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This idiot has wasted enough of your time, caused enough grief.

Charging into the Ice Authority's capital building, you don't expect to leave without Lupus defeated, however that might need to be.

Leigh is equally pumped and prepared for this to end. Ideally, you'll make Ymira answer to some things as well by the end of this.

In order to prevent Lupus' escape, you're splitting into a few groups, at princess Shea's behest: Shea, Yvette, and Jolie is one. Then there's Une, Ansi, and that Kay girl Une's roped into helping out, and finally, yourself, Asra, and Leigh.

Ansi also summons up some additional help for the various groups. Naturally, Shea's group gets the most monsters, but you manage to get a powerful-looking cyclops out of the ordeal.

Tackling the basement level of the capital building, you, Leigh, Asra, and the lumbering summoned creature travel with the grace and subtlety of a bag of rocks.

"This is... Inhibiting my style," Asra says after you've cleared out a roomful of bonewalkers, "perhaps I should head further in on my own, provide eyes and aid in my... Stealthier fashion."

>A. Stealth's out the window already
>B. Too dangerous
>C. Let her try anyway
>D. Encourage her
>E. Write-in
>F. No input

>>44116127
>C. Let her try anyway

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>>44116169
"Go for it," you say, "we'll be sure to keep lumbering like idiots."

Asra nods. "We will. Not be far."

After that, she shows herself away. You give Leigh a look, noticing her trying to one-up the Cyclops. "Yeah, I could take you, buddy."

The cyclops, being a construct of Ansi's summoning, says nothing, instead opting to saunter into a hallway (Asra headed down a different, less crowded-looking hall that connects about midway through with that one), axe gripped tightly.

"Oh, just ignore me." Noticing your look, Leigh simply and defensively asks, "what?"

"Nothing, nothing. Come on, let's follow him."

The hall is swarmed with skeletal warriors, at least a dozen, maybe more, and more are DEFINITELY pouring in through a single room a bit down the hall. You're certain that's where the Necromancer creating these things is.

There are other doorways along the hall ominously ajar, but you cannot see inside their rooms from here.

Unless you ask it to do otherwise, the cyclops will probably just continue its advance.

>A. Stay behind it and watch for potential flanking.
>B. All three of you charge!
>C. All three of you stay, let them come to you
>D. Write-in response
>E. Try to follow the other hallway, leaving Leigh and the cyclops to handle this one.

>>44116429
>A. Stay behind it and watch for potential flanking.

>>44116429
>A. Stay behind it and watch for potential flanking.

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>>44116605
>>44116646
You and Leigh stay behind this massive thing as it brings down its axe swing and swing again, eating up the weak strikes of the bonewalkers with a serious look on its face.

The two of you also pay close attention to the open doors as you all advance forward, you and Leigh ripping through your share of bonewalkers, revenants, wights, entombed... Basic stuff, but it would've been nasty if you hadn't paid attention.

Things are looking pretty alright, you must say, and you even pass by the area of the hall where Asra's path would connect with your own, noticing her in the slight distance killing an entombed.

Things are slightly complicated when a pair of locked doors are slammed open, each revealing a winged, spear-wielding creature. Deathgoyles, you believe they're called.

Both of them immediately rush towards your Cyclops. The bonewalkers are still coming.

>A. Let him take care of them while you switch to skeletons
>B. Have the cyclops focus on the bonewalkers. Defend him from the Deathgoyles.
>C. Stay back and keep letting him handle everything
>D. Try to rejoin Asra
>E. Write-in

>>44116879
>B. Have the cyclops focus on the bonewalkers. Defend him from the Deathgoyles.

>>44116879
>B. Have the cyclops focus on the bonewalkers. Defend him from the Deathgoyles.

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>>44116962
>>44116971
"Just ignore them, big guy," you say, "keep up against the small guys."

Cyclopes definitely work better as meatshields, wiping out weak enemies as a single unit. More powerful creations like these Deathgoyles are better left to more skilled hands.

Leigh narrowly avoids a Killer Lance to the face before cutting the undead Gargoyle's hands off with her Miracle Sword, a gesture you match with a bit of Nosferatu.

The second Deathgoyle, having been ineffectually attempting to hit you while its partner did the heavy lifting, finally attempts to straight plunge the Silver Lance through your neck, but by now Asra has hurried close enough to distract it with her knives, allowing Leigh the kill.

The cyclops now stands in front of the barricaded door that Bonewalkers would spawn from. With its very heavy-looking axe, it cuts through, every swing showing rapid progress, though it is occasionally distracted by another quickly-dispatched bonewalker.

Looks like the door that you presume Lupus is behind is right about to give way.

>A. Keep some distance behind the cyclops
>B. Be ready to rush in
>C. Say something (specify)
>D. Write-in strategy

>>44117116
>A. Keep some distance behind the cyclops

>>44117297
"Don't get too close right away," you warn your allies, "Lupus still has that spell of his."

At the very least, you're the closest thing TO close, and even then you're a reasonable distance away from the cyclops as the door goes down. It cries out, a giant hole literally ripping through it the moment the dust clears, and storms in anyway, swinging madly and taking a few Wights down with it.

The cyclops dissolves into essence. You can see a robed, blond-haired figure grinning, holding up a tome.

>A. Attack now!
>B. Fall back!
>C. Stay where you are!
>D. Say something (specify)
>E. Write-in action/response

>>44117390
>A. Attack now!
Attempt to take cover as you do so

>>44117390
>A. Attack now!

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>>44117480
>>44117500
Now's your chance! Leading by example, you rush forward and toss a blast of Nosferatu at Lupus... Which he handily dodges.

"Trying to beat me at my own game, dark mage? Pft, like I'll just let myself get hit."

You're prepared for his Managarm's Fist attack or whatever the spellbook was called, and acting quickly, you're able to dodge it, though you're a bit preoccupied stepping on and preemptively crushing a forming Bonewalker to attempt to retaliate.

Now in a corner of the room, you lock eyes with Lupus, wondering which spell is better to use for this occasion...

The answer, apparently, being "swords!" judging by Leigh rushing in and swinging her Miracle Sword at Lupus.

"Agh..." Looking shocked, he clutches his wound.

Leigh points her sword at Lupus, a serious scowl on her face. "This is what you deserve for killing Marrius."

"Ah, right, you are Marrius' group..." Lupus says. "You know, if you really hate what I'm doing this much, you should probably THANK me for all I've been doing!" He grins. "Only reason Irene isn't making you all help me out..."

"Wait, what're you talking-"

"Gotcha." Before Leigh can finish her sentence, the same fate that befalls most struck with the Fist of the Managarm befalls her. Hole through her armor and flesh, you're... Freaked the fuck out, to say the least, until you notice the sword glowing green, her wound immediately looking... Well, less fatal anyway.

"Miracle sword, huh?" Lupus scoffs. "You got lucky. Won't let it happen twice."

Asra draws her daggers and speeds towards Lupus, expression neutral. He looks up.

>A. Give him an all-out assault!
>B. Distract Asra and nonfatally strike him!
>C. Let Asra handle this
>D. Write-in action
>E. Say something (specify)

>>44117799
>A. Give him an all-out assault!

>>44117799
>A. Give him an all-out assault!
Fuck him over for almost killing our girlfriend

>>44118123
>>44118194
You waste no time in joining Asra in the act of striking Lupus down. This time, your attacks certainly seem to do the trick.

"You... You... N-no, this isn't how it's supposed to-"

Asra stabs him again, causing him to agonizingly drop his time. "This is for your mind-control, your theft of ancient artifacts, your wanton destruction."

"Gh... N-no... I'll, uh... I'll cooperate with whatever you want me to do! J-just... Just don't kill me..."

"It is... Too late for that," Asra says, stabbing him again. She's GOOD at killing people, you've established as much, so she has to be deliberately taking her sweet time not killing him instantly.

"Th-then stop drawin' it out!" Lupus exclaims. "I don't... I can't..."

You look at Leigh, lying there clutching the sword that saved her life yet again.

You look at Asra, still drawing this out, her hatred of mind control and those who would practice it... Pretty damn clear.

You look at Lupus, wondering if you should just tell Asra to finish him already, stop her, get a piece of this yourself, or just let her carry on.

>A. Attack him yourself
>B. Finish this, Asra
>C. Say something (specify)
>D. Stop this, Asra
>E. Let her carry on
>F. Write-in action

>>44118299
>D. Stop this, Asra
He might be useful to us alive. Just make sure he's unarmed and such.

>>44118299
>B. Finish this, Asra

>>44118299
>A. Attack him yourself

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>44118453
>>44118449
>>44118415

>>44118481
Hey, I was >>44118449 and I was about to change to attacking him ourself specifically to avoid D winning. Don't jump the gun.

>>44118481
God dammit I just got here fuuuuuuuuck not that option.

>>44118504
Unless we're killing him ourself and not joining her in torturing him like >get a piece of this yourself

Implies

>>44118415
>>44118481
"...wait," you insist. "Just... Take all his shit, make sure he won't get away... But don't kill him. Someone this stupid can't be the source of everything that's gone wrong, but he can certainly answer questions."

Asra nods. "Right... Sorry for going overboard. I just-"

"It's fine, just... Make sure Leigh's alright." After that, you get close to Lupus, swiping up his favorite tome and giving him a serious look. "Listen, unless you wanna die, you're going to cooperate. I consider myself a pretty rational guy, and I'm... Seething. I want to tear you limb from limb. But this is more important than revenge."

Heading up with Lupus restrained, first thing you tell him is, "call off all of your little zombies. Asra's prepared to kill you in an instant if we see ANY of them around."

Lupus nods, fearfully. Like that, the battle in the capital building is won. You in the entry lobby area for whoever might show up first.

>A. Interrogate him yourselves a bit (specify opening question)
>B. Immediately turn him over to Princess Shea
>C. Immediately turn him over to the Ice Authority
>D. Changed your mind. He needs to die now
>E. Write-in response

>>44118502
>>44118504
If it's any consolation, even sparing him for someone else to take care of might not mean he lasts much longer...

>>44118661
>A. Interrogate him yourselves a bit (specify opening question)
What did he do with the nobles he took?

(Also was hoping to kill him after we squeeze some answers out of him when I chose that option.)

>>44118661
>A. Interrogate him yourselves a bit (Taken nobles)
>E. Scan for mind control
Just in case.

>>44118661
>A. Interrogate him yourselves a bit (specify opening question)

Ask him what he meant about Irene and where the nobles are being held.

>>44118777
>>44118849
>>44118931
"The nobles, Lord Phineas and Lady Demeter. Where are they?"

"They're, uh... Gods, I don't even know anymore, promise. I turned them over to Esmer, and..."

"'Esmer?' The Wulf Company Witch?" You ask.

Lupus nods. "So, uh... That cuts out that bit of explaining, then..."

"So wait, is... Esmer your boss?" Asra asks.

"Well, she outranks me, but... Ahah, she's gonna be here in no time flat, I'm sure! No way me and Ymira are about to just die here! We're way too important!"

"...hold still a second?" You ask. "I just... Wanna test a hunch out."

"This about my mind control again?" Lupus asks. "Hah, I'm way too determined to let something like that control me, even if anyone wanted to!"

"We... Know of what you've done to the New Flight, but who else have you affected?" Asra asks. "Who else has been... Forcibly drawn into your charade?"

"Think I keep a list? No, no, I just do who they tell me to, 'side from keeping the New Flight in mind."

"'They.' There are more people above you, then."

"One more thing," you say, "earlier, why were you talking about Irene?"

The rest of your companions arrive before he can answer, Ymira being restrained and kept in place by Kay and Une.

"See there, Kay?" Une says to the New Flight member. "Good and living so you can say your piece."

Shea and Yvette also approach you and Asra, Ansi hurrying up and restoring health to Leigh with a Mend staff.

Kay has some... rather harsh words for Lupus, which you don't particularly pay attention to. You're sure you got the gist from before she even started speaking anyway.

Regardless, Shea says to you, "so you've captured Lupus. We... Honestly weren't expecting anyone from Marrius' Group to actually follow through with keeping him alive, so... We appreciate your rising above expectations."

>A. He REALLY didn't make it easy
>B. This is bigger than revenge
>C. "Appreciate" as in "rewards?"
>D. Write-in response
>E. Be silent

>>44119055
>A. He REALLY didn't make it easy
>C. "Appreciate" as in "rewards?"

>>44119055
>B. This is bigger than revenge

Welp that's not ominous. I swear my heart can't handle my waifu going turncoat.

>>44119055
>A. He REALLY didn't make it easy
>C. "Appreciate" as in "rewards?"

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>>44119104
>>44119106
>>44119173
"This is bigger than our revenge, even if it felt good to take him down. Asra and I could hardly stop ourselves from doing him in, though..."

Shea nods. "I still appreciate you not doing so."

You respond hopefully, "would 'appreciate' mean giving us something extra for helping out?"

Shea rolls her eyes. "Talk it over with Yvette."

Your conversations are all interrupted by the abrupt appearance of a green-haired, middle-aged, somewhat thickset woman. By her side, a tall, darker-skinned, short-haired girl in a suit of armor and an indifferent look on her face, sword at her side.

>A. Say something (specify)
>B. See how this plays out
>C. Write-in action

>>44119249
>C. Write-in action
Prepare to defend/attack.

>>44119249
>B. See how this plays out
Be ready for anything.

>>44119415
>>44119477
You're not sure what's going on, but you raise your tome, fully expecting the worst.

Ymira transforms into a very small child, simply escaping her bindings and rushing over to grab ahold of this green-haired woman.

Bonewalkers begin to rise again and cause general disarray among those of you still conscious, Lupus excitedly exclaiming, "h-hey! Esmer, I knew you'd be here on time! Man, here I was worrying I'd never see dad again, and..."

While everyone else is shocked by the sudden influx of necromancy, the armored woman unidentified draws her sword. Esmer (you assume that's the green-haired one) says, "yes, that's the one who killed Marrius."

"Sh-shit, what? No, no, you can't be double-crossing ME like this!" Lupus exclaims with shock, trying to call up even more bonewalkers.

Kay stands steadfastly between him and the approaching woman. "Riga, is that you? I'm... Not about to let you ruin this by killing him! D-don't take another step closer, I'm warning-"

Une quite literally yanks the New Flight member out of the way of Riga's (apparently her name is Riga) sword, the stone-faced fighter instead cutting through the pleading necromancer. "C-c'mon, Riga, you gotta listen to the one who TOLD you to listen to-" were his last words.

Just as quickly, Esmer, Riga, and now Ymira vanish.

The bonewalkers really aren't hard to dispatch, but this does discredit your idea about Necromancers' creations being destroyed just because they are.

"Wait, why didn't they just... Do all that to start with?" Jolie asks.

"They needed to await her arrival in order for it to actually work," Yvette explains as she slashes through a final skeleton. "Esmer... What the hell did you just do?"

Une never actually let go of Kay after pulling her away. Er, scratch that, she did just now.

Alright, looking around, everyone's still in one piece.

>A. Reflect in silence
>B. Say something (specify)
>C. Skip to the return to Yone's settlement
>D. Write-in

>>44119671
Yvette's wording there was a bit less clarifying than I'd meant it to be. Basically she was getting across that the reason they didn't try their respective escape methods until Esmer arrived was because they couldn't have expected to survive until they knew she was right there.

Lotta good that did one of them, though.

>>44119671
>A. Reflect in silence

>>44119724
I sure am glad the one we really didn't want to get away did.

>>44119761
Okay, you... Try to piece this together.

So, all of this started, at least for Marrius' Group, when Lupus, allied with the Groznyi Group, killed three of its members and captured the Fathom and Phile duchesses' respective daughter and son, along with this Riga. Phineas and Demeter also had the Deanvd lance and Cymbeline tome, artifacts of their duchies.

Sometime between shortly before the defeat of the Groznyi and the defeat of the pirate captain Helena, he may have mind controlled this Riga to obey the whims of someone else, possibly Esmer. He also set many prominent members of the New Flight under his spell, quickly becoming its new leader. He stole the Galeforce axe, itself an Ulir artifact stolen by Helena Dory, from Marrius' warm corpse after killing him.

Ymira, only wanting to overthrow the Ice Authority, naturally hired Lupus, being a powerful mage in charge of a reputable group of Wyvern riders. Lupus turned out to be an incompetent leader, however, and as a result... All of this.

Anyway, now Esmer has appeared with the presumably mind-controlled Riga, killed Lupus, and escaped with Ymira to gods know where with her Witch's Pendant.

And Irene somehow has something to do with this.

You're still reflecting on all of this after you've been very handsomely rewarded by the Ice Authority for driving off the threat. 12,000 gold from people who weren't even your clients.

"Lloyd," Leigh says as you sit by a fire, traveling back to hopefully catch Yone's funeral. It's the day all of what just happened, you having stayed the evening in the Ice Authority capital. It's... About four days until the projected return of Irene. "What's on your mind? I mean, obviously a lot, but..."

>A. Say something (specify)
>B. Just gathering your thoughts
>C. Say nothing
>D. Write-in?

>>44120065
Come again? Lupus died and Ymira escaped.

>>44120080
Yeah Ymira the shape shifting one that can literally be anyone, good to have her out in the world again.

>>44120116
Ah, right. Yeah, that could be quite troublesome.

For a moment there I thought you meant Lupus, since people were all about voting up his death a bit ago.

>>44120080
>B. Just gathering your thoughts

>>44120080
>B. Just gathering your thoughts

>>44120065
Speak for yourself.

>>44120189
No you feel this way too, punk. You can't prove that you don't.

>>44120167
>>44120170
"I was just... Gathering my thoughts is all," you answer. "Messing me up to think that Ymira is just... Out there now."

Leigh nods. "And... What was Lupus saying about Irene there? I... Haven't mentioned it to anyone but you or Asra, since you were both there, but..."

"He might have simply been saying anything to save face," Asra suggests, "to distract you so he could... Do what he did."

"We'll talk to Irene about it," you say. "For now... We worry about mourning Yone. It's why we came up to begin with."

Leigh nods. Asra is silent for awhile, before professing her desire to return to Heim. "I have... Had enough of being alone."

You reflect upon the members of the new flight, those who survived apologizing dearly for all that they'd been made to do, swearing to be better in the future. Une doesn't bring up Kay after the pair parts ways, the New Flight flying off on their own.

Gyo was commended by the Ice Authority for coming, despite annoyed claims from said Ice Dragon about feeling left out. Kyure must've vouched for the "kid."

Jolie, Shea, and Yvette are also still traveling with you, Yvette in particular having a LOT of interest in meeting this maid of Ymira's.

About a day later, you're all in that settlement. When she opens the door to Yvette's knocking, Monique says, "welcome! Mistress Ymira is still away, but-"

"Monica, what the hell are you wearing?"

"...come again?"

"Urgh, just let me in. You knew me before however you lost your memory."

Monique nods uncertainly, allowing Yvette in.

You opted not to interrupt whatever Yvette was trying to do.

>A. Spend time with somebody (specify)
>B. Skip to Irene's arrival
>C. Write-in?

>>44120505
>B. Skip to Irene's arrival

>>44120505
>B. Skip to Irene's arrival

>>44120505
>A. Spend time with somebody (Leigh)
Because it's normal to want to spend time with a loved one after they nearly die.

>>44120651
Actually yeah I'd change my vote to spending time with Leigh if you're not already halfway done. Otherwise I don't mind, really want to deal with this Irene business.

>>44120611
>>44120651
>>44120688
You spend the entire rest of your time in Tordo with Leigh, with all of the concern that doing such a thing entails. Nothing in particular happens, besides you being very sad on the day of Yone's funeral, and Yvette getting Monique to agree to return to Neir with her, Jolie, and Shea. The three of them departed again after that, leaving just the four members of Marrius' Group who set off on the mission.

"U-ugh..." The two of you see Irene shivering and walking into the settlement, wearing her Witch Pendant, "w-warmth enchantment my-" She looks up. "Oh, hey, Lloyd, Leigh. Uh... wh-where's everyone else?"

"Une and Ansi are in town somewhere," Leigh answers.

"A-and... Irma, the Mage General's bodyguard?"

"Dead."

"O-oh dear..." Irene says, "so... I take that to mean something bad happened?"

>A. Lupus is dead
>B. We need to talk
>C. There's a chameleon extremist on the loose
>D. Write-in response
>E. Be silent

>>44120840
>A. Lupus is dead
>C. There's a chameleon extremist on the loose
>B. We need to talk

>>44120840
>C. There's a chameleon extremist on the loose
>B. We need to talk

>>44120840
>A. Lupus is dead
>C. There's a chameleon extremist on the loose
>B. We need to talk

>>44120873
>>44120905
>>44120908
"Well... Long story short, there's a chameleon who wants the Ice Authority dead on the loose, and Lupus is dead, but was using mind control."

"That's... I-I don't want to say good that someone died, but..." Irene shakes her head. "No, I'll make an exception for Lupus."

"And, uh... We need to talk, Irene?"

"Hm? Can it wait until we get to Elza Oasis?"

You suppose.

Anyway, you find Ansi, Une, and Une's bael soon enough, fine and dandy, and bid farewell to the people of Yone's settlement as you connect yourself to your fellow Marrius' Group members, as well as Asra.

You feel an odd sensation warping through the barrier to Elza Oasis. You can feel the strain without even having been the one whose magic handled the warp.

You shoot Irene, collapsed on the ground, a look of sympathy as you all land in front of Marrius' Group headquarters. You and Leigh help her up. "O-okay, sorry, forgot how... Forgot how much going through there directly takes out of ya."

"Why not go just outside the barrier, then?" Ansi asks.

"Are you kidding?" Irene replies. "With all the... Warmth-enchanted gear you guys put on, being in the desert would cook you alive before we could get into the weather-controlled city." Looking between you and Leigh, she then says, "sorry guys, need some time to catch my breath before... Whatever you wanted to talk about."

>A. That's fair
>B. She can deal with it
>C. Write-in

>>44121072
>A. That's fair
Stick close though

>>44121072
>A. That's fair

>>44121286
>>44121331
"Alright, cool. Anything I can get you?"

Irene shakes her head. "No thank you. The, er, Mage General was waiting inside, last I'd heard, so you can talk to him about this last job..."

Irene shows herself inside first to rest off a very exhausting bit of teleportation, and you follow shortly behind.

True to Irene's word, the Mage General is indeed inside, talking to his niece about something or another.

"...oh, but they're back now. It'd be rude to keep them waiting," General Yancy says.

Yancy nods, waving to you all as she heads further into the headquarters.

"I... See that Irma is no longer with you. No need to tell me what happened," General Yancy says sadly, before turning his head towards Asra. "This, however, is a surprise. How're you, Asra?"

"Warm."

"Snrk."

After throwing in what General Yancy pays you and your companions for your mission, subtracting dues from the reward... You have about 31,500 gold.

After hearing the gist of the story, General Yancy pulls you aside to privately say, "you've... Proven yourself an exemplary magical practicioner, Lloyd. Developing a counterspell for a prior-unseen mind control spell in minutes... You say Ansi helped, but I'm sure it was mostly you. I know Ansi."

"What're you getting at?" You ask.


"Just that... You ought to consider finding some way to smash through this ceiling. I'm certain you could survive becoming a spirit charmer. I'll be free anytime this evening if you wished to stop by the Tower of Longevity to start the process."

>A. Sounds great
>B. And then what
>C. You still don't know
>D. Not interested
>E. Write-in response

>>44121541
>B. And then what

>>44121541
>B. And then what

>>44121585
>>44121614
"And then what would I do, assuming I became one?"

"And then just... Check in every once in awhile if anything interesting happens, but live your magic-practicing life otherwise unchanged."

You nod. "I'll... Talk to you again if I do?"

General Yancy nods. "Potentially see you this evening."

Speaking of this evening, for some bright reason, Leigh decided to gather up most of the named cast for this "talk" with Irene, at least out of Marrius' Group+Asra (Calof still isn't back yet).

"Er... You've certainly put together an audience, Leigh," Irene comments. "What's this about, you two?"

>A. You ask/answer
>B. Let Leigh ask/answer
>C. Write-in dialogue

>>44121686
>A. You ask/answer

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>>44121704
"Lupus, he... Said he was the 'only reason Irene isn't making us all help him out,' when we were fighting him. And then, Esmer, the master you spoke so highly of... She's the one who had a brainwashed Riga kill him for killing Marrius, escaped with Ymira..."

There's a lot of murmuring from the various members of Marrius' Group, Irene looking upset.

"I'm... We're not accusing you of anything, Irene, but... Is there any meaning to all of this?"

Sighing, she nods. "I'm... Not going to lie to you. I... Was supposed to be answering to Esmer at some point in the future, try to convince Marrius to lend the group out for... SOMETHING for Princess Paula. Never found out what. After I found out that this same Lupus had... Killed three of you and then Marrius. I told her I couldn't. I couldn't just... Work with a person who had hurt Marrius' Group like that!"

"So you had her have him killed," Leigh says.

"Er... Huh?"

"Don't play dumb," Yancy pipes in, "I always knew there was something sketchy about you, but I never could've imagined something like this!"

"Yancy..." Yulea says.

"And you were all suckered in because of how perfect she was!"

"L-look, no, no, I'm... I didn't ask her to do anything like that!"

"But we ended up right near where Lupus was for Yone's funeral." Leigh interrupts.

"D-did she set that up?" Lyeim asks.


"I..." Sheena stammers, "that... Doesn't sound right at all."

"Because you're still green, Sheena!" Ansi declares. "Have a bit more sellsword experience, you'd know that we can't trust a word of this."

Une sips from her flask indifferently, and Gonzo asks if he can have some of that, rubbing his head in confusion and ache. She declines.

Asra stands in silence, no input on the situation.

Arguments are breaking out left and right.

>A. Defend Irene.
>B. Why the hell did Leigh invite everyone to this?
>C. You can't trust Irene.
>D. Write-in response
>E. Be silent

>>44121992
>B. Why the hell did Leigh invite everyone to this?
>We have to hear everything from Irene before we can decide whether to trust her. And all this arguing isn't helping.

>>44122107
This. I'm more inclined to defend her but I don't want this to bite us in the ass.

>>44122107
>>44122242
"Why the hell did you gather everyone up for this, Leigh?" You say, clearly frustrated. "It's... Hard enough to work out what to make of this without all this argument garbage!"

"If this was important, and turns out it IS, I figured everyone had a right to know!"

"You... Set this up to humiliate me," Irene says. "I just... Gods, wouldn't you be loyal to your mentor? I know what that entails now, but then! D-don't let Lupus hurt us even more, Leigh. He's DEAD now."

"Hrg... I just... I don't think I can stay like this!" Leigh says. "There's plenty of other places that would hire a sword out, and now I have experience to back my skills up!"

"Associated with a group like the one Lupus answered to..." Ansi shakes his head. "That's not the sort of man I am anymore."

Une shakes her head and chuckles, taking a sip of her flask. "Big babies, the lot of you. Threatening to walk out on what's probably nothing."

"Yeah," Gonzo says, "we have it pretty good here! I'm just workin' here to support a family, not make some moral statement. All due respect, Irene, whether this stuff's true or not means nothing to me."

"I, uh... Th-this is... Marrius' Group..." Sheena says unsurely.

"And... Gh..." Lyeim also looks like he has no idea what to do.

Irene just looks... Hurt, staring at the floor in silence.

>A. This is no reason to bail!
>B. This is plenty of reason to bail!
>C. Write-in response
>D. Try to say something more (specify words)

>>44122407
>A. This is no reason to bail!

>>44122407
>A. This is no reason to bail!

Obvious choice for me but still a tough one

>>44122477
>>44122497
"Leigh..." You shake your head. "You and everyone else who's planning on walking out like this is being foolish! I certainly don't plan on leaving!"

"Lloyd..." Leigh looks... Hurt, for a moment, before shaking her head. "I thought you were better than this."

"Hey, leave him alone," Lyeim says, "I mean, sure there's a lot in need of answering, but the attacks aren't-"

Ansi and Leigh head to their respective quarters without another word.

"I'm... Going to go pack," Yancy says, following their examples.

"Y-Yancy, wait!" Yulea exclaims. "Is there... Any way I could talk you out of this?"

"No, Yulea. I've made my choice."

"Then..." Yulea trembles, forcing a smile, "I wouldn't ever abandon you. We're meant to stick together to the ends of this planet."

Yancy smiles, and Yulea gives you an apologetic look. She... Clearly agrees with you on this, but to her Yancy is more important than doing what she thinks is correct.

Lyeim sighs. "I... Need to think about this."

Sheena shakes her head. "Well, I don't. I owe my life to Marrius, and he put his trust into Irene. I'm gonna do the same!"

Une and Gonzo have nothing to say.

Asra offers her condolences to Irene. "I am... Sorry about them. That being said I... Am in need of a new livelihood. Is it crass to ask to fill in one of the newly vacant spots."

"No, no, it's... Appreciated, Asra. Now's... N-not a time to turn away help." Irene is still just... Very sad-looking. "Why don't they trust me?"

>A. Talk to Lyeim
>B. Talk to Sheena
>C. Say something to Irene (specify)
>D. Say something to Une
>E. Say something to Gonzo
>F. Say something to Asra
>G. Talk to Yulea. She'll still listen, if no one else in that group.
>H. Go right to general Yancy
>I. Try to talk to someone else (specify)

>>44122778
>G. Talk to Yulea. She'll still listen, if no one else in that group.

>>44122872
Yulea ends up taking longer to pack up her things than Yancy, granting you a good opportunity to speak to her.

"Yulea," you begin, to which she turns around with a frown.

"Hey," she says. "I'm, uh... Really sorry about all of this. I won't abandon Yancy, even when she's... Getting like this."

"I know how you feel... Gh, I know I made the right choice, but I still feel like I ripped my own heart out there."

Yulea puts a comforting hand on your shoulder. "Hey, it's... Gonna be alright. We'll stick together, and I'll keep in touch! Keep everyone out of trouble, you know?"

>A. Thanks
>B. Please do
>C. What could she do
>D. She doesn't need to do that
>E. Write-in

>>44122995
>A. Thanks
>C. What could she do

>>44123066
"I... Appreciate it, but what could you do?"

"I could keep them in line, make sure everyone's safe and stays together... And bake things!"

Your conversation ends with a mutual wishing of luck and agreement to try to keep in touch on everyone else's behalves.

So you're... Staying with Marrius' Group for the time being, but wandering the streets of Elza Oasis, trying to keep your mind off of topics that bring a tear to your eye (you fail, but that's beside the point) you'll need to pick up the slack harder than ever.

You stare down the tower of Longevity, questioning just how sufficient your skills are.

>A. Try to become a spirit charmer
>B. Do not become a spirit charmer

>>44123216
>A. Try to become a spirit charmer
I feel like we're going to need this for upcoming events.

>>44123216
>A. Try to become a spirit charmer

>>44123216
>A. Try to become a spirit charmer

>>44123269
>>44123358
>>44123449
When you head inside, General Yancy is already speaking, again, to his niece. Yulea is there too, but you've already spoken to her.

"I... See. Well, I agree with Yulea that your... Assumptions are a bit much, but I will ask Irene about it anyway, and... You're a grown girl, your uncle doesn't need to stop you."

A few more parting words, and Yancy and Yulea leave without talking to you. You approach General Yancy.

"Ah, you came. I was just wondering if you would."

"I'm... ready to become a spirit charmer."

General Yancy grins. "Excellent. Right this way, and I'll walk you through the pact."

General Yancy shows you to a warp pad into a quiet room. For the purposes of making sure the art isn't passed onto those who the Magical Senate cannot trust, you were asked not to describe the layout of the room, or the finer details of the spirit charming.

Eyes shut, however, you recall an odd voice asking you questions as your very soul resisted the pull of spirits not quite within your comprehension, but on its cusp.

What do you seek this magical potential for? You find yourself thinking deeply about the answer.

>A. You wish to impact the world (Spirit Charmer class. +Good Staves rank, assorted non-combat magic skills and general statistical increases)
>B. You wish to be powerful (Sorcerer class, much stronger magical power, higher skill)
>C. You wish to understand that thought frightening (Dark Summoner, +Staves and monster summoning, higher defenses)

>>44123505
>C. You wish to understand that thought frightening (Dark Summoner, +Staves and monster summoning, higher defenses)
Might be OOC but I can't pass up monster summoning. Especially with Ansi potentially leaving.

>>44123574
There should be opportunities to eventually get back at least a few of the leavers, if that affects your decision at all.

>>44123505
>B. You wish to be powerful (Sorcerer class, much stronger magical power, higher skill)

>>44123594
Still sticking with Summoner, although that's good to know.

>>44123505
I'd like some clarification on what "non-combat magic skills" would be. Enchantment? Teleportation? Both? Neither?

>>44123634
Enchantment, counterspells, curses, "mundane" things not even worth note, and stuff like General Yancy's artificial arm... Teleportation will be a pain in the ass for anyone without a Witch's Pendant, for reasons Irene established early on. Kinks are in need of working out.

>>44123505
>A. You wish to impact the world (Spirit Charmer class. +Good Staves rank, assorted non-combat magic skills and general statistical increases)
I'm pretty much okay with anything though.

>>44123505
>A. You wish to impact the world (Spirit Charmer class. +Good Staves rank, assorted non-combat magic skills and general statistical increases)

I really can't decide, this or B. If someone else wants A I guess I'm leaning that way. We don't really have a steady fighter companion to support anymore though.

>>44123505
Was the person that voted for Summoner here:
>>44123574
I'm ok with Spirit Charmer so we aren't forced to roll the dice for an important decision.

>>44123691
>>44123692
>>44123722
Yes, magical research. Sure, you can and will use your magic to fight, but you've said many times that that won't be your whole life.

You... Want to leave some mark on the world, do cool shit with magic.

With Yone dead and Ansi away, Marrius' Company is in short supply of healers, as well.

You feel the spirits coursing through your soul, pieces of it being damaged, and you realize that now is where you must be resilient.

You fight to maintain control of yourself in this pact, and the spirits recognize your efforts.

Jolting back into reality, you feel a sudden pang on your inner left forearm. After adjusting your glasses, you hurry to pull up your sleeve, noticing an ornate, winding mark where the pang was felt.

"I... Feel odd."

General Yancy nods. "Yes, that should wear off within a few days. Don't over-exert yourself, even with the bounds of essence that have just become more available, better-attuned to you than ever."

You nod, agreeing to keep in touch with the Mage General and showing yourself out of the tower of Longevity, returning to your lonely quarters, now minus even Yone's personal touches.

Finally able to focus on Leigh's absence, you cry.

>To be continued next thread
Thanks for playing. As always, update twitter/ask.fm are qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around to chat in-thread for awhile.

>>44123881
Thanks for running. Looking forward to the cool stuff we can do with our promotion now.

>>44123961
Always a pleasure.

Heh, Calof is gonna be so confused when he gets back.

>>44124041
Haha yeah. They were just going to a funeral and then all hell breaks loose.

>>44123881
Thanks for running.

Teleportation circle-based trade networks when?

>>44124091
Warp pads don't really work for anything beyond extremely short-range travel... Yet.

>>44124090
Wonder what he'll do with the cuts of the Helena+pirates' bounty that belonged to members who've left.

>>44123881
Any chance we'll be able to convince at least Leigh to stay, or give Irene a chance?

Alternatively, mastering teleportation, scrying and long-range communication.

>>44124149
Leigh's gone. I mean, you'll very likely run into her and the rest again, maybe even recruit them in time, but as of this chapter she's no longer in Marrius' Group.

>Mastering teleportation
Irene's closer to it than you, but you could probably learn it really fast
>Scrying
Maybe eventually. Typically requires longer-term planning at a much finger level of detail than I do.
>long-range communication
You could try.

I have mixed feelings about this, lost a lot of good people today. I feel kind of bad for Lloyd, he and Leigh made a good couple I think. But personally she was starting to get on my nerves with her irrational impulsiveness. Her reaction in this thread is a good example, just ticked me off more than saddened me.

>>44124325
Like I've said, it was a relationship between two people who care a lot about each other, but were also... VERY different.

Created her with the intent of her being polarizing for that exact reason. Some players would like her, some wouldn't, some would have mixed feelings, and it would reflect on how the narrative treats the relationship and character.