>>39265295

You shake your head clear and consider what Frederick’s position is. Country’s occupied by oppressors trying to keep down the little guy by telling him what magic tricks he can and can’t do. Sounds pretty bad, you guess.

You look back over at Frederick as you walk, trying to extract some meaning from the introspective mood glowing from him. Unfortunately, even if you’re capable of feeling other people’s emotions, they’re still a bitch to understand. You’ll have to continue relying on your talking abilities for the time being.

“How’s your magic different than theirs, exactly?” you ask him. “I mean, I know a lot about magic I guess, but I kind of don’t know anything about it too, if you know what I mean.”

Frederick smiles. “I’ll give you the Reader’s Digest version,” he says. “The Eclipse handicap magical talent. Let’s take mind magic as an example. Ettenrhine schools of cognimancy teach a technique allows you use one hundred percent of your brain capacity. A skilled mancer can resolve difficult issues or computations in a matter of moments,” he says.

“And the Eclipse say that’s bad,” you say. “Why’s that?”

“The main issue is the power. If mancers can solve their problems on their own through their superior magic, the Eclipse lose their chief bargaining chip in the bid for control,” says Frederick. “If you have as much power as they do, you don’t need them. The Eclipse don’t want a population just as powerful as they are.”

“I thought it was like black magic or something,” you say.

Saying this gets Frederick to laugh. “You’re hellborn,” he says. “I know a lot of people who’d call what you do black magic.”

“Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything,” you reply. “You can call anything black magic if you want.”

“Exactly,” says Frederick. “They crack down on mages for imaginary charges.”

>>39265308

You go to complain, but you don’t really have anything good to say that wouldn’t also make you a hypocrite. You guess you don’t really have moral authority on magic, so you let the matter drop. Still, there’s other stuff to find out, and you turn your attention elsewhere. “So what kind of claim does Ironstrom have on your country anyway? They buy it from the French or something?”

“I’m going to say no,” he answers flatly. “Actually there was a war about twenty years ago. Ettenrhine chose the wrong side, people started dying, and they overthrew the king. The new government let the Eclipse station troops on our territory, but they never left.”

“That sucks.”

“That it does,” he replies.

You walk on for a bit longer, until you get back to the meet up point for everybody. The muddy intersection is still muddy, though somewhat more frozen given the rapidly failing light and warmth of the setting sun. There’s a couple grungy looking barrels you could sit on if you so chose, but you decide against it. Reeber, however, goes in search of what’s behind the barrels. Whatever he finds there keeps him quite occupied.

You fold your arms and scan the streets for any sign of the rest of your party. “So assuming everything goes all copacetic on our end,” you say, “what’s actually going to happen over on the other side? Is it going to be some Rome burning, earth salting kind of deal? Or is more like a Pearl Harbor thing?”

“That’s the purview of commanders and generals,” says Frederick. “I’m just the point man.”

You figured as much. “You think it’s going to be enough?”

>>39265335

“Maybe,” he says. But you can tell he’s thinking about it a little more. “Not in itself. But a victory now will help morale. More importantly, it might entice foreign support. The Serezhins have been sending some arms and supplies our way up till now, but this could convince them we’re worth more than a few hundred rifles.”

“Rifles rifles everywhere,” you say thoughtlessly. Then you spot Ro, Farren, and Orias heading back you way. “Hey check out who it is!”

Rowan waves, and they come over.

“We found room and board,” says Frederick.

“Oh that’s good,” says Farren.

“None of Farren’s friends were home,” says Rowan. “I think they already left.”

“That’s good too,” Farren says, smiling colorlessly. “If the inn prices are too high, we could just break into one of their houses and sleep there regardless.”

“Now that’s a plan,” you say jokingly.

Orias narrows his eyes. “I doubt that will be necessary.”

“We have money enough, Farren,” Frederick says.

Rowan takes a look around at the adjoining streets. “Have you seen the others?”

“I’ll stay and wait for them,” says Derek. “The rest of you can head back to the Drinking Dragon for the night.”

“Where’s that?” asks Ro.

“I believe I know the way, Lady Rowan,” says Farren. “We’ll find it soon enough.”

“We’ve just come from there as well,” Frederick adds. “Sierra can get you there.”

>Sally forth for the night.
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.
>Other (?)

>>39265360
>>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265360
>>>Sally forth for the night.

>>39265360
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265360
>>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265360
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.
>Still using Lady Rowan. Yes

>>39265360
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.
FUCK YEAH! HELLBORN QUEST!

>>39265360
>>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265360
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.
The rebels are sound much more sympathetic now. Lets not betray them for some vague promise of information.

>>39265360
>Sally forth for the night.

>>39265360
>Sally forth for the night.

>>39265360
>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265360
>>Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to talk with Freddy about something.

>>39265603
Yeah, the information isn't worth activtely aiding oppression. We are being discriminated the same way back home and hate the people who do it so why help their counterparts?

we should tell him about the offer and gauge his reaction, we can also see if the government can write us an IOU on information about our father and mother and have their spies try to find what they know

>>39265731
Because it's a guaranteed thing with potential support in the future versus some cash and a thank you from a rebellion that will probably be eradicated, assuming their plan works at all.

“Nah, you guys go on ahead. I still need to chat with Freddy about something,” you say. You’re not going anywhere. All this talk with Freddy’s got you thinking he’s not actually a terrorist, and if that’s the case, there’s maybe something you should consider telling him.

“We’ll meet you at the inn,” says Rowan. She pauses, however, before leaving. “Is it really called the Drinking Dragon?”

“Oh yeah,” you say flatly.

Farren nods sagely. “Tis the fanciest inn on this side of the valley,” she says.

“Well, let’s go then,” Ro says. She gives you a warm look before leaving, probably because you’ve finally made up your mind about this whole Eclipse business thing.

You watch them leave.

Once they’re out of ear shot, Frederick gives you a suspicious look. “I thought we were talking already,” he says.

>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)
>I just wanted you to know the Eclipse know what you’re up to. Some woman tried to do some secret meeting thing, but I shut her down. (Partial honesty, just in case)
>Uh. Well. Kind of. I just wanted to say I feel for you, you know? Sometimes you wind up on the losing side cause of how they deal the cards. (Dishonesty, because you can change your mind later)
>Other (?)

>>39265924
>>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)

Freddy seems like good people.

>>39265924
>>I just wanted you to know the Eclipse know what you’re up to. Some woman tried to do some secret meeting thing, but I shut her down. (Partial honesty, just in case)
>>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)

>>39265924
>>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)

>>39265924
>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know?

>>39265924
>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)

>>39265924
>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)
>Other (?)
so i was thinking that since i'm helping your future country might try to dig up some of that intelligence they claim ti have and whatever else can be found

>>39265924
>Uh. Well. Kind of. I just wanted to say I feel for you, you know? Sometimes you wind up on the losing side cause of how they deal the cards. (Dishonesty, because you can change your mind later)
Still rooting for the Empire.

Actually, if they know what he's planning, wouldn't he be charging into an ambush anyway? If he's gonna get slaughtered, we could at least profit off of it.

>>39265924
>>39266053
2nd

>>39265924
>Actually, the thing is, the Eclipse were all like, hey, we know who killed your mom, and I was like, man, I don’t know about that, you know? (Total honesty, because why not)

if this thing blows up in our face i vote that we eat his face

i really wanna find out who killed mommy and sis tho

>>39266184
Second

You go to answer, but have trouble thinking through what you’re actually planning on saying. “Actually, the thing is like, the Eclipse were all like hey Sierra, we know who killed your mom, and I was all like, man, what? Do you even know what you’re saying? And I guess they did though,” you say.

“Wait. An Eclipse Knight approached you?” asks Derek, suddenly very serious.

You scowl at their manipulative manipulations. “Kind of. Well yeah. And I know I do a lot of stuff, but I don’t, you know, go around selling people out, but I was kind of thinking about it a little, cause of the thing about my mom,” you say. “So... maybe it’s a long shot, but maybe later your country or whatever could help me dig up some of whatever dirt they’ve got.”

“Dirt on... your mom?” he asks, not following anything you’ve said. “What did the Eclipse say?”

“I don’t know, she was being all cagey,” you say.

“No, I mean about the mission. Do they know what we’re planning?”

You snort. “Kind of probably. They were all like, just seal the landwell or whatever and we’ll throw money at your problems.”

Color drains from Frederick’s face. “And you couldn’t have mentioned this earlier?”

>Geeze. I could have mentioned it never, show some gratitude.
>Yeah, sorry. I was kind of still up in the air about if you were a terrorist.
>I shouldn’t have kept quite about it. I do a lot of things I shouldn’t do, though. Sorry.
>It is what it is. You’ve got to roll with the punches in this kind of business.
>Yeah yeah, startling revelation. I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?
>Other (?)

>>39266374
>>>Geeze. I could have mentioned it never, show some gratitude.

>>39266374
>>Yeah yeah, startling revelation. I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?

>Sierra missing that Frederick might not know they they knight know what the plan is.

>>39266374
>>Yeah, sorry. I was kind of still up in the air about if you were a terrorist.

>>39266374
>>Geeze. I could have mentioned it never, show some gratitude.
>Yeah yeah, startling revelation. I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?

>>39266374
>Yeah, sorry. I was kind of still up in the air about if you were a terrorist.
>Yeah yeah, startling revelation. I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?

>>39266374
>I shouldn't have kept quite about it. I do a lot of things I shouldn't do, though. Sorry.

>>39266374
>It is what it is. You’ve got to roll with the punches in this kind of business.

>>39266374
>Geeze. I could have mentioned it never, show some gratitude.
>Yeah, sorry. I was kind of still up in the air about if you were a terrorist.

>>39266374
>Yeah, sorry. I was kind of still up in the air about if you were a terrorist.
>Yeah yeah, startling revelation. I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?

>>39266374
>>It is what it is. You’ve got to roll with the punches in this kind of business.

I have a feeling that Freddy isn't worried about our loyalty as much as he's worried about the portal being guarded by dozens of mage knights.

>>39266374
>Other (?)
"Would it have changed a god damn thing? Would you have just gone 'Whelp, gotta cancel this mission and go home'?

>>39266592
This is why we shouldn't have said anything and just sealed the portal. Eclipse wins either way.

>>39266692
we can still betray him if needed

>>39266771
Kind of hard to betray someone when they know what's going on. You don't say "Hey, walk into this room so I can club you on the back of the head and get my buddies to shoot you later."

>>39266835
why would he suspect betrayal after we've told him about it? only a retard would betray someone after telling them about it but that's why it would work + he doesn't know that big red is on our side

>>39266909
>only a retard would betray someone after telling them about it
So you're saying Sierra should be retarded?

>>39266940
since she isn't one he would not expect it

File: Quantum-retard.jpg (25 KB, 761x264)

25 KB JPG

>>39266965

You scoff. “I could have mentioned it never. Show some gratitude.”

You can feel some of Frederick’s panic. “Gratitude? You have no idea what these people are capable of,” he says.

“Geeze. I mean I actually know you and even I was up in the air if you were a terrorist,” you say. “If I wasn’t here, you’d be doomed. You’d have that other landmaster guy, and the Eclipse would’ve paid him off no problem.”

“But if the Eclipse know about the plan, they’ll be planning on stopping it. If you’re not going along with it, they’ll figure out an alternative,” he says.

You scowl at him. “Wouldn’t have changed a damn thing, would it? I’m guessing with your time table you wouldn’t have just been like, oh snap, better reschedule,” you say.

Frederick takes a deep, calming breath. You can tell he’s pretty pissed. Still, him being pissed isn’t really anything in comparison. You’ve been a lot angrier than him about all kinds of stuff, and you have trouble taking his feelings seriously.

“Yeah yeah, startling revelation, I get it,” you say. “I’m not betraying you is the thing. You think you can help me with figuring out who killed my mom or what?”

He gives you an angry look. “Nobody in Ettenrhine or Ironstrom or anywhere in Trionalis knows anything about you, let alone your dead mom,” he says. “I don’t know what the Eclipse told you, but I guarantee you they were lying.”

>I’m pretty sure they were being serious, but that’s beside the point. I’ll just take the raincheck on you helping me out and I’ll decide if I’ll cash it later.
>How big a problem could they possibly be? We’re in the middle of medieval land, god knows where. They don’t even know where your landwell is, probably. Those things aren’t easy to find.
>Whatever. We’ve still got a job to do, right? Eclipse or not. I don’t think you came this far by giving up when they got in your way.
>Really? Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her. There’s not many Hellish Imperiates rolling around nowadays.
>Other (?)

>>39267073
>>I’m pretty sure they were being serious, but that’s beside the point. I’ll just take the raincheck on you helping me out and I’ll decide if I’ll cash it later.
>>How big a problem could they possibly be? We’re in the middle of medieval land, god knows where. They don’t even know where your landwell is, probably. Those things aren’t easy to find.
>>Whatever. We’ve still got a job to do, right? Eclipse or not. I don’t think you came this far by giving up when they got in your way.
>>Really? Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her. There’s not many Hellish Imperiates rolling around nowadays.

>>39267073
>Whatever. We’ve still got a job to do, right? Eclipse or not. I don’t think you came this far by giving up when they got in your way.

>>39267073
>I’m pretty sure they were being serious, but that’s beside the point. I’ll just take the raincheck on you helping me out and I’ll decide if I’ll cash it later.

>>39267054
just cause you too dumb to get it don't make it retarded

>>39267073
>Really? Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her. There’s not many Hellish Imperiates rolling around nowadays.

>>39267073
>Whatever. We’ve still got a job to do, right? Eclipse or not. I don’t think you came this far by giving up when they got in your way.
>How big a problem could they possibly be? We’re in the middle of medieval land, god knows where. They don’t even know where your landwell is, probably. Those things aren’t easy to find.

"They know something serious is up, but I don't think they know where you're going to hit. A feint or two might seriously fuck with their heads."

>Really? Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her. There’s not many Hellish Imperiates rolling around nowadays.

"They might still be lying like a rug about knowing anything good, wouldn't put it past them."

>>39267073
>I’m pretty sure they were being serious, but that’s beside the point. I’ll just take the raincheck on you helping me out and I’ll decide if I’ll cash it later.

>>39267073
>Other (?)
"Does the name Jaegerstroud ring any bells? You run into her before?"

>>39267335
>>39267240
These two.

>>39267073
>>Really? Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her. There’s not many Hellish Imperiates rolling around nowadays.

>>39267073

>I’m pretty sure they were being serious, but that’s beside the point. I’ll just take the raincheck on you helping me out and I’ll decide if I’ll cash it later.
>How big a problem could they possibly be? We’re in the middle of medieval land, god knows where. They don’t even know where your landwell is, probably. Those things aren’t easy to find.

>>39267073
>>Whatever. We’ve still got a job to do, right? Eclipse or not. I don’t think you came this far by giving up when they got in your way.

>telling him that our mum was the Imperiate
Guys. Guys please. Are you seriously voting for that?

"She was a commander or knight or something in Hallth, it doesn't seem that unreasonable." or something similar that Sierra would actually say will get him to take it more seriously without exposing everything.

Also
>>39267335

>>39267609
+1

>>39267103
>>39267240
>>39267424

See >>39267552

>>39267609
Maybe not "commander or knight or something" exactly. Ranthix is a knight and I'm pretty sure nobody in the Eclipse gives a shit about him to any major extent.

“Really?” you ask, your patience running thin. “Cause I can guarantee you they knew something about her.” It occurs to you that you don’t actually want to give up the fact your mom was Corithis. “She was a big deal in Halth. Like. Number one loyalist general type. Anybody who knows Hellish history, AKA not you, would know about her.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re telling the truth,” Frederick says in reply.

You switch gears, then, focusing back on the task at hand. “Whatever, I’ll just take a raincheck on the you helping me thing and cash it later. We’ve still got a job to do, right? You didn’t get this far by giving up at the first sign of trouble.”

He glances away from you, toward the horizon. “This is a special kind of trouble,” he says.

>>39267969

“Yeah, right,” you say with a snort. “We’re in the middle of medieval fantasy land, god knows where. They don’t know where the landwell is. Not like they’re going to beat us to it.”

Frederick casts a wary glance around the intersection. “Unless they do know where it is,” he says. “Otherwise might be tracking us. The Eclipse who talked to you, what was her name?”

“Jaegerstroud,” you say. “Ring any bells?”

He clenches his jaw. “She’s an idiomancer. If she’s on our trail, they’ll know exactly where we are. She could even be eavesdropping on us right now.”

>If they’re following us, they won’t get to the landwell before we do. Once I yank it open, it’s not like they’ll be able to do anything about it.
>You think it’d be a good idea to bait them out? You know, make them think we’re at the well, and then turn the tables on them?
>Any way we could lose them? Or is this magical tacking stuff?
>Hypothetically, let’s say they were coming after us. What kind of stuff can they whip out besides lightning guns?
>I doubt they’ll be able to do much of anything with the heat we’re packing. I don’t know what you’re paying for Ranthix, but he’s worth double.
>Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. My advice, talk it over with your security guy. He’ll know what to do. I’ll see you at the inn.
>Other (?)

>>39268002
>You think it’d be a good idea to bait them out? You know, make them think we’re at the well, and then turn the tables on them?
>Hypothetically, let’s say they were coming after us. What kind of stuff can they whip out besides lightning guns?
>I doubt they’ll be able to do much of anything with the heat we’re packing. I don’t know what you’re paying for Ranthix, but he’s worth double.

>Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. My advice, talk it over with your security guy. He’ll know what to do. I’ll see you at the inn.

>>39268002
>>Any way we could lose them? Or is this magical tacking stuff?

>>39268002
>>You think it’d be a good idea to bait them out? You know, make them think we’re at the well, and then turn the tables on them?
>Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. My advice, talk it over with your security guy. He’ll know what to do. I’ll see you at the inn.

>>39268002
>Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. My advice, talk it over with your security guy. He’ll know what to do. I’ll see you at the inn.

>>39268002
>I doubt they’ll be able to do much of anything with the heat we’re packing. I don’t know what you’re paying for Ranthix, but he’s worth double.

>>39268002
What is an idiomancer?

>>39268002
>If she can observe us, she wasn't doing it earlier.
We have a Verwelken power that only activates when we're completely unobserved and it activated recently. The one that makes it so we warp space to go fast.

>>39268121
What are you even doing on /tg/?

>>39268128
>Form of the Unseen: Sierra always knows whether or not she is being observed. When unobserved, Sierra is not strictly bound to spatial dimensions. She may double her movement at a very light PP cost, provided that nothing can see her. This effect does not apply to motorized vehicles or mounts. [VE]
>Sierra always knows whether or not she is being observed.
Yep.

We could use that to test later.

>>39268002
>>Hypothetically, let’s say they were coming after us. What kind of stuff can they whip out besides lightning guns?
>Other (?)
from now on we should act like the walls have ears, maybe use a pen and paper?

>>39268136
uhhh same thing as most people on tg?

>>39268128
she doesn't have to observe us to track us

“How’s that?” you ask.

“Idiomancers can project their consciousness into the world,” he says.

“So, like, she just astral projects herself into the conversation and hangs out?” you ask.

“That’s the outcome. If she were here, we couldn’t do anything about it.”

You point. “Look over there.”

Frederick turns away. “What?”

You think for a second, paying attention to the way space seems to feel. You are definitely not being observed. “Nope,” you say.

“Nope what?” He turns around again.

“Maybe she’s tracking us, but she’s not here,” you say.

“How do you know that?”

“Magic,” you say. “In fact, I’m pretty sure nobody’s been astral projecting around us as long as we’ve been here, or if they have, they’ve been pretty crappy at doing it.” You definitely don’t remember being seen by anything you couldn’t immediately identify. “Look, it sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. My advice, talk it over with Ranthix. You’re paying him the big bucks for a reason. I’m pretty sure he’s never been overwhelmed by anything ever.”

“He won’t be happy with you not letting him know about the Eclipse,” Frederick tells you.

You snigger to yourself. “I’ll worry about Ranthix, you worry about the knights,” you say. “Anyway. I’ll see you at the inn.”

He shakes his head. “Fine.”

You leave, and head back to the Drinking Dragon with Reeber.

--

Some time later, you find yourself trying to figure out the room you’re being put into. Everything carries a heavy flowery scent in your room, which you suppose is a good thing? Could smell worse you guess. Reeber’s having a ball sniffing around everything. He’s probably never smelled so many smells before, ever.

You look back to the bed, and press your hands down into the blanket and pillow bedecked surface. Its weirdly super soft and non-springy.

>>39269027

Rowan sits on the bed on the opposite side of the room, and has been watching you with silent amusement for the past few minutes, barely visible in the half-light from the glowing lamp on the main table. “It’s feathers with a straw base,” she informs you, finally speaking aloud.

“I knew that,” you reply, a little too quickly.

“What do you sleep on where you’re from?” Farren asks. The strange girl sits cross-legged on a chair in the corner, leaning precariously backward against the wall. “Enchanted rugs? Hoards of gold?”

“Gold, huh,” you say to yourself. “Sounds like something I need to try out.”

With two rooms, you, Ro, and Farren easily secured one for yourselves. The other one’s not too crowded, though. You’re pretty sure Zote never sleeps, and Ranthix might be joining the automaton on guard duty tonight. The rest of them seem more or less fine with sleeping on the floor.

“Might one of you spare a blanket?” asks Farren.

You sit down on the bed, and realize that there are only two of them. Huh. “Sure,” you say, going to remove one.

“Don’t be rediculous,” Rowan snaps. “The beds are huge.”

You stop yourself short, and consider switching for the floor spot for Farren just because you don’t really care. But you notice that the floors are pretty disgusting. Like, they look okay, maybe, but have a crawling feeling that you wouldn’t be the only thing scurrying around on the floor tonight. “Yeah, floor’s kind of iffy,” you agree.

Farren rocks the chair down to land on all four legs. “I suppose if it’s really no trouble,” she says, carefully.

Except you’re pretty sure she’s talking about sharing your bed space.

>Uh. Yeah, no problem. Just a normal thing normal people do.
>Pfft. Not for Lady Ro it’s not.
>Actually, know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company.
>Other (?)

>>39269098
>>Actually, know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company.
Reeber best pillow and blanket

>>39269098
>Uh. Yeah, no problem. Just a normal thing normal people do.

>>39269098
>Actually, know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company.
Seria doesn't like being touched unless she's initiating it, right?

>>39269098
>Pfft. Not for Lady Ro it’s not.
How does sleeping in glamours work?

>>39269098
Couldn't we just sleep on the chair? We sleep on tree branches all the time, right?

>>39269098
>Uh. Yeah, no problem. Just a normal thing normal people do.

>>39269098
>Uh. Yeah, no problem. Just a normal thing normal people do.

>>39269098
>>Pfft. Not for Lady Ro it’s not.

>>39269027
>Reeber’s having a ball sniffing
read this as: sniffing Reebers balls. at first, which we should totally do sometime, for scientific purposes of course
>>39269098
>Uh. Yeah, no problem. Just a normal thing normal people do.
can we sleep with glamours on?

>>39269341
>sniffing Reebers balls
i'd vote for it

>>39269098
>Pfft. Not for Lady Ro it’s not.
If we sleep next to Farren chances are we'll roll over and poke her eye out.

>>39269098
>Actually, know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company.

>>39269098
>>Actually, know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company.

>>39269168
You probably wake up with a crick in your tail.

>>39269098
>Pfft. Not for Lady Ro it’s not.

I wonder if we'll go back to the update schedule we had last summer. That shit was amazing.

>>39269716
I imagine we will within a month or two if Languid doesn't suddenly have things happening in his life

You can’t really bear to tell her no, given she wouldn’t really be here if her house hadn’t burned down. Talk about bad vacations.

“Actually, you know what? I’ll sleep on the floor. Gotta keep Reeber company,” you say.

“You don’t have to do that,” says Ro.

“I’m already doing it,” you say, throwing a blanket on the ground and kneeling by your pack so you can get your sleeping pad out.

Rowan rolls her eyes.

“I didn’t mean anything untoward,” Farren says quickly.

“I seriously don’t care,” you say. “If you don’t sleep in the bed, nothing’s sleeping in the bed.” You dodged a bullet there with all the feather straw weirdness going on. Probably full of lice or something anyways. Not to mention you’d have to sleep with your glamors up all night and you’d probably wake up with a headache.

Ro sighs. “Oh Sierra,” she says.

But given the situation, Farren seems to be unable to help herself take advantage of your withdrawal from bed rights. Just a few minutes later, she’s cozied all up in the bedded corner. As for yourself, you’re fine on the floor lying with your bead on Reeber’s back.

A while later, everybody’s ready for bed, with Ro forcing Farren to borrow some sleep stuff. You extinguish the lantern and return to your best, adjusting everything back just the way you like it with your shadow. Satisfied, you let out a long breath from the day’s exertions.

>>39269914

“So what are you planning on doing after we get to Pelheft?” asks Rowan.

“Oh. Tis a hard thing to say,” says Farren, sounding faraway. “I’ve always fancied taking off with a caravan. I like making clocks and things. Fine trinkets and oddities sell well, such as I’ve been told.”

“Your dad was a smith, right?” asks Ro. “Did he ever teach you his craft?”

“A little. He tried to get me into an apprenticeship, but he thought my head was far too in the clouds for that. He said for some folk, clouds were more important than steel, so... most times he let me follow my clouds.”

>Contribute to conversation (?)
>Listen in silence.
>Ugh. I’m trying to sleep, guys. Keep it down.
>Go to sleep.
>Other (?)

>>39269936
>Go to sleep.

>>39269936
>Go to sleep.

>>39269936
>Go to sleep.
She's cute. Can we keep her?

>>39269936
>Listen in silence.

>>39269936
>Listen in silence.

>>39269936
>Listen in silence.

>>39269936
>>Listen in silence.

>>39269936
>Listen in silence.

>>39269936
>Listen in silence.
>Other (?)
take a whiff of Reebers balls, no one will know

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12 KB JPG

>>39270067

>>39270067
gives me a chuckle every time.

>>39269936
>>Listen in silence.

>>39270100
you know you want it at least as much as i do
>>39270110
glad to have brought some joy into your life

>>39270414
You have mistaken vulgarity for wit. You are a cretin.

>>39270489
i am a pervert on drugs, only way i could care less would be if i was on more drugs

>>39270590
>i am a pervert on drugs, only way i could care less would be if i was on more drugs
are you serious?
like dead serious? IRL?
>>39269936
>Listen in silence.

You lie awake, idly listening to their conversation. You’re content with just listening. Too much talking and stuff for one day, in your opinion.

Somehow Ro gets Farren talking about her feud with a local fox. The fox in question bit off a piece of her ear when she was a bratty little kid, and the two had been enemies for years to come. Then you get to hear about a series of increasingly complex traps, all of which the clever fox eluded, while at the same time plaguing her with sly looks and inexplicable sabotage.

The only thing wrong about the decade long antagonism between girl and fox is the end of it. So apparently she chases it down one morning because its getting old, corners it by a river, and when it’s swimming across to escape, she has it in her crossbow sights and can totally just kill it. Except instead of nailing it with a bolt and getting a sweet fox pelt or whatever, she wimps out and lets it escape. All of it has some vague moral attached to it somehow, like you need to leave the past in the past or something.

You liked the fox trap montage part better when you think about it in your mind. (-9 Stress: 32/100)

Anyway, by the time she’s done telling the story, you’re pretty sure Rowan’s passed out. In fact, you’re not sure if she’s even still awake, or if you imagined the ending. Either way, it’s not long before you find yourself falling through darkness.

---

You don’t sleep well, even with Reeber to aid you. Too many things moving around under those beds. (-5 Stress: 27/100)

The next morning passes by in a blur of eating, grumbling, and hiking. By midday in your journey, the landscape has mellowed out somewhat from the severe plains and mountains to generally white, low hills, with scraggily looking trees all over the place. The road follows alongside an icy river, cold and grey as the sky above. Light snow falls from the sky and covers the ground, muting the footsteps of your party.

>>39270642
what?

>>39270684

The peaceful quiet of nature doesn’t last for long.

“CARAVAN, DEAD AHEAD,” Ranthix warns.

You squint ahead, and indeed, on the next hilltop over, you see some horses, rising smoke, and even a goddamn unicorn.

Zote growls out something unkind, and Frederick nods. “We should circle around,” he says.

Scott and Alan concur with a silent look of agreement.

“Why’s that?” says Farren. “They’re just Sevelander merchants.”

“The Seraphis from yesterday are already long past here,” Rowan points out.

>Still, you never know how the hell they'll react. Better safe than sorry.
>Whatever you guys think is best, I guess.
>Nothing wrong with walking by.
>Hey, if they’re going the same way, might be a good way to avoid suspicion if we team up.
>They’ve got a fucking unicorn. Screw you guys.
>Other (?)

>>39270695
oh wait, I reed that as if you were actually doing drugs.
timezones and fatigue is a harsh debuff.

>>39270721
>Still, you never know how the hell they'll react. Better safe than sorry.

>>39270721
>Other (?)
go ahead first sneaking, and figure out what they are.
after that,
>Whatever you guys think is best, I guess.

>>39270721
>Still, you never know how the hell they'll react. Better safe than sorry.

>Do your best to suppress the urge to eat the unicorn.

>>39270721
>They’ve got a fucking unicorn. Screw you guys.

>>39270721
>Whatever you guys think is best, I guess.

>>39270721
>>Still, you never know how the hell they'll react. Better safe than sorry.

>>39270725
i am, dunno what you've been trying to communicate tho
>>39270721
>Nothing wrong with walking by.
worst thing that can happen is that we finally get some

>>39270721
>They’ve got a fucking unicorn. Screw you guys.

>>39270721
>". . is that a fucking unicorn?"

All things considered, avoiding people is the better option.

And yet, you find yourself torn. Torn, because there is a horse with a horn jutting out of its head at the top of the next hill.

The others’ debates on safety or whatever seem to fade into unimportance.

“...is that a fucking unicorn?” you ask, jerking your thumb toward the offending creature.

Farren joins you in looking at the animal. “Tis odd to see one here,” she says, sounding mystified. “They generally flock to the southlands in winter.”

You’ve already forgotten your current troubles, and find yourself moving toward the animal. Finally. Now this is magic. People’ll have been telling you magic’s real for months, but now you finally have some evidence to back it up.

Discussion of abandoning the road falls by the wayside as everybody hurries to keep up with you.

“Are there no unicorns in Terra?” Orias asks, walking alongside you.

“Not that I’ve seen,” you say, kind of angry with the fact. You’ve been cheated.

“Odd, seeing how commonly they appear in your folklore,” he comments.

In a couple minutes, you come up on the caravan, which is beginning to pack things up for the road. You spot cages full of strange birds, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. You see smoky glass spheres in which strange forms swirl about. Colorful wagons and carriages abound, and a bored looking elf guy, and a small, stunted looking beetleman, and a beautiful lady causing one carriage to roll on of its own accord, but none of it matters, because you’re walking toward a real life unicorn. (-4 Stress: 23/100)

>>39271435

You finally come up to the unicorn. It’s a wonderfully rich mocha color, with white splotches on its face, shoulder, and forelegs, with silky hair which dances delicately in the icy breeze. Its horn, curiously pearl-like, smooth, and magnificently reflective in the sunlight, spirals upward to a perfect point, sharp as a needle.

You stand before the unicorn, staring into its deep, dark eyes. (Magic Fantasy Dream: 14/14 HP; 14/14 PP) Reeber sits beside you, tail wagging and tongue lolling.

The unicorn huffs at your persistence. It’s seriously a freaking unicorn. It even smells like dew drops and meadows and whatnot. (-3 Stress: 20/100)

>Offer the unicorn your last granola bar.
>Are you guys like, super smart, or are you just like, you know, forces of nature or whatever?
>Attempt to pet magic animal.
>So... I’m Sierra. This is Reeber. He’s my dog. What’s your name?
>I had a shirt with a unicorn on it when I was like, six, but it was white and stuff.
>Inspect depths of unicorn’s eyes. You're pretty sure you get a wish if you do.
>I hear you’re supposed to be down in the Southlands.
>On a scale of one to ten, just how magical are you unicorns? You can tap it out with a hoof or whatever if you want.
>Other (?)

>>39271452
>Offer the unicorn your last granola bar.
>I hear you’re supposed to be down in the Southlands.

>>39271452
>>Inspect depths of unicorn’s eyes. You're pretty sure you get a wish if you do.

Wish for more wishes

>>39271452
>Offer the unicorn your last granola bar.
>Are you guys like, super smart, or are you just like, you know, forces of nature or whatever?
>Attempt to pet magic animal.
>So... I’m Sierra. This is Reeber. He’s my dog. What’s your name?
>I had a shirt with a unicorn on it when I was like, six, but it was white and stuff.
>Inspect depths of unicorn’s eyes. You're pretty sure you get a wish if you do.
>I hear you’re supposed to be down in the Southlands.
>On a scale of one to ten, just how magical are you unicorns? You can tap it out with a hoof or whatever if you want.

>>39271452
>>Other (?)
have Reeber mate with it for scientific discovery

>>39270802
>i am, dunno what you've been trying to communicate tho
!?!?!?!!?!?
>>39271452
>Inspect depths of unicorn’s eyes. You're pretty sure you get a wish if you do.
it's a unicorn. does it understand us?

>>39271452
>Offer the unicorn your last granola bar
>Attempt to pet magic animal.

>>39271452
>Offer the unicorn your last granola bar.
>Attempt to pet magic animal.
>So... I’m Sierra. This is Reeber. He’s my dog. What’s your name?
>Inspect depths of unicorn’s eyes. You're pretty sure you get a wish if you do.

You don’t know what kind of unicorn this is. Maybe it’s like super intelligent or something. But if that’s the case, it probably would have said something by now. Or maybe its waiting for you to say something first? But what do you say? All you can think about is that stupid unicorn shirt you had when you were like, six or whatever. You can’t think of a good lead in to a conversation with a fairy tale creature you’ve never met before. (-2 Stress: 18/100)

Maybe you’re better off just treating it like a horse, albeit a super magical fantasy one. You rifle around in your pockets before producing a granola bar. Is there chocolate in the bar? Wait. No, that’s dogs. Dogs can’t eat chocolate. Horses probably can, though, right? But can unicorns? (-2 Stress: 16/100)

You unwrap it and discard the wrapper, and offer it to the horse unicorn thing. It probably knows best either way. “Here you go,” you say. The unicorn watches you for a solemn moment, then steps forward, leans down, and grabs the bar with its tongue and practically inhales it. You feel a kind of acceptance coming from the animal, so you figure now’s the best time to press the advantage. (-2 Stress: 16/100)
You close in with deft skill, and pat the unicorn’s long horse face right on the nose. It feels like cool velvet under your fingers, and gently run your fingers up and down its face. The unicorn seems to like it, and presses its face firmly against your fingers, though doesn’t say anything. (-2 Stress: 14/100)

>>39272079

Although maybe you expecting unicorns to say stuff is an unrealistic stereotype. Your unicorn probably never even saw The Last Unicorn or any of those shows. “I told the Red Bull I must have all the unicorns, and here they are,” you quote, moving to the unicorn’s side so you can pet its strong sides. (-2 Stress: 12/100)

The unicorn turns to consider you again, and you look into its dark, coal like eyes. “What’s the matter with your eyes?” you quote some more, your smile creeping across your face. You place your hands on either sides of the unicorn’s head, and ask it in a kind of cutesy baby voice so the thing will understand better. “Why can’t I see myself in those eyes, huh? Why is that?” (-2 Stress: 10/100)

You look deep into the animal’s eyes as you ask it these pressing questions, and find the darkness receding forever. It’s like looking through magic windows to a magic world of... magic. And unicorns. Hell yeah. (+1 Sanity: 85/100)

You’re pretty sure at a time like this you’re entitled to a wish.

>I wish I had more power. Like. Pshaw. You know?
>I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.
>I wish dealing with people wasn’t so hard.
>I wish for more wishes and stuff.
>Other (?)

>>39272103
>>I wish for more wishes and stuff.

>>39272103
>I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.
>I wish for more wishes and stuff.

>>39272103
>>I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.


Don't ask for more do not disrespect the unicorn

>>39272103
>I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.
>"I'm guessing the wishing for more wishes is kinda the rude thing to do huh"

>>39272103
>>I wish for more wishes and stuff.
>But seriously I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.

>>39272103
>>I wish dealing with people wasn’t so hard

>>39272103
>I wish for more wishes and stuff.
like this ever worked in any stories, right?
so not this one.
>I wish that I had better self-control, so I wasn't freaking out all the time.
yeah. this one.

>>39272103
I wish the voices in my head would go bug Moria again, because that was awesome

>>39272307
I don't know if he was serious, but the guy in Hellion quest who asked why it was archived as Hellborn quest and where the other 89 threads where was absolutely precious.

>>39272322
>I don't know if he was serious, but the guy in Hellion quest who asked why it was archived as Hellborn quest and where the other 89 threads where was absolutely precious.
heh. that guy.
he's gonna have his mind blown.

>>39272307
>>39272322
>>39272347

Hellion quest was canon right?

>>39272322
heh

>>39272358
We'll know when Wolfgang asks us out.

>>39272358
I would hope so.

>>39272358
As far as we know, we'll find out when we get back from the job.

>>39272358
Of course it is .

>>39272322
Well considering the date of that thread, the odds are... exactly the same as any other day.

If this were a real wish granting scenario, you’d ask for more wishes. But actually, now that you’re thinking about it, that never works out. You’d rather not tempt fate.

If you could have any wish though, the only one you can think of that you wouldn’t regret later is being able to control yourself better. Making this wish aloud would be stupid, but then again, so is the idea of actually meeting and petting a unicorn. To hell with it. “I wish... I wish I had better self control,” you say, making sure there’s no loopholes anywhere. “You know. So I wasn’t freaking out all the time.”

The unicorn neighs in consent. You think? Wait just a second.

There’s a tremendous whooshing sensation of icy force, piercing your ribcage and spiking through your heart, leaving a strangely cold feeling there. After a second it warms and vanishes, but the whole experience leaves you feeling all tingly and junk, and kind of weird. (+4 Stress: 14/103)

You guess it worked?

“Thou hast charmed Sunrise,” says a gritty little voice.

The unicorn clops a hoof against the ground.

You look down to the source of the voice, and see a dwarfish figure wrapped up in a grey, feathery cloak with a big furry hat. The hat’s got a big white flower stuck in the side, which looks freshly picked. It’s a goblin, you guess. You can’t really make out any features.

“Farest thou well, Sierra?” asks the goblin.

>>39272673

Just a second, you remember this goblin. Or at least its voice.

>Uh. Tar... something. Vault goblin. Right?
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?
>Wait. Not to be rude or anything, but are you a boy or a girl? I mean, I can’t really tell with all those layers.
>Huh. So this is where you ended up after the whole warren thing. No hard feelings?
>Ha! Wait just a second, Frederick’s here too with his robot sidekick. This is gonna be real hoot.
>Heh. I’d love to stay and catch up, but I have other high risk ventures to get on with.
>Hey, you know if your caravan peeps would mind us tagging along? The Seraphis got us down.
>Other (?)

>>39272686
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?
>Ha! Wait just a second, Frederick’s here too with his robot sidekick. This is gonna be real hoot.

>>39272686
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?

>>39272686
>Uh. Tar... something. Vault goblin. Right?
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?
>Wait. Not to be rude or anything, but are you a boy or a girl? I mean, I can’t really tell with all those layers.

This is the best dream ever

>>39272686
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?
>Huh. So this is where you ended up after the whole warren thing. No hard feelings?

>>39272686
>Uh. Tar... something. Vault goblin. Right?
>Doing good. Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?

>>39272686
>>Huh. So this is where you ended up after the whole warren thing. No hard feelings?
>>Ha! Wait just a second, Frederick’s here too with his robot sidekick. This is gonna be real hoot.
We ask to tag along next. gotta warm the oven before you stick the turkey in.

That’s right, it’s Tar... something. Vault goblin. The goblin from the vault. Yeah.

You wag your finger knowingly. “Doing good,” you say. “Same old same old I guess. I got fired though. You?”

“Hither and thither I travel and trade,” says the goblin. It gestures toward the unicorn with a little clawed hand. “Sunrise accompanieth me on mine roamings.”

“Sweet digs,” you comment, feeling awkward for not remembering the name. About this time, the rest of the people catch up. You guess you were in a hurry to get to the unicorn. You spot Frederick and wave him over. “Check out who it is,” you say.

Frederick comes over, and spies the goblin. “Tarris?” he asks, surprised.

You knew it started with a Tar. But seriously, how does he tell them apart?

“Thou goeth up to Pelheft?” asks Tarris.

“In that direction, it seems,” he replies, without confirming it.

Tarris nods soberly. “Good luck on thy journey. Mayhaps we shall cross paths again.”

Frederick gets a faraway look in his eyes, and shakes his head in annoyance. “Unavoidably,” he says.

>Well. See you around then, I guess. Take it easy on the mushrooms.
>You got any cool stuff for sale around here? Like. Magical stuff? Or like, cool crafty kinds of things.
>Say, so long as you’re heading up to Pelheft, there’s this girl Farren back there. Lost her dad and stuff. Mind seeing her into town? We’re kind of a danger zone.
>Consult with Farren if she’d like to head on with these guys instead.
>See if you can get in with the caravan. Might help with you blending in as you get closer to Pelheft.
>Other (?)

>>39273158
>You got any cool stuff for sale around here? Like. Magical stuff? Or like, cool crafty kinds of things.
He's a goblin. They always have all sorts of nifty shit to sell.

>>39273158
>Well. See you around then, I guess. Take it easy on the mushrooms.

>>39273192
>He's a goblin. They always have all sorts of nifty shit to sell.
You require more brouzoufs.

>>39273158
>Consult with Farren if she’d like to head on with these guys instead
>Say, so long as you’re heading up to Pelheft, there’s this girl Farren back there. Lost her dad and stuff. Mind seeing her into town? We’re kind of a danger zone.

Are we not keeping Farren?

>>39273158
>You got any cool stuff for sale around here? Like. Magical stuff? Or like, cool crafty kinds of things.
>Consult with Farren if she’d like to head on with these guys instead.

Eh, we'll call it quits for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll see about tomorrow. Check twitter. Next week's going to have some good times, though.

You can keep Farren if you'd like. I thought the general consensus was that Sierra found her somewhat adorable, but this does represent an opportunity to do the responsible thing. Maybe?

>>39273347
We should totally keep Farren. How can we be a good ruler without a devoted handmaiden?

File: 111111111120.png (1.28 MB, 1075x723)

1.28 MB PNG

>>39273370
>You can keep Farren if you'd like.

We can!? We already feed reeber I'm sure we can handle her!

>>39273370
Yes! We must keep all the Farrens!

Surrogate little sister is a go.

>>39273370
Yes, let's keep her.

>>39273370
Where would we keep her? Also, we'd have to deal with the demon thing again.

Thanks for running Lawnguy.

>>39273611
We can build her a personhouse, with her name over the little door

>>39273370
We really shouldn't keep her, it's not a good idea.

Seriously, Sierra is not equipped to take care of her, and bringing and orphan back is kind-of poor form. The caravan is a damn good place for her, bring it up as an option.

>>39273734
Wait, how old is she?

>>39273984
16-ish? Basically a couple of years younger than Sierra.

>>39274091
Then it would be better for her to go with Sierra. She could go to high school instead of being homeless in a town where there's already enough starving refugees.

>>39274135
No, no, we get her to join the Cobras. It worked for us.

>>39274278
How would it even be meeting them again. All I can think of is awkward.

>>39274333
We started off our adventure as a magical creature: a white girl in a black gang. I don't think it'd be that different.

>>39273370
So keeping her.

>>39274135
Yes, let's completely uproot her. Like, not even on the same plane. Yes, good ideas.

>>39275923
And why is it a bad idea? Even though life would probably be a hundred times easier and higher in quality on earth for her than where she is right now, nobody is forcing her, she can decline. If she does go, she can go back later considering that she knows a bunch of magic users already.

>>39275963
It's a bad idea because having too many side characters with nothing to do besides be there for the MC to visit is poison for a quest.

>>39275975
Too many is relative. It depends on how they get handled and how much the players like them. Obviously Farren is well liked.

>>39276014
Well, yeah. She's a girl. Dependant on the MC. Pattern is crystal clear.

>>39276083
If that's what bothers you then I can point out that she's only dependent while she still needs help. If we actually set her up on Earth she would be well off even without oversight.

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723 KB GIF

>>39273628
This is like some silence of the lambs shit, I like it.

>>39273370
>You can keep Farren if you'd like. I thought the general consensus was that Sierra found her somewhat adorable
oh we keeping her

>>39273158
>Say, so long as you’re heading up to Pelheft, there’s this girl Farren back there. Lost her dad and stuff. Mind seeing her into town? We’re kind of a danger zone.

>>39273158
>You got any cool stuff for sale around here? Like. Magical stuff? Or like, cool crafty kinds of things.
>See if you can get in with the caravan. Might help with you blending in as you get closer to Pelheft.

>>39273158
>>Well. See you around then, I guess. Take it easy on the mushrooms.

>>39273158
>Say, so long as you’re heading up to Pelheft, there’s this girl Farren back there. Lost her dad and stuff. Mind seeing her into town? We’re kind of a danger zone.

>>39273158
>>You got any cool stuff for sale around here? Like. Magical stuff? Or like, cool crafty kinds of things.
>See if you can get in with the caravan. Might help with you blending in as you get closer to Pelheft.