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>>877382
Emily nods. "The Captains," she agrees. "Look - someone has to be looking after the world. Nothing this complicated just exists on its own. You don't see a marooned ship and presume that the wood just grew that way, right? So if the world is still going, someone is steering it. Someone is in charge. Who isn't important; if the world is still moving, they're doing a good job. We pray to them sometimes, but it's never anything much. Gratitude, mostly, for the job they do, because if the ship you're steering is the whole of everything you don't need the cabin boy bothering you."

"That's...an interesting take on it," Nathan admits. "...You do know they're very chatty to surfacers, right?"

"Some Captains are," Emily says with a shrug. "I'm not a religious person. I don't really care one way or the other what the Captains are /like/, as long as they're good leaders. Are they?"

"They always strive to be better," you promise, with warm solemnity.

"Then I have nothing to worry about that isn't my own problem," the Chosen of Death answers with a shrug. "I never did finish up about the powers we've been able to discern."

Amy leans in, interested.

"I'm fairly certain I can manipulate death energies to harm those I touch," Emily begins, making Amy lean right the hell back and touch her wings protectively. "I can tell the difference between a being with a soul and one without one. I've banished ghosts to the Sunless Lands and thus far none of them have come back. I'd thought to try that with Jack, but..."

"I advised against it," Catherine says firmly. "I did not feel it was the right time or circumstance for that conflict. There are things there that Flitter must resolve for herself."

"Well, it's done now," you agree. "What -"

There is a knock on the door. All eyes turn to it in vague surprise. Catherine goes to open it, revealing a drenched geargrinder, its frame dripping rain.

"Please," the machine asks. "Where is the pixie known as Flitter and the ghost of Jack the Debtor?"

"Why do you need to know?" you ask warily.

The geargrinder fingers spots on its armor and torso where deep cracks have been repaired with gold, making a filigree of scars across its body. "I owe Jack my life," he explains, solemnly.

> You'd best come in
> They're on an island, somewhere
> Why would we trust you?
> Fuck off directly to Hell
> Write-in?

>>877481
>> You'd best come in

>>877481
>You'd best come in

>>877481
> You'd best come in

>>877481
>> You'd best come in

>>877481
> Sigh...You'd best come in. AND SOMEONE GET ME SOME FUCKING RUM!

>>877481
> You'd best come in
"This is a bit of a complicated question"

>>877481
>> You'd best come in

Called, writing.

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>>877481
You take another look at the geargrinder, then sigh. "You'd best come in out of the rain," you decide. "There's a spot by the fire."

Catherine steps aside to let the machine man in, and he gives you what you think is a grateful look; it's hard to tell with faces that can't move. The scarred geargrinder steps inside - the Chosen of the Red God closes the door - and finds a place near the fire.

"My name is Yew," the geargrinder explains. "I was present at the attack on the Warehouse in which Jack the Debtor died. When he had me at his mercy, he spared my life. The repairs required were extensive, but I /live/. I have come to render what assistance I can to him and his companion in gratitude for my life."

"Does the Librarian know you're here?" Nathan asks, frowning.

"My father knows why I have left. I accepted that in leaving I made him my enemy. He gave me his blessing and bade me never to return."

"That's a little cold," Amy mutters.

"No, I get it," you disagree. "It's a...it's a family thing. But this gets a little complicated, Yew. Jack's losing his grip. He kidnapped Flitter and is keeping her prisoner so that she can't be hurt. He's not thinking rationally."

"What must I do?" Yew asks plainly.

> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway
> Stay here; Flitter will need a friend when all this is done
> Go to the Broken Jaw. I doubt Flitter or Jack want to see geargrinders right now.
> Write-in?

>>879023
>> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway

>>879023
> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway

>>879023
> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway
Might as well, maybe someone Jack cant do much spiritual harm would be better suited to getting close to him.

>>879023
>> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway

>>879023
>Come with us; they're first on our list anyway

>>879023
>Come with us; they're first on our list anyway

WE'RE RUNNING AGAIN BABY!

>>879023
> Come with us; they're first on our list anyway.

I honestly didn't care about Jack that much. The Demon Bag was cool, Flitter is a qt, and the Lord of Painted Glass himself was fucking awesome, but Jack just seemed..I dunno, it was like running away was his primary character trait, and his heel-face-turn only lasted a little while. I might have been different if we had more time to learn about the man and potentially bond with the character, like we did with Bridgette and Natalia.

Let's just do our damned best to send him on to the Sunless Lands. We can probably summon his spirit later, so that he and Flitter can have a proper goodbye.

Called, writing.

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>>879023
You shrug. "They're at the top of our list," you admit. "Come with us. We'll figure things out once we've rescued Flitter."

"Is she in danger?" Yew asks, confused.

"Not as such, but she's not equipped to fight ghosts either," you admit. "And I really don't need Jack deciding that the only way to keep her safe is to turn this Floor into a necropolis."

Nathan frowns. "I don't think Jack's like that," he objects, a little hesitantly.

"He's a ghost, Nate," you say with a sigh. "...I know you're used to dealing with Cherry but not all ghosts are nice. Cherry just wanted a family. Jack has an obsession."

"What should I do for now?" Yew asks. "I understand if you want me to leave so that you may rest, but -"

"I don't sleep," Catherine and Emily say at the same time.

"Then I shall remain here," Yew says agreeably.

The rest of you settle in to sleep, and soon enough you find yourself in Lora's waiting room. The angel looks tired but, for the time being, satisfied.

"Light night?" you ask, curiously.

"No, but I can feel you getting closer. It's nice." She flicks her wings. "...I'm sorry about Emily," she continues, a little more solemnly. "But that situation has me thinking about something related."

"Oh?" you ask, your curiosity piqued.

"Say I did the whole religion thing," the angel muses. "What do you think my church should be like? Do I impose a dogma or let one develop? What should I try to teach people? How'd the other gods get holidays going? I've never, I mean - I'm not /great/ with the Firstborn. Y'know?"

> What do you say?

>>880221
>A period in which the living honor/remember the dead seems like a fair idea, a healthy dose of respect for death would be nice alone with things like "Don't do zombie armies".
Seems to me like it's going to be more like some behavioral guidelines than actual rules.

>>880221
>You know, that's a pretty good question.
Supporting
>>880246
as well.

>>880221
>While my oppinion is biased, my family has some good ideas regarding this and I am in no way suggesting that you should take in everything we say or put any special importance specifically on my family, their deeds and customs.

>>880221
>> What do you say?
The La Croix have a lot of history and tradition to mull over. Review it; maybe pull some ghosts and interview them, keep the good, drop the bad?

But.... the kind of stuff that goes with 'i worship death' leads to some really screwy people and how they're looked at. If you want to get more than wierdos, you need a strong, defining dogma that's stronger, and mroe defined than 'wierdos can worship death'.

>>880221
I would include these options:
>>880315
>>880364
>>880246
but I would also have a large part of your church be in the celebration of Life. Those of us who are here can only hope to Live full lives. 'Death comes to all, but don't try and rush to her' would probably be a good mentality for a lot of the believers.

Aight, I gotta hit work; votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>880221
>What do you think my church should be like?
Difficult to say without knowing your ideas on the matter. Ripping off your parents is a decent start though.
>Do I impose a dogma or let one develop?
If you want any control over the dogma, you need to provide the foundation at the minimum. Letting people figure it out on their own will also result in conflict over who has it right.
>What should I try to teach people?
What do you feel people need to be taught? What do you want to teach?
>How'd the other gods get holidays going?
This is a setting-knowledge specific question that we as readers are unable to answer.

>>880221
>How'd the other gods get holidays going?
Holidays tend to be reoccuring events to keep something remembered; a person being born, a city founded, a place becoming free, the day a tyrant gets removed...
What do you want to be remembered?

>>880447
Thanks for running.

>>880221
>>880458
Backing this. Fill in the basics at least, but including the details will reduce the chance of schisms over irrelevant stuff.
Also, we as the players lack the proper understanding of religions in the world currently. There's a serious difference between a world where the Gods regularly, concretely interact with mortals, and our own. With easily confirmed Gods, any religions are less "I'm right, you're wrong" and more "I focus on this aspect". What aspects do the other Gods focus on? Are there any easy niches? Or are you running the risk of treading on someone else's theological territory?

>>880447
Thanks for running.

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>>880221
Literally Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead.

Basically, a gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Offerings of food and drink are left on altars dedicated to the departed, as well as important and favored material possessions from their mortal lives (like Aunt Carol's hat, or Granpa La Croix's hunting knife).

Massed parades through the graveyards, with lights and music and festivities meant to entertain the dead. Torches and candles providing light and warmth, special incense that remind them of life.

And, just maybe, if people are willing, volunteers that might allow a spirit to possess them for a few hours and allow the spirit to enjoy those precious joys and pleasures of life.

As for Lora herself, something simple. An open air chapel, exposed to the wind, rain and snow. Silver plates with important etchings and scripture about the various ideals and teachings. Maybe silver bells that are rung when services are to be held.

Also, supporting this; >>880458

>>881031
The chapel sounds cool until someone has to maintain it, or has to sit in the snow during service. Build your places of worship around the types of people you want in them.

>>881031
That sounds like a bit much to start off with.

>>881299
>>881316
Eh, just ideas. We can always start with something small. It's like saying Grace at the dinner table. Sure, you're not building giant cathedrals of solid marble and gold, but its a small sign of thanks and respect.

A garden and cemetery combo would be nice though. Life and death, in an everlasting cycle.

>>881420
...I think I remember something about using biodegradable coffins and using trees as tombstones. That sounds like the "life and death" thing. I kind of feel that people should make/grow their own customs and rituals though; it might not mean as much to them if we're just telling them what to do.

Hmm, the Necro school could fit really well in this.

>>882822
Welp, Ash's master could be a teacher, if he's willing to follow Brianna's rules. We don't have to like him, but he knows his necromancy.

I wonder though, what kind of architectural style would fit best with the school? Baroque? Roman? Gothic?

>>883084
Maybe Persian? I think that the school would benefit from having bright colors about as a contrast to the surrounding cultural atmosphere of necromancy, as well as a form of celebrating life. Life for the living, Death for the dead after all.

>>883084
>>883101
I don't really think grand architecture is needed, just use whatever suits the location, all are equal in death.

>>883112
Agreed I don't think people should be limited in what they build, the humblest shrine or the grandest cathedral all such places are ultimately for the living and thus should reflect their wants/needs.

Called, writing. Kinda passed the fuck out the minute I got home.

>>882822
That sounds like a good way to make Death Monks.

>>883282
That actually sounds incredibly badass. I'd play as one.

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>>880221
You rub your chin thoughtfully, kinda grateful to have an interesting question rather than a depressing one. You've had a whole lot of depressing in your life and while you don't begrudge Lora for confiding in you, it does get wearying, at times.

"Well," you begin, thoughtfully. "You definitely want to be involved in the formation of your dogma. You'll never get people to perfectly understand what you say, but it'll give you the chance to cut off schisms before they can start early. Part of what Chosen are for is clearing up misunderstandings like that."

"True," Lora muses, thoughtfully. "And later Chosen won't be in Emily's position. I'm sure I can find volunteers..."

"Now, I'm not going to surprise you by suggesting that my family's got some traditions and rituals that you could look into," you tell her. "And I'd be happy to help if you want to know more about them, but I think the big one is the whole...the 'life is for the living, death is for the dead' idea. That people who worship death should do it by respecting and promoting the sanctity of life, you know? Nobody asks to live. Very few people ask to die. You know that better than anyone."

Lora nods, solemnly. "I do know that," she agrees softly. "That's something I'd been thinking about, honestly. The idea that I want my followers to spend their time avoiding me, you know?"

"I mean, phrase it better," you suggest.

"Oh definitely. If I'm doing the whole church thing I have to actually listen to prayers and all that, and...I mean...I'm new at that."

"Your parents were new once too," you remind her. "The gods will be there to help." You pause. "You know, you might actually want to talk to the Rose Cult about holidays and rituals. They still have the histories of how theirs formed written down."

Lora brightens up. "That's great! I will, definitely. I still haven't quite made a decision, but...you know, I don't - I don't want to hide at the bottom of my hole any more."

> I'm glad to hear it
> What made you change your mind?
> The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...
> Change the topic (to what?)

I got Comcasted halfway through that update and now I gotta hit work. Votes remain open!

>>883648
>I'm glad to hear it. The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...

>>883648
>What made you change your mind?

>>883648
> The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...
Dis gon b gud

>>883648
>I'm glad to hear it
> What made you change your mind?

>>883648
>> The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...

>>883648
>> I'm glad to hear it. The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...

>>883648
>> I'm glad to hear it
>> What made you change your mind?

Let's leave off mentioning what we've talk to the Gods about. My impression was that the conversation was more of a hypothetical from one of them, not representative of their collective interest in uplifting her.

>>883648
>> Change the topic (to what?)
... Jack.

>>883648
> I'm glad to hear it. What made you change your mind?

>>883648
>> What made you change your mind?

>>883648
>> I'm glad to hear it
>> The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...

>>883648
>> I'm glad to hear it
Is this the first real sign that Lora can see her bondage ending? Or has something like this come up before?

>>886001
Even though Dick is trying to work her to death right now, the fact that there are no chain-holders left who would abuse her in other ways has had a very positive effect.
So I guess you could see it as careful optimism.

> Get rolled out of bed
> Rewire half the house
> Coffee is gone
> Now the internet is fucking out

It'll be a bit.

>>886310
....you have an interesting off work life.

>>886310
Do you have a boggart or gremlin living in your walls? Is the house or apartment haunted? Did you make a deal with a devil and forget to read the fine print? Did you get cursed by a bitter old one-eyed gypsy?

The misfortune which plagues thee is unusual in both its consistency and its banality.

Internet's back in, Real Life swallowed essentially all of my day and now I'm crawling back into bed. I can only thank you for your patience.

>>883648
>> I'm glad to hear it
>> What made you change your mind?
>> The gods have been talking to me about this subject, y'know...

Aight - called, writing. Just need some precious caffeine.

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You give Lora a wry smile. "I'm glad to hear it," you tell her, honestly. "I can't promise that life's always going to be great, but it's better to be involved, y'know?"

The angel nods. "I think I do, yes. /Pallbearer/ should be arriving soon. I'm going to encourage you to wake up so that you can be ready."

You stand and stretch. "I appreciate it. Hey, um - did you happen to entomb Canopus in the Sunless Sea?"

Lora groans. "Who woke up the snake? Wait, don't answer, I don't want to know. Can you - look, if it's at all possible, can you not kill Canopus?"

"Not - /why/?"

"I'm supposed to be keeping him safe," Lora admits. "The Forgemaster asked me to hold on to him while he figured out what to do."

"It's been a long fucking time," you point out, flatly.

"I know, I know. But..."

You pinch the bridge of your nose. "No promises," you tell her. "But if I've got a solution I'll try to take it. That's the best you're getting. People are dying."

"That's not Canopus' fault," the angel objects. "But I understand. Good luck."

You wake up and sit up out of the chair you're in. Yew stirs at the motion, his hand hovering for a thick stiletto at his belt, but when he realizes it's just you waking up the geargrinder puts his hands back on his knees.

"That's a big spike," you notes, ruffling your hair and yawning.

"It is meant to stop up gears and punch through thick hide and scale," Yew agrees. "Sometimes a young geargrinder's mind is not...whole, and it is required that they be incapacitated for repairs."

You get up with a thoughtful look on your face. "You're obviously alive. How do you die?"

"If we suffer sufficient damage to break the enchantments that give us animacy, Heritor," Yew answers, patiently. "Our gears form our greatest weakness in this regard, if only because our hearts are well-protected and, to an extent, replaceable. But trying to move broken or jammed parts is draining in an awful way."

"Painful way to die, I imagine," you say sympathetically, while you start up the coffee. Catherine waves silently from the kitchen table, so as not to wake the others. "Thank you for sharing with me."

Yew shrugs. "Most figure it out swiftly enough."

He's got you there. 'Hit it until it stops moving' is a fairly tried and true strategy for killing almost anything.

The others soon wake up to the smell of coffee. When Emily comes back with ham and fresh bread, you all have a quick, but friendly, breakfast, of the kind you're about to not have for awhile. You may not be a sailor but you've known enough of them to understand the fundamental truth about eating on boats: the food is shit.

"Rachael should be here shortly with my ship," you tell the others. "We should get ready. I'm not hearing any more rain - it let up?"

Emily nods. "For now, anyway. This cavern is a water-filled bowl. Storms can be...intense...over the open water. I'll have to cover safety procedures with everyone, but that can wait until we've boarded and assumed command."

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>>890347
WE'RE BACK.

>>890395
We never died permanently.

>>890468
I meant the thread.

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>>890347
Dishes are washed and put up, and Emily makes the final touches to get her home ready for a long-term absence of people. Within an hour you're out the front door with your dogs and your compatriots, heading for the docks.

The day - light by witchlights that throw shards of sharp color from the sparkling waves - is bright and pleasant, and the sea smells pleasant. It's been too long since you really got to enjoy the water.

You'd almost expected /Pallbearer/ to arrive wrapped in fog or with some other portent, but it doesn't. At first you don't even realize it's the ship you're waiting for, but when her figurehead comes into closer view you recognize the cursed ship. You step to the tip of the pier while the alarms bells toll in Port Atrium, with the others fanning out behind you.

The ship docks, and its crew throws down a gangplank. Rachael descends, her revolver displayed openly at her hip and a harried, haunted look on her face.

"You really fucked me, la Croix," the First Mate says by way of greeting, her voice haggard. "Offer's still open. We -"

"I accept," you interrupt, flatly.

"You do?" Rachael blinks, surprised. "I mean, you - you do? You'll become Captain la Croix?"

"What do I need to do?" you ask. "I need a ship and I'm not going to fight you /and/ the /Dirge/. I might as well have one of you on my side."

Rachael nods at your logic. "Just...just board the ship and take the helm. We have a helmsman, but you need to take the helm for - it's - just do it."

You put a hand on Rachael's shoulder and squeeze, then ascend the plank. Your companions follow behind you. You're surprised at how normal the /Pallbearer/'s crew seems; all are scarred, sure, but they look like young men and women of all races, a bit dirty from work, with skins tanned from the sun (or already dark to begin with), and they stare in surprise at you boarding the ship willingly.

The cursed ship is in good repair. How much of that is magic and how much is the crew's own efforts? Something to investigate later, you suppose. For now you ascend to where the helm awaits you, and take the ship's wheel in your hands.

There is a shock of power, shot through with death and a twisted braid of pent-up emotions, and a feeling of being probed. Investigated. At first you hold still, wondering what the ship is looking for.

Then you realize, fuck the ship, you're not serving it. It's serving you. You snap back, forcing your will on the presence. It flinches back in surprise, then in fear as your focus comes to bear down on it.

<Let me make this perfectly clear> you tell the /Pallbearer/. <You're mine. You will do as /I/ bid. I owe you nothing. I don't want your immortality, I don't want glory, I have no interest in wealth. I want one thing from you - your power. And I'll have it, or I'll burn you down to the frame.>

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>>890636
Anger pierces the fear, and you are assailed by a vision of Port Atrium burning, its people screaming for mercy while cannonballs tear their way through -

<No> you dig your mind in, planting yourself firmly. There is a wash of hunger from the ship. <I know you need feeding, but not here, and not these people.>

Doubt. Resentment. You catch the vision of the flickering flames, gold and treasures carted off to be swallowed by the ship's hold.

<You're the one who asked for me, /Pallbearer/> you point out. <Do you want me or not?>

The ship mulls it over for awhile, and then you feel it - not a rush of power, but a touch, a change. If you weren't a necromancer you wouldn't have noticed it at all, you don't think.

You are no longer aging and, thus, no longer dying.

"Rachael!" you call, authoritatively. The First Mate snaps to. "Is the ship supplied?"

"No Captain," Rachael informs you. "We tend to feast, Captain. We have no need for food or water."

"Have my men take some coinage into Port Atrium and come back supplied," you order. "My companions /do/ need to eat and drink. Emily and Catherine will need to be familiarized with the cannon -"

"Aye Cap'n'," a young man agrees, to the right of the crowd of attentive crew members.

"- and I want a tour of my ship," you conclude.

"A tour of your ship, or a look at the Hoard?" Rachael asks wryly, even as your new crew scrambles to follow your orders.

> Take an actual tour
> Just see the Hoard

>>890709
>> Take an actual tour

>>890709
>Take an actual tour

>>890709
>> Take an actual tour
And we're now an immortal pirate with no exit clause. I'm going to be disappointed if we get an easy way out of this when we finish with the Sunless Sea.

I wonder what would happened if we'd died while captaining the /Pallbearer/, and Lora's revival still worked? I suppose we just wouldn't ever trip the conditions for revival.

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>>890882
> And we're now an immortal pirate with no exit clause.

>>890709
>> Take an actual tour

>>890908
...We could always try starving the ship. Or maybe converting it into a building and expanding it? If we decide to find some way to keep it, we need to change the power source. Maybe something like the runes in the Roost, but spread over a wide area to collect energy from natural deaths. This would also need to be addressed for the hypothetical necromancer school.

>>890709
> Take an actual tour

>>891165
Can we attatch geargrinder legs to the Pallbearer eventually and make a ship-mech?

>>891178
We could make a geargrinder captain? Or raise a geargrinder as a Chosen of Death and appoint IT as captain. Double immortality has to be worth something.

>>891225
Why not just have Lora make the /Pallbearer/ a chosen of death?

>>891225
We aren't a chosen of death, and we don't have the authority to make people chosen.

>>891238
Lora might not object to us bringing her faithful minions. Or interesting/desperate subjects, as it were.

>>891235
S'not a bad idea, might just kill the hunger.

>>890882
That's actually rather simple. When we get the chain and break it, we can have Lora end the curse on the Pallbearer and its crew. Its also likely that there'll be other things her boon could be used for, such as putting Canopus back to sleep, but I have faith in Vox. And if we finally get around to having a talk with the Quell, we might be able it convince him/her/it to end the curse.

Personally, I am worried about what kind of crazy shit Dick packed into the Lonesome Dirge.

>>891235
I wonder if she could reverse the curse, and make it a blessing; literally turn the Pallbearer into the Flying Dutchman, captained by Emily, and tasked with collecting the souls or ghosts of those who die at sea. That's assuming we don't end the curse ourselves by the end of the Sunless Sea arc.

>>891659
>When we get the chain and break it, we can have Lora end the curse on the Pallbearer and its crew.
We've talked to her (or one of the Gods) about this before; they didn't place the curse, and so don't feel comfortable breaking it.

>>891659
>>891759
I believe Lora stated that the Quell regrets the decision, mostly because it grew into something that did more than punish the criminals in question, however to simply renege on the curse would cause a lot of questions concerning dogma. With the Quell seeming to actively want to be perceived as mysterious and spooky I assume he places a lot of value on reputation.

>>891759
And as far as I'm concerned they lost any say in the matter when it entered the dungeon.

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Girl Talk: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gaudZC6CVjRt4nmJWsvUBrZ3hwxkXrjN6yvlSz0QaZA/edit?usp=sharing

Called, writing.

Would be pretty cool if a Chosen Palbearer went around sailing lost souls to the sunless lands.

>>892346
Sweet and heartwarming.

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Opening the vote back up, I'll write in the morning after some sleep.

>>892378
Strange choice of image.

>>890709
>Take an actual tour
See what the cursed ship has to offer.
>Then you realize, fuck the ship, you're not serving it. It's serving you.
Yessssssss, this is exactly why waiting to be rested up before getting on the fucking boat was best choice.

>>892389
It's a reference.

So the bad news is: I gotta hit work early, and will not have time to update. Real Life got me in a bad way, and I realize the threads have been shorter, with updates more sporadic, lately. I can only apologize for this.

I'll update tonight when I get home, high on enough caffeine to put down a bull elephant.

>>890709
>> Take an actual tour

>>892389
Watch RWBY.

Home, called, writing.

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>>890709
"The Hoard will be there later," you decide. "It's not exactly like you can take the lot and abandon me to the ship."

"You aren't wrong," Rachael says, but the grin that goes with it is small and forced. "Come with me, then, Captain."

"Nate, Amy?" you ask. Amy shakes her head and points at her wings, and you nod your understanding. Nathan, Whisper, and Kat end up going with you to see the ship.

A whole lot of terms whirl past you during the tour, but some stick. There's 'abovedecks' and 'belowdecks' (no word on which part gets to be just 'decks'), with the latter being significantly darker than the former. The passageways are cramped and so are the rooms; even the eating area (you're not clear if it's the mess and the kitchen is the galley or if they're both the galley) is tight quarters. You're shown the gun deck (which is also 'belowdecks', for some reason), and you're not sure how to feel about it. It's nice to have all that power on your side, but you've worked hard to eliminate these weapons. Now you're going to be using them.

Not something to agonize over, at least. These will be the last of them, by the time you're done.

The array of corridors and rooms, stairs and holds and niches, is dizzying, until you realize what's going on.

"This thing's bigger on the inside than the outside, isn't it?" you ask, interrupting Rachael's mostly silent tour.

"I'm surprised you noticed. Most new crew don't, for awhile," the First Mate admits. "The ship will guide you wherever you want to go, if you focus. If it doesn't have what you're after, you'll feel it. Try, say, try getting led to a treatise on whore taxes in the Harrow."

You try it and get a distinct feeling of irritation off of the ship.

"Now try being led to the Hoard," Rachael suggests.

Immediately, you get a sense of direction and location. You switch to being led to Scribbles and find that she's not too far - the lamia is back in the mess (galley?), observing everything and taking notes in a cheap book she bought in town - one she won't mind losing, if it comes down to that.

Scribbles is thoroughly delighted to learn about /Pallbearer/, and listens attentively as Rachael explains the histories of some of the rooms within.

Right up until she spots the other lamia.

"That's Coral," Rachael explains, while Scribbles stares in obvious distraction. "He's our shipwright."

Coral is fit, seemingly allergic to wearing shirts, and gives Scribbles a wry smile that makes her drop her book in distraction. She scrambles for it and slithers forward, muttering something rather loudly about getting an interview. Coral laughs and introduces himself in accented lorshan.

"That's going to be trouble later," you mutter softly.

"Must you be so negative?" Whisper asks, reproachfully.

"We're on a cursed pirate ship drunk on slaughter and greed, Whisper. Am I supposed to be happy?"

Rachael gives you a cold glare and ushers the tour along, leaving Scribbles with her new friend.

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>>896408
"Look, Captain," Rachael begins, after the lamias are out of earshot. "It's painfully obvious that you do not intend to stay long-term. Maybe /Pallbearer/ will even let you leave, or you can force her to, that's fine. But that means there's not a lot of point in teaching you how to run a ship. I already know how to do it, if you care to let me."

"You weren't willing to become Captain yourself," you point out.

Rachael stiffens, but keeps walking. "That's different."

"Different how?" Whisper asks.

"I don't answer to soulless constructs," Rachael says, dismissively. "It's different. And are you really going to try and run the ship yourself? You'll use us, break the chain, and then turn us loose. You may as well let me handle the crew."

"What happens to you without a Captain again?" you ask, quietly.

"I imagine we'll acquire one," Rachael answers, with a shrug. "Once we can get back to the surface it'll be simple to capture a military vessel and press a decent officer into, ah, wearing the hat, as it were. Assuming we don't have our old Captain back, which I'd prefer. He and /Pallbearer/, they...have an understanding."

> Rachael...you know I'm going to kill everyone on this ship, right? /Pallbearer/'s curse is ending.
> Sounds like you're just looking for power without blame
> You have a point, as long as we stay focused
> Write-in?

>>896418
>Write-in?
>"Why do you want to go on like this? How many more people are you going to feed into this cursed existence? Tell me, Rachael Trust, when does it end?" This is not meant in a high and mighty tone.

Because just outright saying we're here to kill everyone on the ship might lead to mutiny.

>>896418
>Write-in?
>I can't make promises I'm not willing to keep, but I'll do what we have to do. I'm not certain that this ship will last through it either; you might have to cope with becoming mortal and suffering a normal life, or you might pass on. The gods make mistakes, and this is one of them, by their own admission.

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As you probably guessed from the late hour and the bit where I have to work tomorrow (and relatively early for me at that), I'm hitting bed, and the votes remain open.

Now, I'm going to share something that may make folks a bit pic related. I'm going to ask that folks remain calm, aye?

I'm considering putting DLQ on the shelf for awhile, or possibly calling it done.

This is not a decision that I will make lightly. Aside from having sunk a full year into this (we had our anniversary not too long ago, actually), I /want/ to see DLQ through to the end. And I genuinely don't know how much of my issues writing right now are because it's December and my life is going to shit, and how much is burnout or genuine trouble with the story.

But I keep getting the itch to work on something else for awhile, to maybe start up Cinderella Sanction. If I did that, I'd either have to put that on pause to finish DLQ, or call DLQ dead, take my lessons from it, and move on.

Of course, I also haven't fully polished up my mechanics for Cinderella Sanction either. I could do more short quests or one-shots for that, but, again, I feel like DLQ should be on hold if I'm gonna do that, or else be finished up.

I'd like your thoughts on the matter, both as my personal audience and as folks who have been reading (and possibly writing) quests for longer than I have.

Thank you for reading and participating, folks.

>>896418

I want to suggest something about ending the Pallbearer without ending the crew, but I'm not quite sure letting a bunch of murderous pirates go free is the smartest decision.

There's also the question of how much 'Part of the Ship, Part of the Crew' is happening.

Then there's also the weird question of dealing with the Chain itself. It's on the Dirge right now, but who's the actual Chain Holder? Is it the old captain, the collective crew, the ship itself? Then there's the Lush's assault at the end of the New Hell chapter where the crossbowmen tried to take the chain itself, and were willing to take lethal shots at Natalia. Wouldn't killing her have just broken the Chain and nullified any gains there? Does actually holding the Chain make you into a sort of provisional Holder, even if the original Holder is dead?

Also...

>Rachel Trust
>Miss Trust
>Mistrust

How did this take me so long to notice?

Anyway...

>>896448

This anon's a bit self-righteous about it, but it's a pretty good point.

>>896453

Let's not bring up the god thing, and this feels /stupidly/ self-righteous overall.

>>896458
Threads have been slowing down that much was obvious but personally I didn't mind that much, if a pause helps you get through life I'm all for it but please, do not drop DLQ outright, we've come so far and at this point people need to see it finished.

>>896469
>self-righteous
I was trying not to sound like that but I'm not very good at it.

>>896458

On the one hand, if you're burned out and not enjoying, you're burned out and not enjoying it. As much as I'd /love/ to see this thing through to the end and get some closure, you're the writer here. If you're not having fun or reaping some kind of satisfaction from this, then it's going to show. I really want to see this through to to the end, but I've abandoned tons of projects and holding you to the impossible standard of finishing even one would be extremely hypocritical.

If you need another break or a hiatus, go ahead and take one. If you want to quit, then that's that. I'd just ask for an epilogue or something where we get some final answers, save the world, and punch Dick in the head. Get some closure, you know?

Anyway, [b]Cinderella Sanction[/b] is something I don't think I've seen you mention before. What's that going to be about?

>>896458
Ah, well, c'est la vie.

Thanks Vox

>>896458
I would much rather you shelve DLQ rather than end it now. You have set up such a wonderful world and I would love to see the epilogues of Briana, Lora, and the rest of the world.

If you feel that you are burning out, or if you need time to yourself, stop. Please take care of yourself and make sure that you can be okay with yourself first.

I will be behind a decision to go on pause, even if no one else is. Thank you for the wonderful creation you have given us.

>>896485
[b]Cinderella Sanction[/b] is the quest that DLQ was meant to be practice for, a Changeling: the Lost quest set in the semi-fictional city of New Avalon, Maryland.

>>896458
Sad to hear it, but I'd definitely prefer to see this shelved and completed later than abandoned entirely. We're SO CLOSE.

>>896497
Going to be completely honest here, you're building yourself up for these "new" quests and you'll probably just end repeating the same pattern.

>>896516
...Que? Building myself up?

>>896520
Somehow you're making yourself believe that you'll have more motivation for these new ideas than this one.

You'll probably get 70 or whatever threads into that one, not finish, and say the same things again.

>>896525
Ah. Thank you for clarifying.

I really should sleep now. I'll catch up and reply in the morning.

>>896458
It's okay to shelve it, and it's okay to take a long break. You have clearly been gettgn run over by life (like myself) and its okay to call a halt.

If you have to end it, ending it with your heroine and her lovers sailing off to do gret battle is an okay place to end it for the sole reason that you can literally come back to it here when (not the lack of 'if') Brianna starts hammering at the door once again to be finished.

And she will, Vox, she really will.

>>896526
Also, a one shot or three shot or even a five shot will clear your palate and head somewhat if you've an urge to write something else. I've been known to use them for that purpose, or need to clear my writing desire with something that can't fit into Ryukuza.

>>896532
but you /finish/ things XS, bar Ryukusa which has been an incredibly long ride.

I'm afraid vox will develop bad habits

>>896533
Everything I have finished is less than 10 threads long. I still have Tager Quest, though it did finish on a high note of triumph, admittedly.

And most of what I did finish I used to break up Ryukuza quest when things go rough in real life/my head or clean out the annoying and persistent psychotic thoughts. A month long haitus is perfectly acceptable.

Don't get me wrong Vox, I've loved every step of this ride, I started reading back in like thread 17. I'm worried about what you've said, I just wanted to say what I was thinking.

I love everything you've done and shared my man

>>896539
Of course it is, I was more concerned with permanent shelving.

>>896408
Well...shit. Looks like Scribbles is going to get some.

>>896458

This is, of course, what every dungeon master or Quest master runs into after a while. Stories, especially Grand ones with epic scopes, tends to outlive the storytellers interest in it.

That being said, as someone who's been enjoying this story I'd hate to see it disappear before the end. I have a few alternatives, if you'd like to consider them.

The first is that you pick a set day. Let's say, the 5th of every month. You run the quest for a few days each month, possibly with few choices. We've established pretty firmly who the main character is, so those kinds of "which way do you answer" choices are less important. That has the benefit of speeding the thread up which can only help with your fatigue.

The next option is to pause it while you run part 1 of your new Quest. Let's say part 1 takes four Threads, you have an automatic audience built into those of us who are watching to see when part 1 ends. That includes the people who, unlike me, wouldn't just automatically join the audience for the next Quest on the strength of your qm powers.

The third option and the one that I've used to best effect as a dungeon master is to change the clock. Our Quest is to defeat Richard. It only seems to us that the best way to do that is to get through the rest of the chain holders, floor by floor. What if you built in an option that speeds things up? Have us challenge the wyrm to come and meet us on the field of battle, that we have chosen our weapon - the pallbearer. We use The Lonesome dirge, the pallbearer, that big fuck off snake, and the dragon to kill each other.

My mind is getting away from me, so I don't remember how many chain holders we have left. Having any that are left abandon or turn on Richard after that would leave us at end game this month.

DLQ gets to end, not with a whimper but a bang. Sure, we know that it ended quickly to let the other Quest happen but we get resolution.

That last one's my favorite personally.

>>896458
I would favour a long sleep to true death for this quest

>>896655
The dubs have it.

>>896458
I know that DLQ isn't your magnum opus or anything like that, but I would definitely prefer to see it finished to being put to rest. That being said, you are the captain of this ship, and I'm pretty sure everyone here will respect your decision. Another haitus before the holidays wouldn't be a problem, and you can throw some one-offs here and there to experiment and determine what crunch works for you and what doesn't.

If the temptation is so great, don't hold back. Put DLQ on hiatus for a couple months (say, to the first of February) and start messing around with Cinderella Sanction. The new quest would be a breath of fresh hair for you. Afterwards, you could set up a schedule, with a few sessions of either quest in the month, so that you aren't overwhelmed and can still have a life.

And as always, good Lich, thank you for being such a kind, gracious and dedicated storyteller. Your hard work has been incredibly entertaining, and I wish you only the best.

>>896458
Also DLQ will haunt your other quests untill its finished.

>>896675
>breath of fresh hair
When did Vox need to breath hair? Hell, sense when did the great lich need to breath.

I'm awake. I gotta attend to Real Life so it may be a bit before I can address the discussion; in the meantime, please do not forget to vote.

>>896448
>Write-in?
>"Why do you want to go on like this? How many more people are you going to feed into this cursed existence? Tell me, Rachael Trust, when does it end?" This is not meant in a high and mighty tone.

Seconding this one.

I'd definitely be sad to see DLQ just stop here. I think that, even if you need a break from it for now, it's something that deserves its proper resolution.

Aight, as predicted I'm not gonna be able to update before work. I'll be back at around 9 PM or so, EST.

From the advice I've been getting, I believe I may end up taking a solid week off after the end of this thread. Afterwards I may or may not do some one-shots to experiment with the mechanics (and possibly flesh out New Avalon a bit more). Look for links to be posted in the current QTG if that's the case.

Honestly, this might just be December getting me, but I appreciate your advice, and your patience.

Votes remain open.

>>897009

>thirding.

>>897105

We <3 you, based vox. We just love this story a little bit more. We want to see it through. Take the time you need for that to happen, and I'll be right there with the Cinderella sanction Quest as well.

>>896624

I like that last one too.

A question for the changeling quest you want to run. How much in universe knowledge will be required for that? I don't know dick about changeling the lost, will that be a problem?

>>896448
>>896418
>Write-in?
>"Why do you want to go on like this? How many more people are you going to feed into this cursed existence? Tell me, Rachael Trust, when does it end?" This is not meant in a high and mighty tone.
>Because just outright saying we're here to kill everyone on the ship might lead to mutiny.

>>897152
You shouldn't need much; I know that not all my readers will be familiar, and I'm used to teaching new players about the setting. You can also learn some by reading my existing one-shot for it, King Of New Avalon Quest. I'd link the archive for it but phone posting.

>>897198
Here ya go
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/710213/

>>897368
Thank you my friend.

I'm going to eat some dinner, then call and write. The more I think about it, the more I'm definitely gonna do some one-shots in New Avalon, both to help get people familiar with the setting and to refine the mechanics further. In a related story, feedback on said mechanics is welcome, just kinda, like...spoiler block it, or I dunno, use a pastebin. Something to keep it from cluttering the thread up, y'know?

>>897105

Echoing a previous poster. Pick a time to run this instead of 'all the time' or pick a atime to take Decalred Breaks from this, whichever makes more sense to you.
'i'll run on monday and friday' or 'i WONT run on monday or friday.', etc

>>896418
>> You have a point, as long as we stay focused

>>896458
If you're burning out, take a break; we'll keep. If you're going to be taking longer breaks, or running multiple quests, you're going to have to suck it up and get a twitter or something so we know when you're running, else it'll be hard to retain readers. The only reason you've gotten away without having one is you've always got a thread up. 'Ware
>>896525
this. I've seen several QMs get bored with their quest, spin up another, run both for a while, get bored with the new one, spin up another, etc until they're actively running 4 quests, with another 5 abandoned.

If you hiatus, set a date (say, 3-6 months) to revisit restarting the quest. If you still don't have it in you, it may be time to retire it. You've need some way to notify us either way. (Don't assume posting in the new quest is enough) This guy
>>896681
is right, as long us you use that handle, someone will be asking about your unfinished stuff.
If you decide to kill it, a proper sendoff (however that manifests) would be prefered; At least some closure on the big things please. I'll really miss this, but everything dies eventually.

Thanks for everything. Even if I don't always agree with the voting swings, your world feels /alive/. Characters have histories and motivations and make mistakes and have fears and dreams, The Gods included. The world itself feels possible; built on cause and effect, as it should be. Good fortunes, whatever your choice, you crazy lich you.

Called, writing.

>>899685
Anon, broseph, I work retail. I run all the time because I cannot commit to a regular schedule. Literally cannot. I am incapable until or unless I get a better job, full-time status, or become unemployed.

>>900021
Shit man. I'd almost forgotten. Depending on the particular chain of business where you're employed, Hell might actually be preferable.

I hope you don't have to deal with belligerent, heaving herds of the stinking masses of humanity to be found in Wally-World. I'm lucky enough to only get handfuls, and they tend to be civil.

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>>896418
You tap Rachael on the shoulder, and she turns with a curious expression. "Is that really where we're going with this?" you ask, quietly.

"Captain?" the First Mate asks.

Fine, if that's how she wants to be about it.

"How many more people are you going to kill, Rachael?" you demand, quietly. "When does this end? How many people are you going to condemn to this? Why do you want to go on like this?"

At first you think that you've angered Rachael. She sits in stony silence for long moments, with only the creak of the ship to fill the quiet. When she speaks there's none of the nervous desperation from before your Captainship, or the snappish prickliness from your current conversations.

"I'm afraid," Rachael tells you, her voice buried beneath the years of exhaustion and sorrow. "I've always been afraid, Captain. I joined this crew because I was afraid to die. And then I was afraid to be the expendable rabble, so I made myself useful. And now that I'm indispensable, I'm afraid to face what I've done. All that I've done, over the long years. I will be judged. We are all judged. And when the judgement comes upon me, I will be found wanting, and I would do anything, destroy anything, take anything, offer anything at all, to delay that fate for even one more minute. Call me a coward if you like. My enemies usually do."

"Rachael -"

"Save it," Rachael interrupts, turning sharply. "Just. Save it, Captain. The Hoard is this way."

"Bitch," Kat mutters.

"/Kat/," Whisper admonishes.

"Both of you shush," you tell the shadows, continuing to follow Rachael. Nate's frowning, lost in his own thoughts, not that there's much else to do now that Rachael has settled into sullen, resentful quiet.

Rachael opens a door, a seemingly ordinary door, and it's there.

The Hoard.

You'd been envisioning some glittering pile of coinage, but it's so much more, and so much else. Yes, you see them there - the strongboxes and chests spilling forth with gold and silver and copper - but the too-wide, too-tall cargo holds, lit with witchflames - is decorated with immaculate paintings, with rich curtains that frame the windows. Carpets hang on display, their patterns elaborate and careful, amid displays of pottery and metalwork that gleams with gold and with steel. Racks of weapons, maintained with obsessive care, catch the light from where they stand secured.

The sharp scents of spices and incense fill your nose. You and Nathan stare in awe, and you know, somewhere in your mind, that you're still not seeing all of the vast wealth on display. Rachael gives you a goblin grin and gestures expansively.

"The Hoard," the First Mate tells you, her voice husky with pleasure. "Our pride and joy. Our collected plunder. We spend it sparingly, for the ship loves it dearly, but it is ours, to do with as we will. It preserves and maintains the loot we place inside of it, you know. That's the spice you're smelling."

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>>900842
"This - this is everything you've ever stolen?" you ask, walking among the treasures. Your fingers brush the cool metal of a statuette depicting Red Troth rising in his wrath.

"Or been paid with," Rachael agrees. "And a few things we purchased, when it came down to it."

"You buy things?" Nathan asks, quizzically. "Doesn't that cause a net loss of -"

"Not when we know what it's worth and the other guy doesn't," Rachael explains, interrupting. "...Captain, I have something for you. We got it for you, I'd...I felt that perhaps you would be more willing to help us if we helped you. We're mercenaries, after all."

You give Rachael a curious look. She goes to a long, flat box, and opens it up. Inside is a heavy-bladed machete, made all of bone that has an odd, metallic sheen. Colors dance off of it in the light, giving it a warmth entirely at odds with its macabre construction.

"...You didn't," you say in disbelief. "Is this...?"

"Reunion," Rachael agrees. "They were holding it in Sprawl. We claimed it for you."

The report from your forward team floats through your mind. Scribbles had said that the /Pallbearer/ attacked without warning.

That most of the citizens of Sprawl didn't make it out alive.

"It's for you, Captain," Rachael tells you, holding out the silk-lined box with an eager expression. "It's yours by right. It's been waiting for you this while time."

Nate looks on, his face unreadable, in silence.

> Take the blade
> Refuse

>>900862
> Take the blade
Reunion? The La Croix blade? Well, a family heirloom ought to be returned to the family.

>>900862
>Take it for the sake of the family, and only for that sake.
>Promise yourself that the Pallbearer itself will pay for what has been done.
>This cannot stand.

>>900862
..Oh...Sweet merciful fuck. We did this.

TO ALL THOSE WHO ACCUSED VOX OF RAILROADS, I PRESENT TO YOU THE BITTER CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS!

But seriously, this is fucked in such a terrible way. The Pallbearer and its crew acted entirely in character, but this makes me feel so bad. Well done Vox, for stabbing deep into my feelings like Ahab struck the White Whale.

>>900862
> Take the blade.
> "You murdered an entire town, for /this/? If I didn't know that it won't kill you, I would strike the head from your shoulders. I still may. Get out of my sight."

Try not to cry. Cry a lot.

>>900916
>>900862
Actually, that brings up a valid question; would Reunion, as a unique weapon crafted from angelic remains, be capable of truly slaying the cursed pirates?

Brianna's anticipation and excitement about recovering the family blade has turned to ash in her mouth.

>>900862
>You shouldn't have taken it. Not by spilling so much blood. It's- you've made something pure into something filthy because of this. I don't know if Reunion will ever be clean again.

>>900945
It's a SWORD, anon. Doing something wrong to get it or with it doesn't make it evil. How they got the sword doesn't matter, since the wrong has already been done. What needs to be considered is what accepting or denying it causes and gains.

Personally, I'm worried that accepting something from the Horde would fuck Brianna over later on.

Prolly at least, angelbone might actually go batshit evil, fuck if I know.

As you likely guessed, I'm hitting bed. Votes remain open.

This one needs discussion anyway.

I can't get myself to vote, on the one hand, the sword did nothing wrong and it would be a boon to have, but on the other hand, hundreds of innocent lives were ended to obtain it and I'm very sure accepting would greatly affect Nate, it may also look like we're condoning Trust's actions.

Best situation would be either we accept and later get justice for the people they killed /or/ we refuse and get it forced on us.

>>900969
I doubt that actually accepting the blade would sour Amy or Nate's opinion of Brianna.

I think its going to have more of an effect on how we interact with Rachel, the crew, and the Pallbearer especially. It's connected to her, and it's going to feel her rage and grief.

If we wanted to be particularly spiteful, we could shove Rachel's face in her foul deeds, and tell her that she and the crew deserve to suffer. But then, that isn't exactly in line with Brianna's personality.

>>900862
>You're going to return this

It'd be one thing if they just stole it, or maybe killed one or two people. They decimated a city for this.

I don't think Purity anon has anything resembling a good point, but as things stand I can't really feel like we've earned this right now. Not when we got it by having the pirates act like pirates.

I know it's just a sword, and it's technically only a really cool artifact. And that it's very probable that the last guy who had it was just a collector or a mercenary himself.

But it was traded to a pirate and reclaimed by a pirate. Not by a la Croix. When it's us, adventuring and not causing peripheral casualties just because we're in a hurry, then we'll claim the blade. Assuming we don't just make it into some kind of thing for the city anyway.

... Anybody else wondering if we can just beach the Pallbearer and convert into a sort of guardian of the place it once destroyed? 'A life for a life, and you'll pay back each one you have stolen', or something like that?

Can someone tell me who Whisper is? She's apparently another talking shadow?

>>901024
River's to be exact.

>>901026
Why do we have her too? River's not here right? And did we give her an innocent soul too?

When the fuck did this even happen I haven't missed a thread in ages

>>901027
I thought River boarded with us?

>>901028
she hasn't said anything all thread, iunno any more

>>900934
Uh...huh. That's a good question.

I'm edging towards accepting the sword but not without making it very clear Bri does not approve, and a prospect to eventually face the consequences of their raiding, though maybe it's best not to mention that last bit now.

>>901027
>>901024
Whisper isn't like Kat. Whisper is intelligent because she is River's familiar. Had a whole vote and discussion about and everything.

>>900916
Do we know about them leaving behind a town to get the sword?
>>900862
> Take the blade
>"How did you get this."
Not much reason to refuse it. I mean, they already stole it, and it won't do much good stuck in the hold.

>>900862
>> Take the blade
What did we expect, they're pirates that have to steal to continue. It's not a big deal to them. If we act all shocked and offended about everything they've done (deserved or not), we're going to wind up with a reluctant, slow crew. /grin and bear it, if only so we can get off this cursed thing sooner.

To those wailing about the death of a town, how else could they have gotten ahold of it? They're pirates, not ninjas. It's value would have been known to its owner, so they couldn't buy it. They believed they needed it to sway us, not unreasonable by mecenary standards. And they have done much, much worse things in the past.

>>900916
>>>900862 #
>> Take the blade.
>> "You murdered an entire town, for /this/? If I didn't know that it won't kill you, I would strike the head from your shoulders. I still may. Get out of my sight."

>>901635
>this

>>900862
> Take the blade
Gift it to our patron deity or something. I'd say a debt needs to be paid by the crew for what's been done, but righteous fury isn't going to change the past or influence the future.

>>900862
>> Take the blade

Called, writing.

I'm still not sure yet when I'm going to take my break. I may do it closer to Christmas so I can minimize personal stress levels.

>>902845
Sounds legit, have a good Christmas, Vox The Might Undead Lord.

>>902855
The other thing I'm thinking about doing is finishing this thread out and then doing a Changeling one-shot just for the immediate change of pace, which is sounding more attractive to me. I'm still tinkering there and it'll be nice to toss out the edits for testing.

>>900916
Fourthing this one.

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>>900862
You look at the blade with a hard heart; you can feel the rage in your chest, trying to beat its way out.

"You murdered an entire town, for this?" you ask, in a soft voice.

"...Yes?" comes Rachael's answer. "It's yours. They had no right to hold it."

You reach into the case and take the hilt of the machete. There's a feeling, like wary anticipation, that radiates off of Reunion, but you're a little busy at the moment.

"Get out of my sight," you order, in a hard voice.

"But -"

"If I didn't know you were immortal, I'd put this through your fucking neck!" you snap. "I still might! In what fucking universe was that acceptable? Get. /Out/!"

Rachael leaves, confusion and hurt in her eyes. You let your arm sag, causing Reunion to rest at your side, and close your eyes so you can focus on your breathing. You've got to calm down.

"Are you sure about this, Brianna?" Nathan asks quietly.

"Sure or not, it's already done," you tell him. "We need the /Pallbearer/." You look down at the blade in your hand and sigh. "Is there a sheath that goes with you?" you ask.

The Hoard ripples. One of the weapon racks shimmers and shifts, changing to a display of sheathed weapons, some machetes included. It only takes you a moment to find one that will fit Reunion and put the blade inside before belting it to your side.

"What's the plan, Bri?" Nathan asks.

"Rescue Flitter. Figure out how to bring down Canopus. Bring down Canopus. Find the Dirge and the chain, destroy both."

You open your eyes and look at Nate. His shadow hugs itself guiltily, and he won't meet your gaze.

"Nate?" you ask, gently. The Hero shakes his head, turning away after a moment, and you realize why as Kat gives voice to what he has to have been thinking.

"Brianna," your shadow says slowly, stepping her way through it. "...What if we just left Flitter and Canopus, and dealt with the Dirge?"

> Absolutely not
> ...You have a point
> Write-in?

>>903462
>...Jack might be able to guard Flitter, but I don't want to leave her if possible. If we beat the Dirge and get the chain, we can get Lora to deal with Canopus. That sounds like most of a plan...

>>903462
> "..You have a point."
> "The Dirge is our main target, and sinking that damned floating brick will free Lora and end the Master's plans here. However, Jack isn't thinking anymore, and I worry about what he might do to anyone who gets too close to Flitter."
> "As for the serpent, Lora told me that Canopus was down here as a favor to the Forgemaster. Flitter just might be able to help."

I'm thinking that if we can combine some Fae magic with Amy's song, we can lull Canopus back to sleep. Maybe. Hopefully. It's a work in progress.

>>903634
>Support

Would ramming tactics destroy both the Pallbearer and the Dirge? Will we be able to escape a sinking ship? Do we have lifeboats? Would the Pallbearer turn on us if we tried suicidal tactics?

>>903744
It's unlikely. It might cripple both, but destroy?

>>903852
So we probably won't drown or lose the chain underwater? That sounds like a plan.

>>903462
Wait, what? Why? Not that I mind us not being a Big Goddamn Hero all the time, but why would we stop?

> Absolutely not


I'm a little unclear something; we went into this 'immortal pirate' thing expecting it to be temporary, but there are stories of pirates too damaged to do anything not dying, with an implication that they were stuck alive. No one on board seems to have reacted to our temporary intent. Am I wrong? Can you leave the crew of the Pallbearer of your own accord?

>>903931
..we might want to work up some water breathing as a backup, just in case. They could throw it overboard, if nothing else.

>>904038
Its former Captain is the first and only man to have done left without being destroyed.

>>904038
>..we might want to work up some water breathing as a backup, just in case.

Frankly, we should do that /anyway/.

>>903462
>> Write-in?
> "We're not just here to save Lora. We're here to fix what's /wrong/ with the Dungeon. Well, that's part of what's wrong with the Dungeon too. And Flitter is, at least partly, our fault. I'm not just going to abandon her because it's inconvenient for me."
> "/Especially/ since these godsforsaken murdering bastards who are now /my crew/ have slaughtered an entire /town/ to get me a sword. Their deaths may not be on my hands, but I will /not/ let them be any more wasted than I can possibly help."

All future reference, I'm gonna let the discussion/voting run until 11 PM or so, at which point I will either start that one-shot or write a new thread. You'll be informed of which.

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Aight, I'm gonna put DLQ on hold long enough to run this one-shot. I'm writing the OP to it now, and will link it here; in the meantime, this vote remains open until the thread locks. Archiving the thread now.

As always, questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>904672
Let's do this, I'm hyped

>>900862
I'm way too late but:

> Are you seriously trying to bribe me with treasure stolen from the dead? You should ask the Moneychanger how that turned out.

>>904672
Yeeesssssss. YEESSSSSS!!

>>904707
Not bad. Maybe we can tack that one on when we talk to Rachel later about how and why she fucked up.

Alright folks, let's meet Our Poor Lost Soul

Scarred By Thorns Quest is up!

>>904794
>>904794
>>904794
>>904794

>>903462
>> "..You have a point."
>> "The Dirge is our main target, and sinking that damned floating brick will free Lora and end the Master's plans here. However, Jack isn't thinking anymore, and I worry about what he might do to anyone who gets too close to Flitter."
>> "As for the serpent, Lora told me that Canopus was down here as a favor to the Forgemaster. Flitter just might be able to help."

This seems good.

>>904836
>Not bad. Maybe we can tack that one on when we talk to Rachel later about how and why she fucked up.

We really should make some time to talk to her. She's been in a survival mindset for a long time, just following orders. In a way, she hasn't really had to think for herself in a long time. The fact that she knows she's afraid of judgement and knows that's why she continues to work the Pallbearer says something. The fact that she didn't /get/ why Bri would be upset about how she got Reunion says another.

We really should have an honest sit-down with the entire crew at one point. The ship's a ship and I don't see it as much more than a clever animal at this point, so I don't have any issues inventing a way to kill it. But I figure we owe the crew the chance to decide what they want to do with their lives. They're going to judgement, but that's inevitable. It's whether they want to do it on their terms or on somebody else's at this point.

>>905208
>so I don't have any issues inventing a way to kill it.
It's been around for millennia, raiding and pillaging and causing trouble all the while. We're just another in a long line of folks trying to kill it.
It is, in a sense, protected by a God. An unpredictable God. There's a reasonable chance ending the Pallbearer will hack him off. Leading into:
We don't have time to deal with this. Trying to kill an immortal ship and her crew, and hacking off a God, will slow down the more pressing issue: freeing Lora.

Vox, question, do you plan on talking about when you're picking up DLQ again in the other thread after the one shot? Or are you going to say somthing here or what? Just wanna know because you don't have a twitter or anything.

>>905528
When the one-shot finishes out I'll start the next DLQ thread and link it both there and in the QTG.

>>905303
I'm thinking rather than a straight death, we work out a transitional thing. Take it apart, board by board, and build it into something else like a house or something. Rather than straight up killing it, we change it so much that the old Pallbearer effectively dies, even as it continues living as something else.

Hopefully this steps on the minimum amount of toes since it continues being a thing, but no longer acts as a murderous ghost ship.

>>903462
>> Absolutely not

>>904038
>Wait, what? Why? Not that I mind us not being a Big Goddamn Hero all the time, but why would we stop?

Because that subtle slipping of a rigid moral framework is goddamn divine. Because as things get harder, the right path becomes murkier and the quick paths more tempting.

Think of all the lives we could have saved if we got here quicker. If we were more decisive with burning that field. If we went for the throat instead of tried to leave our enemies to fight another day. If we kept and utilized the guns. If we weren't so shy and timid about what we are: a necromancer, a caller and controller of the dead.

We're saving the world here, after all. Surely there isn't a price too steep, for continued existence? The lives of our friends and family? I wonder if this would keep Brianna up at night, if Lora wasn't there to coddle her.

When you get down to it, it's almost just math. Are the lives of that fairy and the traitor really worth waiting? Of the lives that could be saved but were lost because we wasted time?

- Richard, probably.

>>906250
Of course, that assumes that faster=better.
What if blowing though the upper levels and ignoring the sidequests led the chainbearers to panic about the crazy necromancer who's been speedrunning the dungeon, and so they take extreme and horrible measures?
What if the assistance gained by doing the right but slower thing turns out to save lives in the long run?
Or hell, what if a sufficiently fast clear of a floor leads to a misunderstanding of the chainholder's motives because they just didn't have the time to show their bastardy and Brianna gets Lora to give mercy to somebody who deserved to bite it?
Go away Penis.