After securing Bord Village and learning that several of the wolves' and Nomads' targeted towns have successfully been reclaimed, the next few days involve more and more good news about pushing back the Emperor's Flight.

For the moment, the elite wing of Dain's military and its most steadfast of allies in the area are based in the city of Barst, presumably including Prince Lars himself. There are a few holdouts in other neighboring towns and villages, but they can be addressed rather easily.

More concerning, however, is the reported presence of a young necromancer, seemingly acting outside of Lars' chain of command and being flown around Cord, causing trouble for your allies with various undead hordes. Your girlfriend, Zoe, was among the first to find out about this.

In light of this, Yvette has made the pursuit/capture of this young necromancer and her rider a priority, with a smaller party being led by Princess Eva breaking off from the Barstgoers to search as Garrus, Yvette, and most of the cast in general continue.

>A. You're still by your prince's side, naturally. Onwards towards Barst.
>B. Actually, you've been tasked with joining the necromancer hunt.

>>42707411
Also, er. 20-minute decision/vote time, given its nature and earliness in the thread, of course.

>>42707411
>>B. Actually, you've been tasked with joining the necromancer hunt.
Let's bag ourselves a Paula and make things more complicated politically for Dain.

>>42707411
>B. Actually, you've been tasked with joining the necromancer hunt.
Just finished all my shit for the day, just in time too.

>>42707523
>>42707578
You were surprised when you were made part of the group set to find the princess.

Naturally, you took some time to say your hopefully-temporary goodbyes to a few people.

"Though I would be delighted to accompany Eva in a smaller group," Victoria says sarcastically, "the bow Ronan is one of the few items we KNOW can pierce Lars' magical armor. Had we the Staff of Katri, Garrus or Salia could probably weaken it themselves, but as it is... It's simply an exceptional healing staff in Lars' possession." The healing properties of the Katri staff are best compared to Fortify amplified. Otherwise, it's a damn fine debuffer, and no one's entirely certain what else it can do.

"So, er... Looks like you won't be able to show me to Lars with Logan." Katina says, recalling a conversation you'd had earlier about needing her to inform you if she were to try approaching the prince.

>A. Don't even try it
>B. You still have Logan's help
>C. You can still pull it off
>D. Write-in dialogue

>>42707750
>D. Write-in dialogue
"Princess Paula is as much as a political prisoner as her older brother. If we can get her, it may make it easier for him to switch sides."

>>42707814
Sounds fine.

>>42707814
>>42707942
"The fact that Paula is being made to do this sort of thing is probably a huge part of why her brother is. If we can free her from this, then Lars himself might reconsider, but... It's still sort of a crapshoot. Don't assume we're just automatically going to win because we're looking for her."

Katina nods. "I know. At least I still have Logan and Bovis, in the event something goes bad."

Next, imminently being separated from the person your normal position in life is protected, you pay Prince Garrus a visit.

You spot him and Eva talking about something. Natural as the supposed leaders of their respective parties.

>A. Give them a moment before approaching earshot
>B. Speak to someone else instead (specify)
>C. Approach them
>D. Write-in?
>E. Skip to departure

>>42707982
>>A. Give them a moment before approaching earshot

>>42707982
>A. Give them a moment before approaching earshot

>>42708003
>>42708026
You wait a moment, perhaps to see if you'll be noticed? Anyway, after a moment of whatever they're discussing, they embrace. You approach after they part again.

"Er, Ellen! H-hey," Garrus greets you, "so, uh... I'll be keeping you in mind when we're in Barst. It's gonna be weird, traveling without you and Eva..."

>A. You can handle it
>B. Are you sure you'll be alright
>C. Write-in dialogue

>>42708177
>B. Are you sure you'll be alright
>So did you hook up yet?

>>42708177
>>C. Write-in dialogue
"Don't let it diminish your self-confidence now. "

>>42708232
>>42708273
"Well, we have the utmost faith in you still. I'll be cheering you on no matter how far away we are, your highness," you reassure him, appreciating the slight boost in confidence you feel comes whenever you rarely refer to him via honorifics. You know he doesn't expect you to, but he clearly appreciates it when it comes up.

And Eva adds, in a coy tone, "we'll be back before you know it, Garrus~."

Garrus nods. "R-right... And I still have Yvette to fall back on, right?"

"Right!" Eva assures.

The goodbyes drag on for a few more minutes, though you, the pegasus sisters, several nomads you don't know, a few wolves (with Vaga), and a few mages, wind up readying yourselves to leave soon after.

Reese and Misheil (that manakete formerly aligned with Lars) also speak for awhile before the latter, a short spear awkwardly slung behind her back, approaches the Paula-chasing party.

"Until we meet again," Reese calls to the stoneless manakete, waving farewell to the people mentioned.

>A. Okay, she's helping apparently. Cool whatever
>B. Ask what Misheil is doing
>C. Ask where her firestone is
>D. Write-in?

>>42708451
>C. Ask where her firestone is
I don't think we should trust her quite yet, but if shit goes down it should at least be with one person in the group

>>42708595
"Er... Where's your firestone?"

Misheil glances over towards Zoe and her sisters. "The... oldest of those three, with the long hair, what was her name?"

"Monica."

"Monica, yes, her. I'm... Still not to be trusted with it, but it's being kept close by in case something goes horribly enough that we need a dragon. Namely with her. I... take it she's formidable."

You nod. "She's the one who captured Arion." You don't give more details than that. Maybe implying you've one more one-woman army on your side would dissuade Misheil if she's still considering returning to Lars' side.

"I see. She is... Probably the best choice for having it, then."

As you and the rest start off towards where the necromancer's expected to strike next, Vaga ends up opting to match your pace. "Kinda feel like we're slowing these guys down, being stuck on foot and all when they've got either horses or wings. Get me, boss?"

>A. Don't worry about it
>B. You have a point
>C. Say/ask something else (write-in)
>D. Remain silent

>>42708723
>B. You have a point
>But what else can we do?
Who's all in this party?

>>42708873
Some generic wolf, nomad, and mage NPCs, Zoe, Cheryl, Monica, Eva, Vaga, Misheil, and Ellen.

>>42708873
"Well... Yeah, you have a point. Guess we're expected to have really strong legs?"

Vaga chuckles. "Yeah, I guess... Better than being unprepared when our four or five fliers get swarmed by zombies, though."

You nod, and spend much of your time as you travel towards Dice, the suspected location of the necromancer's next strike.

Soon enough, it's the final night of this particular stretch of your travels, and your party is camping in some rather dense woods.

>A. Keep watch around the campsite
>B. Take time to talk to someone (specify)
>C. Wait around without doing anything noteworthy

>>42709053
>Go see what Zoe is up to.

>>42709125
I'm down with this.

>>42709125
>>42709145
Naturally, you seek out Zoe, wondering what she's up to.

You find her and Eva, both recently promoted into sword-using classes, being trained in such by the eldest sister of the bunch.

Monica watches, correcting both of the girls on... Pretty much every action they take. They try to adjust their swordfighting movements in turn, but Monica quickly finds another thing to criticize. She also has things to say about them being distracted by her comments, apparently expecting them to just immediately take to them without breaking their paces.

>A. Quietly observe
>B. Say something (specify)
>C. Leave them to it and find someone else
(guh, my computer is being weird. Sorry if updates take a bit)

>>42709308
>Volunteer as a sparring partner

>>42709334
"Is there any way I could be of assistance?" You ask Monica, noting her... Much more critical yet hands-off approach to training.

She nods. "You should act as the princess' sparring partner. First to disarm is the victor."

Eva looks over to you and smiles. "Pick up a training sword, muscles. I'm ready to start whenever you are."

To your knowledge, Zoe's own personal challenger in this spar is Monica.

Anyway, Eva stares you down, training blade equipped. "Alright, take your best shot. I'll be ready for whatever comes my way."

>A. Go for the first strike
>B. Nope, wait for her to come to you
>C. Write-in?

>>42709563
>A. Go for the first strike
>muscles?

>>42709563
>>A. Go for the first strike
Yeah. She said she likes muscles. So, that's her nickname for us. She said so a while ago.

>>42709685
>>42709600
"Muscles?" You ask, mildly incredulously.

"Yeah, remember when I called you that? Figured I should try to make it a thing again, you know? I mean, you were already pretty huge when we met, we know you're strong as an ox... Dare I say you've gotten bigger, stronger since we-"

You try to cut her off with an unexpected first strike, only to member her Vantage an instant too late.

She preempts your strike and knocks your sword out of your hand.

"Hah," Eva says with a grin, brushing hair out of her eyes, "something slip your mind?"

>A. Admittedly
>B. Alright, you win
>C. One more time!
>D. See how Zoe's doing with Monica
>E. Write-in dialogue

>>42709756
>A. Admittedly
>C. One more time!

>>42709818
"Yeah, yeah..."

"Nice try, though," Eva said, "probably would've gotten the drop on a lesser fighter than myself."

"Right, right... mulligan?" You say, hoping Eva will give you another round.

She chuckles and nods. "Yeah, sure. Looks like Monica didn't see that trainwreck, either, so this is all between us, muscles." She jerks a thumb towards Monica and Zoe, the former continuing to neutrally bark advice at her sister as they spar.

"Alright, again. Gimme your best shot."

>A. Go for the first strike!
>B. Wait for her to come/counterattack!
>C. Try to block whatever may come
>D. Write-in

>>42709955
>C. Try to block whatever may come

>>42710033
Eva comes at you once more, aiming for your sword hand, but on the defensive you manage to hold your ground, parrying her every strike.

Ultimately, her comparative lack of experience with swords and less physical endurance are forced to relent, and you manage to push her back. She stumbles, barely keeping hold of her weapon.

>A. Try to knock the sword out of her hand!
>B. Try something else? (specify)
>C. Look at what Zoe and Monica are doing
>D. Say something (write-in)

>>42710159
Alright, time extension on the voting time and whatnot.

>>42710159
>Sweep the legs

>>42710450
You waste no time going for her legs, and in her current status this results in Eva being knocked to the ground, dropping her weapon.

"Alright, I got lucky," Eva admits as you offer her a hand up, a gesture she readily accepts.

>A. Say something (write-in)
>B. Watch Zoe and Monica
>C. Head back to camp
>D. Write-in?

>>42710450
Backing
Sorry was on phone octo.

>>42710516
>want to go once more?

>>42710566
Second

>>42710566
>>42710609
"Yeah, but still, we're technically one for one so far... Wanna go again?" You and Eva glance towards Monica and Zoe, the latter finally being worn down by their rather drawn-out spar.

Eva nods moments later. "Yeah, I mean it's not like there's much else to do. Might as well keep practicing until we're all sore and stuff, then get all good and rested so we can make it to Dice super early tomorrow!"

By the time you find yourselves in starting positions, Monica has begun to list Zoe's assorted mistakes after besting her, retaining her icy demeanor throughout.

"Alright," Eva says once more, "gimme your best-"

As though spooked by something, she drops her sword and tries to tackle you to the ground, exclaiming "get down!"

>A. Don't let her knock you over
>B. Obligingly fall
>C. Ask what the hell that was for
>D. Get out of her way
>E. Write-in

>>42710723
>B. Obligingly fall

File: bownwalker.gif (8 KB, 132x41)

8 KB GIF

>>42710740
You could probably have stopped her, but your gut reaction to being told to get down is to listen. Trusting in Eva's vantage proves to have been the right choice, as from the ground you can all see an arrow embedded in a tree a slight bit off from where you were standing.

"Get back to camp," Eva says to... You presume everyone, "tell the others we have company."

>A. Right away
>B. And as for you?
>C. Offer to come too
>D. Write-in

>>42710723
>B. Obligingly fall
If she's tricking us it doesn't count as a win

>>42710860
>A. Right away
Don't die while I'm gone

>>42710860
>>A. Right away

File: BonewalkerGBAIcon.gif (1 KB, 76x68)

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>>42710887
>>42710983
You, Zoe, and Monica oblige, helping Eva to her actual weapons before she went and found her wyvern.

A bonewalker with a bow tries to take a shot at Eva as she runs off, only to be soundly cut down by Monica as he leads you two to camp.

There, Vaga, Misheil, and a bunch of people whose names you don't know are already in the middle of fending off more of the things. They seem to literally rise from the ground as they kill them, all heralded by a contained surge of darkness.

You see Cheryl and Misheil taking some spear-wielding ones on from slightly above, only rarely dipping back down with their respective lances to thin the undead herds a bit. Cheryl is making impressive work with that Brave Lance, cheering every once in awhile for herself or congratulating Misheil.

Zoe and Monica are fighting through to where their own pegasi are parked, and Vaga is currently cracking wise to some of his fellow wolves about how it's not worth taking the time to try to chew on the bones that try to assault them.

>A. Help Vaga and co.
>B. Help Cheryl and Misheil
>C. Help Zoe and Monica
>D. Remove your ring and start seeking out the necromancer nearby
>E. Just fight whatever comes by you

>>42711185
>D. Remove your ring and start seeking out the necromancer nearby
>Yell out for Cheryl to watch where you go
Don't yell out the plan in case the necromancer hears it.

>>42711254
Sounds like a plan.

>>42711333
Change of plans, help them out instead.
>C. Help Zoe and Monica

>>42711254
>>42711358
Your first action is to run over to Zoe and Monica, cutting through some of the arrow-wielding skeletons towards the back of their horde and ensuring them a safe takeoff.

After that, you quickly remove your curse ring, putting yourself at considerable risk, and vaguely calling for Cheryl to keep watch over you, nearly choking on the words as you head into the woods in a direction that seems to make you feel worse, barely having confirmed that Cheryl (and Misheil) acknowledged your statement.

You hear the clamoring of walking bones behind you.

>A. Ignore them and press on
>B. Stick around and fight, sickness be damned
>C. Get your ring back on
>D. Write-in?

>>42711358
That's fine too.
Why not help them out then get Zoe to take us to necrogirl?

>>42711398
>A. Ignore them and press on
If we know the direction they're in we can put it back on and run, taking it off occasionally to check our path

We would probably move faster while not sick

>>42711398
>>C. Get your ring back on

>>42711453
>>42711480
After trying to get a general idea of which way you're going, you put the ring back on, clearing out your mind and surging forward again.

You remove it after you think they're far enough behind, finding yourself feeling... Exceptionally ill again.

Like, "prolonged exposure to Bolse when you were much weaker and he was literally right there" weaker.

Figuring that this necromancer is close enough that there's little more benefit in your unconventional tracking style, you fumble to put your ring back on, down a vulnerary you were issued at some point offscreen for good measure, and get to a more conventional search.

>A. Look up
>B. Check up ahead
>C. Look behind you
>D. Throw your hand axe in a direction
>E. Shout "hey, are there any necromancers around here?" in a silly voice
>F. Write-in

>>42711610
Now the paranoia sets in
>E. Shout "hey, are there any necromancers around here?" in a silly voice

>>42711610
>A. Look up
>E. Shout "hey, are there any necromancers around here?" in a silly voice

>>42711666
>>42711696
Even if she's a creepy necromancer here, you are dealing with a literal necromancer here.

Mustering up your silliest "spooky," raspy voice, you shout, "hey, are there any necromancers around here?" You even turn around in time to separate a skull from a brave bonewalker, continuing as you clack its jaws together in tune with what you're saying, "because that sure would be convenient!"

You look up at this point, hearing the sound of unnerving yet childlike giggling, and a harshly-whispered "pipe down, princess!"

>A. Say something more (specify)
>B. Throw the hand axe up into the trees
>C. ...you have no idea what to do now
>D. Write-in action

>>42711797
Is that you Paula? You little rascal.

I'm not good with kids.

>>42711797
*literal eight year old, not repeating the necromancer point.
Took me that long to notice I fucked up.

>>42711918
Is this a suggestion/input? Sorry, it's not all that clear.

>>42711797
>>D. Write-in action
"So, what's your story on doing this? I know you're out there, and I'd rather talk than to play war or play hide-n-seek."

>>42711952
Oh yeah. Forgot the >
It's a write in

>>42711973
Second

>>42711973
>>42712006
>>42712047
"Princess Paula? What're you doing up there? And... In general, really?"

In lieu of a response, you hear the sound of wyvern wings flapping, only to stop as the sound of a Flame Lance rings from above the trees as well.

"Grr," the man's voice says, "look what you almost did."

"Hey," Eva's voice explains, "I deliberately overshot things. Like I'd want Paula here getting hurt so close to where her brother is!"

"Lars..?"

"Don't listen to her, princess. Remember why we were sent out all this way!"

You don't hear much more response from there, only wyvern noises and frustrated Eva sounds from above the treetops.

Moments later, three Wights emerge from belowground from all sides of you, closing in with various weapons drawn.

>A. Break through them!
>B. Say something (specify)
>C. Try to hold your ground
>D. Write-in

>>42712132
>A. Break through them!
>Come on, can't we talk? I know you're not terrible people so why are you doing this?

>>42712132
>>A. Break through them!
>B. Say something (specify)
"A Princess shouldn't be toyed like this from her own grandfather. Sending her to do his vile work, rising the dead, and commanding them to kill others. What would your mother think now that you have blood on your hands?"

>>42712193
Second

File: WightGBAIcon.gif (1 KB, 76x68)

1 KB GIF

>>42712154
>>42712193
>>42712215
You focus on the particular trio of them in front of you, slashing them to bits easily (undead are kind of weak, you've noticed) and getting out of the attempting swarming.

"Seriously, can we just... Talk about this? You're eight, Paula, you shouldn't have to do Emperor Elias' dirty work!" You beat away another Wight. "Your mother, your brother... What would they think about the fact that your creations have taken lives?"

You hear more disgruntled wyvern sounds and battle noises from above, and continue, "your cousin, Princess Kia... She's even younger than you, and needed to be saved! That's why Eva can even be here, and... I know she doesn't want to be fighting you right now!"

The man with her shouts, "Princess, we don't need any of this. C'mon, give 'em something big to worry about and then get the we can get the hell outta here!"

You hear what sounds like basic Flux dark magic being thrown in the direction of Eva's voice, followed by a pained sound from the older princess and the flapping of wyverns' wings.

Eva falls through the trees, clutching her head in pain and hitting the forest floor. "Gh... So dark... Ellen, what's the situation? This should wear off in a second, but..." She winces loudly, fumbling for her flame lance for support, "dark magic to the face sucks."

>A. Simply tell her how many wights are left
>B. Discourage her from trying to fight just yet
>C. Try to get through to Paula, if she and her rider are even still there (say something)
>D. Write-in
>E. Call for help

>>42712372
>>E. Call for help
>D. Write-in
Get to Eva, and protect her.

>>42712372
>B. Discourage her from trying to fight just yet
>C. Try to get through to Paula, if she and her rider are even still there (say something)
At least tell me why you're doing this, I really want to believe there's a good reason you're trying to kill us.

>>42712507
Second deleted old second

>>42712460
>>42712507
>>42712551
"Eva, don't. Like you said, you just need a few minutes to recuperate." After that, the next sentence out your mouth is a call of, "is anyone there?!" You get between Eva and the Wights without answering her question on their number. "Someone, please! Princess Eva's hurt!"

She aims her flame lance in the general direction of the Wights, getting in a blind shot at them. "Basic shapes... starting to return," she brags about her bringing one down.

Somewhere behind you (whereabouts you assume Paula flew off), you hear more draconic roaring.

In its direction, you shout, "Paula, please... Tell me why you're doing this! There has to... I want to believe you have a good reason for doing this!"

You hear no response.

>A. Keep fighting them off
>B. Try to carry Eva out of here
>C. Call for Eva's wyvern (only likely to succeed if you recall his name)
>D. Investigate the roaring
>E. Write-in?

>>42712624
>A. Keep fighting them off

File: hqdefault.jpg (14 KB, 480x360)

14 KB JPG

>>42712624
>C. Call for Eva's wyvern (only likely to succeed if you recall his name)
Has Ellen heard of his name before?

I recall only Eva calling out for him when we became her in that thread.

>>42712688
I'll say yes. If not onscreen (I deadass can't remember), then I feel like it reasonably could've been discovered offscreen, and it isn't game-changing knowledge or anything.

>>42712738
I kind of feel like you didn't. We didn't hang around with her for that long. I guess we might had heard it while traveling right now?

>>42712738
Can't we just ask Eva?

>>42712667
>>42712688
You still don't feel all that reassured. However, while she doesn't seem to be thinking straight enough to do it herself, you feel like you offhandedly overheard her wyvern's name sometime while you were traveling together. "Hey, Medeus!" You call up from the sky, causing a familiar wyvern to fly around until he finds a way to get to you through the very thick treetops. As you fight the Wights, you help Eva onto her ride of choice.

"Urgh... Shoulda thought of that myself. Thanks, though." She fumbles around and produces a vulnerary from a bag on the wyvern's side, drinking it down and blinking a bunch, rubbing her forehead... Before abruptly indicating to Medeus that they ought to, in short, go apeshit, replacing her Flame Lance with a Silver one and helping you make VERY short work of the rest of the Wights.

One remains, and as you're about to strike it, Cheryl and Misheil appear from the bushes, and it's hard to tell which delivered the killing blow.

"Sorry we took so long," Cheryl says somewhat awkwardly, "things were a bit... Hectic back at camp."

That draconian roar sounds out again from somewhere.

>A. No problem
>B. We could have been killed!
>C. Write-in dialogue

And...

>D. Return to camp
>E. Investigate the sound (specify if bringing anyone)
>F. Write-in action

>>42712872
>A. No problem
>E. Investigate the sound:Eva Ellen Cheryl and Misheil

>>42712872
>>C. Write-in dialogue
"Shit happens. They got away, but they sound awfully close. Could be an ambush since they know we're after them."

>F. Write-in action
"What do you guys think we should do?"

>>42712872
>>A. No problem
>E. Investigate the sound (erry one)

File: DracozombieGBAIcon.gif (2 KB, 78x68)

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>>42712903
>>42712936
"It's no problem, really. We're all alright."

"Good to hear!" Cheryl exclaims.

Misheil flies up through the trees, her frame being much smaller than that of a wyvern, before returning below the treetops. "They're just waiting around there. I... I think the little girl was mumbling about something, but I couldn't hear what, and-"

The third time that roar breaks out, you recognize it for what particular dragon-like creature they came from: Dracozombies. You make a point to remind the group as much.

"Then that's what she's doing?" Misheil says, balling her fists, "those... decaying mockeries of dragons?"

"Well, then," Eva says, "who here feels like playing hero?"

No one has any objections, which is how you and your flying friends all ended up Staring down a trio of Dracozombies, a fourth one half-formed and stuck in the ground.

"This is just below where I saw the wyvern rider and blue-haired girl," Misheil says, looking up and back down.

"Shit," Eva says, "alright, my head's still ringing a bit and it's hard to strategize, so could someone improvise a strategy?"

>A. Take them all yourself while the fliers try for Paula again
>B. Two of them go after Paula (specify who helps you)
>C. One should be enough to chase the necromancer (specify which one)
>D. All of you vs all of the dracozombies
>E. Write-in?

>>42713069
I really wish we had our wyrmslayer right about now.

>D. All of you vs all of the dracozombies

>>42713069
>>D. All of you vs all of the dracozombies
No splitting the party.

Should we try to get the stone for Mishiel?

>>42713185
I dunno... I really don't want to fight a dragon right about now.

>>42713069
>D. All of you vs all of the dracozombies
Misheil should also get her dragonstone back. If everyone fights, hopefully we can beat them quickly enough to still find Paula?

>>42713191
I don't think she'd turn on us just like that

>>42713136
>>42713185
>>42713216
"Alright, just... Everyone stick together and we can beat these things!"

Eva nods, and the first thing you all do is swarm one of the fully-formed ones.

Between your hand axe, Misheil's short spear, and Eva's flame lance, Cheryl is able to deliver the kill with her Brave Lance pretty easily, only for the fourth one, now fully-formed (absolutely NOTHING is distracting Paula from her work), to bat her into a tree.

You see another Dracozombie starting to form, and the sound of horse hooves off in the near-distance.

>A. Help Cheryl!
>B. Kill the newly-forming Dracozombie!
>C. Attack the remaining complete Dracozombies!
>D. Retreat!
>E. Tell someone to do something
>F. Write-in

>>42713255
B. Kill the newly-forming Dracozombie!

>>42713255
>Get Eva to go distract Paula
>Convince Cheryl to give Misheil her stone since it's now 4 v 3 with one fully formed dragon.
>B. Kill the newly-forming Dracozombie!

>>42713255
>A. Help Cheryl!

>>42713279
Monica has it, anon.

>>42713296
Oh.
Damn.

>Get eva to distract Paula
>Get Misheil to kill any newly formed dracozombies
>take on the full dragon yourself while Cheryl drops the incomplete draco zombies with her flame lance.
We don't have to win, just distract it. Once Misheil kills hers she can help Cheryl. When it's down to just the fully formed we can gang up on it

>>42713341
Cheryl doesn't have a flame lance. Eva does. Cheryl's thing is the brave lance.

Also, unless I've done my math wrong, there's three fully-formed ones. You killed one, Paula had time to complete another.

>>42713368
ok, apparently I lack reading comprehension today so I'll just let the other anons strategize.

I need sleep

>>42713275
>>42713279
>>42713294
You quickly rush over and cut the dracozombie into pieces. "Shit, shit, shit... Eva, feel like going another round with Paula?"

Eva sighs. "No, not really." Without actually objecting, however, she rides up and engages her again anyway. Here's hoping she doesn't die.

Anyway, incomplete one taken care of and Paula hopefully too distracted to create more, you rush over and pick up the incapacitated Cheryl, pegasus somehow not heavily injured at all, and load her onto it, trying to ask the winged beast to retreat.

It does so, so hopefully the others at camp can take care of Cheryl.

In the meantime, it's you, a fire dragon you barely know, and three Dracozombies.

The hooves draw closer.

>A. Stay in one place
>B. Move around a lot
>C. Retreat to camp!
>D. Approach the nearing horse-rider
>E. Write-in?
>F. Try to kill one as soon as possible

>>42713444
>>F. Try to kill one as soon as possible
>Any ideas Misheil?

>>42713444
>D. Approach the nearing horse-rider
Try to dodge incoming attacks too.

>>42713444
>D. Approach the nearing horse-rider

>>42713444
>F. Try to kill one as soon as possible

>>42713507
>F. Try to kill one as soon as possible

Is it too late to change my mind?

>>42713458
>>42713523
>>42713491
>>42713507
First, you and Misheil decide to act as quickly as possible, and with some hasty whispers, you and her are able to bumrush one of them, swiftly evading its claws and breath as you separate its head from its body with some quick timing with your sword and her spear.

After that, you lead the dracozombies away from the path Cheryl took, getting their attention and seeking out whoever is riding nearer. Misheil... Doesn't. "I'll get help" is the last thing you hear out of her mouth before you part ways, occasionally tossing your hand axe towards the chasing dracozombies to choke up their attempts at deadly breath.

You're absolutely pleased at first when you find the rider and her horse, initially not seeing her face, only that she's wearing the getup of the Tarvosian Nomads, and that she looks sort of dinged up. She raises her bow, and aims it directly at you without a word.

While you're able to dodge this shot from this close, you can't help but notice the sickly aura and glowing reddish eyes of your non-savior.

Shit, it's another Deadlord.

From Eva's direction, you hear a grown man cry out in pain, the sound of, "now, Paula, just... Sorry you had to see that, but please come with me, and-"

The sound of leaves rustling as though someone's falling through them (did Paula jump off of her ride?), and the Deadlord just rides right past you towards the sound.

>A. After her!
>B. You can't risk it with the two Dracozombies between you
>C. Write-in

>>42713620
>>A. After her!
Oh come on, is there no winning option here?
It feels like everything that could go wrong is.
Did they just kill Eva?
Is that Eva or Paula? Either way we can't abandon them

>>42713620
>A. After her!
That's Quidel's sister isn't it. Any way of warning Eva who's coming?

>>42713620
>A. After her!
Gonna be so pissed at you if you justk illed of Eva for no reason.

>>42713635
The guy who's been riding Paula around got killed and she doesn't know how to fly a wyvern. Coupled with actually seeing someone die in front of her instead of just being disconnected from it all, she sort of freaked out and jumped down into the forest.

>>42713652
You have a mouth.

>>42713665
No, Eva won the fight.

>>42713678
Ah
Alright, then this situation isn't nearly as bad as I thought.
also, adding on >Yell a warning to Eva.

>>42713635
>>42713652
>>42713665
Ignoring the Dracozombies, you bolt between them and try to chase after the Nomadic Trooper.

In the meantime, you call out, "there's this woman dressed like a Tarvosian officer, but she's a Deadlord! Don't let your guard down!"

The Deadlord of unknown identity (judging by her bow usage, trying to recall Quidel's many historical lectures... Draco?) is currently stopped by the girl, presumably Paula, currently covered in blood (of that fellow who was riding with her, no doubt), who, having recently taken quite the fall, limps over to the Deadlord. The whole time, probably-Draco has her bow fixed on you, as though daring you to try anything.

You don't hear the Dracozombies following you anymore, so you're hoping they lost interest.

>A. Say something (specify)
>B. Stay perfectly still
>C. Back away
>D. Attack Draco
>E. Attack Paula
>F. Write-in action

>>42713745
>Are you okay Paula?
>B. Stay perfectly still and get ready to dodge if she tries anything

>>42713776
Second

>>42713776
>>42713803
"Er... Paula, are... Are you alright..?"

She doesn't answer you, instead struggling to climb onto Draco's horse and clutching her. "G-get me out of here..."

"Aylen," a familiarly authoritative voice says from the direction of the campsite. Its owner is soon revealed to be Monica. Zoe runs up behind her on foot a moment later, having dismounted after hearing you yell about a strong archer nearby. A few moments later, Eva runs up from another angle, presumably having been doing the same. "Put the princess down," the Falcoknight continues.

Draco doesn't say anything, instead re-aiming her bow at Monica (who is still mounted on her winged beast) as she and Paula start off in an unaccounted-for direction. Coincidentally, you and Eva are the closest.

>A. Try to attack Draco! (specify which weapon)
>B. Physically stop Monica from following! (if you had any means in mind, say so)
>C. Try telling Monica to stop!
>D. Write-in

>>42713910
>A. Try to attack Draco!
Axe meet horse

>>42713910
>Throw your ax at the horse.

>>42713910
>B. Physically stop Monica from following!
pretty big red flag going up here

>>42713954
Securing the necromancer was the sole reason we were dispatched here, we can't just let them go.
Although lars is here, and might be able to kick our shit in.

>>42713927
>>42713929
You throw your Hand Axe at the horse, hoping to take it down, and you seem to kill it instantly, throwing the undead rider off-balance and causing her arrow to only brush along the side of Monica's head hard enough to leave a nasty cut. She clutches her cheek in pain, but Draco is quick to recover from her fall, jerking her bow between everyone who tries to approach her, the princess, and the dead horse she's currently hunched over. Your hand axe is stuck in it, but dark magic surges through her hands and into the horse.

>A. Attack anyway!
>B. Stand and watch!
>C. Call for someone else to take action! (specify a name)
>D. Write-in
>E. Keep trying to talk

>>42714062
>break away and go for Paula

>>42714086
>>A. Attack anyway!
I like the idea.

>>42714093
>>>A. Attack anyway!
Not this one.

This one.
>break away and go for Paula

>>42714062
>C. Call for someone else to take action! (specify a name)
Tell Eva to attack Draco. She has Vantage so she'll probably get an attack in and distract her before she can fire her bow. And then we go for Paula.

>>42714062
Wait
How is she using magic if she's aiming a bow at us?
Does she have three hands?

>>42714111
I've totally forgotten about her. Change this >>42714093
to this one intead.

>>42714117
Paula's necromancying the horse.

>>42714117
Paula is using her necro magic on the horse.

>>42714122
>>42714129
okay, makes sense.
I trust you Eva.

Also, don't forget about the draco zombies we left. I don't want them to come out of nowhere all of the sudden

>>42714086
>>42714099
>>42714111
>>42714119
You call out "Eva!" after a single glance to confirm she still has her usual weapon.

Immediately afterwards, you break off from the main group, hoping to get out of Draco's line of sight and push towards Paula.

Naturally, Draco focuses on the person who actually seems to be acting violently, and also-naturally, Eva's innate abilities allow her to get the drop on even the quick-drawing undead horse-archer.

Deadlords not seeming to feel pain (and even seeming to wholly lack the personality that Bolse's creations had), Draco seems to shrug it off and fire an arrow of her own at Eva, though being on fire obstructs her vision more than a little, and you manage to quite literally kick her down, picking up Paula and safely ignoring her newly-made undead familiar. In short... Draco misses due to several extenuating circumstances.

"Draco..!" The bloody princess cries out and squirms, "come on, get up and keep fighting!"

Draco obliges despite her highly injured state, only to abruptly be run through alongside the zombie horse by none other than Monica, still wounded and looking much more resolute than before.

"I apologize for my earlier mistake, deadlord," Monica says as she wipes her sword off and sheathes it once more, "you simply... Resembled someone I know."

Misheil arrived with Vaga and several wolves a few moments later, who led a reluctant Monica off along with the princess, who unfortunately needed to be restrained in order to prevent further attempts to flee.

From there, it was just a matter of two dracozombies.

>To be continued next thread
I deadass didn't expect this one to have a "Paula gets caught without anybody dying" ending without being a complete copout, guys. That's the power of audience participation, though.

Sorry if it ended abruptly, but it's getting kinda late. I'll still stick around in-thread as usual for a bit, though, and the update Twitter and ask.fm are still qmgrandflocto.

>>42714245
Thanks for running. And to the quick thinking anons as well.

>>42714245
>I deadass didn't expect this one to have a "Paula gets caught without anybody dying" ending without being a complete copout, guys. That's the power of audience participation, though.
I'm surprised we did that well.
Once Cheryl got knocked out I thought we were doomed to lose at least one person.

Thanks for running Octo, I really enjoyed this run.

>>42714245
Well Ellen is very hard to kill, And she's usually the one to go headfirst into the problems so yeah, Also asked yo ua question on ask.fm.

Would it have even been possible to get Paula through talking only or was this the only way to do it?

>>42714277
>>42714273
Yeah, it was a great time.

Next chapter might do something unexpected I've been toying with trying for the Barst segment of the Cord Campaign, if I can work out how it'll be done.

It'd probably involve another infodump with exposition I haven't been able to justify putting in yet, so the biggest thing is not making that drag on/be hard to follow.

>>42714290
Glad that thing's seeing some use.

>>42714317
I didn't plan on it being doable, but there might have been something that could've been said that even I didn't think of. Even I learn new things about the characters a lot of the time.

I also just straight-up would have let Katina kill Paula if Ellen didn't stop her all the way back during the Aum escape arc, and let whatever ramifications came from that play out as they did, as a semi-related aside. She was right in assuming her Arcthunder could blast them out of the sky.

>>42714347
Octo, out of all the quests I've followed this one is one of my favorites.
I like the writing, you're a receptive qm, Ellen is really likable, and it's small enough to feel like my votes actually matter, as opposed to other quests with 20+ players where votes just get drowned out

>>42714410
It really is nice to hear that. Since I forgot to outright say it this time, thanks for playing.

I really like to write things and build worlds and that sort of thing, and I'm really glad Grandflaw started this up.

>>42714494
How's Grandflaw doing?

>use legacy captcha
>get unreadable bullshit that fails fifteen times
>use other captcha
>have to select street signs nine times in a row
So that's Hiroshima Nagasakis plan to get people to buy the pass huh?

>>42714567
Captchas are always a wild time. I remember sometime back in the gap when I kept getting nothing besides "paste this massive block of text to get a password and then maybe SOMETIMES that'll work" or something.

Grandflaw's alright, though. Been less and less involved in the creative process, but we still talk about other shit a lot, friends and whatnot.

He talks about JJBA a lot, mostly parts 4, 7, and Foo Fighters and that completely ordinary businessman who wants a quiet life in particular.

Don't read it myself, bit intimidated by the 30+ years of catching up to do. Watched the part 1 part of the anime.

>>42714636
I've never seen JJBA.
Although with my job (which is sitting in a building for either 4 or 12 hours) it might be a good thing to marathon.

>had to enter captcha eleven fucking times to post

>>42714655
Isn't recaptcha just the best?

>>42714691
as soon as I find a new place to go I'm out of here.
I mean I'll stick around for specific things (like quests) but other than that I'm done.