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File: Miranda Styles 2.png (165 KB, 402x549)
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Hello! Welcome to Magical Girl For Hire Quest!

You are Miranda Styles, a relatively unscrupulous magical girl currently working for Silver Eye Solutions, a umbrella corporation for magical girl mercenaries such as yourself, located in scenic The Intersection, a dimensional nowhere and everywhere where you rest and get details for your next job. Currently, you're gearing up for your latest gig- traveling to a swords and sorcery dimension and helping a shadowy group known as The Knights of the New Moon gain victory over the Kingdom of Alban and the Horinth Empire, who are currently at war with each other.

Previous Thread: >>501742
Character Details: http://pastebin.com/9J70gqM2

CURRENT FUNDS: 25 Motes. It's advised to not spend all your motes from word go.

CLOTHES

Body

> Hunter's Longcoat
> A specialized longcoat that allows breathability and decent protection. Its rugged look and purposefully tattered edges give of an air of restrained menace.
> (Intimidation +1 / Humor -1)
>Price: 2 Motes

>Blank T-Shirt
> A Simple tee for an excellent casual look.
> (Plainness +1 / Intimidation -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

>Shimmering Gown
> A silken gown made from local magics and materials. The weave gives an optical illusion, making the wearer's body seem slightly wavy.
>(Otherworldly +2 / Plainness -2 /)
>Price: 3 Motes


Feet/Legs

>Heavy Boots
> Practical and comfortable, these boots are for laborers who need good foot protection.
> (Plainness +1 / Hothead -1)
>Price: 2 Mote

>Red Striped Sneakers
> A cool set of street sneakers with a kickin' red stripe. Impress your friends and look good at whatever sport you're into!
>(Hothead +1/Otherworldy -1)
>Price 2 Mote
ACCESSORIES

Neck

>Silver Necklace
>(Intimidation +1/ Hothead -1)
>Price: 2 Mote

>Black Bandana
>(Hothead +1 / Otherworldly -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

>Tyedye Tie
>(Humor +1 / Intimidation -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

>Spiked Choker
>(Hothead +1 / Intimidation +1 / Otherworldly -1 / Plainness -1)
>Price: 2 Motes

Head:

>Bottle Glasses
>(Humor +1 / Hothead -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

>Glowing Headband
>(Otherworldly +2 / Hothead -2)
>Price: 3 Motes

Hands:

>Amped Knuckle Dusters
>(Hothead +1/Intimidation +1/Plainness -1/Humor -1)
>Price: 3 Motes

>Fighter's Gloves
>(Intimidation +1/Otherworldy -1)
>Price: 2 Motes

>Servant's Gloves
>(Humor +1 / Hothead -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

Back:

>Superhero Cape
>(Humor +1/Plainness -1)
>Price: 2 Motes

>Noble's Cape
>(Intimidation +2 / Plainness -2)
>Price: 4 Motes

>Traveler's Backpack
>(Plainness +1 / Intimidation -1)
>Price: 1 Mote

Note: Artificially dropping a rank past E CAN happen- basically there'll just be a counter of how many points you need to gain in that section to bring it back up to Baseline. It'll look like this: (Stat): E-1/2/3/4 You get the idea. There may be repercussions for this, though. Be careful.
>>
>>513191
>Servant's Gloves
>Noble's Cape
>>
>>513191
At a guess, I'd estimate we'd be best on this mission having other people perceive us as fucking terrifying (fuckhigh Intimidation, and secondarily high Otherworldly), but not unreasonable (low Hothead), so we can be used as an effective threat against enemies without actually getting into unnecessary fights.

Being easily noticeable (low Plainness) will probably also help, as will being taken seriously (low Humor).

We're already not very plain, and not very humorous, but we're somewhat hotheaded and pretty worldly. We're decently intimidating.

As such, bearing in mind the items we already have taking up slots (our jacket and necklace), I suggest we buy:
>Glowing Headband (3 motes)
and possibly
>Noble's Cape (4 motes)

Speaking of our stats, you might want to paste them in from the last thread so they're easy to reference.
>>
>>513204
Scratch that last line, I just noticed the pastebin link.
>>
>>513191
>>Heavy Boots
>> Practical and comfortable, these boots are for laborers who need good foot protection.
>> (Plainness +1 / Hothead -1)
>>Price: 2 Mote

>Noble's Cape
>(Intimidation +2 / Plainness -2)
>Price: 4 Motes
>>
>>513191
>Noble's Cape
>Glowing Headband
>>
Alright, looks like

>Noble's Cape
and
>Glowing Headband

Writing.
>>
>>513204
Still I agree, we'd rather be as intimidating as possible. Maybe even look a bit "ugly", but it can't be that bad if it's all for the peace right?
>>
>>513191
>>513248

You eventually settle on the Noble's Cape- it looks properly intimidating, and you could likely use that feeling in a group such as this one. Thinking about it, in general it'd be a good idea to play along with their expectations- something that's beyond what they'd call normal capabilities. You're already going to be that strong, but how you approach issues and how others will act around you based on the vibe you give off are important. If they're expecting something that's unusual, then...

You order the Glowing Headband as well. It's a golden thing, ridged, with the center inscribed with some logo that you can't quite understand. Either it's nothing or just a language you never heard of, most likely.

It doesn't take long after you confirm the payment, and you can feel the motes being sucked out of your person.

>You have 18 motes remaining!

The bottom of the screen glows brightly, and a beam of light lances out, coming to a stop in front of you. The tip of the beam extends into a ball, which expands and grows to a reasonable size before suddenly dissipating into a moderately sized box. Sure enough, when you open it, there's the headband, resting on top of the cape. You quickly don them both, and turn around. The cape is actually red with gold trim, and has a fuzzy collar. You have to admit, just wearing it you really do feel more like ordering people around.

“Alright, Sal, I think I'm set.” He nods, and with a glowing hand, puts down a runic portal in front of you.
“They'll be waiting for you- got a special room set up and everything. Shouldn't have been too long since I left them- at least in their timeframe. Maybe an hour or so.”

You nod, stepping onto the platform. “Good. Then I'll see you later, Sal. Business calls.”

And with a flash, you vanish.

Cont.
>>
>>513377

Transporting used to be kind of disorienting for you- but these days it's second nature. Which is really good, since considering the people you'll be meeting, it'll be paramount to keep your poise. As the swirling stops and your surroundings make sense again, you find you're in an...interesting looking chamber.

It's circular and domed, made entirely of blackened stone, and lit by countless candles. There's nothing in particular here save for those. You're in a sort of center circular platform, and a small ring of water is running around the edges of the room. There's a single pathway leading from where you are, down a few steps, to the only exit. Kneeling on either side of you in front are what you presume to be soldiers, clad in dark leather armors, and their faces hidden by masks. They both raise their heads to you.

“Y-you are Lady Maladis...correct?” One asks. That must be the name Sal gave you. Fair enough.

“I am.” They immediately nod, and one of them rushes out the room. You take the time to look at yourself.

You're clad head to toe in some sort of chitinous armor, although your face is exposed. Your gauntlets seem to be clawed, and your forehead, you can tell has...SOMETHING on it. Likely some sort of horns. Interesting getup.

Before long, the one that left earlier returns, with someone in tow.

He's an immensely sized man, clad in the same violet armors as you saw before. Winged helmet, gauntlets and greaves with blades on them, a brestplate that reminds you of a beast's roar. This must be the big guy. He's flanked by a slightly smaller knight, also in scaled armor. No winged helmet or exceptionally fancy additions beyond that, however.

“Welcome, Lady Maladis. I am Commander Argus, leader of the Knights of the New Moon. This is Lieutenant Veryn.” He looks you up and down. "I trust you are aware of our situation?”

>"I've been told enough. Where's my pay, and what's my target?"
>"Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more?"
> Other
>>
>>513388
>>"Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more?"
>>
>>513388
>"Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more?"
>>
>>513388
>"Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more?"
>>
>>513388
>>"Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more? Where's my pay, and what's my target?"
>>
>>513388
>>513397
>>513398
>>513404

“Only the basics. Will you be elaborating more?” You ask.

He nods. “Of course.” He turns to Veryn. “The gold.” Veryn nods and claps his hands twice. From beyond a corner, two soldiers come around the corner carrying a chest. “From what I was told, this would solidify your temporary allegiance with us, correct?” As they got to the base of the stairs, they put the chest down, and open it, revealing a massive number of gold pieces. “Seven thousand for now, as requested, with more to be delivered as you accomplish our desired goals.”

Well, hot dog. They looked sincere about it. You're about to step down to take the chest yourself when Varyn steps in front of it. “However,” he starts, “I must admit that despite your...countenance, I'm not yet quite convinced of your capabilities. The tales told by the old man were quite...frightening. However, I must be assured. Would it be too much to request minor proof of your skill, m'lady?”

> “Yes, it would. Stand aside, and give me what you've ALREADY promised.” (Intimidation)
> “Fine. I'll humor you. How do I give you this 'proof'?”
> “Hmph. Concerned that you're not getting your money's worth? I assure you I'm more than capable of taking on whatever you ask.”
> Other
>>
>>513485
Humor him. We're professionals.
>>
>>513485
>“Hmph. Concerned that you're not getting your money's worth? I assure you I'm more than capable of taking on whatever you ask.”
>>
>>513485
>> “Fine. I'll humor you. How do I give you this 'proof'?”
>>
>>513485
> “Fine. I'll humor you. How do I give you this 'proof'?”
>>
>>513485
>> “Fine. I'll humor you. How do I give you this 'proof'?”
It also helps us acclimate
>>
>>513485

Bah. You've dealt with folks like this on occasion. The hard sells. Doesn't seem like he was entirely in charge of your hiring, at the very least. The way he's standing tells he's both convinced of himself and at the same time very worried that he may be making a horrible mistake. It was always inwardly interesting to see. Still, you're a professional, so might as well act like one.

“Fine. I'll humor you. How do I give you this 'proof'?” You ask, stepping forward. He's several heads taller than you, but you get the feeling that you're at the very least on equal ground with him. And that's not just due to the fact that you're on higher ground. He quickly glances towards Argus, who simply nods. Veryn nods in return, and turns to leave as Argus does so as well.

"Follow me, please." You do so, the chest left there for now, Argus ordering the soldiers to guard and not touch it. As you walk along the corridors, Argus begins to explain.

“It has been several years since the rulers of Alban and Horinth declared war. Their quarrel over their nonsense has proven that neither is fit to rule. Their peoples are either weak and praying to a god that does not exist, or clinging to old tradition that fails to understand how the modern era is. Humanity as it stands is growing mad, and further and further they sublimate themselves to things they have no control over.” You raise an eye at the anger in this voice. “We seek to change that. To make for a world that has no 'gods', no masters invisible or falsely raised. A world where everyone is free to seek their own fortune, how and when they desire it!”

“You have a dragon yourself, don't you?” you ask. That doesn't quite make sense to you...

“Indeed, but he is merely a guard. He has no desire to rule over anyone. He wishes for the same thing we do. The dragon race is receding, but if that is the nature of things, then so be it. He, as we do, merely wishes to live the rest of his life the way he likes.” Interesting.

You turn a corner, and soon come to a door larger than most that you've passed. “So, how are you planning on bring about this kind of change to the world?”

“That...” Veryn says as he opens the door. “...is something I would rather not say until AFTER the test.”

Cont.
>>
>>513594

The door leads to what appears to be a large courtyard, full of soldiers sparring. There's a large, empty patch of dirt off to one side, ringed by wooden fence, in which two soldiers are sparring. You can see three other Knights out here, too- two of them seem to just be talking.

They're both thinner sorts, one male, one female- surprisingly, their helmets are off. The man seems middle aged, with wiry black hair and a gaunt face, with a sharp nose and green eyes. The girl is a brunette, short haired, amber eyed, and has a disbelieving expression on her face as she continually discusses something with the man. The third Knight is solo training on a thick, wooden dummy with a large warhammer. He's got his helmet on, however.

Veryn begins to walk to a nearby weapons rack, as faces begin to turn to him- and you. “We will be sparring. Non-lethally, of course.” He picks up a wooden glaive from the rack and begins walking towards the sparring circle. “Choose your weapon, and meet me in the circle.”

Hmph.

>Training Glaive
>Training Greatsword
>Training Shortsword
>Training Warhammer
>Training Axe
>Training Halberd
>Training Daggers
>Nothing, use your own fists and feet.
>>
>>513595
>Training Glaive
>>
>>513595
>Nothing, use your own fists and feet
>>
>>513595
>Staff
>>
>>513595
>>Training Shortsword
They dont have anything between Great- and shortswords?
>>
>>513595
>Nothing, use your own fists and feet
>>
>>513595
>Training Greatsword
>>
>>513595
I change my vote to
>Training Glaive
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

Rolling between glaive and bare handed.

1- glaive
2- barehanded

Next post may take a minute.
>>
>>513595
You mull on it for a while, tuning out the whispers that you hear from others nearby. You're not too bad with weapons in general, although nowhere near the proficiency level of Izumi. Still, it's a plausible idea...but no. You've always been more of a fan of the natural way of things.

You turn away from the weapons rack and begin walking towards the sparring circle, much to the surprise of your impromptu audience. You can already hear a number of shocked onlookers.

"Are they really going to fight? Does she know what she's in for?"

"Does he? I only heard whispers that they were supposed to be getting a strong mercenary. Is that girl it? She looks scary enough..."

"Maybe we should keep a good distance..."

The two Knights that were discussing something are now both looking on in curiosity. They don't seem quite as surprised at your lack of weaponry as the others do. The man in particular looks rather interested, and as you look his way he gives a slight grin.

Veryn himself simply raises an eyebrow as you enter the sparring circle. "You intended to fight me as you are? You're certain of no weapon?"

You nod. "It's what I'm best with." Well, that, and a bit of magic. Speaking of, Sales was right. You can feel the magic energies in you building up easily. It makes you wonder just how magic isn't apparently as popular as it by all rights should be. Maybe you should ask after this. But, thoughts for later. You sink down into a combat stance, fists up. Veryn readies himself as well. You can hear a lot of cheering starting up for Veryn, although the Knights notably keep quiet.

"Very well, then. We begin!" And he immediately puts his guard up, angling the glaive towards you, but notably keeping his distance. Even if you can't see his eyes, you can tell they're intensely focused on every twitch you make. You're both circling each other, daring one to make the first move.

>Close in on him, and use your speed to attempt to break his defense so you can punch him out.
>Demonstrate your magical aptitude and throw some magic blasts his way, see how he reacts.
>Play hit and run, try to get him to overcommit to a counterattack and take advantage.
>>
>>513720
>Demonstrate your magical aptitude and throw some magic blasts his way, see how he reacts
Such is the point of this bout, no?
>>
>>513720
>Close in on him, and use your speed to attempt to break his defense so you can punch him out.
Knock him flat on his ass. Break some of his armor if we can.

If the client sees that we can kick the shit out of one of their best without even resorting to the powers they hired us for, then they'll know that our power is truly overwhelming.
>>
>>513720
>>Faint with a magic barrage while closing in for a heavy hit.
>>
>>513727
Supporting.
>>
>>513720
>Demonstrate your magical aptitude and throw some magic blasts his way, see how he reacts.

It is our comfort zone.
>>
>>513740
>>513815
>>513843


Pew pew.

Writing.
>>
>>513843
It would also let Miranda get a feel for the rate of her man's recovery in this world.
>>
>>513720
You'll have to tone it waaay down, you suspect, but these guys wanted you for your magic. You wonder if they're expecting this, though...

You give off a faint glow on your hands as you fire off a low strength blast with a flick of your wrist. To his credit, he manages to dodge, but the impact leaves a tiny crater near the edge of the ring about the size of a basketball. He and everyone else presence freezes for a split second. Then the yells start.

You can't help but smile at the shouts of surprise. Veryn himself simply nods. Then charges forward, apparently decided to try and close in on you to stop that quickly.

You fire off another set of blasts, however, and even at reduced strength, they still seem to do a number on him. He dodges the first, but one of them hits his shoulder and he visibly recoils. He barely manages to dodge a third, and you're forced to actually dodge a swipe as he manages to close in within swinging distance.

Another two impact his gut as you leap over him, getting clear across the ringin one jump, and although he's still standing, he's clearly winded. The next shot, however, is aimed at his legs. He dodges awkwardly, and the effort takes him off his feet and forces him into the path of a last blast that forces him flat on his back.

Huh. That was simple. And fortunately it didn't take a great deal of mana.

The surrounding audience is shocked silent. Even the Knights have looks of astonishment on their faces.

Veryn groans, and gets to his knees with a bit of trouble. He's breathing hard, nut judging by how he's moving, you you get the feeling that it's more trying to get breath back in his lungs than sheer pain. Although it might well be a bit of that too.

"That...you can just cast with no incantation?!" Huh. Maybe that's part of why magic isn't popular. "But that's..."

"Precisely why we got her." Commander Argus stands tall the rest of the present Knights and soldiers bow. "The claim was that she was unparalleled in Mystic Arts. Considering how she bought you low with trivial effort, I am inclined to believe those tales."

The gaunt looking Knight is nodding slightly. The woman looks both impressed and dare you say...jealous.

"BAHAHAHA!" Oh, that's the big guy. "Never thought I'd see that happen! So much for The Unyielding Tide!" Well, you're at least glad that someone enjoyed it.

"So, was that proof enough, or can we get down to business?" You eye Veryn as he struggles to his feet.

"Yes, Ms. Maladis." Argus says. "I believe we can."

Cont.
>>
>>513985
>The woman looks both impressed and dare you say...jealous
I wonder what's our company's policy on recruitment of local talent.
"Being a Magical Girl's a good job, girl. It's outdoors, challenging work, and I guarantee as long as you're not picky, you won't go hungry.
"Because no matter the world, timeline, or plane of existence, so long as there's more than one thinking entity, somebody will want somebody dead, and they'll pay for the service."
>>
>>513985
Not much later, you're seated at a large, round table, along with the other Knights that you've met so far. The gaunt man introduced himself as Yvald, The Shadow's Herald. The girl was Merida, The Thunderous Will. The man was Torvald, the Unbreakable Mountain.

Apparently titles were a big deal here.

"We have gotten wind of a force in this world that seeks to undo all we have done. A youthful adventuring group from the countryside, nearing the borderline of both fool kingdoms, but natives of Alban. They've been making something of a name for themselves. People are calling them the 'Longshots'.

You have to hold in a snort of laughter at that one.

"Some of us have had in the opportunity to meet them before in battle. One of whom is not currently with us at the moment. He's off on an assignment. However..." he turns to Torvald.

Torvald nods. "Yeah, I met 'em. Fought 'em. Surprisingly tough bunch of kids." The old man doesn't really seem all that fussed at he scratches his scraggly white beard. "Led by a kid named Tavis. Hot-headed young thing, but clever. Good with a sword too. Don't know the rest of them though. Well, except for one. His name's Basil. Big fella, strong. Doesn't quite have that killer instinct, but in general I like his gumption."

You nod. This was good info to have. "So you want them dead?"

"We would prefer they come to understand the futility of their efforts and join us." Argus says. "But we understand that that may not be possible. We have a plan. We have found ancient knowledge that points to a method that we may be able to use to realize our ultimate goal. We are in the process of trying to collect the various pieces told in that ancient knowledge. They have learned such as well, and are in the process of trying to stop us. So however you might be able to handle the situation is acceptable, so long as they have ceased being a threat to us."

Yvald speaks up. "According to my sources, the group was last seen at Finley Village, headed north. We're unsure of their destination."

"There's a lot up north." Merida confirms. "Could be headed up there for any number of reasons."

>You have a time frame for this in particular?
>Do you have anything important up there?
>Are you expecting regular check-ins?
>Other
>>
>>514095
>You have a time frame for this in particular?
>>
>>514095
Time frame and anything important.
>>
>>514095
>You have a time frame for this in particular?
>Do you have anything important up there?
>Could they have potentially found out your timetable, and have you accelerated it in secret accordingly?
>>
>>514095
Alright, then. You've got a few questions for them.“What about your time frame? I'm presuming you're not just taking your sweet time on this, huh?”

Argus scoffs. “Of course not. Our goal is to accomplish this before either nation becomes so deluded as to think they've actually WON. When all they'd end up inheriting is a land of nothing but anger and chaos, should we not succeed.”

Alright then- nothing concrete, but you should likely keep an ear to the ground for new developments regarding the ongoing war effort. It'd give you a decent idea of how concerned the Knights would be, and how fast you'd need to move.

“Okay then. Next question,” you lean forward a bit. “Do you have anything you might call important up that way? Might be a target for them if that's the case.”

Yveld speaks up first. “We've a fortress, and a watchtower- but they're both somewhat out of the way. We use the fortress largely for mining purposes to gather ore from the nearby mountains, while the tower is merely an area to keep an eye on any nearby intruders. I cannot imagine that they'd be going out of their way to assault the area, unless they know something about the location that we don't.”

Hm...that might be a possibility. “Well, you never know. You said they know about the same artifacts, correct? Do you know if you learned it from different sources or not? They may have figured out your goal, and might be trying to beat you to the punch. Have you stepped up efforts to find these pieces?”

“I assure you, Ms. Maladis, we are doing everything in our power to locate the pieces,” Argus assures. “However, if we are make certain we find them, we must be thorough in-”

Suddenly there's a large, panicked knocking at the door. “Enter.” Argus commands.

A common soldier bursts in, chest heaving with breath and looking haggard. “S-Sirs! News to report!” He salutes quickly. “Forgive my sudden entrance, but there's been a major occurrence in the northwestern plains! Word of some large band of marauders- they've assaulted Hatham's Hold, Blake's Landing, and several other places towards the north. We've lost two scouting parties to them so far, and they seem to be trying to lay claim to the border regions between Horinth and the Wildlands.”

The Knights look at each other. “That could restrict our movements and knowledge in the area. That ore is important.” Merida notes.

Argus nods. “I am unsure of why they seek to claim the area...but it won't do to risk having them cause any troubles.” He looks to you. “We'll have to ask you to shift priorities for the moment. If you're as strong as you claim, then perhaps you can link up with our fortress up north, and see about clearing these marauders out before they make more of a mess of things than it is already. It'd be roughly in the same direction.”

>"You're the one paying. I'll see to them."
>"Can't just send some of your own men for this?
>Other
>>
>>514259
> You're the one paying
>>
>>514259
>"You're the one paying. I'll see to them."
>>
>>514259
>"You're the one paying. I'll see to them."
>>
>>514259
"Killing some self righteous children our a small army, it's all the same to me."
>>
>>514259
>"You're the one paying. I'll see to them."
>>
>>514259
You shrug. “It's all the same to me. You're the one paying, so I'll see to them. Point me in the right direction.” Interestingly, you see Merida lean back and look away at that declaration.

Argus nods. “We will grant you a map and traveling provisions for one week. The rest is up to you.” Fair enough. You've dealt with worse. Hopefully they'll be the sort to just stand there and monologue for like thirty seconds. Or one of the ones that can't seem to both talk and do things at the same time. Those were always easy jobs.

Soon, you're situated at the front of their stronghold. It's surprisingly nondescript- a simple hole in the middle of a hollowed out, smaller mountain. On a whim, you look up and behind you, and sure enough, you can see the tail of what you presume is the guard dragon dangling from the cliff face. Nifty. You shoulder your pack- it contains food rations, several flasks of water, a small portion of your gold for spending purposes (you'd already sent the rest back to Sal with a message attached explaining the missing coin), flint and tinder for a fire, and cloth for a tent.

The mountain is surrounded by forest, which makes sense, considering how much these people want to make sure they're hidden and only fight on their terms for now.

Merida came out with you, and it's just you and her. “You'll, uh...have to excuse us, m'lady. For all her strange looks earlier, she seems notably uncomfortable standing right next to you, shifting constantly. “We'd have horse or a carriage for you, but there's been a particular shortage, and-”

“It's fine,” you say. “I was never a big horse person anyway.” You open the map given, and take a look.

Seems like you're situated in the relative southeast. Both the major kingdoms of Alban and Horinth are more northern, Horinth to the west, Alban to the east. Alban has a great deal more territory than Horinth, though, stretching down far longer. You see an area labeled 'Wildlands' that seems to split the two as well. Looks to be largely mountainous wilderness, as expected. Taking a careful look, you see the areas previously mentioned- Hatham's Hold seems to be midway up Horinth territory, right on the border of it and the Wildlands. Blake's Landing is to it's slight west, nearer a river. Similarly, to the east, just inside Alban's borders is a town called Gracewell. Further in you can see Finley Village, also a border town within Alban territory, on the southwestern boundary.

“Our mining fortress is here,” Merida points out with a slightly shaky hand. It seems that given where Horinth's and the Wildland's borders end, a bit further out from that is where the fortress and the watchtower is. “There's the start of the Wildlands, and the mountains there have good ore. You could tell them Argus sent you- there's a phrase for allies- 'The Moon knows only itself.' That'll get you in.”

cont.
>>
>>514442
It makes sense, looking at it. If the adventurers were at Finley Village and heading north, they likely could either head through the Wildlands- and risk running into the marauders- or go through Alban. The fortress would be a touch out of the way, yeah, but it would still be northern. Hm...

>Head to Hatham's Hold first.
>Head to Blake's Landing first.
>Go straight into the Wildlands.
>Other
>>
I should've drawn a map.

I didn't draw a map.
>>
>>514444
>Head to Hatham's Hold first.
>>
>>514444
>Head to Hatham's Hold first.

>Other
>Ask her why she is so discomfited by you. She really needn't worry - you're both allies in this, after all.
Intimidating our foes is good. But intimidating our allies too much isn't.
>>
>>514444
Head to their fortress first so we can introduce ourselves and not have our allies attack us
So we have five groups now? God botherers, Dragon fuckers, moon hippies, adventures and bandits? Or are the adventurers and marauders associated with someone else?
>>
>>514469
Nope, that's about the size of it!
>>
>>514444
>Head to Hatham's Hold first.
>>
>Other: Use the dragon to fly up high, as a viewing spot. Get some up-to-date info on the surroundings.
>>
>>514444
>>Head to Hatham's Hold first.
>>
>>514504
We definitely need to take the dragon out for a spin before we leave this realm
>>
Writing. Last one for tonight...
>>
>>514444
Might as well head to Hatham's Hold first. Seems like as solid a first investigative spot as any. You roll up the map and turn to Merida. “I'll be going to Hatham's Hold first.” She nods stiffly and makes to leave, but a thought flits through your head. “Merida?” The Knight freezes mid-stride as she hears her name called. “Just why the sudden discomfort? You're not my target. You're my ally.”

“I...it...” she seems to have a bit of trouble putting it plainly. “Yes, but... only as long as your respect towards our money holds. Once that ends...well, we saw what you did to Veryn.” She turns to you, trying to hold herself together. “Of warriors, we are some of the strongest. I myself have fought through over a hundred men with no backup. And of us, Varyn is one of the most highly respected, in both wisdom and combat skill. And yet in mere moments you made him look like a novice fighter- and it was plain to see that you weren't even truly exerting yourself. That level of power...is nearly unheard of in the modern day. Tis the stuff of fables and tall tales.” She takes a deep breath. “So I hope you can understand if I am...less than comfortable around you. I fear thinking about what you could do should you actually expend effort in combat.”

Hm. Well, that's something to know. "Well, like I said. I'm your ally, not your enemy. As long as you keep paying, it'll stay that way. So that's all you really need to worry about."

Before she can say anything, you take a run, and then a leap that clears the treetops for a full second and change as you bound your way towards Hatham's Hold. It'll likely take you a few hours, but the mana cost is exceedingly minimal for stunts like this. The faster you get there, the better, anyway.

You've got targets to hunt.


(Magical Girl For Hire Quest will be back tomorrow, 12 CST! Look for it!)
>>
Oh, should I archive the first thread? I'm not certain how to do that...
>>
Whats the company etiquette on local counter offers, as in the current target trying to offer more for turning the coat?
>>
>>514610
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/requestqstinterface.html?

Just fill up the form here with a description of your preference.

>>514724
I'd say that, as a professional, we should fulfill our existing contracts first before considering taking up any counter offers. Taking up other jobs like that seems to be what's damaging Lorelei's success rate. And turning against our employers would damage our credibility.
>>
>>514743
I tought something similar will be the answer
>>
Can't believe I'm still up.

>>514724
Taking counter-offers mid-job is strongly frowned upon, but there is no formal rule against it- simply a policy of if it comes to light, you'll be required to surrender 75% of your earnings on said job instead of 15%. That's not even Sal's call- that's a mandate from HIS bosses. Hence it's generally considered only feasible if said counter-offer is a MASSIVE jump over the initial one.

>>514743
Thanks!
>>
>>514787
understandable
>>
Just got caught up.

Really cool how the gameplay of the quest is set up. It's not about whether the protagonist can defeat her opposition, she's generally assumed to be strong enough to just do that. The point is whether she can get paid, and that entails appearing a certain way. So all her stats have nothing to do with combat, but how she comes across socially. It's a novel concept.
>>
>>514958
Thanks! Still morning where I am, but I'll be actively running in about 2-3 more hours!
>>
>>515050
Bappity-bamp
>>
>>514605
As you surmised, it's a couple of hours of relatively boring travel until you can start to see the tops of houses from out of the treeline, surrounded by fairly large stone wall. Looks to be a moderately fortified town, which makes you wonder just how well they managed to survive the raid. You can see a couple of figures on the top of the wall- presumably the remaining militia stationed there.

Hopefully, this'll be a solid first step in figuring out exactly where and how these bandits are operating.

The question is, how to approach the situation...you can already see one of the figures running off. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing as it stands.

>Stop leaping, starting walking. Introduce yourself merely as 'a wandering warrior'.
>Stop leaping, start walking. Introduce yourself as Lady Maladis, a mercenary working for The Knights of the New Moon.
>Jump over the wall, THEN turn back and say hello. That should let them know you mean business. (Intimidation)
>Other
>>
>>515306
>Stop leaping, start walking. Introduce yourself as Lady Maladis, a mercenary who's here to help.
Be vague on the details unless asked. We're here to gather information first of all. I imagine we'll head to the fortress after and get backup.
>>
>>515306
>>Stop leaping, start walking. Introduce yourself as Lady Maladis, a mercenary working for The Knights of the New Moon.
>>
>>515306
>Stop leaping, start walking. Introduce yourself as Lady Maladis, a mercenary working for The Knights of the New Moon.


>>515312
Aren't they with our group? I don't see how not stating we're with their group could possibly get us more information.
>>
>>515357
Hatham's Hold isn't formally affiliated with The Knights, but the relationship is 'amiable', and although Horinth doesn't like the Knights, Hatham's Hold folks tend to look the other way when they show up.

Writing.
>>
>>515306
Well, might as well be polite about it. You're still in the woods when you next land, but by then you're rather close to the treeline regardless. Still, best to just start walking and approach the gate like a normal person for now.

You can see several archers standing atop the walls as you clear the trees- several of them seem rather tired, and you can definitely see blood on more than one's armor. Seems like they're not getting much of a rest, which makes sense considering the circumstances. One of them calls to you as the rest prime their bows as a precaution. “Hold, there! State your name and purpose!”

Best to keep it accurate, then. “I am Lady Maladis, mercenary. I've been sent by The Knights of the New Moon concerning the recent...troubles.” You can see the soldiers look at each other, then you see a couple of them get near the speaker, whispering something to him. He whispers back, and the three of them seem to enter a quieted conversation while the remaining archers are stuck between wondering what's going on with their leader and keeping an eye on you.

Eventually, they break their powow, and one of them runs off, while the first one finally responds to you. “Alright...but we have to ask that you be quick about it. The Flameguard have sent word that they are to be here by the morrow, and we've little hospitality to spare.” As he says this, the gate that had been blocking the archway in is opened, and you head on through.

The place seems relatively simple, main road, several sideroads which likely lead to alleys and such. The man you'd talked to walks down from the parapet- a younger man, it seems like, fair and golden haired, with some slight stubble. He nods in greeting, though he visibly slows down when he gets a better look at you. “Ah, well...welcome. I am Gerald, and I, uh, lead the militia here. I...hope you won't- I hope you're here to help. Things aren't great here, but we've been steadily at the watch. We saw you coming. The militia and I...we'll be here to help, right?” He looks up at the others. They don't seem to be coming down or anything. You simply nod.

> “Where's the town leader? I'd like to speak to them.”
> “I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault.”
> Walk away, begin investigating yourself. Pubs are usually a good spot for info.
> Other
>>
>>515461
> “I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault.”
>>
>>515461
>> “I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault.”
>>
>>515461
>> “I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault.”
>>
Writing.
>>
>>515461
> “I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault.”
Might as well get information straight from Gerald
>>
>>515461
“Then I'd like to know your account of the marauder assault,” you say. Might as well start with one of the men that was on the front lines. “As much as you can possibly remember.”

“Oh! R-right, of course, sorry, m'am. Let's see...well, it was two nights ago that it happened. Pitch black, really, and I was one of the first out there. Saw them through the torches that lit up the trees, you see. A couple hundred of them, easily. Started off with burning arrows, and that cost us a few men right there. Then they took to trying to scale the walls and breaking down the gate. They were rather organized for marauders, I think, but I have to admit, it's all a bit of a blur...They managed to get a few numbers on over and on the inside, but we fortunately largely held them at the gate- with some damages, sadly. A few homes and businesses burned to the ground, some livestock and general goods either slaughtered or taken, lives lost.” He sighs. "The whole thing lasted around 5-6 hours or so. They retreated as soon as the sun started threatening."

"But you did survive," you note.

“We were lucky, though- I heard that Blake's Landing got it rather worse than we did." He says. "If it weren't for the Flameguard, they'd have been entirely overrun. Fortunately they were there, and drove them off. Good fortune that they didn't retreat in our direction.” Gerald looks over further into the town. “I'm not sure we could've dealt with two assaults back to back. But it's rather strange. I asked for more details about the assault- I've kinfolk right over there. I got a letter back simply saying that I'm not cleared to know such details.” He frowns for a second, but then glances back at you, as you're frowning as well. “I, uh, I'm sorry I don't know more, but perhaps you can talk to the Mayor? Mayor Renault. He's around somewhere, I'm sure you'll be able to find him.” He look around anxiously. I need to get back to my duties, terribly sorry! But if you ask, I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction!”

Before you can say much else, he's quick to spring back up the stairs and start barking out rotation orders. Hmph.

There's a few options you can think of...

>There's a pub not too far away- The Knobbed Horse. Perhaps there.
>You can see a thin plume of black smoke further away, the source hidden.
>Look for the biggest house- that's likely the Mayor's.
>Start investigating the damages yourself. You never know.
>Other
>>
>>515582
>You can see a thin plume of black smoke further away, the source hidden.
And what might this be I wonder?
>>
>>515582
Let's investigate the smoke source.
>>
>>515582
>You can see a thin plume of black smoke further away, the source hidden.
>>
>>515582
>You can see a thin plume of black smoke further away, the source hidden.
>>
>>515582
>You can see a thin plume of black smoke further away, the source hidden.
>>
Huh. Contentious.

Writing.
>>
>>515660
Black smoke means trouble, and trouble is our business.
>>
>>515582
The black smoke is the one thing that most sticks out to you, however. Might as well investigate. The black smoke seems to be in a further corner of the town, however- at a glance, it's next to the wall that encompasses the town. You elect to take the slow way- that is to say, walking. If anyone earns your ire, then you can do the whole shock and awe thing.

As you get closer, however, you begin to hear voices. “Not much longer now,” an older voice says.

“Yep. He'll be payin' for this with all his soul.” Another gruff one says.

“Aye, just let's finish this up, we've all got work to do, cause of his lot.” A third raspy voice says, and you can hear some muffled cheering and agreements sounding out from various other voices as well. As you round the corner, you can see what appears to be a small group of people surrounding a large trash pile, about a dozen or so, and one of the older ladies there seems to be lighting various parts of it on fire to get it burning quickly. Some other fellows are throwing broken wood and various flammables on it for more kindling, and two larger men, one heavyset, the other just plain muscular, who are standing in front of something...or someone, when you get a glimpse of what's between them.

Seems like a bald man, bound and gagged. He seems to be wearing light clothes- you're unsure, as you don't have a good look at him, but he's struggling rather hard. The portly man gives him a quick kick to make him quit his struggling. The burly man just chuckles, watching it happen.

Fascinating.

The two men guarding the unfortunate fellow notice you in short order, and immediately their eyes go wide. Gradually, the rest of the townspeople present also turn to notice you, and your garb and presence seems to shock them into silence. As you sweep your gaze over them, you notice several of them trying to inch away, but none of them are making any overt movements, and they freeze when you lock eyes with them.

Eventually, the crone speaks, in a fearful whisper. “Who-who are you? What's yer business here?”

>Ignore her, walk up to the two men. "Move." (Intimidation)
>"I am Lady Maladis. I'm here on a job. I have questions for you."
>Ignore the question. "So...a form of street justice?"
>"I could ask similar of you."
>Other
>>
>>515830
>Other
"So, a form of street justice? Not that I care much one way or the other, but my curiosity has been piqued." (Intimidation)
>>
>>515830
Aww, it's just a burning. Welp, we're not paid to rescue folks in trouble, we're paid to slaughter marauders. Move along, nothing to see.
>"I am Lady Maladis. I'm here on a job. I have questions for you."
>>
>>515830
Walk up to the portly man, and point to the bound man and the pyre. "Explain. Now." (Intimidation)
>>
>>515842
>>515850

So in case people don't get it, a (stat) next to a standard option simply means that you have a high enough rank to do it and get away with it. I'll let you add stats to custom inputs, but depending on what you want to do and the stat level, it might not work out like you'd hoped...okay?
>>
>>515830
>"I am Lady Maladis. I'm here on a job. I have questions for you."
>>
>>515855
Of course, I say 'get away with', but there still may be semi-related consequences/changes/different reactions from NPCs.
>>
>>515830
>"I could ask similar of you."
Followed by:
>"So...a form of street justice?"
>>
Hm. We have many questions.

Writing.
>>
>>515845
Pretty much this, it's their town. Want to find out why they are burning him though. Maybe he was working with the bandits and knows where they are holed up. Also wouldn't hanging him be cheaper, less dangerous and send more of a message?
>>
>>515912
All valid reasons.
The other reason we could them infer is that as a hired killer, their amateurish methods offend our sense of professional murder.
>>
>>515928
Now you're just being ridiculous.
>>
>>515830
“I am Lady Maladis,” you say without breaking eye contact. “I'm here on a job. I have some questions for you...” your eyes flit to the pyre and the guards, who flinch slightly, before returning to the old lady. “...starting with what is this? Some form of street justice?” You take a step closer, and she takes a step back. As do the rest of the gathered people.

“I-I...beggin' your pardon, m'lady, but this one was one of the whoresons that tried ta tear our dear home apart!” She speaks quickly, afraid but passionate. “Came in the dead of night they did, tried to send the whole of Hatham's Hold up in blazes! Not to mention a couple of 'em snuck their way in, tried to ravage the village the old way when that didn't take! Why I wouldn't be here were it not for my son coming to my defense! Poor child's bedridden with the wounds this blaggard inflicted and I fear it'll be some time before he recovers truly! What with all he's done, I and the good folk around here daresay it's fine for 'im to have a taste of what they tried to do ta us! It's only fair! Damned if it ain't!” She seems frantic in her justification of the burning- you're not that concerned either way, but it's interesting to witness the people nodding and agreeing with her- though they don't seem as enthused as you'd heard them a moment before.

“So do you know anything else about the marauders? Anything interesting he or any others may have said or done? Or prior knowledge like where exactly they're based, or their history?” you ask. “That's who I'm after.”

She shakes her head. “No, none o' tha- wait, you're after the bastards what did this?" Her eyes get a bit more of a spark in them once she processes this. “You're no new Flameguard then, are ye?”

“I'm currently under contract with the Knights of the New Moon, as a mercenary.” you explain. “They've tasked me with wiping out the marauders, as they're deemed a threat.” And, you're starting to suspect, they'd rather not have Horinth or Alban take the credit.

"Actually, I recall somethin'..." one of the men that was loading kindling speaks up. "Well, I managed to get one of the arseholes myself. Stuck 'im between the ribs with my fire poker. Before that, though, he mentioned somethin' about 'a good group o' men being better than that Iron Belly', but, uh... I've no clue no care what he was talkin' about. Terribly sorry, miss!"

“Anyone else?" the old lady calls. No one else speaks up. "Forgive me for the lack of information, then, Ms." She still looks uneasy, as do the rest. Slowly, however, she turns to the tied up bandit. “We've not said much to the lout, but I s'pose you can try ta give him a talking-to if'n you care to.”

>Any further questions for the old lady?
>Ask the marauder questions?
>>
>>516058
>>Ask the marauder questions?
Can we do some type of taser finger type of trick with our magic?
>>
>>516058
Ask for the location of their base. Promise a quick end if he cooperates and assure him he will beg for death if he refuses.
>>
>>516058
>Any further questions for the old lady?
Are there any other bandit bodies? Maybe we can get some clues from what they wore or weapons they carried.

>Ask the marauder questions
Ask him who the marauders are, if they work for anyone, their numbers, where they're camped, and what the next target was supposed to be.
Break his bones to get him to talk.
We don't have the time, equipment, or cooperation of the locals to do this interrogation the right way, so we might as well do it the fast and brutal way.
>>
>>516082
This is a thing you can do.
>>
>>516083
>>516087
Supporting interrogation
>>
>>516091
Oh, then let's start with the Force Lightning to get him to talk before moving on to breaking his bones.
>>
Bzzzzt.

Writing.
>>
>>516123
UNLIMITED POWA!!!
>>
Not sure if in front of a crowd of villagers was the best place to torture someone while using the good name of our client.

Though they were about to burn them to death.
>>
>>516294
Well if he answers the questions promptly he won't be tortured, only burnt alive. Praise the merciful new moon.
>>
>>516058
“Are there any other bandit bodies laying around?” you ask. There's the possibility of finding clues on their person...
She shakes her head, however. “None that we know of. Rest of 'em got rounded up and tossed.”

“Guy I shanked had similar wear to him,” the other man says. “Leather breastplate, bracers, moccasins, a dagger, longsword, and a bag o' stilettos. Dunno what those were for.”

A subtle heat reminds you that the flame is lit, and burning brightly. “I'll have to ask ye to make it quick, mind.” The old lady warns. “The guard don't know we've got 'im, just thinking we're burning trash. They'd want him for capture and leave 'im in a cell, and life in prison's too good for 'is sort.” She scowls as she says it, but you're not paying much attention anymore.

You're focused on the marauder. He's been looking at you ever since you shifted focus to him, and the big guys move aside quickly once you approach.

Cont.
>>
>>516366

(Misjudged the length. This could've just been two.)

He seems about middle aged once you get a decent look at him. Five o'clock shadow, relatively dull-looking. Hope for his sake he has answers. You can see the sheer fear in his eyes as you approach, and he starts wriggling even harder. A single palm on his hand is enough to stop him moving.

“I don't have a great deal of time here, so here's how things will go. I'm going to ask you several questions. You're going to answer them as truthfully as possible. If you're nice and honest about it, things will end better for you. If not, things will end very very badly for you. Clear?” You hold his head still to prevent him from shaking it. “Good. First question. What's the name of your organization?”

You lower the gag for him to speak. “W-We call ourselves the Red-Bodied!” He shakes himself, trying to put some bravado in his voice. “And hey, hey, look, you ain't come across no one like us, here? Just- I mean, just 'cause you got lucky with a small piece of us don't mean-”

Before he finishes you channel a bit of magic energy to your fingertips, and touch it to his chest. Although padded with leather, the magic easily cuts through the material and you can see him jolt and convulse briefly- to everyone's gasps- before you let off him.

“Wasn't asking for the rest, but thank you for the extra information.” You hold up your finger again, still glowing. “Next question, are you working for anyone?”

“What the...! We...the- the Red-Bodied don't take orders from no-one except our boss!” the man grinds out.

“Fair enough.” You refrain from zapping him any more. Promise is a promise... “So then, how many are there of you?”

“Enough to trash two villages at once.” Press. “Ahghahg IdunnoIdunno!” You let off, and he needs a moment to catch his breath. “I dunno! Boss splits his folk up into different camps! I'm jus' part of the one group!”

“And your campsite?” He actually spits on the ground at that one.

“Oh, hell, like I'm gonna tell you that one! Ya might as well AHGHAHGJKGHG FUCK THIIIISSSS...” Yeah, you had to turn up the juice on that one. But when you let off, he just glares and shakes his head. “N-n-no way, y'hear! I'm- I tell you that, I'm dead either way, so like I'm gonna tell you jack about-” you cover his mouth again.

“Are you sure about that?” You have his face in your hands, and the claws of your gauntlets are digging into his skin. “I promise you, you might be dead, but I can make the journey across really, really long, and really really painful.” You keep your face emotionless as you say this- it was always kinda a crapshoot whether torture worked or not. You didn't have a whole lot of options at the moment, though.

Cont.
>>
>>516369
He says something muffled through his gag, but you're unable to make it out. Hmmm...ah.

Without preamble, you take his right arm. Your hand isn't glowing anymore, but you don't need it to.

“Sure you don't wanna say anything?” You look at him closer. There's clear fear in his eyes, and he's shaking his head to try and get his face away from you. At least, you're presuming that that's not simply a no. You give him another jolt just to be sure, and remove his gag again. “I can't say nothin', I won't say nothin'...”

You replace the cloth, and with a simple flex, you can hear his arm break, as he shrieks beneath the gag. You pull it off again once he's done. “Positive of that?”

“Nn-noo....no, no, no, not like this, no...” Geez. You just asked a question. Ah well. Time for another one.

“Next target. Do you know it?” you ask. He gives you a tear-stained stare. You just stare at him for a few seconds, as you hear the crowd behind you getting restless. Great. You're running low on time.

However, he lets out groan and cracks, breathing hard. “S-somewhere...north Alban. Dunno where. H-he kept talking about it...” he swallows a mouthful of air. “But nothin' else. I can't tell you NOTHIN' ELSE!”

Damnit, he's getting too loud and the crowd's getting too antsy.

>Call it done. End him yourself.
>Turn him back over to the crowd, let them finish up.
>Bring him to the guard. Crowd won't like it, but eh.
>Other.
>>
>>516377
>Call it done. End him yourself.

Good enough. This leaves a bitter taste in my mouth already. No burning for him.
>>
>>516377
>>Call it done. End him yourself.
We told him we'd make it quick if he played ball, and a mercenary lives and dies by her word. The crowd can suck it up, we're not here to make them feel better.
>>
>>516377
>>Call it done. End him yourself.
Take his jaw off before we go. If he wanted to keep it, he should have used it to tell us more information.
>>
>>516377
> just leave
Sure would like a map OP
>>
>>516441
Yeah, I need to find a decent mapmaking tool.
>>
>>516446
This place doesn't need a decent map. Make a shitty one in paint.
>>
>>516453
Fair enough.

Also, hey, I just put the option of 'ask questions'. Anons gave the details of how to go about it. (No offense meant. Interesting direction.)
>>
>>516377
>Turn him back over to the crowd, let them finish up.
>Other
"You should probably puncture a lung to keep him from screaming. If you just stick with the gag, it'll burn along with him and eventually he'll be able to scream and make trouble with the guards.
"Don't make my job more difficult."
Make as if committing all of their faces to memory.
>>
File: Basic Basic Map.png (17 KB, 800x600)
17 KB
17 KB PNG
I made a map. It's not a good one. Take it as approximate, not exact.
>>
>>516589
It's beautiful.
>>
>>516605
I actually forgot some cities, looking at my internal notes. Here.
>>
>>516377
Well...it'll have to do. It was decent enough information, and a promise is a promise. “Alright then. That's all I'll ask of you. I appreciate your relative cooperation.”

And so you snap his neck. It's quick, it's painless, as far as you know, and he falls to the ground limp.

“Hey! What the- you just- we were gonna burn him, you-” the lady shuts up as soon as you turn around.

“I said it'd end better for him. It did.” That's all you feel needs to be said, and you begin walking back out of the side way. “What you do with the body is up to you. Thank you for the assistance.”

With everyone giving you a wide berth, you're back on the main roads. Now with the information you have, it seems that both the adventurers and the Red-Bodied will be heading to north Alban. This could end up very well for you, if you play your cards right. If they could both be convinced to head to the same place... you'd just have to make sure that everything's set up, if you want to play it that way.

The question is, do you? What's the plan of action from here?

>Two birds, one stone. It'll take some efforts at manipulation, but it'll save you the trouble of hunting down a pair of roaming enemies if you can make enough waves to draw them to you.
>The information that you have should be sufficient for hunting down the marauders. Or at least one camp. If you have to hunt down all of their camps one by one, however, so be it.
>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
>Other
>>
>>516708
>>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516708
>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516708
>The information that you have should be sufficient for hunting down the marauders. Or at least one camp. If you have to hunt down all of their camps one by one, however, so be it.
Take them down separately. Sure, it's more effort on our part, but it makes sure that they don't team up against us.
>>
>>516708
>>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
>>
>>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
>>
Writing. Sorry about the delay.

...I'm having more fun than I expected running this.
>>
>>516744
>it makes sure that they don't team up against us.
I'm not really sure we need to regard being overpowered as an operating concern here. That said, I definitely think that going off on a goose chase after one bandit camp at a time is a waste of time and effort.

So we should:
>You still need a bit more information. Continue investigating here and in Blake's Landing.
With a view towards later:
>Two birds, one stone. It'll take some efforts at manipulation, but it'll save you the trouble of hunting down a pair of roaming enemies if you can make enough waves to draw them to you.
>>
>>516708
No, no. Don't lose yourself just because you've gotten some new information. There's still more you can look into to make absolutely certain you're not just going to end up going in circles. You still need to investigate a few things here, and then it'd be best to head towards Blake's Landing.

There's a few more things you could do here, if you felt like it. You're not sure what's up with the Flameguard thing- you have your suspicions, but maybe it might be worthwhile to stick around in secret? They don't want you within their walls come the night, it sounded like. Which would be fine. You had gear to camp out, if necessary. If they were related to Horinth, then learning something more about the kingdom proper might be worthwhile down the line.

Another thing would be to try and get an audience with the mayor- Gerald did say that he was around here somewhere, and you have an idea that he'd likely know one or two more things than Gerald did about the situation at Blake's Landing, if what he'd said earlier was any indication.

Alternatively, you could take a look around the outer walls where the majority of the fighting was. Possibly requisition one of Gerald's men to assist, even. He DID say they'd help.

>Camp around until tomorrow and spy on the Flameguard.
>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>Investigate the surrounding outer wall area and the treeline for any clues.
>>
>>516922
>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516922
>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516922
>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516922
>>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>>
>>516922
>Seek out the mayor and talk to him about the incidents here and at Blake's Landing.
>>
...Hm. Faster than normal. Maybe my audience just happens to be a nighttime sort.

Writing.
>>
>>516922
(I got caught up in Youtube videos. Sorry.)

Well, perhaps the mayor would be the best choice. Now if you could just find the man...

It takes you a surprisingly long time to find the man, although part of that you have to attribute to the fact that everyone in town seemingly is going out of their way to avoid you, whether it's patrolling officers or simple civilians. You make an effort at explaining the situation to more than one person, but no one can give a clear-cut answer. One woman even breaks down and runs away when you spot her coming out of her house.

You end up taking about an hour, looking for the mayor, despite the town's size. When you finally find someone willing to point him out, you get the feeling that you might've passed him at least once or twice. He's a stout man, physically bulky, but you get the feeling that little of that mass is actually fat. He's working on lifting a rather large wooden beam, with several other men around doing other work, and the fact that he seems to be doing well of it by himself is a surprising feat. It's at least ten or twelve feet tall, you surmise.

“Excuse me, are you Mayor Renault?” you voice out. The man turns after setting the beam down, and as soon as he gets a look at you, he jumps back, seemingly dropping into a fighting pose on instinct. However, he equally as quickly bounces back, looking around as if to make sure no one saw that. You can see one or two eyeing you warily, so you doubt they blame him for the reaction. “Ah! Uh, yes, yes I am. Who might you be? New member of the Flameguard? We were told you folks weren't to be in until tomorrow...”

You shake your head. “I am Lady Maladis, mercenary for The Knights of the New Moon. I'm here to attempt to resolve your marauder issue. But in order to do that, I need information.”

As you approach, the other men seem to back off a bit, leaving the mayor alone with you, face to face. You can see him beginning to sweat a bit, and if his frozen smile is any indication, you get the feeling it's less from exertion as he'd might like to believe. “I- uh, well, sure! I mean, we'd certainly like to get back at them, so long as none of us are further hurt in the process! I'm not sure what in particular I can tell you, but I'll do my best to help!”

> “What do you know about the assault at Blake's Landing?”
> “Are you aware of anything out of sorts that happened during the assault here? Any unusual weapons or methods?”
> “Can you tell me what's going on with the Flameguard? Will they be involved in tracking these people down, or is the visit for a different reason?”
>>
>>517286
I might forgive you, depending on what they were...

Then again, our judgement, should they be unworthy, will be harsh and unrepentant.

> “What do you know about the assault at Blake's Landing?”
> “Are you aware of anything out of sorts that happened during the assault here? Any unusual weapons or methods?”

Also, are the stat modifications locked in for however long we're in this realm, or can we take off items for certain times and conversations? I wouldn't mind talking to Gerald over a bit of wine to compare and contrast.
>>
>>517286
>Are you aware of anything out of sorts that happened during the assault here? Any unusual weapons or methods?”
> “Can you tell me what's going on with the Flameguard? Will they be involved in tracking these people down, or is the visit for a different reason?”
> “What do you know about the assault at Blake's Landing?”
Get ALL the information.
>>
>>517286
>> “Can you tell me what's going on with the Flameguard? Will they be involved in tracking these people down, or is the visit for a different reason?”
>>
>>517331
Stat mods are locked in on transport.
>>
>>517336
This
>>
>>517367
Dang.

Ah well.
>>
Writing.
>>
>>517286
“There's a few things that I'm interested in figuring out.” you mention. He nods and wipes a bit of sweat off his brow.

“Well, er, I suppose I can take a bit of a break, then, if you insist...” You didn't, you just wanted questions answered. Still, he walks over to a small nearby water basin, and gets a small mug of water which he drinks from as he sits down nearby. You follow, but you'd prefer to remain standing. “Alright, then, what's to know?”

“What do you know about the assault at Blake's Landing?” He gives you a look, and then shrugs.

“Well,-”

“All of it, I mean,” you interrupt. “Including the parts that Captain Gerald wasn't privy to.”

He freezes, then after a long moment, sighs. “...Well, dangit. I dunno if I can tell you that much. Would mean my head if it got out that anyone else knew...heck, I only know because I got decent connections in Blake's Landing. They're tryin' real hard to keep the details on that under wraps. And for a good reason.” He looks out at the working men. “Apparently something BIG hit that place. Size-wise, not just in fanciful terms. Dunno what, or how. The Flameguard's not letting anyone but vital messengers in or out of Blake's Landing, and frankly I'm hoping that my source that told me so isn't without his head right now. I suspect they're coming here to set up a similar situation.”

Hm. That may make things a bit harder to look in to there. “So this wasn't just a random marauder attack for supplies.” It's more a statement than question.

Renault nods. “Heck, I suspect our raid was more to keep us out of their business at Blake's than anything else.”

Hmm...how to press on that... “So are you aware of anything out of sorts that happened during the assault here, then? Any unusual weapons or methods that you might think worth silence?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing as far as the reports I got. Basic raid, used arrows, fire, steel, and massive numbers. Don't get me wrong, I call it 'basic', but I'd rather not have had it happen at all. Even a 'basic' raid is a lot for us to deal with, since we don't have the biggest militia. I suspect when the Flameguard get here they'll call that bolstering our forces, feh!” Renault snorts. “They're just planning on keeping an eye on us, just believe you me!

cont.
>>
>>517552
“Hm...will they be involved in tracking these people down, do you think?” You can't help but mull on it. Perhaps if whatever they were doing drew the ire of Horinth...

“Oh, I know so,” Renault says easily. “Whatever those people did, it happened in Horinth territory. Blake's Landing...I wish I knew how bad it was, but I don't know for certain that Horinth's military will do everything in their power to flush the marauders out, and likely try to put them to the sword.”

“You don't sound very confident in that,” you note.

“I wish I could be, but Blake's Landing has... or had, a solid garrison of Capital forces and Flameguard in it. The fact that it's been said that the numbers have been thinned out as badly as they have- just hearsay, but if it's even remotely true, then whatever they've got with them is capable of packing a real punch to it.” He looks around, and then starts to lean towards you- but thinks better of it. Instead he merely lowers his voice. “My thoughts? Those blaggards managed to convince a giant to work with them. Even the best of Flameguard men can't exactly stand up to a giant's fists...”

>"Giants? Really?"
>"Well, regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."
>"I doubt so. We'll see."
>Other
>>
>>517559
>"Giants? Really?"
>>
>>517559
>>"Well, regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."
>>
>>517559
>"Giants? Really?"
>"Well, regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."
>>
>>517559
>"Well, regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."
>>
>>517559
>>"Well, regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."
I wanna see a giant and a dragon fight.
>>
>>517559

"Hm. Giants? Really?" Well, considering there were dragons...

"Oh, yeah, the only thing what makes sense to me." Renault nods in certainty. "Big as folks are saying, and somehow being able to go and cause so much destruction despite some of the best warriors in Horinth living around there? Why, giants is the only thing I can think of, aside from perhaps an elder dragon- and no one's seen one of those for the last fifty or so years. Nope, someone offered a big lug plenty of ale and meat is my guess, and got 'im to do their dirty work for whatever reason those heathens might well have. Why, I can't say, but at this rate, I'm not one to ask questions about it. I just want my people safe and secure. I'd rather not have the Flameguard take the place over, mind- they're quite capable warriors, but they're not exactly the most pleasant fellows. Still, it's looking like it's coming to that until they manage to amass enough force to take the them down- make no mistake, m'am- I'm certainly not disparaging whatever skills you might possess!" he disclaims in a hurry, "Simply it's a matter of numbers, y'see. You say you're with the New Moon- so I'm hoping you'd have some strong backup to call in before you go hunting these fellows."

"How big are these giants?" You ask.

He looks at you with a humorless grin. "Ah, never seen one in person, haveya? Well, good. They're reclusive, after all, and better for everyone that they are. At any rate, they're at the smallest a solid twenty feet. As the stories go, the largest one has gotten up to fifty. I shudder to imagine if there's any taller."
Interesting. "Nothing upstairs on 'em, though. They're simple minds, despite the looks of a normal man. Idiots, to a one. Focused only on eating and sleeping, unless they get a taste for anything else- like destruction." Ooh, scary. At any rate, even if you have the best swordplay in the nation and mystic arts that rival the legends of old, I wouldn't risk goin' against a giant. They're impossible foes in one on one combat to anything that's not a dragon."

Well, dragons, and likely you. "I appreciate the warning, but I'm confident in my abilities. Regardless of what happened, I'll handle it."

He actually laughs at this. "Ahahaha! Sure thing, miss Maladis, and I'll be sure to have a bucket for your remains." You have to resist the urge to glare at him for that one- but he seems to realize he overstepped as his face takes on an unusual coloration. "Ah, er, that is to say, sorry- again, not disparaging your skills, just it's not...it's not possible! No man or army alive has killed a giant in combat- wounded, certainly, driven off, several times, but not killed! It's sheer suicide." You get up, seemingly ignoring him. You can hear him scoff behind you. "Suicide, I tell you!"

You stop walking only briefly. "There's no profit in suicide, Mayor Renault."

You think you've about gotten all the pertinent information here that's available. Next stop, Blake's Landing.
>>
That'll do it for tonight. Geez, 150 posts. Thanks for playing, everyone. I MAY not run tomorrow- I've got a few things on the docket. Tuesday should be fine, however. Look forward to the next thread.
>>
>>517650
See you when you get back.
>>
>>517648
>No man or army alive has killed a giant in combat
Ah, but we are neither, are we?
>>
>>517868
>No man
>In Combat
Indeed
>>
Let's go find this giant and kick him in the dick! If it's a chick then kick her in the cunt!

I always wanted to kick a giant in the nads.
>>
>>517650
catched up just now, and boy, this is interesting. good work QM.
>>
>>520292
If giant nads were vulnerable weak spots, they would have been attacked ruthlessly by entire armies and a giant would have died already.
>>
>>520300
How do you think they manage to run them off despite being unable to pose a killing threat to them?
>>
Hi! Not gonna make another thread too soon since I don't wanna run up against the thread limit, sorry. Anyway, we're back!

>>517648
Upon reaching the town borders, you take a look at the map again- it's not very far a trip. However, taking a look at the sky, you realize that there's actually not a whole lot of daylight left- evening's come and snuck up on you, you suppose. That might be a bit of an issue. You're not particularly tired at the moment, but the matter of rest is important.

You could just try to book it for Blake's Landing- you likely could make it in about a half hour if you rush- but it sounded like it would be difficult to get in even under broad daylight, much less how it is now. Not to mention most pertinent informants might be asleep, or approaching it. Then again, it's possible you might be able to sneak in and get a look around places you'd otherwise not be allowed...it sounded like the entire town was under close watch.

Perhaps you could just camp out in the wilds. Provided you set up right, there's little that could threaten you. You certainly have the supplies for it, although you suspect they were meant to last you more for hunting the adventurers than this. Still, it'd allow you to get to Blake's Landing bright and early in the morning.

Of course, there's always the New Moon fortress. It's a little ways back- it'll most certainly be nightfall by the time you get there- but it's pretty much guaranteed safety, right? With the marauders going north, the Flameguard focusing on Hatham's Hold and Blake's Landing, and the adventurers somewhere in Alban, you should be fine there.

>Book it to Blake's Landing, we'll find a place to rest later.
>Find somewhere relatively safe to camp out, and get a solid start early tomorrow.
>Head back and ask sanctuary in the New Moon fortress.
>Other
>>
>>520465
>>Find somewhere relatively safe to camp out, and get a solid start early tomorrow.
>>
>>520465
>>Book it to Blake's Landing, we'll find a place to rest later.

I like the idea of sneaking around at night.
>>
>>520465
>>Find somewhere relatively safe to camp out, and get a solid start early tomorrow.
Can we set a magical alarm trap around our campsite?
>>
>>520480
Yes. Basic warding spells aren't that difficult for you. Size may be a factor, depending.
>>
>>520489
Even accounting the increased amount of mana on this plane? Just make it large enough that we have time to get ready.
>>
>>520465
>Head back and ask sanctuary in the New Moon fortress.
Also to introduce ourselves and to question them about the Flameguard.
>>
>>520501
I don't think we need to micro-manage this. She did mention setting up the camp right, and a ward or something similar is likely a part of that.
>>
Camping under the stars it is. Writing!
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

Nah, best to stay on task. You won't be spending the whole week's worth of supplies in one or two nights, and even if you do, you do have a bit of emergency money in order to buy local supplies, should it come down to that. Time to pick a good camping spot.

As you search, you have to keep in mind that the Flameguard would be coming to Hatham's Hold by tomorrow- likely morning or noon. Rather not take any risks. Considering the distance and relative location, those forces would likely be making a beeline for Hatham's, so better to be off that path. It takes a while, but eventually you manage to find a decently hilly location just a little ways southwest of Hatham's Hold. It's no cavern, but you'll make do. There's one area that seems to be something resembling a cliff- even if it's not a very high one, it'll do.

Setting up warding circles is rarely a problem, and this time proves no different- although it's more of a elliptical, really...eh, semantics. Either way, you should be woken up well before any potential attacker could get within eyesight.

Your tent isn't one of those automatic setup sorts, and part of you wishes it was. Still, it's good enough- the cloth color matches the environment fairly well, and after taking a bit of rationed food (some kind of hard bread that softened well enough once it was in your mouth, and some salty meat and dried fruit) you nestle down for the night...

(Rolling to see what, if anything, wakes you up...random (or as I like to call them, 'interesting') encounters are the only thing I'll use dice for.)
>>
>>520539

At some point, your jolt out of your rest with a faint, glowing buzz.

Rats. The alarm was tripped. Somewhere...somewhere on the western edge of it. Possibly coming from deeper in Horinth, then, not outside. And...coming closer, too. Slowly, though, like they're picking their way through the forest hills carefully. They might stumble upon your campsite- although you hadn't bothered to make a fire or anything- it was fairly comfortable out tonight, and you went right to sleep anyway.

Still, it was a plausible scenario. Thing is, what to do about it?

>Go out in their direction, meet them first.
>Let them come in closer, see if they pass or spot you.
>>
>>520559
>>Let them come in closer, see if they pass or spot you.
>>
>>520559
>Let them come in closer, see if they pass or spot you.
>>
>>520559
>>Let them come in closer, see if they pass or spot you.
>>
>>520559
>Let them come in closer, see if they pass or spot you.

It's a good night to kill.
>>
A warrior's greatest weapon...is patience.
Writing.
>>
>>520559
Best to just wait it out, perhaps. They may not even notice, saving you a bit of headache. You keep in your tent, but your ears are peeled, and you're tensed to move, just in case.

Soon enough, you can hear footsteps, and voices, to boot. Two of them, sounds like. You're at the top of a hill that terminates into a cliff- the voices seem to be coming from the bottom. Suddenly there's a massive rustling, and a yelp. The other voice picks up, and you can start to hear them more clearly.

“...tell ya, you need to watch yer step. This ain't the plains, man!” The first guy sounds worried and rushed.

The other one sounds younger. “I know, I know! But I toldja, I'm not a traveler, I'm educated! I stay indoors!” A pause. “...fine. Not a scratch, just shaken. These hills are horrid.”

“Yeah, well, get used to 'em. Better this than locked down back at Blake's, eh? Or would you prefer gettin' told when to eat, sleep, and sneeze? C'mon, we don't wanna get hit by bandits 'fore the border.” You can hear them clearing away some tree branches. “Don't think there's any 'round, but best to be safe.”

“You sure they'll take us in?” the second guy asks. “Thought they didn't like our sort on the whole”

“Bah, even if they don't, there's so few of 'em, they're hard up for anyone these days. Brainy book fella like you and a guy in the know like me? Quick as a wink, man. We'll be cushy being in the back end of the whole thing, until this whole war issue blows over once and for all, and...what? Whatcha lookin' at... oh, cr-” and there's silence.

Huh. Think they saw your tent.

>Introduce yourself.
>Let them pass on by.
>Other.
>>
>>520654
>Introduce yourself.
>Interrogate them. Nicely.
Oh, sounds like they came from Blake's Landing.
Remember the three standards of a professional:
1. Be Polite
2. Be Efficient
3. Have a Plan to Kill Everyone We Meet
>>
>>520654
>>Introduce yourself.
>>
>>520654
>Introduce yourself.
>>
Writing.
>>
>>520654
Might as well say hello. From what it sounded like, they might be able to give some information about your latest destination.

Making an attempt to be as calm as possible, you step out of the tent. It's still moonlight out, and once you get to the foot of the hill, you can see them leaning close to the ground, in a crouching walk, trying desperately not to be too loud. One of them is clad in a tattered cloak and hood, but you can't get a solid view of anything underneath. The other one seems to be much more well-dressed, in a vest and undershirt, and a well-tailored pair of pants and belt. He clearly has a youthful face.

The well-dressed one turns towards you on instinct- and his face goes white. Before he can scream, however, you hold up your hand. “Calm down. I'm not going to kill you or anything.”

The other one jolts at that, and you see a flash of metal as he turns to face you- he's got something on him, but you're not sure what- likely just a dagger, though. He keeps his right hand hidden, however, as he eyes you in clear terror. You can see that he's a bit more pudgy, and short haired, with stubble. It takes a bit before either of them speak, but it's the tattered one that does so first. “...yeah? Then you'll let us be on our way?”

“Not quite yet,” you correct. “You can call me Lady Maladis,” you say as you begin to walk towards them. They both take a step back, but say nothing as you stop a respectable distance away.

The tattered man looks left and right, as if searching for a way out, before he responds. “Yeah, yeah, right. Uh, hey-”

The younger man interrupts with nervous hope on his face. “Well, uh, thank you for not murdering us! I am Bentley, this is Franci-”

“YOU DAFT IJIT- don't just...!” He turns between you and Bentley, seemingly not knowing who to focus on, before he finally focuses on you and holds his hands out placatingly. “Sorry, terribly sorry, but we're kinda in a hurry, y'see...”

You nod. “Yes, I heard. Something about would rather be out here than in Blake's Landing?”

“Right, right,” Bentley nods. “We're from there, y'see, and there's been a whole big thing that's happened. Bandits went and-”

“I'm aware of that much,” you interrupt. “Might I ask where you're heading?”

Francis grumbles a bit, mulling over the question. “Well...y'ever heard of The Knights of the New Moon? Little outfit, tryin' to keep outta the major fightin'. We figure we could sign up with them, lay low for a bit. I know they got a place out in the frontier lands. We're findin' it.” He looks towards Bentley. "And WE NEED TO GO before the Flameguard realizes we skipped town and sends the hounds after us!"

Huh. Fancy that.

>Point them in the right direction.
>Say nothing.
>Ask further questions.
>>
>>520800
>Ask further questions.
"And WHY would the Flameguard be after you? Saw something that they'd rather people didn't know about?"
>>
>>520800
>>Ask further questions.
>>Also, I might know where to look for the Knights
>>
Hm. Wonder where everyone went.
>>
>>520872
I hope you're writing, not waiting for more questions.
>>
>>520883
I think he's wondering why you didn't vote if you're here.
>>
>>520883
No, I am, just didn't actually 'say' writing. That and I'm trying to help my mom with comp troubles over the phone at the same time.
>>
>>520902
>help my mom with comp troubles over the phone
Oh god, I know how terrible that can be.
If you can, get her a cheap webcam and set her up with Skype, maybe also use Logmein, or some other remote control service.

I found that when I can see the messages on the screen and what she's actually doing helps me when my parents have computer problems.
Also, if she's got a smartphone, also set that up with Skype too, so that if the problem on the computer prevents Skype from working there, you can have her hold her phone up to the computer's monitor to help you troubleshoot. Also helps when you need to look at the router or cable modem.
>>
>>520800
Hm. Runaways, as you expected. The question, then... “Alright, then. Makes sense to me.”

They both sigh in relief, nodding. “Yeah, it does.” Francis says, “So if'n you don't mind too much, m'lady, I'm sorry, but-”

“You're not leaving quite just yet. I do have one or two questions for you.” you state.

Francis lets out a sound that's you'd call a strange mix between a growl and a whine. “Awwww, for the love of- alright, what is it?”

“Simple. Just why is the Flameguard after you? Simply because that's the punishment for leaving when they didn't want you to, or is there something more to it?” You look at them both carefully while asking this. Just judging from how they'd been acting, they wouldn't exactly be keen on up and telling someone unless it was really heavy stuff.

Bentley tries to keep his eyes from meeting yours, while Francis looks directly at Bentley when he speaks. “Nothin' you need to worry about, Miss. It's just a bit of a problem we're trying to avoid, considering the situation at hand.” Yeaaaahhh...you're not really buying that. However, an idea forms in your head.

You do your best to keep an unaffected tone in your voice. “Is that so? Shame, then. I might know where to look for the Knights.”

The quick look Francis gives you tells you what you expected as you continue. “In the name of mutual honesty and fair trade, I would consider telling you their location if you'd known anything of interest going on there before I had to go their myself. I'm a mercenary, you see.” They try their best to avoid jumping in fear, but it only partially works. “And I'm investigating the incident at Blake's Landing. I plan to attempt to speak to the forces there, and...well, if it turns out that you're criminals that know something...”

“Right!” Huh. Francis suddenly looks a lot more cheery. And sweaty. Fancy that. “Well, fortunate for you, I came to recall a little something, there, eheheh...see, we was in the thick of it during that whole mess, right? Afterwards during cleanup, me and Bent were going through our possessions. As it happens, earlier this evenin', Bentley here- uh, tell 'er, Bentley!”

“Ah! Yes, yes of course!” He pulls out what seems to be a sort of...amulet? It's got a strange engraving on it- reminds you of a stylized bull's head with a mane behind it. The eyes seem to be inlaid with two rubies. “This is something we found. No clue what it is...but someone found one like this one right after the fight, and...well, he's been under lock and key now. Guarded all around the clock by a TON of Flameguard, can't leave his own house, and had the thing confiscated.”

cont.
>>
>>520946
“So you decided to run to avoid that?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

“They know there's two- the unlucky sod said that he saw two fly off the 'big metal thing' right before they put him in irons, and have been searching folks all day since they found the one. We decided to not risk it.” Francis explains."

"It's interesting, whatever it is. I'm loathe to just throw it away, and I'm curious as to its purpose. It's a bit of a fault of mine- I'm a scholar, so things like this are fascinating to me.” Bentley adds.

Francis looks back in the direction they came. “There- toldja the story. So then, can we-”

>"Fine, go. Let me show you where- I have a map."
>"Understandable, but that amulet looks dangerous. For you, I mean. Hand it over." (Intimidation)
>"So then, do you think this came from the bandits themselves? It seems magic might be in play here."
>Other
>>
>>520952
>Other
"'Big metal thing'? Did you see it, can you describe it?"
Always keep open the possibility that it's another inter-dimensional operator working for a rival company.
>>
>>520952
>>"So then, do you think this came from the bandits themselves? It seems magic might be in play here."
>>
>>520952
>>"Understandable, but that amulet looks dangerous. For you, I mean. Hand it over." (Intimidation)
>>
>>520952
>>"So then, do you think this came from the bandits themselves? It seems magic might be in play here."

Do we have some way of sensing stuff like that?
>>
>>520968
Not if it's local. Other folks and residual magic that originates from out of the native dimension (like The Intersection) tend to give off a feeling akin to standing close to a thumping speaker to each other, though. With less physical vibration.
>>
>>520952
“-So, do you think this actually came from the bandits themselves?” you ask without missing a beat. Francis makes a grimacing face that you're not sure whether to laugh at or what, while Bentley still seems nervous but excited.

“Well, if I'm going to be honest, I can't believe so. Most things raiders have are scavenged from others- they rarely have the base materials to craft things themselves- and for something as elaborate as this?” He shakes his head. “No, no, I feel like they acquired these from somewhere. That or that giant thing had them already, in which case...I don't know,” he finishes lamely.

“I ask because it seems as though magic is in play here. A hunch, if you will.” you explain.

Bentley seems to take a moment to think on it while Francis taps his feet in impatience. “Well...I'd imagine that's a possibility, but...magic for what purpose? Power? Control? Something else? I'd need to do some heavy research to know for certain.”

“Then perhaps-” Before you can continue, however, you suddenly hear a howl in the distance. The two runaways blanch, and immediately make to move, Francis swearing the whole time.

“Dammit, Bentley! I told you we needed to get a move on! They found us gone, and now they're gonna put us in stocks if they find us HERE, if not run us right the hell through!”

>Offer to distract the manhunters while they get some more distance.
>Yank the amulet off them and shoo them. It might be useful.
> “Good luck.”
>Other
>>
>>521019
>>Yank the amulet off them and shoo them. It might be useful.
>>
>>521019
>Other
Give them directions to the Knight's fortress and to tell them Lady Maladis sent them, and the pass phrase to get in. We'll stay here and distract/kill the Flameguard trackers.
>>
Writing.
>>
>>521067
How do rival contractors and operators work?
Are there other multi-timeline organizations besides The Intersection?
Are there rules in place to prevent contractors of different Intersection companies from coming in to conflict with each other while outside?
>>
>>521092
Without warning, you reach in and snatch the amulet from Bentley's hands. He's gobsmacked as he blinks between where the amulet was and now where it is. “Hey, what the-”

“The Knight's fortress is here,” you say, showing them the map. “You're going in slightly the wrong direction- go more south and you should be able to see it. Tell them Lady Maladis sent you- the Knights likely have sent word of me. There's also a passphrase you'll need: ''The Moon knows only itself.' Understand?”

They nod quickly, and you make a quick motion to shoo them off. They comply.

As you hear again the sound of the howling, your mind is racing with how to distract them. Obviously you could just kill them off, but then again you might could just try to talk to them, convince them to turn back, or find some way to lead them on a wild goose chase...

After a long few minutes, you can actually begin to see them emerging as you observe from your campsite.

It's a group of about five, three of them with large, fierce looking dogs. They're all decked out in red-colored armor, and they all have longswords and shields. Unlike the two runaways, these people seem to notice you nearly immediately, their dogs baying at you. They seem to pause briefly, trying to judge what your purpose is here, you can presume. You can see them look at each other in silent confusion before one of them (the only one with a yellow sash, you now notice) points his sword towards you in way of getting your attention.

“Hail there!” He speaks solidly, with no waver in his voice. “You are traveling these lands, we presume. Have you seen two fugitives from the law pass by? One deceptively well-cut, the other a grotesquely large rat of a man.”

Huh. They weren't THAT ugly. “Why are you looking?” you ask.

“I'm afraid that that is not to be known to those not of the Flameguard. Such knowledge is punishable by imprisonment,” he states coldly, “and those two are to be questioned.” He pauses. “Just who do I speak to?”

“I am Lady Maladis, and...”

> “I saw them. They said something about heading north to try to make Alban's borders.”
> “I was sleeping before I heard your hounds. If they were out here, I haven't seen them.
> “I saw them, but that was quite some time ago. They are likely long gone.”
> “I cannot risk letting you confront them. (Attack)
>Other
>>
>>521092

Whoop, that was meant to link back to >>521019

Still, as for YOUR questions:
>>521092

The Intersection is a place of existence/non-existence. It is inbetween, outside, and inside spacetime. Miranda works for Silver Eye Solutions, and yes, there's more agencies than them. SES isn't even a large one. The BIG boys are called Interdiction, and there are at least 20 working under them. Then there's Flashpoint, and Dynamic Methods. It's largely a first come, first serve thing. There are/have been cases of rival companies butting in on jobs, but it's rare and due to how things operate, generally involves two 'agents' getting someone to pay for separate mercs. If that happens...welp. Whoever confirms the job first gets the cash. Other than that...

Did I miss anything?
>>
>>521116
>> "I need your knowledge, the punishment for not sharing such is slow and painfull death." (Intimidate while still preparing for combat)
>>
>>521129
This
We Need to find out where those marauders are so we can get bigger requests and more gold. Make our handler proud.
>>
>>521116
> “I saw them, but that was quite some time ago. They are likely long gone.”

Doubt we can fool them with the other answers, and we probably aren't cleared by our client to open direct hostilities against the Flameguard. Better safe than sorry.
>>
>>521116
> “I was sleeping before I heard your hounds. If they were out here, I haven't seen them.
>>
>>521126
So there's no rules as to how agents should treat each other when found to be working opposite sides of a conflict?

Also, you didn't answer if there were any other groups or civilizations outside the Intersection that have mastered interdimensional travel and that might be out here.
>>
>>521174
Oh. I misread. Sorry.

Generally, if two agents meet on opposite sides, injury is considered expected, but it's considered extremely poor form to kill a rival agent- if unavoidable in certain situations. A severe penalty is levied against both the offending party and the group they work for, both monetarily and in regards to their job acceptance permissions, equipment services granted to them, and in the most extreme of cases, ejection from The Intersection.

As for other civilizations, none that are known. It's entirely possible there's a race capable of interdimensional travel, but they haven't come across the Deal-Makers yet or vice versa.
>>
Writing, FYI. Scary monster tactics, apparently.
>>
>>520669
This guy gets it.
>>
>>521116
“...I'm afraid I need your knowledge,” you state. Best way to make sure they don't catch those two, as far as you figure, would be to make sure they believe they have a more pressing matter to deal with. You start calmly walking towards them.

“Miss Maladis, as I stated, you are not cleared to be privy to that knowledge.” You see several hands move towards swords subtly. Seems they're all expecting a fight. “If you keep insisting... I will have to consider you a person of suspicion, a-and take you in.” The brief judder in his voice wasn't missed by you, and they've yet to move as you reach the bottom of the hill.

As you put a glow to your hands, you can tell the eyes suddenly on them, even if you can't see the faces themselves. “This is a very simple matter, gentlemen. I need to know where those marauders went to. I need to know what was the giant thing that assaulted Blake's Landing. And I need to know what they're after. Simple questions, simple answers.” Your hands glows brighter. “And if you cannot answer those simple questions...” You raise a hand and fire off a magic bolt- quarter strength.

It promptly rips through the forest, screaming past the unlucky soldier furthest to your left, shearing THROUGH a tree trunk about twenty or thirty feet away from him, and detonating on another one further back, which rips a hole in the trunk and some of the ground. The forest echoes with shuddering, snapping, and creaking as the two mighty trees splinter, crack, and topple over.

The men IMMEDIATELY take several steps back, swords out, shields up.

“That's...we can't...” the captain is trying to say something, but he seems to be having a hard time-

“We don't know!” One of them suddenly cries- oh wait, it's the one on the left. “We- we've gotten reports, rumors that they're headed straight through the Wildlands for Alban! Word is they plan to assault west Alban, around Tenimbaum! We don't know what they had, we think it's an Iron Golem- straight out the legends!”

“EVANDER!” the captain shouts in rage.

“SIR!” Evander shouts back just as hotly. “She's after them too! If she wants to go after those thugs, THAT THING, let her! Better her than us!”

“And let her spread word to everyone and their mother that suddenly the Great Creations walk the earth!? Under the control of ravaging marauders, no less?!” The Captain shouts. He turns to you. “For the sake of keeping the peace in Horinth...I will have to ask you to come with us.” He levels his sword at you. It doesn't waver.

“Sir, please...” Evander tries to say. The others simply stay on guard.

> "All I needed to know. Thank you for your cooperation." Bounce. Literally. You can outrun these guys easy. (you're not gonna have a tent anymore, though...)
> "No." Let him make the first move.
> "I have no intention of bothering anyone about that. My job is to kill the marauders and their affiliated. Nothing else."
>Other
>>
>>521258
>Other
"Captain, for the sake of you and your men, stop and think: are you really going to have them charge into certain death and failure?
"I'm showing you professional courtesy here, so please don't squander it. I will only say this once: leave, go back to Blake's Landing, and do not interfere with my mission."
>>
>>521258

> "I have no intention of bothering anyone about that. My job is to kill the marauders and their affiliated. Nothing else."
>>
>>521258
> "I have no intention of bothering anyone about that. My job is to kill the marauders and their affiliated. Nothing else."

When this fails, kill them all. No way in hell am I leaving my tent.
>>
...I dropped my trip.
>>
>>521270
Let's not be hasty.
Evander seems like he has a good head on his shoulders; he was able to accurately determine the chances of their success against us, and that it was a better strategic move to let someone obviously much more powerful than them to have a crack at an Iron Golem, in the hopes that we mutually destroy each other.

He might be smart enough to not attack us.
If he doesn't, no need to expend extra effort to kill him.
>>
>>521258
>> "I have no intention of bothering anyone about that. My job is to kill the marauders and their affiliated. Nothing else."
>>
Giving them one last chance to see reason.

Writing.
>>
>>521258
“Let me be quite frank,” you insist. “I have no intention of bothering anyone about that. If you're so concerned about news of Great Creations getting out, I assure you- I have a job. That job is to kill the marauders and those associated with them. That's all.” Well, that's all that they need to know, anyway.

“And how can we be sure of your silence?!” The man yells. Geez, he's antsy. “We'd have naught but your word, and we've no proof that your word is good. For all we're aware, you're a Alban spy or something akin. Perhaps one of those New Moon kooks? It matters not.” Kooks? “You're coming with us whether you care to or no!” Ah, great. Guess-

“Sire...”

Everyone turns to the new voice. It's the one directly to his right. He's still in a defensive stance, but he's got a light voice, dripping with hastened curiosity. “To be able to channel mystic power like that...I'm starting to think...perhaps we can come to an agreement?”

The captain sputters. “Agreement!? What kind of-”

“The way she said she 'has a job'. That, and no Albanian accent. Her armor, her calm movements...” he looks carefully at you. “Aside from your strength, I suspect that your loyalty is...malleable. Dare I say, 'purchasable'. Am I wrong?”

Huh. That wasn't expected.

> “Sorry, but at the moment my services aren't for sale.”
> “You may not be incorrect.”
> “Depends on what you'd want from me.”
> Other
>>
>>521327
Well, as long as they aren't going to ask anything that would contradict our primary contract, I don't see any reason not to take a side job. More work = more $$$.
> “Depends on what you'd want from me.”
>>
>>521327
> “Sorry, but at the moment my services aren't for sale.”

Multiple standing contracts are...frowned upon in my group.
>>
>>521327
>> “Depends on what you'd want from me. Company policy will reduce possible agreements.”
>>
>>521327
> “Sorry, but at the moment my services aren't for sale.”

The contract has already been sealed. It would be poor form to accept a counter offer mid-job. Maybe when our current job is all done we can listen.
>>
>>521327
>“Depends on what you'd want from me.”
We're open to side jobs, so long as they don't interfere too much with our primary contract.
>>
Hearing the man out. Writing.
>>
>>521386
Hmmmm...this was curious. What could they be after that might convince one of them that the services of a mercenary would be worthwhile? “Depends on what you'd want from me,” you tell them. “My company's policy will reduce possible...agreements.”

He chuckles. “Well then, I suppose there's only one way to know, eh? We do not need anyone murdered, however, beyond our...mutual target.” he acknowledges. The captain merely huffs as he continues. “What we're looking for is something more...valuable to Horinth as a whole. It would be horribly gauche of me to say so here and now- not to mention it would be rather...impossible to understand without visual aid. Suffice to say, we're looking for a relic.”

“Artifact?” you question.

“Yes. I am forbidden from saying more- however, our Lord-Commander Thaddeus would be able to give you more information, if you are interested. He is currently in Taskstone, using the city as a headquarters for the war effort. Tell him Marche recommended you to the task.”

Ahhh. So it was ancient artifact hunt. Those were never too bad. A bit boring sometimes, but never too bad. "And the pay?"

"Name your price. It has eluded us for centuries." You get the feeling that Marche is grinning underneath his helmet.

>"Alright. You've got my interest. I'll look into it- AFTER I'm done with the marauders."
>"Sorry, but that's not quite good enough. Leave- and don't interfere with me anymore."
>Other
>>
>>521418
>Other
"I shall take it under consideration and confer with my office. Now, if that is all, gentlemen, goodnight."

Don't go for this. Remember that the Knights are looking for artifacts too. We don't want to get into a conflicting contract.
>>
>>521429
Supporting
>>
Maybe, maybe not. Writing.
>>
Well, no reason to offend a possible client. "If that's the case, then I'll take it under consideration and confer with my office.” You give them all a hard look. “Now, if that is all, gentlemen...?” No one says anything; Marche merely bows. Even the captain sheathes his sword. “Then goodnight." You walk back into your tent, and before very long the baying of hounds once again fills the air. You wonder if you bought the duo enough time...

Still, nothing for it now. You're starting to wonder what's up with all these artifacts. What would they do? Where were they? You look again at the amulet. This was more than likely one of the artifacts desired, although not the one being sought by the Flameguard. You'll have to keep this one close to you.

For now, however...you're going back to sleep. Although your direction in the morning...you got a decent amount of information out of those guys. Considering you're headed to Blake's Landing in the morning, perhaps you could use this knowledge somehow, if you talk to the right person...

-------

When you wake up again, it's...not quite noon, judging by the sun. You can hear birds chirping and and you can see some forest animals out and about. It's an idllyic scene, but you can't enjoy it for very long. You quickly eat some of your rations, pack up quickly, and with a quick directional check, you're off again. You should make it to Blake's Landing in no time.

And you do. Blake's Landing is a bit bigger than you expected. It's not a small village town, rather, it seems to be an honest to goodness port area. There's stone buildings, not wood, and the place seems large and fortified. At least, if the massive number of soldiers standing in front of the town entrance has anything to do with it.

They cross halberds as soon as they see you approach. "Halt! By order of the High King Darvenius, none are permitted in or out of Blake's Landing without special written exception!"

Oh yeah. That.

>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
>Convince them that you were told you could come in from Marche. Not exactly what he said, but...
>Introduce yourself as someone who can solve their military problems. You can demonstrate if need be.
>Meh. Head elsewhere for now. You've got more to do. (Where?)
>Other
>>
Gonna call it a night here. I'll write whatever votes win tomorrow.
>>
>>521518
>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
>>
>>521518
>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
>>
>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
No need to name drop so soon. MIght even be counterproductive.
>>
>>521518
>Meh. Head elsewhere for now. You've got more to do. (Where?)

We got info that the marauders have gone to west Alban, perhaps we should report this at the knight fortress and then return to the original job of dealing with the adventurers.
>>
>>521518
>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
>>
>>521518
>Find another way in. Maybe by the river?
>>
>>521518

You give them a hard stare briefly, but you eventually walk away. It wasn't worth getting into an issue with them- not with so many other soldiers around and possibly getting the attention of someone actually important. There had to be a less guarded way in somewhere...maybe by the river? It wasn't too far away, and it likely terminated within city boundaries, judging by the map.

It takes a while, but eventually you follow the river out a ways, trying your best to stay within the trees in order to avoid suspicion. Seems like there's something for it- you can see what appears to be a port backend, as you expected, with about three docks. It's strongly patrolled, but there DOES seem to be a large collapsed section of wall- marauder caused, no doubt. It's got at least two guards on it, however. They still seem to be taking in boats, as well, judging by one unloading supplies. The captain of the ship seems to be making a commotion, yelling hard at one of the soldiers, but it doesn't seem to be very distracting to anyone else. Eventually, he goes back to his ship, grumbling all the while. The wall itself seems to lead around the city a bit, but you can't see any major buildings.

There's one building that seems unguarded on the outside, and it seems to be connected to the wall as well. It'd look like the best possible method, but you've no clue what's inside it. For all you know you'd be walking right into a barracks or something.

Getting in here might be possible, but it'll be hard...

>Try to sneak in up and over the wall.
>Maybe see what the captain's troubles is. Perhaps he can help?
>Try your luck with the unguarded building.
>Other
>>
...Lovely way to start off. No trip.
>>
>>522314
>>Try to sneak in up and over the wall.
>>
>>522314
>Try to sneak in up and over the wall.
Do we have anything to help us, like a spell of camouflage or water-breathing?
>>
>>522314
>>Try to sneak in up and over the wall.
>>
>>522338
Phone posting for a minute. No, but you have an Absolute Shield spell. Your magic is mostly DBZ energy type with some extras. Lorelei is the mistress of disguise and subversive Magic.
>>
>>522387
It's too bad we can't buy thermoptic camouflage or invisibility talismans and bring them on missions.
>>
>>522314
Great. Doesn't seem like there's any particularly secure way into town. Which means that you will have to take a little bit of a risk. You spent some time checking out the various patrols of the guards on the wall. It doesn't seem like they move very often, but at the very least one of them seems to be having trouble at his post. He keeps visibly nodding off. Who knows, maybe it's just that he had a long night. Either way, it's a very good thing for you.

Well, very good relative to the situation at hand anyway. It's still not the best opportunity you could get, but it'll likely be the only one. You just need to wait for the right moment...

About three minutes later, that moment finally comes as you see his helmet get down and stay down for a little bit. With little fanfare you dart out of the cover of the trees and dip as quietly as possible into the water. You're no slouch when it comes to swimming, and your magic will allow you to dry right up. You have to go in the river however, in order to hit anybody seeing you too soon. Your target is a grouping of crate almost right under the guard's position. Fortunately, it doesn't look like anyone's keeping a very close eye on this area aside from the one guy. As you slip out of the water, however, you can hear someone angrily yelling.

"And I'd step on it, if you want take keep your job!"

"Alright, already! Just a minute!"

Rats. Without thinking much of it take a running leap up the wall, your gauntlets' sharp fingers allowing you to gain purchase and quickly make it up onto the wall in two bounds.

Luckily for you, the guard is still off into Dreamland. You take a quick look down- nothing but an alley behind a building. Perfect. Before he can wake back up, you're over and on the ground. You quickly exit the alleyway before anyone else can spot you, and you're on the inside.

Now...where to go first?

> try to investigate the area where there's the most damage.
> look more into the Flameguard's bullying.
>See if you can learn more about that imprisoned man.
>Other
>>
>>522480
>try to investigate the area where there's the most damage.
>>
>>522480
>> look more into the Flameguard's bullying.
>>
>>522480
>> look more into the Flameguard's bullying.
>>
Seeing what the Flameguard are up to, then.
>>
And back.

>>522480
Well, might be the best thing to do here would be to investigate these Flameguard, and maybe figure out why they're being so hardlined about everything. The captain you'd met back then had let something slip about 'Great Creations- you're pretty sure that might have something to do with it, although if you were to say that out loud, you'd probably get a lot of pointy things aimed at you real quick. Still, it's a starting point.

You wind up having to take a bit of a risk just walking around town, but as it happens no one seems to say anything- even when a small contingent of Flameguard soldiers pass you by. Seems like they don't know for certain who was in the city or not during the attack- hence the absolute lockdown on the port.

Still, best not to make yourself much of a public figure, and so despite your occasional stroll down the street, you largely keep to shadowed areas and back alleyways- very few folks try to mess with you back there.

Those same loiterers do happen to be an interesting source of information, however. Like this fellow, a younger kid in street clothes you managed to corner...or well, he kinda cornered you. He seems to regard you as someone 'amazing-lookin', and introduces himself as Kent.

Before he can start anything else, though, you figure this is a good opportunity to ask questions. "Can you tell me what's the issue with the Flameguard?”

“Flameguard?” He scratches his head. “Well, s'weird. Flameguard's always kept a nice chunk of soldiers here, right? But there wasn't nearly as many as what showed up the night of the marauder attack. I swear, they was like ants. Dunno how it happened. Some new general, too- General Corbin. You ever heard of 'im?”

You shake your head no.

“Yeah! See most folk around here know the generals and all that. Can name 'em off the tops of the head. No one's heard of 'im, though. Ain't normal. He's the guy what said to keep everyone in and start locking folks up for askin' too much.”

>"Asking what?"
>"What does he look like?"
>"Is he still here? I haven't seen him."
>"Has he done anything else?"
>Other
>>
>>522647
>>"Is he still here? I haven't seen him."
>>
>>522647
>>"Asking what?"
>>"What does he look like?"
>>
>>522647
>"What does he look like?"

Gentlemen we may have identified a summoned hero.
>>
Identifying features. Actually I might just write out all of the questions.
>>
>>522731
All three questions submitted, I mean.
>>
>>522647
“Hm.” You hadn't noticed anyone in particular standing out... “Is he still here? I haven't seen him.”

“Oh, heck yeah! He only comes out his building at certain times o' the day, though. He'll show up and give orders early in the mornin', then he leaves out the main gates, then comes back and patrols the city in evenings. He's the real punctual sort. Real big on order and efficiency.”

Hm. You might've just missed him, then. “Well, what does he look like? Just so I know when I see him.”

“Oh, he's a big fella. Comes to the tip-tops of doors easy!” The kid sounds excited. “An' he's got some really cool armor, too- spikes out the shoulders, armor lined with teeth on the edges- s'crazy! Nothin' like what the normal guys get! And a really cool cloak! Doesn't like to take it off.”

“I meant his face,” you clarify. Although the armor was a nice thing to know, too.

“Oh. He's a short haired fella- real ladies man. Golden hair, strong-jawed; sorta fella to make ladies swoon easy...uh, no offense!” He quickly states.

“Hm. Fine. So what's been being asked that makes him want to jail people?” you follow up.

“Oh, geez,” the kid looks around as if he's being listened in on, before he continues in a whisper. “Anything that has ta do with the raid that ain't just 'who was it' and simple stuff like that. He's put a quarantine on the blacksmith's, cause he asked where their swords came from, and the mayor's quarters is his personal barracks for now. They're a patrolled around the clock by a bunch of Flameguard. Only guy they've let lie is Zarach- he's the alchemist. Lives around three streets down, big sign what says 'Z&G Potions'. But Zarach's weird, so no one takes him seriously.”

Very interesting.

“Hey, I just realized...you snuck in, right?” Before you can say anything, ”You should go to the Wallflower Inn. It's right down the street, and you turn right between the flower stalls. Miss Delilah's a real nice sort, but this is messin' with her business. I suspect she might be able to help you sort whatever you're tryin' to do. Would at least vouch that you've been here if you get caught, I bet. She hates that the place has been shut up. ”

>Go to Z&G Potions. (Zarach)
>Go to the Wallflower Inn. (Delilah)
>Keep outside, investigate as best you can.
>Other
>>
>>522876
>Go to Z&G Potions. (Zarach)
>other
observe the place first, in case it's a trap.
This guy might be trying to funnel people running the blockade to places where the Flameguard can scoop them up.
>>
>>522876
>>Go to the Wallflower Inn. (Delilah)
we need an alibi
>>
>>522876
>>Go to the Wallflower Inn. (Delilah)
>>
Writing. I can't think of anything clever.
>>
>>522876
Hm. An alibi is always good to have. Chances are that the alchemist can wait. It's a relatively quick jaunt, and you easily find the stalls.

As you enter the inn, you're not too surprised to find that the place is near empty, with only a few folks idly eating food here and there. There's a lady at the front desk- a bit larger, but overall a comely face, and she's watching over the dining area with an expression that's desperately trying to stay north of utterly bored. She lazily shifts her attention to you, seemingly disregarding your presence- but then she jerks her head back towards you when she realizes you're not a regular as you walk up to her.

“Are you Ms. Delilah?” you ask.

She nods feverishly. “Oh my, yes! Yes I am. I take it you're, uh...” she flits her eyes around, and you're quick to understand why.

“I've been here for some time Miss...don't you recognize me, after all...” you lower your voice intensely as you whisper the next part. “...considering recent events...”

Her eyes go bright as she realizes your goals. “Oh, of course, Miss...Violet...?” You nod. Works as well as anything else, really. “Right, then. You've been here all this time, so cooped up. I'm glad you saw fit to get out a little!” She winks, which was nice, but unnecessary. “Since you're up and about, perhaps you could...tell me about your morning a little while you help me wash the dishes in the BACK?”

Clever lady.

As you both walk back towards a tub and basin, you're curious how much she knows compared to you. Once you arrive, she actually starts washing dishes, to your slight surprise. “So, you slipped past, huh?” she whispers. “Thank goodness someone managed it. Ever since that snake's came in, everyone's walking on eggshells.”

“About the raid? I reckon I can probably tell you more than anyone in this town. Day after, this was one of the only places that hadn't gotten hit. Everyone was sharing tall tales before that ghost of a general came in and put a stop to it- heck if I know why. What are you looking for?”

> "Did you hear what the giant thing was?"
> "Apparently the Flameguard are looking for something...?"
> "What do you know about the Great Creations?"
> "Did you know about the assault at Hatham's Hold?"
> Other
>>
>>523113
>> "Apparently the Flameguard are looking for something...?"
>>
>>523113
Huh. There's a line missing after 'walking on eggshells.'

It was just:

You nod. “Right. I'm here because I'm looking up information.”

Might've mis-copied/pasted, though.
>>
>>523113
> "Did you hear what the giant thing was?"
> "What do you know about the Great Creations?"

They appear to be related.
>>
>>523113
> "Did you know about the assault at Hatham's Hold?"
>>
>>523113
> "Did you hear what the giant thing was?"
> "What do you know about the Great Creations?"
>Other
"Tell me more of the general."
>>
>>523113
> "Did you hear what the giant thing was?"
> "Apparently the Flameguard are looking for something...?"
>>
>>523113
“Did you hear what that giant thing that attacked was?” you ask. That was the most pertinent question, as far as you could surmise.

“Oh, hasn't everyone? There's been all manner of heresay about that thing. No one got a good look at it- dead of night, shrouded in shadow, and attacked from a distance. Only things that could reach it were ballistae and catapults and the sort. Managed to run it off, but it was clearly a big thing- easily taller than the tallest trees. Most folks are saying it was a giant in armor, but...there's been other rumors.” She stops washing briefly. “...Some say it was one of the Five being tested out!” she whispers in awe. “Can ya believe that? As if a pack of slavering beasts like that could get their hands on a Great Creation!”

That's the second time you heard that, yeah. “What DO you know about the Great Creations?” you ask, careful to keep your voice low.

She looks surprised, and then confused. “Well, no more than any other normal person. I ain't no historian.”

You resist an urge to sigh. “What are they? I can't say I know.”

Her eyes boggle at that, but soon shifts to a pitying look. “Not was one for fables, huh? Well, alright, then. I'll give you the short version. Legend has it that waaaay back in the days where magic was plentiful and common, there were a group of mages who were beyond anyone else in terms of power. But, they didn't know of each other for years, until one day they all met in the same place. They hated that they all claimed themselves to be the most powerful, but they also recognized that the others could hold secrets that they themselves wanted to learn. So they decided to settle it in the form of a contest. Whoever made the greatest creation from their magic would be called the best mage in the land. So the Great Creations were crafted: The Lifespring, said to be able to restore anyone to the prime of their life with just a sip of its waters. The Great Ark, said to be capable of flying above the heavens, carrying an entire race or more. The Iron Golem, said to be untiring and invincible in whatever task it's given. The Crystal Dream, capable of seeing into the minds of anyone they desire, and the Earthcall, which is said to raise mountains.

Whoa. Strong stuff.

“They said that the mages knew that what they had created would be horrible in the wrong hands, but they were too vain to destroy what they'd made. So they agreed to make a key. Something that they all needed to take part in making, so that without it none of the devices would work. So they all crafted different parts of it, infused their power in those parts, then put them all together. They called it The Centerpiece- the sixth Great Creation, and hid it away...somewhere. No one knows where, if it's more than a legend.”

She looks around, making sure no one walked in on her little storytelling. "...But you didn't hear that from me. Please."

Veery interesting.

cont.
>>
>>523345
“Anyway, that's why I don't think it was the Iron Golem, myself. It'd mean that they had the Centerpiece- and if they had that, then heck, they should have all of them, huh?” she shrugs.

“Perhaps,” you concede. There's something that's niggling about that for you, though... for now, though, you press on. “I'm asking because the Flameguard are-”

“Rooting through everyone's stuff in search of some kinda jewlery. They're saying it belongs to the royal house and someone stole it and fled here.” She leans back. “I'm not buyin' that story. Somethin' about it don't sit well with me. Darned if I can figure what they ARE looking for, though..but I suppose THAT'S not much of my business.”

You hear some chanting for 'The Mistress' and some yelling. She turns, yelling. “JUST A MINUTE!!” She looks back at you. “Ah, geez, sorry, I need to get back up there. Seems like even with less folk they're still rowdy. I'll mark you down the the ledgers for being here for a few days beforehand, alright? Just you figure out what's going on here and get me back my business.”

With that, she and you get up and she walks you back towards the front, thanking you for the 'help'. She's instantly bombared by a group of men giving her food orders, although they keep glancing at you and you can notice them carefully trying to move away from you.

You, meanwhile, have another move to consider yourself...

>Visit the Alchemist, Zarach. He's said to be crazy, but what is he said to know...?
>Scout out the Blacksmith's. If he was locked down for asking about steel, what was special about it?
>Scout out the Mayor's house. If that's where the General is residing, and he's out...
>You got a bounty of information in short order. Time to bail out of this town before things get too risky.
>Other
>>
>>523404
>Visit the Alchemist, Zarach. He's said to be crazy, but what is he said to know...?
>>
>>523404
>Visit the Alchemist, Zarach. He's said to be crazy, but what is he said to know...?
>>
>>523404
>>Visit the Alchemist, Zarach. He's said to be crazy, but what is he said to know...?
>>
>>523404
>Visit the Alchemist, Zarach. He's said to be crazy, but what is he said to know...?
So a magitech nanite medbay, spaceship, battlemech, and psi amplifier.
>>
Off to see the bizarre guy.
Writing.
>>
>>523404
And that's to get to the Alchemist's. The kid said he was kind of a madman, but in your experience, those folks tended to tell more than a grain of truth. He'll be your next target for information. As you walk through the streets again, you can't help but notice that you're getting more stares than normal. People are starting to give you a wider berth. Seems like seeing you around is starting to register.

Still, you make it to Z&G Potions without incident, and you step in to a small bell chime.

The place seems rather clean and well put together, actually- not exactly something you'd consider a mad alchemist to be concerned about. There are various shelves on the walls each with bottles on them- they all have colored fluids inside with small parchment that has both name of the potion and price on it. Invisibility potions, health restoration, poison resistance, fire resistance, slow-falling potions, haste potions...there's a lot here.

At the counter is a man of slightly older age, darker skinned, with a small patch of beard on his face. He's casually swirling around a small flask of something, and looks utterly bored and worried at the same time. Like he knows he can't do anything but hurry up and wait. As he sees you, he raises an eyebrow, clearly not as enthused as the innkeeper was to see you- then a second later his eyes widen and he rears back a bit in surprise. Still, he straightens up. “Ah, uh, yes? May I help you?”

“Well-” Before you can say anything he interrupts.

“Ah, wait, no, no, sorry, that's not how it's supposed to go- not enough 'zip' to it, as she says. Ahem!” and now there's this big fake grin on his face. “Welcome to Z&G's Potion Emporium! Your one-stop shop all for your potions, tonics, and tinctures! May I help you?”

...Clearly it needs work.

> “In a sense, but not with potions. I want to ask you about what you said to the Flameguard.”
> Maybe you could stand to buy something. Who knows, might come in handy.
> “Stop forcing it. It just looks eerie.”
> Other
>>
>>523641
> “In a sense, but not with potions. I want to ask you about what you said to the Flameguard.”
> Maybe you could stand to buy something. Who knows, might come in handy.
> “Stop forcing it. It just looks eerie.”
ALL THE THINGS, HANDLER. ALL OF THEM.
>>
>>523641
> “In a sense, but not with potions. I want to ask you about what you said to the Flameguard.”
>>
Writing. Last for tonight.
>>
>>523799
...make that this one was last. Sorry.
>>
>>523684
this.
>>
>>523684
Supporting this
>>
>>523641
“Can you stop forcing that? It just looks eerie.” Really, it made you think less of a happy salesman and more of a psychopath.

The grin falls, nonetheless, and he gives you a sigh, flopping on the counter with little care. “Sorry, sorry, just a little down. A little forlorn. Dejected, downcase, glum, melancholy, desolate-”

“ALRIGHT.” He freezes and ducks behind the counter faster than you'd expect a man like that to move. “I get it, you're sad. Stop that.” As he comes back up, you make sure to try and not scowl at him TOO much. You're not sure if it works or not judging by the look he's giving you. “At any rate, I need help, but not with potions. I need information.”

“Oh?” He tilts his head. “Can't say I'm much of a good informant. I'm in the back all day making potions! Big ones, small ones, potent ones, weak ones- you'd be surprised how often people need a slow-acting, minor effect potion. Very often, actually.” He halfway sits on the counter now- how he suddenly got so comfortable is beyond you. “Usually folks just want some small poison resistance or minor healing, so that's easy, but then you get the strange ones that want the super specialized stuff- the timed potions, the 'only works in conjunction with specific foods' sorts, and all that. Very interesting challenge, but really-”

“The Flameguard.” You're not gonna let this guy babble on and on. “You said something to the Flameguard that caused them to consider imprisonment. But they let you go. I need to know what was it that you said to them.”

He lights up in recognition. “Ohhhhhhhhh. That. That thing. They told me to never say it again, but they never specified if I could only not say it in public or not.”

There's a full thirty seconds where neither of you say anything. He simply looks at you. “Well?” you ask.

“Well, I'm certainly not going to risk them barging in here!” he reacts, offended. “Who knows how close they might be!”

Ugh. Hm...how to get him to talk...oh, wait. Duh. You begin taking a stroll around, making a show of looking at the potion examples. There's a surprising number, you have to admit. Heck, one or two may legit be useful to you... “It's a bit of a shame. I was CONSIDERING buying a few potions as thanks for your assistance...”

“Oh haw, you don't have to lie to me- wait, no, you're not lying.” Huh. You weren't, but how'd he figure that? “Don't ask how I know, but I get that...vibe...from you.” He squints at you. “Hmmmm...and you're not from around here, no...your facial features are all wrong, your posture is strange, all of it...no...” He's rubbing his chin rather harshly. “Very well. I will tell you. What I said was...that they really should wash more. Even through their armor, they SMELL, woo!”

What.

cont.

(would've put this up last night, but I passed out)
>>
>>526479
He shrugs. “That and that it was amazing that they had found some starmetal. Legendary stuff. I asked for it, but they said no. Shame, it would've been AMAZING to use in a reinforcement potion.” He slams his hands on the desk. “So! Buying, right? What'll it be? I make custom orders or you can buy off the shelf. I'll warn you though- don't literally buy off the shelf- that's just colored water so it looks nice.”

> “How legendary is starmetal?”
> “Fine. What do you have?” (Merchant)
> “Wait, that's it?”
> "You're suddenly a lot more chipper."
> Other
>>
>>526482
>> “How legendary is starmetal?”
>> “Fine. What do you have?” (Merchant)
>>
>>526501
Supporting
>>
>>526482
>“How legendary is starmetal?”
>“Fine. What do you have?” (Merchant)
I'm thinking some healing potions, just in case.
Maybe something that can boost perception as well?
>>
>>526482
Starmetal details and giving a list. Writing.
>>
>>526482
> “How legendary is starmetal?”
> “Fine. What do you have?” (Merchant)
> "Do you have anything that can boost the potency of a mage's spells, or decrease the resistance to magic for a foe?"
>>
>>526482
Supporting >>526501
>>
>>526479
Something stuck out at you real quick there. “Wait, first, what's this about starmetal? How legendary is it?”

“Oh, that?” He gets this giddy look on his face. “Well, I'd tell you the basics, but that wouldn't do it justice. Starmetal is EXTREMELY legendary. Reason being because the ore it's made of is naturally conductive of mana- sucks in the latent magical energies in the earth and holds it. Proper starmetal looks like normal iron, but takes on a super dark hue the more mana it absorbs, with incredibly small sparks of the latent mana in it- hence why it's called STARmetal. Get it?”

You nod. “Got it.”

“Good. Because starmetal is pretty much NOWHERE these days. Lat major ore deposit was found fifty-five years ago, not long before the last Elder Dragon vanished. It's such a big deal because it can absorb just about any kind of magic that it comes into contact with, and can unleash it to anyone who has the gift to utilize magic at all. Considering most humans can barely use magic these days, and those who can are in the royal courts and other very important people, it's treasured stuff! Even finding an ounce of ore can make you a VERY rich person.” He frowns somewhat. “Kind of a shame, really.” Geegee- my wife- would likely have found a way to convince them...I hope she's alright. But!” He brightens back up. “Business beckons! Here's a basic list...”

cont.
>>
>>526649
Alright, you've got a solid 75 gold pieces here. Not much, but that's why it's EMERGENCY money.

Zarach and Geegee's Potions:

Warning- Imbibing multiple potions in a short time period is NOT RECOMMENDED. No, seriously, it never ends well. You can chug like, five of the major health restoration potions back to back without worry, but even that'll ruin your day up if you keep going. I don't even want to risk the other ones. - Zarach

Potion of Minor Health Restoration- 4 gp
Cures light wounds such as scratches and bruises. Assists in regeneration of stronger cuts and broken bones.

Potion of Major Health Restoration – 8 gp
Cures major wounds such as stronger cuts and broken bones. Cannot regenerate lost limbs or massive injury.

Potion of Ironskin – 10 gp
Toughens skin for brief periods of time against slashing blows (ten minutes). Blunt impacts somewhat resisted. Keyword being somewhat. No 'check out what I can do' tricks.

Vanishing Potion – 10 gp
Invisibility potion. Renders you unseeable to the naked eye for a brief period of time (ten minutes). Not intangible, don't try it. Seriously, you might think it's a fun idea to pretend to be a specter, but don't.

Rabbit's Spirit – 10 gp
I'm actually not entirely certain this isn't just a very nice drink that makes you energetic, but people swear it makes them faster and more reactive, so here it is. Lasts a while, too. About a half hour.

Snake's Essence – 15 gp
Grants poison resistance for a brief period of time (fifteen minutes). Some creatures can bypass this or just plain beat it out. Ask for a custom potion if you're unsure if this'll work. More expensive, less risky.

Potion of Fireproofing – 15 gp
Fire resistance for about fifteen minutes. You can hang out in burning huts! It's very interesting seeing how it happens when you don't have to panic. Doesn't work on dragonfire, though. Trust me.

Potion of Coldproofing – 15 gp
Cold resistance for about fifteen minutes. It's really good cold resistance, too. You can hang out in the frozen north in nothing but your unders and be fine! Just...get your clothes back on before it runs out. That would be an embarrassing way to go. I would know.

Potion of Featherfall – 15 gp
Makes you light as a feather- for all of thirty seconds. That's why this one's so cheap. That, and you really need to remember to drink this right BEFORE you do whatever requires it, not during. Please not during. It takes a second to kick in.

cont. again.
>>
>>526651
Potion of Aqua Lungs – 25 gp
Lets you breath underwater for a half hour. Really cool to talk to the underwater races. You still have to know how to swim, though...

Giant's Strength – 35 gp
Makes you ridiculously strong for about ten minutes. Not as strong as a giant, though, the name Giant's Strength is just because it sounds nice. PLEASE don't try to actually fight a giant hand to hand. You'll lose.

Dragonscale Essence – 50 gp
Immunity to fire. All fire. Including dragonfire. For like, five minutes. Please don't ask how I found that out, it's not a memory I want to revisit.

Custom Potion - ???
Tell me what you want, and if it's not in stock or a common request, I'll see if I can make it for you! Price varies depending on ingredients needed and estimated time spent on brewing. Investigation into potion's possibility is free!

All the rest is out of your price range.
>>
>>526651
Potion of Minor Health Restoration
Potion of Major Health Restoration
Vanishing Potion
>>
>>526651
>>526657
>Potion of Major Health Restoration
>Vanishing Potion
>Potion of Aqua Lungs
43 gp
>>
>>526657
I want one vanishing potion, it may come in handy later.
>>
>>526651
>Potion of Major Health Restoration – 8 gp
>>
>>526651
>>526657
Your description of our abilities inclines me to think that the healing/resistance potions may be a bit redundant. How is our durability these days?
>>
>>526698
Pretty good. You've survived eating concrete at terminal velocity with just a bruise to show for it, and getting pitched through buildings used to be a daily occurrence for you. You're more careful these days, but you're fairly certain you're still pretty hardy. Certainly not invincible, though, and if you get hit hard enough, it'll smart.
>>
I JUST realized I had no trip AGAIN. Thank goodness for IDs here, I guess.
>>
Minor health potions aid us in interrogation
>>
Okay, seems like:

>Potion of Major Health Restoration
>Vanishing Potion
For certain, and the third seems to be leaning towards
>Minor heath restoration

for a total of 22 gp? Speak now.
>>
>>526733
I'd still like a Aqua Lungs, so we can go underwater just in case.
>>
>>526733
Is fine
>>
Oh, writing, FYI.
>>
>>526657

You mull on it a little bit, and eventually decide for the safer stuff- a Major and Minor Health Restoration, and a Vanishing Potion so that your issues earlier don't repeat themselves. ...After some careful consideration, you also decide to go ahead and pick up a Potion of Aqua Lungs, just to be safe.

He grins as you fork over the 47 gold pieces. “Thank you very much! And here Geegee said I wouldn't make a sale while she was out. Well of course she was just playing with me, but still! I ran this shop without her for years! No reason I'd suddenly lose my touch already! It's like with knowing how-”

“Thank you, goodbye.” You really didn't need to hear him yammer on, and with little other fanfare you step back outside into the side street alleyway, pocketing the three small flasks in pockets on the inside of your coat. There are two soldiers just turning into the alleyway, and as they see you, they startle a bit. However, they quickly recover, and call out.

“H-Hey! You! There's been talk of some strange-looking warrior...you're going to have to come with us! General Corbin's orders!” It doesn't seem like they're actually moving towards you, though, but one has his hands on his sword, preparing to draw.

> “And why is that?"
> “No. I've done nothing. You'll have to force the point." (Intimidation)
> Time to leave, subtlety be damned.
> Other
>>
>>526810
>“No. I've done nothing. You'll have to force the point." (Intimidation)
Though killing Corbin now so that he doesn't cause us trouble later might be something to consider.
>>
>>526810
>> “And why is that? I've done nothing. You'll have to force the point." (Intimidation)
>>
>>526810
> “No. I've done nothing. You'll have to force the point." (Intimidation)

"If he wants to speak with me then he has to come and request it himself like a good little boy, now if you'll excuse me and believe me you want to..."

I'm not opposed to killing our way out of this.
>>
>>526810
>“No. I've done nothing. You'll have to force the point." (Intimidation)
And why is our presense needed exactly?
>>
>>526810
Nah. Writing!
>>
>>526810
They didn't even quite seem like they wanted to be here. “Hm. No.”
“No!?” Wow, they actually seem shocked by that. “Well, I- it's not your choice! There's been rumors flying around, and now General Corbin has asked that you be detained until further notice!” Hm. You thought he was out until the evening. It hasn't been THAT long for you. It's maybe noon? “So...yeah, any further refusal will-!”

“I've done nothing to hinder him or his operations here,” you point out. “I am not certain why he wants to detain me, but perhaps he can come and we can discuss the matter like mature people instead of children.” They let out a gasp at that- probably weren't used to their leaders getting insulted. “So if you'll excuse me- and I truly would recommend that you do...” you let the sentence (and implied threat) trail off as they seem uncertain of how to proceed. One of them is wavering in his stance, constantly trying to readjust himself. The other looks between his partner and you, before quickly drawing his sword. “I-I'll hold her here- you get some of the others!”

The other one darts off down the street while the man who spoke charges you. “IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT DRAGONS!”

Oh, boy. This might cause an issue or two.

>He's coming in too wild. Dodge, counter- keep him alive.
>Chuck him into a wall or something- if he dies, his fault. You did warn them.
>Well, this is annoying. Pop a blast off at the runner, keep the loud one out of swinging range, then down him, too.
>You seem to have overstayed your welcome. Flex those legs and get out of here.
>Other
>>
>>526905
>Chuck him into a wall or something- if he dies, his fault. You did warn them.
>>
>>526905
>Other
Dodge the attack, grab the attacker, then throw him into the runner.

We're going to beat a motherfucker with another motherfucker.
>>
>>526905
>>You seem to have overstayed your welcome. Flex those legs and get out of here.
>>
>>526912
>>526913
Gentlemen, We seem to be at an impasse.
>>
>>526905
>He's coming in too wild. Dodge, counter- keep him alive.
>You seem to have overstayed your welcome. Flex those legs and get out of here.
Trip him up, then show him what the view of the town looks like from above.
>>
>>526924
What, we're going to take him with us? Why the fuck would we do that?
>>
Back in about 30 mins so you're not wondering about me for once. Figure a plan of action in the meantime, I gueeeess.
>>
>>526912
This sounds fun, supporting
>>
>>526926
So we can drop him.
>>
>>526942
So we kill him by dropping him from an extreme height?
Are you trying to get away or just stir up the hornets nest of the Flameguard?
>>
>>526912
Supporting
>>
>>526912
New voter here, supporting beating guards with other guards.
>>
Back.

>>526905
Hm. Alright. One running away, one charging towards...you think you see the problem here. The alley is a touch narrow, but you still have plenty of room to maneuver, at least.
He gets close enough for an attempt to bash you in the head with the pommel of his sword- seems like he really did want you alive. All the same, you're easily able to grab his wrist before any moment can get started, and with experience and relative ease, you grab with your other hand, and with a step, a spin, and a toss, the man goes sailing through the air, screaming all the while.

The other guard is a little ways out into the street when the body of his comrade collides into his back with a loud crash of metal chainmail and flesh.
Almost immediately there are gasps and yells from walking citizens in the street at the sudden display of a man first running out of an alley in a panic- and then another sailing out of said alleyway clearly not under his own power.

There's a bunch of yelling and murmuring now around the unlucky guards as the two groan in pain, some braver folk even looking your way.

Things are starting to get a bit hot.

>Accuse them of unjust behavior. You merely reacted in self-defense.
>Get outta town. That felt nice, but they're gonna send more than two after you now.
>Other
>>
>>527022
>Accuse them of unjust behavior. You merely reacted in self-defense.
No, really, I want to kill them all and this Corbin fellow, in order to nip this problem in the bud.
>>
>>527022
Accuse them, but don't start killing anyone
>>
>>527022


>>527044
Supporting
>>
>>527022
>>Get outta town. That felt nice, but they're gonna send more than two after you now.
>>
>>527049
Of course not right now. Just that when the Flameguard inevitably gets mobilized to try to capture us at the orders of General Corbin, we slaughter them all then interrogate Corbin for the information we want.
No more Flameguard means an easier time for the Knights.
>>
I feel like commenting on my feelings about things in the quest so far, so I will.

Basically, this isn't going how I expected. That's not a bad thing- it is hella interesting. I might be the QM but I'm looking forward to what happens next all the same.
>>
>>527079
You expected sailor moon?
>>
>>527082
Oh hell nope. Just something a touch different. But like I said, you guys are keeping it interesting.
>>
>>527022
>>Get outta town. That felt nice, but they're gonna send more than two after you now.
>>
>>527088
Maybe you wanted something a little more Time Lord-ish?
That we can only live with ourselves, the ruthless butcher of a thousand worlds, because every once in a while, we spare someone, or help someone, because the fancy takes us?
>>
>>527103
Ha, nah. I'm more talking about individual choices than overall behavior. Just keep you guys doin' you- I'm writing now.
>>
As you step out of the alleyway, the crowd that formed seems to back off quickly, giving you a wide berth. There's a lot of pointing and awe- someone your size and looks doing that? It's understandably frightening, really. As you step into the circle of people that seems to have formed, you quickly point to them and speak in your best 'offended' tone of voice. “Those two tried to detain me unjustly, without reasonable cause, and assaulted me, when I made no motion towards them. I acted only in self-defense.”

There's yet a lot of murmuring, but no one is yet to take your side. The two men are still groaning, but have brought themselves upright. “She's...she's some kind...some kind of demon!” The man you threw yells. He's still gasping for breath after that toss. “That level of strength is impossible! She's a hellspawn, she is!”

“Hellspawn? Nonsense!” You can hear Delilah over the crowd's yelling, and as you turn to her voice, you can see her with a perked eyebrow, a basket of fruits and vegetables in her hands. “She's a touch taciturn, surely, a bit frightenin' to look at, but I'd not call her such words!” She's got half the crowd looking at her now. “You sure you two aren't mistaken strength for magic? I've heard tales that it can manifest rather sudden- as I'm sure others have.”

There are some nods and agreements in the crowd, but few. She continues, “Ain't it possible you went to arrest her, she got a bad case of nerves, and maybe there was just a bit of a magical accident?”

“NO!” Wow, he got his breath back. “She knows what she's done! And when the General hears about this, he'll-”

“No need to speak on my behalf. I'll take it from here.” Oh?

You turn around, towards the city entrance, and in quite the impressive looking spiked suit of armor, with a lantern jaw, scarred face, and stern eyes, backed by at least a dozen Flameguard, is the man you can presume to be General Corbin. He looks at you with an expression approaching disgust. “You are guilty of many crimes, girl. Several punishable by long imprisonment, others by death. Disobeying a general's orders, ignoring a quarantine, threatening and attacking my subordinates for ANY reason...you have much to account for. What do you say to this?”

>...What DO you say to this?
>>
>>527199
Ask him why he tried to detain us.
>>
>>527199
"That you have no right to detain me, your subordinates attacked first, and that you have no idea how to handle an outside context problem."
>>
>>527199
"If being accosted by your soldiers is your definition of attacked, then clearly you've been kicked in the head by a horse as a child."
>>
Phone posting again.

And it's a lot of funny stuff. Writing.
>>
>>527199
"Several things. For one, I daresay you have no right to detain me. For another, your subordinates attacked me first. And finally, if this is your response to something unexpected, you clearly have no clue how to handle an outside context problem."

He merely snorts in derision. "I daresay I have a better idea of things than you think. And by the orders of the king, my word is law. Regardless of what you might think, should I claim the right is mine, then it so is. The fact alone that you attacked my soldiers is reason enough for me to put you in stocks."

This guy is setting off every 'potential long term pain in the ass' alarm bell in your head. And if you really believe that getting accosted by your soldiers and retaliated in self-defense is 'attacking', then you were clearly kicked in the head by a horse as a child."

Yet again, an incredible number of gasping, and even a few laughs. Even he hears those, and you can see his face grow at touch red with anger. He moves to draw his sword, and a number of his group does so as well. It's been a bit since you fought multiple people at once. This might be a decent warm-up for the marauders if it escalates.

"Before we end up coming to blows, might I ask what you even wanted to try and detain me for?" You ask. You doubt he'll respond straight, but it's worth trying to figure out.

"Too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing," he says as he draws his sword fully. It's a surprisingly ornate thing, with a gold handle with the pommel and hilt seemingly being made into a dragon's mouth. "Knowing the wrong things can do terrible things. It can cause the wrong person to do the wrong thing for what they believe is the right reasons. It can cause feeble men to think themselves above their station. Sometimes...knowledge can only truly safely reside in very trusted minds." He and the rest of his men take stances as the civilians clear out in shouts and panic.

And to your surprise, his blade then lights on fire, blazing strongly. "You are NOT trusted. Men! CHARGE!"

Well, nuts.

>Pepper them all with mage blasts. That should take out the cronies.
>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.
>Screw this, you're outta here.
>Other.
>>
>>527383
>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.
Follow through with a leap towards him. We need to knock that sword out of his hands.
>>
>>527383
>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.

Hopefully we don't kill him but let's show his henchmen what they're fighting against.
>>
>>527383
>>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.
>>"And sometimes too little knowledge can cause the wrong person to do the wrong thing for what they believe is the right reasons. It can cause feeble men to think themselves above their station."
We need a 'flash step'-like ability
>>
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>>527398
First that, then we can teleport behind enemy.
Nothing personnell.
>>
>>527427
Hahahah wow.

Writing.
>>
>>527383
>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.

Damn. How did we get this murderboner going for this guy. It's not like we're getting paid to deal with him. Oh well. Spilled milk.
>>
>>527437
We'd have to kill him eventually.
>>
>>527383
"I want to arrest you, Why? Your puny mind could not grasp my reasons!"

Yeah, I don't care what it does to the job, I can't listen to this werp a second longer

>Charged shot to Corbin, take him out first. That sword might actually be an issue.

None of these people are a threat to us, but I want him dead on principle.
>>
>>527398
Supporting!!!!
>>
>>527437
> It's not like we're getting paid to deal with him
It improves our rep with everyone that isn't a twat, which may bring additional reward/information.
>>
>>527442
Well, I guess we do now that we've entered this city knowing damned well it was being cordoned off and generally made ourselves stand out as much as possible with our intimidation gear. Personally, I'm gonna cut the guy a little slack for that.
>>527444
He just sated some pretty decent reasons. We did kinda assault medieval policemen and jumped their cordon, all the while looking like Sauron. That's reason enough for most societies to arrest someone.
>>527452
At least I can get behind this guy's train of thought.
>>
>>527383
One of the funny things that you noticed about a lot of leader types that you squared off against. For some reason, they like to lead from the front. Part of you can understand that; it helps morale showing that the leader is afraid to fight on the front lines. On the other hand...

It makes them way too easy of a target. You outstretch your hand, and in short order, a glowing fear of energy forms, quickly enlarging to the size of a soccer ball. It'll do some damage, but hopefully it won't kill him outright.

The charging soldiers, almost to a man, stop short as the magic blast leaves your hand. Much to your surprise, however, Corbin raises his sword in time, and the energy impact the blade, detonating it and sending several of his men scattering. As well as himself.

You have to admit, you didn't really expect them to more or less block it. But that just makes me miss you all the more and see her. Leaping forward into the fray, you aim a direct kick to his form, which is already getting up from a kneel. It hits his face flush, and he skids back a few more feet, his metal armor scratching the ground with a horrendous noise. He's holding on to that sword for dear life, however. Can't really blame him.

Before you can pursue him any further however, you're quickly surrounded by the rest of his men.

There's a brief but intense staredown as none of the men seem to want to commit to an attack after seeing what you just did. Jumping clear over a pile of fallen men to to hit an attack that strong isn't something that normal men can we go around here, you suppose.

>Blind them. Focus on Corbin.
> "One last chance...Stand down."
> Crack them open physically until they run.
> This is what some would call a target-rich environment.
> Other
>>
>>527485
>Blind them. Focus on Corbin.
Might as well finish what we've started.
>>
Ugh. Sorry about some of the random grammar. I'm phone posting, and I can't always double check. Autocorrect is stupid. Hopefully you got the idea anyway.
>>
>>527485
>> "This is what some would call a target-rich environment." (Bluff)
>Blind them. Focus on Corbin.
>>
>>527485
>Blind them. Focus on Corbin.
>>
No time for small fry. Writing.
>>
>>527485
You take a good look. They're not your target, but they're in your way. Thinking about it, there's an easy way to solve this problem. A trick you hadn't used in a bit.

You charge yourself with energy, feeling the heat burn within you. Its not often you need to, and it's always a good feeling, but you don't necessarily need the full monty this time, just the excess...

You give off a brilliant, three second flash, and the sudden light show causes the surrounding audience to yell in pain and surprise. Just like it's supposed to work- they'll be seeing nothing for a good few seconds, and that's all the time you need.

There's various shouts of 'get her!' 'What the hell happened?' and other such exclaimations; but they're smart enough to not attack while literally blinded. That or panicked. Regardless, you jump over the human ring, and land right in front of the fallen general, blinking hard and struggling to get up- seems like he got an eyeful as well. Fantastic.

A point-blank shot causes a grunt of pain from him- which is surprising that that was all that happened considering it went clear through his fancy dragon headed chest plate. You can see heavy bleeding in his chest cavity admist the sparkling of the crystalline object resting over his- wait, what?

From what you can see, it's an egg-shaped crystal of some kind, shimmering a bright blue-green, sparkling and shining despite the stains of blood on it, and nestled snuggly in the most extended part of the dragon breastplate.

What the hell was- wait.

no way...

>Rip the crystal out, and get out of here. If that's what you think it is...he'll have it worse than just dying.
>Finish him off, take the crystal, then leave.
>Point this out to the public. Show them what he's been doing.
>Other
>>
>>527581
>Rip the crystal out,
and then,
>Point this out to the public. Show them what he's been doing.
>>
>>527581
Rip out the crystal, and inform the public.
>>
>>527581
>>Rip the crystal out, and get out of here. If that's what you think it is...he'll have it worse than just dying.
>>
>>527581

>Rip the crystal out, and get out of here. If that's what you think it is...he'll have it worse than just dying.
>>
>>527581
>Rip the crystal out, and get out of here. If that's what you think it is...he'll have it worse than just dying.
>Point this out to the public. Show them what he's been doing.
>>
The people have a right to know. Writing.
>>
>>527683
Like hell they do! It only suits our purpose at the moment.
>>
>>527683
The people have no rights.
Whatever makes our overall mission easier to accomplish, that's all that matters.

At least he's not a magical contractor from another agency.
>>
>>527581
With the large majority of the soldiers still blinded, you quickly grab the armor that still covers the egg with both hands and use all of your strength, infusing a little bit of magic into it as well. The metal man just a tear away, and you can see the sparkling egg in its entirety beneath it.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing to..." As you turn around, holding the egg, they stop short; they've been mid charge when the person spoke.

"It seems as though he's been hiding a few things from you. Hiding a few things from everyone," you say as you start to see some of the civilians come out of their hiding. "I have a hunch what this is, but just to be sure...I'll be taking it with me. To make sure that it won't fall in hands of someone like him again."

"...the Crystal Dream? Is...is that even possible?" one man whispers.

"But I thought it needed the Centerpiece to work..." seems like Delilah's come back out again. You looked towards her once more. "I don't think he was actively using it. But if this is it, chances are someone else knew about it. He can't have his armor on all the time."

The guards are confused and flabbergasted. It seems that they're not quite certain how to proceed from here. Eventually one of them walks forward. "I...we...perhaps more than a few questions need to be asked. We've very clearly got a lot of them."

Before much longer, General Corbin is healed up, and placed under arrest. Still unconscious, and it doesn't seem like you'll be waking him up for a while. He's searched, and something interesting is found on him- he'd apparently been keeping on his person the twin to the amulet that you received from the runaways a bit ago. Same style, but different gyms in the eyes. Interesting. As for Corbib, even cold water doesn't seem to be doing anything for him. But, that's fine. You have other things to do.


>See to those marauders. They might have wanted this. Perfect bait.
>Focus on the adventurers; time to get to Alban.
>Report this to the Fortress immediately.
>Other
>>
>>527774
>>See to those marauders. They might have wanted this. Perfect bait.
>Other
Grab his sword, because hey, free flaming sword.
>>
>>527774
>Report this to the Fortress immediately.
Information is vital.
We must, and by extension our clients, must be fighting in daylight while our enemies remain blinded by darkness.

>Other
Loot that flaming sword. If it could defend against us, then it's better if we have it than it being allowed to find a way to our enemies.
>>
>>527774
QM, how much time has passed since we left the New Moon Base?

Adding to that,
>Report this to the Fortress immediately.
I feel like we are getting too sidetracked but this is important business. secure and report everything we have so far. if only we had some sort of long range communication to contact New Moon this could have went better though.

>>527789
>>527792
as a side note, like how these anons say, can we loot the sword? looks valuable, so even if we don't plan on using it it might be useful for protection or selling.
although if Miranda starts using this sword I believe it would be good for us in the current situation. more fancyness!
>>
Back not-on-my-phone!

>>527805
This is Day 2 of your job. You work fairly fast- your entire visit to Hatham's Hold was under a day. You camped out and then came here that morning, and it's roughly 3-4 PM. (Miranda's/you've been guesstimating the time, so she's not 100% accurate. No, she doesn't have a watch.) Don't worry, I'm keeping track.

>>527789
>>527792
>>527805
Reporting in. With a new swank sword.
>>
>>527825
heck yeah!
on a more serious note though, we should get it looked at by the people back at base. figure out what exactly it is. if our enemies are handing out things with a degree like this out to anyone important things might get difficult, although it was expected.
>>
>>527825
What did the crystal dream do again.
>>
>>527837
dude.

>>523345
>The Crystal Dream, capable of seeing into the minds of anyone they desire,
it's right up here.
>>
>>527774
First and foremost, you need to report this in- considering the amount of work that you've managed to do in such a short order, you need to call this in. Well...call it in if you had a phone available to you. You'll have to hike back to the fortress- they should be able to see if this is, indeed, the Crystal Dream, and furthermore, maybe give some more information about the other Great Creations. It's not a very HARD trip for you, but it will be frustrating, somewhat.

As you're about to leave, you quickly look back on the prone form of the General, and that sword besides him. Strange how it managed to nearly deflect a blast of yours. And that flame...magic, easily. However he got it, he was lucky. 'Was' being the keyword.

A few of the guards give mild protest when you yank the sword, but you silence them with a glare and a quick 'Spoils for defeating him. Any complaints?”

There were none.

The trip to the fortress is relatively painless, as you surmised...and thank goodness, it seemed like the place, although not huge, looked to be in decent shape as you approach the large gateway. “Halt!” a young archer yells as he watches from atop the wall. “Who goes there? State your name and who knows you!”

Interesting way of asking for the passphrase. “I am known as Lady Maladis, and the moon knows only itself.”

The boy's eyes widen a bit, and he gives a quick nod, shouting at them to open the gate. When they do so, you see that the place is a bit...barren in regards to personnel, for a fortress this size. Either that or they're all inside. “W-w-welcome, Lady Maladis! We've...we've been told about you.” He seems to have a tough time holding his gaze. “You're...quite more imposing in person than they'd said, ahehehe...The tales didn't do you justice, I mean! I'd expected...uh...” Oy. This kid's talking in circles.
He does seem to at least realize it, though, shaking himself out of his weirdness. “I'm glad you made it here alright- making such a trek on foot can be dangerous!” Huh. He thought you came straight from the base? Eh, whatever. “Your friends made it here as well- they told us you'd had something interesting for us, but refused to say what...”

cont.
>>
>>527905
Ah, yes. “They're not my friends,” you correct, “but I do have a few things of interest that I was hoping you'd be able to take a look at for me...” and you pull out both the amulets first.

“Ohhhh...OHHHHH!” Okay, that was good, hopefully. He reaches out for the amulets with shaky hands. “I-i-i...may I? May I please?”

“What are they for?” you ask.

He looks back and forth between you and the amulets. “These...these are Commander Talismans! Very very rare, and very very powerful. They're said to give limited control over a physical form- controlling it like a puppet! They're...well, they're not made anymore, for obvious reasons. Anyone who's found making them in either kingdom is to be immediately put to the sword.” Harsh. “Something like this...and two of them?!”

“Yes. I'll tell you about it later. For now, there's something arguably more important I need to show you,” you say as you pull out the egg.

“Why, what could be more important than something...like...” he trails off and stares slack-jawed at the egg. “Tha...that's...that's the...the...” oh, he's having trouble breath- damnit, he fainted.

It takes some time before he wakes up- you simply picked him up and carried him, calling out for help as casually as you could. Several other soldiers of the New Moon quickly came to your aid. You managed to find the local commander and managed to debrief him about the situation, and he immediately sent a runner with escort to the main base to report. At the moment, you're in a small mess hall, eating some simple meats and other fare cooked by the residents. “You're...you're amazing!” says one girl named Corin. She's an...eager one. Raven-haired, shaggy, but dressed in a robe, she's one of the on-site scholars, or she at least introduced herself as such. “To not only find a pair of rare, last era Commander Talismans, but...you actually uncovered a Great Creation!? And now WE have it?! That's just...astonishing! Even if we can't use it, the fact that we have one- and one as powerful as the Crystal Dream- gives us a GREAT deal of legitimacy we need.

You just nod along with it. You wonder if you're gonna get a bonus for this or something...

Corin pouts a bit. “Well, aren't you curious about it? At all? Or heck, any of the Great Creations?”

>Not really.
>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
>Other
>>
>>527906
>>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
>Other
"It isn't a Great Creation, but would you mind telling me a bit about this, mainly what enchantments it might hold? (bring out sword, show it to him) I found it on the man who had held The Crystal Dream."
>>
>>527906
>>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
>>Other
Ask about details on it and how Commander Talismans work. Are there any clues on who was controlling the commander? Show her the sword too, she seems interested.
>>
>>527910
Shit, I just remembered that he's not important or magical enough to know. In that case, have him point out someone else who can.
>>
>>527906
>Other
"I mean, it sounds kind of impressive. What do you think the asking price for this thing would be? Maybe I should consider an auction..."
Jokingly, of course.
>>
>>527906
>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
Any more specifics on what the talismans do? Would he know anything about the sword?

Hold on. Doesn't this mean that the bandits were under control by something, via the use of talismans?
>>
Wait so does the talisman grant wearer ability to control someone else? Or does that mean someone was controlling person wearing the talisman?
>>
>>527906
>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
>Other
"I'm not from this plane, as you may have already heard.
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe; space fighters on fire off the shoulder of Orion. Disruptor cannons and Belkan magic cannons glittering in the dark above Tannhauser. Hundreds of Baneblades as they charged a Bolo of the Terran Concordat's Dichromium Brigade.
"You'll excuse me if I'm somewhat...jaded."
>>
Should have bought the Giant's Strength potion so we could deck out a giant.

You had one job.
>>
>>527906
>I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts.
>>
>>527925
Do we even need the potion?
And doesn't the potion actually impose an upper limit to our strength, because ours is already ridiculously high?
>>
The fuck is all this?

Writing.
>>
So, while Belkan magic, Bolos, and Baneblades haven't been hinted at, given that Miranda has worked for Silver Eye Solutions and The Deal-Makers for a few years and seen hundreds of worlds of different levels of tech and magic, being jaded about world-shattering artifacts would make sense.
>>
>>527923
>>527965
hold on wha
did I miss something?
what?
>>
>>527906
You take another bite of your food. The meat's fresh- likely hunted this morning or something. The bread's good, as is the vegetables and mead. You've had better, but for more primitive fare, it's pretty solid stuff.

“Well, in regards to the Great Creations, I've already heard a bit about them. Like how the Crystal Dream lets you look into people's thoughts, and such.” You see Corin pout even more, but you continue on anyway. “There ARE a few things I'm curious about that aren't Great Creations, though. Like the Commander Talismans. The kid-”

“Julius,” she states.

You nod in understanding. “Right, him. He said that they gave limited control over a physical form. Like puppetry.” You lean forward a bit, resting your elbow on the table. “Just how does it work, exactly? Not the magic, just...can you give more detail on the functionality?”

“Oh!” Corin nods. “Yeah, sure! So, basically he got that part right, but to get in more detail, you need to have one on both the commander and the controlled. That's part of why these talismans are so rare- because you need a matching pair to do anything!” She points to the first one. “See these red rubies in this one? This one's the 'receiver'. It's the one that takes orders. The real 'commanding' part of it. You can tell because this one-” she points to the other one with white gems- is the 'sender' talisman. It's what GIVES the orders, but you need to have a lot of mana to power it right. That's actually another reason it's not used anymore- hardly anyone can call up the mana for it.”

Huh. So what was Corbin doing with it...?

She shrugs. “So yeah, that's kinda how that works. You do that, and you kinda are able to just send 'thoughts' to whatever you want to command. 'Go here, do this', kinda stuff. The more mana you have, the better you're able to control them. At worst, you can kinda just give them 'suggestions' that they might want to follow up on. As most, they're your unwilling slave. Scary stuff!”

cont.
>>
>>527985

Scary indeed. “Makes sense. There's something else, too...” you bring out the sword. “The man who had the Crystal Dream on him wielded this. I'm not sure what it is, but it could actually-”

“Oh, whoa! A Flamebringer Blade?!” Oh, good. “Wooow, that's sick! Can I see it?”

Hahahaha. “No.”

“Aww. But you wanna know about those? They're basically...well, swords that light on fire. Horinth only gives those out to elite warriors, ones with unusually high capacity for mana. At least, that's what I know of it. Apparently you feed it mana to light it on fire, and that magic flame is like, a step below dragonfire. No one knows how it's so potent, but...geez. Did like, the one guy have all of this on him?”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Corin whistles. “Wooooooow. He must've had a MONSTEROUS mana pool, to use both of those! I wonder why he had the Crystal Dream on him, though- can't use that at all if you don't have the key!”

Right, the Centerpiece...wonder what that was.

“Say, you're not really sounding all that enthused about this stuff. This is HISTORY here!” She exclaims. “Stuff that hasn't been seen for hundreds of years, suddenly popping up left and right! This is major!”

You sigh. “I've...I'm not from this plane of existence, as you may or may not know.”

And all at once, Corin freezes. “Wait...wait...wait. You're...you ACTUALLY are like...a demon?” B-because I'd heard them CALL you that, or a demi-fiend from another plane, but like, I thought that was just, y'know, names and stuff! Like nicknames for your battle prowess or something or I dunno!” Her voice is getting higher with every sentence. “So like...what are you...what are you doinnnnnnnn aw are you gonna kill us all or something if we wiiin?” She looks like she's about to break out into tears. “C-cause I didn't think they'd sign our souls away or nothiiin...”

>Depends on if you come through with your payments or not.
>No, they signed a contract for money, not souls.
>...I'm not going to dignify that with a response.
>I suppose I could bring you with me to the other side. That'd save you. (Humor)
>Other
>>
That'll be the last for tonight. I'll keep this going tomorrow!
>>
>>527986
>>No, they signed a contract for money, not souls.
"Bit more mundane than that. Sorry to get your hopes up."
>>
>>527986
(headpat the poor kid) "You're too cute to do that to."
>No, they signed a contract for money, not souls.
>>
>>527986
>Other
"One, they signed a contract for gold, not souls. The company I work for has a strict 'No Souls, Love, First-Born, Loyalty, or Ephemerals' policy on payments. Straight, hard cash.
"Two, I'm not a demon."

>>527981
We're over 90 years old and we've been working for SES for years, hopping to different worlds. We may not have encountered any worlds that had sentient tanks or ones with massive space battles (because they probably wouldn't purchase our services since they've already got heavy-hitters of their own), but other ones with maybe late 20th century tech or swords-and-sorcery level tech and magic are most likely common.
>>
>>527995
Hmm, I should have replaced "Cute" with "Adorable". Ah well.
>>
>>527996
Seconding this.
>>
>>527986
>No, they signed a contract for money, not souls.
Direct.

guys, as far as I can remember, the reciever artifact was found from bandit remains... or am I mistaken?

>>527996
agree with this one
>>
>>527986
>>"Depends on if you come through with your payments or not. Also they signed a contract for money, not souls. The company I work for has a strict 'No Souls, Love, First-Born, Loyalty, or Ephemerals' policy on payments. Straight, hard cash."
>>"Two, I'm not a demon."

>>520952
>“They know there's two- the unlucky sod said that he saw two fly off the 'big metal thing' right before they put him in irons, and have been searching folks all day since they found the one. We decided to not risk it.” Francis explains."
Meaning that the Giant/Golem was being controlled by someone.
>>
Caught up, this quest is a real gem.

>no, they signed a contact for money, not souls
>>
>>527986
Corin squeaks as you reach a hand over to her- and then pat her on the head. “Well, aren't you just adorable. But sorry, it's a bit more mundane than that.
One, they signed a contract for gold, not souls. The company I work for has a strict 'No Souls, Love, First-Born, Loyalty, or Ephemerals' policy on payments. Straight, hard cash.”
You lean back, putting the sword back down. “And two, I'm not a demon. Just a traveler."

“Ohhhh...” she slowly nods in understanding. “Sorry for the, uhh...”

“It's fine,” you wave off. Giving her a quick look, you smirk a bit. “You're a bit too adorable to do that to, anyway.” Heh, black-haired, super-energetic super-nerd? It's kinda funny how she reminded you a bit of Tess- no no no no stop it stop stop it

“Soooo...where ARE you from?” Wha? Oh- right, she's talking again. “Because that's...wow. I didn't think there WERE any other planes besides the Hereafter and the Black Planes,
and if you were from the Black Planes you'd be a demon...”

“Don't worry about it.,” you interrupt. “Just know I'm not here for souls, I'm here for gold.”

“Right, right.” She finishes up her food- a bowl of some sort of meaty soup. “So...I take it you'll be staying here overnight and leaving in the morning, then?
Sun will be going down soon. You'd just be camping out in hostile territory otherwise.”

> “I'll be fine. I can make solid distance through the Wildlands before nightfall, at the least.
> “Yes, perhaps that'd be best. I'm rather fast, but I'd rather reach Alban in the daylight.”
> Other
>>
>>528751
>> “Yes, perhaps that'd be best. I'm rather fast, but I'd rather reach Alban in the daylight.”
>>
>>528751
>> “Yes, perhaps that'd be best. I'm rather fast, but I'd rather reach Alban in the daylight.”
>>
>>528751
>“I'll be fine. I can make solid distance through the Wildlands before nightfall, at the least.
Don't give the Heroes any advantages or time to rest.
Don't handicap ourselves. We can go and find the marauders and destroy them in the night.
>>
>>528778
But proper R&R is important on long dispaches like this one.
>>
>>528751
> “Yes, perhaps that'd be best. I'm rather fast, but I'd rather reach Alban in the daylight.”
>>
Taking a breather, then! Writing!
>>
>>528751

“You make a fair point,” you concede. “I'm faster than you probably expect, but considering how things were when I made it here, I don't expect to get to Alban in the daylight.
Better to make the trip tomorrow while the sun's out.”

She chuckles. “Well, yeah, I didn't mean it quite like that- just that the Wildlands are a lot less forgiving than the settled lands of Alban. The frontier's not exactly the best place either,
but there are at least people interested in trying to make it work- and I think it will be fine, eventually. For now, though...” she gets up and stretches. “Mmmmm, yeah. We've got plenty of spare beds and washing areas here for you to take a load off. Feel free to make use of them!”

You get up as well. “I'll make sure to.”

The baths are nice, yes...at least right up until you realize. There's no such thing as shampoo here.

Damnit.

By the time you exit the baths and finish your business, you're set for the night. You notice a few acolytes walking around as you head for your room, but ultimately the place seems pretty barren.

Much to your surprise and mild relief, you see Julius heading down the hall towards you. Glad the kid finally woke up.
He seems surprised to see you. "Ah, Miss Maladis! Heading to bed? You'll have to forgive me for my...well, my embarrassing showcase earlier." He bows deeply.
"I was merely overcome by being in the presence of an actual Great Creation! I could just FEEL the latent energies within...but now I rather wish we had the Centerpiece for it."

>Well, with any luck, you'll find it.
>It's fine, but you're right, I'm off to bed now.
>Thinking about it, what DOES the Centerpiece look like? Do you know?
>Other
>>
>>528881
>Thinking about it, what DOES the Centerpiece look like? Do you know?
>>
>>528881
>>It's fine, but you're right, I'm off to bed now.
>>
>>528881
>Thinking about it, what DOES the Centerpiece look like? Do you know?
>>
The hell IS it? Writing.
>>
>>528881
Actually, thinking about it, if there's a chance that you might wind up encountering one or another of the Great Creations, there's one you really don't have a clear mental image of. “Speaking of the thing, Julius,” you address him, “just what DOES The Centerpiece look like? I've heard about it, I know what it does, but unlike the other Great Creations, I'm not entirely certain what it looks like.”

He 'hmm's to himself, thinking about it a bit. “Actually, that's a rather interesting question. See, The Centerpiece was originally said to be made by all of the ancient Mages who made the Great Creations, right? One piece per mage. Now, I don't know if you know this, but we've found texts that have said that the original Centerpiece was 'the lynchpin' of all Great Creations, and that it was 'sharp and sleek and slender, well-crafted to be embraced by any of the devices'. So that makes me think that it's likely not that big, since it'd have to fit the Crystal Dream somehow. Probably man sized. Most believe it's some kind of sword-”

Completely unsurprising.

“-but others think it's literally some kind of overly large pin or needle. Truth be told, although we have ideas, we're uncertain. There are few pictures in the texts we have access to, and none of The Centerpiece; just descriptions.” He bows again. “I'm sorry I can't be of more help.”

Hmph. Well, so much for that. Still, it's something. From the sound of it, it needed to be portable, which...well, at least you're not getting paid to hunt that down. That'd just be troublesome.

You thank him for his troubles, and bid him good night. He does the same for you.

cont.
>>
>>529015
Come morning, you're up and awake. Corin greets you, chipper as always as you step into the mess hall for breakfast. “Ahh, Ms. Not-a-demon-but-something-like-one! Glad you're joining us for the
morning! Part of me thought you'd might leave before sunrise!” Not this time. As you get a few sweetbreads and drink, you figure on where might be best to go to now. When Corin learns of your musings about where to go
in Alban after you deal with the marauders, she tells you that she used to hail from that side of the country, and gives you a brief rundown of some of the cities on your map:

Gracewell is a border town, and despite the name is one of the rougher places. It's full of hardy folk, lumberjacks and hunters, and all that sort. It's very much a trader's town, and not a place for the dainty.

Finley Village is far more genteel, and is known for its amazing wines and near legendarily good seamstress, Lorraine the Weaver.

Corinth is a city rich in ore and other such materials, and it's largely a city for craftsmen; well suited for supplying the city of Albania with metal goods and other such tools needed for the war effort.

Tenimbaum is the second largest city in Alban, and a prime destination for people considering themselves possible mages, and in general a very scholarly place. It houses the ONLY Magic studies college on the continent, and considering the rarity of people with mage potential, the student count is always low.

Merlan's Rest is a fishing village, largely known simply for being where one of the ancient mages settled for a month before moving on in his journey to learn magic.

Caldava is one of the northernmost areas in Alban, and they serve as watchmen for should anything threaten Alban by sea or coming out of the chilly north. They have a military force nearly as large as Corinth's, and Caldavaian Ice Hounds are considered some of the best warriors on the continent.

“So...what's the plan?” Corin asks. “For the marauders, I mean.”

>I'll see if I can beat the marauders to Tenimbaum. I heard they might be headed around there...
>I'll simply fight them once I catch up to them. Several times, if needed.
>I'll let them wear themselves out on Tenimbaum, then attack them.
>Other
>>
>>529019
>I'll see if I can beat the marauders to Tenimbaum. I heard they might be headed around there...
>Other
I'll destroy some of their smaller outlying camps along the way.
>>
>>529019
>>I'll see if I can beat the marauders to Tenimbaum. I heard they might be headed around there...
>>
Speedy time. Writing.
>>
>>529019
It doesn't take you too long to decided.“I've managed to get word that they're headed somewhere around Tenimbaum- if not being audacious enough to assault there directly. I think I'll see if I can't beat them up there- they're marching a large number of people over mountainous terrain, while I'm far quicker.” Hopefully, you're not too far behind them- chances are they've had to stop, make camp, and whatnot far more often than you. If you can make it from the Knight's Base to Hatham's Hold in about 5 hours, you should be able to make it to Tenimbaum by day's end, counting the slowdown for getting over the mountains.

“Geez, good luck with that,” Corin says. She clearly still underestimates you. Meh, whatever. “They've got...what, 3-4 days on you?”

“If they left immediately,” says a new voice. It's the commander you'd debriefed. “Chances are they ran off, hid, and spent a couple of days licking their wounds, judging by what you told me. No sane leader would march his men from one campaign to another without taking time to rest.” Oh. Huh. Hadn't quite thought of that. “Although the fact that they hadn't been located yet is concerning, so I'm wondering if maybe they did manage to force the issue somehow...”

“Well, if I come across any outlying camps on the way, I'll destroy them.” you amend.

“Thanks. I take it you'll be leaving soon, then?” he asks.

“Once I'm finished eating,” you acknowledge.

“Then I wish you safe travels.” After that, he leaves, having decided to eat his fare elsewhere.

Soon afterwards, you're just about to head out. You've gotten your new sword, and a better belt capable of holding it and your bought potions better, and probably a few other things. They'd requested to keep the Commander Talismans and the Crystal Dream, which was fine by you.

“Eeyyyy!”

“Well, would you look at- there she is!”

Huh? Oh. You turn around, and it's Francis and Bentley- dressed in basic New Moon robes, no less. “Glad to catch you here! Can see you made it back safe, at least!” Francis says. “So did we! But, uh...” he looks past you at the gate. “Can't say we're plannin' on headin' out again soon!”

“Quite,” Bentley agrees. “The Knights actually have a rather nice collection of reading material for me to look over, here. But, still that's not why we're glad to have caught you before you left. See, we heard not a few minutes ago that you were here and preparing to leave- quite possibly to Alban, and...”

“Yer likely to get shot on site in that hyper-religious hole.” Francis says bluntly. “Ya need something to hide that there demon-lookin' armor you got.” He opens up a pack that had been on his back, and you find it contains a simple, red, hooded robe. “Dunno if this'll fit ya exactly, but it shouldn't make folks stare quite so hard. Plenty of folks walk around in robes in Alban, so...good luck out there! And thanks.”

cont.
>>
>>529208
After that, you're on the road again. Well, no.

You WISH it was a road. But nope, the Wildlands really are wild. There are a lot more beasts and monsters around here, and the region is much more
treacherous in general. Your agility DOES give you a great advantage when traversing the region, however. If you keep continuing in a straight line, you might
hit Alban's borders by...early afternoon, you guess?

So long as you're going the right direction...

At one point, you take a leap up some larger hills, and near the top of a tree to get your bearing. It's...still a lot of mountains.
Thank goodness the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. However, as you take a look out at the horizon, you can notice several things that seem off:

>There's a plume of thick smoke coming from the north. It's doubling back a bit, though- more northwestern.
>You can faintly, JUST faintly, hear SOMETHING coming from the east, up ahead. Doesn't sound like animals, though...is that people?
>A bunch of birds seemingly taking off at random to the southeast. Doesn't that usually mean trouble?
>>
>>529210
>You can faintly, JUST faintly, hear SOMETHING coming from the east, up ahead. Doesn't sound like animals, though...is that people?
One of these days, we have to figure out a way to bring along a blimp with surveillance gear.
>>
>>529210
>>There's a plume of thick smoke coming from the north. It's doubling back a bit, though- more northwestern.
>>
Ah nuts. I've gotta put things on hold for a couple of hours. Be back later, though!
>>
>>529210
>There's a plume of thick smoke coming from the north. It's doubling back a bit, though- more northwestern.
>>
Great quest.

>A bunch of birds seemingly taking off at random to the southeast. Doesn't that usually mean trouble?
>>
>>529210
>There's a plume of thick smoke coming from the north. It's doubling back a bit, though- more northwestern.
>>
>>529210
>There's a plume of thick smoke coming from the north. It's doubling back a bit, though- more northwestern.
out of all three this rings the biggest bell. birds get startled by a lot of things, some noises mean the existence of something but doesn't tell more. a plume of smoke is unnatural.
>>
>>529508
Smoke suggests to me aftermath. I'm going to guess we'll find destruction but not the culprits.
>>
>>529508
>>529709
you know, if it's possible, I want to investigate the sounds first, stealthily if possible, and after that the smoke. smoking things usually don't move around much.
>>
Back. That...was far longer than I'd hoped. I'll try to run for a couple more hours.

Writing.
>>
>>529981
how fare are these events? a short walk? really far? just over this mound?
>>
>>530094
Accounting for personal speed:

Smoke:
15 or so minutes in a straight line. Seems to be on the side of a nearby large, rocky hill.

Voices: 5-10 minutes straight ahead. Dense forest.

Birds: You could probably get there in a minute.

You're agile, but you really wish you could leap more than you've been able to. No telling where you'll land, though, so you're mostly just running/jogging through, with the occasional flat out run/full speed leap. The sword helps.
>>
>>530156
huh. then would it be possible to skirt around the birds while heading for the voices? again, stealthily if possible.
>>
>>529210
The smoke is the most concerning issue, you suppose. Those sounds- you're not sure what they are, and it might be nothing, and the birds could get spooked for any reason, now that you think of it. But the saying 'where there's smoke, there's fire' exists for a reason. Should at least check it out and make sure there isn't going to be a massive forest fire.

It takes a minute or two to get there, and you find yourself on a rocky cliff face- the smoke's coming a little further up. You make a leap, clearing the ledge, and you can see what appears to be the source of the smoke. A still burning caravan...damn. Judging from the broken glass, various spilled liquids, and scattered bodies, someone got assaulted...probably those damn marauders. You don't have any water-creation spells, unfortunately...

...wait, you hear coughing. Someone's alive? Looking for the source of the sound leads you around the hill a bit- and there's something you didn't expect to see. It's a shorter creature, humanoid, green colored, pointed ears, curly black hair, snub nose...wait a second.

A goblin? Here? You didn't think this world had any other sentient creatures. Then again, giants...although from the sounds of it they weren't all THAT sentient anyway. Still, this one looks like she's had it rough. She's dressed in what you presume were once fine clothes; a white, ruffled blouse and black leather pants, with bracelets on either arm. Her clothes are burnt in various places, however, and her skin's showing that she didn't exactly escape unscathed beyond that, too- her arms and torso in particular look in a bad way. She doesn't even appear to notice you- she's lying prone, occasionally coughing in a desperate bid to get air in her lungs.

Hm. You have potions, but...

>Use a minor health restoration potion.
>Use a major health restoration potion.
>Do not use a potion.
>Other
>>
>>530285
>Use a major health restoration potion

If this was the marauders, she might have some info on how far out they are from here.
>>
>>530285
she's either extremely winded or had internal damage, and the liquid is blocking her from breathing, surely.
>try to speak with her, if no then try helping her out without potions. If even that fails, pop a minor potion and try again.
>>
I can work with this. Might be the last update for tonight, though, I'm fading faster than expected.
>>
>>530285
>Use a major health restoration potion.
.
>>
>>530436
well that's understandable considering you apparently did something big just now
>>
>>530285
No, yeah, better to not go halfway with it. You approach, and being careful of where you touch, you tilt her head over a bit- egh, it's worse than you though. The side of her head that was against the ground is bloody and messed up. She finally seems to look up at you, but you're not sure if she even registers you as you are- her eyes are glassy and unfocused, constantly moving around. You quickly unclasp your major health potion from your belt and uncork it.

“Hey, can you focus? If you can hear me, try to swallow this, and don't cough it back up. I'm going to feed it to you gently, but it'll help.” She coughs in response, but you can see her hand groggly reaching for the bottle. You don't give it to her, rather, you help guide it to her lips, and she gingerly sips at it little by little. It's a bit touch and go for a while- you have to be careful in supporting her head as she drinks. Fortunately, she manages to swallow a decent amount before going into another coughing fit.
It's only half of the bottle, but after a few moments, it does seem to be doing a bit of work- you can see one of the worse cuts on her head slowly closing shut, and she's already groaning a bit and moving a bit more. Her coughing is still there, but it's less frequent. Her burns seem to be healing over as well, but it's slower going for that.

After a few minutes, her eyes finally seem to properly focus on you, although she's still clearly not in the best way.

“Ahhhhh...hhaaaa...praise th'- praise th' seven for ya....” she sputters out. “Thought I was dead...” She takes a deep breath and flinches a bit- you tip the rest of the bottle in her mouth, which she manages to get down with no resistance now. “Thas....that's familiar...” she takes another breath as she tries to steel herself- her wounds are closing and healing, but it'll still take some time. “Where'd you get that potion from?” She smiles a bit. “Z&G's?”

You nod.

She splutters, coughs, splutters some more, and finally gets out a laugh. “C-Can't believe it...thank you, Z,...you crazy goofball..” She relaxes in your grasp. “Well, then. Guess...guess I owe ya big. Name's Geegee, co-owner of Z&G's...” another small set of coughs. “Z&G's Potion Emporium...I'd give you the big spiel, but...had some unhappy 'customers earlier'...wanted a special deal- everything one-hundred percent off, and...well, yeah.” She looks back at the direction she came from; you can still see the smoke from the burning wreck. “We had a disagreement.”

> “What all was your cargo?”
> “Where were you coming from?”
> “Do you know where they are now? I plan on paying them a visit.”
> Other
>>
>>530624
Going to bed, resuming in the AM!
>>
>>530624
>“Do you know where they are now? I plan on paying them a visit.”
this first, and the rest two if possible.


>>530627
good night handler!
>>
>>530624
>“Do you know where they are now? I plan on paying them a visit.”
> Other
"I got one more potion, only a minor one though. Any other survivors, maybe one might have been able to run into the forest?"
>>
>>530624
> “Do you know where they are now? I plan on paying them a visit.”

Ha HA! Lady luck favours us. Mental note to cash in on that favor before we get gone.
>>
>>530624
>> “Do you know where they are now? I plan on paying them a visit.”
>>
I'm awake! Eating lunch and writing shortly!
>>
>>530624
Yes, clearly a 'disagreement'. “Do you know where they are now?” you ask. “I plan on paying them a visit.”

She shakes her head. “Oh, don't go...augh...” she struggles to get to her feet, but only manages a sitting position. “...don't go playin' hero on my account.”

“I wasn't planning on it,” you correct. “I'm after them regardless. That's my job right now, and I intend to see it through.”

“Ohh, sword-for-hire, huh...? Still wouldn't recommend it. If you saw any dead bodies back there, they were just like you. Some of the best sellswords I could buy. But there...” she finally manages to get to her feet, albeit unsteadily. “...there was way too many of 'em- just tore through my guys like nothin', trapped me in the damned wagon, and...” she looks back, letting the sentence go unfinished before shaking her head. “I dunno how I managed to even get out of that, let alone survive for as long as I did.” She looks back at the smoke trail ruefully. “Twelve-hundred gold pieces gone...and nothin' but lost lives and regrets to show for it.” She starts walking back towards the smoke gingerly. You keep pace with her easily- you're on the short side yourself, and she maybe comes up to your chest.

“I assure you, I'm a lot stronger than you might think,” you state, and when she looks back with a skeptical expression, you simply channel a sphere of energy- then double it in size. Geegee blinks twice, then rears back in surprise. “Well, yikes. Never seen anyone channel that much raw mana without near passin' out.” She looks over you again. “Are you for real?”

You dissipate the energy. “Very for real.”

She seems like she's unsure how to respond. “...huh. Well then.” Having reached the fallen caravan, she tries to keep her depression off her face. And fails miserably. “...oh, damnit...” she buries her head in her hands, but you can't make out any shaking or sobbing...though you can hear her breathing deeply. You're about to ask her again where the marauders are, before she suddenly jerks her head up, and points northeast, by your estimation. “They said somethin' about 'headin' towards Dunnly to get some better hospitality'.” Huh. You don't have that town on your map, and you tell her so. She quickly checks it. “Yeah, not surprised. This map looks older, and Dunnly was settled right before the war started. It's a little ways past the border, northwest of Tenimbaum.”

cont.
>>
>>531212
“That helps. Thanks for the information,” you offer.

“Think nothin' of it. I owe you that n' more. I'd throw a few potions your way, but...” she motions to her burning caravan. The flames are dying down, but only because there's starting to be little left to burn. “And all I got on me are these burnt clothes and this pig-sticker here-” she pulls out from her rear pocket a goblin-sized knife, with serrated edges and a handle with gold inlaid into the handle. “-for all the nothing it did for me.” She sighs. “Hey, what way are you headed? I know I might be buttin' in on your job, but...look, I'm out here and there's nothin' but beasts that are looking for lunch, and maybe more of those raiders that'll finish the job. I dunno where or care where you're going, but I got a big favor to ask you...can I get an escort somewhere SAFE? I'll try to make it worth your while, I SWEAR. Money, potions, favors, whatever...” she seems to run out of energy at this point. “...Just so long as at the end of it I get back and...see my Zeezee again.”

> “I'm headed to Tenimbaum. But I'm moving fast. You coming with me, you're gonna ride.”
> “I might be able to get you to Hatham's Hold...” You'll lose a fair bit of time doing this, though.
> “I'm not sure if I can get you anywhere safe...you might be best just making it to claimed land.”
> Other
>>
>>531215
>> “I'm headed to Tenimbaum. But I'm moving fast. You coming with me, you're gonna ride.”
>>
>>531215
>> “I'm headed to Tenimbaum. But I'm moving fast. You coming with me, you're gonna ride.”
>>
>>531215
>“I'm headed to Tenimbaum. But I'm moving fast. You coming with me, you're gonna ride.”
>>
Time for piggybacks. Writing.
>>
>“It's fine,” you wave off. Giving her a quick look, you smirk a bit. “You're a bit too adorable to do that to, anyway.” Heh, black-haired, super-energetic super-nerd? It's kinda funny how she reminded you a bit of Tess- no no no no stop it stop stop it
>“Soooo...where ARE you from?” Wha? Oh- right, she's talking again. “Because that's...wow. I didn't think there WERE any other planes besides the Hereafter and the Black Planes,
>and if you were from the Black Planes you'd be a demon...”
Is Corin going to do some experiments and find herself in our backyard now that she's twigged to the idea that there are other planes?
>>
>>531215
You look westward. “I'm headed to Tenimbaum, but I'm moving fast. You're gonna have to ride if you're alright with-”

“Sold. Done.” She starts walking around the cliff face. “I'll either find someone to get me back across the Wildlands later or maybe get someone to get a message out to Zeezee- tell him to pack up shop and skip town. Seven knows that we shoulda left once they started talkin' about dragons n' birthright more than normal, but soldiers need potions. Let's go.” After she gets a few feet, she stops, and sheepishly looks back. “Uhhh...so where's your horse?”

You raise an eyebrow, and it's hard to keep from grinning a bit. “What horse?”

---

Three minutes later, she's still screaming, even after you told her to pipe down. “Oohhhhmysevenwhyareyoudoingthishowcanyouevenmovethisfastthismakesno-”

“No, seriously, SHUT UP. You're going to give away my position if there's any marauders nearby!” you hiss as you make another jump over an outcropping of rock, landing a decent 20 feet below. You make sure Geegee hasn't slipped- she hasn't, her grip is ironclad- and you continue on your way. After hearing that, however, she tones it down to just whimpering. Better than nothing, you suppose. You can't even hear those voices from earlier- presumably they've moved on or something. Or maybe you're going in a slightly different direction now. Either way, your next hour and a half of travel is relatively quiet.

You can tell you've hit Alban territory when you begin to see woodcutter houses in the forest, as well as pathways, clearly well trodden by horses. Eventually, the forest begins to clear out, and you clear into the flatlands of Alban. You can hear Geegee sigh with utter relief. “Finally...okay, okay, you can let me down now.”

“No.” There's no one in sight- you're still going as best you can.

She pokes you in the cheek. “Whadday mean no? I get it, you're some kind of superhuman, demon, ancient, I-don't-know-what, but even YOU have to rest, right? At the very least gimme a breather and lemme use my own two feet, 'cause my hands are getting achy!” Ugh. You'd be more annoyed if you weren't ACTUALLY working up a sweat. Leaping full tilt across flat lands was one thing. Having to carefully navigate your way through dense forest and rocky mountains while getting through as fast as possible was entirely another.

>Might as well slow down for a bit and let her off. You could use a breather.
>Nah, no one's in the vicinity here, get as much speed as you can before you get into the more populated areas.
>Other
>>
>>531344
>>Nah, no one's in the vicinity here, get as much speed as you can before you get into the more populated areas.
>>
>>531344
>Nah, no one's in the vicinity here, get as much speed as you can before you get into the more populated areas.
>>
>>531344
>>Nah, no one's in the vicinity here, get as much speed as you can before you get into the more populated areas.
>>
>>531344
You think about it for a second. “You're right, I should take a break...but later, when there's more people around.” Before she can complain, you take a leap across a small stream, cutting her off. You were pleasantly surprised- by all accounts, it seemed like you had managed to avoid the marauders and beat them to Alban's territories. The question now, is by how long...

It's when you finally start seeing houses and smaller villages that you start slowing down. Far, far in the distance, you can see a blob of something on the horizon that you can only presume is the outskirts of the city of Tenimbaum. It'll take you some walking/running to get to, but you've still got a few hours of daylight left, at your best guess. That'll have to do well enough- you can get some real food in you and think of a plan from there.

You soon feel a wriggling, and you nearly forgot Geegee on your back. You quickly let her off and she nearly collapses to the ground. Before you can go to help her, she waves you off. “Back, back, I'm fine! Just m'feet need to get back used to workin' again...” It takes a minute for her to get the feeling back, but she eventually does, and is able to walk alongside you. “Finally. Thanks for the ride, though I hope you don't mind if I spring for a horse next time...”

You shrug. “Fine with me.”

She eyes you for a split second before turning and sighing. “Not much of a joker are ya?” she shrugs. “Eh. Sorry. Too used ta Zee. He's a riot.” Blinking, she looks up to you again. “Say, is he doin' alright? He was never much of a salesman- brilliant alchemist, love 'is sense of humor, and sweet as pie, but getting him to promote anything proper is like yanking a boar's tusk. Can't imagine you went in out of anything other than necessity. Not a lot of folks just drop by to talk.”

> “He misses you.”
> “He's doing...okay.”
> “He's not doing well.”
> Other
>>
>>531457
>“He misses you.”
>>
>>531457
>> “He's doing...okay.”
>>
>>531457
>He misses you, but he's doing... okay.
>>
>>531474
this
>>
>>531457
So so.
Writing.
>>
>>531457
You consider the best way to put this. “Well...he misses you, to be sure, but he's doing...okay. Well enough to work, at least.”

She sighs. “Yeah, that's him...y'know when we met, he used to be a lot more uptight? A really quiet sort, not a lot of zip behind him. Really dedicated, though, just never knew how to word things. Then I came around- was lookin' for a day gig to get me some extra cash, and, well...I dunno, over the years somethin' in him just...bloomed. An' I fell for it hard.” She shakes her head, dismissing her reverie. “Nevermind about that, though. I ain't gonna bore you with lovesick stories. I ain't THAT old yet. Still...I'm glad he's holdin' up. Thanks for tellin' me. Can't wait to get back. We might just leave this burg, maybe try n' hit the frontier. I hear that's up and coming. Would love to have a third option from both these crazy places.”

About a half hour passes with the both of you talking about nothing in particular- really, it's more her commenting on the various trading she's done in Alban before the war started and you just nodding or occasionally giving one or two word answers. She seems to have gotten use to your attitude, as she keeps going regardless of the response.

Soon enough, you start noticing more people on the roads with you, either walking like you or on horseback, going to and from the city at varying paces. In short order you can see the city proper on the horizon, or at least the towers and higher buildings. It's wall is made of white stone, and you can even see a large tower off to one side. You can also see the tops of various other buildings as well. There's several large ones, and an immense dome you can see as well.

You both have to stop and take in just how big the place is. Compared to Hatham's Hold or even Blake's Landing, Tenibaum is HUGE. How would a roving pack of marauders even think about coming this way?

There's a large number of guards at the entrance- likely screening people for entry considering the current state of war. You're forced to wait for a few minutes before you actually get to the front of the line. The four guards there keep close eye on you, and cross halberds before you're let in. “Remove the cloak, if you don't mind. Security reasons, you see, for if anything happens...”

>Remove the cloak.
>Look to Geegee.
>Mention the marauders.
>Other
>>
>>531704
>>Look to Geegee.
>>
>>531704
>>Look to Geegee.
>>
>>531704
>Remove the cloak.
What are they going to do about it?
>>
>>531704
Halp.
Writing.
>>
>>531704
You'd rather not reveal your identity right this minute- you know you'll have to take off the cloak EVENTUALLY, but as it stands it could serve as a decent surprise, or if something goes completely cockeyed, it's a level of disguise that you might be able to utilize. You quickly look to Geegee, and the only sign that she even notices is a half-second shift of her eyes to meet with yours as she steps forward. The guards raise their eyebrows at this motion, but say nothing.

“Gentlemen! No need to worry, they're with me- name's Geegee Slate, of Z&G's Potion Emporium- used to make trips here all the time, but I'm sure you can understand why lately I haven't quite been around.- the war's been a harsh one on all of us.”

“Yes, I remember you...and last we checked, you made your home in Horinth,” one of them says. “I recall you from a few years back, sure. Doesn't mean you're not potentially a spy. You'd be willing to come back into Alban lands for what?”

“Spy?” She laughs. “Me? Hun, I'm a merchant. And the only time a merchant cares about borders is when they can call something 'exotic'. No, I'm here for a new business opportunity! Horinth was a place I stayed, sure, but I didn't feel 'home' there. Oh, no, my best moments were out here, in the wide lands of Alban, where the intelligence of the populous got me my best sales and coin. And now I'm here because I'm looking to put down better roots. Allow me to explain...”

And from there she lets her gift of gab do its work, waxing poetic about how Horinth was a horrible, warmongering mess, about how they'd focused more on steel and bows rather than magic, potions, and tinctures; that they'd long wanted to get away, but just couldn't find the money- until one day she got fed up, hiring a private caravan that she'd convinced, claiming to take to the frontline fighting to sell her wares- where she then ran. She weaves a tale explaining about bandits who then found her and thought her some kind of beast, having never seen a goblin, and tried to roast her- hence her charred clothing, and how you'd shown up in the nick of time to help her out, like the heroes of old.

cont.
>>
>>531945
It was pretty impressive to come up with half on the spot, really. “And obviously my good friend here is sticking with me- and even if she didn't, at this point? We know each other so well we're practically sisters!” She pats your thigh with faked familiarity. “Rest assured, I'll keep 'er reined in. And even if she does cause trouble- which she won't- you know me, eh? I'm practically the only goblin IN this city. How hard would it be to find me?” She shrugs in faux indifference.

They look at her for a long time, then look at you.

You merely shrug.

They sigh, closing their eyes in mild frustration. “If ANYTHING happens and we get a hint that it involved you or her...” one of them starts.

“Out on our buns, got it.” She starts walking in confidently. “Won't happen. Now, if'n you don't mind...” she motions to the halberds.

“Here.” one the guards passes you a piece of parchment. “According to your testimony, Ms. Slate, you'll need this. This is a writ of sanctuary, stating that you're entitled to basic lodgings and one free meal a day at any inn, for up to three weeks, IF you share any valuable knowledge about the enemy to us. Present it to any commanding officer or court noble as well as your information, and should it be determined to be possible to act on, they'll sign it, making it official.” They finally uncross their spears, letting you both in. “Have a pleasant stay, and may the Noble One watch over you.”

And with that, you're finally in Tenimbaum. Geegee looks at you once you're a ways past the guards. “Ha! Am I good or what?” She turns to you. “That one was on the house, since we both needed ta get in. I still owe you proper. But in the meantime...where ya headed? There's plenty around here ta do- Tenimbaum's a big place. I mean, most show up here to go to the Mages' College, or ask 'em to help with some kinda research... or start praying their mouth off at the Great Noble One's temple- some maybe just wanna see the Grand Library, but you name it, they probably got it here.

>What is your plan of action?
>>
>>531947
The Mage's College or the Grand Library, to find more information on the Centrepiece.
>>
Hm. Well, that was fairly open-ended. Didn't want to shoehorn anyone that might've had other ideas. I have to get going for the time being, but I'll be back later tonight again- I'll be able to run longer regardless this time. Obviously I'll just write towards that if nothing else happens.

(Can't phone post anymore because I was doing it at work, and my boss finally chewed me out a bit over it.)
>>
>>531947
We've got time to kill before the bandits get anywhere near. We can check out the College and Library. At night we can intercept the bandits.
>>
>>531947
Dunno what to do, but since this place is so famous for kowledge maybe we could check out the library perhaps. If it's blocked off, we can still try to ask around to other people about bandits and stuff.
>>
And back! Writing!
>>
>>531947
“That sounds like a plan. I'm going to check out the Library first, maybe the College. What about you?” you ask.

Geegee shrugs. “Eh, I'll probably stroll around for a lil' bit, see if there's anyone that might could get me back to Zeezee. I'd love to set up shot here for a bit, but...no shop ta set up. Speakin' of, lemme know whenever you wanna call in that favor. No questions asked.” She starts to walk off, before stopping briefly and turning back. “Oh, and there's signposts n' junk; so don't worry about getting' too lost. You wanna get to anywhere halfway important, you'll be able to find yer way around. Chances are if you lookin' for me, I'll probably be hangin' out in the Market District or tha Lazy Bear Inn, if it's still around.” With that, she walks off, and you're left alone.

Sure enough, there's enough signposts for you to find your way to the Grand Library easily enough. It's indeed worthy of the name, and the young lady at the counter welcomes you. You ask her about any books regarding the Great Creations and the mages.

“Oh, my, that thing's proving to be rather popular today. You're the third person to ask about it!” The points to the back of the building. “The age of history back that far starts at the twelfth aisle, and goes until the fourteenth.”

You thank her and head back there. You can see a few people sitting at tables, reading. One rather large fellow, with little real armor, who nonetheless looks like he should be more on the frontlines of a war, than a library trying to focus hard on whatever he's in, alongside a massive warhammer. A thin reed of a girl with a strange walking stick- might be a staff, now that you're paying attention- who's nose first into whatever she's reading. A couple of older men who seem to have permanent scowls on their faces. One's- he has a scar, is actually reading a book while the other, greyed hair and all, is simply trying to avoid nodding off- and failing.

Focusing on the matter at hand, you start your own search...

...only to find nothing. There's a great deal of history here, stuff that all seems to mention the mages at one point or another, but never anything concrete about them or the Great Creations. You might have to either look elsewhere, or piece together what you can...

>Collect whatever books might be relevant, start doing some research.
>This place is useless, leave and head for the Mages' College.
>Maybe ask some of the folks in here about it.
>Other
>>
>>533435
>Collect whatever books might be relevant, start doing some research.
>>
>>533435
>Maybe ask some of the folks in here about it.
and then
>Collect whatever books might be relevant, start doing some research.

let's stick around for a bit more, we could have missed something.
>>
>>533449
Gonna go with this. Might as well look at the books they're reading in case we could find it at a bookstore
>>
Work with what we have. Writing!
>>
>>533499
welll that's a faster response thanusual
>>
>>533510
I feel like one of my more glaring weaknesses as a QM is post and response speed. I'm working to improve it. Still need to work at it, though.
>>
>>533522
just remember that real life is more important that your quest. you don't have to go to degrees to get you scolded by your boss, we understand
>>
>>533435
You turn to the two nearest people- the two kids. “Hey, you two.” They both startle a bit, looking at you owlishly. “I'm looking for history books. Stuff about... magic and the sort. Like the Great Creations. Either of you know anything towards that?”

They both look at each other- you can't see the girl's expression, but you can see the big guy's dart back and forth between you and her before finally shaking his head. “Nah, sorry. This is jus' a cookbook, see?”

The girl similarly nods. “Oh, yeah, aha, this isn't a history book, it's just, y'know- tall tales, fantastic stories, that sorta thing. Legends, not facts!”

Hmm.

Well, this wouldn't be the first time you had to collect info from multiple text sources and do a bit of cross referencing. It's something you're familiar with...and it's boring as shit. But, sometimes it just needs to be done. You move to collect as many books as you feel is relevant. This ends up proving to be...well, a decent amount. You plop them down on the table, drawing a bit of a stare from everyone. Seems they have publicly usable quills and writing material, as well, thank goodness. This might be a bit...

The next hour is filled with your sketching and note taking. So far, it seems like there's a bit of conflict between the writings of the books, although there's several bits and pieces that, with a bit of further study, seem to paint an interesting picture:

One, the Centerpiece was hidden separately from any of the Great Creations. Second, each part of The Centerpiece was made modular- that much you knew, but what was new was, IF you understood this right, those modular parts- or at least two, the texts had stated different names for similar lines of 'he sought to ensure its usefulness in times of crisis'- could operate its respective individual Great Creation under very specific circumstances- a sort of emergency mode activation, that wouldn't access quite all of its power. And all of the Great Creations were spread out across the continent, in an effort to- okay, thought on hold for a moment.

You look over, and you can just see the weird girl turning back to her book in a flash- the moving hair gives her away. Seems like she's more interested than she cares to let on. You're vaguely surprised she escaped your notice until now, if she's been doing that for a while. Hmm.

At any rate, that's what you have so far. Perhaps you could go check out the Mages College, or perhaps go elsewhere- you saw a lot of potential points of interest. You're not sure how long you're staying here, but it'd likely be a decent idea to check into an inn if nothing else. Geegee had mentioned the 'Lazy Bear Inn', that was as good an option as any, most likely.

>Head to the Mages' College.
>Find the Lazy Bear Inn, relax for a bit.
>See what's up with the 'Noble One's Temple'.
>Check out the Market District
>Check out the Barracks for the Tenimbaum Military.
>Other

>>533531
Thanks! Appreciate the concern!
>>
>>533574
right. we got a lot to do. but first.
>Poke the girl, ask awhy she finds us intresting
and then
>Find the Lazy Bear Inn, grab a room
after that we can go do other things. we might be staying here more than a day, so we should grab a room.
the clock is ticking though. so if possible,
>ask around about the adventuring party
while we're moving around of course.
>>
>>533587
>awhy
goddamned shitty internet connection lags making me mess up my typing
I meant 'ask her why'
>>
Hm. Will restart tomorrow- sorry.
>>
>>533574

>>Poke the girl, ask awhy she finds us intresting
>>
>>533574
>Head to the Mages' College.
Maybe they've got a Professor of History or someone who we can ask about the Centerpiece.
Also, why is magic so difficult for the locals if mana is so plentiful.
>>
>>533587
Support
>>
>>533675
"What? Is there something in my teeth?"
>>
Back, and writing!
>>
>>533574
Thinking about it, you give another look over at the girl, who seems to be trying hard to not look at you now that you're doing the same to her. Shame you've already noticed. “Any particular reason you've been staring?” you ask. It's relatively non-accusing, although a portion of you is vaguely annoyed, and another is legitimately curious.

She jerks up again, as if she didn't expect you to address her directly. “Oh! Uh, I, uh...no real reason, just kinda surprised at your dedication to research! I mean, if you're going through all that trouble, it must be important to you, right?” She puts down the book she was reading- there's no actual title for it that you can see, however. “I guess I was just...glad that there's someone else around my age into it?” Oh, if she only knew. “There's a lot of people interested in magic here, which is really nice don't you think? But I won't waste your time anymore- I'm about done here anyways, ahah!” She turns to the big guy. “Hey, c'mon, let's get out of here. We've got other places to be, right?”

He looks up. “Wait, we do?” Without another word she grabs him and yanks him by the arm. “W-wait, Sori-ow! Hey!”

Weird. As you begin to clean up your section of the table, you give the situation some thought. There's a couple of things on the docket, at the very least, before you begin your late night stakeout. But first, you should make sure to at least get an inn room before anything else.

Fortunately, the Lazy Bear Inn isn't too difficult to find, although it does take you a bit of roundabout following signs until you finally spy a larger building with a wooden carving of a sleeping bear under the name of the inn. As you enter, you see a lot of soldiers, and various folks in different states of ratty and tattered clothes that you can only presume means they're adventurers, travelers, refugees, or maybe hunters. Inn rooms are 8 gold pieces a night...yikes. You only have 28 gold pieces in emergency money left. You pay for just one night for now.

As she sends off a runner to prepare your room, you look around a bit closer at the various tables and customers. There's two big, burly, hairy guys arm wrestling, with a raucous crowd around them, tossing in coins every other match. Seems like they're betting. There's a trio sitting at another table; a dark haired, younger fellow with a bow and light armor, a bigger guy who looks like he should be military, but there's no crest on him, just armor, and a far slimmer guy who's very short haired, and you can see two knives on his person. On the other side there are two ladies who seem to be chatting animatedly, one of them with a lute and jotting down notes, the other seems to be far older, with a walking stick and flowing robes. There's also a quartet of Tenimbaum soldiers, all nursing drinks and talking quietly to each other.

>Head towards the arm wrestlers.
>Talk to the trio.
>Talk to the ladies.
>Talk to the soldiers.
>Other.
>>
>>534379
>Head towards the arm wrestlers.

Time to raise a little money.
>>
>>534379
>>Talk to the ladies.
>>"Yo minstrel want something out of this world?"
>>
>>534379
>>Talk to the ladies.
>>
>>534379
>Talk to the soldiers
We need to ask about where the approaching marauders could camp and attack from.
>>
Llllladies. I think.
Writing.
>>
>>534379
Hm. The ladies seemed interesting enough- at the very least, it seemed as though a traveling musician wouldn't be the type to hang out with an old crone unless she had some unique stories to tell- and by the way the younger girl was scribbling down notes, it seemed like that might indeed be the case. Might as well give it a shot.

“Excuse me, ladies,” you introduce yourself. “Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're a traveling bard, right?”

The younger girl brightens, and stands up with a flourish. “That I am- Lillian Laudwick, lovely lass of the lute and storyteller extraordinaire! Perhaps you've heard of me?” Huh. Alliterative. Well, hopefully she had some info for you.

“I'm afraid not,” and you see her face droop quickly, “but actually I was hoping to ask you about a few things. If you're well traveled, I was wondering if you knew about a small, youthful adventuring party that are apparently called 'The Longshots'?”

She hmms a bit, thinking. “Longshots...Longshots...nope, can't really think of any group by that name. But! If they're someone to know then I'll know about them soon enough! I have my ways of learning about the next great tale, and someone as mysterious as you is coming to me asking about them, then I think they're worth knowing!” Well, rats. "But don't worry! As soon as I know something, I'll make sure I find you, mysterious cloak or no!"

The older lady seems to shake her head as well. “I'm afraid I couldn't tell you. I've seen a few young 'uns in my day, though; met a very nice young man just yesterday, as a matter of fact- helped me with a few errands involving some friends in the Mages' College, and I know he had a couple of friends with him, but no one gave any sort of group name about them. May I ask why are you curious? Friends with them?"

> Yes.
> Just have a message to give to them.
> What'd he help you with?
> Was he with anyone else?
> Do you know where he went?
> Other
>>
>>534625
> Was he with anyone else?
> Do you know where he went?
>>
>>534625
>Other
"Just some unfinished business with them."
> What'd he help you with?
>>
>>534625
>>"Just some unfinished business with them."
>> Was he with anyone else?
>> Do you know where he went?
>>
>>534677
This.
>>
Writing.
>>
>>534677
Supporting
>>
>>534625
How best to put this... “Nothing major, just some unfinished business with them.”

“Ahhh...” the old lady goes silent for a while, but says nothing else. There's a strangely tense moment in the air as the bardic girl looks between you two for a moment. “Soooo...”

“Can you tell me who else he was with?” you ask. She seems to be regarding you a bit differently now- while at first she seemed relatively at ease, talking casually and with little focus, she's looking square at you now, and while the smile is still there, it's a bit thinner. “Just so I know not to be too rude.”

“Of course, of course...as I said, he had a few friends with him, three or four, but I'm afraid the memory of what they look like escapes me,” she claims, looking you in the eye. “They seemed like strong sorts, very capable. Carried themselves well. I suspect they've seen their fair share of hardships.”

Well, that wasn't a whole lot. Although there's a mental warning alarm going off in your head...“Could you tell me where he went, then? After he was finished helping you, I mean.”

She shrugs her shoulders. “Couldn't say. Might still be here, might be off and about. You'd have to spend some time, maybe look around, eh?” No, yeah, her tone's gotten a bit more direct than it was- less soft and more focused. That warning's growing louder. “Of course, I'm just an old ex-combat mage. Not much around here I can really partake in these days.” She grins. “Back in the day, of course, I used to be quite the capable fighter! Fought monsters, mercenaries, assassins, soldiers... you get a feel for the whole thing. Learn some of the tricks to seein' them comin' and how to beat 'em.”

Before you can respond, she stands up. “But, I suspect I'm boring you. Come now, Ms. Laudwick! I've got quite the story to tell you now that I'm thinkin' of it, but I'd rather do it in my own home in peace.” She leaves, Lillian staying only a second more to glance back at you in confusion before following.

...Damnit. Well, that left you with some other options. It was still a couple of hours before sunset. You're not sure of the hours of the Mages' College, however. If you wanted to go there today, you'd probably be better served doing so now. You could wait until tomorrow, however, if you cared to.

>Talk to another group (who?)
>Head to the Mages' College
>Try out the Noble One's Temple.
>Visit the Barracks
>Visit the Market District
>Other
>>
>>534939
>>Visit the Market District
>>
>>534939
>Head to the Mages' College
Thanks on blowing our lead, guys.
>>
>>534947
Supporting. We might bump into the guys we're looking for there.
>>
>>534939
>>Head to the Mages' College
Yeah, kinda screwed the pooch with that whole 'unfinished business' spiel.
>>
Hey, do we still have the Crystal Dream on hand? Because it seems like if we were able to make the whole 'emergency mode' work, it would streamline our situation pretty quickly.
>>
>>535096
Ah, nevermind. I see it's back at the Moon Fort.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

Hm. Rolling for tiebreaker.

1: Market
2: Mages' College
>>
>>535016
Unfinished business introduced tension, but the further questions made things worse.
>>
>>535104
Writing for the Market, then.
>>
Urgh. When has using the term "unfinished business" ever been a good idea?
>>
>>535221
When we ask little to no questions instead of making it obvious we're tracking them down.
>>
>>534939
Going with your gut, you soon find yourself heading towards the Market District. It's easily one of the bigger areas, a very very long street full of stall vendors and some proper buildings, all hawking wares- from foodstuffs to jewelry to writing services to clothing to weapons- and potions. That makes you think of Geegee, but you don't see her...distinctive silhouette anywhere. Hm. Either she's further down, or you may have just missed her. Whatever. Still, you're here.

Taking a look around, there's a lot of places to look into. Off the top of your head, if you were an adventurer- and in a way, you kinda are- then the places that'd be of most interest to you are the weapons shop, the armor shop, the general store, and the potions store. Possibly the pub down here as well- you can see the name as simply 'Ian's.'

Fortunately, you at least came in the late afternoon- there's not nearly as many people around as there would be in the morning or noon, and you're actually able to discern one person from another since there's not a gigantic crowd. There's not a lot of people who seem interesting, though- just mostly people in civilian clothing buying this and that. You do spot a couple of warrior-types with leather armor- one has a pelt of some sort around him and is chatting with his friend in front of the outdoor armorer's.

They motion further down the street and start laughing. You follow it to see that there's a long haired man who looks significantly fancier than most- he's got a fancily engraved breastplate, but no helmet, and other minimal armor- seems like he's mostly got showpiece stuff, with an equally fancy rapier, inlaid with gold and a precious gems. He's arguing with some other guy- younger, black-haired, holding a pair of short swords in the middle of the street, near a jewelers. What they're arguing over, you're not sure, but most folks seem to be giving them a wide berth, looking on with concern.

>Ignore them, they're not worth your time.
>Observe the altercation.
>Engage the burly fellows in conversation (ask what?)
>Interject in the argument yourself.
>>
>>535252
>>Observe the altercation.
>>
>>535252
>Other

is also an option, sorry.
>>
>>535252
>>Observe the altercation
This could be interesting here.
>>
>>535252
>Observe the altercation.
>>
>>535252
WORLDSTAR

Not really. Writing.
>>
>>535252
>Observe the altercation.
what's going on here?
>>
>>535252
You're not sure what's going on, but you're curious enough to find out. The tall, fancy fellow seems to be incredulous about whatever the younger kid has done, but he's practically flailing as he tries to chew the kid's ear off, verbally. For his part, the youth isn't just sitting there, he's just as indignant, shouting back just as harshly; you (and you suspect most others around) hear him yell 'YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A STUFFED-SHIRT WANNABE!' To which the fancy guy growls and Neither of them seem to be willing to back down, and you can tell just from the angry expressions, something's going to snap soon as they stare each other down in a now silent rage.

Without warning, you see the fancy man reach for his rapier, draw and thrust in a smooth motion. To his credit, the boy doesn't even flinch as it stops an inch from his nose- merely snorting at it. He raises one of his own blades to the man's face, and says something else. You can see some of the closer spectators react with shock at whatever he said, even if you can't make it out...

And then the fancy fellow begins to actually GLOW- with a strange, off-white aura slightly, coming off him in wisps of smoke. THAT's a new one, and everyone's legitimately seeming to back away- even the two bigger men. You're not quite sure it's worth that yet, though...

And neither does the other fellow, much to your surprise. He merely grins, and you can see his pupils start to glow red- fortunately he's the one in your general direction, while the fancy man has his back turned to you. You're not quite certain what's going on, but-

Wait, suddenly rushing footsteps. And without warning the girl that you'd met earlier interjects, her staff (and now you're sure it's a staff) intersecting the two blades. The man's white glow dissipates, as does the young man's eye glow. She seems to be talking to the young man- and his facial expression seems to shift between being chastised and being angry as he looks between the girl and the man. You can hear the older man chuckle briefly before saying something else, and finally walking past the younger man, purposefully brushing up against him roughly.

cont.
>>
>>535709
The girl seems to relax, and talks to the boy a bit more, who eventually nods. She then starts pulling him along- in your direction as she continues conversation with him, and you can hear her a bit clearer as she gets closer. “I know you had control, Adel, I promise I do. But if you go and do that all willy-nilly, then...

She doesn't seem to notice you until she's nearly about to pass you up- upon which point she turns, looking around- and you both make eye contact.

She's silent as you proceed to start walking past them, but she remains quiet even as the young man speaks up. “Hey? Hey, you okay...what's up with you? Hellooo...?” As you get further away, you're out of earshot again. You had to admit, that was very, very interesting.

Just what was that about to happen? You were under the impression that magic and mana was difficult to channel in this world- and by most respects, that had proven true, even here. What was up with those two, then...?

It's getting rather late in the evening, now, however. You suspect that the Mages' College, if it has hours, is probably closed by now- or at least it will be by the time you get to it. It's not quite as big of an issue, however, for one good reason- if the marauders have been moving well enough, they'll get here some time tonight. You'll have to be on the top of your game for this, if it's anything remotely close to what you suspect.

>Head back to the Inn.
>Stay out and about.
>Other.
>>
So, I'm going to take a wild guess. It's a bit out of left field, so bear with me... What if, what if just maybe, those two are part of the adventuring party we're looking for. I know, I know, crazy. I feel foolish for even suggesting it.
>>
>>535722
>Head back to the Inn.
Rest up. We'll hit the marauders tonight. We kill all of the small fry and then interrogate the leader before killing him. Then we need to prepare to strike at the adventurers before they can get too far.

No holding back, no hiding our power level.
Our clients are paying for fast, efficient, effective work, not for us to play to some narrative; that costs extra and they didn't pay for the extra rider.
>>
>>535722
>rest up
ho boy. these guys look special, don't they?

>>535744
given how rare the magic in this setting is, it is a legitimate possibility.

>>535763
I agree with this guy. rest up, and prepare for interception at night.
>>
I was fully prepared to not have you see this whatsoever if it was the Mages' College that got picked for certain. Y'all lucky.
>>
>>535779
Remember that the Collateral Damage Minimization Rider is an extra!
As is the Binding Narrative Rider!

And the Knights did not purchase these add-on services. Let's keep in mind that we're professionals; we can toss good clients a freebie here and there, but we can't be too lenient or they'll expect it all the time.
>>
>>535792
lucky, for sure.
the question is whether if we will be interrupted by someone during our work at night. I wonder...
>>
>>535810
although we are not concerned with collateral damage normally, just doing it without any reason, say convenience or advantage in combat, will earn the ire of others for nothing.

narrative also helps you know. more intel is always good in all situations. and if we're lucky, the people we just met could have been the very ones we could have been looking for.
>>
>>535744
Well, if they are, then we can infer that the big guy at the library was probably Basil. And Mr. fancypants is either a guy named Tarvis Adel, or we have someone unaccounted for. Or maybe this group is a red herring. Also a possibility.
>>
>>535811
Look, we shouldn't look at it as an obstacle, but as an opportunity!

A chance to finish two contract objectives at once!
Unless...shit, are we on a time-and-materials contract? Or a provided services contract?
Because if the former, we should let the adventurers go to concentrate on the marauders, since we get paid by the hour/days, not by completed contract milestones, and Sal didn't mention an early completion bonus.
If the latter, then there's no reason to prolong the contract, as doing so would only prevent us from taking more contracts that might pop up while we're working on this one.

>>535824
>just doing it without any reason, say convenience or advantage in combat
We specifically said that reducing collateral damage inflicted during the course of fulfilling contract objectives would be an add-on and cost extra.
Causing extra damage without purpose is not efficient and goes against the standards of professionalism.
>narrative also helps you know. more intel is always good in all situations.
Are you being intentionally dense?
Following narrative and listening patiently as the Hero monologues about his Great Justice, when we can just one-shot him in his big mouth, is what would cost extra. Or letting the client take down the master villain in an appropriately dramatic fight while we take care of all of the minions and lieutenants, instead of just bringing down the villain's/hero's entire base with supercharged energy bolts to the building's foundations.
Using the information we received from the Knights and cross-referencing it with what we've seen here isn't forcing ourselves to stay bound within the narrative.
>>
>>535857
>Causing extra damage without purpose is not efficient and goes against the standards of professionalism.
but that's what I'm trying to say here...?

>when we can just one-shot him in his big mouth, is what would cost extra
our contractors said if possible we should try to persuade them to come to the moons or just neutralize them. sure, we could just blasted them to pieces but that would require effort and the result is unpredictable. we should at least try to persuade them before going so trigger happy. and hey, they might pay us extra if we do so.
>>
Quick nap, then showtime. Writing!
>>
>>535885
>but that's what I'm trying to say here...?
You're really not getting it then.
I'm already starting from the position that any collateral damage we cause is going to be in the pursuit of our objectives, not random destruction. This was already displayed in the first thread, so I shouldn't have to remind you of this or explain something already fundamentally understood.
Instead, you're arguing against random destruction as if that's what was being suggested, instead of the collateral damage add-on that was specifically mentioned in the contract of the first thread and was not made part of this contract we are on right now.
>>
>>535857
I'll actually answer this- it's a time and materials contract. You get paid by the day. There's a loose time limit in that they want it done before either major side gains a decisive advantage.

You're also getting a bonus because they never said they specifically wanted YOU to find the Great Creations- just stop the people that were stopping THEM. That you found one was a pleasant surprise and windfall for them.
>>
Also, gotta thank you guys because you're giving me ideas on how to improve the quest and make some changes that I think you'll like later.
>>
>>535912
oh. sorry then.
>>
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>>535722
Hm. Well then. Recent events have certainly been...interesting, but it's future events that concern you for now. It'd likely be best to head back to the Inn and get a bit of rest in before things...picked up, later tonight, as you were fairly certain they would. Fortunately, you've gotten the pathway memorized fairly well, and there's no time wasted getting to the Inn. You're not too surprised to see Geegee at a table, eating dinner. “Well, 'ey there, Ms. Mysterious!” Oh yeah, you never DID give her your name. “Enjoyin' the sights? If'n ya haven't been, tomorrow I'm feelin' like takin' in a show at the arena.”

“Arena?” you ask.

“Yup! They got themselves a good 'ol fashioned fightin' ring hereabouts. Good money, if ya don't mind the risking o' gettin' beat to a pulp. Used ta do brisk businesses here cause of that, y'know? Don't no one likes getting their bones broken in three places over three seconds. Health potions, ALWAYS good sellers.” She takes a swig of water. “And a lotta cash exchanges hands durin' those. I dunno how hard ya hit, but you could probably play most of those bettin' for saps- put 'em in the alleyways easy.”

Fascinating, but not a point of interest for you right now. Besides, if all goes well, after tonight, you either won't be here or will be too notorious for anyone to be willing to take a match against you. “I was just going into to get to bed early. If anything important happens, wake me up- alright? That'll be your favor to me if it must.”

She shrugs. “Eh, not big enough to be called a 'favor'. You got it, pal.”

You nod, and with little fanfare you retire to your room and head to sleep. You're rather positive that Geegee is as good as her word.

Your sleep is peaceful enough- no dreams.

Soon enough, however, you get a sudden feeling of motion on your side. You snap open your eyes and breath deeply in an attempt to wake up quickly, your mind trying to fire up as fast as possible. Geegee's indeed pushing at your side, frantic. “Wakeupwakeupwakeupwakeup!” As soon as she sees your eyes are open, she starts point at the door frantically. “Everyone's freakin' out- there's a MASSIVE marauder attack goin' on and it's seriously nuts because there's like TONS of 'em and that nevah happens and oh GEEZ there's this-”

You leap out of bed before anything else can come from her and race outside. The entire city seems to be in a panic, and you can hear several bells going off, presumably in alarm. Civilians are running away from the main gates, but you can see soldiers and adventurers of all strips running towards the danger. You do so as well, blending in well with the crowd- but there's little time for keeping up appearances. Once you're near the front, you tense your legs and LEAP, and in two solid springs you're up on the wall, where the archers and several other defenses are.

cont.
>>
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>>536120
It's MASSIVE, the number of marauders that have come out of the woodwork. You're honestly somewhat astonished at it- you had to wager several hundred, easily, if not over a thousand. But how in the world could you have not only all these marauders...

Still. It's not that that proves to be the most concerning target.

It's the immense, IMMENSE shadow that looms ominously above the trees, weird eyes glowing with a strange and unusual malice. A queer fusion of steel and flesh, like something wearing what it thought was armor, if only really really poorly. You can see it much more clearly now, as can those standing with you, and it's plain to see by their shouts and yells that they have no clue what to do here about this creature. You can see several catapults launch boulders at it- but they collide to no real affect. With a single, earth-trembling stomp, it reaches forward, digging its hands into the earth. With a clawing motion, it scoops up a massive mound of dirt, slinging it towards the soldiers charging to meet the marauders. Several of them are unable to adjust their horses or themselves quickly enough and are crushed beneath the packed, fast moving earth, leaving little but bloodstains.

There's several archers looking at you suddenly, but they spare little time, quickly turning to fire off arrows and try best to dodge return fire that the marauders are given them. For you, it's time for a plan of action. You can't see the leader- or at least, anyone that looks conspicuously LIKE a leader, for now.

Alright. This might take some effort.

>Focus on downing the golem/giant thing.
>Clear out the marauders.
>Hunt for the leader first.
>Other
>>
>>536126
>>Hunt for the leader first.
The leader probably has the means of controlling the Iron Golem (sorry for metagaming, but I figured this was it). We should go for him first.
>>
>>536126
>Hunt for the leader first.
If we can get the control unit for this thing, we'll get a bonus from our client.

Remember, keep our eye on the bottom line.
If the Knights wanted casualties kept to a minimum, they should have bought the appropriate riders.
>>
>>536135
>sorry for metagaming
We've been given information that the marauders used this golem in their attack, and that it needs a control module in order to be utilized (even if only at a fraction of its power).
Using in-character knowledge is not meta-gaming, you know, unless you think Miranda is so stupid that she needs everything spelled out for her in short, easy to understand sentences using small words.
>>
>>536126
>Hunt for the leader first.

We will break this thing if necessary but I want to try and take it who!e first.
>>
>>536126
>Hunt for the leader first.
Yeah, if anyone knows how to control this golem, it's probably the leader. If we don't need to put in the effort to take down the golem, then we probably shouldn't.
>>
It's like hide and seek. Only more murderous.

Writing!
>>
Assuming that the golem's control key doesn't have a short range requirement, the leader is probably either in the golem itself (where he is protected by the magical equivalent of a Gundam), or he's way back behind the lines and overseeing things from a hill or other vantage point.
>>
>>536126
Nope. No doubt about it. This thing has to be a Great Creation. Chances are the New Moon will be pleased as punch if you can wrangle this thing under control. Or rather, get its control piece. And THAT means you need to find the leader ASAP- he was undoubtedly the one controlling this thing. And since you can't see him from here...you'll have to find him the old fashioned way.

You leap down from the wall, much to the surprise of the people on top of it. You land easily, draw your sword, and wordlessly charge into the fray.

Most of these marauders don't seem to have any real martial training, aside from some of the basics of fighting horseback. Your agility allows you to weave in and out of attack range easily, cutting down any unfortunate marauder in the way as you run with unflinching speed towards the back lines, and occasionally letting out a bolt of energy to any soul that tries to fire an arrow your way. Two of them try to charge you at once- letting loose screams of primal fury- you gut one of them before he can even bring his sword down, and quickly dislodge your blade, smoothly dodging the other and beheading him in the same motion. Another you can hear riding up behind you; you leap up, arcing into a high back somersault, grabbing the rider by the hair and forcing him off his steed- the sword is in his neck before he hits the ground, and you quickly keep moving.

A mace flies at you, you duck it and sever the arm that held it- you quickly pick said mace up and deliver a massive upwards swing to a large man charging with an axe- you can see him leave his feet as blood leaves his head, the axe spinning in air for a moment. You catch it and sling it to your left, and it impacts a raider currently in a duel with a Tanimbaum soldier- he takes advantage of the distraction, as you hear him cut the raider down, but that's all that you spare towards him as you continue your sprint to the back of the massive melee.

Suddenly a MASSIVE crunch sounds nearby, nearly throwing you off your feet- the Iron Giant seems to have just picked up another massive mound of dirt, this one much more packed. It slings it underhand, and it impacts one of the defensive walls- you can hear it cracking, but it holds. Damnit. You don't want them all to start into the city. That'd make it hell to hunt them down, plus Geegee might die, and you kinda want that favor.

cont.
>>
>>536307
Alright, you've managed to make it to the treeline again, and you're getting a lot less resistance. Time to figure out how this thing worked...you know that it needed at least its single part of the Centerpiece, and that the Centerpiece was a sort of key, right? How is he managing to control it, then...? He had to put it in physically...right? You can't spend too much time mulling it over- made all the more clear when one of them spots you, fires an arrow which you dodge, and then quickly turns tail and runs. He's downed by a magic bolt through the back before he gets five steps. You CAN still hear voices, though...

But they might just be normal soldiers. You don't want to waste more time than you can really afford with this.

>Just keep looking down here- maybe follow the voices. It makes the most sense.
>A man crazy enough to assault a city like this might well be on or in the giant. Time to start climbing.
>Other
>>
>A man crazy enough to assault a city like this might well be on or in the giant. Time to start climbing.
>>
>>536310
>Time to start climbing.
We should chuck his ass out of the golem if he's inside of it, once we get his control thingy. Fucker deserves to face his morality screaming down the ass side of a golem, for all the shit he pulled.
>>
>>536310
>>A man crazy enough to assault a city like this might well be on or in the giant. Time to start climbing.
If nothing else, maybe we can disable this fucker.
>>
>>536307
you know, I thought Miranda was only good with just fists, but apparently she's just as good with swords.

>>536310
welp. I feel like we're missing out something.
handler, are there any other landscapes nearby that a person could get a good view while remaining close? a tall mound, or hill maybe?
>>
>>536340
She's 'respectable' with swords comparable to most MG mercs. In a 1v1 weapon fight, Izumi would smoke you. I tried to write it so that it was showing that it was less her technique and more her raw agility that was doing all that.


The area where you are is gently rolling hills, and some large rocky outcroppings the further into the treeline you get. Nothing that goes above the tops of the trees, however. Theoretically, someone COULD be hiding out there.
>>
>>536359
In fact there are very specific weapons she's decent with. If you had chose one that she WASN'T good with earlier at the beginning of the mission, things may have gone a touch differently in that training fight.
>>
>>536359
since we're so far off, we might as well search what' here then. at least until the defenses are about to breach, and by then we should have returned and would be climbing the giant.
>>
>>536359
>I tried to write it so that it was showing that it was less her technique and more her raw agility that was doing all that.
so we're basically stomping becaues they're so slower than us. got it.

>>536361
interesting.
>>
>>536364
Eh, I feel like we should head for the giant first. After all, even if the leader isn't there, if we can disable it somehow that'll still be a massive blow to the marauders' morale.
>>
Seems like yeah, we're climbing...

Thank goodness for Labor Day.
>>
>>536370
not like my vote matters, since the vote's already in that favor.
I'm putting it down anyway in case I forget
>>
>>536310
Damnit, no time for guesswork. You start running toward the giant monstrosity- you're to its side as of now- it didn't seem to actually see you get close to it. That's good. Very good. You'll have to try and climb this thing quickly; it's likely to notice the longer you linger, and it doesn't have a whole lot of spots that you feel comfortable jumping to outright. Too many moving bits, too unsure of the landing. You cling to the side of a foot of the artificial beast and begin climbing. Its 'organic' parts -you're not even positive it's really organic- provide a decent handhold, and you're able to keep your grip fairly well- although fortunately it seems like it's relatively content staying back and tossing lumps of earth.

As you climb, you can hear shouts from below, and suddenly an arrow plinks off your armor. You fire a magic bolt in near reflex, and the shouts betray the impact even as you look away. This was a problem- you'd have to fend off archers as well as the giant's own movements. From here on, it's slow going as the archers take pot shots at you as you continue the climb up- even when you blast them, you have to keep a firm grip with the other hand as you aim- not quite as easy as one might think when your objective, your hand, and even your source of handhold is moving.

You manage to make it up to the waistline- there's at least some semblance of a place to set your feet here- the 'belt' is a thick piece of metal that juts out a bit- and you're about to leap up further of the side- it seems to have the better grip- when suddenly there's a BRIGHT flash of light, and an explosion goes off above you, the entire beast stumbling back a step forces you to use your sword as a hold as you jam it into the thing's side. You expected a bellow or something, but there's nothing, no sound except it straightening up. You look up to see smoke from what was clearly a major impact...although the giant's face seems to be merely besooted and a little cracked, and its eyes have turned from an eerie yellow to a menacing red.

And then it lifts one large foot and STOMPS forward. And then another. Crap. Whatever happened...it's pissed off now.

You steadily try to resume the climb- it's smelly, but by the time you get halfway up his side, the thing's cleared the trees. And what you see surprises you.

It's a shining light on the city walls. A bright, bright blue.

“...Oh, damnit.”

cont.
>>
>>536387
Before I forget...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4619CDF2FD0D8394&v=dVNcmGjNW6c
>>
>>536506
Someone actually channeled enough mana to actually hit the dang thing outright. Suddenly, there's another flash of light- something yellow this time. And a bright lance of energy streaks out over the battlefield- thin, but long, and strikes the creature square in his chest. It flinches, but doesn't falter, though its pace is slowed.

You're not positive who's doing this- although you have a good idea- but they're trying their absolute damnedest to bring this thing down. You grimace as you clamber up a bit more- you're nearly at the collarbone now, and you hear a tinkling sound inside, near his chest, as if it's a poor imitation of a heartbeat. You need to act quickly, from here on in. For more than one reason- whether they launch another shot like that, or the golem actually manages to get within striking distance of the city (which doesn't look like it'll take that long to do) it'll likely end badly for you. If this thing manages to wreck Tenimbaum, Horinth would ABSOLUTELY love that...

>Work to destroy it now. Better you than them fire off something else and risk you getting caught in the backlash.
>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!

>>536507
Yup, been listening to that soundtrack as I write.
>>
>>536525
>The Centerpiece
Centerpiece part- you know what I mean.
>>
>>536525
>>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
That tinkling sound means something, obviously.
>>
>>536525
>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
>>
>>536525
>>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
>>
>>536525
>>Work to destroy it now. Better you than them fire off something else and risk you getting caught in the backlash.
There's no indication that anyone is piloting this thing, and the payday isn't worth risking our necks over.
>>
...aand I'm really exhausted all of the sudden. Gonna have to pause it here, but when I wake up...
>>
>>536525
>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
>>
>>536525
>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
we can deal with this.
and just as expected, they're here. oh, and if we ever find the thing or anything else worthwhile, I hope we can grab it and bounce before anyone else try the same.
>>
>>Work to destroy it now. Better you than them fire off something else and risk you getting caught in the backlash.

For what its worth, I don't think capturing this one is worth the risk. If we get injured or the Golem wrecks Tenimbaum, then thats pretty mcuh unacceptable since it hinders our main objective.
>>
>>536525
>No, you still have time. You need to find that bastard and/or the Centerpiece!
I want to send a beam right at the hero party, to make them go for cover to give us more time.
>>
>>536746
there's the risk of misunderstandings if we do that,
>>
>>536525
>Work to destroy it now. Better you than them fire off something else and risk you getting caught in the backlash.

I'd say destroy it. We don't have much time and a point-blank shot from us will more than likely do way more damage than the previous attacks on it. That said, we could also disable it somehow if need be. As long as it can't get closer, we'd be fine.
>>
It's still a bit away from the walls- you have time...you hope. You keep climbing- if this guy was anything like most giant monsters, then whatever was important was up in the head. At least, that's your theory. You're really hoping that it turns out to be true. You clamber up, and you finally manage to get around the giant pauldron that makes up the giant's shoulder. You're near it's neck, now, holding on for dear life- it's still metallic, but there's various smaller bits providing grips, and you use those to steady yourself closer to the giant as it takes its long, lumbering steps. You can hear things whirring inside it- and something muffled. Slightly rhythmic, but...organic? Is that a voice? That has to be a voice.

There's suddenly a repeated sound that sounds a lot like laughing. Yeah, that was absolutely a voice. Which means...

...Of course. You're going to have to find a way inside this thing.

>Approach the head from the front, and meet with the golem 'eye to eye'.
>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
>Other
>>
>>537554
>>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
So we don't get shot in the back by that trigger happy mage on the walls.
>>
>>537554
>>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
>>
>>537554
>>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
>>
Dig dig. Writing.
>>
>>537554
>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
https://youtu.be/3i42Smtbmeg
>>
>>537554
>Approach it from the back and burrow in like a scary, unseen leech.
>Other
Prepare to punch that laughing asshole in the throat. Villains who laugh too much annoy the shit out of me.
>>
>>537554
Yeah, you'll give him something to laugh about real quick. You carefully make your way around to the back of his neck- the beast is lumbering hard enough to be rather jarring every time he takes a step. It's like a minature quake goes off. Still, you can deal with it. As you make it around, you take a quick look upwards to see if there's any good potential points of entry. Doesn't have to be a direct hatch or anything, can be just a exhaust port, a depression in the metal, or- aha.

A slightly gap in between two parts works as well. You're about to blast your way in, when you have another idea. With one hand gripping tightly, and another on your flamesword, you make a risky jump as the giant lands another step, leaping up to the gap and jamming the sword in through it. You hope this works...

You channel your mana, and you can feel the sword suckle at it bit by bit as it lights up, brilliant blue fire teeming from the edges as though it's a welding torch. Which was pretty much the idea, anyway.

Sure enough, the fire's hot enough to melt through the steel of the creature's head, and with some careful, CAREFUL maneuvering between golem movements, you manage to cut a gap inside. You quickly dive in, and land on a metallic floor, looking up at the innards of what made up the legendary Iron Golem.

As you partially expected,there's gears, although nowhere near as many as you expected. You suppose its magic handled a lot of the details about its movement. But- you COULD see, behind the eyes a bit of a ways above and in front of you, a flat area, supported by various steel beams. You can also see what looks to be the back of a chair.

“WUHAHAHAHAHAHAH! DAT'S THE WAY! KEEP IT COMIN', I CAN TAKE IT! GEHAHAHAHAHAH!”

And you can hear that, too. The sounds of thumping and gear moving are too loud to even hear footsteps, and with a few jumps on certain parts, you manage to make it to his platform.

The guy's huge- muscular in every respect. His beard is long, scraggly, and fairly unkempt. He's going whole hog with the 'wasteland marauder' theme, it seems; he's got leathers and skins galore, and a wicked looking horned helmet and immense claymore. He's staring out the eyes of the golem- you can't see his expression from here, likely something stupid- and clapping like it's entertainment.

“PFTAHAHAHAH! THINKIN' ANY OF THAT CRAP CAN HURT THIS? STAY RIGHT THERE, I'LL CLEAR THAT THOUGHT OUTTA YOU QUICK!”

Then he grabs what looks like a strange talisman- is that another Commander Talisman? You're not sure- and speaks into it.

“Hey, big guy! Keep on the fellas on the walls, dun worry about the lil' ones at your feet! We'll make sure they'll go away, promise!” Interesting. Sounded more like he was coercing the thing more than anything else.

You're behind him, and he hasn't seemed to notice you yet.

> “Hi.”
> The eyes are glass. Grab him, chuck him out one.
> Get him subdued, start interrogating.
> Stabby assassination time.
> Other
>>
>>537648
>> Get him subdued, start interrogating.
>> “Hi.”
>> Apply electric current untill target is unconcious
>>
>>537648
>Other
Subdue him and tell the Iron Giant that we found a better way, one that isn't so painful, so let's move away.
>>
>>537648
>> Stabby assassination time.
>>
>>537648
> “Hi.”
> The eyes are glass. Grab him, chuck him out one.

Just make sure we snag the commander talisman off this guy before we do the deed. I'm pretty sure that if this joker could command the golem, we shouldn't have a problem.
>>
>>537682
>I'm pretty sure that if this joker could command the golem, we shouldn't have a problem.
This guy is more coercing it rather than ordering it, so we should be careful because if the golem thinks we won't get it what it wants, it won't listen to us.
>>
>>537648
>> Get him subdued, start interrogating.
When he reaches for the talisman again, grab the fist that holds it and smash it into his mouth repeatedly. After he's dazed, get the golem to grab him and hold him in his fist.
>>
Writing.
>>
>>537702
>No witty rejoinder about what we're doing next

Damn it, not even "Nice to beat you" or anything like that...
>>
>>537735
I blanked, sorry!
>>
>>537689
>This guy is more coercing it rather than ordering it, so we should be careful because if the golem thinks we won't get it what it wants, it won't listen to us.

I'm thinking that if this is a Commander Talisman, the Giant/Golem thing is being controlled by this guy, and I'm willing to bet that he doesn't have the magical reserves to make it his slave. However, we do. It's worth fussing around with the Talisman to see if we can command it a bit, although we should be wary of using all of our mana.
>>
>>537648
His stupid laugh is annoying as all get out...but it causes him to make a very amusing wheezing noise when your hand grabs his throat and starts squeezing. As he freezes in shock and confusion, you lean close to his ear. “Hi there.” Before he can cough out a response, you quickly drive him into the steel floor. “So, you're the boss of all these idiots, then? Well, I don't care what your plans are, but I'm going to have to cut them short.”

The man looks around wildly, while trying to use his strength to get your hands from around his throat- his sword was left laying besides his chair, and it's merely clattered to the ground some feet from him, near the talisman. The talisman...he spies it the same time as you do, and he quickly reaches for it, only for you to grab the fist that holds it. You pretend to look at it curiously, before looking at him, and smashing it into his mouth. “Alright, so I've got a few questions for you, clear? You answer them, or you meet a very messy end very quickly.” You squeeze his hand- and you feel bones give. As he screams in pain, you grab the Commander Talisman from him and plant a iron boot on his neck.

“Little...” he can't even get that before he starts sputtering in incredulous and confused rage. “Who in the Plains are you!? Some new would be hero?”

You merely increase the pressure on his neck as an answer. Time to ask some questions of your own. “How'd you get the Centerpiece portion that controls this? Where is it?” He looks at you with clear confusion.

“The WHAT portion?!” He coughs a bit from your pressure. “I-I-I dunno what yer talkin' about! Ya mean my old sword? Found the damn thing up in the northern mountains! Me and the boys was lookin' for treasures!”

“And where is it?” You remind him. “I don't see it here.”

“YOU AIN'T TAKIN' HIM FROM ME!” he roars, and with a mighty effort, he slips from under your boot. He tries to charge you, but you duck him, and lash out with a kick at his shins. It's enough to take him off his feet, and as he faceplants, you stab the sword into his hand, making him screech again.

“I'm sure you can see how this is going to turn out if you keep going,” you mention to him. “So I'm going to ask again, where is the-”

Suddenly, another MASSIVE explosion rocks the creature, and you feel the head listing to the side a bit. You have you reorient yourself rapidly in order to not go tumbling down head over heels, and land on the bottom floor safely. The marauder leader has no such luck and tumbles down from the elevated platform like a ragdoll, crashing to the ground with a groan.

cont.
>>
>>537843
Damnit, you'd nearly forgotten about that. You look at the talisman in your hand. Okay, you needed to convince this guy to lay off. But how? You channel your mana into the talisman, and it lights up. “Uh...hello? Can you hear me?”

''...Who...is...this...? Where...is...king?'

King? Is that what he told this thing- that he was a king? King Nothing, maybe. Doesn't even have a proper crown. But enough about that, you have a golem to convince...hm, how to put this...

> “The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
> “The king was corrupted, and evil. I slew him.”
> “He's still here, but I'm speaking in his stead for now.”
> Other

(I hate when I just go over the character limit.)
>>
>>537847
>> “The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
>>
>>537847
>> “The king was corrupted, evil and is now deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
>>
>>537847
> “The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
>>
>>537847
> “The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
>>
>>537847
Long live Princess Miranda. Writing.
>>
>>537847
>“The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.”
This is why you don't conduct interrogations while under fire.
It was stupid to get distracted like that.
>>
>>537847
>The king was corrupted, and evil. I slew him.
>>
>>537847
Well, if he said he was a king, then maybe something similar can work for you, too...you clear your throat, making sure that the marauder leader is unconscious- or at the very least, unable to act. He's down and out, for certain. “The king has been deposed. I am the princess, and have taken over.” There is silence, then a loud rumble that lasts for several seconds. After that, there is silence.

'...King...is gone? King...not worthy?' You hope that's fine with him...that rumble wasn't exactly the greatest sign, but you're too low to see what happened.

“Correct. You see all the people you're fighting? They are fighting against your king because he has been found unworthy. Take a look, and think about where your king was. What's your primary mission?”

'...serve...crown...' the thing grinds out.

“And he doesn't even have a true crown,” you point out. “It's merely a hat with horns on it. No jewels, no symbols, no nothing. He's no true king.”

There's another rumble. 'Then...where...king...?' Ohhhhh boy. You can presume he's in the capital, but you can't just say that. And then there's another rumbling, and this time you hear the groaning of the marauder leader getting up again. You drag him to his feet, moving the Commander Talisman away from your mouth. “Okay, now, if you don't want to die RIGHT NOW, you will tell me WHERE the sword is. You used it to start this thing up, but HOW?!”

He shakes his head, clearly unsure of what's going on. “Aggh...the damn thing's still in his heart, why?” He looks up. “Wait...what's going on?” Oh, really? You JUST went through all this. You look around, and sure enough you can see what looks like a small stairwell that spirals down to a lower area.

>See what's going on through the thing's eyes.
>Head down there ASAP.
>Try to force enough mana through yourself to take control of this thing.
>Other
>>
>>537974
>See what's going on through the thing's eyes.
quickly catch a view, and
>Head down there ASAP.
I don't dare drain mana unless we absolutely need to.
QM, how much mana do would we need to control this thing? can we get a feel to test it out?
>>
>>537974
>See what's going on through the thing's eyes.
>Head down there ASAP.
>>
>>537991
A lot.

The whole 'how much mana' thing is something else I'm going to adjust after this mission. Make it less vague.
>>
>>537974
>Head down there ASAP.
>Other
Knock this guy out again.
>>
A quick pop up to see what's up and then we get to scootin'. Maybe.
>>
>>537974
You leap up again- it's at a slightly different angle, and you're unsure of why. When you get back up to the chair, however, it quickly becomes clear as you take a good look outside of one of its eyes. The giant's stopped, and seems to be just letting everyone wail on it- some of the marauders you can see seem to be fleeing, and several soldiers are trying to attack it with more catapults. Being this high, and this close, however, you can actually see clear out to the top of the wall. That shining light's still there, and you can see just what's causing it now. It's a sword. A shining blue-green, it's as if it's made mana itself, and the person holding it...

It's a blonde-haired kid, with blazing eyes the same color of the mana now, dressed in white, but with various armor pieces on. His eyes are clearly shining, just like you saw with the other kid earlier, and holding the sword aloft like he's about to do an overhead strike. That glow is just getting brighter, and you can hear SOMETHING coming from him...

Oh lord, he's going to do one of those 'ultimate attacks' or whatever. That'd hurt.

>Charge up your own attack, and fire out the eye to block the shot. You can charge faster than he can...you hope.
>Screw it- head downstairs before he's finished, yank out the damn sword, and get the HELL out of the blast radius.
>Try to get them to stop.
>Other

I know it's a partial revote, but I felt that due to what's happening it deserves it.
>>
>>538078
>Charge up your own attack, and fire out the eye to block the shot. You can charge faster than he can...you hope.
Fuck these twerps. If they're so amateur hour that they can't tell that someone got into the giant construct and stopped it from attacking further, and that blowing it up would kill their ally, then they'd be more of a liability than an asset to our clients.
>>
>>538078
>Charge up your own attack, and fire out the eye to block the shot. You can charge faster than he can...you hope.
>>
>>538078
>Charge up your own attack, and fire out the eye to block the shot. You can charge faster than he can...you hope.
>>
>>538078
>Keep an eye on the bandit capitain throughout the act
and then
>Charge up your own attack, and fire out the eye to block the shot. You can charge faster than he can...you hope.
and then
>Try to get them to stop.
yell something about inexperienced fighters that can't tell what's even happening.
>>
>>538086
It's a little hard to figure out what the heck a giant is going to do if you're on it. It's like being an ant on a dog. You know the dog's doing something, but you don't have the slightest idea what.
>>
>>538116
Yeah, but he's not on the giant, we are. He's on the wall.
And he hasn't stopped to think on why the golem might have suddenly stopped attacking.
So your argument doesn't have anything to do with mine.
>>
Preparing to intercept. Writing.
>>
>>538078
Damnit, you hate having having to 'go loud' in situations like this. But at this point, it'd be far too risky to not. You start letting your mana build and focus, and your own magi-blast appears in your hand. In situations like this, you'll have to react fast- it's almost like a quick draw shootout, except WORSE, in a way, because you have to fire AFTER they do. You have to hold yourself steady- charging up a big shot like this always gives you a bit of a rush; makes you eager to move...but sometimes that wasn't possible.

As you charge, you're studying his face. Every contour, every inch. They always give it away. Wait for it...

Wait for it...



...his mouth twitches-NOW!

You brace one hand with the other and fire! “NEBULA BUSTER!”

...What? Did you really...

...Ignoring that, the whole even happens in less than a second, but it seems to take far longer for you. You can see the boy swing his blade, creating an arc of energy far, far bigger than he is, and your own fired technique that shatters the golem's eyehole (that's was unfortunate, but you deemed it necessary. The two energy blasts seem to take forever to meet, but when they do, you can see a slice of blue energy colliding with violet energy, which seems to swirl and dance around each other for a second, before seemingly imploding on itself- then EXPLODING violently. The splash from it still causes the ground to shudder, and you're almost certain some of the ground forces took damage from it.

cont.
>>
>>538266
Almost immediately you can see people panic and freak out. The boy's on one knee, and you can see his face; but you're not certain if that's a look of shock or a grimace. You can see another figure run up to him- of course it's that same damn girl that you met back at the library, staff in hand. You really should come to expect that by now. She looks up, and she locks eyes with you again. She quickly turns to her friend, whom you're almost absolutely certain is Tavis now, and points to you with her staff.

Ugh. Alright, enough standing around, time to finish this up. You quickly turn around, to see the marauder king trying to sneak away. A quick punch to the back of his head solves that problem, as he slumps over. You quickly hop downstairs, idiot in tow, and soon, you're in something that you can only describe as some kind of central core. There's little here, aside from a pedestal, with a black, hooked sword stuck into it. It's surrounded by magical energy. Smart thing to do would just be to yank it out and shut the whole thing off. Part of you is wondering if you'd have enough mana to control it, though...after what you just pulled, you're legit feeling a bit winded. Alternately, you could just try to continue convincing the thing to walk away, although you're not sure if it registered what you did to it just now. If it did, that might make further conversation...dicey.


> Yank the sword out, shut it down entirely.
> Try to use the rest of your mana to control it outright.
> Resume talking to it and try to make it leave and go...somewhere else. Of its own accord.
>>
>>538271
>Resume talking to it and try to make it leave and go...somewhere else. Of its own accord.
>>
>>538271
> Resume talking to it and try to make it leave and go...somewhere else. Of its own accord.

If this fails, just wait to recharge. This plane allows us to recover quickly. Then attempt to control it outright.
>>
>>538271
heh. I wonder how the party is thinking right now.

>Resume talking to it and try to make it leave and go...somewhere else. Of its own accord.
we just protected it from harm, mention that as well.
>>
>>538271
> Resume talking to it and try to make it leave and go... Back to where it was buried. It's not yet time for him to save the world, wait until someone who is pure and good comes along. Until then, rest well, old one.
>>
>>538297
>we just protected it from harm, mention that as well.
Miranda just warned herself that if it realized we just destroyed its eye, it could make further negotiations more difficult.

>>538304
That's kind of against what it wants, though.
>>
"Go away, please."

Writing.
>>
>>538311
What we know for sure is that it follows the orders of a "King", and that it's major goal is to serve the crown. I don't think that what the Bandit Leader said back here:

>“Hey, big guy! Keep on the fellas on the walls, dun worry about the lil' ones at your feet! We'll make sure they'll go away, promise!”

Made it sound like the golem was doing it for shits and giggles.
>>
>>538331
It believed that it was serving the crown, and telling it to go back because there is no king is asking for trouble.
Its responses suggest that telling it that there is no king to serve would not help, since there being a king to serve is its basic assumption and native state.
>>
>>538351
No, but we did establish that there is a princess, so the royal line is still there, just that the person who is conversing with it is not the king.

Considering it got fooled by a bandit lord, and seems to be made partially from a giant, a species whose traits, as established, don't revolve around being particularly bright, I'm willing to believe it might be fooled into heading back home.
>>
>>538271
Well, maybe you can still salvage this before anyone starts wondering too hard. You bring the Commander Talisman back up to your face and speak. “Hey, sorry I was away. How're you feeling?”

'Vision...less. Can...still serve...' Okay then. That's good, at least. That means he has no clue what happened inside, just that suddenly he can't see as well. So little self-awareness on that front. Thank goodness. “Good, I have new orders for you, as princess.”

'Not...old princess...new princess' Ohhhh, no. 'Princess...have names...tell...name...'

Oh...oh boy. Uhh...this might not be the best idea, but... “Miranda.”

'...good...princess...has name...' Oh. Oh thank goodness. 'Stop...biting?' Biting? What the heck did he mean- oh. He might mean all the soldiers that were hacking away at him? You can't hear anything outside, but maybe they did stop, finally.

“Yes, that was me. So perhaps now you understand my authority?”

'Strong...princess...'

“Yes. Thank you. Now listen, you've done well in protecting the crown.” Not really, but whatever it takes. “But right now there's another threat you need to rest and prepare for. You will be summoned when it is time by associates of mine, but for now, I can continue protecting the area, alright?”

Please work, please work, please work...

'Go...where?'

You let out a sigh you didn't know you had. Thank goodness this thing was idiotic. Question now was where to send it to...off the top of your head, you could likely send it back to its original resting place. Another was deeper into the frontier, in a place that the Knights could easily access. You're sure that'd get far more attention, though- possibly unwanted attention. Although to be honest, it was going to get attention no matter where it went. Maybe somewhere else...

> “Back to where you woke. In the mountains.”
> “Towards the Southwest, beyond the mountains and forests.
> Other
>>
>>538448
>“Towards the Southwest, beyond the mountains and forests.
>>
>>538448
>Towards the Southwest, beyond the mountains and forests.
I mean, not like we would expect any kind of stealth form this thing.

but the problem is, what now? after we set this big guy to go there, should we drag out the bandit lord and throw him at the guards? what about the party, should we meet them?

also the thread is dying
>>
>>538463
We need to mop up the rest of the marauders.
We shouldn't leave a job half-finished.
I don't see any reason to give the bandit lord over to the local guards. Just kill him and be done with it.
As for the party, I'm sure they'll either come to us, or they'll try to run quickly away. We can deal with them later; this is a time and materials contract, after all.
>>
>>538448
> “Towards the Southwest, beyond the mountains and forests.
> Other
Rest well, friend.
>>
Go Southwest, friend.

>>538463
Yeah, it's getting late, I think?
>>
>>538487
>I don't see any reason to give the bandit lord over to the local guards. Just kill him and be done with it.

I kind of want to bring his ass to the Knights for a bonus, but if there's no way we can keep him from running, then let the guard deal with it. Although, we should see if Zeezee knows how to make a paralysis potion and its associated antidote.

Oh, yeah, should we bring her back with us?
>>
>>538502
>I kind of want to bring his ass to the Knights for a bonus
Why would they give us a bonus?

>Geegee
Why would she want to do a damnfool thing like go into the frontier when she can make money here to hire a caravan to go back to her partner's place?
>>
>>538521
1. While it might be reaching, handing him over to the Knights might show other marauders that their reach is long, and thus discourage them, although I do acknowledge that it's unlikely.

2. Remember that our main job was to stop the marauders? Well, Moon
Fortress is just a little south of Blake's Landing, and since we stopped the bandits, we should head back anyways to report our success. Bringing her back to Blake's Landing is just to get her favors, you know?
>>
Okay, so I won't have to waste two updates- what are we doing with the Marauder Lord?

>Kill him here and now.
>Chuck him out the back entrance you made.
>Hand him over to the Tenimbaum military.
>Other
>>
>>538571
>Kill him here and now.
>>
>>538571
>>Chuck him out the back entrance you made.
>>
>>538569
If Geegee wanted to get to Blake's Landing, she would have asked us for an escort back.
As it is, she doesn't want the experience of riding on our back again.
>>
>>538596
Isn't chucking him out the back the same as killing him?
I got the impression that the Iron Golem is a couple stories tall, and a fall from that height would kill a person.
>>
>>538616
For one thing, the last time we talked to her, we were rushing to deal with a giant attacking a town. It's a little difficult to discuss travel plans when that happens.

For another, now that we aren't in a rush to stop bandits, we can go back at a more leisurely pace.

Finally, lets stop whinging at each other and allow the QM to decide whether or not she wants to. He'll make the final decision, regardless of either of us, OK?
>>
>>538624
It is. It's more a matter of 'how' than 'what'.
>>
>>538624
It might be, but I chose that because if he survives it'll be funny to me, and if not, I'll still have a laugh
>>
>>538662
Plus, less mess in the interior. Do you know how hard it is to get blood out of interior carpeting?
>>
Uh, if no one makes another choice in the next ten minutes, you want to roll a d2 to decide, Handler?
>>
>>538740
Oh, I was just about finished. I made an...executive decision.

Also this'll probably be the last post of the night since things be dead and I'm getting tired.
>>
>>538571
>Chuck him out the back entrance you made
maybe we should ask the giant to stomp the rest of the marauders?
>>
>>538448
“Go Southwest, beyond the mountains, and forests. There aren't people who'll try to take advantage of you, only people who'll need you. Need your protection just like here. That's where I want you to go. Go until you can't see the mountains anymore.”

You can already hear and feel the giant thing beginning to move. 'Okay...'

Thank goodness. NOT destroying a Great Creation likely would be looked well upon by the Knights. Oh, speaking of. “Also, that reminds me. Remember the name Argus. He will be my representative when I'm not here, and you're to follow his commands, understood?”

'Remember...Argus...yes.' Fantastic. With that handled... you look at the lump of man you've been holding onto by the collar. It's high time to get get off this ride. You grab him as you head back up and towards the back. Before you make it all the way you, you start to hear him groaning. You look back, and he's barely lifting his head.

“Oh, hey, you woke up.” He swivels his eyes to you, and he grits his teeth. “You've...caused me a lot of trouble.” Normally you don't monologue, but...this guy was REALLY frustrating. “Cause me a whole lot of distraction when it comes to my job. But, I don't think I'll complain too much. Killing your men is gonna get me a pretty decent bonus. So hey, look at it this way. You were worth SOMETHING, to SOMEONE.”

He tries to struggle, but he's still weak from the blood loss and strikes to the head. “Damned...bitch, let me go! You want money, is that it? I know where there's piles of gold! You let me down, and-”

“Yeah, no. You're not the first to try and buy me off a contract, and you won't be the last. Trust me, you can't afford it.” You're both outside now, as the Iron Golem lesiurely walks back across the field, much to the confusion of the defending Tanimbaum soldiers. “And, I'm going to need to bring back proof of the elimination of your forces.” You pluck off his elk-horned hat. “This'll do nicely.”

He reaches for it, but at the angle you're holding him, he can't reach. “Hey, you give that BACK, you-”

“Bye.” And without further ado you casually toss him off the back of the giant. You can hear his screaming echo throughout the field as he falls, and the sudden WHUMP at the end is far more satisfying than it really should be.

cont.
>>
>>538821
You proceed to clamber down to about his waist, upon which you're able to jump off relatively safely, landing in a three-point stance to brace yourself. You can see several numbers loose bandits being rounded up still by military, and you know there's likely some loose ones around there...but it definitely seems like the majority of the marauder forces have been decimated. You look back towards the castle wall- the boy isn't there, but the girl is, steadily watching you. Hm.

Whatever. You turn back towards the treeline, and draw your sword again. You're going to need it this time. You've got some cleanup to do.

You spend a couple of hours hunting down and finishing off marauders that have ran- most are tired, some are wounded, some try to surrender, but you REALLY have no patience for that. Still, by the time the sun is beginning to peek over the horizon, you're rather certain that all that's left of the marauders are extremely small bands and individuals- no more abnormal than usual.

And at last, you decide to declare the first part of your job complete. Tenimbaum still stands, and the marauder issue is solved. At some point you lost your cloak, and you have no idea when.

...And you need a nap.
>>
And that's all for tonight!

So, like I said, I'm planning on putting a few more numbers into the quest starting next mission to make things slightly less vague- basically you'll have a visible MP 'pool', and certain techniques/spells that'll take a decent chunk of it, if you want to use them. I'm also making a way so that you can better understand what you're getting into before a mission so that you can spec out better.
>>
>>538827
Oh, and yeah, your MP will still regen, but depending on the world, it'll regen faster or slower. Any other ideas may be welcome, so long as it doesn't get TOO stat heavy.
>>
>>538822
>At some point you lost your cloak, and you have no idea when.
well, at least we still have our cape.

>>538827
>>538830
more info is good.
I wonder how much bonus we would get from now on. not only the bandits are dead, we've got two artifacts for them as well.
>>
>>538827
Thanks for running!
>>
>>538827
Great stuff, thanks for running!
>>
>>538827
Thanks for running, Boss. Had a grand ole time.
>>
Also, I'm wondering if maybe I'm just running at bad times.
>>
>>538925
it might have to do with the low traffic of /qst/.
maybe you could try /tg/ instead?
>>
>>538957
But the speed of /tg would mean doing two or three threads to equal one /qst thread.
>>
>>538925
Qst has lower traffic. Try running a thread there if you want, see how it goes
>>
>>538925
a tip if you want to quest on /tg/, do leave a link to the suptg since people will have to catch on to what we've been up to. and write in the summery of what happened last thread, and what we're about to do in the OP, and leaving the pastebin, link, explanation of the quest, and final tidbits of the first option after it.
>>
>>539102
also two things I forgot
as an example, you could see the first posts of quests at /tg/ and get a feel of how it's normally done
and is this thread archived?
>>
>>538957
Maybe. I don't mind so much the LOW traffic, as the inconsistency of it. I'd be perfectly happy with a consistent 5 or so players.

>>539112
It's archived, yeah.
>>
>>539706
Have you considered getting a Twitter account? You can use it to let people know when you're able to run, tell them about schedule changes or emergencies, that sort of thing.
>>
>>539756
Ha, that'd be a good idea. Like today.
>>
>>539706
I only just caught up, depending on your timezone you'll have at least one more consistent player
>>
>>539706
Yeah, this is actually one of the few quests I actually post on, but you do tend to start running while I'm at work. So I can only be so consistent. But I am enjoying it.
>>
Ah. So maybe I should start running later in the day? I'm in CST.

...My sleep schedule is shot now.
>>
>>540801
Yeah I'm PST myself. But I do think you should post in your comfort zone, rather than letting yourself get burned out.
>>
>>540801
EST here, and I'm agreeing with >>540871. Post when you can do so comfortably. Trying to get more people by altering your schedule is only going to make you burn out quicker, and that'd be a shame.
>>
Hmm...I might try running a couple hours later, then, if only for experimentation purposes. I figure it's worth a test at least.
>>
>>541053
you should try to aim for times when there is a lot of traffic. say, like friday nights or weekends.
staying at /qst/ until the quest has progressed a bit could be fine as well.
ultimately it's your call though.
>>
>>541053
You're never running when I'm available, but I'm in Australia so that ain't gonna happen. I enjoy catching up on the thread though. Good quests can take a while to build up a base and your writing quality's decent enough that there shouldn't be anything stopping that from happening over time.

But yeah, qst is quiet. Hard to develop a rule of thumb for something relatively new.
>>
>>542213
Yeah, I honestly rather like this quest, it's got a cool setting and interesting and unusual game mechanics. It's the only thing on /qst/ I've thus far actually wanted to follow. I'm GMT and work late, so I can't always catch it, but I'll make more of an effort to contribute, it'd be a shame to see this go.
>>
Alright, I'll be running later today- in two hours.
>>
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>>542784
Beginning at midnight is kinda crappy for me. What time is that for you?
>>
>>542795
It would be 5PM
As someone who lives in EST, that's right in my commute home.
>>
>>542795
What >>542800
said. I'm terribly sorry- timezones are particularly annoying for me since I'm in CST and almost no one else is.
>>
>>542816
No worries, nothing on this board I am interested are Europe friendly.
>>
With a start, you find yourself waking up suddenly. You're not even sure where you are for a couple of seconds, but soon enough you shake through the bleariness and focus.

You'd just finished sending the Great Creation, the Iron Golem, off to the southwest in the hopes that it'd be spotted by the Knights of the Blue Moon, and then spent some hours tracking down and mopping up the marauders that had been plaguing all three sides of the conflict...so that's out of your hair. Thank goodness. This means that your only remaining mission is dealing with The Longshots- and you're certain you've seen the majority of the team by now.

After it was all said and done...

>You'd returned to Tenimbaum, to (annoying) cheers along with others, and went back to finish your rest at the inn. You might be able to catch more info about the kids there, if you can deal with your sudden popularity.
>You'd decided not to risk getting too known, and had went back without most of your supplies, in order to report to the Knights at the Fortress. You'd marched for half the night to get to a decent distance away.
>Other
>>
>>542961
>You'd returned to Tenimbaum, to (annoying) cheers along with others, and went back to finish your rest at the inn. You might be able to catch more info about the kids there, if you can deal with your sudden popularity.

I don't like it, but I don't want to be without our stuff.
>>
>>542961
>>You'd returned to Tenimbaum, to (annoying) cheers along with others, and went back to finish your rest at the inn. You might be able to catch more info about the kids there, if you can deal with your sudden popularity.

Better to be prepared for our next job.
>>
>>542961
You know this is on page 10, right?
Are you sure you shouldn't be making a new thread?
>>
>>542961
Knights of the New Moon.

>>542966
I didn't. Have we hit bump limit? I thought that was in the 700s.
>>
>>542970
If so, then belay that entry, and yeah, I'll make a new thread. Terribly sorry!
>>
>>542961
>>You'd returned to Tenimbaum, to (annoying) cheers along with others, and went back to finish your rest at the inn. You might be able to catch more info about the kids there, if you can deal with your sudden popularity.
Time for the sudden but inevitable betrayal.
>>
>>542970
The top thread says bump limit is 750, but the thread is clearly not bumping.
>>
>>542970
The bump limit is 750 posts or 72 hours, whichever comes first.

The current page is displayed at the bottom of the thread.
It shows number of posts, number of images, number of unique IP's, and which page the thread is on.
>>
Hmmmm...alright, hold on. New thread incoming! Sorry about the votes!
>>
>>542976
If you read the list of settings it says
>Automatic permasage after 72 hours.
>>
>>542980
Ah. That it does.
>>
New thread here!

>>542992
>>542992
>>542992



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