>>38893478
>Be polite, but don't deceive your future relatives; you're anxious, and they can know that.

>>38893478
>>Put on the impression of a happy fiancé as best you can, you don't wish to offend.

>>38893478
>Be polite, but don't deceive your future relatives; you're anxious, and they can know that.

>>38893478
>Be polite, don't put up overly happy facade but a pleasant one. Try not to reveal inner turmoil, but if they can see through and spot the anxiety, it's alright.

Also who is monique?

>>38893478
>Put on the impression of a happy fiancé as best you can, you don't wish to offend.

Anxious:
>>38893576
>>38893644

Good impression:
>>38893621
>>38893705
>>38893674

>>38893674
Monique is a family guard.

>>38893478
>Be polite, but don't deceive your future relatives; you're anxious, and they can know that.

You still your body, forcing yourself to smile, and offer a quick bow to Eleanor. "It's good to meet you, ma'am. I'm looking forward to meeting Margaret and getting to know her."

James puts his hand on your shoulder, and speaks. "As you can see, Ms. Montgomery, my little brother is very excited to meet his future bride."

"If everything goes well," Eleanor says, giving James a look, one that's mirrored by a shifting of her spirit, facets turning to face him. There's a thrum of magical power, and he loses his smile for a second before it returns as strong as before. "I have no intention of marrying my granddaughter off if she doesn't like this one." She offers a vague gesture in your direction. "The Caldwells may need the Montgomerys, but we don't need the Caldwells."

"To the point, then," James says. "Fair enough." He gives you a little push. "Let's get going."

The room where you're to meet Margaret is small, its only contents a table with two seats. You're lead in and left there, your family abandoning you with nothing more than a wave. After a few minutes of waiting, you hear the sound of footsteps, and you close your eyes and exhale, trying to steady yourself. You really don't have much of a choice here, but the same isn't true of her. You need to make a good impression.

She opens the door, and meets your eyes. Her face is plain, her body slender, her hair brown and medium length. You probably wouldn't look at her twice in a crowd. Her spirit looks metallic and sharp-edged, a faint glow in its center. She sits down without a word, silently considering you. It's her who breaks the silence.

"I have read your résumé," she says, brisk. "Presuming you have done the same, I am curious as to your opinion of my own."

Her résumé is... well, yours isn't nearly so impressive as hers.

>To be honest, you feel inadequate in comparison.
>You're very impressed and hope to be able to support her.
>Given the disparity, why did she agree to this?
>Write-in.

>>38894077
>>Given the disparity, why did she agree to this?

>>38894077
>Given the disparity, why did she agree to this?
What does our own spirit look like?

>>38894077
>Given the disparity, why did she agree to this?

>>38894093
It implies things about your personality and behavior but your personality and behavior aren't well-established yet so it's currently undefined.

>>38894077
>Given the disparity, why did she agree to this?

>>38894093
Like /tg/.

>>38894177
Disgustingly goopy and acidic. I see.

Yo, why'd you meet up when you're so much better than me?
>>38894091
>>38894093
>>38894117
>>38894160

>>38894268
Maybe she wants a guy she'd be able to manipulate, control and use as a proxy in situation where she would find herself at disadvantage or locked out on account of being woman, belonging to particular clan or for some other reason.

>>38894323
No shit.

>>38894336
Or maybe it's part of an eugenics project and she knows or suspects we have some special ability like seeing people's personalities.

No need to thank me.

>>38894396
Or maybe she's crazy attracted to our manly body.

In a cannibal way.

>>38893478
>You'll be meeting the girl who you will almost So, is this spirit thing just description/poetry, or are we to assume MC can see supernatural shit? Is there some backstory/lore to this, or are we going in blind?
>>38894077
Okay, so magic is obviously real then.
Anyway, I don't see why MC had to be so self-defeating and aggressive out of the door, he's TRYING to marry her, after all.

>>38894455
I guess it's called being honest, communicating, and getting to know about the thought processes of the woman you might spend your life with. That's not really self-defeating or aggressive.

You shift in your seat, uncomfortable with this line of questioning, but there's no avoiding it. "When I first read your résumé, I believed you would deny the meeting, given the sharp disparity in our accomplishments, both mundane and magical. When you agreed to the meeting, I wondered why you did. Is there any particular reason?"

Margaret shrugs. "I did not wish to dismiss you out of hand. I believe it is best to seek a partner with a compatible personality, rather than one of equivalent or higher talent. A supportive inferior would be worth more to me than a belligerent peer." She pauses. "No offense intended."

"None taken," you say. You tap your finger on your thigh. "I assume this isn't your first marriage meeting, then?"

"No. I have had a substantial number in the past. The current situation with your family does put me in a position to be more inclined towards you than past suitors, if that helps. A friend in need is a friend indeed, as the saying goes. Is this your first marriage meeting?" She inclines her head to the side.

You nod. "I hadn't expected to deal with this for another year or two. Then..." you trail off. No sense in bringing up the powerful enemies your family has made of late. You never know when someone might be listening.

"It is best to prepare for things early; I had my first such meeting when I was fourteen." She pauses to let you take that in; twenty is when this process is normally begun. "Of course, even if I had assented, we would not have been wed for some years." She pauses, as if to think. "Please, feel free to ask me questions of your own. I find they are often illuminating."

>How does she feel about children?
>What would she say is her best quality?
>What would she look for in terms of support from a husband?
>Write-in.

>>38894545
>How does she feel about children?

>>38894545
>What would she look for in terms of support from a husband?

>>38894545
>How does she feel about children?
>What would she look for in terms of support from a husband?
>What are her own intentions regarding education/a career?
>What are her hobbies/interests?

>>38894545
"What -is- going on with my family? It's going to sound weird but it's completely slipped my mind for the moment."

"Oh, and if you could tell me how magic works, that'd be great too."

>>38894545
>What would she look for in terms of support from a husband?

>>38894545
>What would she look for in terms of support from a husband?
>What would she say is her best quality?

>>38894545
>What is best in li-
I kid, I kid.

>Are you religious?

>>38894545
How old are the two of us, OP?
>What of her accomplishments did she truly enjoy?
>How important is family to her?
>In her mind, what are "friends", and does she have any?
>Is magical talent something decided at birth, or is magic taught, OP? Can magical ability be improved? I could ask some more questions if I knew those things.

>>38894669
Oops, didn't meant to greentext the last one, obviously.

>>38894669
>Is magical talent something decided at birth, or is magic taught, OP?
You need a knack (which runs in families) and from there it's the same as any other skill. Training, talent, equipment, etc, are all important.

>>38894700
Is being able to "see" others spirits a common thing?

>>38894669
Does no one like any of these write-ins, or does everyone think going with the default options better for some reason?
My intent was to make some questions that weren't incredibly bland, since she implied she'd judge us based partially on what questions we'd ask.

Children:
>>38894568
>>38894593

Support from a husband?
>>38894589
>>38894593
>>38894614
>>38894661

Interests?
>>38894593
>>38894669

Best quality?
>>38894661

>>38894773
Yes, every mage can see spirits and does it constantly.

>>38894669
These sound good.
Also, I'd want to add "might I have a tour?", with the unspoken real intent of removing this meeting to a less formal setting. Talking and walking would be more relaxed, and thus a better chance to get to know each other behind the mask an omiai necessitates.

>>38894840
bit late mate
>>38894809
Uh, I kinda intend

>>38894884
fuck you 4chanX
>>38894809
Anyway, I was saying, I kinda intended the family question so that it could lead into children and her present family situation depending on what she feels like, since making a family is usually solidified by having children.
Whatever though, I guess it didn't really get enough support anyway.

We should ask her if she'd like to play a game with us.

It's a way to bond, to learn things about each others and to see where one stand in comparision to their counterpart

>>38895182
Lets challenge her to a game of chinese checkers

forgive me for not knowing but I just happened upon this quest seeing as its a 1st iteration of it, but what is this quest about, or are we finding out as we go along?

>>38895225
As we go along.

>>38895182
6 dimensional mecha-chess.

>>38895241
ah okay thanks anon. I was just kinda lost as it seems we were thrown into the world. But that can make for some great story telling.

"What would you look for in terms of support from a husband? I'd appreciate specifics."

She tilts her head at the question. "An interesting question. Primarily, being allowed to operate independently and without questioning. I find my grandmother's oversight stifling enough as it is. In addition: being able to request, and obtain, assistance when it is needed for rituals and so forth; being provided with material comfort as needed; working in those fields in which I am most limited or hold little interest, such as managing financial interests, handling household matters, and childrearing. In general, attending to my needs, and learning to anticipate them. Is that sufficient answer?"

"Yes, thank you very much," you say, pausing momentarily. "Two things. Firstly, you mentioned childrearing; I assume you want children, then?"

She nods. "That is correct. I would prefer three or four, if that is the end goal of your questioning. And the second thing?"

"You said that a husband would be managing those fields you hold little interest in. What are you interested in, specifically?"

"Magic, temporal power, and knowledge in general. I would say those are the three primary areas of my interest, as my résumé shows." She adjusts in her seat, antsy. "I believe that is sufficient, Mr. Caldwell." She rises from her seat, and you do too, moving on automatic. She blinks at your expression. "Ah, my apologies, I had forgotten it was your first time. These sorts of things are not decided instantly; you will stay here for the night, and we will likely speak further in a more social context." She offers you her hand, and you take it, shaking it briefly.

Your fingers dance on your thigh, uncomfortable, uncertain. "That's it, then?"

"That is it, yes," she says. She gives you a cursory glance. "Is there any particular social activity you would like to engage in with me?"

>Could she give you a tour?
>Would she like to play a game?
>Write-in.

>>38895280
>Would she like to play a game?

>>38895280
>>Could she give you a tour?
and after that
>Would she like to play a game?

File: mlegend_of_koizumi_xlg_rh(...).jpg (286 KB, 1456x1075)

286 KB JPG

>>38895182

Yes. A game.

How's that for a game, OP?
tfw don't actually know how to play

>>38895280
>Would she like to play a game?
We're secretly an A.I. Now to trick her into sending missiles at various countries.

>>38895182
Anon, I'm sorry, but that sounds retarded.
You do realize they're both in their twenties and this is a very political marriage which they are both trying to approach maturely and professionally, right?
I doubt she'd enjoy playing Monopoly on a marriage interview, no offense.

>>38895280
>Would she like to play a game?

File: 221-804-715058972.jpg (44 KB, 1000x750)

44 KB JPG

>>38895352
>>38895340
>>38895322
>>38895320
>>38895312

>>38895350
anon retarded anons are retarded. So we're going to ask about games like a dumbass.

>>38895280

>I think you are an incredible person, Miss Montgomery

>Would she like to play a game?

>>38895280
>>Could she give you a tour?
Is her magic fancy or something? Maybe ask that she give us a show, since she seems somewhat proud of her magical prowess?

>>38895350
I just want to see what style of play she has. Sneaky? Aggressive? Pretends she has no idea how to play and then cheats hideously and stomps all over us? I'm sure there's an accepted 'noble' game to test her on.

>>38895373

So ask her to play something classy, like chess. It's not like we're asking for strip poker.

>>38895496
inb4 she requests strip chess

>>38895350

My marriage interview etiquette is a bit rusty, but this will at least put us outside of the "this guy I met once" category

>>38895496
Anon we didn't specify and Tart love hard moves.

>>38895280
>Would she like to play a game?
>>38895427
Helped me decide. We should let her decide which one though.

>>38895427
Anon, she is obviously highly intelligent and is very fucking sure of her tactics and brute strength.
She's either going to make a fool of us with tactics, or go straight for the kill and not leave us any breathing room.
This isn't a fucking Q&A session where we need to figure out the age and gender of our partner, we read her fucking resumé.

Would you like to play some Tic-Tac-Toe?
>>38895312
>>38895320
>>38895340
>>38895352
>>38895378
>>38895526

Give me the tour?
>>38895320
>>38895413

Flatter her:
>>38895378

>>38895512
It's hard to draw the line between "I am interpreting your vote maliciously so that your character does incredibly stupid shit" and "I am interpreting your vote, and bad things happened because of that interpretation," but actually asking her to play tic-tac-toe or strip poker would be the former and I try not to do that.

Oh yeah, and you're nineteen, she's twenty, to make ages clearer.

>>38895568
Playing aagainst each other is a good way to practice playing with each other

>>38895594

We're still nobles, right? I doubt the MC doesn't know what knid of game would be inappropriate.

>>38895568
>She's either going to make a fool of us with tactics, or go straight for the kill and not leave us any breathing room.
Exactly. I want to know whether she's going to be ruthless in pursuit of victory, or actually going to test us first. Her resume tells us what she did, but she wants a personality match. Our respective play-styles are a better judge of that.

>>38895594
So Stratego? Risk? Settlers of Catan? 4 dimensional wizard's chess?

>>38895648
>We're still nobles, right?
More American old money than actual nobility, but yes.

>>38895568

Well, we either manage to impress her or we show how willing we are to let ourselves be humiliated by her.

Maybe both, if we play it right.

>>38895658
Dodgeball, the game of kings.

>>38895694
Pretty sure we'd either get called a cad for that or get creamed. Or both. Both is most likely.

>>38895694
Dodgeball is a team game, pretty sure.

>>38895658
Starcraft

>>38895685
I severely doubt we'd be able to impress her, and being a submissive pussy isn't what she's looking for, if he's to be weaker than she wants a supportive husband, not a doormat. In case you didn't know, doormats don't exactly offer a lot of support.

>>38895658
lets play hide & seek

>>38895658
>Settlers of Catan?

This would end with her screaming and asking us how we dare pretend to be human.

>>38895660

So a bit like a member of the gentry

>>38895658
Hnefatafl

>>38895729
And there goes any interest she had in us what so ever.

>>38895743
We'd need to get the tour first to be any good.

>>38895768
good point.

>>38895773
What's that?

>>38895728
Fine, we'll play Magic the Gathering. Happy now?

>>38895787
Same problem as Starcraft anon.

>>38895787

Let's take "the Tomb of Horror" from our luggage and get on with it.

OP, is she the heir to the family, or just a spare?

>>38895779
>What's that?
viking checkers, pretty much

>>38895820
Closer to spare than heir, but inheritance and family lineage for magic families is looser than that.

>>38895810
we should play five finger fillet

>>38895831
I always wondered about this, is checkers really more popular than chess in America? I see it referenced much more often than chess, except for checkmate maybe.
I find it strange considering the game is basically unknown here, beyond its name and maybe that you skip over the opponents's pieces and the pieces' shape.

>>38895919
Pretty sure that'd be too barbaric for her.

>>38895938
Depends on regional culture.

>>38895938
no idea, i'm not even american

>>38895938
Ive always just preffered checkers. The only people here in america who like chess more are the ones who pretend to be smarter than others. Checkers is infinitely superior to chess.

>>38895938
I took a chess class in middle school.

File: 1313969860084.jpg (1.19 MB, 968x910)

1.19 MB JPG

This thread is going places.

>>38895985
Checkers is a dumb man's chess, don't pretend it is anything else.

>>38896018
THIS is what registers as "going places" to you? Seriously?

>>38895985
>not enjoying the pure intellectual challenge of playing chess against some on the same level as you
Anon please, at least try not to be a full pleb.

"Would you like to play chess?"

She quirks an eyebrow, and you detect the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. "Very well," she says, nodding. "I should forewarn you that I am a competent player, and that I do not anticipate your victory; if you have difficulty accepting loss, it would be best to bow out now."

"That's fine," you say. "I'm curious to see you play."

"Likewise, Mr. Caldwell." She guides you to the parlor, where there is a chess table already set up, and the two of you sit down to play.

You put up a spirited defense, but in the end she crushes you. You don't think you once took a piece from her without having to sacrifice a piece of equal or greater value in order to do so. She doesn't rub her victory in your face. She simply forces you into checkmate and then offers a hand and a "well done." It's not a surprising result to either of you.

"I am afraid, Mr. Caldwell, that I must powder my nose," she says, as she rises from the table. "Please, find a way to occupy yourself in the mean time."

You look through the bookshelves in the parlor, where there's any number of texts on various matters; histories, classics, scientific texts. None stand out as worth reading, so you move around a bit, glancing through the house. There are only a few servants, and the house seems positively empty as a consequence.

As you enter one more remote corner of the house - a small room with a dusty piano - you find your older brother, James, dead, apparently from being repeatedly stabbed. Above him, you can see his ghost; instead of reenacting his death (as it should), the ghost itself is slashed up, torn half to ribbons, only half-recognizable as a ghost at all. It stares, blindly, at nothing.

>Write-in.

>>38896088
... Whoah.

Leaving the write-ins to you elegan/tg/entlemen

>>38896088
Probably freak out a bit, grieve briefly, then steel ourselves.
Try to interact with the ghost, otherwise call out to a servant/maid or our prospective bride.
Is our magic useful now?

>>38896088
Ok This is not good. Call for help. Now. Also secure the premises.

>>38896088
WHAT THE FUCK

>>38896088
FIND MONIQUE OH GOD

>>38896088
what the...
try talking to it?

>>38896150
Seconding. HELP, MONIQUE!

>>38896088

>Try to not panic or feel ill
>Don't touch anything

>Call a servant, and explain the situation

Is there any magic we know that could help the situation?

Oh, I thought this was going to be a modern fantasy smut/romance quest,

Well done and fuck you, OP. I was expecting a genteel tale of tea-sipping politics and politeness, and suddenly we've got Magic Clue.

I'm impressed.

>literally not reading other posts before replying
Why do people do this?

>>38896088
acquire someone who would be useful in this situation. In the event that we are useful in this situation, acquire more people any way.

>>38896088
Jesus.

>do we know any protective spells? If yes, put them up now.
>call out alarm
>freak out
>maybe forgo step 1 if it would require concentration not available in state of being freaked out

>in b4 this is all some test

Call for help:
>>38896150
>>38896194
>>38896233
>>38896244

Monique specifically
>>38896157
>>38896183

Use relevant magic:
>>38896149
>>38896194
>>38896244

>>38896230
To what are you referring in particular?

>>38896206

Still can be.

At least my work on detective novel analysis will have a pratical use

>>38896313
We should probably try to find a weapon as well, sometime soon.

>>38896370

Calm down, anon.

Having a weapon when someone has been murdered is a bad idea if you try to look innocent.

>>38896576
What if we aren't?

>>38896576
I didn't mean a knife. Just something we can use if we're a target as well. Our family has apparently made serious enemies, after all.

Your trembling fingers hurriedly enact a rudimentary protective spell. It won't last that long, and it's more slippery than strong, but it's better than nothing. You sigh, your body feeling heavier, and you turn to shout. "Help! Murder!"

Under the circumstances, everyone is soon gathered into an adjacent room. A brief negotiation takes place, and Nora and Theodore (Margaret's older brother) are picked as the two to examine the body properly. The rest of you sit, anxious, terrified. Theodore's wife, Sarah, is sitting down, oddly passive about the entire thing, simply reading through a book on the subject of "The Binding of Southern Spirits."

The servants don't have the magical talents or equipment to damage a ghost, so they're not major suspects. The rest of you - Eleanor, Theodore, Nora, Sarah, Margaret, Monique, and yourself - are, though motive is hard to ascertain. You can't imagine why any of you would kill James. The Montgomerys don't gain by starting a blood feud with you, and the Caldwells surely don't gain by murdering one of their own.

"The obvious candidate," Eleanor says, after Theodore and Nora return, "is your enemies." She accompanies that with a gesture towards the Caldwells gathered here. Yourself, Nora, and Monique. "But I do not see how they could have entered our household without my notice."

Nora gives a worried glance over at Theodore. Margaret sits, pensive, but you notice her fingers tremble before she clamps one hand over the other. Sarah continues to read.

"Perhaps your wards are not as strong as you think," Monique says. She looks defensive, and her spirit mimics that; the metal shell wraps tighter around the gum, pieces lining up with each other and making it look almost like a pineapple. "The Caldwells' enemies are quite powerful."

"Powerful, yes," Eleanor admits. "But not subtle. The spirits your patriarch offended couldn't do this on their own, and no Montgomery comports with that sort."

>Write-in.

>>38896806
>Point out his ghost is acting strangely. Does anyone know what might make it act like that?

>>38896806
>>Write-in.
ask about the strange behavior of James' ghost

>>38896806
>His ghost is even different ways of messed up. Clearly a sign of strong magic. Anyone familiar with something that could do that? Could such a thing be concealed or stored?

>>38896806

>"Anything that did it could still be around"

>Propose that, while the usual procedure in case of magical murder is applied, everyone not needed retire to their room, without anyone being alone as protective mesure


Can we have a list of our skills/powers, OP ? It would helpt to know what we can or can't do

>>38896996
Why would we even suggest that? What purpose does that serve? Who counts as 'needed', anyway?

>>38896863
>>38896889

I gathered that it's a way for professional or just skilled murderer to cover up his tracks.
>>38896806
>Let's focus on finding whoever did this.

Well, were there any clues in the room? I guess footprint would be too much to ask.
Is the damage to the ghost reversible? Would someone be able to track the magic that was cause of them or find traces of it?

>>38897074
We need to know whether they've heard of this happening before. Can a particular spell or atrefact do it, for example? If so, who could do it/would have it?

>>38896806
Just try to find a murder weapon first.

Are there any blood trails?

>>38896806
>could have entered our household without my notice.
Maybe someone let them in? Also how were things between James and Nora really? And how do the wards work, by barring unwelcome guests out?

>>38897063


1) Being in pair will help keep people safe, or at least make one of the persons able to scream while the other is murdered

2) I suppose people are needed as in "we have questions to ask you" and that kind of things

The players not knowing anything about the setting doesn't help.

Ghost weirdness:
>>38896863
>>38896889
>>38896932

Clues:
>>38897074
>>38897122

Keep together:
>>38896996

Questions:
>>38897174

>>38896996
>Can we have a list of our skills/powers, OP ? It would helpt to know what we can or can't do
You can do... things. You can't do... other things. I don't have a list of your spells, I'm doing magic largely improvisational. Little spells can be done with gestures and words, big spells require time and ritual.

As a rule of thumb, if it's not something that instantly short-circuits the plot, I'll probably let you do it.

>>38897184
>Being in pair will help keep people safe, or at least make one of the persons able to scream while the other is murdered
It also ensures that, if someone here did it, they are alone with another of the people in the house.

Which is a great idea.

10/10

I support it.

>>38897228
>I don't have a list of your spells
do we have a specific area of interest at least like how Margaret fiddles with temporal stuff?

>>38897249

"I am going to murder the one person who everyone know was with me! It's pure genius!"

>>38897284
...that's not what temporal power means in that context.

You can pick a specific area of interest, though, if you guys want to.

>>38897292
And then they can easily escape because everyone else is separated and not doing anything useful.

The End.

>>38897308
Also, how is Monique related to us?

I would say magic generalist.

>>38897362
>Also, how is Monique related to us?
She's an employee/retainer, not a relative.

>>38897362
She's a bodyguard.

>>38897284

Temporal power means ruling a land

>>38897308

Once again, we don't know anything about the setting.

Though if I have to choose with what we know, I'd say that we take finance and organisation as area of interest.

>>38897427
Pretty sure here it means time magic.

>>38897427

>we'll be manager for our sorceress waifu
I can dig this.
Of course unless she shanked our bro, in which case the witch's gonna burn.

>>38897468
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_power

>>38897427
>Once again, we don't know anything about the setting.
Neither do I. America with magic. Cars but no cell phones or computers. Pick whatever kind of magic you feel like. Pyromancy. Time magic. Illusionism.

>Though if I have to choose with what we know, I'd say that we take finance and organisation as area of interest.
...I was thinking more of magical specialty when I asked that.

>mystery quest
>people are already asking questions that have already been answered
Well this is going swimmingly.

This is probably going to end with getting shanked in the back while accusing the wrong person.

>>38897495
I meant in the context of a magic world.Obviously we don't have a list of what magic is possible in the setting, but as a possibility.

Yes, I know what wikipedia has to say. I just don't care about that at the moment.

>>38897535
I'd be down with either Geo Or Cryomancy. Divination would be great but we'd have to nerf the fuck out of it to not easily end the quest.

>>38897535
Man, you really are winging it.

Let's go with something peaceful, like druidic/nature/agricultural magic, and perhaps some artifice, maybe?

>>38897535
Can we use some kind of luck magic? Would that be possible?

>>38897590
>>38897579
>>38897535

Earth magic, with alchemy ?

>>38897590
I'd like at least some attack capability, even if it'd be slow as fuck.

>>38897649
Works

>>38897591
>>38897579
Divination/luck Magic a best. Maybe minor fate manip or fate affecting ritual magic so we can do cool magic stuff and still support our waifu

>>38896018
>>38896044
Not him, but running a magical household company thing with monsters as my employees would be pretty damn awesome.

>>38897728
He'll just ritual magic in general there isn't enough of that around

>>38897728
Problem with Divination is way too easy to abuse it for an I win in this sort of thing. Unless we suck at it.

>>38897796
Hence the rituals - our divination is good but cryptic and requires time and ingredients

"His ghost was acting oddly," you say, speaking up. Everybody looks at you. "It was all cut up, rather than reenacting his murder. That's not typical."

Eleanor nods. "Yes. Most likely, it was done by an enchanted weapon of some sort."

"Or a murder spirit that bypassed your defenses," Monique says, her voice laced with a little venom. Eleanor gives her a look, and her spirit's crystalline facets turn on your family guard, more pointedly than they previously turned on James. A certain sharpness to them, like a thousand metal knives. Monique takes a step back, automatically, her hand going to her waist before she stops herself and shakes her head.

The room is colder, from Monique's direct mention of the enemies your family has made. You notice Nora cast a glance upward, as though they were listening in and she could see them already. They're not there, of course.

"Was there any evidence in the room?" You turn to Nora, making her snap her head to face you. "The weapon, footprints, anything like that?"

Nora's shoulders slump, and she shakes her head. "Nothing," she says. Theodore nods his agreement. "Damn idiot bastard, couldn't even leave us any evidence when he died."

"The phone lines are cut," Sarah notes, impassively. "The cars?"

Monique shakes her head. "Their engines are broken. I don't think running is an option; on foot, we'd be easy pickings for whatever did this."

"We can't just sit around doing nothing," Theodore says, annoyed.

>Perhaps we should interrogate people as to their whereabouts when James was killed?
>Perhaps we should investigate people for evidence to their involvement.
>Write-in.

What's your specialty?
>Geomancy; rock, earth, soil. Sense through it, manipulate it at a range, reshape it.
>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.
>Write-in.

>>38897866
>Perhaps we should interrogate people as to their whereabouts when James was killed?
>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.

>>38897866
Luckomancer sound nice.

>>38897866
>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.
Aw yiss
> interrogate people about whereabouts

>>38897866
>Perhaps we should interrogate people as to their whereabouts when James was killed?
>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.

>>38897866
>Perhaps we should interrogate people as to their whereabouts when James was killed?
>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.

>>38897866
>Investigate people as to their whereabouts.

>Luck/fate/chaos. Little things go in your favor when you want them to and spend power. Big, chaotic things (e.g. stock market) go in your favor when you do rituals.

>>38897866
>>Geomancy; rock, earth, soil. Sense through it, manipulate it at a range, reshape it.

>>Perhaps we should investigate people for evidence to their involvement.

If there evidences, interrogating people would give too much time to make them disappear.

>>38897866
>Monique please. Everyone here but the murderer wants to catch the bastard...
>Perhaps we should each tell where we were when it happened? I was wandering around and entered the room from [wherever it was we entered from]

>Geomancy

>>stock market go in your favour when you do rituals
economy of this country has to be real fun if that's doable. I'd imagine this sort of rituals would be banned or severely regulated by any semblance of government.

Also severing all connection had to take some time and moving around. So either those spirits can do that or someone, perhaps more people, got reallly busy...

>>38898051
Could be that luck magic is super rare or that ritual is really difficult (just think of all the factors involved) and so a person that powerful probably isn't one to be messed with

Interrogate:
>>38897904
>>38897911
>>38897943
>>38897952
>>38897979
>>38898051

Evidence:
>>38897982

Luck:
>>38897904
>>38897909
>>38897911
>>38897943
>>38897952
>>38897979

Geo:
>>38897982
>>38898051

>>38898051
Eh, it's more like you pick the right companies than that the companies you pick become right, and you only raise your odds mildly; 50-50 to 55-45, say.

>>38898159

That seems more like either divination (predicting development) or charm/mind magic (influencing market participants, their mood)
But I guess there's room to chaos here as well in all the things that affect the market indirectly... eh, sorry for the ramble.

>>38898297

I think it's more a probability calculation.

The ritual is probably a way to synthetise the thousands of variable into an exploitable information, or something like that.

"Where was everyone when James was killed?" You mentally review things. "I was playing chess with Margaret, then she went to powder her nose and I took a look around the house before stumbling on James' corpse."

People go around, giving their stories. Margaret was in the ladies' room, as you stated. Nora was speaking to Theodore. Sarah was reading. Eleanor was busy, alone, and won't say any more than that. Monique was exploring the house and reviewing their security measures.

You're trapped here, with a murderer, and you don't know who it is. You don't know why the killer struck, so they might kill again. Out of everyone here, Margaret seems the most unsettled, and you move closer to her, ready to comfort her if she wants it. On some level, you're thinking that this could be an opportunity to distinguish yourself from all the other suitors she's had. Not to say that you're glad James is dead, but there is an opportunity to take advantage of it.

Eleanor looks over the assembled group. Her eyes briefly pause on Theodore and Nora. "I don't understand this, I must admit," she says. "The entire situation is confusing. I..." she trails off. "I should see to the wards." She tromps off, leaving the rest of you alone.

"I'd like to examine the security measures as well," Monique says. "I don't believe that they're as thorough as the elder Montgomery maintains." She casts a look across you all, a quick sweep. "As long as the lot of you stay together, you should be fine on your own, and it's my duty to take these sorts of risks myself."

There's a quiet stillness in the room that comes with fear. It stretches out, Sarah flicking through the pages of her book, Theodore and Nora exchanging worried glances. Margaret sits stock still, her face a blank mask.

>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.
>Suggest that you all go to your rooms (with at least one other person) and sleep this off.
>Ask someone about their behavior.
>Write-in.

>>38898757
>Her eyes briefly pause on Theodore and Nora.
Intriiiiiiguing. Tartarus, was James the family heir?

>>38898813
Yes, actually.

>>38898757
>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.
>Quickly check the probabilities for who it is, it'll be incomplete but it might point us in the right direction.

>>38898757
>>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.

>>38898757
>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.

>>38898757
>question Sarah as to why she's so unconcerned, and check if her spirit seems to be behaving unusually
She's reading a book about ghosts.Coincidence?

>>38898757
>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.

>>38898757

>Try to take Margaret's mind off of this by discussing one of her interests.

>Suggest to move to a more comfortable room (a living room less close to the corpse, for exemple)

>Ask the servants if they could bring in some tea

>>38898757

>>38898879
Supporting. Doesn't do any good to ignore irregular behaviour.

>>38898757
Could we curse the mansion so that if anyone has killed a before people has inexplicably bad luck?

>>38898932

If we can't do it, we could still bluff saying we do it.

>>38898932
>has killed a before people
*killed a person before
That was an embarrassing mistake.

Take Margaret's mind off things:
>>38898845
>>38898850
>>38898875
>>38898881
>>38898902

Question Sarah:
>>38898879
>>38898908

Use magic somehow:
>>38898845
>>38898932

Move elsewhere:
>>38898902

>>38898965
Ah, Headology. I like that.

>>38899021
Dammit, Terry, you're meant to be dead.

>>38899011
>Take Margaret's mind off things
You're interested in Temporal Power but are not interested in financial matters. Other than finding a suitor that could support you in this, what ideas do you have to deal with possible problems that might arise in this instance?

>>38898159
>Eh, it's more like you pick the right companies than that the companies you pick become right, and you only raise your odds mildly; 50-50 to 55-45, say.
Ah. So, more like the edge computer modeling gives you than the edge mind control gives you.

Possible motives:
- Nora has an obvious motive: kill James to be rid of him. Framing the Montgomerys and/or screwing over the Caldwells would be a bonus, not a goal.
- Margaret has no apparent motive. If she didn't want us here, or if she wanted to move against our family, sitting back and doing nothing would have accomplished this nicely. It's possible she thought we had good potential as a pushover husband and that she felt James would pose an obstacle to this, but surely there were candidates _not_ requiring murder?
- We ourselves (OP, what *is* our name?) have a motive: impress Margaret. Killing James to solve his murder is a stupidly sociopathic way to go about this, but there are plenty of stupid sociopaths who would, and the Montgomerys don't know that we're not one. Another of the Caldwells might have done this for the same reason, or to cover up a stain on the family name.
- And then, of course, there's the Caldwells' enemies.
- The "murder" might not be an actual murder, but the result of triggering a trap placed by the Montgomerys. Rather than own up to it (which would require them to accuse James Caldwell of poking into the Montgomerys' private papers or what-have-you), they're choosing to pass it off as a murder.

>>38899109
>OP, what *is* our name?
Weird. Could've sworn I mentioned it. It's Richard.

>>38899109
Don't forget that with the married heir dead, they can now snag the new heir to an admittedly weaker family.

Alternatively, the way Eleanor looked at Theodore and Nora was strange. Was the target meant to be Nora? Is that why she seems confused over how it happened? Or does she suspect Theodore had James murdered because he's interested in Nora?

>>38899062

You only die when people stop thinking about you, anon

>>38899109
What about possibility of Montgomerys removing the heir so the family estate falls upon the loser who's married to their daughter?

>>38898813
>>38898829
And of course I missed the obvious "for the inheritance". In addition to >>38899174's suggestion, it's possible that the murderer is Theodore (or Richard), and has made a deal with our enemies which they believe will put them at an advantage after they inherit. (And one which those enemies would probably have no intention of keeping; but again, there are plenty of stupid sociopaths in the world.)

>>38899068
Are you that same anon who's insisting that "temporal power" means time magic even after OP said it wasn't (>>38897308)?

>>38899237
We're Richard so I doubt we did it.

>>38899252
Yeah that's a lame plot twist. You can rule yourself out as the murderer. This isn't Heavy Rain.

>>38899227

Having someone die in such a manner on their estate would make them look weak.

It's still a possibility, though

>>38899265
Oh, no. All I meant was that other people might think that, or try to use it as a motive in framing us for it.

>>38899252
>>38899265
The other characters might take some convincing though, especially if we end up accusing someone.

>>38899227
our family is apparently all kinds of fail except old money. not sure if they actually want our family.

>>38899237
>"temporal power" means time magic
not sure how an interest in time travel and a hate of finances would conflict, anon. An interest in ruling land with a lack of financial interest could be an issue.

>>38899301
WE could tell them, If we wanted him dead we could have just arranged an accident with our magic. Not hard for us especially if we put the pieces in place ahead of time.

Good point though.

>NeedAName has a name
NOPE

>>38899349
Pc name is Richard Anon, Tart already said.

File: img-timeline.gif (10 KB, 650x218)

10 KB GIF

>>38899349
Old news, man.

>>38899308
>not sure how an interest in time travel and a hate of finances would conflict, anon. An interest in ruling land with a lack of financial interest could be an issue.
That's part of my point, yes. >>38899068 doesn't make much sense if you interpret "temporal power" as "worldly power".

(You may want to reread the post chain; I suspect you've read my post as saying the exact opposite of what I meant.)

>>38899435

Not him but there is clearly a discrepancy between caring for worldly power and not caring about finances which are kinda big part of the worldly power
I'm not sure why you brought time magic into this at all. You thought it was about using time altering magic to mess with high frequency traders?

File: char_63235.jpg (17 KB, 210x240)

17 KB JPG

>>38899252
Yea, what kind of DICK would kill his own brother anyway?

Can we try talking to the ghost?

>>38899567
>Can we try talking to the ghost?
Ghosts don't talk even when they haven't been intentionally fucked up.

>>38899435
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're asked if I was insisting that Temporal Power meant time magic. I'm not.

No, I'm saying I want politicians, nobles, business moguls, and other such people in places of 'Worldly Power" to be able to balance their budget. If they don't have a grasp in finances, they won't stay in worldly power long. Politicians won't be re-elected, nobles will be ousted, and business moguls would go bankrupt.

>>38899586
Fair 'nough.
We might ask Sarah why she's being so calm about all this.

You give a quick look at Theodore and Sarah. Theodore's spirit looks like rubber or plastic, malleable yet tough. Sarah's is watery or goolike, dripping and sliding constantly. Neither seems out of the ordinary. Then you turn your attention to Margaret. "Margaret?" You ask, making your voice as sweet as possible.

She blinks before she looks at you, then offers up a wan smile. "Ah. Richard. Sorry, I was lost in thought. Did you say something?"

"No, I just wanted to talk to you," you say. "Your résumé mentioned your exceptional skill at geomancy, doubling crop yields on your family farms by putting your talents to their full use?" She nods, confirming your recollection. "Do you enjoy that sort of magic, or do you do it because it's useful?"

"I started studying it because of its utility, but I have found it has a certain elegance to it. There's a symmetry and rhythm to it." She continues on in that vein, and it seems to take her thoughts off the current circumstances. Nora and Theodore occasionally exchange a whisper or a glance, but you can't make anything meaningful out. Sarah reads as if today were perfectly ordinary and dull.

After what feels like an hour, Monique returns, holding her pistol in both hands. She looks over the group, then speaks. "We've got trouble. The wards are damaged; a spirit broke through. On that note..." she gives another look across the room. "I think we've got Killer-of-Many on our hands. Pretty sure I saw it."

"What... Killer-of-Many?" Margaret asks.

For once, you know more than her, and you'll take the opportunity to explain. "A murder spirit that prefers to target people in large groups." Everyone in the room looks at one another.

"Yeah, sticking together is less advisable, under the circumstances," Monique says. "Killer-of-Many gains power in proportion to the number of potential victims that are clustered together."

>Write-in.

>>38899637
On reread, I see what the issue was: I was reading "you" as Richard, when you intended it to be Margaret. (Partly because you've been capitalizing "temporal power", which threw me rather badly.) Sorry about that.

>>38899753
So groups of two then? Of course we'll need to check the wards ourselves. A killer of many would leave traces. Malice, bad luck, raw Aether among other things.

>>38899753
>"Killer-of-Many gains power in proportion to the number of potential victims that are clustered together."
Then why did KoM start with James, who was alone, when he could have gone for Margaret and Richard, who were together?

>>38899753
>Monique trying to split the party
>MONIQUE IS MURDERER
i haf zolved mysteree

>>38899753
>Write-in.
Then in that case we need to bless the place to make sure more people don't die.

>>38899753
let's stay in pairs, then, that should be the safest option

we stick to our bride, of course

and something tells me it would be smart to keep an eye on Monique

>>38899753
>>Write-in.
figure out how to wreck Killer of Many before splitting up or something.

>>38899753
''Let's go in pairs... But still, each one keep and eye on your pair, James was killed alone...'

>>38899753
What room was James in when he died? He may not have been alone when he died.

Ask Monique where the Matriarch of the Montgomery family has gone.

Also ask Sarah how she is staying so calm.

>>38899878
>He may not have been alone when he died.
he was actually in the center of an orgy

>>38899753
>We'd better split up until everyone is alone then.

>>38899878
He was clearly alone. If the KoM really killed him, he wouldn't be dead alone.

Eleanor seems like the likely murderer. She's the most magically powerful, she doesn't like us, so on and so forth.

However, that's the obvious answer. I think it's more likely that the murder is a character who hasn't been introduced but dwells within the house. Obviously, spirits are a thing in this setting. It's also sort of kind of modern/early modern.

I suggest that we ask their family about any recently deceased relatives, or if anyone else (important) is living in the house that we don't know about. We should also ask about local traditions, and any near-by spirits who we might be able to consult regarding weird goings-on.

>>38899950
KoM could have possessed the person he was with, killed him, then made them walk off and forget what they were doing.

>>38899753

"Let's form pairs, then. Monique, you'll check on each group periodically, alright? "

I wonder what kind of kinks our bride has

>>38899810

Either the KoM was released after the murder, someone wanted our bro to die first specifically, or James was just at the wrong place the wrong time

>>38899950
>James is with 2 people
>James murder begins
>2 people bolt in different directions
>Now they're alone, not attracting the wrath of KoM

Unless the KoM kills multiple people at a time, in which case, Come on Monique, piss poor alibi, get it together.

>>38899988
We don't know if he has that sort of powers.

Groups of two:
>>38899804
>>38899831
>>38899871
>>38900002

Groups of one:
>>38899940

Don't split up:
>>38899814
>>38899815

Come up with a plan:
>>38899841

Why James?
>>38899810
>>38899871
>>38899878

>>38899988
KoM doesn't do possessions. It just stabs you.

>>38899976
Lemme revise that, I hadn't read the last post.

If there is some sort of rogue murderous spirit on the loose that broke through the wards, than this is either a random act of violence, or someone sabotaged the wards.

I still think asking about local spirits is a good idea, we could ask a local spirit if anything new rolled into the area.

>>38900052
How do you kill a spirit anyway? Does anyone here have qualifications for it? I'm guessing Monique should have some.

"If it's Killer-of-Many, why did it target James? He was alone when he died, as far as anyone could tell."

"Don't know," Monique says, glancing down the hall. "Could be that there's more than one murder spirit. Lord knows the Caldwells have made enough enemies to have more than one come after you two. Could be that a mere mortal like you or I killed James. Could be that James was with somebody - or multiple people - when he was killed."

"Are you sure it was Killer-of-Many?"

Monique pauses, apparently thinking. "Reasonably sure, yes."

"Standard precautions are..." you trail off, trying to recall.

"Murder spirit," Monique begins, "opposed by life and symbols of life. That includes fire, as fire is itself alive, hungering and growing. Without a specific counter, simple force should be sufficient. Killer-of-Many is dangerous, but not invulnerable, as long as we don't let it get gorge itself by piling potential victims together."

You notice that Sarah suddenly seems to have regained her senses and is now treating the situation as actually dangerous. Odd. "We should move in pairs," you say. "Myself and Margaret; Sarah and Theodore; Nora and Monique, I suppose?"

There's a rumbling of assent, the groups forming. "Be careful, though," Margaret says, standing. "Like Monique said, the killer could be one of us." You glance at Margaret, and stand by her side, and the groups separate, dispersing, the servants moving in their own pairs.

As the two of you walk off in your own direction, Margaret reaches over for your hand and laces her fingers through yours, taking your hand. "To ensure we don't lose track of one another. I don't believe you're the killer, and I know I'm not," she explains.

>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either.
>Why not?
>We should find Eleanor and tell her what's happened.
>Write-in.

>>38900437
>>We should find Eleanor and tell her what's happened.
Thank you for the trust.

>>38900437
>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either.
>Why not?

>>38900437
>Why not?
Interesting

>>38900437
>>We should find Eleanor and tell her what's happened.
she can explain why we're not the killer on our way. I mean, we did find James.

>>38900437
Thank her for her trust, and inform her that we don't suspect her either. Then see if she'd be alright inspecting the room where James was killed further.

>>38900437
>Why not?

>>38900437
>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either. And I also know that I'm not the killer. We have so much in common!

>>38900437
>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either.
>We should find Eleanor and tell her what's happened.

>>38900437
>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either.

>>38900437
>>Thanks. I don't think you're the killer either.
>>Why not?

Find Eleanor:
>>38900479
>>38900525
>>38900576

Why not?
>>38900497
>>38900499
>>38900543
>>38900525
>>38900699

Me neither:
>>38900497
>>38900539
>>38900556
>>38900576
>>38900654
>>38900699

Examine James's corpse.
>>38900539

>>38900765
>Me neither:
alright anons, why don't we think it's our potential future wife?

>>38901095
Lack of motive and opportunity, mostly. She went to the bathroom, but we probably would have run into her on the way to stumbling upon his corpse.

>Plus we need her more than a dog named Tripod needs to have 3 legs.

>>38901095
>Left in the opposite direction of the corpse shortly before discovering the corpse.
>Was with us for the entire time, except for a short period beforehand.

"Thanks," you say. "I don't think you're the killer either, for what it's worth."

Margaret smiles at that, mirthful. "Thank you, though I had surmised as much. You would hardly volunteer yourself to partner with the woman you believed to be a murderer."

The two of you wind up back in the parlor, the chess table sitting there, almost taunting you. Although it's not advisable to actually play, the table's in a pretty good place to let the two of you watch one another's backs. You sit, your fingers still laced together - it feels too awkward to disentangle them, and Margaret hasn't complained - and you keep Margaret talking about herself, occasionally sparing a glance over her shoulder to ensure no one new has entered.

When Margaret finally processes the fact that she's been holding your hand this entire time, her cheeks color, just faintly, and she pulls her hand away. "My apologies, Richard," she says. "This situation is affecting me, it seems."

"It's fine," you say, dismissively. "Out of curiosity... why don't you think I'm the killer?"

She pauses, pursing her lips. "May I be utterly frank?" You nod. "I imagine someone capable of killing James in the manner that he was slain, without leaving evidence behind... well, I rather believe they would have a more impressive résumé than you."

You laugh. "You think I'm too stupid to have killed him?"

"I would not put it in those words," she clarifies. "Rather, killing James like that would require skills that there's no reason to believe you have. It is almost impossible for someone to disguise their true talents to such a degree. If you were the killer, there would no doubt be mention on your résumé of expertise in things such as close combat skills, enchantment, spirit warding or summoning, ghosts... your résumé is rather more limited."

It's then that you hear a crash upstairs.

>END OF SESSION.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/72oOCCJ1

Next session at the same time tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed.

>>38901266
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>38901266
WHY IT HAS TO END??

>>38901266
Thanks for running. Ho badly did we fuck up?

>>38901266
thanks Tartarus, also nice dubs

>>38901313
The time, my energy, also the way that I've powered through most of my plans for the plot in a single session.

>>38901319
I didn't see you guys do anything really stupid this thread.

>>38901266
thanks for running

File: 1395902926369.png (52 KB, 202x239)

52 KB PNG

>>38901266
>It's then that you hear a crash upstairs.
Argh! Cliff hanger!

Eh, thanks for the run. I was well entertained by it.

>>38901319
>>38901360
To be honest we could have used our magic to help protect everyone.

>>38901363
>Argh! Cliff hanger!
Gotta do the cliffhangers to get players coming back. Honestly that was a pretty cheap one.

>>38901360
>really stupid
you mean like punch the vamp that turned us and run away before she recovered as she attempted to clue us in on what was going on?

>>38901399
Yes. Or stand in front of a pyrokinetic hell-bent on lighting someone on fire, then take off your clothes. Or the ridiculous clusterfuck that Sanguine turned into.

>>38901266
>Same Time Tomorrow
>Started at 2 my time

CURSES!! I have a job.

Clearly the only option is to go on Welfare.