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>>3093988

[ARTIFICER QUEST PART 23 START]

The light layer of snow that was present when you left Shirahoro has grown considerably, with drifts of frost creeping up the sides of buildings where it hasn't been pushed off to the side to allow access to their interiors. It's even coming down now, big, fat flakes that lazily drift down from the dark sky.

You've arrived just after dusk, exiting the empty train station swiftly, and now...

Well, for once, you're at a bit of a loss at what to do. There's no lurking doom on the horizon or vampires hiding in the shadows or contracts to fulfill. At least for the near future, you've got nothing on the table to do.

It's a weird feeling.

Still, there are a few things that you could down tonight, which you mull over as you begin walking through the quiet streets of the Water District.

Now what?
> Just go back to the shop and get some sleep, you've earned it after that job.
> Go get cleaned up and drop in on Sierra at Hotel Cardinal.
> Go catch up with Archmage and Catherine, see about sorting this business out with Lily as soon as you can.
> Go catch up with Dutch and Sarah, you can grab a few drinks with them before they get entirely sloshed.
> Other

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>>3094013

Welcome back anons, hope you all had a good holiday.

As was decided on in the previous thread, this part of the story is going to be entirely downtime for you all. So don't feel guilty about doing something other than spending all your time in the forge working on projects, as there will be time given for that before the final story arc begins. If there's something in particular you wish to do, post it and I'll work on getting it in at some point later on in the thread.

Other than that, enjoy.

>>3094013
WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WE ARE BACK.

Okay i am calm now.

>Reflect on life and evaluate this feeling, then savoir it, commit it to memory.

Then
>Go home, get washed up, hide our new soul pal, then go get our girlfriend.

>>3094013
> Go get cleaned up and drop in on Sierra at Hotel Cardinal

Some activities that come to mind
>shopping and dinner out with Sierra. Maybe exchanging presents since it’s a Christmas episode?
>tavern crawl with Dutch
>talking shop with the dwarven smith
>relaxed evening at the bar with several various personages, like sun and the son? Or the mercs. >Maybe meeting a customer, dealing with repairs of a broken device while listening to a tale of how it came to be broken.
>getting commissioned to make a toy, or a batch of toys (and ending up building and subsequently having to contain a swarm of self replicating toy robots)
>zeppelin panoramic flight with Sierra
>(spending part of the time of same flight drafting designs for an ornithopter on a napkin)

>>3094063
I say hell yes to the bar trips, yes to talking hsop and fucking of course making toys and a present for sierra.
But while it is close to work, I do think we should put lily in the Golem body. It would be fucking rude to leave her there all alone without working on her body.

>>3094082
True that

>>3094013
> Go catch up with Archmage and Catherine, see about sorting this business out with Lily as soon as you can.
Then we can have gf time.

>>3094013
>>3094132
Seconded

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It's good to see we're back on the regular schedule.

just kidding OP, take your time and have fun

>>3094253

It is good to be back.

>>3094063

I'll keep these in mind.

>>3094082
>>3094126
>>3094132
>>3094248

Looks like finishing Lily's deal is up first.

Writin'

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>>3094013

Several thoughts pass through your mind some of which, mainly the ones involving your bed, Sierra, alcohol, or some combination of the three, are rather tempting, but you did have a deal with Lily. It's not a particularly tough deal, but leaving the lady knight stuck in your back pocket for much longer doesn't sit well with you.

So, with a small huff that adds another gray cloud to the sky, you turn about to where Archmage and Catherine are walking off towards the Genovese HQ.

"Archmage," Speaking up as you get closer, both of the questionable mages look over at you. You probably just interrupted some conversation or the other, but you also know that the crimson magus in particular is extremely interested in what you've got in mind, "I know it's late, but there's a project of mine that I'd like to finish. Tonight."

A quick motion towards your lockbox easily clarifies what you're implying, and it's clear that Archmage got the message when his eyes damn near dilate down to pricks, "Gather what you need and meet me down at the warehouse at the Port. We'll talk more there."

With that taken care of, you head back to your shop and, after giving it a quick check to make sure that no one has broken in in your absence, you partially dissemble your iron golem enough to fit it into one of the crates you have lying around. Sure, you're probably the strangest sight anyone's seen in a few weeks, as between your military-grade power armor and the heavy crate in your grip you gather a few double-takes from other residents walking through the cold night. While you're sure that you could easily talk your way out of any issues with the Daimyo, you kick up your pace regardless.

Down by the quiet port, where the grand wooden trading ships are empty and ride high in the frigged water, you easily spot the sole warehouse that's got a few men standing around it trying to look like they're just smoking a few cigs. Walking over, one opens the side door for you while the others alternate between pulling their coats tighter against themselves and looking over you with idle curiosity.

Inside, Archmage works away at a section of the floor with a few pieces of chalk. You're a bit impressed with how much he's done on such short notice, given how there's an entirely separate series of glyphs and sigils; it's just a bit odd that he's setting up the second set a good ten meters from them.

"Where do you want the golem?" You just get a quick motion off to the side in response rather than any particular words, but you walk over anyways and begin assembling what's easily the most complicated thing you've made that didn't involve clockwork.

[1/2]

>>3096258

[2/2]

"I want to warn you, John, that what we will be doing here is to not be spoken about outside of this warehouse," The older man looks over at you for some kind of confirmation. You answer with a 'get on with it' hand gesture as you double-check that the internals are properly aligned before reattaching an arm which completes the golem, "Bring the golem up to this circle, and we will begin."

Thanks to the numerous servos within your armor, carrying the somewhat unwieldy golem isn't as difficult as it could be. With the vessel in the proper place, you reach into your lockbox to remove Lily's soul, which immediately flickers about, before turning back to Archmage, "And where do you want this?"

He takes a few seconds to respond, clearly looking over the glass sphere through his glasses, before he does, motioning to another circle as he does, "You'll stand over here, John, utilizing your ability to manipulate mana to aid the process once we begin."

Holding the lady knight up, you walk over to your designated circle with only a bit of apprehension. Your nerves aren't soothed when the mafia mage pulls out a thin dagger, pricking his thumb enough that several drops of blood drip down onto the sigils, lighting them all up.

You can see the raw power spreading across the lines of chalk, racing across the floor until it reaches your golem and, of course, yourself. Closing your eyes, though oddly you can still see the magic swirling about you, you focus on the soul in your hands, the power nipping at your toes, and your own personal magic the leaps to the occasion.

> Roll me three 1d100+10's please

Rolled 91 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096297
whew, no need for necromancy yet.

Rolled 63 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096297

>>3096297

Rolled 20 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3096297
Opps.

>>3096308
Nice

>>3096308

That's a 101, Success.

Writin'

>>3096447
Just out of curiosity, what did you have in mind for a 1?
I sure hope we don’t run a constant risk of getting the disembodied lady killed by a stray bad roll.

>>3096464
Maybe stuck in our heads?

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>>3096297

Despite just how much power is in the air, you can actually taste it at this point, you're still able to focus entirely on the delicate vessel within your grasp that is beginning to crack from the pressure. Whatever seal that was holding the glass sphere together fails and it's only your presence that keeps Lily's soul separate from the maelstrom.

Oddly enough, the visage of a figure flickers into your mind's eye. With the magic swirling around not giving you much else in the way of options, you do the only thing you can think of.

You offer the figure your black, shrouded hand.

The sound of glass shattering snaps you out of your thoughts, getting you to open your eyes just in time to see pieces of clear glass scattering across the floor as the raw power running across it fades away. Blinking away the errant wisps of black smoke from your similarly colored eyes, you look over to where your metal golem is softly glowing. Off to the side is Archmage, who is intently looking at your creation. Considering nothing has exploded, or backfired, or imploded, or any other nasty thing that could possibly occur when you're dealing with souls, you figure the attempt was successful, but you attempt to confirm it anyways, "So, Archmage, did that work?"

The sound of metal warping and screeching answers you.

[1/2]

>>3096513
guys......Not to panic.....but i don't think the worst thing that could happen was her being stuck in our heads....

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>>3096513

[2/2]

The crimson magus swiftly backs away from the golem as its outer cracks and crumples, suddenly littered with magical scrawlings that neither of you were certain responsible for. Light accompanies the deeply concerning sounds, as it truly sounds like metal being over-stressed to the near breaking point which sets your teeth on edge, and after almost a minute of it you're forced to look away when the light becomes simply blinding.

It takes you a few moments to realize that both the painful light and sound has subsided, at which point Archmage looks over at you before both of you attempt to see just what the fuck occurred. The metal golem suddenly stands up on its own, nary making a sound as you look over what you can barely recognize.

You'd constructed it as a simple design, it ending up being around as large as you were tall, but it is simple no more. The body of it has taken an unmistakably feminine turn compared to how it began, a thinner waist and shoulders accompanied by hair? The golem's head has become practically stylized in the image of an old knight's helm, with a metal visor covering the eyes and forehead though you do see that the 'helmet' ends there to tie up a full head of long, bluish silver hair in a high pony tail.

When the mouth moves, the voice that comes out of it is immediately recognizable, "Wow, John. You look a lot different without that black mantle."

The visor smoothly slides up, revealing the softly smiling face of who can only be Lily, the Vokardian Knight.

Your response?
> "Lily, any issues with the new body?"
> "When did you see a black mantle?"
> "Hey Archmage, wipe the drool."
> Other

>>3096560
>First instinct
What the fuck.......
>Second instinct
You okay in there
>Third
High five archmage
>4th
when did you see my mantle?

ALL OF THE OPTIONS

>>3096560
>> "When did you see a black mantle?"
>> "Hey Archmage, wipe the drool."

>>3096560
>"When did you see a black mantle?"
> "Hey Archmage, wipe the drool."

>>3096560
> "Lily, any issues with the new body?"
> High-five Arch-mage.
She was looking at the representation of us, as we are. It makes sense she would see the mantle. Also, just how extensive WAS the remodeling?

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>>3096689
i think from this [pic] to this >>3096560

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>>3096695
I figured the start would be something more like pic related, or Samuel Hayden from DOOM (2016).

>>3096560
I didn’t expect that. Arch mage, did you expect that?
A pleasure to meet you in the flesh, so to speak.
Wait, what mantle?

And after we’re done with introductions, let us introduce her to Sierra.

>>3098590
after explaining to her that she must never say what occured in here. or all of us will be killed or what is tantamount to heresy in 40k

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>>3096490
>>3096464

Nat 1 was going to be Lily getting stuck with John, but a regular failure would have been her soul simply being released.

>>3098636

Well, there's not exactly an Inquisition running around in this world, but if certain groups were to hear that someone's managed to make a functional metal golem outside of a Safe Haven never mind one that's got the soul of an Ancient in it...

>>3097867
>>3096695

The idea of it was to emulate the inter workings of a human body to make a humanoid golem. It was, for all intensive purposes, robo-John.

>>3096566
>>3096582
>>3096595
>>3096689
>>3098590

Let's meet our new friend.

Writin'

>>3098866
.....we got robo-gender bent....God damnit

>>3098898

Not really. Given the differences between guy's and gal's bodies, mainly the center of balance, Lily'd be stumbling around like a drunk if she didn't 'adjust' the golem to approximately what her original body was like.

>>3096560

From what you can tell, Lily seems to be taking all of this in good stride. Still, it's only polite to make sure, "Any issues with your new body?"

The knight rotates her arm around with a flexibility that's a bit outside of the average person's range, "It's gonna take some getting used to. But, I feel... pretty good, actually. Weird, but still good. I got a hell of a lot more mana than I did before though; some kind of magitech running in here?"

"I had plans to get your body working as some kind of mechanical system, but I had other projects to work on and it wasn't within my expertise," You punctuate your statement with a shrug.

"I ain't complainin'; after so long in that sphere I'm lookin' forwards to stretchin' my legs," Lily pauses for a few seconds to demonstrate just that, "Hey, somethin' wrong with your friend there?"

You turn around to see what she's looking at, before you give Archmage a hearty slap on the back, "Wipe the drool. Either way, Lily you said you saw me wearing a mantle. When was that?"

"Huh?" She looks over you curiously, "John, you're always wearing it. Well, you ain't now sure but it's still there to some degree."

Before you can articular a proper response, the Genovese mage finally cuts in, "Lily, was it? I'm a researcher that aided in the ritual that tied your soul to that body. This may be a bit sudden, but would you be willing to speak to me for some time? I'm sure you have many questions about the current status of our world and I have several about the civilization from which you come from?"

It's hard to tell, but the Vokardian doesn't seem all that bothered by the proposition. Out of everyone, Archmage is probably the best to get her up to snuff, but of course he's got his own agenda and distinctly questionable motives.

If there was ever a point to interject, now would be it.
> Interject, you can talk to Lily and you want to show her to your shop anyways.
> Leave it for now, you can talk to Lily later and you want to catch up with Sierra tonight anyways; you can't exactly bring a metal golem to Hotel Cardinal anyways.
> Other

>>3099037
>Say fine, but tell her that she doesn't need to.

And maybe tell archmage to play nicely. He maybe just wants information, but we know him well enough by now that a little paranoia is never a bad thing.

>>3099037
>> Interject, you can talk to Lily and you want to show her to your shop anyways.

>>3099037
>offer to show her to workshop and back so she knows where to find us, and give her a rundown as we walk. Although she probably knows a good bit from our earlier interaction.

>>3099077
>>3099117
>>3099145

Looks like the consensus is that we're cool with Archmage and Lily talking, only after we've shown her where the shop is. I'll have a follow-up vote later on regardless.

For now, Lily's coming with us.

Writin'

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>>3099037

"Actually, why don't I show you where my shop is first? You're probably gonna be staying with me for the meantime, Lily, so you might as well know where it is," Despite how much he grates on you, Archmage probably won't try to pull the wool over your eyes here. But, it always pays to cover your bases.

Thankfully, the crimson magus only shows mild annoyance at how Lily response, "Sure! It'll be cool to see it for real. Archmage, was it, I'd be more than happy to talk to you later, alright?"

"Of course; for now, have a good night."

And with that, you lead the lady knight out the side door. The guys from before are gone, and given how there's another few centimeters of snow on the ground you gather you've been in there for a while now. The sky's certainly darker than before, only the small flecks of light reflecting off the clouds above giving you illumination aside from the oil lanterns posted on the street corners.

"Wow!" Looking over your shoulder, you see Lily looking over the Port with a look of wide-eyed amazement. At least, as wide-eyed as you can get when you're made of metal, "Is this the Historical District or somethin'? You've even got a buncha restored wooden galleys out here; they part of a museum?"

You just look at her blankly, "What are you talking about? You're looking at the trading center of Shirahoro right now; if it wasn't winter right now those ships would be loading up cargo and leaving."

"What..." The two of you stare at one another for a moment, before the knight continues somewhat glumly, "Things really have changed, huh?"

"Yeah, that's why I wanted to show you around. Oh yeah, take this for now," Reaching into your lockbox, you pull out your old cloak and throw it over Lily. She looks a bit confused at it, but wraps it around herself nonetheless. Without another word, you take off through the quiet streets of the Water District.

[1/2]

>>3099533

[2/2]

It's a bit of a trek, especially with how much snow is accumulating on the streets, but you make it back to your shop, which is still standing thank fuck, without issue. Fishing out your keys after pushing the pile of frost from your front door, you unlock and push it open.

The interior is just as you left it, with several hooks holding various weapons, from swords to clockwork rifles, hang from the wall and the faintest of bloodstains covering the floor that probably won't ever come out. The workshop is still the same, barely organized mess as it usually is, with bits and flecks of metal scattered about around the arc furnace and anvil. Your desk has papers, most of which cover the armor you're currently wearing. It's weird to think of it as such, but this is your home now.

Not Westmire, nor Airgrid, or anywhere else.

"Sweet place," Lily breaks you out of your thoughts, entering the workshop after bundling up your cloak as she does, "Hugo had somethin' like this, but without the forge and all that."

"Wasn't much of a smith myself, but I learned a lot from a dwarf here in Shirahoro. Got this shop as payment for a job, and it all went from there," Taping away at your magitech gauntlet, you disable your suit's system before beginning to remove it. It's a bit of a pain, but after a few minutes you've got the entire thing away and you're able to stretch properly for the first time in a week or so. Yeah, that's the spot.

Now, what to do.
> Talk shop with Lily, get her up to speed on Shirahoro and her unique nature.
> Warn Lily about Archmage's background then let her do what she wants for the night. You'll need to clean up and change now if you still want to drop in on Sierra.
> Just get cleaned up and turn in for the night, you need the rest.
> Other

>>3099596
>> Talk shop with Lily, get her up to speed on Shirahoro and her unique nature.

>>3099596
> Talk shop with Lily, get her up to speed on Shirahoro and her unique nature.
> Warn Lily about Archmage's background then let her do what she wants for the night. You'll need to clean up and change now if you still want to drop in on Sierra.

>>3099596
>>3099705
+1

>>3099596
>>3099705
supporting

>>3099705

Just for reference, ‘talking shop’ means that John will spend the next several hours going over the general political climate of Shirahoro and his place in it while warning her about Archmage is John saying “Archmage is a member of an organization that frequently engages in criminal acts and he himself is a very dangerous individual so be careful” before he gets cleaned up to go out.

TL;DR: It is late at night and, for once, these are mutually exclusive choices.

I’ll tally up the votes when I get home from work tomorrow so you have until then to make your choice.

>>3099596
>Warn Lily about Archmage's background then let her do what she wants for the night. You'll need to clean up and change now if you still want to drop in on Sierra.
Ok, she's a big robot girl, she can make her own decisions.

>>3099596
Warn her about Archmage’s affiliation, but also tell her we’ve worked with him before and he seemed an alright guy, also a few words about the mafia so she knows what to expect.

>>3100851
I'll switch to:
> Warn Lily about Archmage's background then let her do what she wants for the night. You'll need to clean up and change now if you still want to drop in on Sierra.

>>3099596
> Talk shop with Lily, get her up to speed on Shirahoro and her unique nature, and maybe make plans to do a diagnostic and see how much she'll need to learn in terms of self maintenance.

>>3099596
>Warn her about archmage's background.

Then i suggest we ask her not to get in trouble and we can tell her about the world when we get bac., Also give her a basic name and description of whoever is a friend and likely to stop by the shop. she may decide to stay in.

Can she Interface with our computer remotely? We could leave her a library there to digest when she’s bored.

>>3101789
Who knows.

that's among the many things I want to find out including if she needs to eat, if she needs a power supply, does she automaintain or will she need the occasional shop check in, etc

>>3101789

John's computer mainly has programs for diagnostics and coding, mostly used by Kazaki when he's around, rather than databases of information. Archmage would be the best person you know for that sort of thing, although Sun is wealthy enough to have his own library if you spoke to him; you'd just have to inform him as to the situation with Lily.

>>3102043

Doesn't need to eat, there's already a small mana reactor in the golem that's still functional if I recall, can use her own innate magical ability to do minor repairs but major ones will need a shop check in. Until John dies, her bases are pretty well covered.

After that, well, that's a story for another quest I suppose.

>>3101160
>>3100943
>>3100936
>>3100876

Quick warning before running out the door it is.

Writin'

>>3102217

>until john dies.
>Bloodline.exe wen?

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>>3102227

I have plans

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>>3102231
So do we

>>3102231
I fully expect you to make it so John's condition means they're forced to adopt.

Or something exceedingly grimdark, but who knows besides you.

>>3102271
given real world biology states that any union between human and elves states that they should at worst [?] be unable to concive and at best [?] they will have barren off spring, I am not holding too much hope out.

But love for loves sake is enough in this Noble dark world. And may the uncaring gods feel pity for those that try to take that gift.

>>3102286
Real word biology is a tad more confusing actually.
not all hybrids are infertile, just when there's a significant gap. Like mules.

good example being ring species where hybrids of some types are perfectly fertile.

Also Pizzlies are theorized to be fertile (Polar bear grizzly, an animal you really don't want to meet) also africanized honey bees

>>3102293
"Theorised" means we havn't gotten them to do it have we?

And i think elves and humans counts as a rather large gap.

>>3102297
In the pizzlies case, yes, because they've only been seen in the wild as far as I can tell, the other examples are ones we know are fertile.

as far as elves and humans I'd agree, but there's also magic in this setting and who knows if that helps or not besides ST.

>>3102217

Considering it was already late when you got back to Shirahoro, and then the ritual to bind Lily's soul to your metal golem took more time that you experienced, and then the two of you walked across the city back to your shop. You don't need to look at your gauntlet to see that its late, and if you wanted to drop in on Sierra at her job you need to do so now.

So, with that in mind, you turn to the lady knight, "Alright Lily, you know where my shop is so feel free to explore the city so long as you don't get into trouble and you keep that cloak of mine around you. Just a word of warning, Archmage, and the semi-crimial organization he works for, is not to be fucked with. He's damn smart and knows a hell of a lot more than he lets on, but dangerous all the same."

With your piece said, and a quick 'okay!' from the metal lady before she runs out of your shop, you head upstairs. It's been over a week since you last bathed, and holy fuck can you tell now that you're paying attention, so you get to work scrubbing the layers of sweat, dead skin, and dirt from your skin and hair. Once the water coming off you returns to translucent rather than opaque, you shut it off and dry yourself with a nearby towel.

A quick check confirms you no longer reek before you throw on your best clothes. They're not quite the ones that Sun let you have for the auction job, the tears and bloodstains ruined those, but you've got a decent pair of slacks, a gray shirt, and a black jacket and those'll have to do. Pulling the coat tightly against yourself, you brave the elements on your way to Hotel Cardinal.

[1/2]

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>>3102304

[2/2]

Coming up to the building, the last time you saw it was at the re-opening ceremony two weeks ago and the time before that being during the ill-fated auction job, but this time you're happy to see that there's no hooded figures lurking about or blood and spent casings in the snow around it, rather that there's a few business men and women chatting happily as they leave. Stepping into the lobby, you can feel the warmth returning to your frozen fingers; whoever they got to do their HVAC did a damn good job.

Heading over to where you remember the bar is, you spot Kyoko working away at cleaning a series of glasses while Sierra is on the far side chatting with a woman in a pale jacket and skirt. There's a guy you don't recognize as well here, probably another bartender if you had to guess.

Now what?
> Head over and chat with Kyoko, see how she's doing.
> Head over and chat with Sierra and the other woman, probably another one of her friends.
> Head over and order a drink from the other bartender, introduce yourself to him.
> Other

>>3102339
> Head over and chat with Kyoko, see how she's doing.

also

>Buisness

>>3102339
>Sierra
Gotta make it a suprise. And if we talk she could see us.

But do apologize for interupting her conversation, its only polite.

>>3102346
what ya mean buissness. Drunk buissness?

>>3102339
> Head over and chat with Sierra and the other woman, probably another one of her friends.

>>3102339
>> Head over and chat with Kyoko, see how she's doing.

>>3102271

I actually have plans with in-universe justifications, but those count as moderate spoilers so I'll be explaining them as part of AQ's epilogue where I'll flesh out the lore properly.

>>3102286

Personally, I view AQ as a story with Grimdark lore/backdrop, a Dark Fantasy story, and a combination of Dark Fantasy and Noble Dark Characters. John and Dutch ride the edge between DF and ND, as they're effectively bastards, literally in John's case, with not quite Hearts of Gold. Sierra's well within ND range, along with Goo Hwi, Naofumi, Sarah, Kazaki, and Jun. Sun's DF, as his station requires him to be rather cut-throat with his dealings, but he has improved thanks to his relationship with John. Gladiator, Archmage, the Don, Rachel and the other vamp lieutenants, John's step siblings, and even the Gambino Don all are firmly entrenched in DF. Hell, Sigfried doesn't make full-GD despite being a literal inhuman monster as at the end of the day he just wanted revenge for his betrayal and what was, technically speaking, rightfully his.

>>3102364
Juicy tidbits about the dead harkon-alike.

But really, with johns IC rep, you don't fuck with him and his.

>>3102364
John's step siblings? are they all dead or was that a spoiler?

>>3102439
do you count blight and trauma memories as "dead"?

>>3102493
...maybe?

>>3102496
Then they are maybe all dead.

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Back from dinner and we are currently tied between talking to Kyoko and Sierra. I'll give it another few minutes before rolling.

>>3102397

A good amount of that was very heavily implied, or outright stated, during the Train, Welcome to Shirahoro, and Vampires Arcs.

And yeah, John's got a ridiculous reputation for a guy whose primary skill set has nothing to do with combat. Thinking about it, the single person who'd be most impressed by it would be John's Father. Going from a bastard to a major figure in a city with zero outside contacts or introductions to the point where he counts as a strategic level individual, as the title of 'War Artificer' implied, in the span of around three years would have made him entirely reconsider their relationship. Too bad he died well before the first inklings of that began to show.

>>3102439

I really was just thinking of characters on the spot as examples, and it's only just now that I realize that AQ has a lot more characters in it than I ever intended in the first place. Don't worry, the Blight got Alexander and Cassandra and got 'em hard. John's the only member of his family to survive the Fall of Westmire because he was the only one out of the house at the time.

>>3102352
I mean the picture is labelled buisness instead of business

>>3102339
>> Head over and chat with Sierra and the other woman, probably another one of her friends.

Surprise!

>>3102859

I even spelled it right the first time, deleted it, and then re-wrote it wrong.

>>3102883
>>3102354
>>3102352

Sierra and mystery gal wins it.

Writin'

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156 KB PNG

>>3102339

Now, normally you start making questionable decisions after you've had a few drinks, not before. That was the staple of how you and Dutch were back in Airgrid; you'd get your contract pay, either from successfully completing it, hazard pay from the job going to shit, or whatever you scrounged off the bodies once Dutch was done with them, and go get absolutely trashed together. Between that and the cigs, it was a stupid habit and you have no idea just how many silver coins you dropped on it, but you admit it did help keep the crushing reality of your situation at bay for a time.

But you've kicked the cigs months ago and you can still remember the last time you hit a bar with your best friend. It was a massive gamble at the time, but leaving behind everything you had left at Airgrid to set out into the Badlands by yourself turned out to be the best decision you made in your life.

You don't need to be drunk to make stupid decisions; you can do those sober. With a thin grin on your face, you stride right up to the far side of the bar and slide into the seat directly next to the lady in white, "Pardon me for interrupting."

"John! I-I mean, good evening sir! Can I get you something to drink?" Sierra looks pleasantly surprised for a second before rapidly changing her tone, the barest hints of rose on her cheeks. The latter part of that isn't unusual, but the form-

"You're John?" The lady beside you looks over at you curiously, now that you're at this angle you can see a small pile of papers on the bar and a pen in hand. Who is this gal that she can afford a pen? It's clearly not a concern given the way she flippantly holds it, but the sparkle in her eyes is what draws your attention, "Oh, I've wanted to meet with you for a while, but you're really not an easy man to find you know? Sierra's told me a bit about you, but I have so many questions to ask! Are you truly Councilor Woo's Golden Boy?"

You just raise an eyebrow at that while you try to formulate a response.
> "I wasn't aware I gained a title."
> "If I'm remember right, most bartenders had a rule on talking about their customers to others."
> "I'll have a beer. No. Next."
> Other

>>3103141
> "I wasn't aware I gained a title."

>>3103141
> "I wasn't aware I gained a title."
And
>"I own a business, how hard to find could I be?"

>>3103141
> "I wasn't aware I gained a title."

>>3103141
Supporting this. >>3103151

>>3103141
this: >>3103151

>>3103141
> "I wasn't aware I gained a title."
And
>"I own a business, how hard to find could I be?"

>>3103149
>>3103151
>>3103380
>>3103481
>>3103603
>>3104025

Did you really try to look for me?

Writin'

>>3103141

"I wasn't aware that I gained a title," Of all the conversations you were expecting to have, it certainly wasn't this. The mere concept of having a title in any capacity, official or not, hasn't crossed your mind in years, "And were you really looking for me? I own a business, how hard could it be to find me?"

Your blunt words don't appear to faze the woman in the slightest, as she charges right on without a care in the world, "Of course I did! But you don't exactly have a unique name to begin with, none of the noble families had a son matching your description, and everyone that I spoke to either didn't know who you were or wouldn't tell me. The Councilor just smiled and my own grandfather laughed at me when I asked them! But then I asked Sierra here if she knew the guy and lo-and-behold she does; and then you walked in through the door. So, who exactly are you John? You said you own your own business, what do you do?"

A quick glance over to the resident elf reveals that she's alternating between expressions of shame and amusement. After a moment, you turn back to the woman, "I run a blacksmith shop and do a few side jobs from time to time; pretty simple. Also, the hell were you doing looking among noble families for me?"

"Because rumor was you were the son of a visiting Western noble; and how could you blame them? You were walking around the party with a beautiful lady on your arm - Ah, that was you Sierra wasn't it? - and you were seen speaking to Councilor Woo and his own son. Would have caused more a stir if the hotel wasn't attacked like it was. So tell me, are you a noble John?" You assume her tone and posture is just from her curiosity being slightly sated, but you still frown at her regardless.

After all, there's a few answers to that question you could give.
> Truth. You were a noble, emphasis on the were.
> Half-Truth. The Hoelscher family aren't nobles.
> Lie. You're just a regular guy from out West, nothing more than that.
> Other

>>3104939
>Half-Truth. The Hoelscher family aren't nobles.

>>3104939
>> Truth. You were a noble, emphasis on the were.
Huh. I can't ever remember John mentioning anything about his original family being nobles. But if it's true then I'd like to know more.

>>3104939
>"I guess technically, but I never really saw myself as one."

>>3104939
>truth
I’m a bastard of an extinct house. If my ancestry ever mattered to begin with, it certainly doesn’t now. Any merit I have I owe to my craft.

>>3104939
Do bastards count as nobility? I wouldn't think so. Also, John probably does not feel very noble.
>No, we are not noble.

>>3104939
>That depends, do you consider bastards to be noble?

>>3104939
>Half truth. My family are not nobles.

I don't feel comfortable about this nosy woman.....Sets off the "gathering information on an enemy" bells in my brain

>>3105228

It's been pretty heavily hinted IC, but it was plainly stated way back in the char gen:

> Noble Birth: You never truly found out if you were legitimate or not, but when the plague overran your city that became a moot point. You've abandoned your status, and left for parts unknown. Who knows if someone followed you.
- Build a Quest Post #1718957

As for IC examples, these two are a good ones:

> You take a particular satisfaction in the irony of your next statements, "Do these look like a nobleman's son's hands?"
- AQ Thread 4 Post #1800339

> Eventually, Jun lets out a despondent sigh, "I forget, sometimes, that you're not some kind of noble... "
- AQ Thread 15 Post #2191496

There are more scattered around, though you are right about John never directly stating that he's of noble birth.

>>3105540

John's noble status is a bit up in the air as despite being a bastard he was conceived before his mother was declared a concubine and he is technically the sole remaining noble of Westmire currently.

>>3105622
>>3105612
>>3105540
>>3105326
>>3105239
>>3105228
>>3105081

The consensus I'm getting is to imply that we're a bastard, but not outright say it.

Writin'

>>3106614
And be trademark dry witty if we can.

"I am sure that my friends can tell you i am a bastard in many many ways" but less shit for example.

>>3104939

Debating on what exactly to say for a few seconds, you eventually come to the decision that subtlety is overrated, "I don't have the right blood for that. I'm just a right and proper bastard; you can ask my friends if you don't believe me." If she can't figure it out with that you're not going to bother hammering home the point further.

"Oh..." The lady taps her pen against her chin, apparently deep in thought. She scribbles down something on a piece of paper, before turning back to you, "That's disappointing, but you're still an interesting man John. Ah, where are my manners. My name is Miko, I work up in the offices here at Hotel Cardinal."

You nod in response, "A pleasure to meet you."

"And the same to you John. Well, I'd love to chat some more, but my grandfather's supposed to meet with me in the morning. Good night you two!" With that, Miko gets up and, after saying goodbye to Kyoko as well, exits the bar.

Leaving just yourself and Sierra, who still stands across from you.

Now what?
> "I came here to see you, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer as well."
> "You chat me up to all the ladies you meet?"
> "Miss me?"
> Other

>>3106739
>> "I came here to see you, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer as well."

>>3106739
>> "You chat me up to all the ladies you meet?"

>>3106739
>Miss me? [maybe peck on the cheek]
>You chat me up to all the ladies you meet?

>>3106739
> "I came here to see you, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer as well."
> "You chat me up to all the ladies you meet?"

>>3106739
>> "I came here to see you, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer as well."

>>3106739
> "I came here to see you, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer as well."

>>3106614
I still don't get it: is John technically a noble? This can have strong juristic implications, which have to be taken by the letter of the law.

>>3108039
He was a nobles bastard, and the only surviving member of an extinct house from another country. A noble without holdings or fortune is a better educated peasant.

so i would say, no, he isn't in law or in spirit

>>3106739
>> "Miss me?"

>>3108039
I doubt the world has an authority right now that would care or could benefit in any meaningful manner from gaining access to a last semi legitimate scion of a place that is at best free for all for scavengers and at worst still covered in black goo

>>3108039

Yes, but as >>3108200 and >>3108540 point out that fact hold little to no water given that there is no 'weight' behind that family anymore.

>>3108200
>>3108540

Small distinction, but there aren't any true 'countries' among civilizations in AQ. Kind of hard to maintain territory when the Blight can roll through; major cities act as their own city-states. Result is the same, though.

Thinking about it though, John being a noble is just about the last thing that contributes to his political weight.

And Westmire is very firmly within the Blight's grasp.

>>3108427
>>3107833
>>3107428
>>3107091
>>3106796
>>3106750
>>3106746

Chat it up it is.

Writin'

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35 KB PNG

>>3106739

Reaching into your back pocket, you pull out a silver coin and place it on the counter, "I came here to see you, Sierra, but since you're still on duty I'll take a beer to start."

> You have lost: 1 Silver Coin!

"R-Right, let me see..." The elf turns around, going over the various glittering glasses that are on display behind the bar. You take the opportunity to look over the rest of the room, nodding to Kyoko when she gives you a quick wave. Other than her, the rest of the place is quiet; with the few other customers around slowly filtering out. Guess you got here just in time for the final call.

The sound of a glass sliding across wood draws your attention back to the lovely lady serving you a beer. It's a pale ale, not your first choice but considering how little you've eaten for the last week perhaps its for the best. Taking hold of the glass mug, you enjoy a long drink of the smooth alcohol before you continue speaking, "So, you chat me up to all the ladies you meet, or was Miko a special case?"

It's been a while since you've caught Sierra off guard, though it's certainly no less entertaining, "N-No no no. W-We were just speaking and it came up in the conversation. I wasn't certain when you'd be returning and I certainly wasn't expecting you to show up tonight."

"I see," Quietly, you continue to chip away at your beer. With only a few sips left in the glass, you put it back down and idly tap your fingers, thinking over her words. It doesn't take you long to come up with a response, "You missed me that much?"

The way her face lights up gives you a much better response than any words.

"Well, don't worry; I'm back for now," Finishing off your ale, you push the empty mug back across the bar top with a thin grin, "I'll take another, and we'll see where things go from there."

> I gotta run for the night, so I'll leave things on pause for now. Next update will likely be tomorrow night.

>>3108840

It's still dark when you wake up the next morning, a fact that gives you a flicker of confusion before you remember that your normal wake up time is a few hours before sunrise during the winter. You don't have the best angle to look out your bedroom's window currently, so you're really not all that certain of when to actually get up.

Not that you're in a rush to do so in the first place. The remainder of last night went by quietly, as you accompanied Sierra as she worked the final shift of Hotel Cardinal's bar. The single silver you put on the counter gave you a few good drinks, which you were more than happy to enjoy as your favorite elf cleaned up before the two of you returned to your shop.

Which is where you find yourself now, Sierra resting comfortably against your side wearing little more than thin shirt that doesn't hide much of anything. Between her presence and the first good night's sleep you've gotten since you left, you finally feel a pressure leave your shoulders that you didn't notice was there in the first place.

> You have lost: 1 CORRUPTION POINT!

Considering that you've nothing else to do for the near future, you might as well catch up on some shut eye.

It's only when your eyes close that you remember Lily hasn't come back to the shop yet.

> Roll me three 1d100's please

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>3118805
Corruption......what the blight?

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3118805
Oh dear.

>>3118808
>>3118809
Not the best rolls......and i don't want to tempt fate.

My money is she got lost or kept by Archmage.

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>3118805

>>3118808

That Corruption Point was a remnant from the crossover. John was very close to setting a record of having two separate ego-deaths before turning 20.

>>3118827

That's a 58, interesting.

Writin'

>>3118832
whew, guess we got lucky with that one.

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>>3118805

From your point of view, it's almost as if you've simply blinked and time has shot forwards. You know better than to believe that, but even still it takes you a few seconds to realize what actually woke you.

Someone's knocking on your door.

With a curse under your breath, you manage to snake your way out of the warm embrace of your girlfriend. From there, it's a quick search to find a clean pair of pants and shirt before you shuffle down the stairs. The knocking has stopped at this point, the individual in question has either given up and left or is waiting patiently, so just for the sake of expediency you forgo throwing on your shoes and instead stride through your shop barefooted, a brave feat considering what you do in your workshop but you've cleaned the place up enough to not have to worry about stepping on rusting metal.

It's not exactly a surprise that you see the juvenile form of Jun Woo, wrapped up in a thick winter coat that's clearly of Western make, standing outside your front door, favoring you with an easy smile as you unlock and open the glass door. Whatever the usual pleasantries are for accepting nobles' sons into your home is, you go with the direct and most important one, "C'mon in, Jun."

"Thanks John," Stepping in, the young man does his best to kick the layer of snow and frost from his boots as he does the same for his coat. He carries himself easily, with no sign of that hidden lethality he displayed back when the vampires attacked Hotel Cardinal. Whatever he's here for, it's probably nothing major. He does give you a curious look when he finally notices your state of dress, "You used to this cold, John?"

You just shrug, "Winter's about the same where I grew up. Either way, you here for a specific reason or just stopping by?"

"Father sent me over because he wishes to speak to you, though I didn't exactly fight him to come here," You just give him a curious look of your own before motioning him to continue. It takes him a second or so to speak up again, "He's at home, so if you want we can head over there now once you get dressed."

Now what?
> Go grab your coat, your boots, and leave a note to Sierra about where you're going; see what Sun Woo wants.
> Jun implied he wanted to talk to you; see what that's about.
> It's cold outside and you want to spend some time with Sierra since you've only just gotten back; have Jun tell his father you'll meet him later.
> Other

>>3118905
> Jun implied he wanted to talk to you; see what that's about.

>>3118905
>What do you want my friend.

And whats with the coat......

>>3118905
>> Jun implied he wanted to talk to you; see what that's about.

>>3118905
>Jun implied he wanted to talk to you; see what that's about.

>>3118905
Let’s hear what’s on his mind, since he’s already here

>>3118909
>>3118924
>>3118933
>>3119019

What’s the house call for?

Writin’

>>3118905

From your experience, Sun really only seeks you out when there’s something serious going on. Giving that he sent Jun to visit tells you that this isn’t exactly the most urgent of things however, “What’s on your mind, Jun?”

The young man pauses for a second. He was probably expecting you to go grab your stuff rather than press him on this, “I-I, well...”

He trails off there, looking slightly nervous. Wonder what that’s all about.

Your response?
> “Is this about inheriting your Father’s duties?”
> “Is there another issue with your girlfriend?”
> “Jun... did you...?”
> Other

>>3119342
"Is there something about love you are worried about? Or do you need some council about being a politician. I am good at both, i would say."

>>3119342
Come on man, don’t be shy.
Let me guess, you want something for your girlfriend?

By the way, do we have a lightweight armor suit for social occasions? I figure a full exosuit is not suitable for every event,

>>3119386
then you have not used an exosuit enough.

also, no, i don't think so.

>>3119342
>> “Jun... did you...?”
Vague and I like it.

>>3119342
>“Jun... did you...?”

>>3119342
> “Jun... did you...?"

Beat John to being a dad huh?

Brave man

no deadness please.

>>3127528
This is normal. OP will just make a new thread.
desu I'd prefer many other quests to sporadically post an update a week rather than to die entirely.

>>3127744
I know its normal, i just want to extend this thread.