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The day after the undead invasion, your party bids farewell to Garou village. Your brief stay was not unpleasant, aside from the constant unstated concern that Quidel might try to fight someone and start another ruckus. He never did, though, instead excusing himself whenever things nearly got hairy.

Vaga was out of town for awhile, apparently chasing down Tigris for nearly killing his mother, but managed to return in time to bid the party (and the younger of his sisters) farewell, looking... significantly worse for wear. He had patched himself up a lot, but was still covered in cuts and bruises, and Ahua in particular was surprised that he was even still alive. Dama was just both glad about that and mad that he would choose then of all times to be brave. All was well, though, and he was soon telling the harrowing tale of his duel with Tigris to several of the wolf women of his hometown (it was really no mystery what he was up to when he didn't show up to the actual farewell, but he did give Dama a much stronger-looking beaststone and some other parting gifts-mostly thieves' tools-in their last conversation).

The trip down the mountain was surprisingly tame, aside from plenty of people asking questions to the other newcomers to the group, Lady Katina and her escorts, Logan and Mimon. People learned fairly quickly that, while Logan was a servant to the Mage General, Mimon was a mercenary who was simply hired to help look after her daughter.

He didn't seem particularly comfortable around the royalty in your party, but wasn't overtly hostile to them either.

>A. You were among the people bombarding the new guys
>B. You were mostly keeping around someone else (specify)
>C. You didn't seek out anyone on the way down

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HAHA I LOVE WAIFUS XD
Got anymore of them killed?

>>41609957
>C. You didn't seek out anyone on the way down

>>41609957
>>B. You were mostly keeping around someone else (specify)
Hmm... How about Bryon?

>>41610020
Surprisingly enough, no.

We'll see if that lasts, though.

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>>41610037
I also forgot to add this image.

>>41610037
>>41610021
You don't really make an effort to talk to anyone on the way down, especially ignoring the hubbub around the new folks. Perhaps something is on your mind.

Anyway, Byron notices you off to yourself and takes the initiative, going over to you himself.

"Is something the matter, Ellen?"

>A. Nope, just felt like being alone
>B. I wasn't careful enough back there
>C. I'd rather not talk about it
>D. Just avoiding the commotion
>E. Write-in

>>41610208
>D. Just avoiding the commotion

>>41610208
>>D. Just avoiding the commotion

>>41610208
F. Ask Byron about the blade concealed in his doublet

>>41610208
>D. Just avoiding the commotion.

Is it that hard to find a quiet place to rest, around here?

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>>41610311

>>41610247
"Just... avoiding the commotion is all. I can't say I'm terribly interested in these new mages."

Byron nods. "There aren't an awful lot of magic-users in Neir. They'll get it out of their systems in due time."

You nod before questioning, "and you don't seem terribly invested because..."

"Biff and I were mercenaries for some time before becoming knights. We've seen plenty of things."

>A. Accept this answer
>B. Talk about something else (specify)
>C. Ask about his past as a mercenary
>D. Write-in

>>41610486
>C. Ask about his past as a mercenary

>>41610486
>>C. Ask about his past as a mercenary

>>41610486
>C. Ask about his past as a mercenary

>>41610530
"Yeah, you've mentioned a few times. I'd honestly love to know more about that."

Byron complies, beginning to describe a very winding past with Biff.

His story starts shortly after he and Biff became freelance mercenaries, unable to hold down many other jobs because Biff had a habit of unintentionally aggravating anyone besides him he spent too much time with. They got by well enough to keep themselves and their horses fed, but that's about it.

Some fledgeling mercenary company with barely more people than they did had hired them to assist with the job of stopping some Duchess's rebellion in neighboring Dain.

They stuck with those guys for awhile longer after that, even befriended some pirate girl from a faraway archipelago who had also been caught up in it, but parted ways after the company's actions unintentionally led to them witnessing the demise of a very well-respected Duke's son at the hands of some cult.

They traveled around with the pirate girl for some time after that, but she and Biff wound up hooking up and then having a nasty breakup, so they ended up parting ways.

"Shortly after, we found our talents being employed in the protection of Lord Garrus. That was... two or three years ago, now. I wonder how Laurina's doing sometimes, but I never really bring it up around Biff for... obvious reasons."

>A. That's a lot to take in
>B. That's a bit hard to believe
>C. That's really interesting
>D. Write-in

>>41610927
>A. That's a lot to take in
>C. That's really interesting

>>41610959
Going with this and...

>D. Write-in
So, that's why you told Biff to do better with Nat?

>>41610927
>A. Reclass to sorcerer and conquer Teege

>>41610927
>D. I hope he fares better with Nat and... That Nat finds happiness in their relationship.

>>41611144
>That Nat finds happiness in their relationship.
I do too.

>>41610959
>>41610984
>>41611144
"That's why you wanted to make sure things didn't do so badly between him and Nat?"

Byron nods.

"Yeah, I hope they do well too... They really seem to be happy together. Even if it comes to an end, hopefully it won't end badly."

Byron, again, nods, and there's a brief period of silence.

"That is a... Very big story, though. A lot to take in."

Byron grins, "and that was a heavily-shortened version. Our time with those mercenaries could fill a book, even if it wasn't very long. Last I'd heard they'd become sort of famous since then. Answering directly to that Duke's daughter, sister of that other fellow I'd mentioned."

"It's really interesting to hear about, though."

"I suppose it is."

Things get quiet again, and you just sort of walk in each other's company.

>A. Say something (write-in)
>B. Enjoy the silence together
>C. Excuse yourself (specify if you want to talk to someone else)

>>41611350
>A. Say something: Tell him a bit about yourself in return.
That's how support conversations are meant to go, right?

>>41611350
>A.
"Thanks for checking up on me. I really appreciate it."

Also this >>41611406

>>41611406
Supporting this, if we have much more to say. I think he knows quite a bit of us already, at least what has happened to us since the start of the Quest...

>>41611406
>>41611433
>>41611545
"Thanks for checking up on me, by the way. I really do appreciate it."

"As I said, we both need to look out for one another. It's also just... pleasant spending time with you."

You smile a bit in response, responding to his earlier story with one from your own past few years.

You don't have all that many interesting stories that Byron wasn't also there for, you self-consciously realize as you comb your mind for tales to tell.

Ultimately, you settle on a story about how you and Robert got into a fistfight on the night of his eighteenth birthday. You don't even remember what it was about, but it was both the first and last occasion on which you'd ever tasted anything alcoholic. The next day, Lambert's father implied you'd thrown the first punch after Rob said something about Gorman abandoning the village.

You remembered something about your first really lengthy conversation with Reese (you still didn't even know his name until a few weeks ago, though. Funny that) being that night under the influence, back when he was still sort of a terrible person. Nothing happened, but the association with something that someone so loathsome did was enough to get you away from the stuff.

Byron offers his sympathies and understanding for the incident in question, then asks a question about the fight with Robert, namely its topic. "Do you resent Gorman at all, for leaving Orsin when he did?"

>A. Very much nowadays
>B. Not at all
>C. Slightly
>D. It's complicated
>E. Write-in

>>41611745
>D. It's complicated

>>41611745
>D. It's complicated

>>41611745
>D. It's complicated

>>41611745
>>D. It's complicated

>>41611815
>>41611817
>>41611844
>>41611888
"I... I don't really know how to answer that. I mean, I'm sure it wasn't his intent to disappear right before the Johalva started to attack way more often, and he must've had some reason, but... We never heard back from him after that, and I just can't help but feel like... Like he should've been there."

Byron closes his eyes and sighs sympathetically. "I can't direct you on how to feel about your mentor, but... I do really hope that he's alive, and that you cross paths with him again someday. It sounds like you admired him greatly when he was your teacher, and at the very least... you deserve closure."

>A. Thank him
>B. Change the subject (specify)
>C. Ask for some time alone
>D. Write-in

>>41612002
>A. Thank him

>>41612002
>>A. Thank him

>>41612002
>A. Thank him
>C. Ask for some time alone

>>41612053
You thank Byron and ask him for some time alone. He politely obliges, bidding you farewell. He heads off to join the group, and you're left to walk a bit of a ways away from the rest of the group.

You are now alone with your thoughts.

>A. Think about the past
>B. Think about the present
>C. Think about the future?
>D. On second thought, go and find someone (specify)
>E. Write-in thoughts

>>41612226
>C. Think about the future?

>>41612226
>B. Think about the present

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41612424
>>41612407

>>41612526
>>41612407
You find your mind wandering towards a topic you don't think of often: is what you're doing... fulfilling?

In the past, all you've ever done is swing your sword, learn how to do so, and nearly die doing so.

In the past, first as a pupil, then as a guard, now as a knight, it's all you've ever really considered for yourself, and you've never really felt... conflicted about it.

Is this what your life is?

>A. Yes, and I have no problem with that
>B. It's not like I have much of a choice right now
>C. No, that's not all there is to my life right now. There's also... (specify)
>D. Enough navel gazing. Let's actually do something, see what the others are up to
>E. Think about something else (specify)

>>41612599
>D. Enough navel gazing. Let's actually do something, see what the others are up to

>>41612599
>A. Yes, and I have no problem with that
>D. Enough navel gazing. Let's actually do something, see what the others are up to

>>41612599
>>D. Enough navel gazing. Let's actually do something, see what the others are up to

>>41612599
>A. Yes, and I have no problem with that

>>41612720
>>41612791
>>41612806
What the hell are you thinking about all of this for? You aren't the type to get so existential, you remind yourself. Shaking your head, you go to rejoin the rest of the group.

Regardless, you don't have a problem with fighting for other people, with being a knight, and you've told Yvette so much in the past. She respects you for it. This moment of weakness means nothing long-standing.

When you return to the group, Cheryl is asking Logan a million questions, most recently whether or not he can summon pegasi with that Summoning magic.

It looks like Quidel is awkwardly pushing his way through a conversation with Dama, Stefyn standing nearby and occasionally nervously piping in. You can't hear what's being said.

Reese is showing off his muscles against those of Jay and Robert. Katina is making no secret of watching.

Zoe and Monica are silently flying at Salia's sides while she says something to them.

King Drasma, Yvette, and Garrus are traveling together. the first mentioned upon his silver wyvern, Khozen.

Mitchell is discussing... something with Nat. Hell if you know what.

Biff and Byron are riding together, talking about something or another.

Mimon is also off on his own, apparently appreciating the lack of Katina for the moment.

>Specify a group to approach
>B. Keep keeping to yourself

>>41613103
>Specify a group to approach
Let's see what Mitchell and Nat are talking about.

>>41613103
>Mitchell is discussing... something with Nat. Hell if you know what.

I don't like it, this guy doesn't like us because we don't like Stefyn. He should stay away from our friend.

>>41613103
>Let's approach Zoe, Monica and Salia.

>>41613167
Second

>>41613103
I sort of want to check on this Mimon guy, but I'm not sure I trust that Stefyn sympathizer Mitchel enough to let him be alone with Nat

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>>41613167
You're instantly a bit hostile to the idea of Mitchell speaking to one of your friends. You and him are on shaky terms purely because you and Stefyn are on shaky terms, and he seems like the type to spread rumors.

You start over towards them, ready to eavesdrop or intervene as may be necessary. However, before you even get there, he hands Nat something and walks away without even noticing something.

Of course, you're still curious. "What was that about?"

Nat turns around and faces you, replying, "you mean my conversation with Mitchell."

"Yeah, what was that about? What'd he hand you?"

Nat seems to detect your hostility, even if she doesn't outwardly acknowledge it, judging by the time it takes her to respond. When she does, she says "gardening."

"Gardening?"

"You know how I would grow healing herbs back in town. He. Wants to become a gardener when he inevitably retires, and came to me for advice. I mentioned I wasn't using my. Gardening tools anymore, so he offered to take them off of my hands if I showed him how to use them later. At the very least, it's a good way to get a little more clutter off of my hands."

>A. Apologize for jumping to conclusions
>B. Be skeptical
>C. Outright call your friend a liar
>D. Write-in

>>41613554
>B. Be skeptical

>>41613554
>D. Write-in
"So you share your weed with him, but not me?"

>>41613554
>What'd he hand you?
>B. Be skeptical
>>41613590
Really anon? REALLY?

>>41613554
>B. Be skeptical

>>41613601
Remember that time we were helping her move her stuff and she had an exceptional amount of healing herbs stashed away in the goddamn church?

>>41613677
Yeah that;s not fucking weed though.

>>41613694
How do you know that?

>>41613729
Ellen's very straight-edge, to "drank once and decided never to do it again" levels. She could just legitimately not know that that wasn't what it was.

>>41613729
Because it's not fucking pot or a smoking weed.

>>41613729
Because healing herbs that aren't a euphamism for drugs are an actual thing in this universe?

>>41613753
Yeah, but, how do you know that?

>>41613747
>>41613753
>>41613813
You're being baited, guys.

>>41613578
>>41613601
>>41613607
"What'd he hand you, then?"

"It was just a written reminder. We can't exactly unpack my things in the middle of walking down a mountain."

"Alright, sure. That's what happened."

"..." Nat looks down a bit, not responding. You feel like you've just messed up, whether or not you know how. What are you even trying to imply?

>A. Apologize
>B. Leave without a word. This should just blow over eventually
>C. Write-in

>>41613944
>A. Apologize

>>41613944
>A. Apologize
>I'm just worried....I don't want to risk losing you like i did Lambert...

>>41614001

>>41614001
This

>>41614001
You sigh. "Sorry, Nat. I just... I still have a bad feeling about Mitchell and Stefyn, and seeing one of them talking to you out of nowhere... gets me worried, I guess. What if something happens to you like what happened to Lambert?"

"I. Understand where you're coming from, but. I disagree. I'm not fond of Stefyn for the same reasons as you, but. You don't need to protect me from our own allies."

Nat doesn't say anything after that, and you get the feeling that there's not that much else at this exact moment you should say to her. You know you'll both get past this particular thing soon enough, though.

>Check on another group (specify)
>B. Just sort of quietly walk where you are

>>41614228
>Check on another group (specify)
Cheryl and Logan. We don't really know either of them so let's get acquainted.

>>41614228
>>Check on another group (specify)
How about Zoe and her sisters? Perhaps even tell them our thanks for rescuing us?

>>41614228
>Check on another group
Let's check out the gunshow with Katina.

>>41614228
I'm agreeing with >>41614259, let's talk to them.

>>41614259
>>41614396
You decide to go back and see if Cheryl is still saying things in Logan's general direction. Sure enough, she is.

"Well, how about gargoyles? Can you summon Gargoyles?"

"Well, I probably could, but... Most summoners only stick to one thing. Easiest to keep it from going wrong that way. I happen to like Bael."

"Well, yeah, but you could be the first to have an entire zoo's worth of monsters conjured up. Imagine the possibility!" Cheryl makes a punching motion at nothing in particular.

"Hmm," Logan looks contemplative, finally responding, "maybe someday. I'll definitely need to look further into it first, but it would be revolutionary if it could be done, and it would make my skills even purer."

"What does 'purer skills' even mean, big guy?"

"It means I seek clarity and strength in all walks of life I take, body and mind."

>A. Enter the conversation
>B. Keep listening in
>C. Go do something else (specify)

>>41614634
>B. Keep listening in

>>41614634
>C. Go do something else (specify)

>>41614681
Er... wanna specify there, mate?

>>41614705
Oh, shit, uh. I was distracted and managed to pick the wrong option. Meant to go with B.

>>41614634
>B. Keep listening in

>>41614734
>>41614669
>>41614872
Cheryl doesn't seem to understand the concept still, and asks for further clarification.

Logan obliges, "I refrain from dangerous temptations and strictly follow my studies, exercise and diet regimens, keeping myself occupied and in a mentally and physically healthy state."

"Oh," Cheryl responds, "that sounds a bit... time-consuming."

Logan shrugs and shakes his head, "not really. Do so for awhile and it becomes second-nature to you. I still consider myself to have an avid social life, despite all of this, and find myself feeling much better on average than I did before I began."

Cheryl nods, "I don't really get it, but I get that it helps a lot... Could you show me more sometime? I mean, I don't know if I could learn to use magic, but..."

"Certainly." Logan grins, "but for now I should get back to Lady Katina."

Logan walks a bit further ahead to aforementioned girl.

>A. Follow him
>B. Talk to Cheryl
>C. Talk to no one
>D. Speak to another group (specify)

>>41614998
>>B. Talk to Cheryl
Do you think his diet regimens is pretty strict?

>>41614998
>B. Talk to Cheryl

>>41615077
>>41615083
"Oh, hey, Ellen! How long have you been there?"

"Oh, not long, Cheryl. Really think you're gonna be able to handle whatever that guy doles out?"

Cheryl beams. "Of course! I mean at its worst, it doesn't work out and I go back to doing what I always do. At best, I feel even better than ever!"

>A. Good luck with that
>B. No comment
>C. Be careful with that
>D. Write-in

>>41615276
>C. Be careful with that

>>41615276
>A. Good luck with that

>>41615276
>A. Good luck with that

>>41615276
>>A. Good luck with that
>>D. Write-in

So, how do you always keep that cheery disposition of yours? I don't believe I've ever seen you in a foul mood.

>>41615323
"I wish you the best of luck with that... By the way, speaking of that. How do you manage to stay so cheery normally? I don't think I've ever seen you in a foul mood."

"I just focus on the fact that I'm surrounded by people I know and love, all of whom have so many positive traits and so much to find out about as I work with them! Sure, there's plenty of terrible things in the world, but I always feel like I can overcome them!"

>A. That's impressive
>B. That's implausible
>C. How do you do THAT
>D. Write-in

>>41615588
>A. That's impressive

>>41615588
>A. That's impressive

>>41615612
>>41615619
"That's... honestly really impressive to me. It's admirable, hearing you say that."

"I don't really get it, but thanks for the compliment!"

The conversation just sort of stops there.

>Check on one more group (specify)
>B. Don't seek anyone else out

>>41615588
>>D. Write-in
That's actually pretty inspirational. Food for thought.

>>41615775
>A. Check on one more group
Talk to Reese and co.

>>41615775
>>Check on one more group (specify)
Would love to check out what Zoe is doing.

>>41615775
>Check on one more group (specify)
Let's talk to Zoe and co.

>>41615852
>>41615871
Finally, you catch up to Salia, Zoe, and Monica as the group is beginning to slow down for the day. You haven't spoken to Zoe since the attack, and felt you really ought to.

Zoe smiles upon seeing you approach.

"What do you need, Ellen?"

>A. I just wanted to thank you
>B. Just wanted to spend time with you
>C. Just wanted to check on the princess
>D. Write-in

>>41616077
>>A. I just wanted to thank you
>B. Just wanted to spend time with you

>>41616176
"I... never really got the chance to thank you and your sisters for saving my life, and I'd really wanted to, er, spend time with you anyway."

Monica looks over to you and nods, as though silently acknowledging your thanks, and Zoe says, "what, were we supposed to not? I would've at least tried even if we were the only two living things in those mountains! You've just... become so important to me in the little bit of time we've known each other."

>A. Same to you
>B. Why is that?
>C. Write-in

>>41616396
>A. Same to you

>>41616609
"Yeah, I definitely get what you mean..."

After that, you spend the next while talking about various trivial things as the party stops moving, setting up camp for the night nearby each other and spending much of the night just talking after that.

The remaining days before you make it to Heim pass without incident, but time will tell if the same can be said about actually crossing the desert.

It is said, after all, that a tribe of winged bandits known as the Vautou roam Heim's seas of sand.

>To be continued in the next thread
Yeah, this thread just sort of died down at the end, even for breather chapter standards. Remember that you can follow on twitter @qmgrandflocto for updates and send us questions at http://ask.fm/qmgrandflocto

I'll also be around for awhile here to answer any questions you might have