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Garou Valley, the heart of the Wolfskin region.

Here, the paths of Rene and Dyrus may finally intertwine.

Dyrus' family is all somber with thought of where his father, Dyrus Sr., disappeared. A vile corruption existing under the astute nose of Director Chiffon, despite his best efforts to sniff out the wolves in... less evil wolves' clothing. Chief Tien and several other Tarvosians are expected to unite with them soon, another group of temporary companions replacing Paisley and the Vautou in their home region.

"Hey," he said when Winona attempted to offer him Iote's Shield back before they parted ways, "you'll need that more than me... These mages are a buncha chumps now that their leader's gone! My men and I can stop them from killing you guys without even breaking sweats!"

Rene, meanwhile, is far less jovial about the never-ending advancement of Lady Hauteclere, the likelihood of facing her and Veiz' father's killers, the hopes of snuffing out the leader of the flesh-eaters as the gang's investigation continues to be empty-handed. Methodius reports sadly about his frailty and failure to repel rebels in the Southern islands or the desert, that he "must be slipping in his age," before being off.

"...it's hopeless, I think," Chiffon says, in a meeting he's called after Methodius returned from a lesson with Veiz, then departed again. "If we try to fight the resistance, we're gonna die. I might just... Go out there, talk with them, see if there's no way for us to just let 'em and the Tarvosians pass us by." This suggestion is horribly controversial, but Chiffon certainly intends to try.

Oh, and Samson is off fighting sea-mobsters in the island. Sailing to the subregion surrounding Nevasa Island in the hopes of defeating the forces of Oswald Dory's son, Cornelius. Despite his disconnection from the main campaigns of the war, he fights no less passionately.

>A. Be Rene
>B. Be Dyrus
>C. Be Samson

>>47291352
Vote time renewed and also a reminder to avoid bait.

>>47291572
Renewed again. No rush, I can be patient.

>>47291796
I think I'll give it until :30 before just auto-picking Rene and jumping into the next choice. Hate to force character select, but it gets things to start moving, anyway.

>>47291352
>A. Be Rene

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>>47292234
You are now Rene. Your group sits around a campfire, reacting to Chiffon's words with varying degrees of shock.

"S-sir," Cashmere says, stumbling on her words in a tired state, "you know what happened last time we tried to negotiate..."

"Yeah, but Chief Tense won't exactly be able to make this one," the Wolfskin chief says. "We're dealing with outsiders who were able to befriend the Vautou of all people. They'll listen and they'll make the Tarvosians listen."

"But... It'd be a betrayal of the Empire to simply turn up our bellies and let the resistance pass," you say.

"The Empire's always been what's best for the Wolfskin," Chiffon answers, "and as their leader, I need to look and say 'is this really working out?' We're gonna be outnumbered and overpowered by people with plenty of reason to hate our guts, and if we go down fighting, the Tarvosians are going to be relentless in punishing our entire culture after the war."

"Y-you can't just say that we'll lose with such certainty..!" Veiz says. "Surely, should we repel the rebels well enough..."

"...these guys killed my sisters," Marduk interrupts. "I'm not the vengeance-seeking type, but I won't sleep well giving up against them."

"...well, none of this is your decision to make," Chiffon answers. "I'm gonna go meet the rebels, try to minimize the damage my people are gonna face... Cashmere, send word to Donnegan and Flees. They're still in Fort Velour, right?"

"Then..." Saye starts.

"Yeah, Saye, you're coming along too," Chiffon answers. "Cashmere, you're in charge while I'm away."

>A. The Empire will not stand for this
>B. Please, Chiffon, reconsider
>C. Then you'll accompany them
>D. Write-in response
>E. ...

>>47292241
>B. Please, Chiffon, reconsider

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>>47292411
"Please, Director Chiffon, reconsider." You lean forward, eyes wide. "The Empire's chances sink from low to near-insurmountable without your support."

"Sorry, Rene, I honestly am, but this is just what I think's best for this neck of the Gerxel. It's... Still very much a part of the Empire, so you're free to travel it as you please, but I'd clear outta here before the rebels reach the Northern mountain range."

"Director Chiffon..." Saye sighs. "You're right, I know. Just... Be safe, alright? The leader of the resistance was married to one of those investigators who got killed, so even they might not be as reasonable as we hoped."

"Hey," Chiffon says, "that's why I'm surrounding myself with wolves I can rely on. And if we've got a fight on our hands, we have Cashmere ready to unite us all in the capital, along with the knowledge that we tried to do the right thing."

"The four of you won't all be able to fight out of a situation like that alone if it turns violent," Cashmere warns. "Please... Be careful."

It's late right now, and the rebels aren't projected to reach Garou Valley for another couple days, so you and your party has one more night in the company of the Director.

>A. Skip forward
>B. Spend time with someone (specify)
>C. Patrol around awhile
>D. Write-in action

>>47292789
>C. Patrol around awhile

>>47292789
>C. Patrol around awhile

>>47292789
>C. Patrol around awhile

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>>47292975
You ride around on Lyka once again, looking around the area for nomads in search of a fight. Chiffon might be immensely skilled in cowardice, but you won't give up on your orders just because he's neglecting the greater good.

Eventually, in fact, you come across a familiar sight: a small campfire! You ride over towards it, wondering if it's that same man from before, and...

"Ah, see? I told you she would come." The voice of the bandanna-wearing nomad says to a youth sitting opposite him at the fire. Nearby, a new, smaller tent, presumably since he was forced to abandon his last one.

"Oh, hi!" The young man says. "I don't know if you remember, but... I'm Nahuel. We... Met earlier. You stopped me from rushing to a stupid death?"

"Er... Yeah, hey. I didn't realize you were acquainted with Mr..."

"Pardon me," the disguised man says, "I never did introduce myself." He lowers his bandanna beneath his chin, revealing a square jaw, only a small patch of hair between his lips and his chin. "I am Tien, Chief of the Tarvosian nomads."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJotUPsqmS4

"Wait... And you've been..."

"Following this Chief Chiffon, yes," Tien says. "The death of my friend Tense has left me... Anxious for my people's safety. So I alone have taken the burden of watching him. I know that you noticed last time I put up a campfire, so I figured that now would be no different."

"And, uh... I was just here telling him about the uh. Rebel stuff... Eheh, should I leave?" Nahuel asks, sort of falling to the wayside of you and Tien's conversation.

>A. Attack one of them (specify who and with what)
>B. You have orders for his capture...
>C. Why did he call you here?
>D. Immediately return to camp
>E. Write-in response
>F. ...

>>47293251
>B. You have orders for his capture...
>C. Why did he call you here?

>>47293251
>C. Why did he call you here?

>>47293251
>B. You have orders for his capture...
>C. Why did he call you here?

>>47293317
"Why did you call me here and reveal yourself?" You ask. "You do realize my men and I have orders for your capture, don't you?"

"I have overheard what this Director Chiffon has said. He trusts his subordinates intently..."

"But the city of Velouria is a cesspool of flesh-eaters!" Nahuel jumps in again. "If those men of his are normally stationed there, there's no way they can be trusted!"

"Why do you say that?" You ask.

"The... highest human disappearance rate in the region exists around Velouria, the capital of this Wolfskin region. In the past year in this city's surrounding area alone, over two dozen good men and women have vanished, presumably been abducted," Tien answers.

"Wouldn't you get their bones back eventually?" You ask.

"They... only do that for investigators and Tarvosian authority figures," the Tarvosian chief adds.

"Point is," Nahuel interjects again, "we don't think a sect that hates humanity enough to do THAT to us is going to let an attempt towards peacemaking pass through. Director Chiffon could be in serious danger."

>A. So what do you do about it?
>B. And why do THEY care?
>C. How are you supposed to believe that?
>D. Doubt so hard you attack on the spot (specify target)
>E. Write-in response

>>47293499
>A. So what do you do about it?
>B. And why do THEY care?
>C. How are you supposed to believe that?
Though, they probably care because the death of Chiffon would lead to an opportunity for a true man-eater to gain power and make things worse for humans. They may also try to join the rebellion so that in its aftermath, there will be less controls on Wolfskins. They could even claim to the rebels that they killed the pro-man-eater leader.

>>47293499
>A. So what do you do about it?
>B. And why do THEY care?

>>47293499
>A. So what do you do about it?
>B. And why do THEY care?
>C. How are you supposed to believe that?

>>47293564
"So the regional Director is in danger," you say, "why am I supposed to believe that you have any reason to care?"

"Director Chiffon is... A cowardly wolf, but in that he lacks the viciousness of his subordinates. His living benefits us, and he can be convinced to lessen the horrors his people inflict upon us when he is no longer tied to the Empire."

"I still have nightmares about assistant-director Cashmere..." Nahuel admits. "Sh-she was... Right n-next to me when she shredded Tense to bits..."

"Alright, fine," you say. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you genuinely want him alive, and I can see common with why. But... What do you expect me to do about it?"

"See to it that people you can trust are protecting him as he meets with the rebels," Tien replies.

"But..." Nahuel replies, "what makes you so sure they'll be willing to let a human guard along? No way they'll trust the Empire's goodwill when they're basically telling them to piss off."

"..." Tien's eyes shift towards the tent, and in an instant he raises, pulls back, and fires his bow, piercing its canvas.

A familiar yet restrained cry of displeasure is heard, and Cicero's voice rings out from behind it. "Grh... Please do relax, I mean no harm!" Your beloved butler steps out from behind the tent, arrow clutched in his fist, cheek just barely (and not remotely severely) pierced by its tip.

"You snuck up on us," Tien answers. "Few do that without ill intent, and even fewer without my notice for so long."

"Er... Y-you have my apologies, Chief Tien," Cicero says with a polite bow. "I couldn't help but notice Rene ride off to investigate something alone... Er, set your bow down, Rene, please, it was my faux-pas not to approach more straightforwardly."

>A. You didn't need backup
>B. Do the opposite of put it down
>C. Since when could he sneak like that?
>D. This gives you an idea! (send Cicero to defend Chiffon from the shadows)
>E. Write-in response

>>47293852
>C. Since when could he sneak like that?

>>47293852
>C. Since when could he sneak like that?
>E.*Think*"Good job, though."

>>47293852
>C. Since when could he sneak like that?
This is useful, but I'm reluctant to immediately send Cicero alone as the sole measure of protecting Chiffon. Partially because feels.

>>47293890
"Since when could you sneak like that, Cicero?" You ask in a tone a tad more flirtarious than the question really requires.

"Er, always, Rene," he answers. "It's simply never been entirely relevant to our missions. Serving tea and healing don't really require a stealthy touch as other missions might."

"I see... Excellent work, though!" You answer.

"Your father sponsored my training for a reason, after all..." Cicero smiles, looking a little proud of himself.

"Hmm..." Tien strokes his chin. "He could be useful."

"Useful?" Cicero asks. "Do you mean for me to pursue Director Chiffon?"

"You have the watchful eye and trained reflexes of a great assassin, Cicero," Tien says with a nod. "Protecting an important advocate for peace is something you must be capable of."

"As a boy with no training to his name, I saved the life of Director Waldrick from some assassin, and in return I was sponsored for study in the elusive academy of the Peshkatz assassination technique... And their equally coveted housekeeping technique!" He adds with a wave of his Mend staff. "They, er, also have courses on healing..."

"Then it's your calling," Nahuel says, "you could save this valley from its monstrous second-in-command!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Cicero answers. "My loyalty lies to Rene alone, and I cannot be ordered about by an officially-recognized enemy of her homeland."

>A. They heard what he said! (If this is all true, Cashmere seemed awfully willing to keep supporting the Empire...)
>B. Ask Cicero to go
>C. And enemies of the Empire face consequences (begin fight)
>D. Return to camp
>E. Write-in response
>F. ...

>>47294178
>D. Return to camp
Need to think and talk to Cicero about it, get a better idea of his full capabilities, see if there's any way we can provide more backup or better ensure his safety.

>>47294178
>D. Return to camp

>>47294293
"We'll... Get back to you on that," you say, admittedly rather hesitant to send Cicero into such a potentially dangerous situation OR work in tandem with Chief Tien.

"W-wait!" Nahuel says. "How do we know you're not just gonna send people back to our camp?"

"...gather our things, Nahuel. We need to leave quickly."

"But that tent takes forever to fold up, and..."

"Forget the tent. It's been damaged anyway."

"...I just got that," he complains, before the more and less experienced horse-archers both ride Southwest.

"Er, Rene," Cicero says, riding back with you, arms around your sides, "they're leaving..."

"I'm not exactly powerful enough to stop him alone," you admit. "I know my limits, and besides, I don't think they were being dishonest."

"Nor do I, but the question still remains... Is it in our best interests to side with them at all? Director Chiffon has no desire to support the Empire, so... Cruel as it is, we may simply want to forget about this conversation entirely."

"...I know," you say. "For the good of the Empire and all..."

"It pains me just as much as it does you," Cicero says, hugging you more tightly.

"What would you prefer to do, Cicero?" You ask, halting at the edge of your own campsite. "We make things more difficult for ourselves in the imminent future by trying to save the life of Director Chiffon... And this is all assuming that the Nomads aren't simply being overly-paranoid. Certainly I've never pegged those boys who briefly traveled with Lady Saye to be cannibals."

>A. Ask if it's hurting him to try and convince you this is the wrong thing to do
>B. He's right. Best to pretend nothing just happened
>C. We could at least warn the guy...
>D. We could at least warn the Saye...
>E. Cicero can certainly try
>F. Track down Cashmere and ask her about those "untrustworthy" boys
>G. Write-in response
>H. Ask one of your own allies for a second opinion (specify)

>>47294512
Er, that entire last quote there was meant to be Cicero talking. My bad not hitting enter.

>>47294512
>A. Ask if it's hurting him to try and convince you this is the wrong thing to do
>F. Track down Cashmere and ask her about those "untrustworthy" boys

>>47294512
>D. We could at least warn the Saye...

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>47294582
>>47294591

>>47294591
"Let's... At least ask Saye to keep her eyes peeled," you say.

"Are you sure she'll trust us over people she's worked with since long before we'd met her?" Cicero asks.

"We don't even need to mention that much," you explain. "Just that there might be dissenters in the region out to harm the Director for his choice... She'd understand that much."

You and Cicero seek her out in the middle of a conversation with Veiz, ask if you might have a moment alone with her. Thus, you and your sister swap conversational partners, and you privately explain to Saye the aforementioned, without outright accusing people of things you don't know they're even actually suspicious of.

"Alright," Saye says, about as understanding as you'd expected, "I'll... Be careful. I've known since we came here that I might come to blow with some of the worse wolfskin out there, so don't worry about if I can handle it. I mean, we're already gonna be on high alert for human assailants, right?"

"Glad to hear," you say, smiling slightly. "You're as dutiful as I'd expect any friend of mine to be."

"By the way, I'm, uh... Glad you're not holding it against me that I'm skipping out on you like this," Saye says. "Honestly, I'd love to rip these rebels apart for what they've done to Baker and everyone else that's stood in their way, but..."

>A. She's doing what a well-taught Imperial would do
>B. You would do the same in her shoes
>C. Who says you aren't mad?
>D. Suggest that she ask to stick with your lot
>E. Write-in response
>F. ...

>>47294851
>A. She's doing what a well-taught Imperial would do
>B. You would do the same in her shoes

>>47294851
>A. She's doing what a well-taught Imperial would do

>>47294851
>A. She's doing what a well-taught Imperial would do
>B. You would do the same in her shoes

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>>47294997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_LsIOpMMUg

"You're putting the welfare of your state over your personal values," you say. "It's what a good agent of the Empire would do. It's what I would do."

"I know, but it's still hard," Saye admits. "I... Might ask for Director Chiffon's permission to return to your side after he's done giving up. You've been better friends than some of the people I've known all my life around Velouria," Saye says.

"I wouldn't go so far," you say to her.

"No, seriously," Saye says. "I'm... Kinda on the rougher side, even by Garou standards. It freaked a lot of people out, until I started putting it to good use. I've got Cashmere to thank for that, honestly. She saw so much potential in me, said I reminded her of herself, just a bit rougher around the edges."

"I... assume this is before the experiment?" You ask.

"Of course," Saye answers, sounding a bit amused at the notion of anyone being rougher around the edges than Cashmere as she is now. "Still, though, I owe a lot to her, as a mentor and a friend."

"As long as I'm spending time in Velouria," you say, "you said you had a lot of family there, right?"

"Well, we're all FROM there, but we're all over the region nowadays! It's just my parents and youngest brother living there right now..."

"How are they?" You ask.

"Great, actually, which reminds me!" Saye says, before reaching into her shirt, producing a rabbit's foot, burned to a hard, bendy, leathery. "Er, if you're in their neck of the woods when you're in Velouria, give this to my brother, alright? I made it for him after we went hunting, since he's always liked chewing on things, and you showed me how to turn meat into a rubbery inedible husk..."

"Very funny," you answer, before accepting it.

>A. Keep speaking with Saye (write-in dialogue)
>B. Spend time with someone else (specify)
>C. Write-in action
>D. Skip ahead

>>47295208
>B. Spend time with Cicero

>>47295208
>B. Spend time with Cicero

>>47295308
After bidding Saye, Chiffon, and the briefly-introduced Donnegan and Flees farewell with her warning, things get rather simple for the next little while.

Cashmere, having invited the lot of you to stay in the city of Velouria a spell, perhaps as a show of goodwill with a possible betrayal on her homeland's hands, tiredly guides you there with many, MANY rest stops.

Cicero and Omar show the recently-promoted Hal the ropes of staff-usage, and quickly the practiced mage surpasses the assassin who happens to know how to heal, though Omar still proves the best at it in the bunch.

Marduk mostly keeps to himself.

While Veiz primarily studies or practices archery, Alfred is at her side, her beck and call, to an extent where you sometimes consider asking him about your little chat long ago about boundaries. You decide keep it to yourself until you find some REALLY blatant sign that your conversation has been forgotten, though.

At the moment, you talk with Cicero.

"So you weren't just trained to fight and serve..." You asked, "but as a full-fledged assassin?"

Cicero nods. "It was quite strenuous training, but your father was certain I had it in me."

"How did I not know until earlier today?" You ask.

"Also Director Waldrick's doing," Cicero admits. "He asked that I hold back information of the true depths of my training after learning of our friendship, letting the truth out only if it meant protecting you or your sister. Perhaps he wished not that I make things strange between friends by announcing myself as an assassin as soon as we reunited?"

"Perhaps..." You say, wondering. Your father certainly kept a LOT of secrets, honestly...

"Is something the matter, dear?" Cicero starts to gain his anxious tone again. "H-have I upset you by hiding this from you? I-I'm terribly sorry!"

>A. What? No
>B. Relax please
>C. You understand why
>D. Just thinking about your father
>E. He should've still told you
>F. Write-in response
>G. ...

>>47295448
>A. What? No
>B. Relax please
>C. You understand why

>>47295448
>A. What? No
>B. Relax please
>C. You understand why

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>>47295562
"Er, what? No, not at all."

"Are you sure?" Cicero asks, still breathing heavily.

"Yes," you say, giving a reassuring smile and patting his shoulder, "you can relax, Cicero. I understand why you did that, but I wasn't even upset to start."

"Right, right..." He groans. "There I go jumping the gun again. Damned anxiety..."

"You care a lot about people's feelings," you say, "there's nothing wrong with that!"

"Right... Thank you, Rene." His tone relaxes more and more, and he laughs. "When I was in training, a girl who had to have been at least six years younger than me said I was too empathetic to be an assassin. Perfectly sweet girl, but far more in control of her emotions even at that age."

"People that young were being put into this sort of training?" You ask, slightly concerned.

"There are... Different subsections of the Peshkatz," Cicero explains. "She was moreso a prodigy in the arts of housekeeping and guile than actual combat and espionage, and went on to serve some noble house in Central, never caught its name. Er, it's not important, anyway."

"Right... Anyway, what were we talking about?"

"How I'm an anxious mess? I'd much prefer a different topic, if I may be honest."

You both laugh.

>A. Write-in dialogue
>B. Skip ahead

>>47295698
Er, vote time renewed.

>>47295698
>B. Skip ahead

>>47295897
You converse about this, that, and whatnot, and eventually your group, minus Saye, eventually reaching the Wolfskin capital city of Velouria. In its center, a temple said to sprawl underground to nearly the city's own size, but five stories down.

Shortly after that, Flees, one of the wolfskin, arrives to report the situation. He's all alone, which is already an EXCELLENT sign for the nature of the news.

To put it lightly, you don't hear good news about the attempted negotiations at all.

"We... We arrived just fine, the four of us, but... I dunno, man, Donnegan's dead, Chiffon's dead, and I couldn't find Saye anywhere once everything went to shit... Gods, I bet she's dead too..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO606TTLkQ0

"W-wait... What?! What happened, Flees?" Cashmere snaps awake, COMPLETELY awake, for maybe the first time since you've met her. "Details, details!"

"O-okay," he says, sighing, breathing in and out rather deeply. "So, like I said, we got there just fine, and..." Flees begins to describe what, in the vaguest terms, is a blatant "READ ON TO FIND OUT" copout.

Word leaks to the people of Velouria very quickly, and naturally they begin calling for blood as soon as that happens. You and Cicero resolve to keep your eyes on the sole Wolfskin to return...

>To be continued next thread

Now, I know that's quite a thing to drop, but again, we have reason to distrust Flees, on top of me keeping everything rather vague on purpose so to not steer Dyrus' chapter too hard. Saye, certainly, can end up surviving, and was described in the least certain terms anyway, while I'm on the fence about Chiffon and the literally who who were outright called dead. I mean Rene and Marduk have spent Rene's entire storyline being told how dead Winona and Nia are.

Thanks for playing, as always. Update twitter/ask.fm are qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around in-thread to chat for awhile.

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>>47296233
Thank you for running, Octo. A pleasure as always.

>>47296261
A pleasure as always on this end too.