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It has been a month (both in the real world and in the time of the quest) since Sirena Le Doux, our un-heroic heroine, and her equally-villainous vixen of a mirror-twin, Faye Le Scivias, faced the Black Gauntlet and became the Witch Queens of Aran.

In that time, we have accomplished much. New spells, new allies, getting used to our new realm: there's quite a bit to catch up on.

Rather than dump it all at once, we'll pick which one comes first.

>Meet our new cast of characters and allies in Aran
>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to
>Go over our new spells and abilities
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378165
>>Meet our new cast of characters and allies in Aran
then
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378165
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm
>Go over our new spells and abilities
Let's see what we personally have gained first before checking out everyone else.

>>1378165
>Meet our new cast of characters and allies in Aran

>>1378165
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm
>Go over our new spells and abilities
>Meet our new cast of characters and allies in Aran
>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to

In that order.

>>1378165
>Meet our new cast of characters and allies in Aran

>>1378174
Seconded

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>>1378171
>>1378176
>>1378180
>>1378192

First and foremost is your butler, Sheldrake. He cleans the Umbral Citadel, where you and your twin rule from the dual Thrones of Midnight (formerly singular Throne of Midnight which had to be split into two). The Umbral Citadel, located at the heart of Aran's dark landscape, is where you live and its maintenance is overseen by this strange, humorless, dead serious butler. With pale skin and unemotive eyes, he appears quite the stiff.

Your attempts to pry deeper information out of him, through mundane or magical means, have failed. What you have learned is what he has served every Witch Queen before you, and intends to serve each one after you (with the implication laid out very plainly upon his initial introduction). He seems to have the ability to appear and disappear at will, traveling anywhere in the realm at will. In addition to this he commands an uknown force of hooded servitors who clean, cook and do other things behind-the-scenes.

Still, Sheldrake is the one who presents the meals, goes over current events and personally inspects your wardrobe. While initially wary of him, you have come to realize that he is less of a person and more of an extension of the realm itself. You recall that the earliest Witch Queen created this realm, and that it grew with her; it's entirely possible that she or the realm itself created Sheldrake to serve as the ultimate and ultimately loyal butler. He cares little for who currently holds the title, even though it is split between two for the first time in history, but serves the bearer faithfully and without question, to the point of indicating that he had, on several occasions, poisoned the meals of guests upon the request of the Witch Queen at the time and had done so unquestioningly and unerringly.

>Spend time with Sheldrake
>Continue with other key figures of Aran

>>1378224
>Continue with other key figures of Aran

>>1378224
>Continue with other key figures of Aran

>Continue with other key figures of Aran

>>1378224
>Continue with other key figures of Aran

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>>1378226
>>1378229
>>1378230
>>1378231

The next person whom you and Faye have had the most interraction with is the Red One, the leader and speaker of the Witch Queen's Council. As you are now worshipped by the multitudes who reside in Aran, the council is the governing body who serve as an impartial body of judgment over those masses and the various faction-cults among them. The white-robed figures are typically silent, allowing instead the Red One to always represent them to you.

Furthermore, anything you want done in regards to the people is accomplished through them. They have the means to spread information and collect it from all corners of your realm, as well as push down your commands to the common folk. As the council is the body that oversees the Black Gauntlet and the passing of the title, so to do they have the most interraction with the prime physical world, constantly working to gather new believers and worshippers for you and allowing them to immigrate into the realm once they are judged worthy. Some of these are even brought before you personally to pledge support and fealty to you, their new Ladies and Goddesses.

As for that, the Red One is something of a mystery herself. She is pretty, but seems to see and know things almost telepathically, as though the council have some kind of connection to each other that you are unaware of. But they are effective at what they do.

>Speak with the Red One
>Continue with other key figures of Aran

>>1378251
>Speak with the Red One

So, Does that mean we have Divine Magic now ?

>>1378251
>Speak with the Red One

>>1378259
Sirena's spellbook expanded significantly with earning the title. It's a little early to call ourselves a deity, though.

>>1378259

Some new spells, yes. We'll go over them soon.

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>>1378259
>>1378266

"How goes the realm today?" you ask while lounging upon your throne. Faye sits in hers, idly reading a book and sipping on a drink that she takes from Sheldrake's tray.

The Red One bows before you. "The Children of Twilight have come into conflict with the Penumbrians over the inheritance of a temple dedicated to your worship, your highnesses."

You straighten up slightly, but not enough to indicate much interest. Both of these cults are two of a dozen or so that worship you in different ways. If memory serves, the Children of Twilight bring offerings of food to your altars, some of which make it all the way up to you, while the Penumbrians perform sacrificial rituals.

"What has caused this problem?" you ask, waving a hand.

"The temple is located at the edge of their territories, equally distributed, though they dispute it. The shade in charge of the temple has faded into the nether of Aran, and did not specify to which group she desired it left to. Previously both groups used the shrine among others, but now both are jumping at the opportunity to gain new ground for your favor."

"Hmmm... What does the council recommend?"

"Both are good choices. The Children of Twilight are more passive in nature, but their rites are more attractive to the common folk. The Penumbrians are more extreme. Past Witch Queens have favored some cults over others and their power and influence have historically waxed and waned through the ages. If you intervene and select a group to inherit the temple, it will send a message and that cult's favor among your people will grow."

You scratch your chin. Looking over at Faye, you ask for her opinion. "I like the sacrifice one," she says with a wide smile. "More rituals performed in our name means more power for us."

Next, you look up at Sheldrake. "I care not, my ladies. I inspect all food the first group offers to ensure its quality before it reaches your tongues, but we are never short. Even if their supply lightened, you would feel little impact."

Crossing your legs, your fingers tap upon the ebony armrests as the Red One awaits your command.

>The Children of Twilight
>The Penumbrians
>I don't care about this conflict.
>Let them fight it out for my amusement.
>Other

>>1378294
>Other
Sharing is caring. The Penumbrians can get the basement to do their sacrifices while the Children of Twilight can get one of the main halls for their more public services.

Don't be cunts about this, guys. We're all in this together. And by that, I mean it's all for me.

>>1378294
>>Let them fight it out for my amusement

Make sure that one does not destroy the other

>>1378303
Seconding this.

>>1378303

This

"As our own rule has been born in unprecedented cooperation, so too shall our cults learn to cooperate. Singular in their devotions but united in our cause."

>>1378303
this
And make sure that whoever disobeys get's their eyeballs liquefied

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>>1378303
>>1378309
>>1378317
>>1378323

A good precedent to set, one that will help define our stance to the people.

And speaking of the people, let's go over them.

>The Enshrouded

This is the term for all of the normal people who live within Aran. Generations have turned them pale and thin, with bright eyes and long fingers. The vast majority of the population is constituted of enshrouded.

>The Shades

When a common enshrouded is elevated in rank, status or more, they are blessed to become a shade, a being of half shadow. They maintain physical form, but can merge with shadows to hide, travel short distances and more. Shades are ebony-skinned, hardy and hard to kill, weak only to radiant light.

>Shadow Demons

In the deepest reaches of Aran lurk demons of shadow, having long since migrated from other realms of darkness. They fit right in, and despite not directly serving you, they often involve themselves in the affairs of your worshippers and act as spies and information brokers. It is not in their interest to draw your ire, and so they make themselves useful in this way.

One of them has been ensnared by Faye and now serves as her personal familiar and summon; Blackmist, true name Malamohr. Faye found his true name and ever since has bound him to her service, acting as her eyes and ears in darker parts of the realm.

>The Servitors

These faceless beings seem less like individuals and more like part of a collective. Their hive-like structure is hidden by their simple appearance as robed servants who tend to every part of Aran, including your Umbral Citadel. They seem to answer only to Sheldrake, which may indicate that they too are an extension of the realm itself.

What do you wish to learn of next?

>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to
>Go over our new spells and abilities
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378353
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378353
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378353
>>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378353
>Deeper exploration of our new title and realm

>>1378353

>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to

Celebratory orgy.

First one is exclusive.

Then we can work on increasing our thralldom powers and start inviting people in. I wonder if we could use other people as sort of resonant reinforcement of the magic.

>>1378353
>>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to

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>>1378359
>>1378362
>>1378368
>>1378380

We've mentioned the Umbral Citadel, but let's explore some of the things inside of it.

The Throne Room: Where the Thrones of Midnight are located.

The Lost Library: A large collection of many tomes and hard-to-find lore that has been added to over the ages, including the spellbooks of other Witch Queens.

The Divining Pool: This mirror-like pool allows you to scry upon not only your own realm, but others. With it, you have been able to occasionally check back on your allies in Bridge Town.

The Royal Bedchamber: Double king size, black satin sheets.

As the Witch Queen, we are worshipped. This does not make us a full-fledged god, but it is a good start. This worship means we derive power from the people and from Aran, which has given us some new spells and abilities. As the Witch Queen, we are free to come and go as we please, and our powers will function back in the prime material plane.

Furthermore, with our new position, we can shape the world in subtle ways. Issuing commands through the council is one thing, but over time Aran itself will shift to be more in line with our beliefs, personality and character. The realm grows along with the Witch Queen, even subconsciously. However, with enough applied willpower, we can begin shaping the realm even more quickly, from architecture to artwork and more. Our influence over the people is a subtle thing, not easily observed, but in time they too will want to change to be more like us.

Faye shares these qualities with us. There has never been two Witch Queens at the same time, but since you two are so alike, the end result is very similar.

>Catch up with older friends and what they've been up to
>Go over our new spells and abilities

>>1378463
>Go over our new spells and abilities

>>1378463
>Go over our new spells and abilities

Last bit of housekeeping

>>1378463
>Go over our new spells and abilities

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>>1378467
>>1378474
>>1378478

Going over every single spell would take up quite a bit of space, so instead I will give you a brief overview.

A pastebin containing only the new spells: https://pastebin.com/EqVkW2jW

New:

Spell-like Abilities: 2 (Dominating Gaze and Shadow Points)
Abjuration: 4 (Shield, Minor Counterspell, Alarm, Arcane Lock)
Conjuration: 10 (Summon Spellbook, Summon Servitor, Summon Mount, Grease, Summon Wraith, Grasping Tentacles, Obscuring Mist, Darkweave, Shadowstep, Aran Teleportation Circle)
Divination: 4 (Minor Scry, Eyes in the Darkness, Signs in the Stars, Witch Queen's Gaze)
Druidry: 1 (Raven Form)
Elementalism: 2 (Firebolt, Gust of Wind)
Enchantment: 1 (Sharpen)
Holy: 3 (Gift of Beautiful Purity, Mark of the Witch Queen, Witch Queen's Aura)
Illusion: 9 (Greater Image, Throw Voice, Ghost Sound, Shaddow Puppet, Veil of Darkness, Obscure Page, Arcane Mark, Field of Moonlight, Invisibility)
Necromancy: 5 (Create Revenant, Create Wraith, Preserve Corpse, Halt Undead, Ray of Exhaustion)
Restoration: 1 (Restore Energy)
Transmutation: 5 (Mending, Open Minor Lock, Erase, Feather Fall, Gift of Stealth)

In addition to this, some of our existing spells have new "Shadow" variations which can be unlocked by spending a shadow point at the time of their casting (Shadow Points being one of our new spell-like abilities).

Evocation: Arcane Bolt/Shadow Bolt, Arcane Strike/Shadow Strike
Necromancy: Minor Create Skeleton/Shadow Skeleton

Many of the new spells have them as well. Feel free to take a look at that bin while I get some dinner; if you want to learn more about a specific spell, just ask here.

Of particular note is our new Raven Form spell, the shadow variation of which allows us to remain human and grow wings, which can also be combined with our Air Form ability and Greater Witch Queen's Aura for our current Ultimate Form.

>>1378530
Holy shit. So how many of those can we remember at the same time? and what the heck does our ultimate form actually do

>>1378628
We can't remember them all. We have verifiably entered "carrying our spellbook at all times" territory. We can memorize a bunch of spells we know we're going to use in the immediate future, but anything else we have to go back to the book to use. Failing a spell check means Sirena is likely to flub her words.

>>1378644
That's why I was asking how many

>>1378652
The short version is that all the spells we had before the time skip was the upper bounds of Sirena's raw memory.

>>1378652

Roughly thirty at a given time with a definite ten, and if we have prep time we can go back over our spellbook and re-memorize key ones so as not to forget them at a key moment.

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Before we check in with our friends, let's get another thing out of the way: the issue of our captured souls.

The list from the last thread:

Dead Bodies:
>Amazon
>Barbarian Woman (Lich minion)
>Catgirl (Soul Captured)
>Dark Elf (Soul Captured)
>Desert Priestess (Soul Captured)
>Eastwoman (Soul Captured)
>Fishlady (Soul Captured)
>Green Elf (Lich minion)
>Harpy
>High Elf (Soul Captured)
>Dragodia Battlemage (Lich minion)
>Lich (Phylactery)
>Night Elf
>Northwoman (Soul Captured)
>Orc (Soul Captured)
>Revenant (Perilynth, Soul in Head)
>Satyr (Lich minion)
>Serpent Woman (Lich minion)
>Westwoman (Lich minion)

We have the souls of the Amazon, Catgirl, Dark Elf, Desert Priestess, Eastwoman (the one who taunted at us), Fishlady, High Elf, Lich (in that we control her phylactery), Northwoman, Orc and the revenant Perilynth, whose soul we trapped in her head. In addition to this, we have the soul of the Red Dragon whom Francis took out of the competition; her living body is still at his place until we decide to do something else with it.

There are a number of options for what we can do with the souls we possess.

>Keep them for later
>Turn soul into wraith, keep body as undead servant
>Turn into Revenant, using both body and soul (Advanced sentient undead)
>Drain memories from them
>Complete resurrection (possible through Aran rituals)
>Use the bodies for abomination combinations

If we keep them as undead, we can control them. If we resurrect them, they'll have more free will, but we could still control them in other ways, such as forcing them to serve us for saving them. We might consider some more worthy of life than others, or more worthy of death. If we drain memories from them, we could do a complete mindwipe and siphon all of their knowledge for our own. Keeping the souls around is also viable if we decide we want to use them for other purposes later, such as bargaining with dark powers or ritualistic use.

In the month leading up to now, we would have already made a choice for each one. So: who should we keep, who should we kill, who should we bring back as a revenant/wraith/as they originally were?

There's also the matter of the lich and what purpose she will serve for us.

Thoughts?

>>1378729
>>Turn soul into wraith, keep body as undead servant
Every soul that's not the Lich or the Dragon.

>Turn into Revenant, using both body and soul (Advanced sentient undead)
The dragon or the Lich, or both. Although I'd imagine the Lich would still be a lich

>>1378729
I think we should preserve these bodies for a while, because eventually we could use them as a false-flag or something to give our hero boy some credit. Maybe the undead try to wreck the town, but he "swoops in and saves them?" something to that effect, there's no need to siphon them all now.
That eastwoman has some info on us though, let's question her

>>1378759
>That eastwoman has some info on us though, let's question her
Not really. It's common knowledge that Sirena Le Doux has one of the biggest bounties in all the realm on her head. The fact that she openly revealed herself at the opening of the battle royale just means a couple bounty hunters outed themselves, like the Eastwoman.

>>1378759
You realize that the souls are separate from the bodies. Siphoning the souls does nothing to the body, so we can wraith their souls and use their bodies for zombies.

>>1378729
Take memories of cat for martial arts

>>1378729
wraith the ones who depend on physical attacks

>>1378777
Without their souls, they're just regular corpses though right? We wouldn't be able to use them to their full potential, though I wouldn't mind wraith-ing a few. but we can only summon 3 at a time max, so why go overboard? we can still use souls for bargaining like QM said
>>1378764
If i recall correctly, at least one them implied they knew something about the goings-on and intrigue in the capital? But it has been a while, i could be wrong
>>1378798
I'd support that

>>1378777
>>1378759

I should also mention that if we drain their memories, we can get information about their lands and lives in addition to other magical knowledge. If we do drain them completely, they're essentially blank and make a generic wraith. If we turn them into wraiths as is, they'll retain some personality and potentially a flavor of their past skills/powers in their new form.

For reference:

Amazon: From the islands to the south. Knows shamanism/spirit magic, fights with a spear/staff as her casting implement.
Catgirl: From the far east cat empire of Not-China, knows illusions and martial arts.
Dark Elf: From the lands of the drow, knew that one spell to stop time.
Desert Priestess: Fire and sand spells, was polite to our genie.
Eastwoman (the one who taunted at us): From our country's neighboring human kingdom who knew us. A mix of evocation, illusion, and a few others.
Fishlady: From the aquatic kingdoms in the west, knows a lot of water elementalism and can cast a level 10 "Summon Bigger Fish"
High Elf: High-level evocation spells.
Lich (in that we control her phylactery): Necromancy
Northwoman: From the tribes up north. Ice spells and northern barbaric spirits.
Orc: From the orcs in the west.Powerful totemic shamanism/druidry with a healthy dose of fire.
revenant Perilynth: From a sanctuary of undead mage-warriors in the far east, bordering the cat empire. Mostly knows illusion and shadow magic.

>>1378729
>Drain memories from them
learning new spells

>>1378803
>but we can only summon 3 at a time max, so why go overboard?

Because if a wraith gets destroyed we have spares.

>>1378806
That's quite the menagerie of skills and spells.

I say we keep them all and resurrect them all fully. Brand them with the witch's mark and make them our new slaves, giving them a second chance to serve us well. If they don't like it or intend to rebel, they die again.

>>1378817
this is good too

>>1378817
>witch's mark

Witch's mark requires loyalty already, It's far more simple to just keep them dead and completely under our thumb. Not to mention smarter.

>>1378817
I'd support this plan, but maybe a cautious version, like say test out the plan on a few of them and see how it goes? We don't want them all planning a rebellion or whatnot.
On the other hand, that stop-time spell was pretty fucking crazy

>>1378817
>>1378822
If we have to do this, maybe start with making them revenants then moving on to resurrection

>>1378729
Do the renevant thing discussed in Discord.

>>1378861
this

>>1378861
this

>>1378861
Idea summary, pls?

>>1378891
we turn them all into revenants and tell them that they will get their free thought back if they don't fuck up. Otherwise we'll turn them into wraiths

>>1378891
Turn (at least a couple of) them into revenants. Give them the ultimatum to serve us well. If they serve us faithfully, we grant them a full resurrection. If they don't, we turn them into a wraith.

>>1378891
We turn them all into renevants (Zombies, that have limited control over themselves.) If they prove loyal to us, they get true resurrected. If not, we'll turn them into wraiths.

>>1378891
>Turn them into Revenant
>"Serve me. You either go up, or down. Serve me faithfully and you get your body back. Serve me unfaithfully and you get wraith'd and lose your personality."

"Damashi QM"

Alright. There was quite a debate in the chat, but these three >>1378899 >>1378900 >>1378903 explained it well.

We're going to offer them a chance to make themselves useful. Living servants do have more versatility than dead, especially if they can be made loyal and branded with our new mark.

The ultimatum we will present to them is thus: they will be resurrected as a revenant, essentially piloting their body with no sensation (their body is preserved from rot), and told that they can either serve faithfully and be rewarded with life and independence again or become a wraith and lose their independence and personality. A possible punishment also includes mind-wiping.

The exceptions to this are the Lich and the Dragon, both of whom are special cases, and to a lesser extent Perilynth, who is already a revenant and does not wish to be resurrected in her living body. She's still just a head being carried by her body that we control, though.

So, for a trial run, let's start off with three. Who do we want to raise as a revenant?

Amazon
Catgirl
Dark Elf
Desert Priestess
Eastwoman
Fishlady
High Elf
Northwoman
Orc

>>1378900
>>1378903
>>1378899
>>1378918
I can dig it, I'll support

>>1378933
>Northwoman
Desert Priestess

Dark Elf


My reasoning.

Desert Priestess knows the genie we have in a bottle.

Dark Elf was cool.

Northwoman was nice.

>>1378933
I say Desert Priestess, Catgirl and... Dark Elf?

>>1378933
>Desert Priestess
>High Elf
>Amazon
The amazon gives us muscle, the desert priestess was a good sport and bonded with our djinn, and the high elf is an outlet for our noble nature.

>>1378933
I'll say Eastwoman, Dark Elf, and Desert Priestess

>>1378933
can't be all the ladies

>>1378946
this

A quick correction; we don't have the amazon's soul. I looked over my notes and see where I made that error, but it slipped by us in the contest. My bad.

Anyway, we'll go with >>1378946 due to the backing. I'll write up a scene.

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In a dark room, lit only by green and blue fires burning in black braziers, three corpses lie upon stone slabs covered in runes. At their heads are three gems, each glinting slightly unnaturally in the light. This is not due to any special rarity of these stones, but rather due to what they contain: souls, transferred from other items into these more stable rocks. Both you and Faye stand at opposite ends of these three altars and the bodies that lie still upon them, looking as fresh as they were in life even in death due to the spells of repose that have been cast upon them.

Only you and she are needed for the ritual, and though it could be done with one, two would have an easier time bringing all three back as once. But you do not intend to resurrect them, no -- you have other plans in mind. Upon these stones lie the bodies of the dark elf, the desert priestess and the woman of the northern tribes, and the spell you and Faye are mutually casting is one of resurrection only in a certain sense of the term.

You and she move in perfect harmony, your mouths both uttering the same words with the same tongues. Together you harness necromantic power and charge yourselves with it, focusing it into the runes that your servitors have meticulously carved in preparation for this ritual. The runes begin to glow green, brightly illuminating the corpses upon them. The gemstones glow as well, each in their natural color. You and your twin continue to chant arcane mutterings as the spell takes effect and the spirits within the stones swirl and rise from the rocks. They make their way to their bodies, flowing like oil in water, and bleed into their foreheads.

The light from the runes glows brighter and the flames around the room are suddenly snuffed out as you and Faye reach the height of your chanting, suddenly ending the spell in a nearly maddening cry of a final chant. You and she go silent, panting slightly, as the light dies down and then returns to normal conditions. The fires around the room spring back up and you and she look upon your work.

Slowly, their eyes open. Rather than the white of life -- or red in the dark elf's case -- they are black. The orbs are featureless, colorless, devoid of life, yet life lurks beyond them. Their souls are now piloting their bodies, and they slowly come to realize this even though they cannot feel.

"Rise," you command them. Beyond their control, they all sit, and immediately they look upon you. Faye walks around to join you. "Welcome back to the land of the living, in a figurative sense."

"What have you done to me?" the dark elf demands. "I can't... feel!" She looks at her hands in horror and touched her face. The others remain silent.

"You are revenants, now. Your souls control your bodies like puppets."

"For what purpose?" the desert priestess speaks up. "Why have you done this?"

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>>1379126

"We have survived the Black Gauntlet and are now the Witch Queens of Aran. We ended up with quite a few souls by the end of the tournament, yours included. You have been given a second chance at life because we have deemed you potentially useful."

"What life?" the dark elf sneers. "As your necromantic puppet?"

The northwoman remains silent as the desert priestess adds on, "Do you intend to make slaves of us?"

"That's up to you," you explain. Raising your hand, you gesticulate as you say, "You are revenants now, but perhaps not always. You could become more again and return to your living bodies. That would be preferable, would it not? It is within our power now."

Now at last the northwoman speaks. "So you wish for something in return."

"Loyalty. I've given you a chance. We could've turned you into wraiths or worse -- and I still might, if you fail us."

"And just why should we serve you, when we wanted your title for our own?" the dark elf says, still quite sour at this turn of events.

"But you're not the Witch Queen. We are. You lost, you died, but does that mean you have to lose your soul? You can get your life back if you pledge your loyalty. You three I liked in particular, so you're the first ones to get this special offer. Which of you will be the first to refuse my generosity?"

For a moment, all three are silent. Then, the northwoman speaks. "I will serve you."

"Now there's a practical one. She knows a deal when she hears it."

"But I will only serve loyally if you keep your word. Where I come from, we do not make deals we do not intend to keep."

You put your hand over your heart. "You've my honest word."

"For whatever that is worth..." the dark elf mutters loud enough for you to hear.

The desert priestess is next. "I agree to your terms. Life is preferable to death."

"It certainly is. A shame that the contest could only end one way for the losers; this is more productive, don't you think?" You finally look at the dark elf. "So, what will it be? I can always put you back into the rock if you like."

Her face betrays her indignation at this treatment; her pride is great. For a while, she says nothing, remaining tight-lipped and glaring.

Faye looks at you with a grin. "I think our patience is wearing down..." she says in a playful tone.

"I can't help but agree. Well, I suppose that is our first wraith then."

"Stop!" the dark elf shouts. "I will NOT be turned into some kind of mad spirit. I accept your terms... but not willingly. You've forced my hand."

"Then my advice to you would be to not make me force mine," you warn her. "Rise, then, my servants. Go and meet with Sheldrake, he'll get you situated. He's the pale one, you can't miss him. When I have need of you, I will summon you. Until then, make yourselves comfortable."

"Don't mock me," the dark elf nearly spits. "You know comfort means nothing to us in this condition."

"Better than being in a rock," you smirk.

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>>1379129

They march out and you and Faye collect the stones.

"I think that went well!" she smiles.

"We'll see how they turn out."

>Turn more
>Leave them for later
>Speak to your butler
>Speak to one of your new revenants
>Other

>>1379132
>>Leave them for later

>>1379132
>Leave them for later
>Speak to one of your new revenants
That dark elf is going to be a problem if we don't nip it in the bud.

>>1379132
>Speak to one of your new revenants
I think we should get the desert priestess to start hanging out with the djinn. The faster we get her loyalty, the faster we can use her as an example for the other revenants.

>>1379132

Maybe we can do something about >>1379148

Maybe fix her attitude?

>>1379154
Good idea

>>1379132
>Speak to one of your new revenants
Dark Elf better get ready for some domestic abuse

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>>1379148
>>1379163
>>1379182

As Faye parts from you, you cast one of your new spells, Witch Queen's Watch, to spy upon them. The northwoman and the priestess both sit and think, but as for the dark elf, as soon as she is alone in a room when the door closes she almost immediately begins searching for a way out. Finding a small stone, she begins to carve on the wall a rune.

'I don't think so.'

A moment later and you step through the shadows of Aran, appearing in her chamber. "Tsk, tsk," you say aloud. She drops the stone and turns around. "So, what is that? Teleportation? Explosive rune? Divination?"

She is silent. You raise your hand, and with a gesture, make her go to her knees.

"You don't seem to grasp the situation you are in. I ask a question, I expect an answer."

"I was going to send a message home," she growls reluctantly.

"And what might that message have been?"

"...Asking for reinforcements."

"Ah, so you intend to have other dark elves infiltrate my new kingdom. Perhaps claim for you what you could not gain for yourself, or rescue you. Do you have friends? Family?"

"My sister would come for me."

"If you had sent that message, all she would've found is a husk with no soul." You grab her chin and make her look up at you. "What you don't understand is that everything I have given you, I can now take away. And I will do just that if you try this again."

She is silent at first, then whispers, "I won't."

>I don't believe you.
>You'll be watched.
>Punish her
>Leave
>Other

>>1379219
>Punish her
She's was raised Drow, this is all she understands.

>>1379219
>>Punish her

>>1379219
>Punish her
Let Faye have some fun

>>1379219
>I don't believe you.

>>1379219
>Punish her
You can get what you want. Send that message, and we'll see that your sister "joins you" soon enough.

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>>1379223
>>1379226
>>1379231
>>1379236

With another gesture, you force her to stand back up with her arms behind her back.

"Hmm... What to do with you. You don't feel pain, but that doesn't mean I can't damage your body. Perhaps you'd like to come back missing a limb? Perhaps an arm, or a leg? Both?"

You place your hand upon her cold face. "Perhaps that pretty face of yours could be ruined."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I? You're already biting the hand that is feeding you. Perhaps I should let you send that message, then I'll set a trap for your sister. Perhaps I can torture her instead."

She closes her eyes and lets out a frustrated sigh. "I won't do it."

"Hm?"

"I won't do what you say."

You turn her head and make her open her eyes. "Look at me when you speak to me. Say it again, dead girl."

"I lied when I said I would do as you say. I won't. Never. I don't care what you do to me, I'll never bow to you willingly. Those other weaklings can, but I won't."

You shrug and smile. "You're throwing away your life for your pride."

"My pride matters more to me than your approval."

"Well, then you're going to have to die."

"Go ahead and kill me. But know that when I die, my sister will avenge me. She won't stop until you are dead where you stand, and when she reclaims my soul, we'll laugh over your ashes."

"If she is so strong, why didn't she compete to become the Witch Queen?"

"Because she's not like us. She's..." Her voice trails off. "It doesn't matter. She'll find out and she'll come for me."

"Will she now..."

>Drain her of memories
>Wraith her
>Keep her as a revenant, but imprisoned
>Back in the soul gem you go
>Other

>>1379260
>>Drain her of memories
>>Wraith her

>>1379260
>>Drain her of memories

>>1379260
>>Drain her of memories
>>Wraith her

>>1379260
>>Drain her of memories

>>1379260
>Drain her of memories

>>1379264
>>1379271
>>1379275
I feel like there's no reason not to Wraith her now. Damashi said powerful souls make powerful wraiths too

>>1379260
< The fuck is your problem

Seriously. We aren't enslaving her. We aren't forcing her to our will. Does she think she deserves this out of the goodness of her heart? That this Resurrection comes for free? She had her chance to turn it down without any cost once already and it's gone. So if she isn't willing to work for her freedom . . .

Well we could put her back in the stone, let her sister know, and let her sister work for her freedom. Seems like she relies on her sister for everything anyways.

Honestly we've been pretty fair so far.

>>1379260
>Drain her of memories
>Wraith her

>>1379288

Souls also make good bargaining chips and items of trade.

I really don't see the need for the wraith right now.

>>1379288
Her sister is somehow both scary powerful and may also be coming for us. It'd be nice if we had more information about that.

>>1379294
That being said I also like this idea. Taking the tact of "Well everyone going into this knew we were going to die anyway. I was nice enough to keep her around and she spat in my face. You can have her, but not for free."

>>1379260
> Get her sisters contact info

> ransom her back

Guess that's my suggestion. Then we can seduce the sister.

Oh I wonder how that rod of shared sensation would work, especially after a couple of days with no sensation at all.

>>1379305
>Her sister is somehow both scary powerful and may also be coming for us. It'd be nice if we had more information about that.

We're about to drain her memories, so we're getting that info anyway

>>1379306
>>1379305
>Ransom her back
Hell, we could even use our lich as the person doing the ransoming, and we could swoop in and save the day. I like the of convincing everyone that we're the good guy, maybe setting up the lich as a big bad

>>1379288
Is she really that powerful/uncontrollable though? Like she wasn't that challenging and it sounds like her sister is a better prize anyways.

IDK I'm just all "don't wreck shit until we've explored all our options." Like we can always wraith/drain her later if negotiations fail.

Besides it'll look good for our other minions prospects.

>>1379321
It'll look weak.

We gave them an ultimatum and now we're living up to it.

>>1379260
>Keep her as a revenant, but imprisoned
decide later what to do

>>1379326
Hey maybe they have stuff that can ransom them too.

Besides we'll look reasonable and profit orientated. We already proved our strength by killing them and winning the competition. I don't think we need to worry about looking weak.

>>1379337
Reasonable doesn't matter when you have fear and worship as an alternative. We don't need to be reasonable to obtain the obedience of the defeated, we're not trying to manipulate them the same way we are Ben and the others.

>>1379260
> Back in the rock for now!

Bring up ransoming with the others. Our entire pitch to them was that we were reasonable and if they served us they could win their freedom/return to life.

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>>1379263
>>1379264
>>1379268
>>1379271
>>1379275

"Let's learn more about her, shall we?"

You place both hands on her head and begin to drain her of memories, using the power you gained from the encounter with the berbalang. She resists, but you control her body, so she is helpless.

"No... No! Don't... I won't... NO!"

"You have no choice."

"I won't.... go... I won't go...!"

But she is going, bit by bit. Her mind slowly bares itself to you. "Poor Alicia... what a pretty name you have. When I'm done with you, you won't even remember you had a sister."

And speaking of which, details of her sister begin to make themselves clear. She is Supremia, an arrogant name for an arrogant girl, but she is justifiably skilled, just not in magic. She is a thief, fancying herself a master of her craft, and an assassin.

"Stop... STOP!"

"No. You had your chance, now you are mine. Body and soul!"

Her memories yield more information to you. She was in contact with her sister and they worked as a pair. While Alicia here had her own small network of magical contacts and allies, her sister is doubly ambitious. Operating as part of a larger guild of thieves, Supremia has designs on heists long in the making, including stealing from the royal family of the high elven kingdom to the north of your home country. The thief usually doesn't stray far from elven lands, and when they last spoke, was planning a job on a higher elven family's vault to occur in about a week's time.

"Your sister certainly seems more clever than you. If I didn't know anything about her, I'd almost have cause to worry. But soon I'll know everything..."

"Stop... My sister, no, you can't take this from me... no!"

The more she fights, the more she tries desperately to hold onto her precious memories, the easier it is to claim them from her. She fights but it is pointless. Tears run down her cheeks as she forgets her sister's name. It goes deeper. Childhood memories, secrets shared, promises made... all yours to know now. Hopes, dreams, fears, lusts, deepest of secrets shared only between siblings are yours.

And soon, she doesn't even know she had a sister.

>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation
>Keep going until there is nothing left
>Wraith her at this point
>Leave her be for now as a captive
>Other

>>1379355
>>Keep going until there is nothing left
She had a freeze time spell, in for a penny in for a pound.

>>1379355
>>Keep going until there is nothing left

Let's just seduce the sister if we want dark elf butt.

>>1379355
>>Keep going until there is nothing left
gimme dat time magic

>>1379355
>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

>>1379355

>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

Experiment time. See what the rod of sensation does.

>>1379355
>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

>>1379355
>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

Then we can lure the sister here, have her help in breaking said sister and then give her those memories back. Risky but seems like a fun game to play

>>1379355
>Keep going until there is nothing left

>>1379355
>Keep going until there is nothing left
I'm not fucking around with this

>>1379355
>Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

Unless . . . Can we selectively drain memories?

I'll change to Stop here; attempt to coerce her into cooperation

Compromise vote; we'll selectively drain her of her spells, keeping her from being able to escape.

I'll write an update now.

This is the first time you have ever drained someone in this manner, and another mage, too! You're so excited you nearly slip up and forget some crucial steps.

First thing is to have your journal on hand. Consuming memories is a tiresome thing, and too much at one time will overload you and you won't remember it all. Thankfully you can summon up your spellbook in an instant to record some very useful spells. You write them down as they come to you straight from her brain. You'd never remember all of this without recording it, so you do so in intricate detail, putting that fine penmenship to good use. Some of her spells you already knew, but like any good mage, she had more than a few you didn't know.

>Water Stride
>Water Breathing
>Whisper on the Wind
>Calm Emotions
>Disenchant Item
>Feign Death
>Stone Blood
>Leaden Transformation
>Color Spray
>Twist of Space
>Dimension Door
>Expeditious Retreat
>Levitate
>Charm of Protection
>Web
>Glitterdust
>Summon Succubus
>Suspended Duel

That's a hefty list. Are there any you'd like to drop from it, or shall we record each one in our spellbook?

>>1379513
Record them in the "spare" spellbook.

>>1379513
>Water Stride
>Water Breathing
>Charm of Protection
>Web
>Twist of Space
>Dimension Door
>Summon Succubus
>Suspended Duel

>>1379513
Save them in our book.
>Dimension Door
oh bby

>>1379513
I should probably clarify >>1379530

These are the spells I want to keep

>>1379513
can we take all?

>>1379560

Yes.

>>1379564
take all then, never waste a "free" spell

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>>1379524
>>1379590
>>1379560
>>1379534

Alright.

I need to get to bed, but we'll continue tomorrow! Updated spell list will be complete by then, too.

We'll kick off tomorrow with catching up with our friends back at Bridge Town and our tower.

See you then! Good to be back, and have a good night.

>>1379595
good night, it's nice to have you back

>>1379595
night boss, have a good one. thanks for coming back

>>1379590
Our legacy will be one of a person who recorded all spells, once vengeance is achieved, many libraries will be made, thus, no one will oppose us achieving apotheosis. For both mirror vixens.
Generations will pass, and our followers will look at our domains, and notice vengeance is among them, get curious and find our autobiography, and learn all

>>1379774
Nice one

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New Spells at Bottom: https://pastebin.com/EqVkW2jW

After draining her of spells, you look over your new knowledge that you have recorded. 'What a rush,' you think with a wide grin. 'Who knew learning could be this easy? I wish I had this power back at the academy, then I wouldn't have had to do what I did to pass those tests...'

You giggle to yourself as you let go of her head. She slumps back, looking up at you with teary eyes. "What... what have you done?"

"I merely took away that which you demonstrated you couldn't be trusted with," you reply. "I can take away more if you don't cooperate."

"You're... a monster..." she whispers, averting her gaze. "I don't even know any spells anymore... How can I be of any more use ot you?"

"I'm sure I'll think of something." As you leave the room, sealing the door shut behind you, you smile as you think about this drow sister, Supremia. They were close, but not overly so. Still, you have enough information on her to effectively track her down and then proceed as you wish... you could foil her schemes, manipulate her into joining you, seduce her, all manner of options are available to you. A master thief with connections to a guild could be a useful pawn indeed.

But that is a matter for later. As you round the corner, you come upon Perilynth, your first revenant servant ever since she fell to your genie during the Black Gauntlet.

"Greetings, mistress," she says, bowing. As she does, she tips her head in her hands forward.

Ever since becoming Witch Queen, Perilynth has served you and Faye. She seems to have accepted her defeat, and has been mostly a messenger of sorts. She has served faithfully and unquestioningly, as she seems to understand that doing anything otherwise would bring about your wrath. "I bring word from your servant Xiax'zas."

Ah, yes, your lich. As you hold her phylactery, she is helpless and thus must obey or be destroyed. For her own sake, she has chosen the former and has since served as both your advisor and assistant in all things necromantic as well as the keeper of your undead.

"What does she say?"

"She requests your presence at the Divining Pool. She did not mention her purpose."

"I see..."

>Go find Faye instead
>Head to the Divining Pool
>Reward Perilynth for her service
>Speak with Sheldrake
>Other

>>1381209
>>Head to the Divining Pool
>>Reward Perilynth for her service

>>1381209
>>Reward Perilynth for her service

>>1381209
>Head to the Divining Pool
>Reward Perilynth for her service

>>1381209
>>Head to the Divining Pool
>>Reward Perilynth for her service

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>>1381214
>>1381220
>>1381225
>>1381232

You approach Perilynth and look at her head in her hands. "I think you've served me well this last month, Perilynth. I intend to reward you."

Taking her head in your hands, you place it back upon her shoulders. Taking out a needle and thread from your spell materials, you begin to stitch her corpse back together. The needle enchantedly flies through her neck and out in a pattern until it is sealed back on, and with a small flash of green light she once more can control her body.

"Don't make me take this away," you warn her, putting the needle back where it belongs.

"I won't, mistress," she says, bowing and getting on her knees. "Thank you."

You walk past her and teleport to the Divining Pool. The silvery pool takes up the entirety of the center of the chamber, and as you enter, your eyes quickly focus on the form of your lich servant. You have bound her here, for the time being, where she acts as your spy on the prime material plane, casting her vision wherever she can in search of things that may interest you.

"What have you found for me?"

"Behold... mistress." She waves her hand and the pool changes to show you the base of Mordrax's tower. There, many crates are being brought in.

"What are those?" you ask. "Their contents?"

"I cannot discern for certain. But many raw materials are being brought to your former master, more than most wizards ever deal with. It seems too much for him to simply be restocking his stores of spell components."

"He's clearly preparing for something... And in broad daylight. Those fools at the capital don't suspect him at all."

"An envious position."

"Quite." You know you cannot use the pool to look within his tower, as his spells prevent all forms of scrying, but perhaps this warrants some other kind of investigation.

>Tell her to keep watching
>Tell her to focus on something else
>Speak to her some more
>Leave
>Other

>>1381271
>>Speak to her some more

>>1381271
>>Speak to her some more
>Tell her to keep watching

If we make this relationship a fruitful one she may be more open to us, who knows.

>>1381271
this >>1381278

>>1381271
>>Speak to her some more
Ask her if she could expand her range if she was given appropriate resources

>>1381278
Seconded

>>1381271
>Speak to her some more

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>>1381276
>>1381278
>>1381289
>>1381291
>>1381297
>>1381318

"Well, keep watching for me. I must know everything about my former master's plans."

"Very well, mistress."

You look back up at the lich, who remains still and unemotive. "Are you well? Do you require any additional resources for the new undead lab?"

"The variety of bodies left by the Black Gauntlet has allowed a diversity of materials to work with. For the time being, I am not lacking for parts."

"I see." You hook her with a curious glare. "Tell me... Had you become Witch Queen, what would you have done?"

"I would have changed the name to Lich Queen."

"Catchy. But that's not all, I imagine?"

"I planned to use the inhabitants of this realm to create a vast undead army and invade the mortal world."

"Hmmm... not very subtle. You'd attract far too much attention, don't you think? Paladins and priests of good gods live for plagues like yours. They're very good at handling such things. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience on this matter."

You have a hand over the pool, conjuring up the image of Sigmund Venstroyer, the massive paladin whom you once encountered. "See this fellow? Men like him would stand in the way of your undead armies."

"I have killed paladins before. If you throw enough bodies at them, they will fall."

"Perhaps. But what you lack is a subtler touch... necromancy is a wonderful means to an end, but it is a blunt tool. Corruption, now that is a scalpel... You can waste an army of undead against a well-trained group of paladins, but if you could erode their will, sap their faith, drain them of their zealous fury... what is left?"

The lich is silent as you banish the image. "Truly, you are wise," she says, and her unemotive voice makes it difficult to tell if she is being honest or sarcastic. "I see now why you were victorious."

"I worked for what I now possess. If you work for me, you too will come to possess more power... in time."

She looks up at you and stares for a moment. "I understand, mistress."

>Scry upon something else
>Talk to her more
>Leave the room
>Call in Faye
>Other

>>1381328
>>Scry upon something else

Our family

>>1381328
>>Scry upon something else
our family maybe, our "friends" in the tower

whichever

>>1381328
>>Call in Faye
Time for some ruler stuff.
Since we're two queens we should act in unison

>>1381328
>>Scry upon something else

Family.

>>Talk to her more

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>>1381332
>>1381336
>>1381376

So, who do we want to look at?

>Imon, our Father, Archmage
>Blaise, our Mother, Conjurer
>Aldric, Eldest Brother, Swordmage
>Guihem, Middle Brother, Wizard
>Jeaneus, Middle Brother, Warlock
>Rainard, Middle Brother, Artificer
>Lambert, Youngest Brother, Exile
>The Le Doux Family Estate

>>1381396
>>Imon, our Father, Archmage
>>Blaise, our Mother, Conjurer

Catch them in the act of conceiving our little sister

>>1381396
Maybe a quick write up for all? If it's not too much trouble?

If it is too much trouble
>Lambert, Youngest Brother, Exile

>>1381396
All of them. Start with mother.

>>1381413
this

Sorry for the pause, just eating.

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A thought enters your head, an unprompted one, but not altogether random.

"Xiax'zas, leave me for the time being," you say to her. She bows her head slightly and walks out of the chamber. When you are alone, you turn your attention back to the pool.

"I wonder what they've been up to," you whisper, waving your hand over the water. The surface shifts like a mirror being cleaned of steam and you look now upon your family home: the Le Doux Estate. A magnificent building, worthy of your noble heritage.

Your father is in his office, a place you have never seen before due to never being permitted within. The dark room, lit only by a candle, is occupied solely by the large, stern-faced man that is your father, Imon Le Doux. He is writing a letter, to a duke that you are somewhat familiar with. He appears to be declining a dinner invitation.

Next is your beautiful and buxom mother, and along with her is your eldest brother Aldric, the pride of the family. Your mother lounges upon a couch with a goblet of wine in her hand, watching your brother as he trains. A master fencer, archer, rider and more, his training regimen consists of dueling several well-trained individuals at once. Aldric moves with a grace and fluidity that seems inhuman as he deftly disarms two of them, then pokes a third in the leg before taunting the other four. Your mother smiles and drinks, licking her lips after doing so. She always liked watching Aldric train.

Your next brother, Guilhem, is a wizard. A rather boring and serious fellow, he is in the library preparing some manner of ritual. Just looking at him makes you disinterested and so you move on.

Next are your siblings Jeaneus and Lambert, who are speaking with each other on a balcony overlooking the hedgemaze. They appear to be attempting to settle a long debate between them about the superior schools of magic; conjuration versus artifice. A summoned demon and a golem are competing in the maze. The result is always the same; they destroy each other before reaching the center, but still these two continue to bicker and debate, always trying to one-up the other.

And then, of course, there is your lost brother Rainard... whom you still cannot find. Even the pool cannot locate him. Exiled from your family due to having no magic, he is the reason you were born, as your parents refused a fifth child who couldn't cast a single spell. Then they had you...

Wherever he is, you hope to one day be able to actually thank him for that, as you have never spoken to him.

>Check up on the tower
>Check up on Bridge Town
>Speak with Faye
>Prepare to leave Aran
>Other

>>1381564
>Speak with Faye

Then leave for Bridge Town and the Tower to visit our friends.

>>1381564
>>Speak with Faye

>>1381564
>>Check up on Bridge Town
>>Speak with Faye

>>1381564
>>Check up on Bridge Town
>>Speak with Faye

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>>1381575
>>1381585
>>1381593
>>1381620

After leaving the room, you travel to the Lost Library and find Faye putting a book back.

"Anything interesting?"

"Just old spellbooks belonging to our predecessors. Nothing too useful... yet. I'll let you know when I come across something, though."

"I've been thinking... This place is good and all, but it's been nearly two weeks since we went back."

"Back? To Bridge Town?"

"The brothel and the mine are running, and due to pay up. And I miss our... friends."

She turns towards you, and smiles. "That could be fun. I'd like a change of pace from this old place. Don't get me wrong, ruling is great and all, but I'd like to do more than polish my new throne with my butt."

"Shall we leave, then?"

She takes your arm and the two of you walk out towards the teleportation chamber. Here is where you have performed the ritual of the Aran Teleportation Circle, linked to one in the keep of Redford Tower. Before you leave, however, you are suddenly both stopped by the appearance of Sheldrake.

"Your highnesses."

"What is it, Sheldrake? We were just leaving."

"Yes, I'm aware. Both of you at the same time."

"What of it?" Faye asks.

"Previously, only one of you left at a time. But now both of you deserve a warning."

You look at each other, then at him. "Well, go on then."

"It has been a month since you have taken power. This is usually the time when the Witch Hunter begins his activity."

"The Witch Hunter? Who is that?"

"The man responsible for killing your last two predecessors."

Both of your eyes widen. "What? Why are you only giving us this warning now?"

"When one of you left, at least one would remain if the first were destroyed," he replies simply.

"How powerful could he be to destroy two Witch Queens?" Faye wonders aloud.

"I only know that the Witch Hunter is an elf, and motivated solely by the bounty it offers. Now that the throne is held by someone with a pre-existing bounty on her head, he may be even more zealous in hunting for you."

"What else do we know of him? His name, anything?"

"Nothing," he replies. "But he has become quite adept at it. He was partly responsible for the deaths of two Witch Queens before those two, but that was when he worked with a group. The second one killed his party in her death throes, leaving him alone. Since then he has killed two more -- leading to you two taking the throne."

Once more you and your twin share a look. "We'll have to be careful..."

"Perhaps... I should remain?" Faye offers.

"Can he come to Aran?" you ask the butler.

"No. This is the one place you are safe from him. Any other place in the realms risks him finding you. And him finding you may be all he needs and then... Well, we'll need another Black Gauntlet, won't we?"

His humor, if it could be called as such, is as dead as your minions.

>We both go. Who cares?
>We'll be careful.
>Stay here, Faye.
>How about you go, and I'll stay.
>On second thought, we're not leaving.
>Other

>>1381648
>We'll be careful.

>>1381648
>>We'll be careful.

>>1381648
>>We'll be careful

>>1381648
>>We'll be careful.

>>1381648
>We'll be careful.

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>>1381656
>>1381661
>>1381683
>>1381695
>>1381704

"We'll be careful," you say to her and him. Looking at Sheldrake, you tell him, "Don't worry, we'll be just fine. It's not like he's going to come knocking on the tower door."

"Whether he does or does not, I care little," Sheldrake admits. "I only serve the Witch Queen, whoever that may be."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He steps aside as you and she enter the chember and stand in the center of the teleportation circle. You both take a moment to cast spells to mask your appearance; you resume your Mary disguise and wear an elegant dress of black, while Faye does the same.

A moment later, after the runes glow and there is a bright flash of light, you are back in the prime material plane in Redford Keep. You both wave some smoke away.

"Gods, I hate that smell," you say. "Stinks of sulfur..."

Before Faye can reply, you hear footsteps coming down the nearby staircase. You both look up and see a woman you have never seen before, with short red hair and armor covering her from neck to toe, with a sword and shield in hand.

"Who the hell are you two?" she asks in a slightly rough voice. She then looks you both up and down. "...You're not from the brothel, are you?"

Your eyes narrow. "Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my tower and keep?"

The young woman seems slightly disarmed. "Oh... You must be Mary. They told me about you."

"Answer the question," you order her.

"I'm Amber, and I'm training that idiot you call Ben."

"You? Training him?" Faye giggles. "You're at least a foot shorter than him!"

"Maybe you'd like a broken nose too," Amber threatens her. "He got one when he talked down to me."

You narrow your eyes more and scrutinize her. She's a fighter, alright, and looks tough -- despite her freckled face which, if it weren't twisted into a scowl, would actually look quite cute.

"Ben was being trained by one of the town guards," you say matter-of-factly.

"And I relieved him from duty. Now I'm teaching him how to sword-and-board. You got a problem with it?"

>I have a problem with your attitude.
>You are a guest here and will announce our presence to our companions.
>Well, let's see what you can do then.
>You're beneath me. (Move past her)
>Other

>>1381741
>You are a guest here and will announce our presence to our companions.
Assert the pecking order.

>>1381741
>I have a problem with your attitude.

>>1381741
>You are a guest here and will announce our presence to our companions.

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>>1381741
>You are a guest here and will announce our presence to our companions.

>>1381741
>Well, let's see what you can do then.

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>>1381748
>>1381772
>>1381800

You fix her with a firm gaze. "You are a guest here, and you will announce our presence to our companions."

She stares at you, recognizing that you are pulling rank. As the holder of the deed to this land, she is on your property, and regardless of how long she has been here you have been here longer.

She slides her shield onto her back and lightens her expression. "Yeah... fine." She turns and walks upstairs.

Faye looks at you. "I like her haircut."

"You like anyone with short hair," you say to your short-haired twin. The two of you follow her upstairs, where you hear her let out a shout.

"Mary's home!"

Almost immediately, you hear the patter of small feet on stone. Alex runs down the stairs and lets out a happy gasp. "Mary!" He runs up to you and throws his arms around your waist.

"Aww!" Faye coos as you return his hug.

Next come Merriam and Kay, both from upstairs. They both smile upon seeing you, but only Merriam moves in for a hug. You kiss her cheek as you ruffle Alex's bright hair. "I missed you," she says.

Kaylessa lingers beyond them, somewhat nervous. "Kay, what's wrong? Give me a hug." At your behest, he approaches and you throw him into a big hug. "It's good to see you up and walking around."

The front door opens then, and in strides Ben. You part from the group and walk up to him, reaching up to his cheeks and pulling him down into a strong kiss. His arms encircle you possesively, and it is not lost on you that nearby Amber's cheeks burn furiously and she turns away in a huff.

'So, that's what this is...' you think.

After parting with him, you give a wide smile. "I've been missing that," you say with your arms draped around his neck.

>Let's have lunch and catch up
>Ben, you didn't tell me you had a new trainer.
>Settle in and let things get back to normal
>See if you can make Amber more jealous
>Other

>>1381853
>>Let's have lunch and catch up

>>1381853
>Let's have lunch and catch up

What's up with Kaylessa? We've never invested as much in her and it concerns me

>>1381853
>Let's have lunch and catch up

>>1381853
>Let's have lunch and catch up

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>>1381875
>>1381877
>>1381886
>>1381925

Lunch is decided upon. A picnic would be nice; it's a beautiful day, after all. Not long afterwards and you are all outside, on a large blanket, sharing good food, but everyone is so eager to talk and catch up that hardly anything is eaten.

"Mary, we cleared out the rest of the tomb nearby," Alex explains.

"The Redford Crypt?"

"Yeah! There were more undead in it, in the areas we didn't explore. But I found what I was looking for, a clue where I should go next on my journey."

"Doest that mean you'll be leaving us?" you ask.

His expression softens. "I mean... I wouldn't like to, but... it's my quest."

"Well, you'll always have a home here," you say. "And if you need any help, let us know."

"I will!"

"I've been practicing my magic," Merriam says. "I can cast a few spells now! Alex has been teaching me, and so has Kaylessa. We've been spending a lot of time together lately on it." She gives a smile to the elf, who blushes. The small detail isn't lost on you. Merriam looks back and says, "But I'm still nowhere near as good as you are, Mary."

You put a hand in her lap and then look over at Ben. "I take it you took out more than your fair share of undead in that crypt?"

He puts on a proud smile. "A few, you know."

Amber rolls her eyes. "He killed three. I killed five."

"Oh, so you were there with them," you say, now looking back at her.

"They were down a party member," she explains as she crudely tears into some venison.

"I've been away."

She looks up. "I was talking about Kay over there."

"I see."

For a moment, all is silent. Kay coughs into his hand. "But I'm much better now," he says. "I can walk and shoot my bow. I'm back to normal."

"I'm glad," Faye says, scooting close to him and putting an arm around him. "I've missed my little elf..." He shivers visibly and bites down on some bread.

>Talk to Ben
>Talk to Merriam
>Talk to Alex
>Talk to Kay
>Talk to Amber
>Other

>>1381953
>>Talk to Amber

>>1381953
>>Talk to Kay

>>1381953
>>Talk to Kay
what's up?

>>1381953
>Talk to Kay

>>1381953
>Talk to Kay

>>1381953
>Talk to Kay

>>1381953
>>Talk to Amber
dose the curtins match the draps?

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>>1381964
>>1381991
>>1381992
>>1381997
>>1382009

You give Kay a curious look. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, just fine," he says quickly. "How are you?"

Merriam places a hand on his and gives him a small nod. He seems to relax a bit. You look at Faye and gesture with your eyebrows subtly; she takes the hint and slides away from him, focusing instead on eating and catching up with Alex. You switch places with her and sit next to the elf.

"Is something the matter?" you ask him in a hushed whisper.

"No, of course not. I'm just happy to see you, that's all."

You meet Merriam's gaze and to your surprise she makes a comment with a hidden meaning for you to get a chance to talk to her in private. "Mary, would you like to help me get something from the storage?"

"Why, of course."

Once downstairs, you and she share a kiss. You push her up against the wall, which she very readily accepts and welcomes, kissing you back passionately.

"Gods, I've missed you," she says. "When were you here last?"

"Some two or three weeks ago," you reply, wiping your lips clean of spittle. "What is wrong with Kay?"

"Nothing, really. It's just that you and Faye have made him slightly nervous."

"Hm? From the teasing?"

"Teasing is one way to phrase it," Merriam replies with a laugh. "He admitted to me what Faye has done to him."

"Well, I can't fully control Faye. Not yet, anyway."

"He might just be worried about being used again. I've been... helping him lately. You know, come out of his shell."

You raise a brow. "Meaning...?"

"Oh, you know..." Her voice trails off and she meets your gaze.

You put your hand to your mouth. "Merriam... You didn't!"

"Only with my mouth."

"But what about Ben?"

Merriam flicks her hair over one shoulder. "You have more than one lover. I was just following your example, thinking, 'What would Sirena do in my position?' And ever since, Kay's been so sweet... bringing me food and reading to me. He always liked me, I know this, but now he's like a puppy around me. I think I was feeling what you must have felt when we first fawned all over you."

You take a step back and suddenly find yourself reassessing the woman in front of you. She's not quite the timid girl you first met -- now she's talking about using her feminine charms to manipulate Kay! 'Perhaps I've had almost TOO much of an impact on her... She's starting to take after, well, me!'

>Ask for the juicier details
>Encourage this behavior
>Discourage this behavior
>You'll have Faye back off of Kay
>Give her more tips on manipulating men
>Other

>>1382088
>Ask for the juicier details
>Encourage this behavior
>You'll have Faye back off of Kay
>Give her more tips on manipulating men

>>1382088
>>Ask for the juicier details
>>Encourage this behavior
>Give her more tips on manipulating men
>Kiss her again, harder

>>1382088
>>Encourage this behavior
even the harem will have a harem

>>1382088
>Ask for the juicier details
>Encourage this behavior
>You'll have Faye back off of Kay
>Give her more tips on manipulating men
as long as she knows Kay is ours first.

>>1382144
>as long as she knows Kay is ours first.

They're all ours first

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>>1382095
>>1382096
>>1382108
>>1382144
>>1382151

Your smile grows as you give her another kiss, giggling all the while. "Merriam! I can hardly believe these words are coming out of your mouth. I'm proud of you!"

She hugs you and slides her hands up your back. "Yeah?"

"Of course. Now give me the juicy details."

"Well, he tastes sweet. Sweeter than Ben, but Ben is... well, you know. Bigger."

"Naturally."

"I've only done it two times to him."

"How many to Ben?"

"More than two," she says with a laugh, blushing at the audacity of her words. "I've been having Kay do favors for me. A chore here, a meal there... and he does them."

"Well, he is quite submissive. Faye and I have our own ways of treating people like him, but I like your style. It's simple and effective. But if you want to really get him to do what you want, you should deny him once or twice. Make him work harder for it. Then, when he gets it, even though he'll think that it was due to his effort, it'll make it all the sweeter for him and you didn't even have to do much more work."

She listens with rapt attention. "Oh, I see. He does get rather jealous of the time I spend with Ben."

"Does he know about you two?"

"It's hard to keep a secret from him. I think he stuck around after we first got together, even though he liked me, because we had accepted him for what he is. But after I did what I did to him, I don't think the thought of leaving has even occurred to him."

"Good girl. I'd hate to see him go. He has his uses, and I'd hate to go through the trouble of finding another archer." You purse your lips in thought. "Though, in light of this information, I'll make sure Faye goes easy and backs off. For now, Kay is yours -- so long as you remember that he's mine too."

"But so am I," Merriam replies, and you kiss her even harder.

"Yes, you are. You all are..." As you and she catch up, you find yourself liking this change in Merriam. 'Such a naughty girl... I like that.'

>Give me some 1d100s, please.

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>1382168
rolling

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>1382168
take my 1 d hard

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>1382168
Its time for random bullshit to happen

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>1382168

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>1382168

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>>1382183
>>1382186
>>1382206
>>1382209

As you and she are about to resume kissing, you suddenly hear a shout from outside.

"Did you hear something?" Merriam asks.

"Shh," you tell her, listening closely.

Another shout, and then a roar.

You both take off running and get up the stairs to the outside, where you behold a strange scene. Your picnic is ruined, that is firstly obvious, due mostly to something running through your blanket and having torn it up! You see a short form, brown and hairy, charging across the field towards Ben, who has his sword and shield out. It bashes headfirst into the shield and knocks him down, then stands on the shield on his chest. It lets out a squealing howl, and you begin to see porcine features, including large tusks and an impressive snout.

Amber shouts from nearby, "I told you, you moron! Firm footing! FIRM FOOTING!" She charges at the boar-looking thing, slashing at it but it hops off the shield and runs around.

"It's coming back for another charge!" Alex says before Faye pulls him out of the way. The beast, running on all fours, is damned fast, nearly a blur! Kay runs past you to get his bow inside.

>Remember our new spells!
https://pastebin.com/3KtAZiTt
>Current Shadow Points: 3

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>1382265
Grasping tentacles, keep it in place

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>1382265

>Ray of Exhaustion

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>>1382273

As you look at the charging boar-man, you see Ben and Amber get alongside each other, both holding their shields in front of them protectively. The boar seems to take this as a challenge and heads towards them, but you make sure he never gets the chance!

Raising your hands, you call upon a new spell you've learned recently, one which summons powerful tentacles from another realm! Conjuring them forth successfully, you cause them to spring out of the ground and reach towards the charging animal, wrapping violently around its legs! You watch as the tentacles pull it to the ground, dragging it while wrapping more tightly, but he keeps on fighting them, managing to bite one and shred it to pieces which shrivel up and vanish.

'A lot of fight in this pig.'

>>1382294

Next comes another spell you haven't had much of a chance to use, but now seems the perfect time: ray of exhaustion! You blast the animal with a thin, barely-visible ray that saps him of his strength. He continues to fight, but each second he loses more and more energy. Soon the tentacles have him completely trapped and he is in no condition to continue.

Ben and Amber approach, swords up and at the ready behind their shields. Kaylessa appears with his bow, ready to stick this big pig with an arrow or two. Alex and Merriam look on as you and Faye walk up to him.

"What is this thing?" Ben asks. "Some kind of monster?"

"It's a wereboar," Amber replies. "But it isn't night... Something must have triggered it."

"We should kill it, right?" Ben says, looking around. "I mean, were-things are evil, aren't they?"

"STOP!" a voice cries out.

Every head turns to see a girl running up out of the forest wearing a green tabard, a blue hood... and little else. You cock a brow as the young woman, holding a staff in one hand, waves her palm towards you. "Don't! He's innocent! Harmless!"

"He doesn't seem very harmless," Amber mutters.

>Kill the pig
>Demand an explanation
>Release the pig
>See what she does
>Other

>>1382339
>>Demand an explanation

>>1382339
>Demand an explanation

>>1382339
>Demand an explanation

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>>1382341
>>1382349
>>1382377

You put your hands on your hips. "Explain yourself, wild girl."

The girl straightens and tries to do just that. "I am a druid. That is my companion, Hamlet. We were just trying out some new food, and he went crazy! I think he's allergic to a certain fruit, because it brought out his inner beast!"

Ben is staring at her. Amber notices and hits him in the stomach with her elbow, hard. She puts away her sword and shield; he does the same.

You tell her, "If you can promise you can fix him, I'll let him go."

"I know I can. Just don't hurt him!"

She walks over, past Ben (who continues to stare) and kneels alongside Hamlet. "There, there, little one... It's okay." She casts a spell upon him, and before your eyes he begins to change. He shrinks, loses hair, the tusks recede and he goes from brown to a bright, healthy pink.

"He's... a p'orc?"

You banish your tentacles as he druid girl picks up the little piggy-man and holds him in her arms. "Aw, he's all tuckered out. Poor little thing..."

"So do they all do that, or...?"

"No, he's a druid like myself. He wasn't an actual wereboar, that's just his enraged state. He's got quite an ego on him, the little devil, but it's nothing I can't handle."

"So who are you, anyway?"

"I am called Jenna, and it is nice to meet you."

Ben slides up in front of her. "And I'm Ben! It's nice to meet--"

Amber reaches up and yanks on his ear, pulling him off to the side. "I don't think she was talking to you! You've got some footwork to practice! Come on!"

You step up and shake the druid's hand. "Nice to meet you, Jenna. Do you live nearby?"

"The wild is my home," she replies.

You look at her dirty feet. 'Clearly.'

"But currently, I reside in a cave not too far east of here, just past the road. Little Hamlet here is from the p'orc village not too far south."

You look down at him as he sucks on his thumb. "How old is he, exactly?"

"Oh, about... three or so."

>Bid her good day
>He ruined our picnic!
>Mention an interest in druidry
>Why is he so young?
>Other

>>1382421
>>Mention an interest in druidry

>>1382421
>>He ruined our picnic!

Heading to bed. See you later! Will resume tomorrow.

>>1382421
>Mention an interest in druidry
>Why is he so young?

>>1382421
>Mention an interest in druidry
>Why is he so young?

>>1382421
>>He ruined our picnic!

She better compensate us

>>1378158
What's the source on this pic OP? Asking for a friend

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>>1382427
>>1382430
>>1382507
>>1382699
>>1383366

"Why so young?"

"He's very gifted. A natural connection to nature."

'Sounds like someone I know,' you think, looking back at Alex. You look back at her again. "So, druids, eh? I must confess, I'm rather interested in learning some druidic magic. I'm always looking to diversify my spellbook."

Her eyes brighten. "Really? Well, if you'd ever like, I could teach you. The circle druids up north don't like to show outsiders our ways, but I'm something of an outsider already, so I wouldn't mind. If you head straight east from here, across the road, you'll come upon a small pond; I live near that grotto."

"That's all well and good, but our picnic is utterly ruined."

"I'm very sorry. Here, I think I can fix this." She sets Hamlet down and then places her hands upon the earth. You all watch as she casts a spell, and a moment later you feel a slight rumbling in the ground. You watch as vines sprout up from the grass, twisting towards some of the nearby trees and wrapping around them. Before your eyes, fruit sprouts upon their vines; apples, oranges, pears and more! A veritable fruit basket growing impossibly from the same source, and along the vines, berries and grapes!

"Amazing," you whisper.

Jenna gives a big sigh. "That was a daily spell... I must go and recharge. I hope this is enough food to make up for what you've lost."

She picks up the p'orc and gives a small bow; you watch her leave. Faye looks over at you. "So, what are you thinking?"

"Could be of some use," you mutter. Turning back, you see Alex reaching for an apple, but he isn't tall enough. You smile and walk over, plucking a low-hanging fruit for him and put it in his hands before rubbing his forehead. He beams brightly and takes a bite of the tasty fruit.

>Head to Bridge Town
>Talk to Alex about his quest
>Take a look at Ben and Amber's training
>Spend time with Merriam and Kay
>Other

>>1383849
>Take a look at Ben and Amber's training

>>1383849
>Talk to Alex about his quest

HA HA time to surrogate mommy

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>>1383375

Dark Queen from Battletoads.

http://idarkshadowi.deviantart.com/art/PATREON-Dark-Queen-648599446

>>1383849
>>Talk to Alex about his quest

>>1383849

>Head to Bridge Town

>>1383849
>>Talk to Alex about his quest

>>1383849
>>Talk to Alex about his quest

>>1383849
>>Talk to Alex about his quest

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>>1383861
>>1383887
>>1383891
>>1383903
>>1383940

You sit down next to Alex, taking some of the delicious fruit for yourself, and decide to ask him, "So, tell me what you learned in the crypt."

"Well, I found a small room where some of my Shepherd ancestors were buried, confirming my suspicion of there being a link between Shepherd and Redford lines. There was a marriage between a Redford daughter and a Shepherd son, and they were buried here with their children. But also included was the name of the graveyard where the remaining Shepherds were buried: Murky Hallows."

"Do you know where that is?"

"Unfortunately, no... But there must be some record of it somewhere, yes? I have been praying and praying, but so far no gods have seen fit to bless me with an answer."

"Well, I'm no god, but I'll help you."

"Thank you, Mary! That means a lot to me. Removing the curse on my family is as important to me as removing that darkness from within you must... Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up," he says sheepishly.

"Don't fret. Everything is fine, trust me."

"Until we find it, I hope you don't mind me staying here."

"Not at all. Did you ever have any other home before this one?"

"Well... no." He looks away. "Not a home I would keep, anyway." Your eyes narrow as he tries to suddenly change the subject. "It's a nice day, isn't it? Truly the gods have blessed us with this weather!"

>Ask about his previous home
>Talk to Ben and Amber
>Talk to Kay and Merriam
>Talk to Faye
>Head to Bridge Town
>Other

>>1384030
>Ask about his previous home

Has he remembered to get his rest and being a good boy ?

Dont want him to get exhausted

>>1384030
>>Ask about his previous home

>>1384030
>Ask about his previous home

Time to murder to motherfuckers

>>1384030
>Ask about his previous home

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>>1384034
>>1384049
>>1384055
>>1384062

You shift slightly closer. "Tell me about your previous home, Alex. The orphanage?"

"I... lived in one, but it wasn't my home for very long." He nervously chews on the fruit and looks away.

"You can tell me," you say, putting an arm around him. "Please?"

He swallows. "O-okay. After I lived in the orphanage, I was taken in. But not adopted, not in a... traditional sense. A church took me in and I became a chapel boy, singing and cleaning and praying. Chores and such. But then I found my gift, and the priest of the church wanted to..."

"What?"

"Exploit me. He thought to use my gifts in ways that would benefit his pocket more than the common folk. I tried to reason with him, saying that it was wrong to profit from such things, and that if I had a gift from the gods that I should use it to help others, but he wouldn't hear it. It shocked me that a priest of my faith could be so... wrong. So, when the dark, I took what I could and I ran away."

He whispers this last part, as though ashamed. "Are they still looking for you?"

"I don't know. They might be. But all I wanted was to find out how to get rid of this curse on my family and help others. That's not... bad, right? I didn't do a bad thing by leaving?"

"Of course not," you say, giving him a small hug. "I'm glad you found us, Alex. That man out there isn't the only one who would have exploited you."

"I'm glad too," he says with a big smile. He squeezes you tighter and you sit him in your lap.

"So, I promise you, that even if these people come for you I won't let them take you away."

"Really? But, they are my legal caregivers..."

"Caregivers that don't give care?" You lightly stroke his hair. "They don't care. Not like I do."

"Thank you, Mary."

You look up and see Amber knock Ben flat on the ground with a shield bash. Not far away, Kaylessa brings some of the newly-grown fruit to Merriam, who thanks him with a wink and a kiss to the cheek that nearly makes him melt. A cart begins to pull up to the tower, pulled by a pair of horses and driven by Xerro the kobold, whom Faye skips over to and chats with.

>Talk to him more
>Talk to Ben and Amber
>Talk to Kay and Merriam
>Talk to Faye and Xerro
>Head to Bridge Town
>Other

>>1384106
>Talk to Ben and Amber

Tell him to be a good boy and remember to wash his hands and face after eating.

Kiss Ben infront of Amber!

>>1384106
>>Talk to Ben and Amber

then

>Talk to Faye and Xerro

>>1384106
>>Talk to Faye and Xerro
>>Head to Bridge Town

>>1384106
>>Talk to Ben and Amber
>>Talk to Faye and Xerro
>>Head to Bridge Town