>>3061367
“Come on Ophelia’ we need to get fitted for the costumes. Can’t keep the lady waiting now.” The woman took a few steps forward.

“I need to write just one more thing!” She said, flipping around and scribbling on the board again.

“The runes aren’t going anywhere Ophelia, but the party will.” Henry took a small bit of enjoyment from watching Ophelia struggle.

The woman wanted more than anything to continue working on their project, but at the same time she wanted to get a costume for the party. She walked back and forth between Henry and the board before finally heading out with Henry. She looked like she was ready to explode, and her pupils had shrunk as if she was an opium junkie fresh off a high. It was somewhat disturbing and lasted until they got topside in a dirty alley behind a bookstore and a barbershop. Henry’s enjoyment had completely faded by that point, there was nothing fun about watching someone tear themselves apart for such a stupid reason.

He knew better than to stir up a hornets nest however. He only made sure she was in a state to make the brief journey to the tailors shop. The trip took a few moments, and Ophelia finally calmed down, the woman spent the walk taking in the sights and sounds of Celeste. The tailors shop was situated on a small side street, and didn’t seem nearly as grand or impressive as Vermillion had made it out to be. A small wooden sign hung above the doorframe, the words ‘The Velvet Glove’ could barely be made out. The sign hadn’t been painted in a long time, and it really needed a fresh coat.

All of this unsettled Henry. Vermillion was a man who absolutely loved his pomp and showmanship. Henry couldn’t imagine him frequenting such a small and dingy shop, unless there was some sort of catch, and of course there would be. Henry just didn’t know WHAT the catch was.

As Henry tried to think of the best way to enter, Ophelia opened the door and stepped inside. Henry quickly followed hoping they hadn’t acted too rudely. The sound of a small bell rung throughout the store as Henry entered to see Ophelia browsing the selection of threads on display.

“Come in come in dearies!” A voice called from deeper in the shop.

Decisions:
1. “We’re here on behalf of Mr. Gold.” (Vermillion’s surname)
2. “Ophelia do NOT run off on me like that.”
3. “Yeah hello, I’m not sure we’re in the right place so sorry for bothering you.”
4. “what a dump.”
5. (write in)

>>3061382
>1. “We’re here on behalf of Mr. Gold.” (Vermillion’s surname)
Once the outfitter is out of earshot
2. “Ophelia do NOT run off on me like that.”

>>3061382
Backing >>3061411

>>3061432
>>3061411
writing

>>3061382
The room was lit by a bunch of candles and a few scattered light runes. The curtains on the front windows were drawn shut giving the whole room a mystical feeling. Rows of thread and fabrics stretched to the left of the entrance, and several racks of fairly average clothing sat to the right.

“We’re here on behalf of Mr. Gold.” Henry said, grabbing Ophelia by the arm and doing his best to appear presentable.

Ophelia struggled to get out of his grip but Henry merely tightened it in response. The woman got the point after a couple seconds.

A small elderly woman wearing a plain set of clothes stepped out from behind the counter. The woman was fairly plain all things considered. Still, something felt a tad off, and a quick peek using mage sight revealed what, there was some sort of enchantment on her. Henry figured it was a glamour, she was probably a vampire, or some inhuman thing.

“Would either of you dearies care for some tea?” She asked.

“Certainly! Do you have peppermint?” Ophelia asked.

“I’m good, thank you.” Henry said, awkwardly.

“Oh don’t act all apprehensive, I’m not going to harm either of you. The woman said. “Oh where are my manners. My name is Barbara.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Ophelia said, holding out her hand.

Barbara looked at it for a moment like it was covered in shit. Then gave a quizzical look towards Henry.

“I-I’m still teaching her how things work.” Henry said, grabbing ahold of Ophelia’s arm and lowering it back down toward her side.

Ophelia was genuinely puzzled during the entire exchange. About halfway through she realized they might be dealing with a vampire, and quickly backed behind Henry.

“Oh how precious.” Barbara said, “Well you make sure to teach her properly, some of the others aren’t as understanding. Excuse me for a second while I grab my tools.”

“Ophelia, do NOT run off on me like that.” Henry said, after Barbara was out of earshot.

Decision by Ophelia:
1. “YOU DIDN’T TELL ME THERE’D BE A VAMPIRE!” (loud whispering)
2. “Soooorry?”
3. “So this doesn’t seem like a skilled tailor, at least by the clothing on the racks.”
4. “The candles smell funny.”
5. “I-I’m just gonna go wait outside and get some sunlight…”
6. (write in)

>>3061462
>2. “Soooorry?”
>3. “So this doesn’t seem like a skilled tailor, at least by the clothing on the racks.”

>>3061462
Backing >>3061483

>>3061486
>>3061483
writing

>>3061462
“Soooorry?” Ophelia said, straddling the line between sincerity and utter confusion

“You don’t try to shake hands with vampires alright? Lot of them don’t like getting treated as equals. I have my own thoughts on this of course.”

“Superiority complex?” Ophelia asked.

“Yeah but don’t talk so loud. I mean they are stronger and faster than us, least any of them that survive past being fledglings.” Henry said, glancing over his shoulder into the back room.

“Well alright then, I’m sorry.” Ophelia said. “I just don’t get the fuss, a handshake is a handshake right? I’ve never had anyone act like that to me before.”

“Well if a rat tried to give you a handshake you’d probably act the same way.” Henry said.

“I find them cute.” Ophelia replied. “I mean as long as they’re clean of course.”

“What? Whatever, look, just try not to do anything that’d insult her. We’re above ground but you are involved, you aren’t a rando anymore and if you act dumb you WILL pay for it, alright?”

“So this doesn’t seem like a skilled tailor, at least by the clothing on the racks.”

“… fucks sake, really?” Henry asked.

“What? It’s a factual observation, nobody should be offended when you say the facts!”

“First off, tons of people get offended when you tell them the truth. Second off, have you never heard of a front?”

“A what?” Ophelia asked.

“A fake business to draw attention away from your real one? I ran one with a doctor I knew once, before he got caught and hung by the church. Taught me to never work with others if you can avoid it.”

“Oh.” Ophelia replied. “So …”

“I need your help, we’ve been over that, and I’m not going to just leave you to hang. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”

Ophelia went to respond and was promptly cut off.

“Alright Mister Fisher, this way please.” Barbara said. The woman disdainfully handed a cup of tea off to Ophelia. She turned around and led Henry into a small well lit room with a ton of tools, thread, measuring tape, and other things laid out neatly on a rack. On the other side of the room was a set of mirrors. Only one person in the room gave off a reflection.

“So what were you thinking off?” Barbara asked. “Four days isn’t a whole lot of time but I’ve worked under more trying circumstances. Vermillion is awfully lucky I’m such a good friend of his since I wouldn’t do this normally.”

Decisions:
1. “I didn’t realize he had friends.”
2. “I’m thinking a black owl mask with a feathery cloak. Maybe gloves with blades hidden in them.”
3. “I want something simple, just an owl mask and a nice suit.”
4. “Vermillion told you what he wanted correct? I don’t really want to deviate from that.”
5. (write in)

>>3061554
>2. “I’m thinking a black owl mask with a feathery cloak. Maybe gloves with blades hidden in them.”
5. (write in)
>"But, as you are the master seamstress, your opinion is more valuable than mine."

>>3061554
Backing >>3061559

>>3061565
>>3061559
writing

>>3061554
“I’m thinking a black owl mask with a feathery cloak. Maybe gloves with blades hidden in them.” Henry said, trying to conjure up the idea in his head. He’d heard that some assassins used such weapons but he wasn’t really sure if this woman would be able to make the idea a reality. “Since you’re the master seamstress, your opinion is more valuable than mine.”

“Vermillion never mentioned adding weapons, so that’d be on you, would probably be a couple gold job.” Barbara said.

“So it’s doable?” Henry asked.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult, although I won’t be able to enchant the blades at all, I’ve never enjoyed metalworking and I wouldn’t be able to do it on such short notice anyhow. As for the clothing, I’ll be giving it the standard strength enhancement, blades won’t be able to harm you but you’ll still be able to get your bones broken, so don’t go running at swords alright?” Barbara said. “I can probably enchant the cloak to slow your fall but that’s about it, anything additional would cost extra I’m afraid.”

Decisions:
1. “the slow fall enchantment would be excellent.”
2. “So there is no way to make the protection ward stronger?”
3. “I’d like to get the bladed gloves, it’ll let me sneak them past security easily.”
4. “Two gold?! Isn’t Vermillion paying for all of this already? I’d only pay one tops!” (roll 1d100, easy roll)
5. “I thought you agreed to help Vermillion? If I can’t defend myself then I’m not much good to him, I need the blade gloves!” (roll 1d100, medium roll)
6. (write in)

>>3061611
>1. “the slow fall enchantment would be excellent.”
And the ward for both sets please.
Also the slowfall for the other one.

>>3061630
night

>>3061611
>4. “Two gold?! Isn’t Vermillion paying for all of this already? I’d only pay one tops!” (roll 1d100, easy roll)
>Slow fall

>>3061611
Backing >>3061630
She might take offense if we bargain after Ophelia's faux pas, but what do you think?

>>3061611
4. “Two gold?! Isn’t Vermillion paying for all of this already? I’d only pay one tops!” (roll 1d100, easy roll)

>>3061630
>>3061806
>>3061958
>>3064097
alright boys, make the roll

>Hope everyone enjoyed their thanksgiving

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>3064567
I ate soo much dressing, and I shall eat more.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>3064567

>>3064622
>>3064570
thats a pass

>>3061611
“Two gold?! Isn’t Vermillion paying for all this already?” Henry asked. “I’d only pay one tops.”

Barbara stopped her work for a moment, eyeing Henry up like a hungry wolf would look at a sheep.

“You’re awfully fortunate you’re Vermillion’s favorite pet. Otherwise I’d have to take offense. Regardless, I can accept one gold for services rendered, it’ll cover expenses and my time at least, what did you want exactly?”

“The slow fall enchantment on the clothing and cloak, and the wards on both as well.” Henry replied.

“I’m only going to give the slow-fall to the cloak, and the ward to the clothing. I don’t have the time to ensure there isn’t any conflict with the enchantments I’m afraid.” Barbara said. “I’m not a miracle worker regardless of what Vermillion might have told you.”

“No problem.” Henry replied, hoping to improve relations with the vampire.

“Hell of a thing what those two are doing.” Barbara said as she got to work measuring Henry. “Vermillion’s always struck some as an impudent brat, but age has tempered his behavior quite a bit. As for Sir Jacob, I think he’s more of an oaf, but Baron Rollins seems to have a liking for him.”

“I’m not well versed in that areas politics I’m afraid.”

“Merely talking to myself.” Barbara said. “Bit of a habit that helps me work.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When Henry was finished up he stepped outside to see Ophelia standing in the now opened doorway of the shop, basking in sunlight. He figured that she was seeking shelter from Barbara.

“Come on now dearie, let’s get you measured.” Barbara said. “Vermillion did mention a second person but I was under the impression it would be a male.”

“Oh um.. yes?” Ophelia asked nervously.

“No matter, let’s get you measured.”

Decision by Ophelia:
1. “I’d rather design my own you know… real… good with my hands... and tinkering you know!”
2. *Beg Henry to stay with you so you don’t get your throat torn out*
3. “Y-yes of course.”
4. (write in)

>>3064733
>3. “Y-yes of course.”
>4. (write in)
Look at Henry with pleading eyes.
Pleading to keep her company cause of scary vampire.

>>3064733
Backing >>3064742

>>3064750
>>3064742
writing

>>3064733
“Y-yes of course.” Ophelia said.

The woman slowly shimmied away from the door. It only took a few seconds for Barbara to become impatient, the woman coughed loudly and then a second time. Ophelia looked at Henry pleadingly, hoping against hope the man wouldn’t leave her alone with a vampire.

“Hey Barbara, can I stick with her while you do the measurements?” Henry asked.

“Absolutely not, I will have no interruptions whatsoever. If I could I’d even skip measurements.”

Henry looked sheepishly at Ophelia as the woman was led by the arm into the same backroom Henry had been. Henry hoped the woman wouldn’t be too petrified to work with Barbara. She HAD wanted to do this.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I assume you want the same general costume as him? Owl mask and feather cloak?” Barbara said.

“Erm, what?” Ophelia asked. “We never discuss-“

“Of course I will not be able to provide enchantments for you, shame how it is but I don’t have the resources on hand I’m afraid.”

Decisions:
1. “T-that’s fine…”
2. “Actually I’d like a different costume…” (write in required)
3. *say nothing and tremble slightly with fear*
4. (write in)

>>3064795
>“Of course I will not be able to provide enchantments for you, shame how it is but I don’t have the resources on hand I’m afraid.”
THAT BITCH
>>3064795
>1. “T-that’s fine…”

>>3064795
Backing >>3064801

>>3064810
>>3064801
writing

>>3064795
>7
“T-that’s fine.” Ophelia said, her voice a mere squeak.

“I didn’t quite hear you dearie, could you speak up?” Barbara said as she continued her measurements.

“I said its fine.”

“Well good, I wasn’t really asking.”

“O-oh.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ophelia walked out of the work room with a very stiff posture, the woman was utterly terrified of the vampire, and considering her prior experiences with them, Henry couldn’t fault her. The woman probably had more reason to hate them than he did, almost.

Henry handed Barbara a gold coin. The woman snatched it from his hand and looked it over before explaining the enchantments. They would only be limited usage, although they would be rechargeable with the correct mana. The slowfall would be a blue mana spell while the ward would be a white mana spell. To recharge them would simply require imputing the right mana. Simple enough.

(-1 gold coin)

“C-can we leave, please?!” Ophelia whispered when she got close enough. “And never come back?”

Decisions: (pick one)
1. Head back home, the rune project is waiting
2. Grab some lunch with Ophelia, the woman needs to eat properly
3. Head to black alley, might as well do some shopping
4. *say something to Ophelia* (Write in)
5. (write in)

>>3064883
>2. Grab some lunch with Ophelia, the woman needs to eat properly

>>3064883
Backing >>3064917
Brain food is coffee and a nice medieval fish sandwich

>>3064938
>>3064917
writing

>>3064939
writing tomorrow

>>3064883
Henry Carefully led the frightened woman through a couple of streets before finding a bistro with a nice red and white stripped awning. He didn’t see a name but anything would do at this point. So he did what he could to help his shaky companion feel more at ease, then got himself a sandwich and some coffee, oh how he needed his coffee right now.

They would have costumes for the party but some actual planning could prove useful. He had to figure out how to get Johnny close enough to the party where he’d be some actual help. Henry didn’t even know the exact location of the event, he just figured Vermillion would get him, Ophelia, and Lady Marlene a carriage and that would transport them to the event. He’d probably have to square it past that damned vampire.

“S-sorry.” Ophelia finally said between shivers. “I s-s-should’ve been brave right?”

“No, not really.” Henry whispered. “To be honest I just don’t give enough of a shit to be scared of them anymore. If they want to kill me they will.”

“T-that’s not r-right.” Ophelia said, at a non-whispering volume. The woman proceeded to nibble at her sandwich, Henry hoped she wouldn’t waste food.

Decisions: (by Henry)
1. Talk to Ophelia (write in)
2. Finish up and head out

Decisions By Ophelia
1. Play with food (write in optional)
2. Actually eat
3. Talk to Henry (write in)
4. Think up an invention (write in)

>>3067442
>1. Talk to Ophelia (write in)
"If you think this was bad, Vermillion is a thousand times worse. Vamps are nothing but trouble, and I've known this for years, working with Vermillion."
(Enjoy the coffee and sandwich. This bitter coffee is just whag you needed today.)
"I'm just lucky he sees me as a fucking business pet and not a torture pet or worse. Most people don't get the chance to work with bloodduckers at that level, or at least not long."
(Contemplate Vermillion's use as a fucking tool. How is Abraxas' disappearance affecting him and the other vamps? Are they even on the same side?)

>2. Actually eat, but also listen to Henry go on about vamps
(This sandwich is surprisingly above par.)
>4. Think up an invention (write in)
Utilizing the input/output linked runes with a storage intermediate? If you could absorb pure solar energy, store it for later use, then release as concentrated focused blast... potential anti-vampire countermeasure...?

>>3067493
Nice
I'll support this decision

>>3067493
>>3067695
writing

>>3067442
“If you think this was bad, Vermillion is a thousand times worse. Man’s a smug piece of shit and he likes to rub it in everyone’s face. “ Henry said, being careful not to say anything he shouldn’t have. He WAS in public after all.

He took the time to enjoy his coffee, the bitterness reflecting how he felt at this moment in time. The sandwich was good too, roast beef, lettuce and freshly chopped tomato. He figured it was from a local farming community, hopefully one upwind from the local factory districts.

Ophelia nibbled on her sandwich for a bit longer before actually starting to eat it, she was surprised how good it was. She hadn’t had high expectations for this little rest stop, but perhaps she should do it more often. She rubbed her head as a headache came over her. She wished she had brought paper.

“I’m just lucky he sees me as a fucking business pet and not a torture pet or worse. Most people don’t get the chance to work with vam… them for so long. Unless they see you as a pet or livestock. I don’t think they can see us as anything else.”

Ophelia began to daydream, Henry’s talk of vampires wasn’t exactly thrilling. She’d had enough of them for one day. Perhaps she could create a storage device to hold excess mana from he input output runes. Maybe she could link the sun runes and make something stronger. She knew the sunlight runes didn’t actually kill vampires, the things weren’t strong enough… but perhaps if she used a LOT of them…

Henry took the time to consider the disappearance of abraxas. He knew it was related to the high seraphs disappearance. He didn’t know too much about the higher ranks of the Roma family. Just that they’d probably use the opportunity to expand their territory. What would that even look like? He’d heard stories about vampire territory with their blood farms, although coming from the church that wasn’t exactly trustworthy info, and Vermillion never talked about the ‘homeland.’

He simply didn’t believe that Abraxas was gone, it had to be a trick. He refused to believe that demon was gone. It was all some plan. He placed his hands on his head and grabbed at clumps of hair. He stopped when he noticed Ophelia staring at him.

Decisions:
1. “It’s nothing.”
2. “I hope you’re having less paranoid delusions than I am right now.”
3. “What?”
4. *Head Home, you have a bunch of things you could do*
5. *Head to Black Alley to do some shopping, might as well get a ruby for the absorption charm you got in Grutzberg.*
6. *Head to undertown and see how Nessie is doing.*

>>3067880
>2. “I hope you’re having less paranoid delusions than I am right now.”
>5. *Head to Black Alley to do some shopping, might as well get a ruby for the absorption charm you got in Grutzberg.*

>>3067880
backing >>3068051

>>3068174
>>3068051
writing

>>3067880
“I hope you’re having fewer paranoid delusions than I am right now.” Henry said, trying to break the awkward silence he’d created.

“I’m not having any at all.” Ophelia replied. “Are you um… okay?”

“I’m fine, it’s nothing.” Henry said. “Just a bit of self-deprecation.”

The two talked about their little rune project. Ophelia had created a list of materials and ingrediants she’d need, and had requested a small budget of ten silver for everything. Henry looked it over and was surprised that she was actually right on the money in terms of prices.

“I told you I’d been having to count every coin for a long time, until that job I had in Grutzberg I had to balance food with work. Most of the time anyway, I occasional got projects if I got lucky. Nobody ever wanted to hire a woman.”

“I believe you after viewing this.” Henry said. “Luckily for you I don’t really care, you could be a dog and I’d still hire you after seeing what you could do… er… bad way to put it.”

“Its fine.” Ophelia said. “I know… I think anyway.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Henry led Ophelia up a set of steps in some far flung back alley higher up the side of the hill Celeste was built on. He ran his hand over a set of chalk marks and muttered to himself about how the code had changed again. He walked into and out of a couple of different sidepaths, seemingly at random, while still muttering to himself about how much of a headache the added security was. Ophelia continued to follow his every move, becoming more and more uncertain of what he was even doing.

Just before she’d written the man off as insane, he disappeared from view. She blinked a couple of times. Before running after him, trying to figure out what had happened. Then suddenly she was in another location, another place. A wide avenue with a ceramic cover containing a mosaic of the night sky. She felt woozy all of a sudden. Full of people, she felt boxed in and completely out of breath.

“Alright, let’s get this gem done. Heck maybe we can get this owl charm looked at too, might be able to find out what kind of spell it has.”

“That’s… erk… great.” Ophelia said.

Decision by Ophelia:
1. *Talk to Henry* (write in optional)
2. *throw up on the ground in public*
3. *try to find a safe location to puke*
4. *you’re a strong girl, maintain your composure.”
5. (write in)

>>3070545
>2. *throw up on the ground in public*

>>3070545
>4. *you’re a strong girl, maintain your composure.”
Keep calm. Think as if everything around you is papers. You wouldn't wanna throw up on valuable blueprints or schematics, right? Just hold it in, breathe in breathe out...

>>3070727
Lets do this

>>3070727
>>3070854
roll for it boys

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>3070861

>>3070869
writing

>>3070545
Ophelia clutched at her stomach and leaned against one of the marble columns that dotted the long corridor of a street that she’d found herself in. She saw Henry talking with a merchant about buying a gem or some such, probably for that necklace he’d gotten after he’d killed the people who’d hurt her. She clutched at her face for a second, it didn’t burn anymore but it felt like it should have.

She remembered what her father had once told her, if you ever get scared, nervous, or just overwhelmed, take nice deep breaths. She concentrated on not throwing up, on maintaining her composure, what have you. She imagined everything being work papers.

She needed to get back to work…

Breath in, breath out…

A few minutes later Henry returned to check in on Ophelia.

“Alright so I’ve spoken with a few merchants. I need to figure out whether getting this thing fixed is worth it. Lowest price I could get was a fifty silver job, for both the gem and the work to cut it down and place it into the charm. As for the owl, I think I know what it does now.” Henry said, smiling.

“How’d you figure that?” Ophelia asked.

“I know a specialist. While you were almost puking I spoke to her, she thinks it’s a summoning spell, probably of an owl familiar. We won’t know the exact effects until we try it of course, but the issue is it requires some green mana to function, which neither of us have access to.”

“So its useless?” Ophelia asked, placing a hand over her mouth.

“Not quite, I know a couple people who can use green mana, in fact I just broke one outta prison.”

A couple people had stopped to stare and poke fun at Ophelia. They said things like ‘green horn’ and ‘newbie.’ Henry shooed them away and continued explaining.

“It can hold a charge, so I’m thinking we get Duchane… that’s the person I rescued, to get a charge loaded into the thing so we can use it during the party.”

“Works… works for me.” Ophelia muttered.

Decisions:
1. Continue shopping (write in required)
2. Get the gem and have it fitted into the charm (-50 silver, will lose access to the charm while the gem is worked on)
3. Head down to undertown
4. Head back home
5. Write in

>>3070908
goodnight

>>3070908
>3. Head down to undertown
Maybe have Duchene charge it now so we can test it out and see what can we do with it

Good night thanks for running

>>3070908
Backing >>3071323

>>3071323
Backing.

>>3072190
>>3071469
>>3071323
writing

>>3070908
“Come on, let’s get out of here. Shame I don’t have time to show you around better.” Henry said.

A small convoy of cloaked mages passed by as the two of them proceeded towards a marble archway with a lot of different gems dotting its length. There were all sorts of arcane symbols so complex that even Ophelia had trouble understanding it. The alley was still busy as ever, all sorts of weird shops dotting its length. The portal acted as a sort of end to the alley, from what Henry understood the alley was more of a loop, with the portal acting as the end of the line in both directions.

“What is it?” Ophelia asked.

“A gateway, thing is old, really old, heck some people say it predates the church, the alley probably dates all the way back to the founding of celeste. Beyond that, nobody really knows, I certainly don’t care. The ability to make these things got lost somewhere along the way and nobody who knows it exists has the time or resources to attempt to replicate it. It shifts the exit around every couple days all on its own, and it somehow knows not to put you inside of the ground or into the wall of a building.

“Is it safe?” Ophelia asked. The portal shimmered with an otherworldly glow, the woman was tempted to just put a hand through but the inventor had suddenly found restraint.

“Never heard of any accidents.” Henry said, before stepping through. Ophelia followed a few seconds later, placing a hand over her eyes and rushing forwards, smack into the back of Henry.

They were in another alleyway again.

“So it seems we’re near Serpent Street, interesting.” Henry said. “Never actually had it exit here before.”

“Do you keep track?” Ophelia asked.

“Used to when I was younger and thought I could figure everything out, but some things are just too complicated, or really not worth it.”

“Maybe I’ll try.” Ophelia suggested.

“You can spend your free time how you like, even if it is a waste.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>>3073072


After paying the two coppers necessary to get into Undertown, Henry and Ophelia quietly slipped into the nine tails bar. Nessie was working the counter as usual and the normal regulars were already having their daily pint. It was about noon Henry figured, though without a watch it was impossible to tell down here, and the sole grandfather clock in the bar had been broken for decades.

(-2 copper)

Henry stepped up to the bar to say hello to Nessie and get down to business. The woman told him that Duchane was in the back working with her husband. So, off Henry went.

After exchanging pleasantries the two got down to brass tacks. Duchane unhappily offered thanks for the breakout to Henry, and he could tell she hated the fact that she’d needed it.

“Looks, I don’tsie really cares what yousies on about, I got my ownsies problems.” Duchane said, “I don’tsies wants to go messing aroundsies with a damnsie idol.”

Decisions:
1. “You owe me that much, come on.”
2. “The things perfectly safe, I just had it checked.”
3. “Do you want me to get Nessie involved?”
4. “I’d be willing to pay you a few coppers for the trouble.”
5. “Do you know what it is?”
6. “Can you just do me this favor, please?”
7. (write in)


>Apologies about not posting last night, Fallout New Vegas modding is consuming my life.

>>3073074
>2. “The things perfectly safe, I just had it checked."
>5. “Do you know what it is?"
This is good for now. It might not be what Henry thinks, he might have been lied to, the effect of the idol might be different, or Paulie might have been scammed/rused. Better to ask context, she's the one with green mana

>>3073136
Supportin

>>3074129
>>3073136
writing

>>3073074
“The things perfectly safe, I just had it checked.” Henry said, trying to reassure the woman.

“By who?” Duchane asked.

“Professional cursebreaker friend I know, nothing malicious about the thing.”

“I didn’t find anything wrong with it either!” Ophelia called out.

Henry decided to not ask her when and how she’d had a look at it.

“Do you know what it is?”

“An idolsie of the great owlsie.” Duchane said. “Protector of the highsie forest, ones of many from the greats treesie.”

“Oh a pagan religion.” Ophelia said. “Quaint.”

“You bestsies be respectfuls.” Duchane said. “You knows nots what you speaksie of.”

“Look, the thing has a spell imprinted into it, I just want to find out what it does and Ophelia is a talented spellcaster so she can reverse anything that happens.”

“Yep!” Ophelia said. “I am great aren’t I?”

“Right…” Duchane said. “It ain’t curseds it’s just thats the things probably stolen.”

“Well obviously.” Henry said. “Welcome to the capital.” He continued, after seeing the woman’s horrified reaction.

Decision:
1. “Can you activate it or are you just too chicken shit?” (hard roll)
2. “Consider getting this thing working to be repayment for me busting you out of prison.” (easy roll)
3. *try to bribe her* (write in amount)
4. “Maybe Nessie will be more help…”
5. (write in)

>>3074344
>5. (write in)
"Do you have an idea where it might be stolen from? Especially considering this is my 'payment' for rescuing you."

>>3074344
>2. “Consider getting this thing working to be repayment for me busting you out of prison.” (easy roll)

>>3074997
roll required bud

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>3075035

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>3075035

>>3075689
>>3075317
oh fuck

>>3074344
“Consider getting this thing working to be repayment for me busting you out of prison.” Henry said. “Fairs fair yeah?”

“I… but that’s… no… fuck…” Duchane said, “Fuckings hell you’d hold thatsie over me?!”

“Duchane, Henry here risked life and limb to get you out of jail, the least you can do is spend a bit of mana on that fancy artifact, right?” A thin wisp of a man called out with far more authority than his frame would suggest he had.

It was Nessie’s husband, what was his name again?

“Uncle Richie, really?” Duchane said, “Both of you don’t understandsie what it means to go abouts messing with it… I mean, look its… oh what word do you churchsie people use?”

“None of us are even tangentially related to the church, and the word is heresy.” Ophelia said. “I’m almost pleased to find that your pagan religion ALSO acts like a bunch of morons.”

“Not helping, at all.” Henry replied.

“Oh.” Ophelia said. “What were we trying to do again?”

“Just help the fine folks young lady.” Richie said before ducking into another room.

“Fine, fucks, fine!” Duchane said, grabbing the artifact out of Henry’s hands.

The woman concentrated and channeled a fair amount of green mana into the artificat. As Henry watched it in mage sight he could see a faint green glow coming out of the emeralds that composed its eyes.

“So any idea where it might be stolen from? Considering this was my payment for rescuing you.”

“A holy artifacts.” Duchane said, carefully handing it back over to Henry. “Not somethingsie to be trifled withs.”

“That accent makes no sense.” Ophelia muttered as she sat down on an old barstool.

“Right, great. Any idea where it came from?” Henry said, looking the owl over to see if anything else had changed.

“No.” Duchane said. “Northsie, northsie is all I knows. It didn’t come from heresie.”

“Heresy.” Ophelia said, wrongly correcting and chiding the woman.

“That’s nots what I… forgets it.” Duchane said. “I thinks it came from the easterns range. The stylesie ain’t familiars to anything I’ve ever seesie.”

“So bordering on vampire territory, fucking fantastic.” Henry said.

Decision:
1. *Use the artifact*
2. “Can you stop harassing Duchane, Ophelia?”
3. “As much as I hate to think about it, Vermillion might have an idea”
4. “Hey Ophelia, why don’t you try it out, you’re by far the most talented mage of the three of us, if anyone can use it it’s you.” (no roll required, Henry can out Charisma Ophelia in his sleep.)
5. *don’t use the artifact*
6. *head to another location* (write in required)
7. (write in)

>>3075969
>6. *head to another location* (write in required)
Someplace that if the artifact goes bonkers and attacks, it won't trigger the ward spells in the undertown.

>>3075969
Backing >>3075984

>>3076039
>>3075984
writing

>>3075969
“Come on then.” Henry said, grabbing Ophelia by the shoulder and leading her towards the entrance.


“That it then?” Richie asked.

“Thanks! We’d rather not have an artifact go off in Undertown, let alone your bar.”

“It’s Nessie’s bar for one, but I get cha.” Richie said. “Look ya’ll stay safe right?”

“Got it bud!” Henry said.

“Assholes.” Duchane muttered, before being struck in the back of the head with a mop handle by Richie.

“Don’t say stuff like that to Henry, he’s fine folk. Can’t say much about that woman but I’m sure she’s alright too. You’ve already gotten into a whole heap of trouble and that man could’ve very well saved your life.” Richie said.

The woman grumbled and got back to work.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Henry and Ophelia hastily made their way out of Undertown, heading a couple miles deeper into the sewer network, eventually making their way to a large chamber with a ton of pipes spewing water into a deep pit. Ophelia nervously glanced over the side of a decrepit stone catwalk before rushing towards Henry.

“Don’t like heights?” Henry asked.

“Not that, it’s just this can’t be safe!”

“Place has been around for centuries and hasn’t collapsed yet. The whole underground beneath Celeste is full of more holes than a damned sponge, yet the city’s never had issues with it.”

“So you’re saying we won’t?” Ophelia asked.

“Don’t tempt fate yeah?” Henry said, jokingly.

“So can we get this over with?” Ophelia asked.

Decisions.
1. *Have Henry activate the charm*
2. *Have Ophelia Activate the charm* (write in optional)
3. *do neither and head back home*
4. (write in)

>>3076093
>2. *Have Ophelia Activate the charm* (write in optional)
Stay on standby to toss the sucker into the pit if it acts up.

>>3076100
night!

>>3076100
writing

>>3076093
Henry gingerly handed Ophelia the charged charm. He sure as hell didn’t want to be the one to activate it, and if anyone could survive any ill effects it would be Ophelia. Henry had already used up two of his nine lives during this little trip, and he didn’t feel like losing the other seven at once.

“What are you doing? G-get that away from m-me.” Ophelia said, backing up until she bumped into the stone wall of the catwalk. She scurried away from the edge like it had been on fire and nearly slipped on the slick stone.

Henry grabbed her hand and sneakily placed the charm into it.

“Come on Ophelia, you’re the best damned mage I know.”

“I am?” Ophelia asked. “W-well of course I am, nobody’s you know is as smart as me…”

“Exactly, and if anyone can do this right, its you.”

“Well… yeah…” Ophelia said, flustered and happy that her genius was being ‘recognized’.

“Well… here goes.” Ophelia said, holding out the Artifact and trying to channel a tendril of mana into it to get it working.

“So what’s taking?” Henry asked before a massive burst of green mana flowed out of the artifact, settling on Ophelia’s shoulder in the shape of a semi-translucent glowing green owl, with large translucent crystals where its eyes would normally be, reminiscent of the artifact itself.

“W-what?” Ophelia said, suddenly staggering off balance. Henry could see a couple of green bits of mana in front of, or perhaps around, Ophelia’s eyes.

“I … HOW AM I ON MY SHOULDER?” Ophelia asked.

The owl took flight which caused Ophelia to nearly tumble off the side. Luckily Henry was able to catch her in time.

“THIS IS INCREDIBLE!” Ophelia said as the owl did a couple of loops around the catwalk. “ITS SO FUN… OH GOD.”

The owl smacked into one of the walls before tumbling into the pit in a death spiral

“HELP ME OH GOD NO NO NO NO NO!”

Decisions:
1. *punch her out of it*
2. *shake her to try and snap her out of it*
3. “It’s okay Ophelia good god.”
4. “Calm down you silly woman! Your body is here!” (easy roll)
5. (write in)

>>3077744
>5. (write in)
"Dangit Ophelia, close your eyes."
>Retrieve birb

>>3077744
>4. “Calm down you silly woman! Your body is here!” (easy roll)
>"Break the connection! It's just a mana projection, you can do it!"
>Ensure Ophelia does not drop the artifact into the pit. If she cannot, then carefully take the artifact from her hands, maybe that can be a last resort to disrupt the connection.

>>3077777
HOLY SHIT QUINT SEVENS AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>>3077777
Isn't it falling into the pit due to her flying it into a walll?

>>3077777
Shit, super lucky quints there.

>>3077777

How do I respond to this

>>3077807
Special mega crit?

>>3077744
“Calm down you silly woman! Your body is here.” Henry said, trying to reassure the woman.

As Ophelia continued to struggle and panic Henry began to worry, his normal jackass façade fading as doubt crept into his mind. How fucking deep did the pit go?

“I… I got… NO NO NO!” Ophelia said, screaming again as she lost control of the owl. Henry looked over to see the owl slowly losing altitude as it glided down lower and lower into the pit. Deep in the pit a bunch of red eyes stared up at Henry. A horde of rats, all swarming around one another and forming waves like a stormy sea. He’d been sure not to go too deep but he hadn’t figured this would’ve happened. He could hear the clawing at the walls and he realized the noise was drawing them in. What happened if the owl got to them? Would Ophelia get hurt?

Henry placed his hand over Ophelia’s making sure she didn’t lose the artifact, although it was being clutched in a death grip, so it was unlikely to occur. Could she even break the connection by letting go? Would that just trap her? Was there a time limit to the effect?

“Help me, please Henry!” Ophelia said, “I’m sorry okay! Make it stop!” The woman said, desperately clutching at something. There were a few noises as the owl tried to scratch onto the wall.

“Listen to me Ophelia, break the connection, it isn’t you, it isn’t real, okay?” Henry said. “Its just a mana projection, you know this, calm down, think.”

Ophelia began to calm down, a moment later she leapt up off the stone walkway and ran towards the exit, before diving to safety. She hugged the ground in an embarrassing display before tossing the golden owl at Henry who barely caught it in time.


“… I …. I…” Ophelia said. “Y-you …”

Decisions:
1. “Fuck.”
2. “Its okay, good lord.”
3. “You weren’t in any danger, calm down.” (lie?)
4. “I-I’m sorry alright? I didn’t know!”
5. “Its okay, alright, nobody’s hurt!”
6. (write in)

>>3077822
>6. (write in)
That was fun right? Well, untill you started to fall to ther rat hordes. But this is very interesting.

>>3077822
Backing >>3077825 but saying it in that dry joking tone a good few degrees below mocking. Henry's gotta hide that relief.

>>3077822
Backing>>3077825 and >>3077903.

>>3078382
>>3077903
>>3077825
writing

>>3077822
“That was fun right? Well, until you started to fall into that sea of rats. But this is interesting right?” Henry said, trying to act like he was still poking fun and partially succeeding.

“Just… just shut up…” Ophelia said, “G-give me a moment okay?”

“Right right.” Henry said. “Look, we know how the thing works now.”

“Yeah, but, I think it can be charged with any color of mana.” Ophelia said. “It’s a converter charm, I think.”

“What?” Henry asked. “I didn’t even know that could be done.”

“Its… I’ve never seen one myself before, but I’m not in any mood to try again, maybe we could try tomorrow when there aren’t rats…”

“Right, well. Thanks!” Henry said, offering a hand and helping Ophelia up.

The womans legs were still shaking and she was clinging to Henry for support. Probably terrified that the ground would give way.

“You weren’t joking about the rats.”

“No, the lower sewers are off limits to sane folk.” Henry said. “It’s why they aren’t warded. There aren’t many safe routes through, and the ones that do exist are guarded jealously.”

“So why are there so many rats?”

“I have no fucking clue, its like asking why the moon changes its shape every night, it’s just a fact of the world.” Henry said. “There are a lot of fucking rats in and below Celeste.”

===============================(End of Chapter)========================================

Rolled 32, 10, 97 = 139 (3d100)

>>3079403

>>3079403

“Silk is a truly wonderful material, but best not to talk about its origin in polite company.” ~ Weaver Simone

====================(CHAPTER START)=======================
(Days till party 1.5)

The next couple of days were spent planning and getting ready for the upcoming party. Henry finally got the corpses in and began working on them, although with the many things going on progress was substandard, although still on track due to his penchant for getting more time than he needed. The bodies had finally been hung up and were being treated with various chemicals while Henry had Charles set the runic circles up three chambers down.

Ophelia’s rune experiment continued with utterly dismal results. The woman refused to talk about it but Johnny had explained she was losing her patience what with the many failed experiments she’d conducted. She was having trouble keeping the runes stable when passing mana through them, if she used more than a trickle the runes would shatter, meaning she’d have to start from scratch. The woman was determined though, and whenever she was about to lose her mind she spent time practicing with the owl charm, which she’d begun to grow fond of. During the previous day’s dinner she’d even managed to perform a couple of tricks using the thing.

The idol could only be used once a day it seemed, some internals needed time to adjust and realign themselves, or so Ophelia claimed. Using it more could break it. So it would be a risk assessment if it came down to it.

Charles on the other hand, well. The boy was a prodigy. The kid was taking to black mana usage incredibly quickly, and had a couple of breakthroughs in terms of channeling. The boy could was moving on to more intermediate steps of magical usage now. He was diving through the tomes that Henry had, and Henry had had Johnny grab a couple more from friends in Undertown, he knew what it was like. But Charles seemed to have a purpose for it all, which unnerved Henry. He had a guess as to what Charles was planning to do with it all, but he wasn’t sure what to do, and was too afraid to ask Johnny about it. Still, in a month or so the boy would likely be ready to start applying his mana. If only Henry knew someone who could properly teach the kid. He just hoped he’d be good enough.

>>3079442
The costumes had been finished and were hanging up in Henry’s storeroom away from anything that would mess or sully them up. The stich-work on them was incredible, made even more so by the fact it had only taken three days. The woman must have been tending to her craft for a VERY long time. As for the enchantments, they were fairly shoddy. Barbara had not been exaggerating when she’d said that the time window was prohibitively small. The warding enchantment would not do against any spell that had any power behind it. It would stop a couple of blade swings, maybe, perhaps a stab from a dagger. The slow fall enchantment would only work once before burning out. But it was far better than nothing on such a short time frame. Henry had been furious with these before Ophelia awkwardly explained that it generally took a couple weeks to make these same enchantments stick on normal cloth under most circumstances. Lastly, a couple pieces of leather armor had been worked into the entire set. Which was good since Henry had…‘lost’ the last pair during Ticky’s last moments. It would provide some protection, probably more than the wards.

Then there was Rosa. Henry… hadn’t actually visited the woman. He KNEW he needed to break things off, but was unsure as to HOW to go about it. Johnny had been giving him encouragement, and he agreed somewhat that it needed to be done, but he didn’t know. He didn’t fucking know.

Decisions: (Pick one)
1. You’re getting the more complicated pieces onto the undead, Charles is watching while Ophelia works tirelessly across the sewer-hall. (Charles)
2. You’re helping Ophelia with the transmission rune for what seems to be the hundredth time (Ophelia)
3. You’re standing in front of the Church of the Commons in the fourth, outer ring of the city. Honestly this is the scariest thing you’ve had to do all month. (Rosa)
4. You’re on a fishing trip with Johnny, just the two of you, you’ve needed to unwind for a bit, especially since you’ll be putting life and limb on the line soon, again. (Johnny)
5. You’re having a drink with Larry and catching up with him, seems he has some tales to tell. (Larry)
6. (write in)

>>3079446
>4. You’re on a fishing trip with Johnny, just the two of you, you’ve needed to unwind for a bit, especially since you’ll be putting life and limb on the line soon, again. (Johnny)
Charles' time will come.
Ophelia might fuck up from us being there most of the time. At least we should tell her to take a break from the project to rest her mind for the party mission.
We'll go catch up with Larry when we get back. This way we'll be able to tell him our story of the party mission on top of whatever Larry's got to talk about.
I feel like clearing the air with Rosa somewhat needs to happen after the party mission and not before. That and I'm honestly not sure whether to go for Ophelia or Rosa. One of the hardest decisions in the whole quest by far.

This leaves Johnny to hang out with. He's been with us the longest, and he's been bitching and moaning since the start of the quest. Let's help him out.

>>3079567
Supportin

>>3079567
But we're going for no one

Sounds fine otherwise, supporting

>>3079567
Supporting

Let's have some nice buddy buddy time with our bony companion.

>>3079677
>>3080207
>>3080218
fishing trip time!

>>3079446
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The damp air coming off of lake Celeste was something to behold. Henry felt right at ease for the first time in a long time. A nice stretch of lake heavily patrolled by angels and with nothing large enough to cause him any harm in its depths. He checked behind him and noticed that Duncan had gone and taken a nap in the cabin.

Johnny was humming a tune that Henry wasn’t familiar with. Probably some old church hymn or some such. He didn’t really want to ask him about it but he was curious. If only the skeleton could be concise about his past endeavors. Whenever Henry had really tried to delve into it the skeleton had always deflected.

They had been out on the lake for an hour with no real catches on their lines, but honestly Henry had just wanted to get away from Ophelia. The woman was becoming increasingly irritable as her attempts at getting the rune to work continued to be stifled. It wasn’t even a real anger, or real irritation really. The woman was just becoming … well… weirder than usual, and a heck of a lot more distant. It kinda unnerved Henry.

As for Charles, well, he’d left the kid to practice some magical spell circles while he was gone. If he did good then Henry would be using them for the summoning he’d be preforming later today. A couple of the undead were ready to be woken up and shipped out. He was moving slower than he’d like and wouldn’t complete them before the party, but at least he’d have something to show for the week.

Decisions:
1. Try your luck at fishing (roll 1d100)
2. *talk to Johnny* (write in)
3. *try to talk to Duncan* (write in optional)
4. (Write in)

>>3082458
>2. *talk to Johnny* (write in)
"So what song is that?"
"What's your take on Charles' progress and Ophelia coping with everything so far?"
"Do you have any other problems you want to tell me about, Johnny? We've been together for so long, you know you can tell me anything, yeah?"
>1. Try your luck at fishing (roll 1d100)

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3082471
Supportin
Also
Roll

>>3082474
oh yeah, forgot
rollan

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>3082476
I PUT DICE+100 IN OPTIONS INSTEAD OF DICE+1D100
FUCKING HELL

>>3082474
>>3082479
o-oh

>>3082458
“So what song is that?” Henry asked.


“What?”


“The song you were humming, I don’t recognize it.”


“Oh I didn’t realize… well it’s an old drinking song me and my friends used to sing back in the day. Sometimes when we had time off we’d get a bit rowdy, oh the trouble we got into back then.”


“They let paladins drink?”


“Before I was a paladin, I was… oh fifteen I think? Hard to remember specifics now. Well, me and the boys would go down to this local corner pub, the Fat apple I think it was…”


After a few minutes of Johnny regaling Henry with his tales of youthful mischief, he’d had enough.


“What’s your take on Charles’ progress and Ophelia coping with everything so far?”


“Ophelia is a very troubled girl, and as I’ve known her better I’d have to say the troubles seem to be of an internal sort. They aren’t something to be fixed with outside help.”


“She did say she had a brain injury as a child.”


“That would do it then, shame, she’s a bright woman but has so many horrid habits.”


“Right, well, so do I, and I get along well enough.” Henry said.


“That’s not comparable really. I’m saying she’s slightly… infirm?”


“Oh my lord Johnny, no she isn’t. She’s nowhere near the nutcases we’ve had to deal with over the years.”


“Now hold on, I did say she was only slightly infirm, not completely out of it.” Johnny said. “She has a fantastic grasp of reality, a good head on her shoulders, and yet she seems to have trouble maintaining control of her own thoughts. I’m afraid I’m no healer so I wouldn’t be able to tell for sure what it was.”


“So what about Charles.” Henry asked.


“… what about Charles?” Johnny replied, much slower and with a heavier tone.


“How do you think his progress is going?”


“That boy reminds me far too much of you during your youth Henry, and I think we need to keep a very careful eye on him to make sure the past doesn’t repeat. He doesn’t understand who he even wants to get revenge against. Nor that it’d be impossible. I don’t think he understands that his magic can and will harm other people if he allows it to.”


“Right, right.” Henry said. “It’ll fade, he’ll calm down, I’ll make sure of it.”


“I don’t think Charles will be able to be satisfied with that, nor do I think he’ll ever be happy on the path he’s set himself down.” Johnny said. “Don’t take that as casual dismissal either. We’ve both been down dark paths Henry. Charles can still correct himself, but there is something dark in that child’s heart. I don’t know if it’s him merely coping with his families death, or something else. Seems to be a simple craving for power and control, and knowing his history I can’t blame him for it.”


“I don’t really know what to say to that.” Henry said. “I’d like to think I’m happy with my life.”

>>3082711
I’d say you are, regrettably.” Johnny replied. “You’ll never be a man of god, not while the sun hangs in the sky anyways.”

“Ha, you’re damn right you ass.” Henry said.

They sat there in silence for another hour before Henry decided to ask something that had been on his mind for years.

“Do you have any other problems you want to tell me about, Johnny? We’ve been together for so long, you know you can tell me anything, yeah?”

“Perhaps I can say this then, Henry. I don’t think the Grand Seraph is dead. She’s not as weak as you think, she’s a good deal stronger than you know who is. He couldn’t have won in a one on one fight.”

“You’re saying they fought?”

“It’s a hunch. I know him well enough to venture a guess, and say what you will about him, he’s no fool. I’ve had private conversations with him on seven different occasions you know, Henry.”

“You’re avoiding my question, Johnny.” Henry said.

“Right, well. Yes, I suppose I do have something to share. Henry, I’ve made a lot of mistakes when I was alive, more than even you did, far more. Yet never once did I regret them while I made them. I think that makes you a better person than me. You suffered even as you forced yourself to survive. I only skated by, letting my friend Alexander have the limelight.”

“Saint Alexander?” Henry asked.

“The one and the same, the man was worthy of being a saint, he always did enjoy being the center of attention. But I never liked being in the spotlight. Yet I found something worth more than fame or fortune Henry, I found someone to share eternity with, yet I was never supposed to have eternity. I think we could accept that. But she wanted to set things right…”

>>3082718
“What?” Henry asked. “What did you do, why are you being so cryptic?”

“One day, I thought I had lost her forever. So I made a deal, a deal that’s haunted me up till now. A deal that necessitated a lot of distasteful things. Yet I still lost her, perhaps because of what I had done.”

“Johnny, can you just speak clearly?”

“I loved a woman once Henry, and she loved me dearly, yet neither of us accepted that we weren’t allowed to. Nor did either of us truly care, this caused strains on the people she was close to. The woman was always at odds with her sisters, but this pushed things to the breaking point. To the point that she decided to raise a hand against them. She was struck down for it, I made a deal to save her. I paid dearly for it, and in doing so I lost her forever. I don’t want to talk about this anymore Henry.”

Henry threw his line out into the water, watching it bob up and down. A moment later he felt a tug on his line, and excitedly reeled it back up to find it was some sort of bag. The bag budged for a brief moment then exploded in a shower of grime and muck, some of it landing in his mouth and the rest splattering over the rest of him, red cloak and all.

He spat out what he could as he fell back onto the deck.

Decisions:
1. Head back home, fuck this, your day is ruined
2. *Ask Johnny more questions* (write in)
3. “Fuck!”
4. “Are you using this story to tell me to stay away from Rosa? Are you saying I shouldn’t be with her?”
5. (write in)
6. *try again* (roll 1d100)

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3082731
>5. (write in)
>6. *try again* (roll 1d100)
Contemplate in silence
That's some heavy shit

>>3082731
Backing >>3082738

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>3082731

>>3082770
>>3082768
>>3082738
will write tomorrow

>>3082731
Promise to give Charles lessons in ethics and morality.

Kid doesn't need to fuck up himself when Henry already have done it for him. I think Henry needs to be the one, we can't foist it off to Rosa or tell him to go to church, and Henry openly defies Johnny so his sermons won't be worth shit.

Charles needs friends so he can develop some proper sympathy and empathy. Isolation and stunted growth is probably the major reason why black mana dudes go off their rocker

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>3082738
+1

Should we inform Johnny that demon spoken to us recently or we did that? We should

>>3082738
>>3082770
alright thats looking pretty good


>>3083529
o-oh

>>3082731
The two sat there in silence for a bit. Duncan stirred and walked around the deck at one point before going back into his cabin and grabbing a book to read. Henry wondered what the man had told his wife. She probably thought he was out on a brief supply run or something like that. He wouldn’t have been surprised.

He tried fishing again but only came up with trash, at one point the rod almost snapped in two as the line seemingly got caught on some rocks or something. His enjoyment of this trip was ruined, and so was his day now.

He eventually just tossed the fishing rod down in anger and walked around the deck to clear his head. He hadn’t gone on this trip to get pissed off god damn it.

“Johnny, I’ve decided what I’ll do.” Henry said.

“And what’s that?” Johnny asked as he began to reel his line in.

“I need to teach Charles ethics and morality.”

“Funny.” Johnny replied, before hauling in a medium sized trout and tossing it into a bucket to join the other two fish he’d caught.

“No I’m serious.” Henry said. “He needs to be around other kids too, I think. We can’t be the only people he interacts with.”

“Hrm, we can’t just let him roam around the city as is, the boy was locked away from the world.”

“I get that, but we can’t just keep locking him away Johnny.”

“Quite right, well, I don’t suppose you know any places where he could interact with people, undertown isn’t exactly hospitable for a young lad like that.”

“Still beats the hell out of factory work eh?” Henry said. “Least the kid won’t be at risk of losing his fingers.”

“Right. Look, I’ll be honest Henry, I’m not the best person to talk about when it comes to being sociable. I’ve never really been the social butterfly. Even when I was presentable back in the day.”

Decisions:
1. “We should figure something out, I don’t know, maybe find a good neighborhood to work out of for him.”
2. “Maybe we should just give him some free time, you could monitor him but we will stay hands off.”
3. “Honestly it’s too soon to just let him run wild, I’m worried he’ll get up to no good if I just let him do whatever. I’m not willing to take the risk.”
4. (write in)

>>3085827
>1. “We should figure something out, I don’t know, maybe find a good neighborhood to work out of for him.”
>3. “Honestly it’s too soon to just let him run wild, I’m worried he’ll get up to no good if I just let him do whatever. I’m not willing to take the risk.”
>4. (write in)
See if there's an orphanage that Rosa takes care of, maybe let him hang with the other orphans

>>3085827
this >>3085848

>>3085848
>>3085857
writing

>>3085827
“We should figure something out, I don’t know maybe find a good neighborhood for him to run around in.” Henry said.

“Not exactly the most foolproof plan.” Johnny replied.

“Look, shit. Maybe its too soon to just let him run wild. I don’t know alright.”

“Perhaps Rosa would have an idea?” Johnny asked. “She seems like she’d be good in that regard.”

“Yeah, maybe there is an orphanage she could introduce him to, let him run around with some of the other brats.” Henry said jokingly. “I’m just worried alright, I don’t want him to get into trouble especially considering what he’s playing with now.”

“It’s almost like a necromancer raising a child is a horrible idea.” Johnny said jokingly.

“Fuck off.” Henry said. “Asshole.” He continued, cracking a grin.

The two of them shared a good laugh and enjoyed the remainder of their little fishing trip.

Decisions:
1. *Continue speaking with Johnny* (write in)
2. *preform other actions for the day.* (write in)
3. (write in)

>>3086098
>3. (write in)
Go buy a fish, and claim that yall caught it.
Serve it for dinner.
Have "family" dinner

>>3086098
backing >>3086110

>>3086115
>>3086110
writing

>>3086098
The next two hours were spent having Duncan get them back to port, ignoring Johnny’s silent gloating over how he’d managed to actually catch three fish, and them having to trudge up through the docks into the city’s third ring and the nearby fisherman’s market.

Henry bought a small trout just to be able to say he’d actually caught something. He managed to haggle the price down to a couple of coppers mainly due to his knowledge of the work put into it and the relative ease at which fish could be caught in the region.

He served it and the other three fish Johnny had caught for dinner. Charles seemed to enjoy it well enough, although by now Ophelia was looking depressed. She explained how she’d figure things out tomorrow for sure, although she didn’t exactly sound like she believed it.

Johnny said some words of encouragement to her which seemed to perk her back up. She rubbed her temples before jotting a few random mathematical equations down on a notepad. She glanced at the exit like she wanted to run a few more tests. After some struggling she managed to stay put in her chair.

Decisions:
1. *Speak to someone* (Write in)
2. *preform an action* (write in)
3. *work on your undead orders with you remaining ‘daylight’* (roll required)
4. (write in)

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>3086195
>3. *work on your undead orders with you remaining ‘daylight’* (roll required)

night

>>3086346
you forgot to roll

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>3086195
>3

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3086195
3. *work on your undead orders with you remaining ‘daylight’* (roll required)

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>3086195

>>3086667
WELP

>>3086195
Henry got to work after dinner, getting both Johnny and Charles to help him. Against Johnny’s protests and Charles’s inexperience. The work went incredibly well, and Henry noted that Charle, while initially worried about getting diseases from the corpses, got to work incredibly well. As for Johnny, Henry only asked him to preform support work. He wouldn’t force the skeleton to do something like this if he refused to, as annoying as it was. Ophelia watched them from the entrance of the room, occasionally jotting down notes all the while.

The work progressed for a few hours more, and the bodies were each prepared in turn, he was surprised how quickly he was able to work with Charles helping out. Not having to personally run back for supplies and tools shaved a half hour off easily. When the three of them were done, he stood in front of his work proudly. The bodies were prepared, repaired, and now augmented with runes and enchantments. Nothing too special of course. Just the ability to follow a set of commands, and a place to store the blood of their master. Once that was placed into the container, they’d follow their master’s orders to the letter. Of course, he’d be able to supersede that, but that wasn’t something he shared with anyone. Bad business to let your clients know there was a defect in their property.

Decisions:
1. “Great work Charles, remind me tomorrow and we’ll have a bit of fun on the town, yeah?”
2. “Right, Johnny can you get these shipped off tomorrow after I resurrect them? I have drop off info in the other room, and Lanius in undertown will be able to help if needed.”
3. “Gonna get these walking tomorrow Charles, I want you to help with the ritual.”
4. “Ophelia, you’re bandages come off tomorrow, we’ll know if you’ve healed or not.”
5. (write in)

>>3087960
>1. “Great work Charles, remind me tomorrow and we’ll have a bit of fun on the town, yeah?”

>>3087960
This >>3087964

>>3087965
>>3087964
writing

>>3087960
“Great work Charles, remind me tomorrow and we’ll have a bit of fun on the town, yeah?”

“R-really?” Charles asked. “Then I’d like to see more of the city, all I’ve seen so far are the sewer, the docks, and the castle…”

“Right, heck I’ll think of some places to take you, certaintly a lot to see around here.” Henry said.

“If its alright I’d like to join the two of you.” Johnny said.

“The more the merrier!” Henry said.

The three turned to Ophelia. The woman was buried in her notes and didn’t even give them a response.

“So just the three of us then.” Henry said, leading the others out and then tapping Ophelia on the shoulder.

“Time to get some sleep Ophelia, you need the rest or you can’t get the runes done.” Henry said.

It worked like a charm, Ophelia bolted back to her room and nearly slipped on the damp walkways.

After that, Henry returned to his chamber, wrote a little bit in a journal on the progress of the project, then got to sleep. He didn’t dream of much that night, although he did feel weightless.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The next morning, he was woken up by Johnny. After asking what the hell he was doing, Johnny explained he’d oversleep if Johnny hadn’t gotten involved. Henry decided not to ask how Johnny knew this fact and thanked him.

There was a nice calm relaxing day ahead of them, with the party occurring tomorrow. Henry had everything he needed now, and Ophelia’s burn wounds would hopefully be healed up. So they would be all ready to have a nice fun and relaxing party. He grabbed some notebooks and pencils for note taking and placed them in a leather bag. He could gather supplies later on today. He was going to head off to a murder case tomorrow after all.

Decisions: (will occur after breakfast of course)
1. Have some fun on the town with Charles and Johnny (write in required)
2. See how Ophelia is doing
3. Visit Rosa, see how she’s doing, you haven’t seen her in five days.
4. (Write in)

>>3088017
goodnight

>>3088017
>1. Have some fun on the town with Charles and Johnny
SWAN BOATS IN THE PUBLIC PARK

>>3088017
this >>3088216

>>3088216
>SWAN BOATS IN THE PUBLIC PARK
That sounds gay
And expensive
We should just go and wander round town so he can get some bearings, while taking in views and eating food from carts

>>3088216
We can go and throw bread at the boats and cause a flock of geese to attack the people on the boat

>>3088596
>>3088216
>>3089825
writing

File: 4b.jpg (133 KB, 1000x750)

133 KB JPG

>>3088017
After a nice and slow breakfast, which Ophelia was conspicuously absent from, the three headed off. The only delay being Johnny making sure the crazy woman had something to eat. Ophelia was truly dedicated to her craft, Henry had to give her that much. Hopefully she’d shape up by tomorrow, they had a party to get to, and he needed her awake and alert at that time.

Johnny donned the prototype costume. The thing had been thoroughly repaired and it’s moldy or patchwork areas replaced, Johnny had become indignant at wearing what were essentially beggars rags. They were still the same although they didn’t smell as much. Regardless the man would attract some attention but worse case he could just say the man was a leper. Although he’d found people usually didn’t stray anywhere near him as long as he stayed out of the way. Johnny couldn’t really interact with anyone with his costume of rags on and would mainly be acting as their bodyguard while they were in public locations. Perhaps if they went somewhere more private he’d be able to interact more.

Henry and the gang made their way down to the third ring of the city, on the farmland facing side. Farmer’s Parkway was located there, a large flowing series of gardens, parklands, forests and even a few hilly areas set aside for nature in the city. The area was a few square miles of space cut into the urban brick and stone that had enveloped everything else. While many said it was safe to travel at night, Henry had heard rumors that druids and pagans frequented the place. He hadn’t put much stock in it before, but with the latest factory sabotages perhaps he’d have to revisit those opinions.

Regardless, after he’d spent a good chunk of time being paranoid, the three of them arrived at a wrought iron gate that led towards a medium sized pond with a couple of swan shaped boats moving through it. After a chat with a fairly well dressed man who was in the swanboat boathouse, Henry discovered that only nobility were allowed to ride the boats, and that they belonged to a Duke Winchester. Charles tried to play it off but Henry could tell the kid was disappointed. He needed to take action.

Decisions:
1. Try to convince the man to let Charles use the boats (medium roll)
2. Try to convince the man to let both of you use the boats (advanced roll)
3. Try to bribe the man (write amount)(roll 1d100)
4. Buy some bread and use it to attract geese, they’ll ruin their fun. Nasty birds. (costs 1 copper coin for 3 loaves of bread.)
5. Head off in a huff, maybe you can have a nice stroll through the parkland.
6. (write in)

>>3089874
>4. Buy some bread and use it to attract geese, they’ll ruin their fun. Nasty birds. (costs 1 copper coin for 3 loaves of bread.)
wholesome medieval shenanigans

File: Spoiler Image (89 KB, 796x475)

89 KB JPG

>>3089874
>4. Buy some bread and use it to attract geese, they’ll ruin their fun. Nasty birds. (costs 1 copper coin for 3 loaves of bread.)
Yes
So much yes

>>3089874
Henry calmly walked off from the smug top hat wearing boatman. He had a plan, and his calm demeanor immediately set Johnny on edge. The skeleton knew him far too well.

“What are you planning now sir?” Johnny asked, the dread barely perceptible in his voice.

“Watch and see.” Henry said, heading back out of the park, down a few blocks, and into a small corner marketplace with a couple of stalls selling bread and fresh produce. He flipped a copper coin to one of the merchants and came back with three large loaves of bread. Having coin was really nice, that was for sure. He couldn’t imagine some of the peasants in the farmland who still accepted bread for their work.

“Whats the bread for?” Charles asked. “It’s a bit early for lunch.”

“Oh we’re not the ones who’ll be eating it Charles.” Henry said. “I’m about to give you a nature lesson alright?”

“Are we feeding the pigeons?” Charles asked. “Peter sometimes did that back at the castle… it was always fun to watch the birds flap about. My sister always called them flying rats though…”

“We’re after birds far bigger and nastier than pigeons.” Henry said, smiling wickedly.

“We’re not going to hurt anybody right?” Charles asked cautiously.

“We’re not hurting anyone, unless you count getting a bit wet hurting someone.” Henry replied.

“God forbid you two act like civilized human beings.” Johnny said, chiding the both of them.

“Stay out of this, old man.” Henry said. “That’s an order, sit over by some trees in the park until we’re done, alright?”

“Of all the… fine.” Johnny replied, walking off towards the park gate in a huff.

The two got back to the lake, Henry making sure that they remained on the far side of it, he was about to show Charles a little trick he’d learned a few years back, from Sophie actually. He checked to make sure that the hills around the lake had a good amount of geese roaming about. The buggers had white feathers with bright orange feet. Charles was cautious and hid behind Henry.

“Oh they’re nasty fucks if you get too close, specially around mating season.” Henry explained. “It’s not quite that time of year yet, comes a bit later in summer, but hopefully they’ll act up enough.”

Decisions:
1. Go through with your master plan (roll 1d100)
2. On second thought…
3. (write in)

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>3089902
>1. Go through with your master plan (roll 1d100)
>3. (write in)
Instead of doing this ourselves, walk Charles through what he needs to do, but don't tel him the purpose. Just watch the joy on his face as revenge is carried out.

>>3089905
writing

>>3089902
Henry carefully handed Charles the first piece of bread, explaining to him how he needed to toss a few pieces onto the ground and then into the water. Henry backed a few paces away and hastily explained that it was so the geese didn’t become scared of the two of them. Charles cautiously did as he was told, and the result was near perfect.

Geese swarmed around Charles, honking and trying to grab at his bread. The kid didn’t budge and managed to lead them into the water, tossing a few more pieces of bread into the water. Henry handed off the next loaf to Charles as more and more geese descended down onto the water’s surface, and even some ducks and other birds began to get involved. A couple swans even made their presence known.

The geese began to spread out and interfere with the boats, right as the last of the bread ran out. There must have been a couple hundred birds in the water now. All honking and quacking and raising hell. A couple of the geese climbed onto one of the boats, causing the couple on board to panic. The boat quickly capsized afterwards as Henry and Charles laughed amongst themselves like drunkards.

Another couple geese invaded a second swan boat, honking and pecking at the family on board. They really shouldn’t have been laughing at this but it was too funny. This was the sort of stupid shit that Henry had never had the chance or the excuse to get to.

The best part though, the best part was when that top hat wearing prick dashed out of the boathouse and tried to scatter the birds with his cane. Several of the geese lunged at him and pecked at him, poking holes in his cloathing and driving him back inside the hut. They then honked and strutted around the exterior like they’d just won a massive battle.

Johnny glared at both of them from across the pond, but Henry couldn’t give too shits. He hadn’t had this much fun in… hell… years.

Decision by Henry:
1. “See what did I tell ya kid?”
2. “Good thing Johnny couldn’t stop us.”
3. “I can’t breathe… holy fuck HAHAHA!”
4. “Alright… lets head out, before mr. top hat figures out we did this.
5. “There goes the neighborhood.”
6. (write in)

Decision by Charles:
1. “Get bent you toss pots!”
2. “Oh this is the most fun I’ve ever had!”
3. “I don’t think we should’ve done that Henry… are they okay?”
4. “Should we help?”
5. (write in)

>>3089957
>3. “I can’t breathe… holy fuck HAHAHA!”
>1. “See what did I tell ya kid?”
Nice.
>2. “Oh this is the most fun I’ve ever had!”
>"Still, will they be alright? Should we go help them?"
Charles should learn how to have fun, but still care about others in the process

night

>>3089968
writing

>>3089968
Supportin

>>3089957
“I can’t breathe… holy fuck… HAHAHA.” Henry said, as the scene continued to escalate.

“Oh this is the most fun I’ve ever had!” Charles said, after he’d rolled around on the ground clutching at his sides.

Henry watched as the devastation concluded. The few boats that hadn’t been attacked were fleeing back to the boathouse for shelter, there was one boat with a terrified family that were fending off geese, and one capsized boat. A pair of soaked nobles desperately clambered their way onto shore.

“See, what did I tell ya kid?” Henry said.

“Don’t call me kid!” Charles said. still gasping for air.

“Well whatever, let’s get out of here before any guards show up.”

“Will they be okay? Should we go help them?” Charles asked.

“Horrible idea, on account of us causing all this, but it’s a nice thought.” Henry said.

The two of them made their way towards the iron gate they’d come through before being driven off course by the arrival of a couple of Cathars on a normal patrol. They gazed upon the utter devastation wrought by the geese for a couple of seconds, looked at each other, then rushed in to offer much needed aid to the civilians trapped on the pond and in the boathouse. Henry, Charles, and Johnny managed to slip out in the confusion as a crowd had begun to gather around the lake.

“What in the three hells was that?” Johnny asked.

“A bit of juvenile fun, can’t we have that now and again.”

“It was utterly malicious.” Johnny replied.

“Nobody got hurt, so It should be alright, right?”

“That’s not the… oh forget it.” Johnny said, defeated. “Let’s just make tracks before that boatman realizes it was you.” Johnny said, looking pointedly at Henry.

Decisions:
1. Go Visit Rosa, it’s a bit of a trek but you haven’t seen her all week, Charles and Johnny would probably enjoy the visit as well.
2. You seem to remember that there is a nearby avenue that attracts a lot of street performers, might be a fun distraction for a couple of hours.
3. Go see if Larry is around Undertown.
4. Head back home, you should check on Ophelia’s bandages, and make sure the woman hasn’t lost it.

>>3091306
>2. You seem to remember that there is a nearby avenue that attracts a lot of street performers, might be a fun distraction for a couple of hours.
Keep your eyes peeled for pick pockets and worse.
"Swindlers"

>>3091306
this >>3091309

>>3091311
>>3091309
writing

>>3091306
The stress of nearly passing out due to laughter had knocked loose a memory in Henry’s subconscious. Grapevine street was nearby. The place had at one point been home to dozens of breweries. It still had a few but the big attraction were all the street performers that frequented it, and the few pubs that dotted its corners. There was also a meadery further down the lane, assuming it was still there of course. Henry hadn’t visited in some time.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Charles watched in awe as a man in a clown’s getup, complete with a white painted wooden mask was busy juggling all sorts of everyday objects. Balls, rolling pins, and even a small plant pot with a rose in it. The man looked wasn’t even breaking a sweat as he stood up on one leg. Perfect balance and amazing concentration.

The street buzzed with life and crowds, all sorts of people walked and bumped and got about with their days. The street had a lot more shops then Henry had remembered, and the entire district was on the up and up now. At times Henry didn’t recognize the city he’d grown up in. The factories and the increase population had really changed the feel of the outer rings. He’d heard from Gerald that the Church had had to train up a lot of new Cathars to properly patrol the increased populations of the third ring, and the had been quite the debate at central about hiring irregulars to work as a Celeste Milita of sorts, but instead of defending farmland they’d patrol the streets.

There was some commotion coming from down the way, where an old woman with a fancy staff was being harassed by a couple of less reputable sorts of fellows. Johnny clearly wanted to intervene but Henry wasn’t really interested.

Charles looked between them and then around the street. A couple people had taken notice but nobody really wanted to do anything about it, everyone was keeping their heads down, it was kind of disgusting really.

“Come on Charles, let’s get something to eat yeah? I think we passed a shop a couple streets down that was selling some Honeycakes, my treat alright?”

“Can you at least allow me to deal with those ruffians? I really doubt they’d give me much trouble, sir.” Johnny replied. Least you can do after ruining all those peoples good day at the park.”

Decision By Charles:
1. *tell Henry to Help the old lady*
2. *Tell Johnny its none of your business*
3. “HONEY CAKES!”
4. “Maybe we should try to find some Cathars to help her?”
5. (write in)

>>3091337
>4. “Maybe we should try to find some Cathars to help her?”
WE SHANT STAND FOR THIS TOMFOOLERY

>>3091337
see >>3091346

>>3091357
>>3091346
roll 1d100!

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>3091360

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>3091360

>>3091362
>>3091384
writing

>>3091337
“Maybe we should just try to find some Cathar’s to help her?” Charles asked.

“A half-baked compromise, but I’ll have to accept it.” Johnny said, glancing over his shoulder down the alleyway. “Can you just keep an eye on her, Henry?” Johnny asked.

“I’ll make sure they don’t kill her, but that’s all, we should never get involved in this shit Johnny. Bad business.”

Charles and Johnny took off, to look for a group of Cathar’s while Henry stuck to an inconspicuous location and just kept tabs on the thugs as they continued to accost the woman and slowly drive her into an alleyway.

Charles and Johnny managed to find a pair of Cathars on patrol, but Johnny’s getup and noncommittal explainations of who exactly he was didn’t win the pair over. They weren’t so willing to let a beggar in rags tell them what to do. It was only upon Charles’ pleading that they grudgeingly followed the two of them back towards the alleyway the woman had been drug towards, Henry waved at them although he seemed a bit downtrodden.

The woman was lying face down in the alleyway, fairly roughed up but alive. There was an angry swarm of bees hanging about, yet none of them seemed to be stinging the woman herself. The Cathar’s couldn’t easily get to her with the angry swarms hanging about.

Henry sighed and walked back over towards Johnny and Charles.

“They tried to take her staff and some sort of document from her person, the staff had a god damned beehive at the end of it, just gonna assume she’s connected to the meadery. Dunno what’s going on with that. One of em had some sort of magical ability, were able to temporarily calm the bees down. Kind of an interesting sight this time of day. Takes some balls to operate in broad daylight this high up the hill.

Henry watched as one of the Cathars ran back out of the alleyway to grab more help while the other tried to cordon off the area.

“They’ll probably take it from here.” Henry said.

Decision by Henry:
1. “Let’s leave before any more problems occur, we can still get honey cakes after this.”
2. “You think you can pull her out of there Johnny?”
3. “I told you it was a waste of time.”
4. (Write in)

Decision by Charles:
1. “Shouldn’t we tell someone at the meadery what happened to her?”
2. “I… I should’ve done more…”
3. “You were right Johnny, we shouldn’t have waited…”
4. (Write in)

>>3091419
goodnight ya'll, gonna be posting tomorrow morning and into the afternoon, and I'll be able to post tomorrow night as I'm off work.

>>3091419
>1. “Let’s leave before any more problems occur, we can still get honey cakes after this.”

>2. “I… I should’ve done more…”

>>3091419
this >>3091547

>>3091890
>>3091547
writing

>>3091419
“Let’s leave before any more problems occur, hell we can still get honey cakes after all this is through.” Henry said, beginning to walk off, not even bothering to look back over his shoulder.

“I…I should’ve done more…” Charles mumbled to himself, looking back to see a larger group of Cathars and a healer returning to help, one of them began to cast some sort of white mana spell while a few more got ready to help the woman once the bees were dispersed.

“Nothing to be done now Charles, best to reflect on it next time such a situation presents itself.” Johnny said, after some thought. I do realize Henry’s behavior seems off-putting but that’s just who he is I’m afraid.”

“I’m more worried about my own… I didn’t… I can’t let others do things for me. Not just this, I mean in general.” Charles said. “Thanks.”

“Of course.” Johnny replied.

Decision by Charles:
1. *Head back home*
2. *Visit the meadery and let them know what happened*
3. *Get some honey cakes, maybe they’ll improve your mood.*
4. (write in)

>>3091979
>*Get some honey cakes and eat them on the way to the meadery. There's nothing to lose from going there to tell them about the woman with the bees, if they haven't heard already.*

>>3091983
writing

>>3091979
After a lengthy debate on the merits of honeycakes, and upon agreeing that they are indeed tasty. Henry ran into a bakery and emerged with four of them for a couple of coppers. Charles had to force himself to not eat too quickly, this was something to be enjoyed. He’d never really been given much more than scraps when he’d been in the castle. Tasty scraps from what the servants had explained to him, he still ate better than a lot of people, but still, being able to eat things that weren’t essentially hand me downs was a thrilling experience.

It didn’t hurt that they tasted great.

They argued a bit more amongst themselves. Henry wanted to devote more time toward preparation for the big party he was talking about. Charles didn’t quite understand it himself. He had explained his plan but Charles didn’t quite understand where the danger came from, he wasn’t the one getting murdered right? Regardless, with Charles’ added input Henry relented at the three of them journeyed down to the northern end of Grapevine Street. There was a fairly imposing brick and wood building with a fancy wrought iron gate that circled the complex. There was a wooden sign with beehives carved into it that read ‘The Goldenglow Meadery’.

Heading inside, Charles was struck by just how big the interior was. The room had to have been at least two stories high, with a walkway running around the far wall. There was a small chandelier and a bunch of large windows in the ceiling that let down ample light. The whole place was just awash in light.

“So go up and tell them.” Henry said, yawning a bit.

Charles wondered why Johnny was taking so long when it dawned on him that Johnny hadn’t followed them inside, and that HE was the one who’d be telling the woman at the front desk what had happened.

Decisions:
1. “I don’t know what to say!”
2. “W-what if the woman wasn’t related to the place?”
3. *head up to the counter and explain what happened* (write in optional)
4. “Where did Johnny go?”
5. (Write in)

>>3092049
>1. “I don’t know what to say!”

>>3092049
this >>3092095

>>3092049
>1. “I don’t know what to say! You do it!

>>3092049
>Embarrassment: maximum
>Anxiety: high
>Desire to flee: moderate-high

Still tryna do the right thing

>>3092394
>>3092293
>>3092195
>>3092095
writing

>>3092049
“I don’t know what to say!” Charles said, trying to retreat back outside.

His desperate attempts at not embarrassing himself were thwarted by Henry. The man blocked the exit before a thought dawned on him. It’d probably be better if he explained what had happened, rather than a ten year old boy. Still, he wasn’t about to back down.

“So you wanted to go tell them what had happened, yet you didn’t know if she was even related to anyone here, and you didn’t know what to say, just because her staff had a beehive on it?” Henry asked.

“Y-yes?” Charles said.

“Well lets go tell them a lady with a beehive staff was accosted by thugs down the road, simple right?” Henry asked.

“Y-yes?”

Henry sighed, before giving Charles a little kick to get him moving and then following after him. He strode up to the secretaries desk and cleared his throat, waiting for the woman behind it to give him her full attention.

“Can I help you?” She asked.

“Yeah, hi. I just wanted to let you folks know that we believe a woman from here got accosted by a group of thugs down the road, we figured we should let someone know. She had a staff with a beehive on it.

“Oh… oh no.” The secretary said. “I… excuse me really quick, I’m going to let the owner’s know. Apologies.”

Well that settled that question.

“It’s about five blocks up the road fyi, a group of Cathar’s and a healer are seeing to her, we would’ve helped but we couldn’t get near her with all the bees.”

Henry stopped himself from continuing when he noticed the woman had ran further into the building.

Decisions:
1. “See, nothing to it, can we leave now?”
2. “Was that so hard?”
3. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
4. (write in)

>>3092894
>2. “Was that so hard?”

>>3092932
This

>>3092958
>>3092932
writing

>>3092894
“Was that so hard?” Henry asked.

“Yes?” Charles replied. “It was terrifying, I uh… I didn’t know what to do.”

“Worst case she would’ve thought you were insane, best case we probably just helped these people.” Henry said. “Waste of time honestly, but whatever, let’s get out of here.”

Henry and Charles met back up with Johnny outside the meadery, and charted out their next course of action. As they spoke amongst themselves an elderly gentleman dashed out of the meadery, he rounded the corner and disappeared out of sight in the crowded street. A moment later the young secretary dashed out as well, gasping for air all the while.

Decisions:
1. *head home*
2. *go visit Rosa*
3. *visit undertown, maybe you can find Larry around.*
4. *Visit undertown, see how Duchane is settling in, and thank her for her help with the owl.*
5. (write in)

>>3092977
>5. (write in)
>"Hey Charles, wanna go see Rosa?"

>>3092977
this >>3092978

>>3092978
>>3092979
writing!

>>3091306
“Hey Charles, wanna go see Rosa? Maybe she’s having a better time of things then we are. Or worst case we can make her have as bad a day as us.”

“Horrid.” Johnny muttered.

“It’s a joke.” Henry said.

“And it’s a horrid one.” Johnny rebutted.

“Sure, yeah, I’d like to see how she’s doing. Maybe she can give me some pointers on white mana.” Charles said.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>>3093058
>3093058
The walk took the better part of an hour as the three slowly plodded their way around the third ring of the city, and when they hit the lakeside, they moved into the forth ring. Henry subconsciously placed a hand on his blade as they moved into the district that contained the Church of the Commons, the place Rosa was staying. He knew there was also Father Abbot, and deacon Gregor. He also remembered that Gregor wasn’t too thrilled with his presence, and hoped it wouldn’t come up again.

Charles was bouncing around full of excitement. He was taking in the sights and sounds of the various districts as they moved from street to street. He asked a ton of questions about all sorts of random topics, to the point Henry decided to just use Johnny as a living encyclopedia, as the skeleton knew almost everything about the city, and more importantly his vocal cords didn’t exist and couldn’t get tired.

The church’s bell tower loomed large in the distance, and Henry sighed to himself as he shared a glance at Johnny. Did he REALLY want to cut things off with Rosa? The woman was… well, she put up with his bullshit which was a massive plus. She was a healer, which was a god damned asset. Lastly, she wasn’t bad to look at, and he didn’t hate her. She met all of his very high standards, didn’t she?

Yet she was a member of the church. Fucking hell.

Henry unlatched the front gate and made his way into the holy grounds with Charles and Johnny in toe. Johnny moving towards a small fountain depicting a flight of angels. The man knelt and began to pray. Henry let him be, he knew how much it meant to Johnny to be able to do so in a holy place, even though he didn’t understand how the man’s faith could still be intact. In fact, from what Johnny had seen and how long he’d been alive, perhaps he had all the more reason to hate the church than he did. Henry didn’t know, it didn’t really make sense and he couldn’t really dwell on it.

“Hello there!~” A familiar voice called out. Rosa

The woman was sitting under a large apple tree that was giving shade to the far left corner of the grounds. The woman slowly got up and carefully walked over, using a set of stepping stones to avoid treading on a vegetable garden that was in-between the two of them.

Decisions:
1. *Hug the woman*
2. “Hey, how’ve you been.”
3. “Things going alright here?”
4. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something, I’ve just never found the time…”
5. “Been on any crazy adventures while I’ve been away?”
6. (write in)

>>3093059
>5. “Been on any crazy adventures while I’ve been away?”

>>3093062
writing

>>3093059
“Been on any crazy adventures while I’ve been away?” Henry asked.


“I’ve been helping Gregor with his little gardening project.” Rosa said, pointing to the vegetable garden behind them. “He’s been doing a great job with it, meaning the church has more coin for other uses.”


“Thrilling.” Henry said.


“ROSA!” Charles said, running up and hugging the woman’s waist.


“Oh hey there Charles.” Rosa said, a tad awkwardly. “Happy to see your apprenticeship is treating you well.”


“We just… uh… got a big job done, or are about to.” Charles said, looking to Henry, who merely nodded.


“Oh well isn’t that lovely, making a fool of yourselves?” Rosa asked.


“Ha, I’m back in my element.” Henry said.


“Chaos?” Rosa asked. “Well I’m just happy you decided to visit. I was beginning to think that what happened earlier this week… well it was a fluke.”


Decisions:
1. “What made you think that?”
2. “Go run around Charles, I’d like to speak to Rosa privately.”
3. “I’m just happy to have the time to visit.”
4. “Perhaps you’d like to go for a walk later today? Speak things over?”
5. (write in)

>>3093076
>3. “I’m just happy to have the time to visit.”

>>3093102
writing

>>3093076
“I’m just happy to have the time to visit.” Henry said, smiling at her.

God damn it he felt like he was ten years younger. Still figuring shit out, he should be able to figure this out, right?

“Yeah.” Rosa said.

The three of them sat on the steps of the church. Henry really didn’t know what to say at first, and simply listened as Charles went over how he was enjoying being an apprentice, and how he finally had a purpose in life, yadda yadda.

Why did he feel so uneasy? Henry wondered.

Johnny had finished up his prayer and sat down nearby. At first Rosa didn’t recognize him but that changed the second he said hello.

They talked a bit more, Henry simply listening and soaking everything in. Nobody really talked about anything important, and that suited him fine. He watched as a group of three angels slowly made their way from the high cathedral to the harbor, than began a patrol over it. There were many more circling the high cathedral, and a few more in different locations in the city. Henry figured there were a bunch more all over, just too low to the ground to see.

Decisions:
1. “Any news about the disappearance of the High Seraph?”
2. “Have any plans for the future?”
3. “Can we speak in private Rosa? I have something to tell you.”
4. “I’m happy to see the garden is doing well, honestly I’ve never been good around plants myself.”
5. “Have you seen Cassius or Grom around?”
6. “Has Larry visited at all?”

>>3093183
>4. “I’m happy to see the garden is doing well, honestly I’ve never been good around plants myself.”
"Believe me, I've tried."
Those poor, poor plants.

>>3093185
writing

>>3093183
late but backing >>3093185
goodnight

>>3093183
“I’m happy to see the garden is doing well, honestly I’ve never been good around plants myself.”

“Oh really? Not even a dandelion?” Rosa asked.

“Believe me I’ve tried.” Henry replied.

“It’s a shame but it’s true I’m afraid.” Johnny said. “The man has never been talented at caring for living things.”

“Hey now that’s uncalled for.” Henry said.

“Oh, right.” Johnny mumbled, as if he’d realized something important.

“So why’d you take so long to stop by?” Rosa asked. “Work?”

“Work.” Henry replied. “Work and other things I’d rather not get into.”

“Right, well, honestly it isn’t all sunshine and roses down here either Henry.” Rosa said.

Decisions:
1. “Yeah, one of the few standards in life.”
2. “Oh, really now? I’d think church life would be idyllic.”
3. “How bad are things down here?”
4. (Write in)

>>3093205
>3. “How bad are things down here?”

>>3093205
>3. “How bad are things down here?”

>>3093205
>3. “How bad are things down here?”

>>3093205
>3. “How bad are things down here?”

>[Thinkgen about cultists intensifies]
And he can't say anything about it

>>3093205
This >>3093391

>>3093207
>>3093232
>>3093345
>>3093391
>>3093544
just letting ya'll know I'm sick as all hell right now, unable to think clearly. So I'm gonna be delaying till tomorrow, sorry guys.

>the one day I get five fucking replies.

>>3093544
>>3093391
>>3093345
>>3093232
>>3093207
>still sick but feeling well enough to write

>>3093205
“How bad are things down here, exactly?” Henry asked.

“Well… let’s say that I’ve begun noticing the effects of the Grand Seraphs… disappearance.” Rosa muttered.

Right, her ‘disappearance’.

“Anything specific?” Henry asked,

“Some of the weaker wards and spells have begun to get… patchy.” Rosa continued. “I can see where things are going, it’s not good. As for the church, still no word on what they’re going to do about it. We had a visit from our local bishop, just to make sure everything is okay. I’ve noticed a lot more ghiest activity as well, something is stirring them up. I’m troubled, but hopeful. The angels aren’t going to let this go on forever, right?” Rosa said, more asking herself than anyone else.

“I’m sure someone has a plan.” Henry replied, nervously.

“I don’t think so, nobody really has a handle on things, the Solarch is off on his tour of the countryside. Everyone’s just trying to get a handle on things, I think. I’m not all that important so I really don’t get told much.” Rosa said.

“Oh don’t be hard on yourself, you’re important to us.” Charles said.

“Thanks, well, the Lunarch… he’s …. Well, I don’t know what he’s been up to exactly, from what I’ve heard he’s just shut himself away from everyone except a few inquisitors. I’ve also heard that the angel of Dawn has been tracking down demons out near the borders. That’s the story the uppers are giving us, anyways. Nobody really has a plan yet, and the angels, they’ve stuck to the city, instead of defending the weaker areas. I don’t think that’ll go well...”

Decisions:
1. “Something else is troubling you, isn’t it?” (roll 1d100 + 25 for charisma)
2. “How much longer do you think this will go on?”
3. “Better to stay hopeful, no sense getting depressed.
4. “Would you be willing to mentor Charles in white mana? I’ve no skill for it, I’m afraid.”
5. (write in)

>>3097403
>4. “Would you be willing to mentor Charles in white mana? I’ve no skill for it, I’m afraid.”
Bribe her with foods
Some for her, and more for for the needy

>>3097403
this >>3097409

>>3097577
>>3097409
writing

>>3097403
“Well, enough about that, I had something important I wanted to ask you Rosa.” Henry said.

“Oh?!” Rosa said, a bit flustered. “W-what is it?”

“Would you be willing to mentor Charles in white mana? I’ve no skill for it I’m afraid.”

“I… um… yes, I suppose I could.” Rosa said, the disappointment only slight in her voice.

“Wait don’t I get a say?” Charles asked.

“No.” Henry said. “I need you to be able to use every color you’ve got. Otherwise you aren’t living up to your potential, right?”

“Right…” Charles said.

“So perhaps we could discuss this in detail in a week or two?” Rosa asked. “I’m a tad busy at the moment… with a few things…”

Decisions:
1. “Could you do it as a favor for me?”
2. “Come on, after all we’ve been through you can’t make a little time?”
3. “Alright, if you say so.”

>>3097777
"What's the problem? I can always help out a friend."
Smile like the bastard we are

>>3097777
NICE QUADS M8
backing >>3097782