>>2442745
Welcome back and happy Easter OP!

>>2442745

[ARTIFICER QUEST PART 20 START]

[CUTSCENES START]

> “...Alright… I think the fucker’s dead; unless you want me to start chopping him into cubes…”

> “Don’t tempt me, if he has another form after blowing his skin clean off I’m going to burn this place to the ground on top of him. Just help me move the old man so I can work on him”.

…

> “John, should we go secure that girl? It didn’t look like she was dying, but weren’t you asked to help her?”

> “Yeah, yeah, that’d be smart. Go with her, Glad, just in case there’s another surprise lurking; Dutch and I’ll handle things here”.

…

> “Just stay still, Goo Hwi, we brought these bandages for a reason”.

> “Huh, you really did manage to kill him?”

> "Who? Alright, lady, step out with your hands up, or you’ll find out how fast I can fire these six-shooters”.

> "Alright, alright, just don’t shoot. Did that old asshole forget to mention me…? Whatever, doesn’t matter, you want to kill these vamps permanently right? Don’t want them to come back? I can show you how, I just need to get back to Shirahoro”.

[1/4]

>>2442745
Time for some sweet crossover!

>>2442750

Thanks man, hope you had a good holiday too.

>>2442757

> “Councilor… I see you have lowered your guest’s accommodations recently”

> “You have a chair, be thankful for that. Is there anything you wish to say for yourself?”

> “I… am righteous in my actions. Do… you perhaps not know you are in the wrong?”

> “...You are a smart individual, Ex-Councilor, so drop the act. The crimes you are facing are treason against the People of Shirahoro, and treason against the Council to His Majesty. Do you know what the punishment is for your crimes?”

> “I… am… righteous… Justice… lies… with me…”

> “Justice has nothing to do with the actions I have taken against you, and your co-conspirator. Justice has its place but this is not it; in these situations we must hold with the agreed upon Laws, regardless of our personal thoughts on the matter. However, it is clear that you have forgotten this”.

> “Justice...? Law...? Convenient words, when they come from your position…”

> “Perhaps, but this is how the Laws of Shirahoro state things must be done. You, Councilor Tang Wen, have been proven to have endangered the citizens of His Majesty and to have betrayed the principles of your post. I, Councilor Hwang Sun-Woo, acting in the place of His Majesty, acting as an Arbiter of the Laws of Shirahoro, sentence you to death for your crimes. Do you have any last words?”

> “He… was… Just…”

> “Goodbye”

BANG

…

> "...Take his corpse and put it on the pyre with the rest. Like before, he committed suicide after realizing he was surrounded. Now, I have to report to His Majesty on the status of the cleanup”.

[2/4]

>>2442767
Well, I'm glad our present we made him was useful...

>>2442767

> "WHAT!? What do you mean there was a mole!?”

…

…

> “You’re telling me that he’s dead, but he got a report out before his ‘accident’ and now the Bonannos, Colombos, and the Lucchese are mobilizing”.

…

…

> “...Yes, we have a… trusted individual who would be able to fulfil the role, but we do not have the personnel to fight those who would be sent nor will I be risking another breach by hiring those whose loyalty we cannot confirm”.

> "Sir, I believe I have a potential solution”.

> “Good. Yes, I may have a solution. You want a week until you’ll be able to properly secure the site? Just fulfil your side of the arrangement”.

…

> “Goodbye. Now, you said you have a solution? Go on”.

> “It’s something that I found years ago during my research, but I am not sure as to whether or not it will work and I know that, if it does, it will not be cheap”.

> “Do whatever you have to do now; as long as you can get the extra support we’ll need by tomorrow morning, you’ll have a blank cheque to work with”.

> “I’ll get to it immediately”.

…

> “Secretary, please send Dutch and Gladiator up to my office immediately for an emergency meeting”.

[3/4]

>>2442767
Good to see a gift being used for good usefull stuff

>>2442772
And he said he wouldn't need it. Ah!

>>2442781
I get the feeling John is not going to get much vacation time, especially with his shop all busted up...

Really excited to understand this New world, as a MGH reader. Looking forward to the quest!

>>2442781

[4/4]

> “Heeeyyy, look at who showed up! Between your work and that girlfriend of yours I’m surprised that you managed to escape your shop!”

> “Of course I showed up, you said it was important Dutch… The fact that we’re in a Genovese bar that you got emptied means that it is, so what’s the problem”.

> “Aw, c’mon. Quit being such a fucking killjoy John! What happened to my bud? Remember the bar crawls we’d do back in Airgrid? I miss those times… You’re just a fuckin’ neerrd now”.

> “And now you’re trying to liquor me up… Whatever, cheers”

> “Cheers!”

…

> “Ahh, that hits the spot. At least they supplied the good stuff this time. Another!”

…

> “So, what did you want to talk about?”

> “Argh for fucks sake… Look, I just got out of an emergency meeting with the Don and there’s a job that we need you on, immediately”.

…

> “I don’t know much, but enough was said that tells me there’s some serious shit going down. There’s a Ruin up for grab and, while the Don wouldn’t tell me what’s gotten him so strung out, there’s something in there that we need an Artificer for. And, last time I checked, there’s only one that we trust in Shirahoro…”

> “Dutch… You know I can’t keep running back to the Genovese when they call; I left for a reason, and if there’s a Ruin being fought over I don’t want to be in the middle of that shitshow. I’m lucky, but I just have to be unlucky once for everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve done, to fall apart. I just… I just can’t risk it Dutch”.

…

> “...Remember that favor you owe me, John?”

…

> “I’m calling it in here”.

…

> “You’re fucking with me”.

> “Nope, my orders were pretty damn clear on this. The Don thinks you’re the guy for the job, and he told me to get you on board no matter what it takes”.

> “...for fucks sake…”

> “Welcome to the club, asshole. Glad to have you on board”.

> “Fuck you too”.

clink

[CUTSCENES END]

>>2442790
I just want to know were the fuck Archmage found stuff about the intersection. Or maybe that was just Sal's work

>>2442799
Damn it dutch

>>2442799
God dammit Dutch!! We promised the elf waifu no more deallings!!! Dam it hurt to be a man with honour. Hopefully Siera won't find out...

>>2442811
The mc in artificer has a gal name Siera?

File: choo choo.gif (252 KB, 266x199)

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>>2442799
>Dutch... mah boi... thiz feels almost... almost like we're onna... watsitsname...

>onna train

kekeke
Looking forward to this

>>2442799

You are Miranda Styles, an Outgoer based out of the Intersection, an extra-dimensional everywhere and nowhere. Normally, you’d be heading out on a contract either solo, or with one or two of your teammates.

This time, however, you’re heading to some unnamed death world half ruined by, if your Intel is to be believed, a serious strain of virus with no less than four of your team, bringing to mind hazy memories of a life long gone. Your contract sounds rather straight forwards, go to the target area, secure it against outside forces, let a local Artificer case an Ancient Airship, and wait some amount of time until your employer scrounges up enough reinforcements to hold the site without you, but you haven't been doing this for almost a century to think a ‘simple’ mission won't go FUBAR.

Any further introspection on how many ways this mission could go wrong is interrupted when you finish your trip through dimensions and burst back into reality.

Blinking the dots out of your eyes, you take a single step forwards, calmly looking around what appears to be some kind of cleared out warehouse. The place is dark, the only light coming from a set of ceiling lamps directly overhead that, upon looking down, reveal a series of sigils and glyphs drawn on the floor in chalk of which only about a third are glowing.

“Heelloooo?!” Behind you, Owlia apparently cracks first and calls out into the darkness, “Anyone here?”

You want to reprimand her for acting out of line already, but in all honesty the curiosity of where exactly you are and where the person who summoned you is burns away at you. Thankfully, you aren't kept waiting for long.

“So, you all are the “superstars” that thing mentioned,” Practically materializing out of the darkness is a middle-aged man, the bags under his eyes making him look worse for wear, who can’t seem to keep a scowl off his face clad in simple crimson robes. Reaching up to adjust the pair of glasses over his eyes, you can feel the sheer judgement coming off the man, “Well, come along then”.

And with that, he steps to the side and motions for your group to walk forwards. With a slight shrug, you step off the teleportation gylph and lead your team into the darkness.

The lights come on right as you do, your helmet immediately adjusting to compensate, and they show that you are, in fact, in a rather large empty warehouse.

The man who summoned you still hasn't said another word, just walking over to a door and opening it, the sounds coming from the opening telling you that it goes outside rather than to another room. He turns about after doing so, looking at you expectantly.

Now what?
> Ask the man about the general situation and the contract
> Ask the man what the deal with those sigils was
> Ask the man about this virus you’ve been hearing about
> Ask the man something else
> Say nothing, walk through the doors

>>2442826
Ask about virus.

>>2442826
> Say nothing, walk through the doors

>>2442826
>Sigils

hmm interesting is this standard procedure? or are we demons

>>2442819
A elf girl and yes he does.

Just as a heads up, things'll be going a bit slower than that going forwards; had some time to prewrite for this but since I am on mobile don't expect the most expedient of updates.

>>2442819

Sierra, but yep. You can thank a natural 100 for that one.

>>2442800

Remember that Archmage does the occasional research into.. forbidden subjects.

>>2442798

Welcome to AQ; remember that trains are your enemy and you'll be good to go.

>>2442790

It's been a month since Sigfried was killed; he got a bit of time off.

>>2442826
> Ask the man about this virus you’ve been hearing about

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>>2442811
Sierra will understand. She won't be happy, but she'll have our back.

R-right?

>>2442819
yes, an elf bartender mage, lucky roll promoted her from random npc to MC's gf

>>2442850
Coolio.
Also, wut? Trains? Some kind of thing that happened or are all trains legit bad for some reason?

>>2442867
... I don't know whether to envy you or to yell at you.

>>2442870
Haha well im getting more curious by the second!

>You can thank a natural 100 for that one.

Best roll of the entire quest.

>>2442867
uhh, i think it is best summed up by "we dont like trains, trains are bad. over all if you see a train Yell like fuck and run like the blight is on your tail"

optionally, derail it/let naomi touch it and yell "FUCK TRAINS" further explanation is unnecessary.

>>2442858
Of course she will. Girl is mad in love with us.But we will need to sleep in the forge for a couple of days...

>>2442882
Im starting to get the feeling i should read up on AQ, but damn that's a lot of extra reading up..

>>2442892
thread 4, train arc have fun

>>2442867
Trains are a bad omen in this quest. If we see ANY evidence of a train shit is going down. Don't ask how just jnow that is what will happen. Fuck trains man.

>>2442897
>>2442899
Aight thx

>>2442867
Our first adventure together with Sierra was a routine job of helping out at a train headed for town of Shirahoro where John currently has a store.

As it turned out, it was not quite that routine. Train's proprietor hired John and his friends (Sierra and Goo Hwi the elderly killing machine) just to sacrifice them during a feigned kidnapping intending to frame the rival underworld faction, the Genovese (to which Dutch, John's bff, and Gladiator the mafia enforcer belong)

John found out thanks to his tech skills and defaulted on contract stealing a caboose, but the enterprise left him with animosity towards trains

>>2442897
>forgeting about the train tracks we found with the goblins during our dungeon dive

thread 4 is just the start when the trains reveal their bad omen...fucking trains.

>>2442911
Lol, starting to get the picture. Digging it too, nice to have a 'thing' like that with characters

>>2442922
our thing with john is "luck" "sierra" "demon monster thing" "very scary man you wouldn't not assume is that scary"

two other MC's have their own thing, but john is the first and best in my opinion

>>2442826
> Say nothing, walk through the doors
>> Ask the man about the general situation and the contract
> Ask the man about this virus you’ve been hearing about

>>2442922
desu it's more of a thing with players than character(s). The arc went on for several threads and for most of the time we were worried what to do to ensure safety of ourselves and our separated companions.

>>2442826
>> Ask the man about this virus you’ve been hearing about
> Ask the man about the general situation and the contract

>>2442846

There's nothing 'standard' about summoning a magical girl kill team using an Eldritch horror's business card.

>>2442841
>>2442856
>>2442934

Ask some questions and start walking.

Writin'

>>2442846
extra dimensional beings. With four 'x' in extra.

>>2442950
>There's nothing 'standard' about summoning a magical girl kill team using an Eldritch horror's business card.
Hah, pretty concise

>>2442846
>is this standard procedure?
Not really. in theory we just need an empty space to matelizalize, but sometimes sal tels the contractors to do a little ritual in order to sell the whole show of extradimensional beings

>>2442950
>There's nothing 'standard' about summoning a magical girl kill team using an Eldritch horror's business card.
Depends on who you ask; It's pretty standard for the magical girls in question.

>>2442950
Love how you summed that up.


Hiiiii, everyone!

>>2442970
éllo

>>2442970
Wassaaaap!

If our gals don't look like they're straight out of dark heresy or inquisitor I'll cry

>>2442988
I AM somewhat curious to if we look regular or what we look like this time

>>2442988
>>2442995
Somehow i wouldnt mind looking regular for this one.

>>2442970
Ikr? My thought exactly!

>>2442995
There was a reference to a helmet, so we've got some sort of gear on.

>>2443012
True. May just be combat gear though, and look regular under, unlike the time we was some kind of space looking monster thingy

>>2443012
maybe we got the gear we had when we dealt with the power thief.

>>2443021
We chose to wear the power armor, so we likely look like we did when we killed evil superpower Captain Planet.

>>2442950
For all of the peoples we've butchered, it was the end of their worlds that would be scratched into the ashes of their memories.
For us, it was Tuesday.

>>2443029
Taco Tuesday, and not any taco Tuesday, but Soft taco taco Tuesday.

So, this world's got a pretty good mana regeneration rate. Depending the riders the client has bought for the contract, I think it prudent to clear a perimeter around the work site with Nebula Busters, using the mana condenser to keep us topped off.

Just go Full Belkan

>>2443057
.....uhh can you say that in a version of English, so that us poor artificers may get what you mean.

>>2443057
Could be good. As i recall, regen was 4k a day. And im pretty sure there were no riders purchased, which is a huge 'yippee' from me

>>2443057
the mana regen is 4000 per night. and there are no riders.

THEY WILL LEARN TO FEAR.

>>2443065
Basically mana regen is how much mana our girls ...regen per day. in this case, its 4000 mana per night. nad the riders are the conditionals we have to do in order to get paid. but since we have none, we just need to protect the team the the airship however we see it fit.

>>2443057
>Ruining Security
>Recommended Outgoers 3+
>A scouting team for a local organization of mine has recently located a rare Ruin, said to be containing a Hangar and an Ancient Airship within. These, along with any artifacts within, would be of GREAT interest to my organization. However, due to a double-agent, word of the discovery has gotten out, and several other groups are moving to capitalize and secure the finds within Ruin. You will be sent in with a trusted Artificer and several top operatives to case the Airship properly and secure it against outside forces.
Riders Purchased: None
>Total Payment: 120 Large Motes


>>2443065
Riders are restrictions or extras purchased by the client, such as minimum collateral, no killings, keep in character, etc. They are technically optional, but we get paid more if we adhere to them, and it can hack off the client if we ignore them.

>>2443065
Mg protag uses mana for spells. This world's ambient mana means she regenerate quite a bit of it per day, so she doesn't need to be stingy with it, unlike certain other worlds.
Nebula Blaster is probably her strongest "blast spell".

>>2443065
Miranda can fire a magical nuke that can level cities and destroy floating islands.

The kicker? In this world, once per day.

>>2443065
Mana Regeneration Rate - How quickly the characters restore their Mana, which is what lets them use their magic.

Nebula Buster - variable yield explosion spell, most powerful attack spell in Miranda Styles' spell list. Goes anywhere from 50 pounds of C4 to low-yield tactical nuke (extreme low end).

"Riders" - clauses written into our contract that stipulate restrictions.
Example: Collateral Damage Rider means we aren't supposed to cause collateral damage to the world as part of our operation, so no wiping out the city (which we've done).

Mana Condenser Array - device that collects and condenses ambient mana, increasing the regeneration rate or storing extra mana in crystals.

>>2443091
The floating island was with help, and though it's pretty powerful, im not sure she could actually remove a city

>>2443091
>once per day.
Twice, if don't concern ourselves with keeping extra mana in the tank.

>>2443097
However much i'd love for her to be able to

>>2443097
Shockwave

Izumi is here and can boost it, so it's so true

>>2443098
technically we could, but we would be very dizzy at the very least. remember that we had to stay in the airship´s reactors when we were low on mana?

>>2443091
>>2443088
>>2443082
>>2443086

useful on the blight i would reckon, and slightly fearful of the collateral people we care about.

>>2443095
thanks for the break down.

Now, i wonder if any of that magic could be used in Golemancy....

>>2442826

"We were informed of the presence of a virus on this world," Izumi, stoic as usual, walks over to the man and starts talking, "Unfortunately, information was not forthcoming. Would you be able to tell us about it?"

The man doesn't say anything for a moment, reaching over and closing the door before he does so, "You are talking about the Blight. We have reason to believe the Ruin you are going to is clean, but your concern is not unfounded".

He stops there, clearly taking a few seconds to put his thoughts together. Thankfully, he doesn't take long.

"The Blight is some kind of ancient scourge; of the texts I've been able to transcribe I've yet to find a past civilization that didn't at least reference it. Regardless, you'll know what it is when you see it; it's appears as a thick, black ichor that corrupts its surroundings. You all are wearing armor of some sorts, so you won't have to worry about corruption if you merely get close to it. From your boss' description, I imagine you all will be able to handle yourselves if confronted with some of the lower and mid forms of Blight. However, I warn you now that the best course of action if you encounter any higher forms is to run. No matter what you are capable of, a single mistake can kill anyone, regardless of origin".

"... Higher forms?" Mono speaks up first, sounding far more unsure of herself than you are used to.

"Yes. Now, let us go," Without waiting for a response, the man opens the door again and walks outside.

You follow him, as you don't have anything else to do, out the door and into the world proper.

The first thing that hits you is that you're currently at some kind of port, great wooden ships that look like they've come out of the Colonial Era are docked nearby while groups of men hurridly load and unload cargo. No one gives you as second glance as you follow the man, even though you look nothing like anyone else in the area.

Behind you, you can hear Owlia and Cyclia whispering between themselves, likely trying to get an idea of what this world's tech level is like first hand rather than through the information your Future Sight spit out.

With a similar thought in mind, you step up your pace until you're beside your patron, "We received a brief outline of our mission, but I would like a more in depth overview of the situation as soon as possible".

If the man is irritated at your curt words, he doesn't show it when he turns to you, "There will be a full briefing on the situation given to you when we speak to the Don; that is where we are heading now".

[1/2]

>>2443109
You need to talk to Cylica and Owlia about crafting, but I bet they could do stuff

>>2443065
For reference, here's Miranda's ability sheet: https://pastebin.com/eTu7U2PZ

Mana regen here is 4,000/day, which is rather high compared to other places we've been.


>>2443091
Nebula Buster is awesome, but we're looking at a potentially protracted defense; Let's not go using all our mana in the first 5 minutes.


>>2443109
>Now, i wonder if any of that magic could be used in Golemancy....
The Intersection's got a firm stance (with rather harsh penalties) on not leaking tech, sorry.

>>2443095
She’s supposed to help secure the ship though, right? Better be prudent with use of explosive force

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>>2443118
bullshit. explosives fix everything

>>2443118
We're supposed to secure the hangar and its contents. Clearing a perimeter around the hangar of any and all life makes security easier.

>>2443115
I said once because that leaves us with more than half tank

>>2443112
Oh shit, we’re gonna get blighted to hell and back, aren’t we

>>2443132
Sal already promised to personally heal us if we get sick, so no problem on that.

>>2443115
dammit no short cuts there.

But with this sheet, i suggest you use the standard low powered magic blast if you want to avoid looking out of place in a fight. fireballs are a known mages weapon even if mages themselves are not that common in the public eye.

>>2443132
If you are, then we are all fucked and we may have to use the control measures. So lets hope we don't come to that

>>2443132
Nah we have a eldritch patron. We are safe. But we shouldn't run into those things.

>>2443139
>i suggest you use the standard low powered magic blast if you want to avoid looking out of place in a fight.
Why would we try to blend in tough? the faster they know they are outclassed, the faster they´ll leave (or the faster we´ll erase them with the nebula buster)

>>2443135
That'll mean an emergency extraction of the Blighted person back to the Intersection for medical care. It'll make the rest of the mission more difficult.

>>2443132
People didn't want to buy the preventative anti-viral nanofluid, or the skin-disease cure-all.
We'll see how well that pans out for us.

>>2443144
Yeah but if Sal has to save us it's mission over and you know how that'll look on our stats PLUS we lose a big possible payday!

>>2443145
the more outclassed they know they are, the more guns are pointed at the biggest threats. but point taken

>>2443147
>People didn't want to buy the preventative anti-viral nanofluid, or the skin-disease cure-all.
Because it was expensive as hell, was just for one person and we had to take it in doses. it wasn´t worth it.

>>2443144
>But we shouldn't run into those things.
Run into them as in won't encounter them, or as in enter melee with them?

Because blood magic using the Blight is a thing, from what one of the Artificer Quest people was saying, so we can still get virus bombed.

>>2443151
Unless we get really unlucky, we could sent people back individually if they get infected.

And if someone does get infected, we should try healing magic before panicking.

>>2443162
>it wasn´t worth it.
We'll see.
And that's just the Virus Cleaner. There was still the salve that would cure disease, too, as a reactive solution.

>>2443168
Agreed, just it being apocalyptic shit i assumed that just a scratch of the blight would mean youre a goner

>>2443112

[2/2]

You just nod, dropping back behind him again. The port area around you gradually shifts into some kind of business area, the people walking by wearing various kinds of more formal wear. For a death world, this is certainly not the squander you were expecting the people to be living in. The surprise evidently goes both ways, as you spot numerous people doing double-takes as the sight of your group. The ones that do don't appear to be running for the guard, but there's also several walking at a far more brisk pace than before.

Oh well, not like there's anything you can do for now.

Looking behind you, you confirm that your tech support is alternating between sightseeing, peering into the nearby buildings, and just walking along, hand in hand.

Aside from those two, Izumi is looking about at seemingly random. If you could guess, she's looking for any potential hostiles. Perhaps she's got a point in doing so, as a group of guys on a corner closely watch you all pass by. They're not visibly armed, but the attention is still concerning.

Last up is Mono, simply humming along as she walks. She must be enjoying the change in scenery.

Now what?
> Join Owlia and Cylcia in sightseeing
> See what's got Izumi so high-strung
> Ask Mono how she's liking the area
> Danger Scent your contractor, just to be sure
> Other

Gotta run to dinner. Be back later.

>>2443176

> just a scratch

Funny you mention that...

>>2443168
yes but get them gone asap. its best not to hang about blight. Otherwise she might get up as a infected and then you may have to subdue/kill her.

>>2443181
>Danger scent

this should be fun to see

>>2443181
>> Danger Scent your contractor, just to be sure
>Izumi

>>2443170
the angel eyes ointment? i{m iffy with that one because it seems like the blight is a disease that gets spread trough the skin, but it also affects everything else. The ointment only protected against skin based diseases. (how i understood it, it would treat skin cancer, but not a cancer that reached the skin)

>>2443181
>Other: Start checking people and things with the FarSight, and see if it will now give details on the Blight.
>Other: Ask if there are any Blighted regions nearby or along the way to the Area of Operation, so that we can scan it and determine its threat to our team.

Problem with blight is that it has track record of wiping out more advanced civilizations.

and things op mentioned ooc suggest it is not a force to be underestimated, or brute forced through.

>>2443200
without telling you IC, the blight may or may not have covered most of the world other than this continent.

oh and this is mostly right >>2443204

>>2443204
>>2443208
Guess we'll find out if we're going to get fucked over by our overconfidence and stinginess.

>>2443181
> Danger Scent your contractor, just to be sure

>>2443227
>overconfidence and stinginess.
you couldn´t be more wrong. Word of god literally told us ¨no¨ when we wanted to prepare ourselves better.

>>2443200
Just avoid that shit. Imagine as if Nergal had a love child. The bligth would be it if not his direct influence

>>2443181
>Use your danger scent
Will he smell like strawberries or will he smell like rotten vegetables?
>then join Izumi

Also I wonder if we can use Izumi's and Miranda's danger scent to sense if the blight is nearby. do the locals have any way to sense it from far away?
Either way I'm pretty sure that it will smell like hell.

>>2443227
running away is a option you know?

>>2443181
Ask mono

>>2443237
Im betting more of rot.

To ppl who dont know, Miranda van kinda gauge how dangerous people are based on smell - flowery or other benign stuff means cakewalk, vomit-inducing rot means run

>>2443181
>> See what's got Izumi so high-strung

>>2443250
So what would John smell like?

Can someone give me a quick rundown on Magical Girl for Hire Quest?

>>2443233
>Word of god literally told us ¨no¨ when we wanted to prepare ourselves better.
Did you even read what he wrote?
He limited information and what we could get, but it was 3 players that didn't want to buy the equipment he offered.
He still offered preparatory gear, it was players who refused to get it citing it was too expensive and that our magic can already handle it.

Overconfidence is refusing the helpful tools that the QM offers.

>>2443196
> Danger Scent your contractor, just to be sure
>Izumi
Serious Randa.

>>2443237
Also it will be really funny to see Miranda and Izumi sniff like hunting dogs every time we enter a new area

>>2443250
When I meant hell I meant disgusting smell of rotten flesh, rotten anything and despair

>>2443269
No idea, havent read his quest, but basically if he's dangerous in combat, he smell bad. It doesn't really account for gear though, so if he got like a disintegrate gun but is otherwise weak he would smell sweet

>>2443181
> Danger Scent your contractor, just to be sure
> See what's got Izumi so high-strung

>>2443273
Miranda and her friends are from the Intersection, an artificially created universe where people from different timelines congregate. It is administered by the Dealmakers, higher dimensional entities who are able to do hopscotch around timelines and universes.

Miranda is in the employ of Sal, one of the middle management level Dealmakers, in his multi-universal mercenary company called Silver Eye Solutions. He brokers contracts with people that stumble upon how to contact the Dealmakers.

Miranda is a mercenary, and has spent 70 years in this business, and has a 90%+ contract completion rate. She's professional, cunning, and in this for the money.
Her morals are pretty evil by some standards, but that's only because she's seen afterlives, and so only cares about harm to a person's soul; that's the one line she won't cross (unless the payout is absolutely massive).
She will wipe out a town of innocents without batting an eye, killing every man, woman, and child, if that's what the client wants, and has done so before.

>>2443269
My guess? He smells like Sulfur

>>2443276
>3 players that didn't want to buy the equipment he offered.
that´s not being overconfident, that´s avoiding wasting your money. why would you buy something that your teammates can already do?

>Overconfidence is refusing the helpful tools that the QM offers.
nah. overconfidence would be to take no healing items when we have no healers, because we are untouchable. what happened was that the items that Handler offered us didn´t do what we wanted, and the one that did was way too costly for something that was temporal and we had to use it before we got sick. hell, the plasma carbine costed less and is forever.

>>2443289
John can handle himself in a fight, although we’ve avoided situations when he’d be fighting alone against boss enemies.
He knows a single spell, adrenaline surge, that gives him extra combat roll (2d100 instead of 1d100).
He also has a semi dormant ability - aspect of chaos - that turns him into a literal monster at cost of eroding his sanity and personality; we kinda agreed to not use it outside of utterly hopeless situation where death of someone very dear to us was otherwise imminent.

So, depending on whether intent or capacity come into play here, I guess John could smell quite atrociously.

>>2443342
So he would smell like sulfur (rotten eggs)

>>2443333
I have actually no idea what that smell like. Some where in between rot and flowers on danger? Also a rather specific smell, what makes you think that?

>>2443342
That sounds awesome, i really like that 'last effort at a cost' deal. Adrenaline surge is really nice it seems as well. How does he fare compared to a regular joe? Like what is his strength and fighting abilities? I get the feeling he is less fighty and more craft/clever

>>2443327
Thanks anon.
How useful are Miranda teammates?

>>2443356
Hmm how dangerous is sulfur smell to Randa? Maybe pain in the ass to eliminate but you can/maybe survive the battle?

>>2443339
We don't really have powers that can treat diseases. Miranda's spells just treat physical trauma, Lorelei doesn't have any healing spells, and Izumi only has a healing aura that accelerates the natural healing process, so if the disease is terminal then it won't be of much help.
Which teammate can help with diseases?

Just because the item wasn't a perfect solution doesn't mean it wouldn't have solved the problem to an acceptable degree.

>>2443378
Izumi very much so, mono probably less so. The other ? Hmm, probably pretty good, havent seen them in combat yet, but lot of know-how

>>2443360
He’s decent with a blade and a pistol, although he prefers to hold advantage in equipment. But he got caught with only a blade before and was able to hold his own. Definitely above average... by now.

>>2443380
From how i understood it, the smell is relative to her power. So something that smell bad is serious. Not 100% on that though

>>2443360
>I have actually no idea what that smell like. Some where in between rot and flowers on danger? Also a rather specific smell, what makes you think that?

The closest thing would be the smell of rotten eggs.

>>2443378
Izumi is good with swords and guns and tactics. She doesn't like slaughtering innocents OR taking candy from babies.
Owlia and Cyclia are mad magitech scientists and very capable when they are well equipped, like now.
Mono is a cute puppy who can sing illusions into reality, she isn't very experienced.

>>2443380
Sulfur, or brimstone, is commonly associated with hell and demons.

>>2443385
Well Owlia was a commander in her world and researcher and Cylica...well Cylica was a general in her world so she should be pretty powerfull however comparing her with outgoers is kinda....unfair really.

Miranda and Izumi are the real heavy hitters. Momo is a bard Owlia is a scientist with gadgets and Cylica would be a mage using the power of crystals.

>>2443405
That too. Also Sulfur used to be one of the basic element in medieval alchemy

>>2443378
Izumi - Focused on combat with weapons, she's good with swords and guns. As much a professional as a warrior, she subscribes to a sense of honor and still adheres to a more principled outlook than Miranda. She tries to avoid civilian casualties as a matter of being good, rather than because she'll get docked pay if the client bought the Minimum Collateral Damage Rider.
https://pastebin.com/Tidzvf5N

Mono - new kid on the team. She's a bit of a wolf girl (beastkin) and is able to alter the landscape using her singing. She's good with assault rifles and even better with rocket launchers and energy weapons, acceptable with swords, terrible with sniper rifles, and can only use the really big handcannon type pistols.
Her hands are big paws.
https://pastebin.com/eHa6sP5S

Owlia and Cylica are magitech scientists specializing in crystals. Owlia can fight because she implanted a crystallline mana channeling array into her body, Cylica is a skilled fighter with a magitech staff, and both have a magitech power armor suit.

>>2443394
Good to know. As for comparison, he probably couldnt hold a candle against Miranda in hus base form, but that other form he has sounds pretty powerful..

To give insight to the AQs, 'Randa is a good fighter as well as hella strong due to magic enhancement, once killed an npc by a solid punch to the stomach resulting in a blood vomiting case of ruptured organs

>>2443405
Yeah that's why i wondered why this specific smell might be mentioned as a guess, like if he had a deal with a demon or sth

>>2443378
In a nutshell:
>Izumi & Miranda= veterans/seniors, former is a speedy weapons master and the latter is Goku
>Cylica and Owlia= Newbies, can make magice crystal tech
>Mono= newbie, sings to warp reality

>>2443426
>once killed an npc by a solid punch to the stomach resulting in a blood vomiting case of ruptured organs

Remind me again which mission that was?

>>2443443
I believe it was the western one, i think it was when she cleaned that one town. Just remember the image in my head, thought it was a painful way to go. Unnamed npc as a recall, a few of the deaths were described shortly but vividly

>>2443378
Izumi is a 70 year old moralfag demon hunter and is a peerless blade master, firearms expert and sharpshooter. She is a fantasy /k/ommando.

Owlia and Cylica are kind of unknown. They didn't stand a chance Vs Miranda, Lorelei and Izumi on the job where we recruited them. Fact is that they lead a nation to victory in a war so successfully that their opponent had to contract a a intersection merc army to stop them. They use crystal magic, and Owlia is capable of illusions with her heirloom staff.

Mono is a reality warping siren and a half wolf. She can sing anything into creation and alter reality with her song. In the mission she was the PC we played her as a slasher villain. A guy had to run a gauntlet and if he survived he could join an evil society. We changed it into nightmare on elm street

>>2443469
I feel i need to point out with all these points if reality warping that it isnt as OP as it sounds, so far it's really nothing tremendous. So far it has been kinda altering the landscape temporarily or getting people on edge and stuff. And it's only while she sings

>>2443426
Feel free to peruse
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2266250/#p2270023
For a boss fight

Here's what I remember of our inventory:


MIRANDA

SUPPLIES:
> 1 Hyperspace Bag
> 1 Large 5-Crystal Pack (250 Mana * 5)
> 3 Pairs of Murmur Stones
> Oxygen Respirator
> Mana Condenser (2500 Mana per 12 hours)
> 1 General Purpose Potions and Elixirs Pack

WEAPONS:
> 1 Flamebringer Sword (Fire/Gravity Elemental)
> 1 Mana-Enhancing Rapier
> 1 Simple Pistol
> 1 Elemental Stone Shotgun
> 1Anti-Vehicle Rocket Launcher
> 8 ’Moleworm’ Proximity Mines

AMMO:
> 31 Solid Fuel Anti-Vehicle Rockets
> 10 "Highball" Seeker Mines
> 20 Plastic Explosives
> 10 Pistol Magazines (12 Rounds per Mag)
> 2 Incendiary Pistol Magazines (160 Rounds)
> 1 Pepper (Fire) Stone Shotgun Charge (30 Rounds)
> 3 Red Stone (Fire) for Elemental Stone Gun (Unknown Compatibility or Capacity)

TOOLS:
>1 FutureSight PDA

IZUMI

SUPPLIES:
> 1 Hyperspace Bag
> 1 Large 5-Crystal Pack (250 Mana * 5)
> 2 Pairs of Murmur Stones
> Oxygen Respirator
> Mana Condenser (2500 Mana per 12 hours)

WEAPONS:
> 1 Mastercraft Demonkiller Katana
> 1 Bo Staff
> 1 Pair of Daggers
> 1 Assault Rifle
> 2 Automatic Pistols
> 1 Sniper Rifle

AMMO:
> 20 Assault Rifle Magazines (30 rounds per mag)
> 25 Pistol Magazines (20 Rounds per Mag)
> 40 High Caliber Sniper Rounds
> 20 Armor Piercing Sniper Rounds
> 20 Phosphorus Sniper Rounds
> 2 Incendiary Assault Rifle Magazines (200 Rounds)
> 4 Incendiary Pistol Magazines (320 Rounds)
> 1 Incendiary Sniper Rifle Magazine (50 Rounds)

TOOLS:
>1 Grappling Chain
>1 General Purpose Gun Repair Kit
>1 Sword Cleaning Kit
>1 Portable Sword Sharpening Toolkit

>>2443479
She created ghosts, and she sung a good deal of stuff into being to stop that Captain planet dude.

But yeah it isn't op. Takes a lot of mana and concentration. She hasn't really been brought to her limits yet as both jobs were only against single targets, so her actual potential is unknown.

Her songs can definitely be used to bypass traps and puzzles if we can't get past and explosions are not the answer.

And I forgot, izumis magic is nearly on par with Miranda but is a bit more on the finesse side of things

>>2443509
OWLIA:

SUPPLIES:
> 3 Simple Quality Shield Shards
> 1 Portable Crystal Quality Measurement Set
> 1 Hyperspace Bag
> 2 Pairs of Murmur Stones

CLOTHING/ARMOR:
> 1 Set of Custom Crystaltech Armor
> 1 Set of Casual Workman’s Overalls

WEAPONS:
> 1 Custom Crystaltech Staff

TOOLS:
> 1 Portable Mana Wavelength Measuring Tool
-------------

CYCLIA

SUPPLIES:
> 1 Power Crystal
> 1 Portable Crystal Quality Measurement Set
> 1 Hyperspace Bag
> 2 Pairs of Murmur Stones


CLOTHING/ARMOR:
> 1 Set of Crystaltech Armor
> 1 Set of Royal Robes
> 1 Set of Workman’s Suit

WEAPONS:
> 1 Royal Crystaltech Staff
--------------------

MONO

SUPPLIES:
> 1 Hyperspace Bag
> 2 Pairs of Murmur Stones


CLOTHING/ARMOR:
>1 Silken Singer’s Robe
>1 Basic Wanderer’s Garb

WEAPONS:
> 1 Katana (Whitefang Blade)
> 1 Blooddrinker Sword
>1 Triplicate Crossbow
>1 Throwing Dagger
>1 Strange Potion
>1 N5 Plasma Carbine


TOOLS:
>1 Metronome
>1 Hourglass
>1 Fusion Energy Generator

>>2443506
Nice thx, will look into that!

>>2443509
>>2443517
We were told flamethrowers would be available locally here.
Is that true?

>>2443523
Pretty sure if we meet up with John and make a commission for a couple of flamethrowers, he'll make a couple of flamethrowers.

>>2443517
Mono's swords are from that one mission right? I think i recall the blooddrinker to be straight up life leech, but what was with the other one? Dont remember

>>2443550
Never got to use it. We ended up killing the guy with our Triplicate Crossbow.

>>2443550
The Whitefang Blade was the one she got from her phantom double, I think.

>>2443570
Really? I think it's from the gauntlet mission though

>>2443570
Nope. It was the Gauntlet. We found it in a chest that had this whole dragon motif.

Back now. For those curious about John's combat ability, he's effectively a Combat Engineer at his base. And, as Anons have mentioned OoC, he's got exactly one trump card.

>>2443294
>>2443282
>>2443251
>>2443237
>>2443228

Check to be sure, then see what's the deal with Izumi.

Writin'

>>2443577
Blood drinker and the avelyn crossbow and dagger are from the treasure chests in that job. Katana is from the awoo phantom

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1928352/#p1935180
Here is mono's mission if anyone is curious about her ability. If you scroll up you can see Izumi school two higher ranked outgoers in a 1v2 show match without anything but her swordsmanship and basic spells.
Well, until they cheated and the event was cancelled. We totally had that in the bag

>>2443602
Yeah that's kinda what i gathered, good to get cobfirnation though. Gonna be interesting seeing how well our set of protags are gonna complement each other!

>>2443594
Hmm you're right, it wasn't named until put in our loot list.

>>2443615
I'm looking forward to Owlia asking about anything nonstop and Cylica trying to make her stop.

Also looking at Johns character sheet, he has a lot of stuff, damn.
He better keep those away from Owlia because she's not gonna keep her eyes off them.

>>2443615
>The team nerds and John are seen huddled around something and talking in hushed voices. Anyone who knows either party is equal parts terrified and curious

>>2443687
Haha yeah i imagine that. Miranda is gonna be some proper fierce firepower as backup, and let the tinkers do the tinkering

>>2443673
Tbh I expect her to steal or copy all his shit

>>2443707
Maybe he won't mind if she decides to modify some of his projects WITH THE POWER OF CRYSTAL MAGICS!

I'm especially interested in a crystal enhanced grenade launcher...

>>2443715
I think he'd be miffed if there was no way for him to maintain or reproduce it.
or if she touched his stuff without permission.

But they'd probably have a delicious conversation about magitech.

>>2443181

If there’s one thing that you’ve learned to be during your time dimension-hopping, it that you can't be too careful. Of course, there’s such a thing as being paranoid, and at least appearing to be paranoid can cause issues.

So, the fact that Izumi’s doing her best impression of a windshield really does concern you. It would be one thing if you were in the middle of a war zone, but you're walking through a pretty clean section of this city. Sure there’s dark alleyways and all that, but no one walking by seems to be afraid of anything besides, well, yourself.

Either way, you’ll just see what’s the matter with the gal after doing a quick double check on your patron. He hasn't exactly given you a reason to distrust you, but there’s just something… off about him. Concentrating briefly on your sinuses, you focus on the man in front of you and inhale.

Blood, so old it should be stagnant yet continues to run, floods your sense of smell; the coppery fragrance feels like it is burning away at your nose until you force the effect to end.

Turning away and shaking your head, you have to hold back to urge to start gagging. Oh, man, that really cleared you up…

Forcing yourself back to straight, you stare at the back of your patron. Alright, so the guy’s dangerous, duly noted; some kind of high level mage then? Whatever, you’ll look into it more later.

For now, you should see what’s wrong with Izumi.

[1/2]

>>2443731
Huh, stronger than i thought, and with a hint of maybe some blood magic or staying alive via magic or his life energy being intertwined with magic or something

>>2443423
>Her hands are big paws.
Not paws, just big hands.

>>2443773
Huh? That wasnt actually clear to me either

Anyway, gotta skedaddle, it's like 4 in the morning here. Looking forward to reading the rest if the run!

>>2443773
Her hands are big hands?

>>2443784
clawed big hands

>>2443784
>>2443780
iirc it was specifically mentioned that it was just bigger than average habds rather than actual paws.

>>2443731
>Blood, so old it should be stagnant yet continues to run, floods your sense of smell; the coppery fragrance feels like it is burning away at your nose until you force the effect to end.
Wow, that's actually mildly alarming; one of the most dangerous people we've smelled in quest, though pre-quest Miranda has undoubtedly smelled worse.

>>2443798
Not so surprising archmage is know for studying the dark arts so it isn't a complete surprise for him to be like that. Add up he's one of the top man in the local mafia power circle makes sense he's so powerfull.

At least he hasn't gone crazy...yet.

>>2443731

[2/2]

Slowing yourself down enough so that the dark-haired girl can catch up, you walk in step with her for a bit before speaking up, “Is something wrong, Izumi?”

She glances over at you, stopping for a moment before continuing her sweep, “We’re being watched, though most of them are civilians”.

“We do look like a bit of a freak show,” Slowly, the streets are clearing up as people get to work. Of course, that just means that they're gawking from within the buildings now instead, “But what’s the issue?”

“Nothing,” Izumi replies, just a touch defensively, “...There is something strange about this place, though. The people… They're not acting like they're in a desperate last stand against a horrific disease”.

You open your mouth to reply before closing it. She’s right, now that you notice it; your Future Sight plainly stated that this was some sort of ‘end of times’ era. Unless yours is malfunctioning, then something else is going on here.

Taking the device in question out, it taking the form of a rough tablet in this world, you start idly using it to scan your surroundings while occasionally using your Danger Scent to get an idea of the locals. You're not really surprised that you’ve got a nice floral smell now, but you frown as your Future Sight only gives you a general rundown of the city.

According to it, you're currently in what’s known as the Water District in which the bulk of business and trade, both above and below the board, takes place. There’s three other Districts, Earth, in which most people live, Fire, which is home to the City’s Guard, the Daimyo, based out of what’s called the ‘Main Bastion’, and Wind, where the City’s Elite and Ruling class live.

There’s a few other minor things, like how a guy named ‘Sigfried’ was instrumental in clearing the land for the construction of the city, Shirahoro, but there’s nothing that would explain the oddness of the situation.

After a few more minutes of walking, you arrive at the nondescript side entrance to a four story building.

The older man leading you walks up and opens the door, turning around to regard you all, “We’re here; the Don is expecting to meet the five of you immediately”.

“The ‘Don’?”

Turning, you see Izumi furrowing her brow. She’s not really getting caught up on that, is she?

The clearing of a throat neatly pulls your attention back to where the man is looking at your friend with a raised eyebrow, “Is there a problem?”

Your response?
> “No, lead us in”
> “No, but give me a minute please”
> “No, but Yuna do you mind doing some scouting?”
> Other

>>2443798
It's if you/she throws up that something is worth a very very cautious hand around or otherwise is a sign 'you really really don't want to be in the general vicinity'.

>>2443850
>> “No, but give me a minute please”
Oh boy. this might get a little bit complex
"izumi, if you want, you can stay outside "making guard""

>>2443850
>“No, lead us in”

>>2443850
>They're not acting like they're in a desperate last stand against a horrific disease”.


It's normal for them yeah?
everyone alive was born into this terror, makes sense that they live relatively normal lives.

>>2443879

The Blight predates all but a few of this world's modern civilizations. So yes, they were born into this terror.

>>2443850
>No, lead us in.
Don't worry Izumi, we know how to deal with mafia bosses ;)

>>2443850
>> “No, lead us in”
Give her a bit of a glare, she's professional enough to keep a lid on it for now.

>>2443850
> “No, but give me a minute please”

He wants to meet all of us.


Oh yeah Izumi is a moral fag i forget about thay.

>>2443875
>>2443890
>>2443887

Beam us up, Scotty.

Writin'

>>2443850

“No,” You speak up, a bit more coldly that you’d like perhaps but it’ll have to do. Turning to the side, you give Izumi a glare through your face plate before facing forwards, “Lead us in”.

Without another word, the man heads inside. Grabbing the door before it can lock shut, you lead your team in.

For what you’re suspecting is a mafia headquarters, the place is rather neat and clean; reminds you of an office building more than a crime den.

Following your contractor up several flights of stairs, you come up to a set of double wooden doors that the man knocks on before a voice from within call out. With one last look at your team, noting that Izumi refuses to meet your gaze, the man pushes open the doors and holds them for you to enter in first.

The five of you step into a rather simple, if large, office, a set of couches and a coffee table the only things in here besides a wide, polished wooden desk.

“Welcome, ladies, to Shirahoro,” Behind the desk sits a semi-portly man, a lit cigar slowly smoking in one hand as he regards your team, “I see your attempt was successful, Archmage”.

“It was,” ‘Archmage’ walks past you, sitting down on one of the couches with a small frown.

“Good, good; the expediency to which you accepted our request is something that I am personally grateful for,” Taking a drag from his cigar, the Don regards you with a thin smile, “Now, I imagine you have questions for me; ask away”.

Any questions?
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
> Ask about the other groups involved here
> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer
> Ask about payment
> Ask something else
> Don't ask anything

>>2443983
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer

Because we all know that escort quests are shit

>>2443983
>> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
>> Ask about the other groups involved here
>> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer
all of them in that order.

>>2443983
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
> Ask about the other groups involved here
> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer

>>2443983
>> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
> Ask about the other groups involved here
> Ask about payment

>>2443983
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
>Ask about the other groups involved here
>Ask about payment
>Ask something else: A full briefing on the Blight and to scan a sample along the way.

>>2443983
>> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
>> Ask about the other groups involved here
>> Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer
>> "When are we leaving?"

>>2444015
>>2444006
>>2444003
>>2444000
>>2443990

We have questions, lots of 'em.

Writin'

>>2443983
> Ask about the Ruin itself and what contents you can expect
> Ask about the other groups involved here
>Ask about the other people being sent with you, specifically the Artificer
>Ask about payment
>Ask for a document/brief explanation about the Blight and can you sense it from a far. do they have any Blight sensors or something?

>>2443983

“The site you hired us to protect, a Ruin of sorts, please elaborate on that,” Cylica speaks up first, putting that silver tongue of hers to use.

The Don just nods, “The site is a Ruin two days travel by boat from here due north east. From what little the initial scouting team explored before one of them turned traitor, it consists of an underground complex containing some kind of Ancient Airship. Now, those things don't come around often, it’s been decades since the last one was unearthed, but when they do there’s a lot of power at stake”.

"What do you mean by power?” Owlia asks out of the blue. “Are they usually like, a giant warship with a bunch of weapons, a carrier with a lot of lost technology, anything like that? Something to shift the tides of a local power struggle or something?" ...Suppose it makes sense why she’d be so interested in that. Quick deja vu.

If the Don takes issue with the interruption, he doesn't show it as he puff briefly on his cigar, “Like I said, these finds are few and far between. Many times, these ancient vessels are in pieces by the time someone gets to them, but even they have worth. The technology on board, if properly researched, can be worth it's weight in gold. Unfortunately, those capable of reverse engineering technology from long-dead civilizations are not often within our sphere of influence. We’ve got a team who should be able to work on it without breaking everything involved, but they won't be able to arrive to the site until seven days from now”.

The way Owlia and Cylica look at each other is clear- they’re taking that as a personal challenge. They say nothing, just give each other slight nods of the head.

“Your primary objective is to secure that Airship. The rest of the Ruin hasn't been touched, so there’s a good chance for finding additional artifacts there. Naturally, I’d be more than willing to compensate you all for any addition artifacts you find, but they are secondary here,” The Don continues his speech, looking you directly in the eye as he does so.

Speaking up after he’s done, you ask the question that’s been bothering you, “You mentioned a leak, and it was stated in the contract that other groups were involved here; what groups are they and what can we expect from them?"

[1/3]

I wonder what we can collect here for use later.

>>2444173

“We were able to… contain the leak, but even still I know for a fact that the Bonnano, Colombo, and Lucchese families are mobilizing teams to secure the Ruins. I'll have a full dossier of their specialities and such prepared for you to study, but keep in mind that any specifics will not be accurate to a certain degree. They’ll need time to prepare, and even more to travel, but they’ll have long secured or looted the site before we can get aid from our main branch,” Reaching into his desk, the semi-portly man pulls out a map of what you assume to be the local region. He taps three areas in quick succession, Shirahoro, what you assume to be the place those three groups are deploying from, and the general area of the Ruin in succession, “We sail these waters frequently, so you can be certain that it will take you two days to get to the area, and four days for your competition to”.

“We will take that into consideration,” Cylica speaks up again, smoothly cutting into the conversation. “Of course, with such a delicate operation, we will have to ask about the veracity of payment before we begin”.

Without breaking eye contact, the mafia boss reaches down and pulls out a metal container, calmly depositing several platinum, platinum bars, “A total worth of 50 platinum coins, in metal, to be paid upon completion of services rendered. Enough money to retire for the rest of your lives; I imagine this is sufficient?”

No wonder this job is paying one hundred and twenty motes when your boss is dropping this much hard cash onto table without a sweat. “That’ll work nicely,” you admit.

“And the guys we’re escortin’?” Mono pipes up- you’re surprised that she managed to find her voice, but found it she has. “There was somethin’ about a group along with a ‘trusted Artificer’ or somethin’ like that. He that good?” Not a bad question.

“For being an unaffiliated Artificer, yes. He has a track record of keeping his mouth shut, despite being freelance, and has worked with us, to favorable results, in the past. We bring in anyone else, and we risk dragging even more third parties into this,” Snuffing out his spent cigar, the man spends a few moments lighting up a second one, “Now, the rest of the team will be three of my best: Archmage here is one of them, Gladiator, my head of security, is the second, and Dutch, our top gunslinger, is the third. They have all been briefed as to the situation, and are all within this building currently if you wish to speak to them. The Artificer runs a shop in the Earth District, if you want to talk to him; if you have any special requests for equipment or weapons, he’d be the man to speak to”.

[2/3]

>>2444177

[3/3]

“When do we leave?” It’s Izumi that asks that one, her tightly controlled voice belying her thoughts on the matter.

“There’s a ship in port right now specifically set aside for your use. When you are prepared to make the journey, go talk to the captain. Keep in mind that once you leave, you are not coming back until the job is done,” The Don moves his cigar to the side so he can lean forwards slightly, “Am I clear?”

“Crystal,” Is your immediate response.

“Good!” Leaning back, it’s almost like the man didn't just subtly threaten you, “Feel free to prepare as you wish now. If you require lodgings overnight, I believe we have a few spare rooms here. If not, then you are free to stay at one of our beautiful city’s many inns. Good day to you all!”

And with that, you're not so subtly sent out of the room.

“I’m going to take a walk,” Izumi says out of the blue as she steps quickly away from the pack, fishing one of the Murmur Stones out of her backpack and tossing it to you. “PLEASE don’t follow me- I’ll call in an hour.” She gives you one last look- something that’s trying to be both understanding and angry- and walks out ahead.

“...What’s buggin’ her?” Mono asks blithely. You just sigh- she’ll come around, she just needs some time. She’s too good otherwise.

As for where you’re headed now…
> Go talk to this ‘Gladiator’
> Go talk to Dutch
> Go find this Artificer
> Go explore the city
> Go somewhere else
> Split up the group (send who where? Izumi unavailable)

>>2444181

On that list, I gotta run off here. I got skiing to do early tomorrow, but I'll see about continuing the updates sometime late tomorrow afternoon EST. Thank you all for playing thus far, this is going to be one hell of ride.

>>2444181
Should probably leave today if at all possible, even if it's late at night from visiting.

The longer we wait the more time anyone who gets their first has time to dig in or loot and run at the first sign of trouble.

>>2444181
>> Go find this Artificer
>> Go explore the city

Hope you lot enjoyed the run! I'm glad there's so much interest. Hope it keeps up!

>>2444181
> Go talk to this ‘Gladiator’
> Go talk to Dutch

i'm kinda glad Lori isn't in this job having to deal with her and Dutch together would be a huge headache.

>>2444181
Miranda
>> Go talk to this ‘Gladiator’ And Dutch
we need to coordinate security protocols strategies and such; also see what they have in mind regarding defense perimeters and what would be the expected offensive and expected ordnance they'll carry.

Owlia, Cylica and Mono
>Go find this Artificer
>Explore the city
Find the artificer, see that he (and his equipment if needed)is safe and sound, and check the nearby stores for any thing that we might find useful. Cylica should be more than capable of discerning that.

>>2444211
The flirting would have been off the charts, I won't lie.

>>2444181
Supporting >>2444212

>>2444185
This.

>>2444213
I take it Lori's a blonde?

>>2444181
>Miranda
Talk with Gladiator and Dutch

>Mono, Owlia, Cylica
Go find this Artificer. Get flamethrowers and an idea on this Blight.

>>2444220
I'm curious if John's Blight wound will make him smell more dangerous than he is.

>>2444213
Specialy since she should be thirsty after what happend in the robobattle world.

>>2444219
Dirty blonde, edging brunette.

>>2444226
...why would she? if anything, the one that got blueballed HARD was tooru.

>>2444224
Considerig that his bligth wound is what allows him to turn into what i like to call "his Hide form" i believe he would.

Most likely somethign between Blood, rotten eggs and fire

>>2444232
Lori is always thirsty.

>>2444181
>> Go find this Artificer
We can talk to the not-mobsters en route. We don't have anything to ask them about besides their capabilities anyways.

>>2444181
Idk what the hell's going on right now, but one of the 'For hire' anons mentioned golemancy so these guys are all right. Maybe they can slide some golem frames our way? Even if they're made of rock and such.

>>2444229
Oh yeah, Handler? About Jago, did Lorelei alter his AI? I was kinda unsure whether or not we did or didn't.

>>2444181
>talk to gladiator
Like anon said, discuss security coordination procedures.
> talk to artificer
Does he have sensitive/fragile equipment? Are ruins/artifacts fragile?
Also supporting leaving asap, don't see the need to hang around.
>>2444234
>his Hide form
Hyde?

>>2444285
He mentioned once we got back that Jago counted as property, so no. Fuck knows what she has done since then though.

>>2444286
Yes his "Mr. Hyde form"

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>>2444288
There is only one answer for that.

>>2444288
It is not mentioned whether jago was given sentience.

>>2444498
>>2436543
>The swaaaaarthy fellow? Heeeeeee’s loot- unless you do that VERY nifty trick on him again. But, final decision isn’t teeeeeeechnically my call to make anymore.
>Uhhh...okay, so, just throwing it out there- I made a couple robots sapient and one I’m thinking about making sapient
A big deal was made of Pri having new thoughts and modes of thought. Jago did not. I can't be bothered going back to check if he was there when Lori was comparing Zero's and Mixer's eyes but if you were paying attention it would be clear that we never possess him. Unless it was off camera after the mission ended which doesn't seem likely given the snippets that handler included that he would skip that one.

>>2444265
sorry new fag, their guild has a and i quote "very firm stance, with harsh punishments, on leaking tech"

no golems this way, looks like we are just going to take the stuff we got back from sigfried

>>2444181
>Dutch, gladiator

talk to all the people, because i want to see their reactions and because knowing two of the best none damyo fighters in the city is a good thing.

i give it 5 minutes before dutch tries flirting

>>2444200
Sure liking it so far, I'm sure it'll be great.

Wonder what stick Izumi got up the arse... Eh, she'll come around, maybe just iffy she didn't get told beforehand there would be criminals involved

>>2444662
She is a moralfag. She doesn't work for people she see as evil, lawbreakers or go against her morals. Mafias check all her boxes

>>2444671
I just figured she was more of a "I know it's happening, and that sucks, but more importantly - I don't wanna undertake jobs where I do these things", so I figured she wouldn't mind all that much working for mafia guy, so long as she doesn't have to go and do evil shite

>>2444671
>moralfag
She is a PURE magical girl who fights for PEACE and JUSTICE.

>>2444671
Maybe she’ll make friends with Sun, the head of the bastion, or Gang Ryong, the local vigilante.
We’re on very good terms with the former and sort of okay with the latter, although Gang does not like the mafia men at all iirc

>>2444679
the scary Councillor from the second cut scene and "the devil of the east"

and gang doesn't like us very much i don't think he tolerates us because of goo hwi

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>>2444678
That sounds like the very model of a moralfag and a good person

>>2444682
Maybe his opinion of us improved since that vampiric clusterfuck? I guess it depends on whether he decides to blame us for Goo getting involved and injured, or appreciate us fighting at his side.

>>2444686
i think his last words to us were "and john, if you get goo killed because of your mafia buddies, i am going to kill you slowly"

but i may be wrong. and now i am thinking about what the moral mage would have done in that ruin dive with the goblins.

>>2444688
Well, it was not *our* mafia buddies who initiated the coup (this time).

>>2444691
somehow, i doubt the "devil of the east/dragons lair" cares very much for semantics when the end result is the same.

if goo dies, and it is because of his link to us and our link to the underworld then we may be on the receiving end of a goku plasma ball.

for an artificer, we have far too many odd friends

>>2444696
somehow I doubt the "devil of the east" is retarded enough to pin blame for vampire invasion on us, but I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we reach it.

>>2444211

Admittedly, that was one of the first things I mentioned to Handler when we started talking about this crossover.

Damn shame Lori didn't come.

>>2444265

TL;DR: these girls are the extra-dimensional version of hiring deniable mercenaries, with an adjusted price tag to match.

>>2444211
>>2444212
>>2444215
>>2444220
>>2444240
>>2444286
>>2444616

Looks like we're definitely having Miranda talk to Gladiator and Dutch, but looks like we're split on what to have IT + wolfgirl do first.
> Find the Artificer
> Explore the city

>>2444706
>artificer

>>2444676
We weren't told who the employer was, if she had known she would have refused. Probably royally pissed at Sal for knowing and not telling. They've been at this for nearly a century, he knowingly pulled a fast one on her

>>2444706
>Find the Artificer

>>2444708
Probably. Miranda's vocally not a fan of Izumi’s ethics, but she's always been respectful enough to abide by them on some level at the very least.

>>2444706
> Find the Artificer

And if the ladies here are mercs, whats the going success rate/defaulting rate.

for the amount the don put down, i dont think they will default here, but it would be nice to know how good a track record they have

>>2444717
Pretty solid for Miranda & Izumi.

>>2444719
Miranda and Izumi both have an over 90% success rate. The other three are too new to really have a success rate worth worrying about.

Lorelei, the thirsty gurl we keep talking about that isn't here, is the one that's been there a while, yet has something of a low success rate. The job we just came off of was explicitly to bolster it because the higher-ups were getting leery on her.

>>2444717
>>2444722
Quoted the wrong person.

>>2444706
> Find the Artificer

>>2444717
The Don said the pay would be enough for everyone to retire on.
Miranda should have responded that said amount would only last for two month’s rent.
Fucking yokels thinking their trinkets and baubles are the finest treasures in the world; yeah, sure, the finest for THEIR little corner of existence. Our standards are quite a bit higher.

How likely is the Don to renege on his contract?

>>2444729
Honestly, unlikely. You are things conjured up by archmage, a scary individual in his own right. So pissing off mages from another world is just dumb.

Also, bad business ethic. your services may be useful at a later date so best to have a good standing.

And platinum bars like that is still a fair amount, no matter where you go. metal never goes out of fashion [in most cases]

>>2444729
Yeah i laughed a bit internally when he sad that about lifetime

>>2444732
Yeah it's a pretty sweet pay, although where they go back to the pay is gonna kinda evaporate into a currency called motes, that has valued based on how much people think the converted item was worth.. so yeah plat bars will translate into a lot of motes

>>2444729

The Don runs this branch's part of a massive merchantile company; if he's offering enough money you're getting paid in minted bars, he believes that what he'll be getting in return will be worth the cost.

>>2444732
>>2444734
>>2444735
Still, I’d like to make a comment that the pay isn’t THAT extravagant.
It’s a nice payday, but nothing we could retire on. Maybe a vacation.

>>2444739
maybe to you, but the don has no reference to your currency or world. Here that is enough to retire on, probably with a nice house.

and if it makes you feel any better, it is probably more than john and co is getting payed

>>2444706
> Explore the city

>>2444739
Idk man, 120 large motes? That's a heller of a payout. But yeah agreed it wont last a year, especially seeing as they have to divide it

>>2444741
I aint complaining about the pay, it's a pretty sizable sum! But yeah these gals are expensive, but usually worth the money in sheer firepower

>>2444745
>especially seeing as they have to divide it
Don’t forget the cut that Upper Management takes.

>>2444717
it seems like a large sum, but it averages out in 24 motes per person. the last job we had payed more.

>>2444748
Well we could have take just Owlia and divide it to 2. But this way 3 rookies get more experience, and 24 is nothing to scuff at

>>2444748
the currency here works on a 1 to 100 scale if i remember rightly going from bronze to silver to gold to platinum

a platinum coin is more than we have ever gotten i think. and i wonder how many coins go into a bar

>>2444755
Dayum, that puts it into perspective. But yeah, 120 large motes is a heck of a lot, so im not surprised

>>2444725
>>2444715
>>2444709
>>2444707

Alright, looks like the girls are meeting the Artificer.

See you all in about 9 hours, I'm off to ski.

anyone at jay peak, VT today it ooks like the tram is going to be running today; should be fun to finally get the chance to ski up there

>>2444739
I think the don is using more the concept if his world for the currency worth.

>>2444773
>tram

That's just a train using a modified passager car!!

>>2444801
Yes, and the point was that his sense of value is that of a small economy compared to the values that Miranda is coming from.

The amount of value that to the Don seems enough to secure a lifetime of luxury is barely enough for three month’s rent (in a small apartment) at the Intersection.

The weird conversion rate to motes is because when the payment is rendered and transported to the intersection, it actually transforms into mote. Motes are used by the Dealmakers to build and grow their pocket universe. It transforms the void of space-time into a habitable, physical form. Exponential growth consumes an exponential amount of resources.

The Don's money won't even plant a tree as part of the expansion. The comment wasn't calling it cheap, only pointing out that economics is bullshit.

>>2444848
Yea, but that's hardly unusual for SES.

And remember money isn't the only thing with value; When those flower-based magical girls had to make up the difference on their payment, we took things they considered valuable: Old trophies, photos, toys, stuff like that.

>>2444872
i wanna meet them again. I wonder if they have a plan or something like that to ¨free us from our terrible masters¨

If I were to guess, an item's value in motes is determined by personal value X intersection demand since motes consists of emotion as well, hence personal items can cost as much as a bar of gold.

>>2444848
More then one reason to do the secondary objective and grab as much money as we can with this job. Specialy with five girls on it.

>>2444875
Biggest example is that heirloom the magical girl was willing to partways. The necklance that used to belong to her elder sister.

I was also thinking...how sad would it be if the Artificer world is one of the world Miranda was before but in a different timeline.

>>2444893
we can always jam everything that isn´t bolted on into our bags of holding.