did it go well?”

The male fox from earlier freezes as he notices that somehow two pairs of customers have wound up in the foyer. He was locking the doors for a reason, you think wryly, and Karise just unlocked it without thinking.

Your spymaster is very flushed and her fiancé very smug looking. While Karise stares at the two of you in surprise you trade a knowing nod and grin with Sarnn. He might be young by fox standards but he was an aged veteran when it came to what really mattered in life.

The trip back is still a flight, albeit a slower one as Lynn lazily drifts back. She drops you off near the new academy with little more than a goodbye kiss and you turn around and come face to face with Gnome.

And Laryya.

You really needed to do something about these two always fighting. Gnome was clearly winning her, straddling Larrya on the ground and holding her arms down with a thunderous scowl on her face. You didn’t know if you should intervene or just let them be.

>1. Physically end the brawl. You don’t want the two of them injuring each other.
>2. Intervene verbally, trying to get them to end it.
>3. Just watch. Imagine you have some snacks and a drink.
>4. Custom

>>38074430
>3. Just watch. Imagine you have some snacks and a drink.
I can't stop nature from doing its thing

>>38074430
2

>>38074430
>4. Call for a rematch under your "official" supervision. Then sit back and watch the proverbial and literal mudwrestling between the two. While you're at it, make bets with fellow soldiers on who will win.

>>38074430
>2. Intervene verbally, trying to get them to end it.

>>38074430
>>3. Just watch. Imagine you have some snacks and a drink.

Complete with eating motions.

>>38074430
>3. Just watch. Imagine you have some snacks and a drink.

>>38074556
this counts as >3. but customized.

>>38074430
>2. Intervene verbally, trying to get them to end it.
>>38066471
Nitpick, but I think the elves have an embassy now.

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3 wins.

Might as well determine the winner with a dice roll.

[DC12 Gnome fighting Laryya]

FYI, this is going to be a shorter session than normal. I'm going to do the Gnome scene then do the cliffhanger that will lead into the siege next session.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>38074852

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>38074852
Crap

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>38074852

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>>38074868
>>38074874
>>38074878
welp. the dice is against Gnome again.

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>>38074868
>>38074874
>>38074878
>mfw

>>38074868
>>38074874
>>38074878
And Gnome gets her ass kicked after being shunned all read. Really not her day.

>>38074903
On the plus side, Laryya could use the positive reinforcement.

You know, now would be the perfect time for Merce to show up and rub Gnome's loss in her face...

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>3. But Laryya gets the upper hand

Laryya struggles against Gnome’s grip but can’t break free. Then she suddenly gasps.

“Talon!” she says, eyes wide as she stares at you.

Gnome twists suddenly, her grip loosening as she spots you. You raise your hands in return, making it clear you’re not interested. Which was a bad move, really. Laryya spots the gesture and interprets its meaning before Gnome can reassert her dominance, and knocks Gnome’s hands away. There’s two surges of magic from the elementals, but Laryya is faster. Two pillars of rock burst from the rough ground around them and hammer into Gnome, knocking her backwards and off her opponent. Not wasting a moment, Laryya dismisses the rock pillars and leaps to her feet and onto Gnome. The struggle reverses suddenly, with Laryya holding down Gnome with a triumphant grin.

“I told you that you still weren’t powerful enough to keep up with me!” Laryya gloats.

You really do wish you had some food or drink. Instead you just make fake eating and drinking motions, imagining the taste and feel of the sort of salty food you would eat at this sort of event normally. Somehow this is still satisfying. Or maybe that’s just the entertainment.

With a harsh grunt, Gnome surges upwards and slams her head right into Laryya’s face. You can hear the crunch from where you’re standing and the scream afterwards makes it apparent that Gnome’s just broken a nose with her headbutt. Laryya rolls away and to her feet and Gnome does the same. You figure this means the end, and step forward.

>continued

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>>38075440
Then Gnome steps forward with lightning speed and slams her fist into Laryya’s jaw. Larrya barely moves in response, apart from the fact that her jaw has been shattered, and instead deliver her own hammer blow into Gnome’s chest. The descent of their little tiff into an all-out punch-up means you need to intervene, so you step forward and knock both down with deft movements.

“Enough,” you say, glaring at the two women while they glare at each other as they lay in the dirt and nurse their injuries. “Laryya, go get healed in the keep. Gnome, do you need any help?”

“I’ll be fine,” she grits out, rubbing her chest. You’re not sure she really is, but you’re wary of injuring either of their prides right now.

Laryya gives you a broad grin and jerks her head at Gnome, which gets a snarl in return. These two are going to rip each other’s heads off sometime soon. As Laryya walks towards the lifts you…

>1. Ask Gnome what the hell that was about.
>2. See to Gnome and ensure she’s not badly hurt, while letting her relax.
>3. Let Gnome keep her pride and escort you around the area to show off her work.
>4. Custom

>>38075470
>4. Send Gnome to see a nurse herself.

>>38075470
>2. See to Gnome and ensure she’s not badly hurt, while letting her relax.

>>38075470
>1. Ask Gnome what the hell that was about.

>>38075470
3

>>38075470
>>3. Let Gnome keep her pride and escort you around the area to show off her work.

>>38075470
>4. Custom
We ever figure out that astral healing/reinforcement trick we did on the battlefield forever ago? Try it on Gnome.

>>38075470
>3. Let Gnome keep her pride and escort you around the area to show off her work.

>>38075470
>4. Offer to kiss it better

>>38075470
>>3. Let Gnome keep her pride and escort you around the area to show off her work.
That's the weird thing about women.

>>38075647
changing vote to this.

>>38075647
I like, very nice anon

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>3.

Discretion is the better part of valour and you decide that doing something that will hurt Gnome’s pride is a bad idea. She’s almost certainly in pain, but you know that she’s been looking forward to taking you around this latest area. Keeping quiet on Laryya is another part of that, given that La has been fairly involved in this project. The last thing you wanted to do is cause sourness by reminding her any more than La likely already has.

“Why don’t you show me around?” you say quietly, wrapping your arm around Gnome’s waist in a close gesture. It also lets her use you to support herself if necessary without injuring her pride.

She smiles at you, and the brightness of that smile makes you think you’ve made the right call, even if it doesn’t solve the problems she’s been having with Laryya or her general stubbornness. It’s slow going but you walk around the newly cleared and constructed area that has been set aside for the academy with Gnome. You look at the city beneath you, and it really is a city now with the enormous area now known as Lower Harrowmont.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” she whispers.

You nod, looking over the walls and rooftops of the fortress city of Harrowmont. The seat of your power and your personally planned and designed fortress. There was still more expansion to be done, but this was the heart of your empire now, at least symbolically. A city of forty-eight thousand people, boxed in between these unnaturally formed cliffs. An external fortress wall runs along the plains below, between the two cliff faces and the Canalem Imperium, another of your great works, runs right behind it. Docks and industry line the canal itself, along with bridges across it.

>continued

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>>38076245
The terraced residential and commercial areas rise behind it, with defensive towers and posts dotted along the highways and near the transitions between each terrace. The great bastions of the Crown Wall stick out, probably the single largest defensive line of the city and enormously imposing even without the siege engines at their tips. And right beneath you is the residential area of Upper Harrowmont, which has gentrified a little bit with the changing population and additional garrison space.

“You should be proud of this, Talon. It’s not often I get to build an entire city or fortress of this size,” Gnome says, leaning against you. “I do wonder though, where does this fit into your plans? You could have just as easily kept this to a heavily fortified fortress, rather than an enormous city. The same goes for the academy behind me. You’re making statements here but I’m curious as to what you think they are. The capital is a symbol but what sort of symbol?”

>1. Practicality. Having a large industrial and residential core near the Source enables a large local military force and production.
>2. Grandiosity. The York Empire will be the greatest empire on Gauron and the capital will reflect that. The strongest defences, greatest academy, enormous keep and luxury facilities. It will house some of the wealthiest and happiest citizens.
>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.
>4. Custom

Naturally you can post your own ideas for what the capital stands for.

>>38076290
>>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

>>38076290
>>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

>>38076290
2

>>38076290
>1. Practicality. Having a large industrial and residential core near the Source enables a large local military force and production.

>>38076290
>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

>>38076290
>2. Grandiosity. The York Empire will be the greatest empire on Gauron and the capital will reflect that. The strongest defences, greatest academy, enormous keep and luxury facilities. It will house some of the wealthiest and happiest citizens.
>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

Why not Both?
If you're gonna dream big might as well do it right.
Also have a big stick. Like a really big stick. It'll help.

>>38076290
>4. Effective government and sustained social progress. Like the capital our empire is ever growing and evolving to better serve and protect its citizens while creating new opportunities by which they can better themselves and the lives of their children.

Propaganda time?

>>38076290

A combination of 1 and 3, In my opinion at least.
Excellence can come from anywhere, and it is to be encouraged and nurtured.

>>38076290
>>2. Grandiosity. The York Empire will be the greatest empire on Gauron and the capital will reflect that. The strongest defences, greatest academy, enormous keep and luxury facilities. It will house some of the wealthiest and happiest citizens.
>It is also the Home of the Empire. It can't be just a simple fortress, it has to reflect the entire empire as well.

>>38076488
>>38076503
Actually, I'm changing >>38076456 to
>4. All of them
Because if I'm to be honest, all of those are reasons I was pushing for more Harrowmont.

>>38076290
So:
Practicality = Balance
Grandiosity = Power
Inclusiveness = Life

Right?

>>38076290
>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

>>38076571
pretty much.

>>38076290
>2. Grandiosity. The York Empire will be the greatest empire on Gauron and the capital will reflect that. The strongest defences, greatest academy, enormous keep and luxury facilities. It will house some of the wealthiest and happiest citizens.
Eh, I think this fits talon the best.

>>38076290
>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

>>38076290
>>3. Inclusiveness. Rich and poor. Fluffy and not fluffy. All races, creeds and colours within the capital will signify everything the empire stands for at large, which means large, heavily fortified residential and industrial areas.

Alright, I need to pass out. Thanks for running Aspir and thanks to the rest of you anons for keeping it classy.

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>3.

“A symbol for the inclusiveness of the empire, I suppose,” you say after some deep thought. “Whether it be the foxes living in one of the crown bastions near humans, the academy that will be based on talent rather than blood, sprawling unzoned terraces with their intermingled residential, commercial and industrial areas or the multi-racial and diverse military that guards it, Harrowmont represents everybody in the empire.”

You pause, watching the distant hustle and bustle of the people of Harrowmont below you. Market stalls lining the streets, carts and wagons going to and fro. The outer gates hold a constant flow of traffic as merchants from nearby towns head back for the day. Canal barges can be seen lining up on the northern end, collecting passengers and cargo for the overnight trip to Vitria. A patrol of flying mage-knights soars overhead, having completed their pass of the rocky mountains behind and around the capital. You turn to face the academy behind you.

“The academy is the best demonstration. It’s a microcosm of what I want the whole empire to be,” you say. “Mage towers have been a part of the class structure of society for centuries and their expertise in training battlemages and spellblades limited to those they occasionally choose to take in. The battlemage academy might just be a step towards militarisation of mages, but the codification of the teaching of magic could then extend into the domain of a magic school of sorts, instead of the research-driven towers that separate so much of the population, independent of their talent.”

>continued

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>>38076931
Gnome looks up at the enormous series of towers protruding from the star fort design and nods. “Yes, I suppose that’s the thinking of a commoner emperor,” she says, her tone teasing. “I wasn’t sure what sort of master you’d be when you first summoned me but you’ve been far greater than my expectations allowed. I’m proud to be your familiar.”

You cuddle Gnome for some time, watching the sun slowly lower behind the Marrn mountains and the glow of the city amidst the sunset. As darkness comes, so too do the magical lights and, just like you saw in Ahm last night, the shops don’t close. Stalls continue running, taverns stay open and the streets remain bustling.

Later, as you wander back into the fortress it occurs to you that you haven’t heard from Merce. You explain what happened to Gnome, who laughs.

“It’s a couple of weeks travel to here from Ahm,” she says. “She won’t be here for a while if she doesn’t respond to Alyce.”

“Oh. She’s going to be pissed,” you say.

“Very much so.”

>Cliffhanger scene for the siege next

>>38076905
Only one more update, dude. Might want to stick around just that little bit longer.

>>38076958
Wait, I thought Merce could teleport? I'm fairly certain she dropped in on us fairly easily while we were fighting Taour.

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>>38077027
It depends on the distance, actually. IIRC, she was in Crecy at the time and you were in Darlesia. Her teleportation isn't that reliable at very long distances.

>Current Date and Time: Early evening on March 5th, 1955PC

Karise’s tone and message had been clipped when she’d teleported into your room while it was still dark. You’d ignored the complaining women next to you as you sensed that things weren’t right.

“Assemble everybody in the war room, Imperator. There’s bad news from the garrisons and my village near Marnn,” she says, posture tense and eyes sharp despite the hour.

You wasted no time in getting cleaned up and dressed, getting Undine to use sendings to alert the others and having the knights actively wake anybody as necessary. Less than thirty minutes after Karise first awakened you your cabinet is assembled within the war room, Lynn sleepily wandering in and becoming alert as she reads the atmosphere.

“Captain Illon, report,” you say, addressing your scout leader.

Face grim, Illon snaps off a salute. Given his usual relaxed posture, the fact he’s bothering means he’s deeply disturbed. “We received strange sendings from garrisons in villages and towns near the Marnn mountains in Mier overnight, sir. Tales of enormous fires and beasts charging through the countryside. When I sent out the scouts and contacted the garrisons for more information, some of them didn’t response.”

“Do we know why?” you ask, glancing at Karise and Neir.

Karise nods. “We have one-way sending devices in all my clan’s villages, like the ones we use with our agents. A few of them reported a veritable army coming down from the mountains.”

Your blood runs cold. “An army from where? Of what nation? You’re saying we’ve been invaded from an uninhabited mountain range?”

Illon clears his throat. “My scouts found several villages completely destroyed, torn about by monsters. These aren’t humans, sir.”

>continued

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>>38077279
“No, they’re infernals, Talon. They’re avoiding my people because we’re a danger to them. An army of demons is converging on Harrowmont,” Karise says, the reason for her grimness made clear.

“We need to be making plans now, then,” Gnome says. “They’ll be here in two days at the most. They can only be after one thing.”

The Source. It seems you’ve been noticed and somebody who thinks they’re bigger and tougher than you wants to take your prize.

>That’s the thread
Next thread at 5pm EST on the 21st Feb.

I’ll be around for a little bit for questions etc. Sorry the session ended up shorter. Tomorrow is a big day for me. Need to be prepared. I promise to make up for it next week.

Fucking called it!

...oh fuck.

>>38077320
Super hyped!

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Oh, and before I forget. Any feedback on >>38066471

If folks are happy I'll be doing something similar for the entire fortress. This is going to be a rather big and involved siege, I think. I want to be able to break it down into specific areas like when we first took Harrowmont.

>>38077320
Wow, literally two days after the Canal was finished.

>>38077415
I like it, quirky and detailed.

>>38077415
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>38077415
Oh yeah that's fantastic, Harrowmont kind of needed all of that detail otherwise it would just be pointing at a map again and again.

>>38077320
So... Is it that infernal we saw way back when with the dwarf?

>>38077320
dun dun dun!
this should be awesome

>>38077415
Looks good, elves probably have an ambassador though.
Other Questions: Have we mastered using the domain powers? Because I have a plan to use them:
Basically, we can have Mages rapidly regain mana and do various other things to boost their power and endurance, So basically we take all the summoners in Harrowmount (and any that we've managed to ship in from Vitria before the demons arrive), and basically have them chain summon griffons and other summons for much longer than they have any right be doing.

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>>38077525
Nope. At least, not yet. You're caught up in other machinations currently.

>>38077482
Again, I'm pretty sure the only time she teleported was when you were in Darlesia and she was on the battlefront right nearby. If there was another occasion, I'd be interested in it but I don't remember it.

Goddamn, Aspir, I'm fucking hyped. Thanks for the thread, and yeah, that pdf is very good.

I feel like at one point Mal said mages confer with demons from time to find. Could he do that so we could get a feel for what the fuck these crazy bastards are up to?

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>>38077565
>Other Questions: Have we mastered using the domain powers?
You're pretty decent at them.

>summoner plan
This won't work for the reason I explained last week regarding generating magical energy in the Source. The magic they'd be using to make the summons and sustain them wouldn't be able to exist outside the keep itself, so any summons they create using that power would have the same limitation.

>Looks good, elves probably have an ambassador though.
To be honest, I'm inclined to start having the embassies double up on space. IIRC, each zone within the district is pretty damned huge.

>>38077666
He could try.

So what all do we know about demons?

>>38077702
They're not devils.
This is a good thing, I think.

>>38077682
So, if the source gets taken from us is it game over?

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>>38077702
Gnome knows a reasonable amount but never went into much detail because there were other things to talk about. She'll probably give the short version next thread. I'm wondering if I should try for a larger dump here, though.

>>38077772
It would be a very bad thing to happen, that's for sure.

>>38077702
The grunts actually won't be that powerful in the grand scheme of things, but mage plate isn't exactly designed to fight them. The top generals will be quite tough and will tend to have weird magic, but divine politics limits them a bit (Basically, the real big shots don't want to get into a fight with Rapheal for very good reasons)

>>38077702
Their weakest unit is on the same tier as a Noble Knight, or close to.

>>38077780
How many ribs did Larrya break and how long has she been rubbing it in Gnome's face?

>>38077780
How did everything end up turning out with Merce, and how was Finn's valentine's day?

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>>38077827
>but divine politics limits them a bit
It's more accurate to say that infernals are afraid of death. Normally when they die in the material plane they just return to Hell. Astral power (and specific sorceries) circumvents that, making angels a genuine threat. That means that Raphael, with his bullshit flow powers, is a massive threat to even the most powerful devils.

>>38077853
A couple and she rubbed it in Gnome's face for about as long as it took Gnome to hear the words, process them and then slam her fist into Laryya's face.

>>38077878
Merce only reached the border before Alyce got into proper contact with her. She's still out for blood.

Finn had a very 'adventurous' day. He finally did something Vad recommended to him a while ago, so to speak. Kind of.

I some we'll have some of the daefir to test out right?

What about Dwarven Rune-Knights, any of them hanging about the embassy?

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>>38078088
You'll have some Daerfir and fluffy knights. No dwarven knights, though you'll have some engineering help from them.

>>38077666
Appropiate trips you have there. Nice try, Satan.

>>38077666
Knowing our luck, they'll either be allies of the guys who're attacking us or their mortal enemies who will then offer to help.

>>38077993
Ah, he lined them up then, good for him.

>>38078350
Gonna be honest, I was rather surprised we got the marraige offer through Alyce. I can totally see her delivering it just to screw with us, but I don't really see a pretender to a kingdom subsumed by the magi league asking the leader of said league to deliver an offer to refound that royal line.
Also, is Carythus a loyalist area of the magi league, or one of the potential trouble spots?

>>38077666
Honestly for me I would suggest in a few decades trying to get some mages who are specially trained to summon knowledge devils.

They did help a lot with the Golden age and what works works. Though I'm honestly not sure if we could get much out of most demons in this situation.

>>38082809
You never know, we could get lucky and end up summoning the servant of a rival lord.

>>38082865
An idea I had was we could summon it in the domain. Though I don't think this would work because no devil worth their salt would just walk into this.

>>38082963
Eh, probably depends on how much they trust us.
So if we could give a very convincing reason why we wouldn't smite [not even evil in this setting] then we'd have a chance.

>>38082809
I kinda support this idea and it doesn't have to do with me having a thing for demons.

No sir none at all

>>38083017
Complete speculation but I wonder what a gift would do to us?

Being able to fly sounds useful among other possibilities seeing how our Astral has yet to Git Gud enough we could just sprout wings

>>38083142
Honestly, I'm fine with just getting some diplomatic relations in preparation for our conquest of hell.
Then we'd do the same to the Fae.

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>>38083196
>Fae

There is only one thing to do to them
No Mercy
No Quarter

>>38083142
I think it depends on how gifts work really. Is it something that is used by the user directly? Or does the gift have it's own nature that counts as itself being used?

Mostly because Talon can't use sorcery. So the only real way a gift would work is if the gift could power itself.

>>38083243
We've only met one of them, anon.
That's hardly a sufficiently large group to get a representative sample.

>>38083243
It'd honestly just suggest not doing anything other then keeping them out. Their land is kind of useless.

>>38083282
One is one too many

>>38083292
I agree with this on a practical level, but on a roleplaying level it seems untalonish to leave a place unconquered.

>>38083374
I think Talon would think taking over there would be worthless for his empire in general. Now someplace like hell or something I could see in thousands of years. The fae though don't really have any advantages.

>>38083280
Looking at it again

>Gifts, magical abilities that are created by devils and then used by others, typically via a permanent merger with their being.
>Permanent Merger

It doesn't seem like there would be a way for Talon considering what it's described like. Then again that says Typically so there's probably a few loopholes we can work through. Might be worth checking out if we do somehow get a hold of a demon that decides to stick around with us for a bit

>>38083407
>The fae though don't really have any advantages.
We don't really know that because we don't know what's in Arcadia or where it came from.
Also, fae are pretty stronk and can do weird stuff with their powers, if we can get some of them on side our army and empire will grow even stronger.

>>38083430
>Gifts can be physical objects rather than parts of one’s being and an infernal can have several Gifts.

Though you know thinking on it Talon having astral will probably be an advantage in this fight. They are scared of things with astral due to the chance of dying a true death.

>>38083462
Yeah now I can agree that having Fae slaves or the likes is a decent idea. The old divine empires did that.

Also for Arcadia I actually asked a bit about it a long time ago in the after thread questions. Basically there is nothing that our retinue would think is worth it.

>>38083529
To be honest I'm worried about running out of things to conquer.

>>38083506
Definitely we just have to use it at the right moment and on the right enemy and we can either turn the battle or absolutely crush them.

>>38083596
Doubt that will be a problem. There is Pharos and we still haven't even gotten all of Gauron yet. Talon will need to refine his powers and His armies before he tries something like attacking another world. Though now I see like armies of devils vs armies of patterns.

>>38083598
Depends really. The rest might just swarm Talon if we aren't careful here.

>>38083667
Have we tried injecting astral into Balista Bolts or any type of siege weapons?

>>38083712
I don't think that would work very well here just given the numbers. A decent idea would be to use as many of our foxes as we can here.

Taira will be a life savior here. Although another thing that would be a decent idea would be to make it so the domain would attack infernals that enter it.

>>38083757
I'm not necessarily trying to thin them out more although a astral boulder coining for Talon Astral Services® Would hit their Morale a good bit. Just trying to gib their leaders early. I'm sure a Demon Lord could take one of our arrow pretty well but a Ballista Bolt?

I'm also pretty concerned about the fact our army never faced Infernals.

>>38083877
>coining for

*Coming from*

>>38083877
While we definitely have to kill their leader with astral power, I'm not sure Ballista sniping is all that good a way to go about it.

>>38083877
Demon lords actually sound to be like Helldragon/Lord tier so they probably wouldn't even notice.

>>38083923
>>38083995
You guys are probably right. Still think we should try given the chance I'm not so eager to get into personal combat with him/her

>>38084077
I don't think it's a Demon lord though so there is better odds.

This Araunth guy is starting to sound like a demonic Lord Ember.

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>>38084077
>him/her
Rolling for Gender
1 - Male
2 - Female

>>38084241
>rolling

>>38084224
Honestly he sounds much more broken then Ember. He has a gift that basically says he has as much magical power as he needs.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>38084258
What, does rolling not work or something?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>38084241

>>38084258
Im obviously adding to the suspense

>>38084331
Imo his gift is more that he won't lose in a contest of pure strength or magical power.
So don't get in a beam war or arm wrestling match and you should be fine.

>>38084429
The key to his defeat is obviously a rap battle

>>38084429
Basically means the same thing. With that gift the first thing anyone would do is attack using raw magical power or pure strength in order to force someone to have to struggle. Which then turns it on.

>>38084470
Welp. Time to bust out the phat beats about our bitches?

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>>38084349
>>38084353
What does it mean?

>>38084539
That there's two of them?

>>38084539
So you want the /tg/ answer? or the /d/ answer?

>>38084539
It's both a chick and a guy depending on mood. It likes to show up as a QT waifu in distress from the evil demons then after starting to sleep with her savior it turns into a dude mid way.

>>38084483
I don't think it'd be as easy as you think.
Seriously, how many ways to get into a contest of pure power are there?
Though it would make his attacks effectively unblockable.

>>38084637
Toss a magical beam at a foe. If they try to block it then it's a contest of pure power and they get wreaked.

Or try to block his weapons with a shield or a blade and now you are in a contest with his raw strength. Another thing is using mind influencing magic. Try to break it and you are in a contest with his raw magic power.

>>38084693
Actually no, deflection is a thing.
Not sure about mind magic, but there are ways to defend agains the first two that aren't 'block it directly'.

>>38084757
The deflection requires you use force to move it normally.

Though honestly this just depends on how far his gift goes. It could be a lot lighter or it could be absurd. From the sounds of it though Talon should learn to dodge like a pro.