The Blackhallow guild is an amoral mercenary group who don't seem to care who they need to hurt in order to get their way. They're also an interplanar guild with a lot of powerful members – simply telling them where to find the Dancing Storm might solve the problem for you.

They have the power to capture and subdue him but...a somewhat paranoid part of your mind wonders what would happen if he bargained with them for his services. He could come out of this rich, with powerful allies, and knowing where to find his daughter, your student, who suffered horribly under his care.

Bringing in a hostile, ranting captive who is in no mood to bargain might be the best option, though that means confronting him yourself.

As he leaves the bar with his bodyguards in tow, you slip into the milling crowd exiting with him, some adoring fans, some just patrons on the way home, or to the next fight at another venue.

You get close enough to hear his bodyguards joking with him about getting him home with some of his female fans.

Once back to where he lives, he will be less wary and more relaxed, but his home might have more guards and defences.

Out here on the streets, once the crowd has dispersed, it will be just him and his bodyguards, but so soon after his fight he will still be alert.

What do you do?

>Talk to him
>Ambush him on the streets
>Let him get home
>Other (?)

>>42598453
>Let him get home

>>42598453
>Talk to him
I'm not seeing the logic of him making a deal with the mercenaries, why would they trade for a different soulborn they might be able to get under additional effort, when they alreadygot exactly what they need. There isn't anything he could offer them. Making a deal with him would mean literally nothing but additional problemy for no gain.

>>42598453
>Ambush him on the streets

>>42598453
>Let him get home

>>42598490
its more a case of him being able to open the place they need to get into, they can force him to cooperate, or he could offer his cooperation in return for money/help with his own goals.

In short, if he's smart, he could gain powerful allies. Not saying it will happen, but its something Sallazar is worried might happen.

>>42598541
Why would they give him anything when they can just not give him anything and get all they want anyway?
Do they hate making profit?

>>42598551
Because diplomacy rolls, anon.
And he can always suicide, as unlikely as that it, or join them/ally with them. He's not a weakling, they could appreciate someone who'd both strengthen their forces and pockets at the same time.

Letting him get home it is

>>42598551
They don't hate profit, they love it.
But they are going into the lair of a millenia old dragon with the one person who can open the place and automatically deactivate any traps.

They might decide buying his help is more efficient than putting a slave collar on him, or a sword to his throat.

Oh and please roll 1d20+4 to follow without being noticed

>>42598584
Why not just mindcontrol magic?
Why would they take the risk of him deciding to fuck them over and run with that stuff himself, when they can just use those archmages they got and put the mental thumbscrews on him.
Those mercs sound pretty dumb.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42598596

Rolled 19 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42598584
I'm also not seeing how making less profit is somehow more efficient than making more profit with no additional inconvenience. Clearly they would always have to take precautions over him not fucking them over, so it makes no difference except in one they lose money and in the other they don't.

>>42598596

Rolled 8 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42598596

>>42598603
>>42598625
He is a soulbond. People don't like messing with soulbonds for a reason. As far as they know, they could lose good talent by trying to force/enslave him, and talent is not cheap.

>>42598641
>People don't like messing with soulbonds for a reason
We have never heard about that being a thing, quite the opposite, soulbound got basically genocided.

>>42598603
>>42598625
The theory is from the point of view of Sallazar thinking 'how can this go wrong and resulty in my students being in danger?' rather than an objective or QM-based view of how a group of interplanar mercenaries would operate.

>>42598641
Making shit up isn't really contributing to the conversation anon.
We have never heard about people not liking to mess with Soulbound being a thing, the fact that he is a professional fighter means there are plenty of people more than willing to mess with him.
It seems extremly implausible to me the extremly powerful mercenary organization would have any issues with that if it means making more profit.

>>42598655
By the gods.

Letting him get home, relax and lower his guard is the best solution you reason. As you follow at a distance the crowds thin out, and you drop further to avoid being noticed. Although the Dancing Storm is more concerned with the girls at his side than anything, his bodyguards are always glancing around, looking relaxed but alert.

Still, they don't seem to pay you much attention as you wander the street like any other late night reveller, never letting them out of your sight for more than a few seconds sat a time. They also stick to the main streets and populated areas, leaving you plenty of crowds to hide in.

Finally they come to a large, expensive inn. You watch them go inside and make a slow circuit of the place. This is an up-market place with solid walls, barred windows, and guards on the front door.

A simple spell shows they also have wards against teleportation and scrying. After spending a few minutes examining them you are confident you can get past them, but doing so without being noticed could be tricky.

You could try to sneak into the building somehow and confront the Dancing Storm, or come back another night when you're more prepared, or simply alert the Blackhallow Guild where he is, and let them grab him.

What is the plan?

>Get into the building and confront him
>Come back another night
>Leave, tell Blackhallow his location
>Other(?)

You can write-in plans for option one, or there will be a follow-up vote for how you plan on getting in.

>>42598738
>Get into the building and confront him
>Break the wards and be sneaky

>>42598676
Thats wrong though, seriously, does no one here read those pastebins or what?

>>42598738
>Leave, tell Blackhallow his location
We can even offer them a package deal, they can drag that dude through the dangerous parts and we bring Tisania as backup.

>>42598738
>Get into the building and confront him

>>42598767
To be fair, the gods participated.

>>42598738
>Get into the building and confront him
>Break the wards and be sneaky

You decide that getting into the building and confronting him in person is the way to go, if nothing else you'll at least get to meet Tisanias father in person.

You could simply try to bypass the wards, scry out his location and teleport in. The wards aren't strong enough to keep you out, the only question is whether you can do it skilfully enough to avoid alerting their on-duty mage, or whether you make a mess.

Walking in the front door and pretending to be a friend of the Dancing Storm might work too, depending upon how gullible the inn staff are.

You could also try to climb across the from the roof of a nearby building like a thief, or perhaps it has an adjoining cellar.

How do you get in?

>Magic
>Talking
>Sneak in like a thief
>Other(?)

>>42598879
>Magic
We're a Abjuration specialist, why the hell would we pussy out on dismantling some wards.

>>42598879
>Magic

>>42598767
>does no one here read those pastebins or what?
Pretty sure there's nothing like that mentioned in the pastebins.

>>42598916
Yeah its totally not mentioned how the gods punished the Soulborn made from Celestial sources without giving a shit about the others and left that to the respective factions, which is why its part of Phoebes backstory how the Titans killed her parents.

I'm pretty sure you're lazy and stupid.

>>42598879
>Magic

Please roll 2d20 for magic, scrying and teleporting resperctively.

And vote on extra arcane energy used for each.

Best of 3 rolls, average of 3 votes.

Rolled 20, 18 = 38 (2d20)

>>42599024

Rolled 4, 9 = 13 (2d20)

>>42599024
10/10

Rolled 17, 17 = 34 (2d20)

>>42599024
0
0

>>42599024
10
15

>>42598955
>its totally not mentioned how the gods punished the Soulborn made from Celestial sources without giving a shit about the others and left that to the respective factions
It's not, you're right.

>>42599111
Not him, but it actually is. Look into the history paste and the Adventurer Club pastes for Phoebes and Evrumines backstory.

Magic has always been your strongest tool. You set up in an alleyway a few streets away from the inn and cast your scrying spell, focusing on the inn. Its not long before you're through the wards, you can tell whoever did this was a trained abjurer...but also a complete novice.

[AE 48/56]

You recall in your youth casting spells at dirt-cheap prices for merchants who didn't want to pay full price for a trained mage. These wards have the feel of an apprentice trying to do his best, but simply not knowing enough.

You manage to infiltrate your mystical senses inside the inn and roam around a little, seeing various wealthy people in their beds, some asleep. Eventually you find the Dancing Storm in bed with a pair of women, most definitely not asleep, but certainly in no mood to pay attention to anything other than what he's currently doing.

One quick teleportation later, and you're standing in the room as you once again slip your magic through the wards undetected.

[AE 43/56]

One of the women in bed with the Dancing Storm notices you and screams, prompting him to look around, see you and then jump out of the bed, roll and come up with fists bared and small sparks jumping from them, as his two bedmates hold each other in fear, and clutch the covers around them.

The Dancing Storm glares at you angrily “Who the hell are you?” he barks out

You give a not very pleasant smile “I believe you were made into a Soulbound to do a very specific job” you say “I think you've neglected that long enough don't you?”

His eyes narrow and he adjusts his stance “Nobody tells me what to do” he growls “tell Blackhallow I'm not interested, I know what they didn't tell me, I about the old bastards test!”

On the bed the two women watch with looks of fear on their faces.

How do you respond?

>Attack (spell?)
>What test?
>Persuade him to come quietly
>Other (?)

>>42599123
>History Paste
Not seeing any mention of the gods only targeting celestial soulbound.

>Evrumine
Her dad was a Soulbound, but had his spirit removed. Not seeing what there implies that the gods only targeted celestials.

>Phoebe
Only indicates to me that there were a significant number of Titan Soulbound survivors of the divine genocide, or that the Titans themselves requested the gods let them judge their own resulting in them being momentarily spared.

>>42599167
can disintegration just take a knee cap off and not kill him if so do that

>>42599190
>can disintegration just take a knee cap off and not kill him

Yes

>>42599198
go for an elbow too duel cast make him lopsided

>>42599167
>Get him talking
>"Come one, Storm. What's so bad about this silly test, it's can't be that awful."

>>42599167
>Attack (spell?)
>Put up Spell mantle
>Disintegrate a leg

>>42599186
>nothing implies the gods didn't genocide the non-celestial soulbound too
>except for all those cases where they didn't, and there not being a single case where they did

>>42599167
>>42599221
seconding

>>42599262
>There are survivors, therefore no non-celestial soulbound were killed
>What do you mean that's reading into it way too much

>>42599186
>Not seeing what there implies that the gods only targeted celestials.
The fact he wasn't genocided I'd assume, I'm not sure why you think pretending to be dense will help here.

>>42599167
>What test?
Disintegrate doesn't seal wounds, don't particularly want him to bleed out yet.

Spell Mantle + remove leg.

Please roll 1d20+4 and vote on extra Arcane Energy used.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42599308
15

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>42599308
fuck this fucker next we should geass him to compiling, then the girls to forgot us.

Rolled 20 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42599308
Umm Pally

Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>42599301
He should start talking very fast then, we got a necromancer on hotline.

>>42599308

>>42599329
>Umm Pally

Yes Mr Nat 20?

>>42599292
I don't think it would violate the timeline to assume that he had his spirit removed before the genocide, meaning he wasn't a soulbound at the time. Otherwise, it's just evidence of there being a survivor. The gods aren't infallible.

>>42599404
>I don't think it would violate the timeline to assume that he had his spirit removed before the genocide
Except fpr how it explicitly happened afterwards because the gods laying dwon the law on the Soulbound is what turned public opinion against them.

>>42599420
That is, most likely, what turned political opinion against them and resulted in his change of political identity, but it's entirely possible he had it removed *before* the political opinion turned to avoid the whole "going insane and turning into a monster" thing that tends to happen after a couple years.

>>42599455
>but it's entirely possible he had it removed *before* the political opinion turned
>With the political tide turned against the Soulbound the then Captain Hydram underwent a radical change of heart

>>42599464
A change of heart on his opinion of soulbound, having no longer been one, because he didn't want to turn into a fucking insane monster.

You raise your Spell Mantle and cast your Disintegrate spell, this guy will be so much more cooperative once he realises how much trouble he's in.

Even as you start casting your spell, lightning collects around his hands. Your ray of light hits his knee just as a massive blast of lightning hits you in the chest. Your Spell Absorption handles it, but its also mostly depleted – another blast like that risks getting through.

Still, at least it refilled your reserves [AE 50/56].

He seems to have no such protection against magic, and his lower leg simply vanishes. He crashes to the floor, blood spraying everywhere as he thrashes and bellows in pain.

“My fucking leg!” he yells, finally rolling onto his back and clasping both hands around the remains of his limb, in an attempt to stem the flow of blood. The women in the bed muffle screams.

You recall Tisania tell you about the time he removed her wings. You wonder how many limbs he can lose, and still serve his purpose.

“I'm going to fucking kill you!” he promises, holding the bloody limb in his hands and shooting you a look of pure hatred. Huh, that's interesting, you can feel him using arcane magic and see the skin slowly, very slowly start to regrow over the stump.

Well, that's convenient, stops you having to rush him to a priest.

“Are you going to come quietly?” you ask conversationally, keeping your distance “or do you want to lose the other one too?”

His answer is a wildly thrown bolt of lightning that misses you by more than a foot. Seems he wants to keep fighting.

What do you do?

>Remove his other leg
>Try to talk some sense into him
>How does it feel when it happens to you?
>Other (?)

>>42599483
Dude, I know you need to defend your anonymous internet poster cred, but there is a point where that sort of insecurity becomes downright unhealthy. You have reached that point, just step back, take a deep breath, accept you have been wrong and stop making a idiot out of yourself.

>>42599483
You can't possibly be serious with this shit, there is a limit to how retarded someone should pretend to be.

>>42599517
>Remove his other leg
>How does it feel when it happens to you?

>>42599517
>Try to talk some sense into him

>>42599517
>Remove his dominant arm
>How does it feel when it happens to you?
> Grab him and teleport out

>>42599517
>>Try to talk some sense into him
>>How does it feel when it happens to you?
>Not going to let my student keep paying for your sins, come quietly. If I have to I can just give them limbless hostage. Fairly certain they can regrow your limbs if they want.

>>42599517
>Remove his dominant arm
>How does it feel when it happens to you?
> Grab him and teleport out

>>42599517
>Goodbie wings
>How does it feel when it happens to you?

>>42599526
>>42599519
Oh, we've reached the "I have no argument so I'll resort to personal attacks" phase, then.

>>42599541
Somehow I don't think trying to talk down the psychotically violent dragon is going to work after removing his leg.

>>42599517
>Refresh Spell Mantle
Don't care what else we do, as long as one of the things is this.

Although its not that clear in the pastebin, the angels sent down by Heaven punished all Soulbound, not just those using celestials.

People didn't remain Soulbound for long - as they had a tendancy to transform into monsters.

People would have the power of the creature removed after a certain amount of time to avoid this. Evrumines father was one such individual, and is not unique - there are a number of former Soulbound around.

The wrath of Heaven fell on those making Soulbound - and those Soulbound who refused to voluntarily give up their power.

Former Soulbound, and Soulborn children, were ignored.

However people being what they are, many still see both as being trouble.

>>42599626
>the angels sent down by Heaven punished all Soulbound, not just those using celestials
Whats with the Titans then? And Nataline?

>>42599517
remove arms

>>42599626
>People didn't remain Soulbound for long - as they had a tendancy to transform into monsters.
>People would have the power of the creature removed after a certain amount of time to avoid this.
Doesn't say Evrumines backstory it was unusual to survive having the soul removed from you, since her father is called out as "and was one of the few Soulbound to have the spirit removed without serious side-effects".
So it was regular practice to remove them despite the fact it had serious side effects of its own?

If they are that serious, why are we not looking for a way to remove it from Nataline?

>>42599636
Nataline might be protected by the Compact due to the nature of the spirit she was bonded to.

>>42599661
>Nataline might be protected by the Compact
I'm not sure if that makes sense even assuming the Compact is a thing here.
Wouldn't they want to free that gods soul, for the same reason they got pissed about all the other souls being imprisoned?

>>42599636
Girl has a god inside her. Technically, she can sneak out of the god's judgement for being/having one.
I bet she could have joined the gods in punishing other soulbond.

>>42599688
>Technically, she can sneak out of the god's judgement for being/having one.
She isn't a god anymore than the angel soulbond were angels.

remove arm + how does it feel seem to be the most common votes, writing this.

>>42599636
The Titans rendered their own punidshment/judgement seperately to the Gods, including taking the titan Soulborn (such as Phoebe) for study for a time.

>>42599654
It depends on how long they carried the spirit of the creature for. For Evrumines father I neglected to say that he carried the minotaur for a very long time before having it removed - making his lack of side-effects unusual.
Those that were empowered for short times usually had problem-free extractions.

Nataline is a special case. The spirit within her resisted extraction, and the angels...left it alone. It being a god that normally resides in a human host might mean that NAtaline won't have serious side-effects.

But if you want to try removing it, or researching this, you certainly can.

>>42599712
>The Titans rendered their own punidshment/judgement seperately to the Gods
Howe so if the gods punished all other soulbound?
Were they just that sloppy in their smiting?

>>42599723
The Gods specifically left the Titan Soulbound alone, leaving them to the titans.

Sloppy smiting perhaps, or maybe some sort of agreement.

>>42599730
>Sloppy smiting perhaps, or maybe some sort of agreement.
Tisanias dad must have survived somehow too.

>>42599684
I can't see any other way that three good and three evil gods could exist together in this way without some kind of oath to not kill the shit out of each other, declare constant holy wars or attack other evil/good gods that show up. It might not be the Compact itself, but something that's close enough.

>>42599756
>I can't see any other way that three good and three evil gods could exist together in this way
Good old stalemates.
And thats assuming all the evil and good gods are necessarily each others enemies.

>>42599756
>Implying the gods aren't all Shee fucking with people

>>42599744
Probably not covered because his involved an off plane dragon.

>>42599744
yes that does seem rather unusual, doesn't it...

>>42599816
Or the gods are interested in the dragon's hoard. Legendary souls are probably tied to the gods' politics and/or self interests.

You cast your disintegrate spell again, taking off the arm he just used to throw a lightning bolt at you, to much screaming. You also renew your spell mantle, just in case he tries anything else stupid.

He lies there holding the stump of his arm with his one remaining hand, trying to heal that one too. His leg-stump is still bleeding, but slowly, more of an ooze than a gush.

Over his yells of pain, and the screams of the women in the bed, you can hear raised voices from outside, and running feet. The hotel guards will be here soon, and whilst you aren't worried about the threat they might pose, you have no desire to fight innocent people.

You point to the women in the bed “time to leave ladies” you say loudly, gesturing to the door. They take the hint and flee, blood-stained bedclothes wrapped around them.

As the Dancing Storm lies on the floor trying to stem the flow of his life blood and snarling and cursing at you, you take a half-step closer to him “are you done?” you ask “because I don't mind taking more of your limbs, and then maybe your eyes afterwards, but it'll be simpler and easier if you just come with me.”

“I am going to fucking kill you!” he gasps out “who in the Hells are you anyway?”

Your response
>Say nothing (exclusive)
>Tisanias teacher
>A friend of someone you hurt
>Other (?)

Not included in the vote is the assumption that you deliver him immediately to Blackhallow in his current state. If you want to heal him, interrogate him, or do anything else with him, please say.

Batman and/or Darkwing Duck-related dialogue votes will be ignored. Sorry but Sallazar doesn't know the references.

>>42599886
>Say nothing (exclusive)

>>42599886
>Darkwing Duck-related dialogue votes
I couldn't come up with a good one anyway.

>>42599886
>Batman and/or Darkwing Duck-related dialogue votes will be ignored
Damnit, Pally. Sallazar doesn't need to know the references, he can just temporarily rank up in badassery.

That said
>I am the one who kills.
>teleport with him to somewhere desolate to interrogate him

>>42599886
>Say nothing (exclusive)

>>42599886

just remove his other arm every time he isn't doing as we say he loses something

>>42599886
>A friend of someone you hurt

>>42599886
can we look down and whisper no (then blast off his other arm

>>42599886
>Heisenberg

>>42599941
>>42599941

"Who are you?"

"No"

/Commence ultraviolence/

No offense but that sounds majorly autistic.

File: 828783-rorschach.jpg (543 KB, 564x888)

543 KB JPG

>>42599984
say that to my face !

>>42599984
we asked him a question first he is being very rude. and if he keeps it up he wouldn't be able to raise a hand to ask a question at all.

You don't say anything, something like this...he wouldn't even realise what he'd done wrong, and you're not going to give him any clue as to who you are, or where you live.

You simply step close enough to teleport the two of you away from the inn.

XXX

You hand over an armless, legless torso with a head to the representatives of Blackhallow. The Dancing Storm is still very much alive, and angry, but he kept trying to attack you as well as escape.

The Blackhallow Adventurers give you slightly concerned looks as they take him off your hands, and tell you that this fulfils the guilds contract.

Just before they start casting the spell to leave for another plane, one of them hands you what appears to be a membership application form for Blackhallow, you simply stuff it in your pocket. With your righteous anger fading, you feel tired. You stare at the Dancing Storm until they all fade from sight.

He keeps glaring at you and yelling threats until the last moment. You expected something more, some grand battle, some explanation of why he did what he did to Tisania, but instead you got...nothing. Perhaps he was just as he seemed, a sadistic bully.

A simple spell clears the blood off your robes and you teleport back to the school. One of the strange quirks of long distance teleportation is the time difference. You left that place in the early hours of the morning, but the clock in the schools main clock only says 9pm. Tisania will still be awake.

You ponder what to do as you walk past the mail slots and collect your notices and post: advertisement for magical size enhancement; request for money; poorly-written excuse for homework being late; three requests for personal tutoring by girls you barely know. You also realise that your court date is tomorrow, you need to brush up on your legal arguments.

But Tisania also deserves to know...

What do you do?
>Study legal stuff
>Go talk to Tisania
>Other (?)

>>42600148
>Go talk to Tisania

>>42600148
>Study legal stuff

Send her a message asking her to come speak with us after our court date.

>>42600148
>Go talk to Tisania

>>42600148
>Tell Tisania she no longer has to worry about things and leave it at that.
>Study legal stuff

>>42600148
>Study legal stuff
Tisania can wait a little while.

>>42600148
>some explanation of why he did what he did to Tisania
WELL GEEZ
I WONDER IF WE HAD TALKED TO HIM INSTEAD OF TURNING HIM IN IMMEDIATELY WOULD HAVE HELPED WITH THIS

I feel bad for Tisania now. While she may be free of the guild and its contract, this doesn't actually do anything to help with her traumas.

>>42600148
>Study legal stuff

>>42600148
>>Go talk to Tisania

>>42600148
>Go talk to Tisania

>>42600229
Yeah sure, the excuses of her abuser would have totally helped with that.
God are you retarded.
There was literally nothing of worth he could have told us.

Tisania wins over dusty dry documents, writing

>>42600268
I don't actually care about his reasosn, to be honest, but I believe it was a part of helping Tisania.

Now, I'm not saying that curing her of her traumas is impossible now, or the like, but a dramatic confrontation could have been important. She would be a wreck during/after, but traumas are never easy to heal. I don't think that eternally running away will help any.

>>42600369
>I don't think that eternally running away will help any.
She isnt running away though. She is simply moving past it.

>but a dramatic confrontation could have been important
I don't see how that would have helped, its not even like Tisania buries that trauma so it would need to be dug up.

>>42600397
She's not moving past anything, anon. She's terrified of him, and thinking of him will turn her into a mess. Until she becomes strong enough to deal with him, she will alwats be afraid.

>>42600446
>She's not moving past anything, anon.
She is though, it just takes time.

>She's terrified of him, and thinking of him will turn her into a mess.
For now.

>Until she becomes strong enough to deal with him, she will alwats be afraid.
And she isn't yet, so confronting him would only make it worse for her. One day she will become strong enough, but he has literally nothing to contribute to that.

>>42600369
Forcing a confrontation with her abuser with Tisania as she is right now seems like it would be a bad idea.

Tisania deserves to know what happened, and this won't take long, you can study after talking to her.

You find her in her room, with her room-mates, getting ready for bed.

“Tisania” you say, knocking on the partially open door “a moment.”

“Ooooh, someone's in trouble” says one of her room mates as Tisania wraps a gown around herself and follows you away from the dorms – you don't want the other girls hearing this.

“Am I in trouble sir?” she asks, looking at you warily.

“Not with me” you reassure her “I went looking for your father a few days ago....”

As you tell your take she listens in silence, her eyes wide as she takes it all in. You avoid the gorier details, no need to upset her.

In only a short time your tale is concluded and Tisania just stands there, staring inwards. You don't know if she's trying to process what you just told her, or if she is reliving some dark and terrible memory. Finally she speaks “What will Blackhallow do once they're done with him?” she asks, looking past you rather than at you.

“I don't know” you admit “they only need him for one task, so once that's done they might simply abandon him, or if he spends all his time threatening them...well they might kill him.”

Tisania is quiet for several minutes “good” she says tonelessly.

You wonder what's going on in her head.

“Are you ok?” you ask her gently.

“My father removed my claws once” says Tisania in a deadpan voice “with pliers, pulled them out one by one, now he can't, because they have him, and once they're done, they're going to kill him.”

You flinch and your fingers curl in sympathy as Tisania looks down at her hands and examines her claws, you can't imagine how much that must have hurt.

You don't realise you said that out loud until Tisania says “Not as much as it did when he forced me to do it to myself.”

Your stomach heaves, but its been a long time since you ate, so not throwing up is relatively easy.

“They might not kill him” you point out weakly, taking deep breaths.

Tisania nods unhappily, tears starting to form in her eyes “You're right” she says in a rough voice “they might not, he might come here and...and...”

Your response?

>Hug her
>Promise her she's safe here
>Tell her you'll kill him, if they don't
>Try to distract her, get her to talk of happier times
>Other (?)

>>42600549
>Promise her she's safe here
>Tell her you'll kill him, if they don't
>Try to distract her, get her to talk of happier times
I want to hug her, because muh daughteru, but she's still scared of adults, IIRC.

Maybe just open our arms and let her be the one to initiate the hug if she wants one.

>>42600549
>Promise her she's safe here
>Tell her you'll kill him, if they don't
>Try to distract her, get her to talk of happier times

>>42600549
>>Tell her you'll kill him, if they don't
>ask her if she'd want to do that herself
Might need to save some exp for her, if she says yes.

>>42600549
>Promise her she's safe here
>And you will be strong enough to look after yourself by the time I'm done.(needs rewording but I'll leave that to other Anons)

>>42600549
>Promise her she's safe here
>Tell her if they don't, one day she will be strong enough to do it herself. And now she has friends and teacher that would do it for her if necessary.
>Try to distract her, get her to talk of happier times
>Maybe just open our arms and let her be the one to initiate the hug if she wants one.

ok, writing

Update taking a while, am not dead

>>42601004
It's been only 20 minutes.

>>42601188
He has high standards! Don't take that from him!

Tisanias still a bit wary, so despite a hug being your first thought when dealing with a tearful teenage girl you talk to her first.

“While you're here” you say “he can't hurt you, I promise you think.”

Tisania sniffles and says in a hoarse voice “I know that but I'm still, I'm scared.”

“Well don't be” you say softly “because if he turns up here look for you, then he's dead, and I know by the time you're ready to leave here, you'll be strong enough to kill him yourself.”

“Really?” Tisania looks at you from between her fingers, her hands held to her face.

“Yes” you say firmly “you work hard in the club and you have a lot of natural talent, I will train you, and teach you everything I can. I beat your father today, and I can teach you how to beat him too.”

“I'd like that” she says, her eyes losing focus, as memory takes hold of her again “I want...I want to not be the one getting hurt.”

You don't want her turning into a bully though, time to distract her.

“We'll both make sure that doesn't happen” you say “but lets not dwell on that for now, what's your earliest, truly happy memory?”

Tisania thinks, screwing up her face in concentration and then says “I came to Egwen, and one of the girls started being mean to me and then the Headmaster was there and he said 'bullying is not allowed here'.”

It has been a very long time since you last ate; you can feel a sharp pain in your midsection.

You open your arms slightly, offering a hug without really forcing it, but Tisania ignores you, or maybe she doesn't even notice, as she speaks about some of the happy moments from her life. Most are after she came to Egwen, and of those before...well you wouldn't call them happy, more like...less painful.

Still, you listen whilst she talks, trying to find some happiness in her life, and coming up with very little. You resolve to help her make some happy memories.

XXX

By the time you lead an exhausted Tisania back to her bed, its so late that you need to sleep as well, your intention to study the legal brief you prepared dissolves once you see your warm and inviting bed.

The next day you read out your arguments before the Crown Magistrates, feeling woefully unprepared. They will have had the copy you filed for some time, but they also require verbal arguments to be made.

In this tiny cramped room, miles from the school, its just you, the three magistrates, the clerk taking notes, and one sleepy-looking guard sat in a corner.

Neither the Mayor of Brand, nor Mr Aldersly are present, nor are their representatives. You have a sudden moment of panic, did you get the right room? The Crown Court building seemed large and imposing, full of tiny twisting corridors and lots of different chambers.

Finally you come to the end of your prepared remarks, and trail off, unsure what to do next.

One of the Magistrates says “You may sit Master Sallazar.”

You sit, and the Magistrates confer quietly, three old men in long robes and wearing powdered wigs.

Finally one says in a surprised tone, loud enough for you to overhear “really? None at all?”

There's some more conferring, as you wait quietly, finally one addresses you “the claimee in this case has not sent representation, only a letter. We have reviewed the written statements from both parties, and heard your verbal arguments. We judge in your favour Master Sallazar and will sign a court order for the parties in question to remove all building and habitation from the agreed upon boundaries, so that the forest may regrow in the specified area.”

You're not sure what to think, you were expecting more back and forth, legal arguments, and some sort of courtroom drama.

“So what happens now?” you ask.

“Once the order has been prepared” says the Magistrate “we will give you several copies, I trust you can deliver them to all parties concerned?”

You nod “but what if they don't abide by it?” you ask.

The Magistrate looks stern “then” he says “the courts will take further action.”

Oh great, a sternly worded letter, you think sourly.

“Of course” adds one Magistrate “enforcement is normally down to the local representative of the King, the Baron in this case. If he were to appoint someone as enforcer of the order, then it would be down to that person to ensure that all correct action is taken.”

You think about that “such as who?”

“Whomever the Baron appoints” says the Magistrate “you for instance.”

You leave court pondering the possibilities, its early afternoon.

What do you do?

>Back to the school and lessons
>Go see the Baron
>Go see Mr Aldersly the landowner
>Go see the Mayor of Brand
>Other (?)

>>42601283
>>Go see the Baron

>>42601283
>Go see the Baron

>>42601283
>>Go see the Baron

>>42601283
>Go see Mr Aldersly the landowner

baron haplendale it is, writing

If you can become the barons agent in this matter, well, that solves the remaining problems. You teleport back to the outskirts of Brand and head towards the Barons estate – a sprawling manor house and smaller cottages atop a hill.

The guards there seem well-mannered, and one of them can read enough to recognise that the court order you have is official and important, so you are ushered into the inner courtyard, where the Baron is wearing scruffy clothes and fiddling with his horses saddle, whilst swearing loudly. The horse seems upset as well, trotting circles around the Baron as he tries to fix its tack.

An older man in severe grey clothes intercepts you before you can go over to the baron “I am the Barons Valet, Justins, may I help you?” He gives you a critical look, as if your presence offends him somehow.

You show him the court order, he skim-reads it. You introduce yourself, he ignores you.

“About enforcing the order” you say “I would be happy to be the representative of-”

Finally the Baron notices your presence “What is it Justy?” he bellows, still running around the courtyard, holding onto his skittish horses saddle.

“An order from the Crown Magistrates” says the Valet “Brand is having difficulty with the Druids, again. This is one of the school teachers, he's volunteered to sort it out.”

“Excellent!” yells the Baron cheerfully, still occupied with his horse “show those druids what's what eh? Good man, send a wizard to beat a druid eh? Top hole, get him the papers Justy and tell me where to sign to make this chap into my Bailiff.”

Justins opens his mouth, perhaps to correct the Barons misconception over which way the ruling went.

What do you do?

>Stay quiet
>Tell the Baron the truth about the ruling
>Say how eager you are to show the druids who is in charge
>Suggest that maybe he could use a rangers help with his horse
>Other (?)

>>42601726
>>Suggest that maybe he could use a rangers help with his horse

>>42601726
>Suggest that maybe he could use a rangers help with his horse

>>42601726
>Stay quiet
Let the guy who knows the Baron do this.

>>42601726
>Say how eager you are to show the druids who is in charge
Damn inferior magic users

>>42601726

>Stay quiet

>>42601726
>Stay quiet

>>42601786
>>42601797
>>42601814
That will offend him.

>>42601840
>being offered help will offend him
No it won't.

>>42601859
>Implying he needs a druid to command a horse
Yes it will.

>>42601840
He literally just said he wants to put the druids in their place, how is repeating that offending him?

Looks like keeping quiet it is

>>42601873
Ranger=/=Druid. And nobles have trained animal handlers for a reason. Its a common and regular thing.
The assumptiom this will somehow offend him is utter nonsense.

>>42601878
Sorry, I accidentally put >>42601814
with the >>42601786
>>42601797

“Actually my lord” says the Valet “the ruling is in the druids favour, any enforcement action would be against the town, to help the druids.”

“What?!” roars the baron, leaving his horse to run free he comes striding over and rips the court order out of Justins' hands. You wait for several minutes whilst the Baron reads the order, his lips moving as he struggles with some of the longer words.

Finally he thrusts it back at Justins “No!” he growls at you “that is not going to happen, I'm not having the druids get their way, absolutely not.”

“It is a Crown Magistrate ruling My Lord” you point out “legally you are required to-”

“Don't you quote the law to me you jumped up scribbler!” growls the baron, looming over you by...a few inches. You remind yourself that melting members of the nobility tends to have consequences.

“I'm going to appoint a Bailiff who will study this carefully before acting” says the Baron, looking crafty “and this ruling needs to be examined, and appealed if necessary.”

At the Barons side, his Valet winces, its unlikely the Baron who will be the one doing all the work on this one.

“Now” says the Baron, grinning now that he's proved who is in charge “was there anything else?”

His tone clearly indicates he's done with this conversation. Justins wordlessly offers you your court order.

Your response?

>Just leave (exclusive)
>This is the law, you can't just ignore it you idiot!
>Try to persuade him to make you Bailiff anyway
>What is your problem with the druids?
>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?
>Other (?)

>>42602137
>>What is your problem with the druids?
>>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?
Can we just break this guys kneecaps?

>>42602137
>What is your problem with the druids?
>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?

>>42602137
>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?
>It's not like the town is really using all the land they already have, they're too inefficient.

Failing that.
>Try to persuade him to make you Bailiff anyway
>I can keep the druids under control in...other ways.

>>42602137
>>What is your problem with the druids?
"I mean sure the smell bad but as long as the keep to the woods the stink doesn't waft around too much"

>>42602137
>You don't seem to understand exactly how bad just flaunting this ruling off will go for you. Rest assured, I will be keeping the Court abreast of everything you do here. You wouldn't want to be found in contempt, after all...

>>42602137
>What is your problem with the druids?
>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?
>If you want to not look like giving in to the druids, you might be able to negotiate a concession out of them in exchange for not trying to fight this ruling

>>42602216
>>42602191
>>42602172
Everybody knows druids are shit, anon, specially wizards. but in truth, it would be better to not be confrontational.

>>42602137
>What is your problem with the druids?
>Its only about a small plot of land, is it really worth all that trouble?

druids + small plot of land it is, writing

>>42602353
The Druid's already got huge...tracts of land.

>>42602273
its not confrontational its getting on his side

“Its just a small plot of land” you say “is it really worth all the time and trouble to challenge it?”

Justins looks hopeful as the Baron ponders that “it is only a small patch” he concedes .

Justins adds “and if the houses are relocated closer to town, the tax revenues would be higher too my lord.”

The Baron seems to be mentally weighing it up and you chip in to help push him the right way “I'm sure your problem with the druids can't be that important can it?” you ask “I mean, what is it even about?”

The Barons face changes from thoughtful to stubborn.

“Bloody druids!” he growls “no, not one inch, nothing for the druids, this ruling must be overturned.”

Oh dammit...

“Please reconsider” you say “whatever feud you have with the druids, it can't-”

The Baron waves a finger under your nose “It's a matter of family honour!” he tells you “those druids get nothing from me, good day!” and he storms off.

The Valet, Justins shakes his head “it's a touchy subject” he says “now if you'll follow me.”

Feeling rather irritated at bullheaded nobles, you are escorted out. What is his problem with druids? The smell isn't that bad.

Where do you go from here?

>Back to the school and lessons
>Go see the Druids (or Taynathil?)
>Go see Mr Aldersly the landowner
>Go see the Mayor of Brand
>Other (?)

>>42602529
>Back to the school and lessons

We'll see the Baron's ass in court, I'm sure.

There are a lot of duties waiting for us at the school.

>>42602529
>Go see Taynathil

>>42602451
Worked wonders.
>>42602529
>Back to the school and lessons

>>42602529
I still say we should break hid kneecaps

>>42602529
>Back to the school and lessons
>Go see Taynathil?)
We can ask her at the next club session

>>42602529
>Go see Mr Aldersly the landowner
then
>Go see the Mayor of Brand

back to school it is, writing

With a sigh of frustration you head back to the school and the afternoon lessons. The rest of the day passes without anything unusual happening, and with no club meeting that evening, well, talking to Taynathil about the Baron can wait.

XXX

You rise early the next morning, it's only mid-week and you've gotten much farther than you expect on the girls problems, but Nataline is still in trouble.

The Headmaster has given you as much time off from teaching as you need to sort these problems out, the other teachers are covering your lessons for you, but you still feel guilty taking advantage of everyone like this.

As you head down for breakfast you see the girls of the adventuring club standing together in small groups, even the less social ones such as Calluna and Tisania are included. It seems social groups are starting to shift as a result of the clubs activities.

Over breakfast you ponder your next task. What will it be?

>Spend time catching up on teaching, plenty of time left
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>Go talk to the merchants paying for her
>Go talk to the guild hired to acquire her
>Other (?)

And also, you could go alone, or take Nataline.

Take Nataline with you?

>Y/N

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>N

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>Y

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>NO

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>N

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>Y...haha NO

cult with no Nataline it is

>>42602852
>Go talk to the cult that apparently worships Nataline
>Y

You need to go and speak to the cult that reveres the old god from Ansharis-Unketelan. It really says something that of all the people involved, the cultists of a dead god, and not the merchants or mages guild, are the ones you think you have the best chance of persuading not to kill an innocent young girl.

Thankfully, due to how...helpful Hoggle has been, you know where to find them. You consider taking Nataline along, but decide against it, as much as it would be useful showing up alongside their god, you don't want to have to fight your way out.

Now, what was that city called again?

XXX

You stare up at the faded and broken wooden sign, ok, if you squint and twist your head, it sort of looks like a bushel of grain alongside a river. The symbol of plenty is one of the various holy symbols of the Church of Phehan-Durzai, the Church of the Dual God. Or Goddess, but maybe they don't know that part yet.

This place has seen better days, a tiny shop front in a huge market district. And not in the prime market space where cloth canopies keep the sun off your head, no, this place is on the edges and the burning hot sun beats down on you like a hammer as tiny dust devils race around you. This whole country is mostly desert: full of dust, sand, and strange animals called camels. And people trying to sell you things, and beggars, and guards who demand a bribe or else they rough up foreigners.

You love being a teacher, today you got to teach a bunch of knuckle-dragging thugs to respect the authority of a wizards robe and pointy staff.

Anyway, the temple of the dual deity has seen better days. You push open the creaking door and head inside through the reception area and into the main church. Old rugs hand on the walls, faded and dusty, and most of this place looks run down and neglected. The one exception is the alter, where several stone figurines stand, polished to a shine.

You wander up and examine them. They are humanoid figures meant to represent something, but their features have smoothed and blurred, perhaps due to their age. You hear a side door open creakily.

“Services are in two days” says a dry, dusty voice as you turn.

Well, maybe it was the door creaking, maybe it was this old mans bones. Before you stands, or rather, shuffles, an old man in a white threadbare robe. His white hair is little more than wisps, his face is lined and tanned, his eyes milky as he peers at you, turning his head this way and that as if trying to see you from all angles.

“I'm not here for services” you say “I'm here to see High Priest Unzar-Shekuran.”

He nods jerkily “I am the High Priest” he says “and tell the city fathers that I cannot pay the rent this month either, I ask for their forbearance and will pray for Phehan-Durzai to bless them if they will have but a little patience.”

“I'm not the rent collector either” you say, torn between amusement and pity.

“Oh” he says “Then, who are you?”

“I'm Sallazar, a wizard” you say “and I would like to talk to you.”

The old priest takes a seat on one of the long wooden benches and pats the space next to him “Then please, have a seat” he says “Sallazar the wizard, and tell me why you have come.”

What do you say?

>Ask about the Dual God
>Ask about his deal with the merchants
>Tell him about Nataline
>Other (?)

>>42603424
>>Ask about the Dual God
>>Ask about his deal with the merchants

>>42603424

>Ask about the Dual God
>Ask about his deal with the merchants

>>42603424
>Ask about the Dual God

merchants + Dual god, writing

>>42603424
First
>Ask about the Dual God
Then
>Ask about his deal with the merchants

“Well for starters” you say “what is the Dual God?”

Unzar-Shekuran chuckles “that's a question that the priesthood has struggled with for millennia” he says “perhaps the simplest answer, though not correct, is that Phehan-Durzai is two gods as one. Phehan represents life, prosperity and health, Durzai represents death, struggle, and suffering.”

You nod “sounds like a typical good and evil deity pair” you say.

The High Priest shakes his head vehemently “No!” he insists “Phehan gives us much that we are thankful for, but all life must end, and we cannot succeed without struggle, nor value what we have without experiencing its loss. I think it was best said by one of my old teachers many years ago: Phehan is what we want, what makes us happy, Durzai is what we need, what pushes us to our limits.”

“Alright” you say “so is Phehan-Durzai widely worshipped?”

Unzar-Shekuran shakes his head sadly “Our god was once the patron god of the entire empire that stretched from sea to sea, now he is but a minor figure in other pantheons, seen as a relic of a bygone past...for now at least.”

“For now?” you ask casually

Unzar-Shekuran pauses and then says somewhat unconvincingly “Of course we have faith that our god may one day return to us, though faith is all it is.” He's a bad liar

“Phehan-Durzai” he says, pushing back to his original topic “Was a god not of the heavens, but of his people. His divine essence was passed down from ruler to ruler for thousands of years, the death of the old ruler would revitalise the empire and give each generation renewed strength, but alas, the empire fell, and the God was lost to history.” Here he becomes contemplative “At least, history tells us this, I believe that Phehan-Durzai was taken from us someone, and it was his absence that caused the fall of the old Pharocian Empire.”

“But now someone promised you a way to bring your god back, didn't they?” you ask calmly.

Unzar-Shekuran gives you piercing look with those milky eyes, and you feel weak magical energies probing at your mind. You steel your thoughts and force them away.

“I'm not your enemy” you say firmly “and please don't try that.”

“Who are you?” he asks

“Someone who wants to know about the merchants” you say “I think they are up to no good.”

Unzar-Shekuran snorts “Of course they aren't” he says “But we work with who we must. I see you know then, yes, the Guild of Merchants and Traders came to us promising they could bring our god back to us. I may be mostly blind but I'm not stupid. I know they wanted to bring Phehan-Durzai back for one purpose only: the Rite of the Rise and Setting of the Sun.”

“Which is?” you ask, as he goes quiet.

“The Rite was the passing of power from one generation to the next” he says “the old Emperor died, and the new one ascended the throne – breathing new life into the land. The Guild no doubt thought they could sabotage the ritual, and kill Phehan-Durzai after he brought new life into this land, but I know they are wrong” he says with the conviction of a true believer “Our god would have risen anew and bought new life to a dusty and dying land, and would have ruled once again over the Empire.”

“Would have?” you prompt him

Unzar-Shekuran sighs “I'm told that their plan to bring the god back failed, that the mortal host died. I believe in the return of the dual god of course but...I think perhaps this was not the right time for his rebirth. Perhaps we are lacking somehow, unworthy of his light.”

Now what?

>Leave (exclusive)
>Ask about the Rite
>Tell him the gods essence was split into two
>Even if your god came back, this is a very modest church...
>Other (?)

>>42604190
>Ask about the Rite
>Tell him the gods essence was split into two

>>42604190
>Ask about the Rite

>>42604190
>>Ask about the Rite
>>Tell him the gods essence was split into two

>>42604190
>Ask about the Rite
>Tell him the gods essence was split into two

>>42604190
>Ask about the Rite
>Tell him the gods essence was split into two
Good to know now that the cultists don't want to kill her.
Doesn't mean they can't be a problem, but we got one common interest at least.

>>42604190
V

>>42604190
>Ask about the Rite
>Even if your god came back, this is a very modest church...

Rite + split

“Tell me about the Rite of the Rise and Setting of the Sun” you say “I've heard, well, read, some rather gruesome accounts.”

Unzar-Shekuran chuckles “I expect you have” he says “The Rite, well the Rite is in two parts, and there were many variations. The first part was to convince the God to leave its mortal host, for Phehan clings tightly to life, the second part is to convince him to take up residence in a new once – for Durzai hates a weak host. The Rite had variations depending upon which of the gods aspects, its powers if you will, were to be strongest. In times of famine, Phehans ability to bring fecundity to the land was valued, in times of war, Durzais ability to destroy was necessary.”

“How did the Rite work?” you ask. Unzar-Shekuran gives you a knowing look.

“You mean 'did the old priests really cut out the emperors heart?'” he says “yes, sometimes they did, but only to call forth Durzai at his most violent and bloody, when all hope seemed lost. In times when Phehan was called to the fore, only a peaceful death, a natural end to life, or eased by magic or herbs was possible.”

“And was death always necessary?” you ask “Was there no other way for the god to move on to the next host?”

Unzar-Shekuran screws up his wrinkled face “in truth, no one knows” he says “the law was clear – the new ruler could not be crowned whilst the old one lived, part of the emperors oath was that he would serve for life, and it was seen as a great personal sacrifice for one of the princes to become the Emperor but...nowhere in the texts does it say the death of the host was necessary to pass on the gods essence, though I suspect calling forth Durzai without death might be impossible, Phehan would surely dominate in a peaceful inheritance.”

Well, that's some sort of hope, as slender as it is.

“I read the records of the ritual to bring Phehan-Durzai back” you say, picking your words carefully “Apparently the gods essence was divided somehow, into two. Perhaps the host died because he received an incomplete gift?”

Unzar-Shekuran shakes his head in disgust “Merchants and wizards” he fumes “of course all they want is a fertile land to exploit, so they try to bring back only one half of an incomplete-” He takes a moment to compose himself “that would explain much” he says “and our religious texts tell us that it has been tried before, but brought only strife and suffering as Durzai ran unchecked, and with a Phehan too peaceful and compassionate to bring him to order.”

“So if there were two hosts” you say “hypothetically, what would they be like?”

“Durzai would be everything you'd expect” says Unzar-Shekuran “destructive, brutal, encouraging conflict. Phehan would be peaceful, kind and generous, too willing to trust and work with others, easily manipulated perhaps. Both would need to pass on their divine essences at the same time, to ensure a complete god.”

And there you have it, the answer to your conundrum, if he wants a complete God, he can't hurt Nataline until her other half is found. But you have one last question.

“So could neither host take the other half?” you say “and complete the ritual that way?”

“Perhaps” concedes Unzar-Shekuran “but you would need to ensure a peaceful passing for Durzai, or a very violent one for Phehan, so yes, I suppose a host of Durzai might perhaps be able to take the essence of Phehan from its host.” The way he doesn't even mention the reverse doesn't leave you very hopeful. Still, its a start.

You could try and find out the magical specifics of the Rite, in case Natalines double comes calling.

You could also tell him about Nataline, since he wants a complete God, maybe telling him about an incomplete one might convince him to back off for now, he seems to bear little love for the merchants. After all, the merchants need him for the Rite, right?

What now?

>I need to know about the Rite
>Ask questions (what?)
>Tell him about Nataline: that she is not yet complete
>Other (?)

only 1-2 updates until thread end

>>42604952
>I need to know about the Rite
>Tell him about Nataline: that she is not yet complete

>>42604952
>I need to know about the Rite
>Ask questions (What his cult would do if the god would be reunited in one host)
>Tell him about Nataline: that she is not yet complete

>>42604952
>Tell him about Nataline: that she is not yet complete

With an addendum:

"Should you try to meddle with her development, hurry along your ritual, or otherwise plan to do anything that would harm a single hair on my student's head, I will not only end you, I will end your faith. I will disintegrate every remaining vestige of your dead god's tenure on this earth, I will purge every practitioner of your religion from the world of the living. No one will ever know that you, your followers, or your Dual-God ever existed. Are we clear?"

>>42604952
>I need to know about the Rite

>>42605059
A threat is never cool if its that long winded, those things need to be poignant.

>>42604952
>>42605045
seconding

Rite, Nataline + question, writing.

“I need to know about the Rite” you say “how to perform it if necessary.”

Unzar-Shekuran gives a dry laugh “No” he says “it is a sacred ritual that only the priests can perform.”

Not good enough, you need this old man to trust you.

“The attempt to bring back Phehan was successful” you say, telling him about Nataline.

Unzar-Shekuran sits through your tale in shocked silence, when you finish he says “It sounds incredible, too good to be true and yet, I find myself wanting to believe...the God back, in mortal form, and a female host...rare, but not unheard of...tell me, what is she like?”

You briefly consider telling him about the time she managed to spill ink all over herself in one of your classes, perhaps that story can wait for another day.

“Kind, compassionate” you say “very popular with the other students, self-sacrificing to a fault, a model student in every way.”

Unzar-Shekuran nods in agreement “Yes, Phehan would be an ideal student, I....” he looks conflicted over something.

You take the chance to ask him another question “what would your church do if Phehan-Durzai was reunited?”

“Serve our god” he says simply “though our world would change. The other gods I mentioned – they swore to serve Phehan-Durzai. Although now a minor god in many pantheons, the return of the Dual God would cause a...realigning of many churches. It might take years, but I believe that the gods would once again be united, rather than the squabbling, fractious mess they have become.”

Or those who might lose power and standing might try to kill Phehan-Durzai you think privately.

“As...important...as that sounds” you say “currently I only know where one half of your god is, and would you truly want to end a young girls life for this?”

“If she did not go willingly” says Unzar-Shekuran “then no, but that doesn't have to be the only option. If she could inherit the essence of Durzai with the Rite being performed, then that would be her rebirth” He becomes more animated as he explains, despite ignoring the option earlier “The essence of Durzai in another host, if that host were to pass away peacefully, and the proper Rite performed, a reunification would also be a rebirth, without innocent blood being shed.”

“Except the host of Durzai” you point out.

He snorts “The host of Durzai may once have been innocent, but they carry a god of war and bloodshed within them. Durzai is in many ways necessary, but he is not a kind or pleasant god. Besides, he would see Phehan as a threat, and would seek to either reunite with it, or destroy it, no, I fear your young charge has little choice in this matter, and if one must die, then all that remains is to choose which one.”

You certainly know which one you would choose.

“Can you ask the merchants guild to back off” you say “I know they would see Nataline as being good enough for their purposes, but not yours, and given time, I might be able to find the other half of your god.”

“Perhaps” says Unzar-Shekuran “They don't know the Rite after all, we could tell them that we cannot perform it without both hosts, and that imprisoning either would be seen as a grave insult, one strong enough to sunder our allegiance. They are too paranoid to let us near any host until it is time for the Rite. Although our church is small, due to Phehan-Durzais position in many other pantheons, priests across the land, members of large and powerful churches could be persuaded to come to our aid if we were attacked. Now that they know where the host of Phehan is, the simplest solution is to leave her where they know they can find her, whilst they look for Durzai.”

“And it becomes a race to find him then” you say grimly “me, against an entire Merchants Guild.”

Unzar-Shekuran gives you crafty look “with an magical link to Durzai” he said “I'm sure any wizard worthy of the name could find him, now, I'm sure its around here somewhere....”

He finds you not just a suitable link, but a sacred text describing the Rite of the Rise and Setting of the Sun as well.

Thank you for playing, I hope you had fun.

For your actions today you have gained 5XP and the club has gained 12XP.

Next thread will be the last thread before the quest gores on hiatus for 6 months and will be sometime next week, exact day to be determined – I will post on Twitter as soon as I know.

>>42606155
Thanks for running.

>>42606155
>Next thread will be the last thread before the quest gores on hiatus for 6 months and will be sometime next week
Every time I start to really get into one of your quests, hiatus comes.

>>42606155
Thanks for the sesion.

I'm looking forward to finally get that bitch Jade.

>>42606155

>Next thread will be the last thread before the quest gores on hiatus for 6 months and will be sometime next week, exact day to be determined – I will post on Twitter as soon as I know.

So sad rite now.
Why Pally? What cruel god forces you to leave us?

>>42606241
Shee

>>42606241
In this case, running Psychic Rebel, in which we play as Calluna's Mom in her younger days.

>>42606223
it might not be as fun as you think anon.

By the time you finally get there you could become hollow and empty as a result.

One might even say you'll become...jaded.

>>42606241
Psychic Rebel will resume early october, after a week or 2 of rest.

Paladin of Joy in January.

>>42606273
>By the time you finally get there you could become hollow and empty as a result.
Don't worry, we got a soul cannibalism power to make us full inside again once we got to her.

>>42606333
I still think she'd make a rather fetching pair of boots.