Kaz its almost midnight. Go to sleep.

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>>47847758
With brown, hardy skin from a life under the elements and the rigors of survival, they are a warrior race. Men and women alike, regardless of all ages, are instructed in combat from a young age. Their primary weapons consist of sword, spear and battleaxe. Bowmen are rarer, as they maintain the belief that to kill an enemy from afar is dishonorable. But we shall only touch momentarily on this subject as to have a more in-depth discussion about the warrior aspect of their race.

Perhaps the most iconic feature of an Ingulan is the intricate tattoos that they bear on their faces and backs, both of which have significant meaning among their people. The marks on their face identify the clan that one belongs to, coming in many differing shapes, patterns and colors. In sharp comparison, no two share the same marks on their backs, as that is the canvas for where tattoo artists inscribe an Ingulan’s life story. Occurrences such as birth, trials of youth, wars and other events of importance are recorded on the back in permanent ink from the age of ten.

(cont.)

>>47847822
I took a nap. I'm ready to go all night, anon!

HAHA TIME FOR best Kaz quest

>>47847822
Sleep is for the weak. I am stronk. Like rock.

>>47847948
Be sure to take over for me in voting when I pass out eventually.

>>47847964
I am so stronk I can vote for all of you.

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>>47847839
An Ingulan without face symbols are either one of two categories: Iathunan (lit. “People of no Clan) or Anuthan (lit. “People of Eternal Exile”). Iathunan are those of Ingulan blood who are typically born outside of a clan, to those who have chosen to leave their clans and settle in modern civilization. Commonly used as a derogatory term for young clan boys and girls who don’t have their tattoos, as well as for Ingulans who actually have no clan.

Anuthan are the transgressors, the criminals and offenders who perform a deed heinous enough to transgress banishment from the clan. Kinslaying is the most common offense, but rape, necrophilia and other transgressions against the People have their fare share of representatives as well. In front of the clan’s Ancestor Stone, with the Goddess Ingul and the clan as their witnesses, the elder priests of the tribe flay the tattooed skin from the face and back of the offender and cast him/her out in ritual ceremony. They are to wander the continent, forever denied the embrace of loved ones and kin and punished by death if they ever set foot inside Ingulan territory.

>Miscellaneous notes about Tathal language
> “-an” – “People of X”, suffix that attaches to a root word.
> “Ingul” – “Infinite Mother who Dwells Among the Stars”, primordial Sky Goddess of the Ingulan pantheon
> “Iathun” – “Blank, empty”
> “Anuth” – “To strip, to remove”

>“-un” is a common ending for adjectives
>“-th” is the near-universal ending for verbs

--------------

>Marcus

You never needed that much sleep to begin with, so the swift coming of the dawn does not cause you too much pain. Four hours of sleep is the minimum you need, six if you performed something particularly extraneous on a given day. But it was irrelevant in the wider perspective of things.

(cont.)

You drift in and out of awareness as you maintain your vigil over Ellana from the window, eyes blank and senses amplified through concentration. In-between the lethal instruction and harsh beatings, Lucien passed on a meditation technique that enabled simultaneous rest and awareness. Where he learned how to do it was anyone’s guess, even the gods themselves. But there was little denying its effectiveness.

Your senses activate and cease to function seemingly at random throughout your vigil. At times, you can hear Ellana’s soft breathing, completely blind and unable to see clearly. At other intervals, you can see the dark room, dimly lit by the waxing moon, numb to any sensation along your skin. Your existence is a paradox: awake, yet not awake; aware, but unaware.

Ready to snap out of the trance at a moment’s notice.

>Specter’s Dream technique unlocked.
>You can now meditate to pass the time and recover
>4 Hours = Minimum Rest, no Fatigue penalties
>8 Hours = Fully Rested, no Fatigue penalties, +5 Stat bonuses for 12 hours
>12 Hours = Maximum Rest, +10 Stat Bonuses for 24 Hours

You manage to get enough sleep to function without any trouble by the time dawn breaks, and the guards come knocking at the door. Breaking the trance, you gently wake Ellana up, who rouses herself with a tired yawn, and open the door to let Emeron’s escort into the room. The princess’ servants quickly dress their lady in a modest white gown before passing her onto the entourage of knights.

You follow them to the courtyard, where a caravan is in the final stages of its preparation. With a quick looking-over, you estimate that there are about two hours before they will actually start moving. Ellana is the first of the royal family to arrive. Plenty of time for you to do something…

>Grab a book from the Archives
>Search for ingredients for your poisons
>Custom option.

>>47848221
>Grab a book from the Archives

>>47848221
>Search for ingredients for your poisons

>>47848221
>>Search for ingredients for your poisons

>>47848221
>>Grab a book from the Archives

>>47848221
>Grab a book from the Archives

>>47848221
>>Search for ingredients for your poisons

>>47848221
>>Grab a book from the Archives

>>47848221
>Search for ingredients for your poisons

>>47848221
>>Search for ingredients for your poisons

>>47848221
>Make an emergency ration pack
Just incase we come upon a situation where any food might be poisoned.

I'd consider an emergency antidote pack, but there's probably way too many different poisons for that.

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10 minute voting period.

--

>Archives

“There’s always time for studying.” The voice of Ansell comes unbidden as you stalk towards the castle, politely excusing yourself from the princess’ company. Even this early in the morning, castle wide-eyed and alert. Twenty of Lord Pullman’s Eagle Knights stand vigilant, armed and at the ready for any sign of trouble. More than enough to keep her safe.

Lord Pullman and the other eighty riders to accompany the rest of the caravan wait outside the city walls, to avoid drawing attention to this secret exodus. By the time the sun would fully rise, the royal caravan would be gone, with no one the wiser for a good half-day at the best. Plenty of time to put themselves safely away from danger.

You don’t find it surprising that the archives are still open, even at this ungodly hour. The same clerk that greeted you when you came yesterday still sits in his chair, snoring into a pile of books and parchments. He had the good sense to put a pillow as to prevent drool from flushing the ink and ruining the documents.

A few of the cubicles are occupied by Magisters. Some are reading in the dim candlelight, the older and wizened figures squinting to make out the ancient, flowing script of the more weathered tomes. The younger ones, indicated by their light brown robes, sluggishly move to transcribe half-disintegrated pages and words onto new vellum.

They give you no regard just as much as you ignore them, moving towards the section you were particularly interested in studying. Ansell gave you permission to remove books from the Archives. Perhaps it is best to select a volume with multiple copies, something that no one will notice if gone.

>Fully reading books may unlock Traits.
>Successfully unlocking Traits requires passing a Knowledge Check

>Choose one to remove:
>A Traveler’s Guide to Aderaveth
>The Botanical World of Kaithe
>A Compleat Collection of Ribald Tales
>Reckoning: An Account of the Crimson Tyrant

>>47848637
>Reckoning: An Account of the Crimson Tyrant

>>47848637
>The Botanical World of Kaithe

>>47848637
>>A Traveler’s Guide to Aderaveth
Seems practical.

>>47848637
>>The Botanical World of Kaithe
Poisons and edible plants in case we need to run with the princess.

>>47848637
>The Botanical World of Kaithe
As much as I want Reckoning, I want a solid collections of anti-poison methods before committing to other stuff.

>>47848637
>The Botanical World of Kaithe

>>47848637
>The Botanical World of Kaithe

>>47848637
>>A Traveler’s Guide to Aderaveth

>>47848637
>>A Traveler’s Guide to Aderaveth

>The Botanical World of Kaithe

You pluck the book in question from the shelves without as much as a noise. As opposed to the other book you read yesterday, this primarily concerns itself with plants found both within and out of the Empire. Flipping through the pages with a haphazard glance nets you with some plants you’ve never even heard of.

Moonlight Blossom, which when properly distilled, creates a powerful antidote. Terribly hard to find, only grows in dimly lit places. Devil’s Tail, the juices of these thorns cause terrible pain and paralysis to those unlucky to get tangled within their snare. And many, many more.

The book itself is a reproduction of a ten-year old current edition, but it serves its purpose well enough. You quickly take it to the desk, checking out the book when you find the clerk still in the middle of his dreams. Given the wide smile and gyrations of the hips, you have little desire to wake him up, let alone touch him.

The process takes little more than an hour. By the time you come back to the courtyard, the knights are in the final stages of their preparation. The rest of the Crownguard sans Palme and Queen Mellianna’s sorcerer are present and accounted for, mounted atop horses adjacent to a plain carriage, presumably containing the royal siblings. A spare horse has been left without a rider, presumably for you.

You try not to show your apprehension as you mount the nickering mare. The only experience you had riding one of these beasts was an escapade in the slums, hijacking a burning grain cart to crash it into a gang hideout. To a certain extent, you know about the theory and execution of riding.

Hopefully your intuition and instincts pay off enough for you to stay on the mare, if to avoid not getting thrown off.

(cont.)

When the morning sun is halfway above the distant forests, the Knight Captain gives the order to ride. Slowly, but surely, the caravan makes its way out of Kathmire Keep and into the backroads of the capital. Less people are inclined to notice the path they take through this route given its relative cover and inaccessibility by a majority of the citizens.

As you exit through the gates, you can feel the heavy weight of someone’s eyes upon you. You turn your head, taking care to stay seated in the saddle. From a distant rampart, the calculating, emotionless face of Queen Melianna Crowmond stares right back at the procession. No, that is not correct.

She is looking directly at you.

>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.
>Start reading your new book.
>Talk with a Crownguard [Choose one: Lupine, Silverow, Ingulan]
>Custom option.

>>47849135
>>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.
Job is never done.

>>47849135
Get someone to give us pointers on riding. Like, holy shit we need to learn fast.

>>47849135
>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.
We can read when we're not on the move.

>>47849135
>>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.

>>47849171
We know how it works, we just havent done it, only thing we could do is practice m8.

>>47849135
>>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.

>>47849135
>>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.

>>47849204
help is always appreciated, seeing as Marcus is going in blind and has not displayed any skill with handling animals.

>>47849239
If you know how it works only way to improve is doing it. Pointers are needed when you dont know the theory behind it and as I understood it, we know that.

>>47849135
>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours

>>47849239
>To a certain extent, you know about the theory and execution of riding.

Like anon said, the only way from here is to just do it and get used to it.

>>47849259
you need a little bit more than just the theory.

You at least need to know how animal temperaments work and possibly how these horses specifically were trained to get a better feel for how to order them around.

>>47849312
And that's understood by doing it, we have time in our travel to get acquainted with our mount and see how it goes, at this point we just need to just do it and we're forced to do it anyways so it goes without saying that we're learning how it works.

>>47849351
but someone could tell us how the horses were trained? You can't easily learn that by "just doing it".

>>47849406
I dont think anyone was a stable-boy or involved at all with that. It's just retinue right?

>Keep a sharp lookout for the first few hours.

It isn’t the journey proper that worries you as much as it is the actual early hours of the morning. It is under the cover of darkness when most assassins move to strike. It doesn’t necessarily mean that all hired killers, amateur or otherwise, would attack at this moment as much as it was the most common of times. But a smart assassin? They make their move in the transition from dusk to dawn, when no one expects it to come.

Is it healthy to think the world in those kinds of terms? Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn’t. Then again, paranoia is one of the many causes of gut feelings, instincts aside. And it’s done its fair share to keep you alive.

But you digress. As you make your way out of the city and past the outer walls, you keep a sharp lookout for the first critical hours. To anyone that would glimpse the unmarked carriage and the Eagle Knights flanking it closely, they would hopefully assume that Lord Kieran Pullman was within the transport. Hopefully.

No guarantees. The presence of the Crownguard complicated things somewhat, but Palme ordered the insignias removed or scuffed to illegibility to avoid attracting attention. If anything, you looked like exotic personal bodyguards to the Pullmans.

Your eyes dart across the changing landscape, across time-blasted walls and dark alleyways, along the rolling transition of stone to dirt, and the yellow thatch of rooftop to the green and rolling hills. Searching, scanning, for signs of any threats.

>Roll 1d100 Perception
>Best of three

-----
>Horses
I will add an option to let someone teach you how to ride properly when the opportunity presents itself. You won't become a master within the day if you pass the check, but it'll be enough to learn to keep the beast calm if nothing else.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>47849470
Here go bubby

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>47849470
Nat 1

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>47849470

>>47849489
Your natural 1s are lacking anon. Need to work with that, maybe ask someone to give you pointers as to how dice behave and were trained.

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>47849470

>>47849506
But I've got the theory and execution down. I just need to practice.

>>47849541
No anon, you cant understand dice unless you ask.

>>47849541
then you'll endanger your life and have someone save you.

>>47849572
But then I'd owe them a Wookie Markus Life Debt.

I started to worry when I didnt see shitposting in between updates. Now I feel at home.

>>47849679
That's why you need to ask where them dice were bred and trained.

>>47849679
If that's what it takes to learn how to ride a horse....

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>73, 93, 4
There are no signs of any danger, at least as far as you can see. Paranoia, again, prevents you from saying anything in absolutes. Life doesn’t work like that. Just as there’s no such thing as ‘perfectly safe’, there is likewise no such thing as ‘absolute death trap’. Look at your new lease on life for example. You were more than certain that you were dead and gone no less than two weeks ago.

Yet here you are, struggling to move along with the horse and avoid causing undue duress on your ass. You seem to be doing an alright job for your first official ride, if nothing else. Although this was only at a steady trot, and with a less-than-temperamental mare. All bets are off when it comes to a full gallop.

Your sore ass aside, you do notice the Ingulan making hushed inquiries in heavily accented Common. You’re not able to pick up the individual words with the clanking of the knights’ armor and squeak of the wheels, but it’s clear from the pointed gestures and thinly-veiled glances in your direction that he’s talking about you.

Two hours later into the ride finds your company meeting up with Lord Kieran Pullman and the other eighty knights. He cuts an imposing figure even with a tired gait, stern and imposing as the Great Eagle on his tabard. Greeting the Knight Captain with a salute and small inquiries about the journey so far, he casts a weary look towards the men surrounding him.

“We ride until two hours after midday,” He announces in a rough baritone, “Upon which we’ll find a field and let the horses rest. I want to make it to the Journeyman Bridge by nightfall. There's safe grounds for us to strike up a camp." He pauses, taking a moment to shout. "The bastards responsible for this mess will pay for trying to frame us, but until then, you know your charge. Am I understood?”

(cont.)

“Yes, milord!” The cry comes out from a hundred men, loud enough to wake up the dead and any sleeping occupants in the carriage. The latter, apparently, as a tired and yawning Allanus pokes his head out the window before being forcibly yanked back in. Doubtless by his older sister given the gloved and dainty hand.

With that, the knights reform their ranks and begin to march once more. You’ve made at least seven miles with the small escort since the early morning. Maybe you’ll make another ten come nightfall. But first…

>Ask a Crownguard to help you ride. [Ingulan, Lupine, Silverow]
>Start reading your new book, learn about the plants.
>Custom option.

>>47850029
>>Ask a Crownguard to help you ride.
>Lupine
I guess asking the Knight would make the most sense. Specially since the Ingulan can't talk.

>>47850029
>Ask a Crownguard to help you ride. Lupine,

>>47850029
>Ask the mage to help you ride
because it sounds like a terrible thing to try.

>>47850029
>>Ask a Crownguard to help you ride.
Lupine

>>47850029
>Ask the mage to help you ride
Sounds good.

>>47850029
>>Ask a Crownguard to help you ride. Lupine,

Ask he knight

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>Ask Lupine to give you pointers on horse riding

Silverow seems to be busy studying his spellbook, occasionally checking the surrounding environs every few pages. The Ingulan is taking a more active role in protection, scouting around the perimeter as he guides his horse seamlessly through the ranks of the knights. Out of all the Crownguard, Lupine is the one that seems to be the one that is not preoccupied.

Not to mention the fact that out of all three of the current Crownguard, not including yourself, she seems to be the best one to be able to handle riding. Just the seamless transition from turn and the slightest of nudges to get the beast to move gives you all the information you need about her competency.

It’s approaching her with the question that proves problematic. In spite of your eagerness to learn new things, you’ve never been one to admit your inadequacy in a humble fashion. It isn’t an issue of pride as it is mortification. You’re a Crownguard, for the goddess’ sake. How come you can’t ride a horse like all the others?

You didn’t exactly go through the proper channels. Not to mention that your particular skillset lies in a more subtle and insidious method of carrying out your duty. But you digress. You need to learn it sometime sooner or later. Better to be safe than to be sorry.

“Wait, hold up,” She says when you ask her, a serious look on her face as she scrutinizes you. “You mean to tell me that in spite of your unparalleled combat skills with the knives, you don’t know how to ride a horse.”

It wasn’t a question as much as it was a declaration. One that she thankfully kept to a disbelieving sotto. You don’t flush. You don’t get embarrassed like that. You just roll your eyes at her words and send a very dry retort.

(cont.)

“Aye, so don’t make that big of a fuss about it. You seem to know it the best out of all of us.”
Lupine considers that for a moment before breaking out into a wry grin. “I suppose you’re right. But how am I going to be compensated for this? My duty is to Princess Adrianna, to be at her side for the rest of my life, not including breaks and allocated respite. You’ll have to offer me something very good to make me consider abandoning her side for the briefest of moments.”

It’s more than obvious that she’s teasing you, trying to get a rise out of you. You can’t help but rise to the occasion, offering a critical eyebrow. “I was under the impression that the Crownguard are immune to bribes.”

“This isn’t much of a bribe as much as it is an equivalent exchange,” She laughs, wheeling her horse around you in circles. Show off, she’s doing that on purpose. “A favor for a favor, and one to help you protect Ellana better.”

You think about what you have to offer…
>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.
>Kill one target of her choosing, no questions asked.
>Quit screwing around and just teach me how to ride.

>>47850505
>>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

>>47850505
>>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

I mean we were eventually going to do that anyways I think but now we get something out of it.

>>47850505
>>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

>>47850505
>>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

>>47850505
>A LIFE DEBT!

>>47850505
>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

>never much occasion for riding a horse in the slums, more useful as food than on the ground. Sides a quick man can move faster on the roofs than the ground.

>>47850505
>A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s keep.

>>47850569
She hasnt saved our life anon, get your memes together.

>>47850618
My bad.

>>47850618
It's okay, we pass them out like candy anyways!

>>47850618

Anon should compensate you in some way for this mistake...

Perhaps swearing you a life debt?

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>>47850672

Shit posting makes me type faster, but try and reign it in a little.

One more update before I go to sleep and we'll pick up tomorrow.

Writing...

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“A spar as soon as we reach Pullman’s Keep,” You bluntly tell her. “No delays, no excuses, nothing. Just you, me, and our weapons clashing against each other until one of us wins.”

That actually manages to surprise her, for a moment at least. She blinks once before her smirk returns in full force, this time with what you suspect is…bloodlust. The sheer feral intent behind the grin manages to give you pause while at the same time wishing in the deepest, darkest corners of your mind that you didn’t offer it in the first place.

“Well now,” Belatrix licks her lips with a sound, tongue sliding over skin with a very audible and unladylike noise. “If that’s what you’ve got to offer, then I’ll be more than happy to take you up on that exchange. But don’t forget, you promised me this. There’s no backing out when we make it to the keep, Painel.”

...you have the sinking feeling that you’re going to regret this.

“But we’ll let that come when that comes…now, you said you wanted to learn how to ride? Alright, here.”

The knightess guides her horse next to your mare, grabbing your shoulders roughly and straightening you up. “You’re mounted well enough, but your posture is shit. Keep your back straight. You should have a clear line through your ear…” She traces a gauntleted finger down your body with every name she whispers. “…shoulder, hip and heel. The weight of your body is supposed to be resting on your ass.”

You can’t help but bristle this time around at her touch. Not with arousal, but with deep unease. Serena was the last woman to ever get this close to you, and Lupine’s hands-on lesson isn’t helping that ache go away as much as it is bringing it to the surface.

But you keep your breath even and calm as she continues to (discretely) give you instructions. “Legs turned inward, toes pointed upward. Hold the reins like this, and pass your fist so the loop…”

>Roll 1d100
>Best of three

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>47851051
HORSE, OBEY MY COMMANDS AND FOLLOW MY WILL

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>47851051

>>47851051
go horsy ridin

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>47851107
>>47851051
Forgot me dice.

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>47851051

>>47851119
...sigh, i'm a child for laughing at that result, oh well
>69
*snerk*

Heading off to bed. Will resume thread at around 5 tomorrow.

----
“You know you can relax.”

“…”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you eat ever since we’ve come back.”

“…”

“Please tell me that you haven’t been starving yourself…”

“…is that an order, your highness?”

“If it will get you to eat, then yes, it is.”

“No, I have not been abstaining from meals.”

“…yes, quite right. Then explain why you’re looking at my meal like a starving layman.”

“…it is delicious. Even though I do not feel hunger pangs, the rich smell of the mutton and the spices infused into the meat are a heady combination.”

“Then you’re feeling hungry and you’re in denial about it. Come, sit down. There’s more than enough for the two of us to share.”

“...it is not proper.”

“Nonsense. It’s just the two of us, and you’ve saved my life more than enough times to sit at my table, propriety be damned.”

“There is no higher reward for a Crownguard other than its own service and honor-”

“You, Palme and every selfless bastard in this keep are going to be the death of me.”

“I would rather have that than poison or a dagger to the heart.”

“…point taken. But I'm giving you the order to sit down and eat. You can do your job just as well even as you dine.”

“As a member of the Crownguard, I am able to use my personal judgment to override any opinion that my charge-”

“I’m not ordering you as your charge. I’m ordering you as Crown Prince of the Empire to sit down and have lunch with me.”

“…yes, your highness.”

“There. That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

“…”

“…please don’t insult my intelligence. I know how demanding your…particular skills are on your body. Especially with your…Dance, I believe it was called?”

“…yes.”

“Then this should compensate your exertions during the bandit raid, Morgan. You can have whatever it takes to get your strength back up.”

>>47851490
Five in the afternoon, I meant to say.

>>47851503
See you then.

>>47851490
Thanks for running. See you then.

>>47851490
I see the name Morgan actually has significance beyond the html.

Bump

Bump

Is Kaz in GMT?

>>47855362
EST, I think.

Also, bump.

Bump for thy lord and saviour.

>>47855362
Going by the comment at the start of the thread he seems to be around GMT-5.

Bumped and writing...

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2.84 MB PNG

>>47851085
>>47851097
>>47851119

>21, 33, 69

Through the combination of Bellatrix’s heavy hand and your intuition, you manage to learn the threadbare basics of riding. And even then, it’s only at a moderate trot, a far cry from the full-out charge that they’re capable of when pressed. Still, it’s progress. You haven’t fallen out of the saddle or made an ass of yourself yet. All you need now is more practice.

>You will not be forced to make checks for slow riding
>You will only take -20 to checks to stay seated while in a full gallop

The knightess looks you up and down, nodding and occasionally prodding at your body with the butt of her spear. “You’re certainly better than you were when we headed out. Of course, your legs are gonna hurt like hell tomorrow since this is what, your...second time, you said?”

“First time proper.” You grimace as you try to shift into a more comfortable position. She’s right. Even with all your years of training, this is something that you’ve never prepared for. “What I did in my youth was in no way, shape or form close to ‘horse riding’.”

She nods pensively. “Then I recommend spending the day off the horse tomorrow. Get back on it the day after once your legs have gotten the chance to rest. By the time we reach Fort Onzag, you should be able to ride without trying.”

You give her a wry look. “That’s a good two weeks if the weather is kind and the snowmelt hasn’t turned the roads to a mess. And where am I to find shelter as we continue to travel along the Vethian Road?”

Bellatrix jerks a head towards the carriage, pulled along by four mares and the armored groom attending to his horses. “Stay with your princess in the carriage. I’ve seen the thing hold six people, the whole royal family, at one time. There should be more than enough room for you, even with the three of them cooped up in there like prize hens.”

“Do not compare our charges to poultry. It’s unseemly.”

(cont.)

She sighs, cursing under her breath. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have done that. Now I’ve gone and made myself hungry.”

>>Midday

The procession eventually comes to a stop in another few hours, Lord Pullman calling for a halt by a nearby stream. Pulling off the main road, the Eagle Knights dismount from their horses and go through the motions of breaking for their meal. Slabs of dried meat are devoured as they move to feed their own mounts.

You guide your mare to a quiet spot adjacent to the carriage, somehow managing to land on both legs. Gods, she was right. You aren’t about to fall if someone as much a sneezed, but the aches and pains are incredibly uncomfortable. There is little doubt that if you were to strip, there would be bruising along your groin and inner thigh.

The rest of the Crownguard join you on the ground as the carriage opens, letting a bedraggled Adrianna, a yawning Allanus and a chipper Ellana out of the vehicle. With bows and small pleasantries exchanged, the Crowmonds stretch their tired legs and sore arms brought on by their traveling conditions. Once circulation has been reestablished, they form around the carriage as the small host of servants to accompany them, no more than five trusted men and women, begin preparing their food.

“Don’t let your mare drink from the stream,” Bellatrix says to you as she pulls out an apple from her saddlebags. She feeds it to her own stallion as she continues, “Horses will drink it if needed, but they hate that cold shit, especially in the winter when it’s all runoff. Warm water is the only they’ll want to drink if the option’s available.”

You file that tidbit of knowledge away as you settle down on a relatively dry piece of fallen timber. Massaging your legs as you work on a slab of dried meat, you mull over the courses of action you can take after your quick meal.

>Search for poison ingredients.
>Start reading your book.
>Custom option.

>>47860904
>>Search for poison ingredients.

>>47860904
>>Search for poison ingredients.

>>47860904
>Search for poison ingredients.

>>47860904
>Search for poison ingredients.

>>47860904
>>Search for poison ingredients.

>>47860904
>Start reading your book.

You finish your meal, stretching your legs as you get the last sliver of meat out of those tight spaces between your teeth. Washing it down with a sip from the waterskin, you stand up and take survey of the surrounding area. There is a forest a little further down from the temporary camp, and the snow isn’t deep enough to cause great impediment.

“Marcus?” Ellana is looking at you, half-confused as she wipes a bit of stew from the corner of her mouth. “Where are you going?”

You give her a small smile as you gesture in the direction of the forest. “Just into the forest, your highness. There are plants and herbs that I can use

Her eyes widen in surprise. “I did not know you had an apothecary’s talents.”

“…it comes with the trade.” You eventually say, choosing your words with exceptional care. “Of being an adventurer. You live off the land and learn to survive with the little tools you have.”

She frowns at that before nodding. “It makes enough sense, I suppose…but please don’t wander too far.”

There are beasts in the woods. You are well aware of that. But in this time of the seasons? The more dangerous predators are in hibernation, and you’re not stupid enough to venture into a cave for ingredients. Bears, wolves, and a whole plethora of creatures that can kill a man in seconds.

You know your limits. You know when to retreat.

Nodding to her and the rest of the Crownguard, you start to take off towards the thicket of trees not too far-off in the distance. You’ve got an hour, two depending on how quickly the knights can mount up again. That’s plenty of time to search, especially since you know the ingredients that go into your toxins.

The snowfall obscuring the ground plants is going to be difficult to circumvent for your search. Difficult, but not impossible.

>Roll 2d100 - 20 for Encounter, Loot
>Best of three posts.

Rolled 22, 38 - 20 = 40 (2d100 - 20)

>>47861475

Rolled 87, 96 - 20 = 163 (2d100 - 20)

>>47861475

Rolled 74, 45 + 20 = 139 (2d100 + 20)

>>47861475
rolling
>>47861555
nice

File: Sennush Mushroom.jpg (360 KB, 992x671)

360 KB JPG

>>47861514
>>47861555
>>47861580

>Flat rolls
>Encounter = 22, 87, 74
>Loot = 38, 96, 45

There is nothing but good news, and better news.

The first is that the largest creature you came across was a fox, going about its way with bloody haunches of meat in its mouth. You presume that its rabbit given the tufts of fur that cling to the animal’s maw and fur. It levels you with an indifferent stare before trotting off with its kill, and you likewise go about your own business.

>You do not encounter any dangerous foes.

But the better news is that in spite of the permafrost clinging to the forest, the materials are unharmed and in remarkably good condition. These you harvest carefully, ensuring that petals do not brush against skin, or mushrooms do not release their hazardous, precious spores. It takes the better part of an hour to harvest them.

>You harvested:
>10 Ingredients
>2 Widow’s Tears (Nectar of the Widow Flower)
>3 Slennush Mushrooms

Once they’ve been safely contained within your satchel, you sheathe your knife and inspect your handiwork.

>Poison making, V.1
>Poisons are created by using Ingredients
>Ingredients can be either bought from herbalists or harvested in the wild
>For some poisons, a specific Catalyst is required

>Creating poison requires passing a Knowledge Check
>Nat 100 = Mutated Poison, double potency
> Nat 1 = Failed Poison, waste of ingredients

>Current poisons:
>Bodylock (Paralysis) [4 Ingredients]
>Hangman’s Noose (Asphyxiation) [3 Ingredients, 2 Slennush Mushrooms]
>Widow’s Fang (Necrosis) [5 Ingredients, 1 Widow’s Tears]

Satisfied, you mull over what you should do now that you’ve got a modest harvest of ingredients.

>Head back to the caravan.
>Make some poisons in the woods.
>Search for more raw materials.
>Custom option.

>>47862104
>Search for more raw materials.

>>47862104
>>Search for more raw materials.

>>47862104
>>Head back to the caravan.

>>47862104
>>Head back to the caravan.

>>47862133
>>47862156
There is still time for you to search. And now that you know where to look, it should take you less time to find the correct materials. Should, not will. For all you know, the first coup of Ingredients was a lucky fluke at best. Still, it is never wrong to have too much of a given material. Best to take advantage of this momentary rest for as long as you can.

With that in mind, you once again begin your search, carefully teasing apart snow-covered leaves and brushing aside thicket and bramble. The layfolk of Aderaveth would be surprised as to how many plants outside of evergreens can survive in the harsh environs of a Kaithian winter.

And how much of it can kill you, given the right perpetration and treatment.

>Roll 1d100 – 20 for Loot
>Best of three

Rolled 11 - 20 (1d100 - 20)

>>47862517

Rolled 47 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>47862517

Rolled 79 - 20 (1d100 - 20)

>>47862517

>>47862558
>>47862608
>>47862640

>11, 47, 79

While this harvest is not as impressive as your first bounty, it is still an impressive draw considering the cold environment. And the best thing is that even with your new haul, your satchel is nowhere near halfway full. There’s plenty of space for other materials along the Vethian Road.

>You harvested:
>5 Ingredients
>1 Slennush Mushroom

>You now have:
>15 Ingredients
>2 Widow's Tears
>3 Slennush Mushrooms

>Caravan

You eventually rejoin the caravan, taking care to shake the excess snow from your boots as you come back into view. A few of the Eagle Knights cast wary looks at your arrival, one even drawing his sword halfway out of the sheathe in surprised reaction. But in spite of the Crownguard seal visible, the color and make are still visible enough. You pass without further interruptions.

The Eagle Knights are in varying states of readiness, giving their horses some time to finish their bits of oats and fire-warmed water. Some are already mounted, cantering around the perimeter in vigilant patrol. Lord Pullman stands at the ready, eyes staring in the direction of the capital, an unreadable expression on his face.

Your fellow Crownguard are still with their charges, in the final steps of seeing the siblings off before they commit themselves to the carriage. You catch a glimpse of Ellana before she disappears back into the vehicle, the crestless door closed behind her by the family servants.

As the others go about to assume their positions around the carriage, Bellatrix casts a questioning eye towards you. The reins of your mare in her hands, waiting to be taken.

>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.
>Ride on your horse, back in the saddle.

>>47863056
we should have 4 Slennush Mushrooms Kaz

>Ride on your horse, back in the saddle.

>>47863056
>>Ride on your horse, back in the saddle.

>>47863056
>>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.

>>47863093
going to change my vote because i want to know what's going on
>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.

>>47863056
>>Ride on your horse, back in the saddle.

>>47863056
>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.

Listen to the woman who knows how to ride.

>>47863056
>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.

>>47863056
>>Join the royal family, ride in the carriage.

rest our sore backside, and get to know the royal family a bit more.

>>47863091
Wait, fuck. You're right.

>Current Ingredients:
>You now have:
>15 Ingredients
>2 Widow's Tears
>4 Slennush Mushrooms

>The Widow Flower is a rare plant that only blooms in cold environments and seasons. Nevertheless, it's rarity is completely juxtaposed by its deadly reputation as a poison, commonly used by grieving queens and ladies to commit suicide and join their beloved.
>A flower's worth of nectar can send an adult into a feverish coma. Three flower's worth can kill him in an instant.
>Only the nectar is poisonous.

>Slennush mushrooms are an oddity in that most people do not know about their poisonous attributes.
>Many know that its raw state is poisonous, and that fermenting it to make beer or other derivatives drives purifies it of the toxins. As such, raw Slennush mushrooms are, for the most part, handled with care.
>However, Slennush mushrooms that are cooked are just as lethal as their raw counterpart. A popular killing method is to slip a Slennush into a meal among other mushrooms and watch the unwitting diner choke to death on their last meal.

Writing...

File: Princess Ellana.jpg (49 KB, 316x484)

49 KB JPG

The only reason that you make the decision to get inside of the carriage is so you can keep a closer eye on Ellana, and by proxy, her siblings. Because from what you’ve heard, it’s only the three of them in the vehicle. It would be a travesty if you left all alone by themselves, and you’re not even joking when you say that.

There are too many things that can go wrong if they’re all alone by themselves. As far as you know, Princess Adrianna is not proficient in any other weapon aside from her scathing tongue, and Ellana’s strongest (read: mildly annoyed) hit barely got the breath to come out of your lungs. Granted, Allanus has the Spark, and is proficient enough to the point of being a prodigy under Silverow’s tutelage.

But that wasn’t going to be enough. You of all people know that magic only gets someone so far against people determined to kill you. Or do worse. Much, much worse.

“Carriage,” You grunt, gesturing towards the vehicle in question. “Keep a sharp eye on the Crowmonds. It isn’t good to leave them without an immediate escort.”

“And your sore ass has nothing to do with it?” Bellatrix teases with a waggling eyebrow. Still, she holds onto the reins, tying them against her saddle with a swift and practiced motion. “Because judging from the way you’re walking, she gave you a really hard time.”

“Absolutely nothing at all.”

You don’t need the aid of servants to help you up the steps, going through the motions of getting into the carriage without any ceremony. Ellana is surprised to see you knocking at the door, but ultimately lets you enter, sliding the lock open with a smile on her face. Her siblings are divided: Allanus looks thrilled while Adrianna has a nervous air about her.

(cont.)

File: Prince Allanus.jpg (324 KB, 596x773)

324 KB JPG

Not that you blame her. Considering her circumstances, she has every right to be nervous and apprehensive given the apparent plot against the Crowmonds’ lives. But it isn’t like their conspirators would care in the slightest. Royal blood was royal blood, after all.

You sit yourself adjacent to Ellana, doing your best not to dirty the interior with your damp boots. As soon as you settle quietly into a very relaxing cushion, Lord Pullman gives the order to disembark and continue the journey.

>Stay silent, let them start the conversation.
>Strike up a conversation, ease the tension.

Is Adrianna crushing on us?
Or was she just gossoping a moment ago?

>>47863878
>>Stay silent, let them start the conversation.

>>47863878
>Stay silent, let them start the conversation.

>>47863878
>Strike up a conversation, ease the tension.
Sup Kaz

>>47863878
>>Stay silent, let them start the conversation.

>>47863878
>Stay silent, let them start the conversation.

>>47863878
>Stay silent, let them start the conversation


>>47863882
Latter is most likely.

File: Adrianna Crowmond.jpg (296 KB, 850x1020)

296 KB JPG

There is a very pregnant silence for the next ten minutes. Ellana leans against the corner of her seat, breath soft and light as she sleeps off her lunch. Allanus pours over his magic tome, studying half-recognizable arcane symbols and runes that glow at his touch. For every five runes, you can at least make out a few, give or take a few squiggles.

“What are you doing in here?”

Adrianna is the one to break the silence, casting a neutral expression in your general direction. Compared to the first meeting with her, she is far from the collected and contained princess that you took her for. Her hair is down from her typical bun, and there are a few unruly strands that stick out here and there. Her eyes have fatigue in them, especially underneath the eyelids.

You frown. “I’m not sure what you mean by that, your highness. I am your sister’s Crownguard.” You pause to gesture towards your sleeping princess. “Is it not my duty to safeguard her at all times?”

She frowns at your response, seemingly baffled before exhaling deeply. “That is true enough…but that it not what I meant. Allow me to clarify: why are you in the carriage? I do not mean to cause offense, but this is for nobility only.”

Oh. Your eyes flicker towards the entrance. Did Bellatrix know about this? Did she set you up to look like a fool? No, she wouldn’t. Bellatrix Lupine is many things, but a malicious woman is not one of them. Bloodthirsty, aye, and borderline temperamental, but not malicious.

“To protect Princess Ellanna,” you reply, casting an eye towards Allanus before returning to look at Adrianna. “As well as you and your brother if the situation calls for it. This is the most advantageous position in the unfortunate event this carriage is separated from the main host. I don’t know why there wasn’t a guard before my arrival.”

(cont.)

“Guard?” Adrianna frowns, grievance forgotten. “Do you mean a guard inside of our compartment? What do you mean by that? We’re perfectly safe with Uncle Kieran’s Eagle Knights, as well as you and the other Crownguard.”

>Tell her all of the scenarios without sugar-coating it. Let her know how things can go wrong.
>Tell her some of the scenarios with sugar-coat. There’s no need to make her upset.

>>47864458
>Tell her some of the scenarios with sugar-coat. There’s no need to make her upset.

Got Ellianna in the cart. If she doubts us we can say, "Well I could go on to the worse scenarios but I think you get the gist your highness."

>>47864458
>Tell her some of the scenarios with sugar-coat. There’s no need to make her upset.
Remember Ellana is in here too. No point in scaring everyone.

>>47864458
>Tell her all of the scenarios without sugar-coating it. Let her know how things can go wrong.

>>47864458
>Tell her some of the scenarios with sugar-coat. There’s no need to make her upset.
>>47864488
yeah that is good.

>>47864458
>Tell her some of the scenarios with sugar-coat. There’s no need to make her upset.

Very gently, its obvious she is under a fair bit of duress. We can also encourage her into getting some shut eye.

>Sugar-coat
It’s impossible to discount Ellanna, even as she sleeps. And for his studious mind, Allanus is only twelve years old. And Adrianna is clearly under a bit of duress. This must be her fist life-threatening situation.

There are plenty of ways to give sage advice without causing them undue alarm. Soft warnings, generic advice. The specifics can be saved for the likes of the other Crownguard, Palme or Prince Emeron himself. And possibly Adrianna, but now was not that time given her mood and the presence of her two younger siblings.

You pop one of the joints in your neck. Adrianna winces at the noise while her brother looks up at the commotion before returning to his book. Your princess continues to sleep undisturbed. “Humor me if you will, your highness. Just for a moment. Tell me, in the unlikely event we are attacked by bandits, beasts, what would happen if this carriage were to be separated from its escort?”

Adrianna snorts. “That would not happen. Uncle Kieran and the Eagle Knights would rout the attackers. The Crownguard would protect us from all harm.”

“Yes, that is the ideal scenario. But, again, if this cart was to go off of a cliff or embankment? You all survive, but you are lost and separated from both Eagle Knights and Crownguard.”

Allanus actually sets down his book, closing it with a heavy thump to peer up at you with determined eyes. “I will protect my sisters!” The little prince whispers, snapping his fingers to create a small orb of flames in his hand. “I’ll burn them all, anyone and anything that tries to harm my family-”

His display of bravado is interrupted by his elder sister smacking him upside the head. “Put that out!” She hisses at him sharply, careful not to wake up Ellanna, who only tosses in her sleep. “What did Emeron tell you about using magic in an enclosed space?”

The prince does so, clutching the spot where his sister had hit him, whining in a hurt tone. “Ow…”

(cont.)

Kaz is dead.

>>47865512
Still here, anon, grapping with my words.

Writing...

>>47865512
>>47865530
he's shitposting in persona quest

>>47865121
Adriana makes a disgruntled noise before turning back towards you. “My brother’s…attitude aside, it would not take very long for aid to reach us if such a scenario were to happen.”

You shake your head, gesturing outside of the window. “Those are one hundred men. Eagle Knights they may be, but they will buckle under large numbers. Bandit attacks are not the main concern because your brother utterly destroyed them less than a week ago. But how about the ones responsible for this conspiracy?”

You leave out the precise number of men. At least three hundred for a pyrrhic victory, five hundred for the unit’s total destruction.

“And the Crownguard are busy fighting outside alongside the knights. That leaves you alone with only…what kind of magic do you specialize in, your highness?”

You address the last half of your sentence to Allanus, who perks up and proudly responds, “Fire magic!”

Of course. “With only fire magic. Sure, he may live up to his promise to protect you and Ellana, but that is not a scenario I would imagine for you or him to be placed in.”

The look on her face goes straight from irritated to a very uneasy shade paler than her natural skin tone. But before all the implications of the scenario can run through her mind, you’re quick to move and assuage her fears. You don’t want her to ponder the “what if” of what happens when his stamina eventually runs out, to him as well as herself and Ellana.

“Which is why it’s best to have one of the Crownguard here with you. I cannot stress that it is better to be safe than it is to be sorry, even if it is a transgression of the norm.” You finish with as much of a comforting smile as you can. “So that way, with my presence in this carriage, you have an extra sword, stave, spear, or in my case, dagger, between you and your enemies.”

>Roll 1d100 + 10 Social
>Best of three

Rolled 100 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>47865633
I'm social, I've got this!

Rolled 52 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>47865633

File: Witnessed.gif (138 KB, 600x337)

138 KB GIF

>>47865662
Yes, yes you do.

File: 004.png (69 KB, 554x197)

69 KB PNG

>>47865662
>I'm social, I've got this!
damn son, yes you fucking do

Rolled 22 + 100 (1d100 + 100)

>>47865662
Yes you do.
>>47865633

>>47865662
Accidental sploosh inducement?

File: 1455785901509.jpg (29 KB, 194x377)

29 KB JPG

>>47865662
...well then.

Guys, what's going to happen now?

>>47865662
Oh thank god. Last time I rolled a 100 it was hellborne.

>>47865732
We get that +20 to social of course.

>>47865732
Adrianna start crushing on us.

>>47865732
She believes the fuck out of us.

>>47865662
>Our first Nat 100 in this quest is with the opposite sex
Why am I not surprised?

Writing...

>>47865732
I imagine that she'll be bitching to high hell next time there isn't a guard in the carriage.

>>47865820
Hah! My first thread participating too!

>>47865826
"Marcus the fuck did you doooooooo"

>>47865820
Getting Flashbacks of a certain redhead?

>>47865875
"I was honest?"

>>47865732
We're actually given a carriage of our own

So when are we getting 4 nat 1s in a single thread?

>>47866320
Now because you mentioned.

>>47866320
When we aren't killing people or wooing younger women.

>>47866320
3 of them will be encounter rolls.

>>47865662
>>47865664
>>47865695

Maybe it’s just the tint of the light through the crimson drapes, but for the briefest of moment, you could have sworn that Adrianna’s face went right past normal skin tone and straight to a deep shade of red. But you blink once, and by the time the sun is once again obscured by the overhead clouds, the princess’ face is once again her own.

She collects herself quickly enough, and responds.“Ah…I see. Thank you very much for your…words of wisdom and advice. I think I now have a better understanding of you, Ser…”

You shake your head. “I’m no Ser.”

“Oh, I see. But, be that as it may,” She trails off, staring outside of the window, to where the Eagle Knights continue to march, “I appreciate your words. And I apologize for my brusque temperament. I am afraid that I am not myself at the moment.”

>Princess Adrianna’s opinion of Marcus has improved

Unsure as to how to respond, you politely offer a bow. “You’re welcome, your highness, and there’s no fault of yours. Now, forgive me, but I believe you could use some rest. These kinds of travels are not easy to make, especially in the early hours of the morning.”

She shakes her head, even as she tries and fails to stifle a yawn. “But it would be unseemly. And while Ellana can afford to take her sleep, neither I nor Allanus-”

You cut her off by pointing towards a sleeping prince, face completely planted onto the cover of his magic tome. Compared to his sister, Allanus’ breaths are loud and nasal. Not what anyone would expect from the royal family.

Adrianna is embarrassed on his behalf, but eventually relents. “…if you insist, then…I suppose I’ll follow the example of my siblings.”

(cont.)

You nod. “Aye, it would be best for you to do so. Get some sleep, your highness. I think you out of all three of the Crowmonds here need it the most.”

No later than five minutes after setting her head down, Adrianna is fast asleep, breathing softly against the cushions supporting her head. Shaking your head at the behavior of royals, you turn towards the weight of your satchel on your hip.

>Prepare a poison.
>Read your book.
>Custom option.

>>47866416
>Read your book.
Probably not the best idea to brew poisons in the cab with the royals.

>>47866416
>Read your book.
Yeah not feeling making poison right next to the VIPs.

>>47866416
>>Read your book.

>>47866416
>Read your book.
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEad

>>47866416
>Read your book.

>>47866416
>>Read your book.
I've been waiting for this

>>47866416
>>Read your book.
Yeah lets make a dangerous substance that could splash it all over on of your charges?

>>47866416
>>Read your book.
Heh if we fucked up brewing a poison it would be fun to explain

"So I was brewing a poison right next to the princesses and prince, who I was alone with in this carriage when we hit a bump in the road that made my hand slip and wouldn't you know it....."

>>47866471
READING RAINBOW

>>47866416
>Read your book.

>>47866416
>>Read your book.
Reminder that Marcus is putting down all the flags but will never act on them.

>>47866502
Serena 2stronk!

>>47866416
>>Read your book.
We Banished Quest now.

>>47866502
Last accepted flag was the death one

>>47866502

We had our love anon, and now she's gone.

There will not be another, and if it wasn't for the princess's generosity and mercy we would have happily died in the snow when we avenged her.

No romance, Only duty to the princess above all others.

File: Zealot.jpg (75 KB, 960x720)

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>>47866574
MY LIFE FOR AIU- ELLANA

>>47866574
Clearly he just needs the princess to warm his frozen heart.

>>47866655
Fuck no, he needs more poisons.

>>47866655
Wouldn't say he has a frozen heart, dude obviously cares and has empathy. Just I don't think romance is going to be a thing for him again.

>>47866655
Ellana will be his wife once she grows up!

File: inc_3_vii_iris.jpg (341 KB, 699x1024)

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‘The Botanical World of Kaithe’ is not the most detailed or friendliest of books towards its readers. The diagrams are minimal, and the descriptions run on, but it certainly does its job well. Carefully extracting the book and flipping open to the beginning, you take care not to damage the spine as you start the first chapter.

Besides, you aren’t about to go mixing poisons in full view of the royal family. At least, not at this point. Perhaps a situation would arise where it would be necessary, but those parameters had not been met. And even then, the unsteady and uneven terrain was less than ideal for mixing deadly compounds together.

You clear your mind as you begin to read the sprawling text.

"This is my life's work, concerning the flora of our continent of Kaithe..."

>Talents/Traits from Books Mechanic:
>Most books require five or seven sessions of reading before a Talent can be unlocked.
>Knowledge Checks can either accelerate or decrease the rate of learning.

>Rolls
>High = Reduces total sessions
>Mediocre = Average session
>Low = Adds total sessions
>Nat 100 = You finish the book
>Nat 1 = You get a headache and can’t read anymore for the day.

>Roll 1d100 + 20 Knowledge
>Best of three

>>47866705
I dont know what's more disgusting pedo or grooming.

Rolled 55 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>47866728
NAT 1

Rolled 49 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>47866728

Rolled 29 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>47866728
Come on, nat 1.

>>47866745
75 not bad.

File: Usagi.jpg (134 KB, 800x1203)

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>>47866740
There is literally nothing wrong about that.

>>47866782
>Usagi

No stop it. Please.

>>47866782
Fuckity fuck fuck fuck

>>47866802
>>47866806
I don't see why that ending triggers people. I thought it was pretty sweet.

>>47866782
>Nothing wrong

And that's why you shouldnt be allowed on the streets.

Ellana is eight.
Marcus is eighteen.

Writing...

>>47866883
Only 10 years difference? That's pretty normal desu.

>>47866574
Nice edge.

>>47866484
BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY

>>47866897
Nice Buzzword

>>47866915
It's a buzzword if it's not used correctly, shadow the hedgehog.

>>47866921
Exactly. Idiot.

>>47866921
I heard there's a new site with a lots of memes for you, it was called reddit or something like that, go google it.

>>47866908
I CAN FLY TWICE AS HIGH.

>>47866960
TAKE A LOOK

>>47866966
IN A BOOK

>>47866966
IT'S IN A BOOK

>>47866991
A READING RAINBOW

>>47867014
REEEEADING RAAAINBOW>>47867014

>>47866745
>>47866750
>>47866753

>75, 69, 49
>High Roll

By the time you’re unable to take any more, it is already the beginning of the dawn, nearly four hours later. You stretch your legs to get the blood flowing through them once again, inspecting the landscape as it makes the transition from winter to spring. The land is beginning to go down, this route of the Vethian Road leading to the Great Vale.

It is fifteen miles from the capital to Journeyman Bridge. An impressive distance to have traveled, for sure. And once the caravan crosses, the safety of the Vale and the eventual Fort Ozang awaited. As well as your inevitable spar with Lupine.

Joy.

Magister Bamel could not spin a compelling yarn to save his life, but if there was one thing that the late magister was good at was categorizing. The latest edition of his book is neatly divided into six parts: introduction, forest plants, plains fauna, desert foliage, marshland greens, oceanic bounty. Going by that logic, there is technically a seventh part, but the three-page biography and prestigious titles have little impact on the topic matter as a whole.

At any rate, you managed to make through a significant portion of the first half. Introduction about cataloguing the various species and genii, a section about forest plants you’re mostly familiar with. There are only four sections left. Perhaps you’ll be able to finish your reading later.

>Choose one:
>The Elder
>The Knight
>The Specter

>>47867070
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII CAN GO ANYWHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

>>47867076
>>The Specter

>>47867076
>The Specter
James Bond bitches

>>47867076
>The Specter

>>47867076
>>The Specter
we are an Assassin

>>47867076
>The Specter

>>47867076
>>The Specter
Cone on did you even have to ask Kaz, which did you think was gonna get picked.

>>47867127
The turbonig was close second.

>>47867076
>The Specter
we've had quite a few knights in other quests, really.

You reading the SG finale after this, Kaz?

>>47867076
Specter mind.

>>47867269
I agree. The perspective in this quest is refreshing.

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>The Specter

He tries to hide his steps. It is a better attempt than the last time. You were able to hear him even before he entered into the barracks. But he tries, and his attempts actually fill you with some small modicum of amusement.
It is not enough to make you smile, not enough to force a breath.

“Morganna.”

You break out of the trance to see him approach you, a grin on his lips as he spins the practice spear in his hands with a showman’s gesture. He is an oddity among nobles, forgoing axes and swords for pole-arms and pikes. Unusual, but his proficiency cannot be denied. Even Palme, unparalleled master of the sword, struggles to keep even footing with his liege.

“My lord.” Your response is blunt, swift and to the point.

“Now that Palme’s not here,” He glances around the barracks just to ensure that said Lord Commander is not present, “And that it’s just the two of us all alone by ourselves…”

You know what he will ask of you. You are not annoyed by his constant badgering, but it would make for an interesting deviation from the norm. Many nobles copulate with their retainers, predominantly with the serving girls and scullery maids. Not that he would ever ask you to do something of that nature. You think.

“I would very much like to spar with you.”

You remain seated, opening your eyes to stare straight at the prince from behind your cowl. “If that is what my lord wishes…”

“He does very much indeed.”

He is an oddity. Many people would be thrilled to find that their bodyguard is powerful, strong enough to beat them. A sign of their true strength, a man that can defeat you is now your retainer and shield. But such is not the case for Emeron Crowmond, Crown Prince of Aderaveth.

(cont.)

>>47867410
Good. Every human being has an intrinsic responsibility for his or her own life, it is good that he takes his in his own hands.

Ded kaz?

>>47867932
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14xe-CoRjYI

>>47867973
Thread went both nuclear and wild.

So anyone else think that this Morganna person in these two posts,
>>47851490 and
>>47867410 Who I assume is the first princes crownguard. Has any relation to Marcus?Elder sister maybe

>>47868332
Why would she be?

>>47868332
did you not check out the html or something?

>>47868335
Well my theory so far stems from the fact that their names both start with M (real conclusive evidence that). But also that she seems to be stealth focused (The fact that the option called the Specter was a write up from her point of view and her comments about Emeron trying to sneak up on her) and Emeron refers to her fighting style as the dance, which uses a lot of energy (As mentioned here>>47851490)
. And if memory serves, Kaz mentioned that Marcus's fighting style uses up a lot of energy as well after we beat the mage guy.

>>47868376
What html?

>>47868394
she either another failed assassin turned crown guard or our fathers' first apprentice

>>47868414
Kaz, after adding a few "fake" endings here and there, turned the first thread into an html CYOA, and passed that for his Creative Writing....thing.

The female MC name was Morganna.

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>>47868435

>>47868455
I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic.

All these life debts and horse training sessions have left me dull.

>>47868483
A little bit. But it is one hell of a coincidence that the possible female MC name is being used for another character, who uses a similar if not the same fighting style and seems to be an Assassin as well.

Also WHERE ARE YOU KAZ?!?!?!?!?!?

>>47868516
Probably passed out on his computer.

>>47868528
Passed out or killed?

I'm gonna bet on killed.

>>47868528
>>47868661
Should we archive just in case?

>>47868661
It was his waifu. She got to him.

>>47868666
Go for it, Satan.

>>47868666
Okay done http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/47847758/

>>47868679
Never waifu crazy.

>>47868696
>Forgot to number the title with a 6.
Least you got the tags right.

I'm here. Huh. That's the first time I actually passed out on my computer. Heh.

Finishing...

>>47867410
His tenacity and drive to restore his father’s Empire to its former glory is just as manifest in his desire to beat you. To him, you are many things: Crownguard, measuring stick, and the final obstacle to overcome. You are the sole person to walk on the soil of Aderaveth and say, without falsehood, that you bested Emeron Crowmond in combat.

You stand, preparing yourself as he lights the braziers surrounding the Floor. The flames cast macabre shadows along the walls, forming leering faces that laugh and cackle as the oil within burns through the long hours. This is the arena where you will fight.

You remove your weapons, hanging the belt along the weapons wall. You take your weapons, a pair of blunted daggers. You frown as you run a gauntleted finger along the ridges. These were in use recently. How very strange. No one in the Crownguard uses knives as their primary weapons.

Given Bellatrix’s propensity to intoxication, you would not be surprised if she laid her hands on these weapons in a drunken state.

But you divest yourself of thought as you turn to face your liege. They weigh no different than the last time you were here, so many weeks ago before you set out to destroy the northern bandits. And the balance remains uncompromised. As it should.

“Are you ready?” He calls from the opposite side of the Floor, deep in a stance and spear ready to strike. “How many matches will this be now?”

You unsheathe your daggers as you fall into position, emptying your mind till there was naught but battle left within your thoughts. He always shivers when you open your eyes, blank and devoid of all emotion.

“Not enough, my prince.”

The Dance begins.

(cont.)

Woop.

>>47870127
First Form.

The Sparrow.

A common belief among practitioners of weapons and battlefield is the concept of preemptive strikes. The one who seizes the initiative in any form of combat, both on a grand map of conquest and in the individual struggles of the common solider, is the one to have victory.

But as with every rule, there are exceptions.

He moves in with a series of thrusts, using his weapon’s reach to his immediate advantage. His strikes are clean, efficient and thorough. There is no denying his prowess, or the epithet his skill has earned him. “Longinus”, the old sage of the mountains who mentored the prince pole arm combat, the last Hero to fight against the Crimson Tyrant at the side of the Bladebound Emperor almost 200 years ago.

But you have your own talents as well.

Just as the bird that flies in the storm, who follows the winds that blow and adapts to the changing environment, you follow the path of the spear. You twist and contort, stepping aside to avoid the more obvious blows, batting aside the blunted head if it gets too close. Your feet are light as they move across the Floor, barely making any noise against the stone as they carry your body away from the attacks.

Against any other weapon, the Sparrow is enough. It is reactive, dependent on the attacker, a style of the Wraith’s Dance meant to turn one’s attacks against them. Swords can be parried, and the knives can slip through to find their mark. The wide swing of an axe leaves a man open to attack.

Not so with weapons at a distance. Projectiles, greatswords, and spears. Especially given the man who wields the latter of them. Once upon a time, you were able to close the distance upon parrying the spear, delivering a final blow to send the Prince sprawling onto the ground. Not anymore. He has learned his lesson. He keeps his distance.

Pale eyes narrow as the paradigm changes. A different approach will be necessary for victory.

Second Form.

The Bear.

(cont.)

>>47870387
Maybe the bear is hibernating.

>>47870686
Had to go grab breakfast first.

Almost done...

>>47870716
There you go: a bear always bulks up before hibernating.

>>47870387
>>Aftermath
You unceremoniously dump a bucket of water onto an unconscious Emeron. He sputters back to cognition, gasping and lurching at the sudden shock as you observe with a passive expression.

He sits up, pressing a hand to his temple as he mutters half-slurred profanities. It comes away sticky and red with blood. But in spite of his appearance, he makes a relatively quick return to coherence. “What…what happened?”

You tell him the truth as you set down the bucket. “You lost.”

Many people believe him to be a temperamental prince. It is far from the truth. It cannot be denied that he indeed possesses a fierce and acerbic wrath, but he has never used it on you, let alone anyone who did not deserve it.

As such, all he does is sigh, attempting to wring the water out of his robes. “I was sure that this time, I would defeat you.”

You nod. “Yes, you were. I was as well.”

His laughter is devoid of any humor whatsoever. “Don’t patronize me. You know how much I hate that.”

“I am not. You forced me to change to a different style of combat. No one on this continent has ever been able to accomplish such a feat.”

He gives you a wry grin as he pulls himself up to his feet, wobbling uncertainly before regaining his balance. “So that’s what it was? I did notice it. You stopped dancing around and just…charged. It was quite the surprise.”

“A deadly one as well on my part,” You reply, sheathing your daggers. “Only to be used when all other options are exhausted.”

“Options,” He says, glancing at you with a wry expression. “Not option. Just how many more of those Dances do you have under that armor?”

Sparrow, to turn the enemy’s attacks against them.

Bear, to sunder the powerful with devastating blows.

Wolf, to attack with members of the Haunt.

Revenant, the movement of the Wraith.

And those are the only names your father permitted you to know.

(cont.)

>>47870896
How the fuck did we ever get that injured at the beginning when we can do all this crazy bullshit?

>>47870935
Cause we never completed training.
Evidently when she meets us its back to having our ass handed to us to get it all learnt.

>>47870935
rage. Didn't go for vitals first.

Also, the other guy might have been tubby and slower to die.

>>47870935
Our training likely never finished because we killed our dad. Also if we went for the quick kill while pissed instead of in a cold fury we likely got sloppy.

>>47870896
“Pray that you’ll never have to see them,” You intone as you extinguish the fires around the Floor. One by one, the red glows extinguish, coating the room in darkness once more. Save for the moonlight, there is no other illumination. Just the way you prefer it. “They are last resorts, only to be used in the direst of circumstances.”

Holding the broken halves of the practice spear, he exhales deeply. “Then I clearly have much more to learn.” In the silence, you can hear his hands tighten around the ruined hafts. “I will defeat you one day, Morganna. Just as I will make this Empire great once again.”

He says his words with the most absolute sincerity. It is neither arrogance nor braggadocio that compels him to adopt that tone. It is the heritage of his blood, the mantle of his Birthright: Crown Prince of Aderaveth. His word is his bond, and nothing short of death would keep him from his promise.

Seated on the stone floor, legs crossed in a meditative position, you begin the steps to enter the Specter’s Dream. The feeling of your senses slowly relaxing to a dull throb come in short flashes. It will not be long before you completely enter the state.

You are not the most social of persons, but even you have enough foresight to know it is impolite to leave someone without parting words.

“Then I shall look forward. To both of those days.”

With those final words, you completely slip into the Dream, a paradox of awareness and unconsciousness as your body takes its rest. The first sense to go is that of listening, but you don’t need it to see the smile on his face, to track his steps as he walks away from the barracks. There is a notable spring in his step that even his sprained ankle cannot restrain.

It is under the moonlight and in the cover of darkness that Morganna Ruvel takes her rest, the ghost of a smile playing across her lips.

------------
And done. Fuck, I need to get these stingers pretyped.

>>47871126
Now I really want Marcus to meet her.

>>47871908
I imagine we will since she's a coworker