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File: Miranda Styles #66.png (340 KB, 577x894)
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Izumi’s still Izumi, when it comes down to it. Not really a bad thing, you suppose...but it’s not a good thing, either. Especially when you’re on the job. Still, all things considered, this might be turned into a good thing...you think.

At the very least, allowing her her indulgences during the downtime will be fair enough. “I’m not so inclined to do such…” The Prince’s face falls-

-just in time to let Izumi speak up. “However, if she doesn’t mind, I think you’ll find my own skills more than capable. I would welcome doing so in exchange for the support your men showed me in battle.” As if she couldn’t have handled it...well, whatever.

“Really?” His face quickly brightens. “Then by all means! Come, let me show you where the worst of them are...”

“Grand.” You sigh. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to learn about the enemy a LITTLE bit more in the meantime.”

“Ah, yes, of course. You’ll want to speak to the keep captain, then- is Parcelus still alive?” The last bit he asks at the few people with him.

“He is, sire.” One of the healers says. “Only faint injures- he wishes them to heal on their own.”

“Likely on the walls, then,” the Prince says. “Find him there- he knows as much about these fiends as anyone, but I’ll be along presently.” With that, he turns to Izumi. “Come, miss. In particular there are a few we would be greatly benefitted by getting them back on their feet…”

As you go your separate ways for now, you’re wondering just what else might be in store in this campaign...

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Magical%20Girl%20For%20Hire%20Quest
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It’s no great feat to get to the walls, and it’s equally not hard to find the captain- a robust, tanned fellow, a linebacker’s stout build on him. He’s armored up immensely- in all but his helmet, he cuts a figure of a steel wall that’d be hard to move. He’s quick to see you, and his head tilting backwards is what you get out of him in regards to first impressions. “So...you’re what the Prince got desperate enough to call for help from?”

Wow, does he not sound happy to see you. “Captain Parcelus, I presume?”

He nods with a grunt. “You’ve the right of it. And you’re the mimic of a human here to take advantage of our situation. Whatever you want from me, make it quick. I’ve fortifications to oversee and help repair.”

Hmph. Well.

>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
>What happened to the other alliance members? You’ve seen nothing but humans (and, okay, maybe one or two beastmen) so far.
>What does the nearby area look like? Anything outstanding to watch out for?
>Other
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
>>
>>3176457
>>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
>>What happened to the other alliance members? You’ve seen nothing but humans (and, okay, maybe one or two beastmen) so far.
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
Rude.
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
This'll also hopefully tell us if any of the other Civilized Races have defected.
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
>What happened to the other alliance members? You’ve seen nothing but humans (and, okay, maybe one or two beastmen) so far.
>>
>>3176457
>>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.

previous thread isn't archived yet
>>
>>3176457
>You need to know what, other than shadow creatures you’ll be facing from your opponent.
Didn't our briefing from Sal mention Dark Elves? Are we fighting elves?
>>
Might have an idea, but...what, exactly, are we up against?

Writing.
>>
>>3176457
Woah, hey, from our point of view HE'S the mimic of a human.
>>
>>3176479
>>3176481
>>3176486
>>3176490
>>3176494
>>3176495
>>3176517
>>3176546
Well, you know where you stand with THIS one, at least. Might as well keep it brief-ish. “I know we’re facing shadow creatures, but what else does this lord have to throw at us?”

“Hmph. Strange otherworld beings; you’d think they would know this already.” He sniffs, and looks back out at the field, still being cleared of the fallen. “The man has a number of deranged faithful with him, and beyond that, he’s managed to convince the Weavers of the Blackweb tribe to ally with him. It’s been rumored that the Shaded Elves are also with him, but no one’s gotten confirmation of that yet. Both of their types enjoy the darker places, and are mostly used for nighttime raids and shock troops.”

You raise an eyebrow. "That's all?"

He snorts. "Of course not. The Weavers prefer ambush tactics and are said to have powerful rituals based around self-empowerment. They're the only beings we know that can do certain rituals by themselves- damned multiple arms. They're all crazy, in my opinion. Shaded Elves are hardly any better. Believe a number of crazy things, all revolving around their 'god'. But they're nimble bastards and can have some nasty tricks up their sleeves." As he looks back down at you with a tense stare. “Aside from that, he’s been known to create and control a number of shadow beasts- from the small imps you’ve seen today to monstrous terrors; there’s one size of a castle itself, so they say. Anything else, or are there any more basics you need to learn about?”

> “Just why you’re so confrontational. We’re on the same side.”
> “Blackweb tribe? Are there other tribes of Weavers?”
> “Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
> Other
>>
>>3176722
>“Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
>“Just why you’re so confrontational. We’re on the same side.”
>>
>>3176722
> “Blackweb tribe? Are there other tribes of Weavers?”
> “Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
“Less about fodder, more about lieutenants and other named foes.”
>>
>>3176722
>“Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
> Other
What sort of magic users do you have access to?
If we have to counter ritual magics it could be useful to have some locals helping.
Isn't this a medium mana world? And here we already have ritual magic users and presumably dark/divine.
>>
>>3176722

> “Blackweb tribe? Are there other tribes of Weavers?”
> “Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
>Other
Can we see the map?


Also what about extra mana from Divine shoes?
>>
>>3176722
>“Blackweb tribe? Are there other tribes of Weavers?”
>>
>>3176722
> “Any particular enemy combatants to know about?”
I don't think we need to ask why he's confrontational, he's upset the prince thinks they need help and we're and intimidating girl. "Humanity Fuck Yea" and all that jazz. He's delusional, but it's a useful delusional, or at least, not a hindrance.
>>
>>3176722
IF you don't mind a couple more questions (I mean you do, but whatever).

Writing!

>>3176816
It's there, I just misremembered how much it adds.
>>
Wait...are we like in a dark elf form? Also good to know about the weavers since we have Goro imprisoned in the ring we can convince then to back away from the darklord clunches.
>>
>>3176958
No, we're some sort of winged humanoid.

Also, interesting idea with the weavers and Gaul...
>>
>>3176964
I mean maybe they will gibe us some rituals to learn. These things have a way to empower others and that seems to be pretty usefull or might inspire us to use it to create the reactive armour or some kind of buff magic.
>>
>>3176958
We need a mirror or a moment to ask Izumi. No one's had a real freak yet so at least we look benign
>>
>>3177080
At least that. Maybe we ginnaly found a way to look intinidating but not one that would make people shit their pants.
>>
>>3176722
>>3176744
>>3176747
>>3176796
>>3176816
>>3176827
>>3176830
“Yes, actually.” You’ve dealt with more annoying fellows than this, and you just ignore his light sigh. “What enemy combatants do you believe I should know of? Major figures in the opposing army, I mean.”

He growls, but begins speaking as he turns away again, clearly focused on something else. “There’s a few I know of, some I’ve only heard bits and pieces of. First guy that comes to mind is Jugen, big guy, near as big as me. He generally runs sustained siege tactics, usually at the forefront of any major siege operation. Carries around a massive hammer. Second is called Zai- she’s a major figure in the Blackweb Weavers. I dunno if she’s the leader, but if she isn’t, she’s close to them. One of the biggest Weavers in the clan, apparently. A ruthless sort, real vicious, loves to mess with her victims. I had the ‘pleasure’ of coming into contact with her once. Lucky to escape with all my limbs and life intact. She seemed to enjoy the effort...”

The way he looks after that- his eyes briefly going into a thousand-yard stare- tells you just what that ‘effort’ was. But soon he resumes his information. “Anyway. There’s the Trio. I don’t know their names. No one does. But they’re a...well, a trio of Shaded Elves. Always seen together, always near sites of battle. They don’t ever seem to actually fight. They just kinda...show up, whenever there’s a big battle. And every time they do, the damn shades win. It’s gotta be some kind of ritual, but…”

“I can guess,” you say. “Anyone else?”

“Canaa, a bitch with an attitude and seems to think she’s some kind of ‘dark scion’.” He growls in annoyance. “Was a prisoner, but got busted out and swore herself to Lord Kolm’s service. She apparently helps him with a lot of his rituals...at least, that’s what she’s been said to boast.” And here, he pauses briefly. He takes a breath, as though remembering something else...very unpleasant. “There’s one more, too. He...he calls himself Khaon. Strong bastard. REALLY strong. I’m not even sure what he wants, but he’s almost his own faction, even though he claims he serves Kolm. As far as I know, he doesn’t even really care too much about capturing and keeping land. He’s just here to fight people. He doesn’t even really fight in battles; he’ll just target anyone standing out and try to fight them.”

Blood knight, huh? Interesting.

(cont.)
>>
>>3177107
“He’s one of the reasons I thought your presence would be beneficial,” a voice says behind you. Parcelus looks up and immediately salutes, while you simply turn and give a nod. “Khaon, when he deigns to show up on the battlefield, is, to be blunt, a nightmare to behold. We needed someone that could match up to him in combat.” Looking up to Parcelus, he nods. “Captain, I can take over things from here. Do watch your ribs, however.” Parcelus is quick to nod, and resumes going along the wall. After he’s out of earshot, he returns to speaking to you. “I appreciate your letting your associate assist us. We’ll have another troop or two ready to move out sooner than we’d hoped, and we’ll need them come our next movement.”

“And what would that be?” you ask.

To this extent, he unveils a small map from under his arm. “We need to free up routes to our allies- many of which are currently desperately fighting for their own lives. I have a choice to make, unfortunately. Further to the east is Dulwark, which is a major trading town and is essentially the gateway to the Bearfolk, Rabbitfolk, and Lizardfolk territories. If we can reclaim Dulwark and begin the restoration of our supply train deeper inland, we may be able to take some of the heat off of them, link up with their main forces, and begin the pushback in earnest.”

“Which one is getting hit the hardest right now?” You ask.

“Likely the Lizards,” is the response. “I’ll be sending the majority of my forces along that path for that reason if the reclamation of Dulwark is successful. Their ferocity and unique rituals will be useful. However...you, by the grace of my father, should know you don’t have to follow. After seeing your prowess in battle, I’ve considered requesting sending you north to the Bearfolk territories; their mountainous homes provide them a natural advantage, and they’ve actually managed to get some word out about their station- you may be able to free them up entirely.”

“And the Rabbitfolk?” You ask.

“Gone to ground- quite literally, I think, in order to avoid the Weavers.” He sighs. “It’s a shame, as they’re excellent in the ways of quick, responsive attacks and are very capable messengers and tacticians. Perhaps you could try to seek them out, as well- last I hear, they had been spotted in the Thistledown Woods, to the Southwest of here, actually. Regardless of what is done, I’ve already sent a runner to requisition what men we have left in the capital that aren’t part of the guard to help reinforce our position here as we move out. Hence, we’ll be leaving in the morning, so I suggest you get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
> “We’ll be ready to move with you on your orders, then. Can’t risk you getting killed.”
> Other
>>
>>3177112
>> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
>>
>>3177112
>> “We’ll be ready to move with you on your orders, then. Can’t risk you getting killed.”
>>
>>3177112
>“We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
He's got an entire army as his bodyguards. I wouldn't worry about his safety.
>>
>>3177112
>> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”

Can't let Izumi indulge for too long, gotta get out and conserve her mana
>>
>>3177112
> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
I guess we can then discuss our job and plans with Izumi in private.
>>
>>3177112
> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”

>Other:" Do not lose hope we will come with the bearfolk to reinforce you soon."
>>
>>3177112
>Other "So what about the Marsh-walkers? Are they fine?"
> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
>>
>>3177112
>“We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
Handler, do you not want Miranda to offer additional services or contracts while on mission? Is that something that you don't want?
>>
>>3177112
>> “We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”
We can move much faster without him honestly.

I hope the Blackweb is only one part of the driders, I have a bit of a soft spot for them.
>>
>>3177159
There's always the >Other option
regarding the OP post, I think it was because most people voted to let Izumi do Izumi things.
>>
>>3177159
Where did this come from?
>>
>>3177159
It's because a majority voted against doing it.
>>
We'll move on ahead, then. Hope your army is good at the whole 'bodyguard' thing.

Writing!

>>3177159
There was a lot of discourse about it, but it seemed like it was largely leaning towards 'don't', and more discussion of why not afterwards. Either way, you can ALWAYS put something up for formal vote under >Other.
>>
>>3177112
> Other: If the Prince wants, we can put him in touch with Sal to either get additional help for additional cost (to allow Izumi to do more healing or break through to other allies), or to buy a deliver of healing items. His choice.
>>
>>3177183
Yeah, I saw that argument. What I want to know is if you don't want it, or it would be against Miranda's character, like the people against it were saying.
>>
>>3177188
>>3177184
Just let it go, Christ.
>>
I just hope that the bears don't get offended for the humans sending just two people to help liberate then
>>
>>3177188
Anon, drop it. The vote doesn't always go your way.
>>
>>3177184
You don't know when to stop, do you?
>>
>>3177188
you can cast your vote next time and vote for it then. Stop being annoying about this.
>>
>>3177188
It wouldn't be against Miranda's character to suggest things per se, but I'd imagine there are situations at hand which would have her dismiss the idea for now. That, AND I'm personally not really up for writing such things at the moment.

In short: It's complicated.

As I said, writing.
>>
>>3177214
Thank you for the response.
>>
>>3177193
Once they see us operate it shouldn't be an issue.
>>
>>3177311
What are we a surgeon now?
>>
>>3177311
Oh i know that i'm just expecting the big angry bear leader saying all kind of stuff.

Hopefully the two beastkin we ssaw walking around the keep were the messangers that the bears sent to warn about their status. Because having people to vouch for your skill is always great and i just want to avoid thousabd of post fascing the bearkin warrior while we could be killing the dark lords shadow things.
>>
>>3177322
Oper8tors have to oper8, mate.
>>
File: Styles & Yayoi.jpg (2.63 MB, 3840x2160)
2.63 MB
2.63 MB JPG
I love halberds.
This should be close to what they look like for this job, minus the Glowing Headband and Ribbon Wings for Miranda.
>>
>>3177375
Just need some glowy orange giblets to shish-kabob on the spike.
GJ anon
>>
>>3177375
Fuck yeah that's awesome!
>>
>>3177112
Makes sense enough. Freeing the bears sounds like a reasonable enough idea, but you’ll discuss the issue with Izumi later. “Understood. We may leave earlier than you, just to be clear. If we can clear the road for you, all the better.”

“That would be welcome,” he admits. “I’ll let my men know, get you a map of the area, and we’ll be sure to bring as many men as we can spare.”

“Probably a good idea.” He salutes, you nod, and the both of you walk back to the main area of the keep. He takes his leave to have a private meal, and you eat in the barracks; it’s a few minutes before you see Izumi walking in as well, looking quite pleased with herself.

You bite into a piece of roasted animal meat before greeting her. “Had fun?”

“It isn’t ‘fun’ to heal individuals that thought at one point they would not be able to fight for freedom, but it is satisfying.” She gathers some food of her own before sitting down next to you. “Do you have information on what we’re up against?”

“Yeah, a fair bit.” You spend the next few moments to explain the situation to her- attentive as usual, she doesn’t ask questions until after you’re finished.

“So, will we be assisting the Bearfolk after clearing the way to Dulwark?” she asks. “If that’s the case, we’ll have to be careful we don’t draw so much attention as to cause more stress on the bears. A good plan otherwise, however. It explains one of the rather fuzzy individuals I saw on the way over here.”

“Yeah, I saw them, too,” you mention. “That one and the rat guy.”

“Honestly, he was bigger than I’m used to them being,” Izumi mutters. You can’t deny that. Was actually taller than you. “Still, seemed friendly enough. Although I noticed there was no mention of them in your report.”

“So did I, but I figure they might still be in the mix somehow. If they hold to tradition, they’re being as sneaky as possible and are trying to hold out in their own way,” you posit. No way to know for sure, obviously, but you can at least draw on experience. “I figure we’ll leave before sunrise. If the road is trapped or anything, then getting there right before dawn will be the best chance to surprise anyone, or force them into action with short notice.”

“Hopefully. A bit of a forward area for the forces to spread out would be welcome,” Izumi admits.

After a bit of companionable silence, the two of you head to rest, the map delivered to you soon after you mention your retirement for the night. A few hours of sleep is welcome enough, but you soon find Izumi waking up you, a steely look in her eyes.

It’s time to head out. With little word, you mount your horses, and set off. You’ll have to be careful- on your way out, it was mentioned that while the road itself wasn’t heavily guarded, there could be traps, or the occasional ambush.

>Roll 3d20, best of 3.
>>
Rolled 4, 4, 10 = 18 (3d20)

>>3177533
>>
Rolled 12, 13, 10 = 35 (3d20)

>>3177533
>“Honestly, he was bigger than I’m used to them being,” Izumi mutters

L-lewd...
>>
Rolled 18, 4, 15 = 37 (3d20)

>>3177533
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ69svOtmAM
>>
>>3177533
18,13,15
Not bad, not great, but not bad by any means, I hope we get the drop on them! Whoever them is.
>>
Rolled 15, 15, 18 = 48 (3d20)

>>3177533
>>
Fair enough. Writing!
>>
>>3177375
Also holy shit that's cool.
>>
>>3177624
>only noticed it now.
>>
>>3177533
>>3177548
>>3177553
>>3177554
The wooded area you ride into, imaginatively called Highcaller Woods, is rather dense, and still rocky. It’s no major issue in terms of terrain, but the thick canopy makes sure you remain heavily on guard.

“It’s rather picturesque, really,” Izumi noted idly. “If we hadn’t been told such, I wouldn’t think this under control of some shadow lord.”

“Might be he hasn’t gotten full control over the place yet,” you say, eyes shifting to and fro. “Considering they seemed to have moved on the keep quick enough, they might’ve been trying to rush an end to the fight…”

A shape in the darkness that vanishes all too quickly- you make sure you don’t look directly at it, but the way you glare at Izumi makes her understand immediately. She doesn’t show it on her face, however. “Perhaps,” she continues on, as though unaware, “it might mean that a counterattack would be all the more success-” almost immediately she drops the sentence, reaching for her sword and carving it through the air in a smooth motion, a blade of mana streaking out into the canopy above her- it slices through the branches in an instant, and you can hear a screech of pain as something...someONE falls through the branches in front of you, landing in a heap. One of the driders, silverhaired and dressed in silken robes for its upper human half; its arachind half black as pitch, and now sporting a gaping gouge in its chitinous abdomen.

It’s because of that the once-silent forest quickly starts buzzing with noise as two more leap out at you- one of them instantly goes for their fallen kin, while the other levels what looks like a crossbow at you.

Izumi is quick to answer the would be shooter- several bolts of mana fly out as the trigger is pressed- but both of you tilt in opposite directions, the projectile flying past harmlessly as Izumi’s own shots strike true enough to separate the shooter from their weapon with authority. Meanwhile, your own efforts towards the runner are to fire at him as well; the lithe body ducks desperately, but the shock is enough to throw it off its course, stumbling over itself and tripping over the rocky path. You haven’t dismounted yet.

>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
>Try to kill the retriever and pursue the shooter.
>Might be a trap, and they know to not pursue you. Keep to the roads.
>Other
>>
>>3177798
>>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
Would be useful, and if things turn sour we can easily kill them instead.
>>
>>3177798
>>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
>>
>>3177798
>>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
>>
>>3177798
>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.

More info is always good.
>>
>>3177798
>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
>Other we should direct Izumi to silence the shooter as well, if she isn't going to already.
>>
>>3177829
She is going to. She herself said that we should avoid attracting to much attention so that the enemy wouldn't put more pressure to the bears.
>>
>>3177798
>Dismount, try to capture and interrogate the would be recoverer.
>>
...yup. Get right the hell over here.

Writing!
>>
>>3177861
And just like that, you've given me an idea for a new spell. Thanks boss!
>>
>>3177839
Weren't we told that there are several clans of driders, and only told so far that 1 of them went over to the Dark Lord?

Are we sure we're killing the right spiders?
>>
Man we are so dumb...now that we are alone we could probably use Goro to scout ahead of us, using his shadow magic, so we can ambush the wanna be ambushers.
>>
>>3177894
Considering they were trying to ambush us. Honestly they either work for the dark lord or are drider bandits.
>>
>>3177894
Looking at the mission briefing for the job, there's no mention of any sort of governing body for the Weavers, so we really don't know.

>>World Name: Navarain
>>Navarain is a 4-continent world. Continent titles: Lokum, Garand, Yane, Paralee. Contract takes place on Garand.
>>Magical Level: Moderate (Estimated Recovery at 2500 mana per night's sleep)
>>Technological Level: Swords and Sorcery, Horses/Carriage, Stonemasonry, Magic-Based Long-Distance Communication
>>Common Magic Style: Vocalized Spells, Ritual Magic
>>Races known: Human, Beastkin (Bear, Rat, Rabbit, Lizard), ‘Shaded’ (Dark Elf Variant), ‘Marshwalkers’ (Amphibious Species), ‘Shadow Demons’ (Horned Devils), Weaves (Drider/Spider Centaur Variant)
>>Local Rulership: Elected Monarchy. Leaders: Humans- High King Roland Emeral. ‘Shaded’- Blade Lords Navin, Yurel, Tath. Marshwalkers- Queen Sai. Ratkin- Lord of the Red Mask (Current Identity Unknown). Bearkin- Circle of the Wild Ferras, Motin, Kinn, Laveras, Braun. Rabbitkin- Council Leader Thorumin. Lizardkin- High Judicator Tu-san-ru.
>>Notes: Currently all major parties of Humans, Beastkin, and Marshwalkers on Garand have allied in a defensive pact.
>>
>Ratkin- Lord of the Red Mask (Current Identity Unknown)

Wonder if the rat guys is from the red mask court.

>inb4 the bear guy, the rat and the prince are friends.
>>
>Lizardkin- High Judicator Tu-san-ru.
>Tu-san-ru

Wonder if he is tsundere.
>>
>>3177901
We...did remember to wear the colors of the Alliance, right? Because we only look near-human but still not part of the local ethnicity, and all.

>>3177910
Well yeah, but we do know that the Weavers have a clan that allied with Lord Kolm, which suggests that the Weavers have clans and if he mentioned only 1, then the others might be Neutral.
>>
>>3177798
>>3177812
>>3177813
>>3177821
>>3177826
>>3177829
>>3177853
You quickly leap off your horse as Izumi does the same- you can hear skittering as she pursues her assailant as you approach the clumsy drider. With a growl, it turns itself, and you quickly dodge with a grunt as she expels webbing, the stuff falling to the ground instead.

Kinda don’t want to get hit by that, no. It tries to skitter away, but you manage to grab it by a leg- of which you now realize is bristling and kinda gross- and quickly yank it back before it can readjust its aim- it’s struggling scratches at your clothing as you tackle it and get it in a headlock. You shift your center of gravity until you’re beneath it, but it has no ground purchase at all, practically a rear naked choke. It still struggles a bit, but you quickly wrench against its neck, the threat obvious. In moments, its struggles stop, and there a gurgling hiss comes out of it. “Very well…if it is your will, end my ambition.”

“What I ‘will’ depends entirely on you,” you remark.

Its legs wiggle in a brief struggle again- or perhaps amusement. “Haaa...you think me willing to bargain? Truly?”
“Call it a hunch,” you say. “I’ll give you, say...until my friend gets back from probably killing your friend.”

“She is no ‘friend’,” the drider comments. “Merely a near soul caught in the great web. And for what information would you release me?”

> “How many others are on this road?”
> “What forces are at Dulwark?”
> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”
> Other questions
>>
>>3177935

>...tribes, clan, you know what I meant.
>>
>>3177935
>Other questions
"Which Weaver clan do you belong to, and who else stands with Lord Kolm?"
>>
>>3177935
>>3177940
> "What tribe are you from?"
> (If not from Blackweb Clan) "What do you know of the one known as Zai?"
> “What forces are at Dulwark?”
> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”
>>
>>3177935
> “How many others are on this road?”
> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”

Ever since I played 'pit people' I cannot unsee their version of driders.
>>
>>3177935
> “How many others are on this road?”
> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”
>>
>>3177935
>> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”
Knowing friend from foe is important.
>>
>>3177935
"-you release me?" hahahahahahahahahahahaha
ha
This one, this one is funny.
Well Izumi isn't here, but she can probably tell if we get too persuasive with this one.
> “How many others are on this road?”
and
> “What do you know about the other Weaver tribes?”
The forces at Dulwark hardly matter, because we're going to crush all of them.
>>
Questins!
Also bold of him to presume we were going to let him go. But hey, not my call!
Writing!
>>
>>3177961
>>
>>3177867
Sticky mana lasso ;)
>>
>>3177935
>>3177955
>>3177959
>>3177961
>>3177965
>>3177969
>>3178006
Making sure to keep a tight hold, you glare at her. “Let’s start with the basics, then. What clan are you from?”

“You are blind to color, then? Curious, to have such eyes and be deprived of such wonders of the world.” Another gurgling laugh, but you’re going to just...file that one away for now. “I am of the Blackweb, as is right. As is ordained. The Blackweb was the first, and it shall be the last once darkness eternal falls. All othersss will perish in their delusion...” Some grunting as it tries to clear its throat- you suspect it’s not getting as much air as it’d like. Pity.

“That so? Just what ‘others’ are there? What other clans?” That’s something that’s more interesting, to be frank. If there’s any chance of getting more allies…

Yeah, its legs are wiggling when it laughs. “Ahahah...what other clans, indeed? They are weak. Pitiful. Content in their acts that mean nothing when they perish. Do you wish to seek them out? They will sink into the darkness regardless. The Dawnspinners think themselves forever beautiful. Too beautiful to fight. They will die, huddled in their silken homes, and their so-called beauty will be forgotten by all, but their weakness will remain as their legacy. The Striders thought themselves the superiors of the Blackweb- but they fled when faced with real power. Their height did not equal their ferocity. The Veilspeakers, just as pitiful. They were willing to surrender their all they had gained to avoid bloodshed, they claimed it was ‘as told’- and now they have nothing to give, save their lives. Their speaking does nothing for them now.”

“Such a shame,” you remark, although those descriptions do make you wonder. Are any still out there? If so...could you reach them? Well, if you WERE going to, then first thing’s first… “How many others are still on this road?” You ask.

“Apparently very few,” Izumi’s voice says from the treeline as she steps through again. Seems like she’d been asking a few questions of her own. “This road was considered too narrow and too clumped for a large force, so it seems there’s mostly a few scouts and ambushers. Though from what my captive told me, they aren’t exactly keen on their job duties…”

“We all seek a way to climb the great web. To pull its strings is the goal of all Weavers. Much better than to be enwrapped in it.” The drider’s response is solemn, as though stating a fundamental truth. “And so your questions have been answered. Release me!”

“Interesting,” Izumi muses. “My captive took her own life after her information, sadly…you would not do the same?”

“If she deemed her role in the web done, then so be it. I yet have ambition!” he states.

> “Well, your ambition dies here.” Kill him and get moving. No loose ends.
> “Yeah. Good luck with that.” Let him go. He sounds like he might be an indirect help.
> Other
>>
>>3178097
>> “Well, your ambition dies here.” Kill him and get moving. No loose ends.
No loose ends babbling about some super-powered girls.
>>
>>3178097
>Other
>Let Izumi decide
>>
>>3178097
>Other
Summon Goro. Ask him if he can consume this drider's life essence to do stuff for us.
>>
>>3178097
> “Yeah. Good luck with that.” Let him go. He sounds like he might be an indirect help.

I kinda don't want to kill the drider in front of Izumi. Besides the guy/girl/thing could be valuable
>>
>>3178097
> “Well, your ambition dies here.” Kill him and get moving. No loose ends.
>>
>>3178106
Just let him go Izumi gonna feel bad for killing someone like this. And didn't we mostly picked a good guy quest so she would feel better?
>>
>>3178097
“Well, your ambition better involve showing us where Zai is so she can die screaming, then convincing your leader to unite the other clans to fight Lord Kolm, because that’s the cost of your life.”
>>
>>3178120
>>3178105
Oh well. This is probably for the better anyway.
>>
>>3178097
>“Yeah. Good luck with that.” Let him go. He sounds like he might be an indirect help.
For Izumi's conscience, even if Miranda is annoyed by it.
>>
>>3178130
He/She/It will probably be killed for failling his mission anyway.
>>
>>3178097
> “Yeah. Good luck with that.” Let him go. He sounds like he might be an indirect help.
He's gonna tell them we're colorblind, he knows almost nothing else about us. It'll be great, he's so stupid he doesn't even realize black isn't a color. Can't keep their pronoun consistent either.
>>
>>3178097
>> “Well, your ambition dies here.” Kill him and get moving. No loose ends.
Sounds like a zealot.
>>
>>3178139
He isn't a zealot would have killed himself. He did not do that. If anything he would probably be willing to betray the weaver lady if he gets to command his tribe.
>>
>>3178097
>>3178125
For clarification I’m basically voting for
> “Yeah. Good luck with that.” Let him go. He sounds like he might be an indirect help.
>>
>>3178138
What if his eyes sees in light ranges that ours don't? This would have been a nice time to have a technological visor.

Or, >>3178097
>Other: Scan him with the FutureSight quickly to get more in-depth information about the Weavers.
>>
Seems like letting him go is just barely the winner. Writing!
>>
>The Veilspeakers, just as pitiful. They were willing to surrender their all they had gained to avoid bloodshed, they claimed it was ‘as told’- and now they have nothing to give, save their lives. Their speaking does nothing for them now.”

These Veilspeakers seem to be a interesting folk.
>>
I just realized. We have a guy in a ring who’s shaped like a spidertaur who knows shadow magic.

We can convince the driders that we’re messengers from him! We could become demigods in this world! Or at least convince them to turn on Kolm, anyway.
>>
>>3178193
I don't think shapeless shadow-tendrils can pass as spidertaur's lower half.
>>
>>3178204
Goro is a Spider-taur though.The tendrils was just him reforming itself
>>
>>3178193
And we can do that after destroying/killing the big spider lady and unite all the spider clans in one big civilization!!!


Although that might be a bad idea.
>>
>>3178204
That’s just him after spending a long time being cooped up in there. He coalesced into a smoke spider-taur as he was talking.

>>3178214
Gonna have to tell him that they need to support the paying side...
>>
>>3178216
Honestly if they think that getting trapped in the great web. Is bad imagine when they find out we have the soul of a powerfull shadow mage imprisoned in our ring.
>>
>>3178097
>>3178113
>>3178130
>>3178138
>>3178143
Hm. Well. Annoying though he might be, there’s the way he’s phrasing things. He might be a particularly ambitious sort, and if he is...he’ll be a factor that, hopefully, will tie a few things up for the Blackweb clan. Might be worth letting him live for now- especially considering he knows little about you. There’s not a lot of intel he can give. “Yeah, well...” you quickly let go of his throat and back off quickly. “Good luck with that, I guess.”

Izumi looks at you oddly, but the spider grins viciously. “My thanks, little sabereye. I will...consider this moment, should we meet in the future.” Sabereye? Before that really hits you, however, he’s spun a web, and disappeared back into the trees.

“I must admit,” Izumi says curiously. “I don’t think I was expecting you to spare him. You didn’t do it for my sake, did you?”

“Of course not,” you answer. Although it WAS, maybe, possibly, a bit of a factor… “Let’s keep moving.”

“Right.” Shortly, you’re both on your way again, and to your surprise, you don’t run into any further trouble; that is, you DO run into ambushes, but little in the way of further Weavers- rather they are pockets of shadow creatures; from what you can guess, they’ve been ordered to be on watch, and although they dive at you, they’re hardly worth much fuss. To be fair, though, such pockets, as rabid as they are, probably would’ve done a lot of damage to anything that short of well armored units. Still, you manage well enough and continue your way through.

Before much longer, you notice the treeline thinning out...and just above it, you can see a tendril of smoke rising up in the distance...wait. No, that’s not smoke. That’s just...darkness.

An inky, winding, tendril of darkness, terminating somewhere above the cloudline.

Well, if that isn’t obvious. “Betcha that’s the town.”

“Sucker bet,” Izumi replies immediately. “...how much do you think it’s caused by something that has to be destroyed to stop?”

Pft. “Sucker bet.”

In all seriousness, though...you COULD let this go for now and keep on the way to the bears. You know full well that there’s likely a more important contingent of forces sitting there, and you’ll lose your element of surprise in the war effort if you choose to engage. Especially if and when someone notices that shadow pillar disappearing. They'll be ready for you sooner. Of course, if you did, that, it’d free the Prince and his men up to march straight to the Lizards’ territory…they’d be worried about so many sudden changes it may even out.

>Assault and reclaim Dulwark yourself.
>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.
>Other
>>
Ending it for today. I might not run tomorrow (or if I do, it'll be short). Unsure. Eye on Twitter to be safe.

I swear Gartoum's appearance and these guys' whole shadow thing wasn't intentional. It just kinda worked out that way. Blame multiverse RNG.

But I WILL say this is another world in which I particularly enjoyed making the NPCs and I hope you meet a number of them! As thin as information is so far, as well, I hope you're interested just as much.
>>
>>3178289
>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.

We can always come back with the bears once we are done with whatever is holding then. We will come back by this road anyway.
>>
>>3178294
Thanks for the run Handler. It's pretty interesting setting.
>>
>>3178289
>>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.
We could conquer it, but we don't have any way of holding it after we leave.
>>
>>3178289
>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.
>>
>My Lady...the Weild speaks to us. Of recent things.

>Then give it voice, seer.

>It has sipped on human blood...yet it still feels their feet above. The shadow sickness in the west has abaited just a bit, as well.

>Hm? Do you mean to say...?

>The humans have not fallen this day.

>Oh? Then they have rallied? How courageous of them.

>Indeed. As though a boil has been removed from a sickly face. The Weild takes solace in this...temporary abatement.

>Perhaps our alliance was not so made in hasty error. Would I could congratulate them on their spirited defense in these dark times. Could they have found some method of cleansing?

>Not as such, my Lady. However, the Weild speaks of a...curiosity. Two, in truth. The Weild knows them not, but there is power within them. Roaring flames next to the sparks of life. It was these flames which extinguished the shadow there.

>Truly? How fascinating. However, we have no time to sate such curiosity. We have our own troubles.

>Indeed we do. But should these flames spread...

>Inform me. For now, continue to oversee the defense of the Southern Wetlands. If the humans can defend themselves even now, then the Cleargrounds CANNOT fall.

>Of course, my Lady.
>>
>>3178289
>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.
>>
>>3178289
>Assault and reclaim Dulwark yourself.
>>
>>3178289
>Sneak past it and continue up north to the Bearkin stronghold.
>>
So, anons. What would you suggest to do in order to boost morale of our allies or convince some neutrals to join our side?
Most of the beastkin are already fighting for us, all we need to do is not to antagonize them. They are probably going to be extremely cautious and wary as non-humans tend to do when we are on a job. If Izumi asks why are we acting nicer than usual - tell her that we are tired of being called 'the Harbinger' through no fault of ours.
Driders seem like a mixed bunch so maybe we should aproach them once the tide of war has turned.
>>
>>3178594
Isn't that going a bit beyond the requirements of the job? I thought we were here to just power our way through to the enemy leader and kill him.
>>
>>3178597
Maybe, but being so straightforward could earn us another unsavory title that would hamper our progress and prevent us from getting extra loot and side jobs. Plus we kinda wanted to do a 'good' mission for a change.
>>
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>Sabereye

wut?
>>
>>3178611
We really need a mirror.
>>
>>3178616
Can’t we just take a selfie with the FutureSight and look at that?
>>
>>3178729
true that.
>>
>>3178729
Good idea. Lets take it together with Izumi so it can serve as a commemorative photo of our trip
>>
>>3178883
You know, we could also take more pictures for the kids too. Surely they'll love to see us at work and looking at the world.
>>
>>3178755
>>3178883
>Miranda and Izumi doing duckface at the camera while they hold up Lord Kolm’s severed head

Perfect.
>>
>>3178910
Shit, you’ve just reminded me. We’ve got a gift for everyone we’re mentoring except Mewla.

Weapons are out of the question, but I think I remember that she likes mushrooms...
>>
>>3178594
Bully them into it? Who in particular would we want to join up?
>>3178601
>unsavory title that would hamper our progress
This isn't even a thing. Prospective clients don't get the privilege of inspecting our record before hiring us and having ended civilisations in the past won't stop is from getting work.
>>
>>3179037
What about Miranda accused being reincarnation of some local ancien boogeyman in the middle of the job? That happened a few times.
>>
I really want to take a look at our face and check our wings again
>>
>>3179189
What is your point with that? We usually dont care about those accusations and in this specific mission they might even be beneficial because we could be the chosen one or whatever.
>>
>>3179249
We kind of do, but only insomuch we don't get shit put on us that we didn't do. That's why we told the Ice King summon from the last job that he's clearly delusional when he called us the Harbinger.

It's about, y'know, professional pride and shit, along with a heaping helping of "Stop being dramatic and let's get this shit over with already".
>>
>>3179189
>What about Miranda accused being reincarnation of some local ancien boogeyman in the middle of the job?
Nothing, pretty much. We do the job or client gave us and they pay us at the end regardless of what titles we may or may not pick up.

Making allies is up to the king and prince and the other faction leaders, not us. That kind of politics isn't our business
>>
>>3179276
We told the ice king to shut up because his delusions might have taken our bond with lysterine into question. We were supposed to be bound to his will, a kid who never summoned anything before. It's obvious who'd be in control if we were to be this "harbinger".

It had nothing to do with pride, it was a situation that could have failed our contract if not dealt with.

Earning nicknames won't prevent us from completing this mission as it could have in the previous job
>>
>>3179276
yeah, but as long as that is irrelevant to getting paid (which in most cases-including the one you say is-) we usually roll with ait and dont give a shit.
>>
>>3179278
I bet politics in the bearkin is that you have to wrestle the political adversary. The one who gets subdued first loses.

This kind of politics i can see randa being pretty good at.
>>
>>3179311
Salmon cooking competition
>>
>>3179311
I figure they'll just be happy for the help, honestly. The good guys here are all hard pressed, and bears seem like they would be pragmatic sorts.
I imagine them as similar to the ones in the Girl Genius webcomic; strong, simple in appearance but cunning underneath.
>>
I'm more interested in the rabbits honestly. Apparently they fucked off because Blackweb thinks they taste good with ketchup? We'll probably have to stomp some spiders to get them back out.
>>
>>3179907
Don't stomp too hard though, or we can repeat the situation with lizard-folk from 'Wild Wild West' mission.
>>
>>3179907
I'm more interested in the Veilspeaker clan of Weavers. They foresaw that they would have to give up everything; did they foresee us? And if they did, did they give up all of their loot to Kolm and the Blackweb knowing that we would be coming for money, and they know where all the loot is stashed, and want to make a deal?

They'll either point us towards Motes and people we're supposed to kill for our contract, or we get to mess with more prophets again.
>>
>>3179925
Fair, I guess. I'm also curious about the Dawnspinners, but that's just because the idea of vain as fuck spiders amuses me.
>>
>>3179948
Anon, be honest. You just want to tap that abdomen.
>>
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>>3179948
I think i have a idea who the Dawnspinners leader is.

Also i bet that their silk must be very valuable and very resistant to make armour/clothes.
>>
>>3180049
The most important quality of spiders is that they eat other more annoying bugs.
Like anime harem MCs.
>>
Run will resume in about an hour, give or take. May be a short one, but tomorrow I'll also be available to run longer.
>>
>>3181385
So long we get to kick ass and help the bears i'm fine with it.
>>
>>3181385
I came here to save bears and argue about extra contracts

AND I'M FUCKING SICK OF THE ARGUING
>>
>>3181485
Same. Now let's go save some care bears.
>>
>>3178289
>>3178300
>>3178304
>>3178321
>>3178517
>>3178568
“I rather want to go in there and free those people…” Izumi states, leaving the sentence hanging.

“...but it wouldn’t work out until we have enough forces to hold it,” you finish. “So best to slip past, for now. We’ll circle around here; cut through the treeline as best we can and start heading up.” She purses her lips, but nods- she knows as well as you do that there’s little practicality in the attempt right now. Best to come back when you have force of numbers.

Although you don’t think anyone heard you, you’re surprised in that there’s little to no resistance as you head up north, one of the mountains of the range looming before you...although you can hear the faint din of a battle battle even down here. “That sounds fierce...we should hurry!” Izumi says heatedly before kicking her steed into high gear. All you can do is sigh as you make to catch up with her.

It’s something of a surprise when, without warning, you see a number of large logs tumbling down the side of the mountain- massive oak-like things, cut with sharp, pointed edges. Some sort of trap set off?

Not a couple of minutes afterwards, a rumbling causes both horses to fret, before what you initially believe is an avalanche of rocks comes smashing down on the path before you, tumbling the rest of the way down in a hurry. The way they were so localized, however, tells you that it might well be more of the same…

“C’mon, let’s double time it! Hiyah!” With a whinny, your steed continue their winding way around the path, this time pushing himself to move a bit faster…

>Roll 1d20, best of 3.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3181526
Could we block avalanches and rolling logs with Great Barrier?
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3181526
>>
>>3181540
logs, yeah. Avalanche...Technically, but it'd just kinda...avalanche around you, then.
>>
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Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3181526
>>
18. Yeah thas pretty good mhm.

Writing.
>>
>>3181540
I think this was more the bears traps rather then the enemy. But i could be wrong the prince did say that the enemy knew their strategy so most likely they figured if help would be comming it would be from this road.
>>
>>3181556
Oh yeah, does the FutureSight allow for selfies, or is it strictly a research tool?
>>
>>3181566
the thing can scan and reference objects. i'm pretty sure it can take a lousy picture.
>>
>>3181526
>>3181540
>>3181547
>>3181553
As you ride up, the ground evens out a bit, and you begin to see signs of civilization- small carved totems, tore robes...and sadly, several of the bears that they were on. Covered in gouges and bites and webbing, many of their thick, furry bodies covered in steel and wood-plated armor; several of these have what are undoubtedly bite marks on and through them, and a black morass, almost like mold, seems to be creeping up on some of the trees here. “Disgusting,” Izumi mutters. “But we’re close.”

“Yeah, we- hold up!” You quickly bring Draugur to a stop as you see a body on the side of the road; but this one clearly alive. He’s dressed in what you can only describe as monk-ish robes, and that’s about it, aside from his headdress and and ornate wooden staff, twisted and weaved with greenery atop it. You and Izumi hop off quickly to inspect him, his eyes wide and panicked as he stumbles down the road.

He almost doesn’t seem to notice you at first, but as you turn him to face you, he lets out a silent scream; brandishing his staff like some sort of defense. “Back, creatures of…!” Before you have to state your intentions, he seems to realize he’s not in immediate danger, as he lowers his weapon slightly. “Wait...you are not of the shadows...are you?”

“Not at all,” Izumi speaks quickly. “We’re here to help you. How bad is it?” It seemed worse that what the Prince had made it sound like...

“I…” He looks surprised and astonished for all of a second, before he swallows his nervousness. “We, we were holding them for some time, but then the Weavers. We did not see them coming! The Blackweb, they trapped us, bound us in with webbing! The Keeper Braun and his daughter managed to break the webbing to free civilians, but by then…then the shadows were upon us! We have been fighting fiercely, and now we only barely keep them at bay. What fighting force do you have with you?”

“Us,” you answer.

“Just you? But...that will do nothing! The Blackweb- they’ll kill you instantly!” Bold claim, that.

“Unlikely!” Izumi yells, shouting a battle cry as she remounts and takes off.

You’re pretty sure she knows what she’s doing, but you can’t help but inwardly sigh.

(cont.)
>>
>>3181643
A minute or two more and you’re clearly at the outskirts, where there’s a massive skirmish of bearkin, armed with maces, clubs, and polearms swinging and roaring against spider-people, firing with crossbow, blade, and other things. There’s what sounds like a larger conflict to the north, but you can hear the screeching of...SOMETHING, off to the west of the town. Seems like they seriously got tired of the stalemate…

As you close in, you have to decide…

>Take it from the top- you’ll clear out all the spiders and shadows here, rally the defenders, and march in to make sure they can’t take the area.
>You’re going to want to take our their force multiplier fast. IF you can work it out right, you might even be able to ambush it.
>Whatever that issue is to the north, it might spill out into something uncontrollable if things get nasty. Better reinforce it.
>Other

>>3181566

Yes it can take pictures.
>>
>>3181647
>You’re going to want to take our their force multiplier fast. IF you can work it out right, you might even be able to ambush it.
>Other: Sorry Draugur, but you're not fast enough. Start jumping to get around more quickly.
>>
>>3181647
>>Take it from the top- you’ll clear out all the spiders and shadows here, rally the defenders, and march in to make sure they can’t take the area.
Remember, spiderwebs are weak to flames!
>>
>>3181647
>>3181647
>Take it from the top- you’ll clear out all the spiders and shadows here, rally the defenders, and march in to make sure they can’t take the area.

Izumi went off to do her thing she is probably the reason why the screeching is happening
>>
>>3181647
>Take it from the top- you’ll clear out all the spiders and shadows here, rally the defenders, and march in to make sure they can’t take the area.
How about using our wings and doing a bombing run?
>>
>>3181647
>You’re going to want to take our their force multiplier fast. IF you can work it out right, you might even be able to ambush it.
>>
>>3181658
They are also weak to magic blast. We are also have being using the Halberd so far.
>>
>>3181662
I would be up to test our wings. Even if i doubt they would be able to make us fly like last time.
>>
>>3181647
>You’re going to want to take our their force multiplier fast. IF you can work it out right, you might even be able to ambush it.
Izumi can handle those spidershits, we'll remove the shadow leaders first then come back.
>>
>>3181662
If it gets votes.
>>
>>3181665
The halberd's just a halberd, though. Flaming sword beats regular halberd in terms of showing how OP you are.
>>
H-huh...it's a tie
>>
>>3181647
>You’re going to want to take our their force multiplier fast. IF you can work it out right, you might even be able to ambush it.
Assuming that's what it is, the bears can keep holding for a while longer.
>Other: Sorry Draugur, but you're not fast enough. Start jumping to get around more quickly.
>>
Going after LOUD NOISES squeaks it.

Writing!
>>
>>3181647
>>3181653
>>3181664
>>3181678
>>3181698
“Sorry, Draugur. Stay put!” You leave your horse behind as you dismount- and then immediately hop up, your leaps taking you well above the mud and thatched roofs; you can’t afford getting spotted so soon, however, so you keep them shallower than normal.

Izumi’s already into the thick of it as you head off at an angle, just beyond the town limits- you can see some orange remnants of shadows, and a few fallen spiders that clearly are missing limbs and other features, cut cleanly by a blade. This kind of work is her forte, easily. As for you…

It doesn’t take very long before you can see what’s clearly a massive ichor beast, climbing up towards the main walls of the village and nearly dripping itself everywhere as it sloughs through the mountain brush. A set of six bulbous eyes frame its face, along with long, vicious tusks jutting from its lower lip- not that that really dimishes the other jagged natural knives in its mouth. It hauls itself over rock and crag with the lumbering grace of an elephant, pustules on its legs and back bulging with orange fluid, and it’s only a matter of minutes before it makes it there to no doubt try to decimate the defenders that are currently lined up near the outside, hands outstretched.

Do they really think they can fight it with just-

“TI-RAH!” Before that sentence can even finish, you hear their deep, booming voices as they stomp as one, lifting their paws in respect; with a crackling boom, the area in front of them grows, and a great mass of trees seem to sprout from nothing, blocking the gargantuan creature off.

“LU-RAH!” Another chant, another stomp, and another copse of trees to pen the creature in from either side.

“KA-RAH!” A third chant, and the trees shudder as...something, you’re not sure what, happens to the creature, although you think you can see new branches suddenly sprouted…

And those branches are scattered as, with a howl, the creature suddenly bursts from the instant copse, the massive trees splintered and shattered as the bearkin suddenly have to shield themselves from their own work and scramble to retreat as the thing continues forward, another vicious howl being let loose at its defiance.

Probably a good time to step in now, yeah.

>Action!
>>
>>3181801
Throw some magi blasts at the postules on its back, I wanna see what the orange is.
>>
>>3181801
Box it in barriers, then ignite it with a stream of fire by channeling mana into our sword. Maybe shape barriers like some sort of furnace.
>>
5 minutes until. Any way you want to make an entrance, here you go.

>>3181812
That would cost a fair bit of mana. 4000 minimum.
>>
>>3181801
>Stay right in front of it and summon a magic barrier to block it's advance.


YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
>>
>>3181823
Eh. We stll have boots and condenser.
>>
>>3181827
And then?
>>
>>3181830
Then we kick his ass with the halberd.
>>
Hm. Okay, let's try this:

>Try to trap it with a set of barriers and attack from that. (4000 Mana)
> Block it with one barrier and use that to take advantage briefly. (1000 Mana)
> Get above it and try to pepper it with Magiblasts ASAP
> Other
>>
>>3181839
>Try to trap it with a set of barriers and attack from that. (4000 Mana)
>>
>>3181839
> Block it with one barrier and use that to take advantage briefly. (1000 Mana)
>>
>>3181838
I'm sticking to cooking it in the oven.
>>
>>3181839
> Block it with one barrier and use that to take advantage briefly. (1000 Mana)
Bring out the flame sword and use it to burn and cut it's orange postules. Let it focus on us so that the bearkin can regroup
>>
>>3181851
Sounds like a good way to waste mana. But you do whatever you want to do.
>>
>>3181839
>Get above it and try to pepper it with Magiblasts ASAP
BOMBARDMENT!
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

Defense! Deefense!

Writing!
>>
>>3181896
Look, if EDF 4.1 has taught me anything, is that cannon fodder are the most useful kind of people.
>>
Current Mana: 11,500/12,500

You can’t let it get a head of steam; you need to stop it where it is, if only to let the bears have some chance of escape or recovery. The bears have hardly any time to gape or wonder as you make your way in front of them- they’re trying to retreat as quickly as possible, shouting out instructions to the ones beyond the camp.

The creature itself- it doesn’t seem to recognize you as a threat, but it nonetheless seems to pick up a little pace; which is exactly what you want it to do.

The thing’s mouth gapes, and tries to lean forward to swallow you whole; you put out an arm, and a wide Light Barrier springs from your hand, stretching wide and high in either direction! The creature’s maw crashes against the barrier, causing you a bit of strain, but that’s all- it otherwise bounces, and crashes against the ground as its body shakes from the impact- but it’s still up, and will recover soon if you don’t take advantage.

A few magiblasts to its eyes cause a shrieking, but to your surprise they hold together- this one is clearly made of sterner stuff than the mooks you slaughtered earlier…

As you look back, you see the few Bearkin that were nearby scramble back, there’s a few on the walls that you hear screams from, as well as smaller yelping and screeching as fighting starts there as well...damnit, they must have been ambushed somehow!

>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
>Unfortunate, but you have to make sure this thing is out of commission- make sure to pop everyone of those damn boils on its body.
> Burning it might be risky, but it’ll likely eradicate it entirely. Your Flamebringer should handle that nicely…
>Other

Yeah, will resume tomorrow! 12 PM PST.
>>
>>3181993
>Burning it might be risky, but it’ll likely eradicate it entirely. Your Flamebringer should handle that nicely…
>>
>>3181993
>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.

kinda want a tag team with us and Izumi downing this thing later. A magi blast will cripple it long enough so we can reinforce the other bears. Also if they got ambushed it might be a group of Weavers.

The more bears we save/inspire the better in my opinion. And i don't want to risk some back slash with the flamebringer.
>>
>>3181993
>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
>>
>>3181993
>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
>>
>>3181993
>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
>>3182017
Okay, but wouldn't an orbital barrier be better for that?
>>
>>3182056
Kinda one of the reasons why I wanted to waste mana on caging it. Now is probably too late.
>>
>>3182057
>>3181812
Fcuk, id changed
>>
>>3181993
Let's not use indiscriminate fire in the woods. And instead fire indiscrimiately into the woods!
>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
>>
>>3181993
What happens if we cast light barrier perpendicular to a charging beast? I mean, how thick is it it? Monomolecular magical knife edge?

Can it be pushed, or thrown if we summon tiny ones?

Razor Hedge, a barrier made of layered light barriers edge on to the target? Touch it and get cut, that way they couldn't do things like jump off it or anything.
>>
>>3181993
Also, I can't believe I'm recommending using this, but what about tossing a bunch of sticky mana bombs down its throat at different points and then detonating them at once?

Or a light barrier inside it, bigger than its jaws? Let it tear itself apart on it.
>>
>>3182124
I don't like the sticky mana technique that much but that is a neat idea.
>Try to get that big guy to open his mouth
>Shoot your sticky gooey mana down it's throat
>and for good measure try to shut it's mouth with sticky mana
>then detonate it as it stuggles
>>
>>3182160
I am a fan of this idea if only because it allows us to "Omae wa mou shinderu" our enemies.
That said I'm not changing my vote, which was for a charged magiblast
>>
>>3182160
It probably won't cause to much damage remember that what keeps it together is the orange things inside it.

Saying that maybe a magic blast down it's mouth will have the explosion damage some of the orange things.

>>3182056
The barrier wouldn't last for long with the thing banging against it. There is also the fact that if the Weavers are here i thing that there is a weaver lieutenant or the big weaver lady is here leading the charge.
>>
>>3182183
I'm sure orbital ring will keep it immobile for longer than shooting it once..
>>
>>3182192
Ah you meant Orbital ring? Sorry i though you were talkin about the bigger barrier, not about the orbital ring.

Anyway the Orbital ring exploded when if someone breaks it right? If the thing manages to move and break near friendlies it could be as dangerous as using the flamebringer near a forest and near totems who are probably sacred or important to the bearkin.
>>
>>3181993
>Other: Send sticky mana down its throat and gum up its jaws. Then detonate it.
>>
>>3181993
I’m all for shooting our goo down it’s throat. Sounds like it could distract it for ten-fifteen minutes.
>>
>>3181993
>Other
>Cut it up with a bunch of magi-waves and go help the bears
>>
>>3182225
Sticky Mana isn't explosive. What you want is the Sticky bombs. And in this case a magic blast would be better because the explosion radius of it is much more potent then a sticky bomb. Which would probably eliminate some of the boils and slow it's regeneration.

>>3182264
Again to much mana and after we are done here we still have the other town to liberate. We need to work to preserve our mana to fight the named enemies that the human captain told us about.
>>
>>3182283
>to much mana
Pastebin doesn't mention mana cost so it's safe to assume it takes as much mana as mana-blasts. Using magi-waves will preserve mana better than spamming sticky bombs (which have a mentioned mana cost of 250 per blob) on the thing.
>>
>>3182295
>250
200*
>>
>>3182295
I agree that it would conserve more mana then using sticky bombs.

But a charged mana blast might hit more of the orabge boils rather then mutiple magic wave, because once the first hots the creature can still melt away from the attack, and even if the first move hits, it might not reach the boils that are in the creatures back.

While a magic blast down the gullet has a higher chance of taking out more of the things with a single fast move before the creature can recover.
>>
>>3182334
I'm voting for magi-waves because when Miranda used the halberd to cut the shadow lieutenants's orange stuff in the earlier fight, the cut off parts just outright disappeared. It seems that the enemies' strength and size depends on how much of that orange stuff they have and if it's cut off from whatever would count as their "brain", the orange part becomes useless and all "shadow" parts of the body that were relying on that specific orange part.
This is just me guessing based on the story posts though so I may be wrong.
>>
>>3181993
>>Charge up a magiblast, fire down his gullet. You don’t have time for anything fancy- you’ll have to hope that it stays down long enough for you to handle things on the other end of the wall.
Fire, while undoubtedly effective, is a bad idea in a forest.
>>
>>3182456
You are not wrong. The orange boils are the things that keep the shadow creatures together. It probably works as a connector that holds more concetrated shadows and so giving it power.

The problem is after the first magi-wave hits the shadow creature could just melt and run away or dodge from the following attacks.

One big magi blast down the gullet will blow it's head were we know the orange eyes are. Which is a weakness and hopefully if the thing has the anotomy of a humanoid creature maybe the blast will run far deep enough inside it so it can explode some of the boils bear it's back.
>>
>>3182283
> Sticky Mana isn't explosive.

Suddenly I'm reminded of grease + flame bolt spell combo.

If we cost stuff with sticky mana, could we "trigger" a reaction with our Fireworks spell?

Maybe throwing out sticky mana + fireworks will let us create a real mana flame thrower.

Anyone down for trying since we didn't practice anything while we were in the intersection?

Another point, its eyes are the only VISIBLE orange nodules.

I'm sure bringing this to the QMs attention won't have any effect on possible outcomes or future fights, but just in case.
>>
>>3182604
I've wanted a flamethrower of some type for a while, and Sticky Mana + fireworks seems like an easy way to get one. It shouldn't even be that expensive mana-wise in theory.
>>
>>3182643
Fireworks was originally supposed to be a sort of flamethrower anyways, no?

I'll support trying it here regardless, but I would be thrilled if we also tried the "perpendicular light shield" against a charge at some point.

I also wonder how Solar Flare would work, since they ARE shadows.
>>
>>3182643
Don’t forget that there’s also the idea of channeling mana through the Flamebringer to launch the flames off of the blade. Could be useful for reducing the mana cost of the spell, but without the benefit of the sticky part.
>>
>>3182604ayne if we cover our self in sticky mana our enemies will be too afraid to hit us!!!
>its eyes are the only VISIBLE orange nodules
>pustules on its legs and back bulging with orange fluid
>>
>>3181993
>>3182017
>>3182031
>>3182039
>>3182056
>>3182082
>>3182467
Damnit, no time for fancy tactics- hopefully you can at the least knock it out of commission for a while. One hand for charging up a magiblast, the other for opening his maw a bit wider…

The shot streaks outwards, straight to the throat- a muffled, but still loud explosion throws up a morass of ichor in a rearward detonation, blowing out upper and back halves of its head, and decimating a few of the orange pustules back there, eyes included. You actually have to shield yourself from a bit of the raining goop, but beyond that, you can only hope that you’ve knocked the thing out at a minimum. To be fair, it does seem to go still...although the fact that it doesn’t start disintegrating is a bad omen. Good enough for now.

You take a leap up and backwards, and you can see a number of freshly fallen bears and their Weaver killers above them with various bladed instruments; several see you careening through the air, but have little time to react before you land, your halberd, slicing into one unfortunate as you do so.

Diving out of the impromptu circle, you’re forced to contend with a pursuing band of Weavers, a magiblast behind you dropping one of the crossbow wielders and forcing the rest to scatter in surprise, spreading out in an attempt to surround you as several leap atop homes and constructs for a height advantage. Great.

>Make it a running battle; try to link back up with Izumi ASAP so you can get the measure of what’s what now.
>Keep them running after you and draw their (and anyone else’s) attention for as long as possible.
>Fine, you’ll have to take them down here and now. Hold them off and kill them as you can.
>Other
>>
>>3182796
>Make it a running battle; try to link back up with Izumi ASAP so you can get the measure of what’s what now.
Let her know the plan in case something else comes up between now and when the big boi starts rampaging again.
>>
Holy shit, didn’t expect to see an update so soon!

>>3182796
>Make it a running battle; try to link back up with Izumi ASAP so you can get the measure of what’s what now.
Let’s bring out our magic rapier and blast a couple of them.
>>
>>3182796
>Make it a running battle; try to link back up with Izumi ASAP so you can get the measure of what’s what now
>>
>>3182796
>Make it a running battle; try to link back up with Izumi ASAP so you can get the measure of what’s what now.
>>
...Wow, doesn't feel like it's been 30 minutes since I posted. Still, clear choice.

Writing.
>>
>>3182796
>Fine, you’ll have to take them down here and now. Hold them off and kill them as you can.
>>
>>3182796
>>3182804
>>3182824
>>3182834
>>3182845
You’re not going to just let them pick away at you- you’ve got places to be, things to kill, all that sort. And considering that there’s a notable absent of still breathing bears right in this area...you quickly leap backwards, rocketing up to the top of a nearby hut, delivering a pair of blasts to two Weavers nearby. They dodge, if barely, but it’s enough for you to gain some distance by leaping away. You can hear the shouts from them as they pursue, and the fight’s on.

You’re not entirely certain where Izumi is at the moment, but you at the least can tell where the major fighting is; that’ll probably be close enough, or if not, then you can find out from there.

As you turn around, you see a crossbow being leveled at you- a quick jink dodges the bolt, and you respond with one of your own that knocks the Weaver off the building and to the ground. You outpace them well enough, but you still have to actually find the core of the fighting, and that gives them time to- aha!

A flash of a familiar face near a larger-than-average hut lets you know you were right on the money! Izumi’s there, her blade and mana cutting through swaths of shadows much like you did in the first battle. You can’t help but notice they’re buffeted by several Weavers, all of them pressing a large group of bears doing their best to hold a massive breach in the village walls as Izumi does her best to stem the tide. It’s clear Izumi’s presence has helped immensely, but there’s a veritable flood of shadows swarming in- fast as Izumi is, numbers are just not on their side, and there’s a lack of an obvious shadow lieutenant. That doesn’t mean there isn’t one or two around, however…

A yell reminds you of your situation, and you turn your halberd to defend against a sword strike from the first Weaver to reach you- it’s turned away, and you twist the polearm to jab them in the gut with the blunt end, following momentum; it tries to recover to strike again, but your force behind the followup swing forces it to reposition its blade to try to stop your incoming strike. All that results is the blade getting shoved aside as your halberd continues on through its neck.

The next two are taken out by magiblasts, while the furthest two, clearly unsettled, look at you with undisguised caution. There’s a brief hesitation on their part…

(cont.)
>>
>>3182922
...Which is filled by you firing off a pair of blasts for them, ending their concern as they splatter on the ground below. A loud bellow by one of the bears briefly catches your attention- a big fellow, scarred in a number of places and wearing a massive plate helm with aged leather armor, he wields a MASSIVE warhammer, swinging it around as he clears scores of shadow himself. Still, you can tell it’s a desperate defense...

>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.
>Trust Izumi and the big guy to hold things, and go searching for the shadow lieutenants so you can kill them.
>Maybe the Blackweb are running this show- see if you can’t find their commander nearby.
>Other
>>
>>3182925
>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.
>>
>>3182925
>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.
>>
>>3182925
>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.
That’s probably their leader. Need to make sure he stays alive. Goomba stomp a couple of those Blackwebs to help him out!
>>
>>3182925
>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.

Found the bear boss time to give him and Izumi a hand!
>>
>>3182925
>>Maybe the Blackweb are running this show- see if you can’t find their commander nearby.
>>
>>3182925
>Hit the ground and help them push back the tide so they can get some breathing room.
Rather than just staying at the breach and fighting whoever comes through, we should push through the enemy lines to see if there's anybody interesting in their rear.
So basically a combination of the first two options.
>>
>>3182952
Nah just keep wacking at the flood. It will stop eventually then the bosses will show up.
>>
>>3182962
I'm worried about the big guy waking up before that happens
>>
Getting our hands dirty.

Also I need 2d20 from you guys, best of three.
>>
Rolled 11, 7 = 18 (2d20)

1 1
>>
Rolled 9, 14 = 23 (2d20)

>>3182976
HACK AND SLASH
>>
Rolled 14, 17 = 31 (2d20)

>>3182976
>>
Rolled 14, 9 = 23 (2d20)

>>3182976
>>
>>3182983
Not bad.
>>
14, 17? Neat.

Writing!
>>
>>3183049
Uhull we didn't fucked up!!
>>
>>3182925
>>3182929
>>3182934
>>3182939
>>3182942
>>3182952

Yeah, no time to waste here- even if you find someone, they might have folded by then- no use in having little to nothing left to save!

A magiblast deep in the throng sends shadows flying and dissolving, and you take the temporary surprise to leap into the fray nearest the bears- as surprised as they might be, they hardly spare you a look, considering it’s obvious who’s side you’re on.

Your magiblasts would have a bit too much backlash at this close range; probably why Izumi’s largely sticking to melee, as well. But that just means you have to make like a blender and keep thrashing. The shadow beings are more clumped here than the fields at the keep, which makes things a double-edged sword- there’s little room for them to maneuver, and many can hardly to anything but watch as you cut them down swing by swing. On the other hand, you’re fighting just to hold position as it seems like they’re constantly at your feet. Even magiwaves only get so far before their energy dissipates amongst the massive numbers, though they’re doing a bit better of a job at clearing out the invaders- you can actually start to see pockets forming...

The sounds of further chopping come from your left as you see Izumi holding off a number of shadows by her lonesome- a Weaver manages to close in only to get bisected as her blade passes through them without pause. Izumi’s speed, always having been a tick above yours, lets her hold ground better, but she’s actually able to reposition even in this morass, her blade constantly moving.

The roaring of the scarred bear continues as he tosses clumps of shadow beings, but you can see that he’s taking further injuries; trying to ignore the occasional scratch here or bite there as best he can, but it’ll take its toll on him if it continues further…

He seems to realize that, and begins trying to fight a retreat, to get behind a number of large, oaken shieldbearing grizzlies some ways behind him, while still taking out as many shadows as he can.

That brings to mind an idea, though…you hardly use it, but you wonder if a magi-beam might actually be worth it here. It’ll drain a lot of your mana to keep it persisting at a high enough power, but if it works…

>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
>No, you need to conserve. Instead, that bear needs help retreating!
>Push with Izumi wholesale- you need to force them on the defensive!
>Other
>>
>>3183107
>>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
>>
>>3183107
>>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
Make it quick as we can though. I have a feeling we're going to need some of our pricier attacks at some point.
>>
>>3183107
>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
>>
>>3183107
>>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
>>
>>3183107
>>Try it. Couldn’t hurt at this stage!
The laser pen is mightier than the sword
>>
Rolled 13, 8 = 21 (2d20)

Lemme just roll this then...
>>
>>3183107
>>3183134
Shit, you just reminded me! Let's use the amplifier rapier to either increase the duration or damage!
>>
>>3183107
>No, you need to conserve. Instead, that bear needs help retreating!

I would rather cover for the bears.
>>
>>3183141

...Oof.

Whether that's a good or bad 'oof' is dependent on your priorities.
>>
>>3183147
I say keep the rapier and the flamebringer for when we fight the blood knight.
>>
>>3183107
...Damnit, worth a shot!

Taking a deep breath, you leap back a few feet- you’re not going to have much time to charge anything, you’ve just got to fire and hope for the best.

Almost immediately the shadows think you’re giving ground, exhausted, and they lunge for you as you stick your hand out, just as they reached for the scarred bear.

Most of them are obliterated by the initial beam of light you outpour- the shock of it causing heads of all sorts to turn as you pour more energy into it to make sure there’s no chance of survival as you sweep the beam left to right, the force causing the act to be slower than you’d like. Scores and scores of shadows are cut in half or vaporized, fading into nothing, a few barely avoid it, only to be cut down by Izumi or smashed to nothing by bears. The smattering of Weavers amongst the crowd are similarly caught, screams echoing as flesh and chitin sizzle, and it’s only a few that escape thanks to quick weblines, although you can clearly see them darting the other way once they’re in the trees…

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion overtakes you, and you have stop yourself from dropping to a knee, panting briefly. That...is SO inefficient.

>Current Mana: 7,000/12,500

But, as you look up, seeing the mountainside largely clear (if a bit deforested now)...it was rather effective.

“Yvrace?!” Izumi yells out from nearby, the opposing forces on retreat for now. “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” you answer back, breath almost evened out. It took a LOT out of you...but you finally have a bit of breathing room- even though the battle isn’t over with yet.

“Warriors…” A deep, rumbling voice sounds from your right. The bear leader, undoubtedly. “We owe you a great debt. But further talk must wait. We have yet to cast the shadow and the lurkers out entirely!” A multitude of roars cry out as the bearkin raise their weapons. “Stonebreakers, with me! Oakenguard, three of your finest!” Three of the massive shield bearers step up, and most of the aggressive warriors- those with the biggest clubs and maces step to their leader as they proceed to march inwards. “We take back the Circle, here and now!”

Another cheer goes up, and the bears march off to battle. Izumi looks at you questioningly. “Where are you going?”

> “With them to handle this Circle thing.”
> “I got some unfinished business to worry about.”
> “Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
>Other
>>
>>3183273
> “Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
STOMP STOMP STOMP
>>
>>3183273
>“I got some unfinished business to worry about.”
>>
Breaking for an hour or two. Will resume later tonight.
>>
>>3183273
> “Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
>>
>>3183273
>> “I got some unfinished business to worry about.”
>>
>>3183273
>“Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
>Also consume all the mana crystals we have.
We have them, they can be recharged and they are for moments like this one
>>
>>3183273
>> “Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
It looks like we've stabilized things here. Time to move on, there's plenty more work to do.

It was fun to have a reason to use the beam for once, even if it is expensive.
>>
>>3183273
> “I got some unfinished business to worry about.”
Let's make sure that ichor beast is where we left it.
>>
>>3183273
> “I got some unfinished business to worry about.”

Need to finish the not!Balrog
>>
>>3183273
>> “Spider hunting. I want to see who’s calling the shots here.”
FUCK SPIDERS
>>
>>3183273
Oh! Oh-oh-oh! How about sending Garotoum to spy on spiders and then going to check on that beast.
>>
>>3183482
Would rather not summon Garo in front of the bears
>>
>>3183509
Well we can do it behind the wall on our way to the beast, or just go in a nearby hut. Garo probably can move from shadow without them noticing.
>>
>>3183532
A good idea, but it looks like chasing spiders is the winning option.
>>
>>3183509
Well we can do it behind the wall on our way to the beast, or just go in a nearby hut. Garo probably can move from shadow without them noticing.
>>
>>3183548
Fgfuck this captcha and fuck these duplicates
>>
>>3183273
>>3183532
>>3183482
Well then how about summoning Garotoum when no one looks and sending him to check on what was second closest vote?
>>
>>3183582
Personally, I'd rather keep him a secret in case we could trick the Blackweb into thinking that he's the god (or a demigod) of the Weavers, and he can't do that if they see him.
>>
>>3183582
i.e. if we go after spiders then he goes to hold the beast with his shadow magic until we come back; if we go after the beast then he sneaks after spiders and tries to listen for some info or help us track them when we are done with everything else.
>>
>>3183590
Why are you so sure they would believe it?
>>
>>3183582
Sending him would be a second vote. And we still don't know much about him, there's no way I'm trusting him to go off and do what we order without talking to him more and figuring out his situation, powers, and temperament more thoroughly.
>>
>>3183598
He's a trickster. He tricks people. Plus, he also happens to be a shadow magician, and those Weavers sound like they might have some spells, rituals, or beliefs related to them.

>>3183602
Well, we got to find some way to test him... How about if we see what he can do with those shadow demons?
>>
>>3183590
Well, if you like that idea so much then why not make him pose as some ancient legendary figure from the time before these clans were even formed. That way we can also use this trick to influence other tribes. And hey, maybe that way it wouldn't be a problem if these Blackwebs notice him lurking.
>>
M'back.

> "Y'know, in some cultures and worlds, spiders are a delicacy, or at least a common meal. I once had fried spider legs. Wasn't a fan. Tasted too much like some sort of fattening snack- no meat at all. There was this other world where spiders were like...the size of cars. One leg was more than enough to fill a few plates. THOSE tasted better. Not like beef, though, more like fish or something. Decent with some good side dishes and garnish. Don't eat them much, though."

Writing!

>
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>>3183273
“Spider hunting,” you say, looking back towards the village. “I’m going to see if I can’t find out who’s calling the shots here since I haven’t seen any shadow lieutenants or anything.”

“Right. I’ll be with bears to reinforce retaking the circle, whatever that may be.” With that, she heads off to rejoin the bears, who don’t say anything when she starts marching with them. Stoic folks, except when they aren’t, apparently.

That said, time for you to get searching…

A first sweep of the town sees you unable to find anyone particularly unique, although there’s a few individuals clearly unaware of the turn the fight has taken, judging by how much they’re bragging about ‘subsuming the bears in shadow’, at least. It’s a group of four, it seems, and they’re headed somewhere...

“We’ll be well poised to be given noble titles at this rate…” one speaks casually.

“Indeed. The chaos has quieted on the northern end. I suspect they’ll be done there shortly, even with the strange interloper. Once Lady Zatzil has assumed control, there’ll be little more than pockets of resistance to clean up after the human capital is taken.” Bingo.

“Should we report in now or later?” A third asks.

“I don’t doubt someone’s gotten to her already,” the first one responds. “Still, might be best to make sure. Coril?” She speaks to the fourth, the only male amongst the group. “Go inform the Lady about our situation, and that we are awaiting further orders and need another Madam. Madam Frie was sadly lost in combat.”

“As you say. She remains in the hall?” Coril asks. At their nod he starts off towards the east, as the other three resume their discussion.

Perfect. You’re not 100% sure what the ‘hall’ is, but considering that the east has a couple of larger buildings, you can hazard a guess.

>Tail Coril, see exactly where he goes.
>Try to get there ahead of Coril, ambush Lady Zatzil if you can.
>Keep it in mind, and kill these four here and now. Less troops to deal with.
>Other
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>>3183717
>>Try to get there ahead of Coril, ambush Lady Zatzil if you can.
Surprise is powerful when exploited well.
>>
>>3183717
>>Try to get there ahead of Coril, ambush Lady Zatzil if you can.
>>
>>3183717
>>Try to get there ahead of Coril, ambush Lady Zatzil if you can.
>>
>>3183717
>>Try to get there ahead of Coril, ambush Lady Zatzil if you can.
>>
Writing!

(This might be my last entry for tonight.)
>>
>>3183717
>>3183727
>>3183734
>>3183738
>>3183741
You’re already on your way forward, making sure that he won’t see you as you head to the eastern end of the town. If you can surprise this Lady Zatzil, that’ll make things a lot easier for your allies. Just need to find where she IS, first, although you’ve basically only got three real options if the word ‘hall’ was an accurate descriptor…

There’s three halls, and the closer you get, you can see that they seem to be mostly undefended, for whatever reason...or at least, there’s no guards outside. Likely being used in the active fighting, and any guards she might be keeping are inside near her. Still, you slow down and look ahead to make sure there aren’t anything like stray web strands as warning systems…

You don’t see any glinting...but it’s not like you have a lot of light to work with. You’re going to have to hope for the best and trust your senses.

And it’s your hearing that tips you off- skittering that’s happening in the leftmost of the hallways, and by a rather large individual, you can guess. And...most likely a number of them, too. You’re going to have to figure out how to approach that- it’s a triple long, straw and wood roof. No windows on the front end, but there are openings on the side. You might be tipping them off if you approach overhead, but you’re unsure of both number of individuals or placement.

>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
> Take potshots through the windows- they won’t be able to fit through them, and it keeps you at distance.
>Other
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>>3183839
>>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
>>
>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
>>
>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
What did the Kool Aid man say to the wall?
>OOOOH YEA!
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>>3183839
>>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
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>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
We should blast the target hard and fast, and recharge after we get out.
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>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
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>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
>>
>>3183839
>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
Fuck shock value
Cheesing her through the window sounds funny, I think we would get mobbed by others though.
>>
>>3183839
>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
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>>3183607
>>3183608
So, would you still stick to tricking only one clan of spiders?
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>>3183839
>Sneak around to the back and try to approach that way.
>>
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>>3182745
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>>3183839

> drop a sticky bomb and detonate it from a distance to draw them into a spot all together for a big, juicy target.

Wipe out most of the guards, while being able to quickly hang back and see if anyone flees/comes to challenge us. We can either follow them or draw them away from reinforcements depending on how they act.
>>
>>3183839
Miranda never manages to capitalize on stealth even when she succeeds at it, so may as well kick the metaphorical door in. They're driders anyway they can probably sense our vibrations if we try to sneak.
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
Yikes, magi-beam took 4500 mana? That's a hefty cost! I thought it was on the level of magi-blast and magi-wave.
I'd try and summon Gartoum about now to get his opinion on the shadow biz going on, but dunno how much mana he costs to summon, and also we're in enemy territory and I anticipate him clowning around.
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>>3183839
>Try to blast through the roof quickly and for maximum shock value.
I want to plant sticky bombs on each corner of the building and on any supporting pillars we can find to drop the entire building on the driders but there's probably not enough time to do it without being found out.
>>
>>3184235
Honestly, we have grenades. The limitations of sticky bombs mean they're rather crap for any serious work like demolition.
>>
>>3184255
I don’t remember getting grenades, unless you’re talking about the grenade launcher we got during the Artificer crossover, and that’s still with Mono, beside them being the kind of grenades that you have to fire.
>>
We have an anti-vehicle rocket launcher in our bag. What if we use it to shoot the building?
>>
>>3184392
i like this. and because its an anti vehicle rocket, it might have a penetration charge, which means that most of its energy will be directed towards the inside of the building
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>>3184392
I was going to ask this
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>>3184255
Actually, demolitions and adding punch to our detectors were part of the original idea. By allowing us to put a bunch of them down at once, we could in theory get a much larger than normal explosion

>>3184392
AT rockets don't make fiery explosions like you would expect. they make a tiny, deep hole. Not great for demolitions.
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>>3184406
Well, we could use it on the lead drider if it’s big enough. You get something living that’s large enough and could carry enough people, you could claim it’s a vehicle.
>>
>>3184406
Then that one guy ruined it by wanting to always use it in combat.

It's a good utility ability though.

We just have better options for "more explosion".

Reactive mana knuckle dusters though, maybe even reactive mana shielding later.

So it's not like practicing it was a waste, it's more that it's wasteful to restrict ourselves to sticky bombs with it.
>>
>>3184449
There was an idea to modify the sticky mana spell to have it act like a lasso or grappling hook. It’d be fun to wrap a tether around a big monster and ride it like a bullrider into a horde of foes.
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>>3184449
The problem is that every new ability costs too much, we don't have enough time to train them and we are already good enough with our current magical loadout, which it means that we don't have any real reason to experiment nor any kind of encouragment to perfect the new skills.

For example, the knuckle dusters (as well as the sticky bombs, fireworks and every new spell we have) wont fly because they will cost a lot and be very undewhelming at the beginning.
>>
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>>3184474
I want to evebtually turn sticky mana into bubblegum mana
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>>3184475
>we are already good enough with our current magical loadout, which it means that we don't have any real reason to experiment nor any kind of encouragment to perfect the new skills.
We're good enough for a rank B outgoer and their missions but I'd like to eventually promote to A or even beyond that. I don't think Miranda's current magical loadout is good enough to become an A rank.
>>
>>3184541
>>3184475
Exactly this.

Also it's fun to try new things.

Like putting a light shield edge-on.

The problem is that Miranda has a lot of power, but not a lot of ways to apply it.

Mana Dusters are a low cost way to reinforce her physical abilities that matches her brawler fighting style, as opposed to using weapons.

The experience with that leads to possible mana burst punches as we learn to explode it directionally like a shaped charge, which we could then apply to our regular mana blasts as well.

Additionally there's possibly a full body mana armor.

I think it could be done by utilizing a fluctuation in the mana itself in order to destabilize it and "reject" the larger mass of mana in a specific direction, which should be easier for Miranda to grasp since she has experience with both the Flux Wave as well as harmonizing mana signals already. So instead of Harmonizing, now she's Opposing the signal.

Even mana harmonization can be useful. What happens if we harmonize our mana to inject it into someone, and then polarize it to oppose their mana after it's seeped into them? I imagine it would take a while to do so without them noticing, but it could be useful for stealth kills as someone suddenly explodes.
>>
>>3184541
Considering that one people that used to be a rank A outgoers is literaly a Phoenix!!! I thing we will need to work very hard to reach rank A.
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>>3184475
Also, we have time to train but we keep *choosing* not to.

Hell we could try mixing sticky mana and fireworks right now during battle. We're steamrolling dudes, we could take the chance.

>>3183839
Can we put Mana Dusters in the "experimental techniques" and "electrified mana beam" as well as intermediate steps to reactive armor and chain lightning?

We also need Thunder Dome there.

>>3184474
Also "Sticky Whip", which is what I'm calling this. Indiana Jones style.
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>>3184552
We just need to put the actual work in. Or do scrub jobs forever.
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>>3184552
It's a far-off dream but I believe it can be reached if we try hard and long enough.
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>>3184558
I vote to practice whenever possible.

We spent so much on the physical combat upgrade, but people don't want to use it. I'm fine, heck I enjoy the SoL stuff, but that's all people want to vote for because mascot kids/boys.

We gotta have some balance. Especially since we're now management and are supposed to be growing the business.

Instead people act like we're a shonen protagonist, and like Miranda doesn't give a fuck about being a professional any more.

I feel like Sal should have some criticism if we don't stop acting like a drone soon. Maybe Lorelei would have been the better choice, at least she has some ambition even if she's lazy.
>>
>>3184555
>>3184551
>>3184541
Look, i'm down for training new abilities, hell, i've been the dude that has proposed to use the different abilities before, but nobody picks the option because they cost way more mana and are less effective than a simple magiblast.

>Also, we have time to train but we keep *choosing* not to.
Because training is fucking boring from our point of view. Its way more interesting to see how miranda and company get wasted than to roll a d20 and see if there is a 1/20 chance of getting somewhat better every other month. You can argue that that's how life works, but its not worth it because it might take us real life years to see a result. The truth is that the game is unintentionally rigged towards keeping the status quo.
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>>3184566
>mascot kids/boys
We'll probably get the babysitter duty again the next time we return to The Intersection. I don't mind it though.

>>3184606
>it might take us real life years to see a result.
I don't mind that either. As long as we train sometimes instead of doing 100% SoL I'm okay with it. But we should try to get time for training whenever we're in The Intersection. Maybe even do it while we're on a mission if there's a moment of calm. Like we did back in Lysan's world.
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>>3184614
>But we should try to get time for training whenever we're in The Intersection. Maybe even do it while we're on a mission if there's a moment of calm.
I'm down for that, but usually that's not the case.
>>
>>3184606
>rigged towards keeping the status quo.
Some people want to stay as a dumb bruiser and just bust heads, even if it means staying a scrub B-Ranker forever.
How do you motivate some of those people to vote for doing training, when it seems that they hold the majority?
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>>3184663
>How do you motivate some of those people to vote for doing training, when it seems that they hold the majority?
First of all, it seems more like the vocal minority, but i digress.
In order to make training appealing, id change the mana costs to something that might seem more worth it at the current level of the spell we want to train and make an automatic roll for training once we are at the intersection(giving some passive use to the training facilities we already have).
>>
>>3184606
Why do you think I try so hard to come up with ideas for making the rolls succeed more easily?

Although, if I'm wasting my time and it's just dice rolls and thinking about the mechanics of evolving our powers is a waste of time, I'd appreciate being told now so I can just straight up give up on that aspect of the quest.

Hey, why bother having powers at all, heck let's toss out rolling dice too. Might as well just write a fluffy SoL light novel.

Or maybe it's not "we" but only some anons on either side, and we've just been focusing on the SoL stuff a bit much lately.
>>
>>3184692
Actually having cheaper utilitarian skills would help a lot, our biggest issue is that we have too many flashy but expensive spells.

Mana. Knuckles. Low key, upgradable, theory applies to more complex mana manipulation while being a fairly direct and achievable boost immediately. Essentially wrapping sticky mana around our hands and then condensing it along the principles of Orbital Ring, but to a lesser degree.

Then we can maybe focus our Aura skills into it, making it cost less and be more directed instead of just sitting on our whole body. Or concentrating the energy for greater effect by "layering" it between thin mana sheets and having it "burst" then regenerate after a hit to release the condensed energy.

Burning Mana Knuckles with our burning aura. Lightning Mana Knuckles with our electric field. Thunder shock knuckles where we just straight up compress layers of air.

And we just keep the skin layer of sticky mana thick and solid so it doesn't blast back at us.
>>
>>3184663
Personally, I would like to have a segment after every mission where we can bring up our spell ideas and vote on which ones we should work on. We then roll to see how well we do in learning the new spell, and after that’s done with, we get a story post that goes over what happened at the training center.
>>
>>3184725
Note: The different energy types, or destabilizing Flux Knuckles I mentioned earlier, could be done later. To start with even just wrapping condensed mana around our hands would let us handle (ha!) Opponents with weapons and such more easily.

Keep in mind we aren't really skilled with weapons. Adequate, but a true master could still hurt us quite a bit if they had a high quality weapon.

Unless we wanted to waste our mana pulling out the big guns, not to mention the surrounding area. Which means no collateral damage rider.

Imagine if we had what I'm now going to call Mana Threading where we harmonize our mana with someone, put it in the target, then destabilize it; if we had that for the Mob mission maybe we wouldn't have gone the Bleach Soup route.

We gotta learn from our mistakes that straight power isn't always the solution.
>>
>>3184725
Wouldn't Mana Knuckles also integrate Light Barrier on our knuckles between our skin and the sticky mana? So that when it explodes, we have a barrier between our hand and the explosion?
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>>3184725
>Mana. Knuckles.
I'm going to tell you a secret to not making an idea unappealing: Bring it up once, state it's case, then let it rest until it's relevant again. Mentioning the same idea half a dozen times in short order is going to put anons off the idea, and they'll be against it to spite you for being annoying if nothing else.
>>
Won't be able to run until late today, but I'm keeping all this in mind.

I should admit that initially I was expecting more 'training' exercises or attempts to practice during missions. That said, I'll try to rework the training system a bit.

As a bit of a concession/'yeah that just makes logical sense' admission, the light barrier spell is edged, and I can't see a reason you couldn't cut shit with it if you just made it small and swung it. Would be 'ridiculously easy' to work out.
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>>3184759
Thanks for the heads-up.
Now I'm looking forward to a chance to use the barrier sword.
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>>3184747
to be fair, we already had the knuckles and its upgrade(something eual to the nebula buster in power but in a very small space) on a pastebin that somebody made a long time ago.

>>3184709
>Although, if I'm wasting my time and it's just dice rolls and thinking about the mechanics of evolving our powers is a waste of time.
Technically it isn't a waste of time, because you get a bonus when you can logically combine several small upgrades into a big one, but like i said before, it tends to not be worth it.

>>3184726
this sounds nice.
>>
So how thin and small can we make these Barriers? Thread-sized?
Could we make the driders get a taste of their own medicine by make a web of mono-molecular Barrier Threads?
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>>3184794
that would break way too easily and its not flexible.
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>>3184759
>the light barrier spell is edged
Gentlemen, you know what we need to do.
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>>3184794
As the root spell is a shield, I'd guess that any variation will have more strength than precision. A couple-hand wide blade is reasonable, a light string considerably less so.
Think more "lightsaber" without quite the same cutting potential, less "flexible string"
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>>3184474
Surely we could instead obtain the actual tools we would be trying to emulate and spend our research points on something harder to achieve with tech.
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>>3184759
Yeah I've been wondering about that for a long while. It's something when more than 66 threads and the only thing that came out of training was a better Flux Wave and a sticky mana prototype (which we have NEVER used in combat). Training doesn't "feel" good if you know what I'm talking about, and it's just too slow.
The current loadout isn't enough for endgame, which we will eventually reach.
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>>3184551
>Like putting a light shield edge-on.
I wanna try that to, I doubt it would act like a monomolecular blade though, that would be too OP.
>>3184663
>Some people want to stay as a dumb bruiser and just bust heads
I really think you are misrepresenting your fellow players there, you dick. More like this game format lends itself to short term thinking.
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>>3184832
>that would be too OP.
Well, we definitely have the strength to make it work if the "blade" manages to hold. Also take in mind that this will probably cost mana per hit or per time in order to balance it
>>
Not sure what it matters at this point, but I'd like to at least take i to consideration the summoning thing Miranda thought of during the last mission.
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>>3184759
Yeah we've really not been given opportunities to develop the spell ideas we already have written down.

I thought that when it became a thing, we'd just automatically get a training montage in the intersection. Instead, it's a write-in option or competing with actually interesting interactions. You keep throwing us into new jobs at such a pace I get the feeling that you don't really want us to improve Miranda. I mean it can't be hard to make a mandatory training sequence as it is not like any of us are chasing a deadline.

Opportunities to practice in the field are also very rare. There's always a pressing matter or something we can do to improve tomorrow's odds rather than practice. You set the game's pace, you decide how long it takes to practice and you decide when the story is going to progress. Give us downtime and initiate votes to let us put the work in.

The way the improvement system works and the dozens of dice rolls it needs to become viable at all, and the current rate of training or field use we won't see even one new spell mastered before 2021
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>>3184930
Upvoting this
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>>3184930
>>3185074
Agh. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply or infer that at all. I guess I just misguessed things and stuff wasn't as great as I was thinking it was.
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>>3185274
adding to what >>3184930 you can make the "automatic" training upgrades and such come with the HQ upgrades. That way we still have to make coiches between the things we want to do but they become automatic when we have the equipment in one place.
For example, we wouldn't need to decide to spend time for a spell training because we have the facilities in house and the time used to travel to the outgoer center is used in training instead.
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>>3185288
I'll see about it. I have to admit, I don't really LIKE the idea of automatic upgrades since it feels...too much like a gimme? Even if you kind of just 'sacrifice' doing a thing for one period of time, which really isn't that big a deal since you could just put off a job or something unless it's a one-time event where something is lost forever if you don't do it.

I dunno. I'm going to have to think about this a lot. Think I'll hold off on running until tomorrow so I can consider my options tonight, now that this is all buzzing through my head.
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>>3185319
>put off a job
we can do that?!
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>>3185321
I mean as in 'put off taking a job'.
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>>3185319
Great now we don't get a live.


Good job everyone.
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>>3185334
But the main reason i join this quest is because of the jobs and the places we get to go!!!
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>>3185335
(Honestly it wouldn't have been for very long, I'm kinda too tired anyway. Tomorrow will be a long run.)
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>>3185338
And I'm glad you do- that's the whole point of the quest! That won't stop by any stretch of the imagination, I'd pray. I just want folks to be able to upgrade and use those cool spells, but still feel like they have to work for them rather than just roll once or twice and boop new spell.
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>>3185346
It's okay boss have a good rest.

>>3185353
I guess it makes sense. Anyway i will be here and won't mind a longer trainning section when we get back home.
>>
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>>3185353
I think an average of 2-3 jobs for a skill is good, and we're doing fine with the vanilla spells since forever. However it's your call.
Bonus trio in casuals.
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>>3185524
Daww!
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>>3185524
Is it just the lighting, or is Miranda's skin on her face darker than on her arms?
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>>3184832
Well I was originally thinking that it would be static still, instead of moveable, so that it could be used as a more threatening barrier so that opponents wouldn't just try to bash through it.

At best, it would be used to counter offensive charges by getting the enemy to cut themselves on it, or for traps.

>>3185319
I think we just need a more structured pathway where we can spend points to upgrade our skills instead of dice rolls.

Like, that way we could either come up with ideas to make incremental progress towards bigger and better spells, or we could just try to roll for inspired attempts at skipping levels.
>>
>>3185335
>Anons voice their concerns about mana efficiency and upgrade system
>Training ALWAYS comes at a cost of important actions and almost never outside of the job
>Miranda spends on average at least 3 days in the Intersection resting and NOT INTERACTING WITH ANYONE
>Steep manacost leads us to stick with vanila magiblasts and enforces the idea that they can solve everything - thus no point in excersising creativity
>Most of the A-rankers are obviously extremely OP and have better stuff than us at the moment, supposedly to tease us into becoming one of them one day
>Unbalanced focus between purchaseable assets (appearance modifiers and weapons) and magic abilities that are actually FREE and USEFUL
>'Hurr Miranda wouldn't have a life if she would spend some time improving herself'
>>
>>3185737
>Well I was originally thinking that it would be static still, instead of moveable
That actually sounds more reasonable as a starting point. AFAIK none of our shields are movable, so a beam sword might be too much of a leap to start. I imagine as we try to make the shields more flexible and mobile, they lose strength, and/or increase in mana cost.

At present though, we'd be excellent at repelling a charge. Who needs a spear wall when you can turn a shield sidelong into a charge?
>>
>>3185773
I thought you wanted to gradually evolve it from wall-sized barrier>punk-bashing riot-shield>sharp-edged heater-shield>some kind of hybrid of energy sword from halo + buckler
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>>3185837
Not a bad idea in theory, but we don't actually have much use for a handheld shield. Our primary defense is agility, but we can tank hits just as well. I see more potential in energy blades, though I suspect they'll be either expensive or fragile. And we'd need to work on precision mana first; most of our spells are high power but unfocused.

Thinking in the opposite direction, what might be an application of the shields in the "powerful but unfocused" direction we're better at? launchable shield shards as a sort of frag cannon or shotgun maybe?
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>>3185909
Yeah, I started thinking about conjured flechettes or maybe even lances/javelins, but then remembered we already have our so beloved magi-blasts.
I wouldn't write hand-shields right off, not untill we see what dangers we can expect in A-rank jobs.
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>>3185930
>but then remembered we already have our so beloved magi-blasts.
Maybe it could be more of a AoE weapon, either centered on us or equivalent to a frag grenade? Magi-blasts are more like HE; higher DAM, but lower range than frag. Might be useful for crowd control (such as in these last fights).

>I wouldn't write hand-shields right off
They're worth experimenting with (if training time is going to be more plentiful), but I was thinking we only really use the shields for things we can't tank or dodge, and that anything modified enough to be portable would either be too weak to tank those sort of shots, or cost enough we might as well use a normal shield.
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>>3185943
>Maybe it could be more of a AoE weapon, either centered on us or equivalent to a frag grenade
wasn't that the purpose of the sticky bombs?
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>>3185944
No, the sticky doesn't add anything in that case, and they're weaker than normal magi-blasts anyway.
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>>3185943
>cost enough we might as well use a normal shield.
It might still be worth it if the shield was usable for most of a fight. The static stuff is only really useful for a single hit, after which it is worked around. A mobile reusable shield might actually be cheaper in the long run.
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>>3185943
Actually I'm more curious about what could be possible if we were able to channel magic through our legs. Some anons proposed using shields as temporary platforms quite some time ago, or sending shockwaves through our feet.
Also ever since we've found out we could use fake wings to soar with some help from magic, I kept thinking if Miranda has some latent levitation ability. Lorelei's soul-journeying came completely out of nowhere, why can't levitation be justified if we already have magical jump-assist and air-gliding. It might be quite a reach, but I wouldn't mind exploring this idea if it ever gets votes.
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>>3185997
We actually DID use shields as temporary platforms when we fought the Cook dude.

>>3185961
Or we could focus on our beastly Mana levels. That's why we have so many high powered techniques. We have the mana to do a lot more, we just don't have any refined abilities.

>>3185944
That was the idea behind what failed into Fireworks. It was supposed to be a mana Flamethrower, and we can still evolve it into one.

>>3185930
Also we still aren't really a weapons user, that's Izumi's bag.

>>3185909
Maybe some sort of, say, reactive armor? Maybe we could take baby steps towards that and start by coating our fists in mana first so they can deflect weapons or magic, and then shaping that later into other forms?
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>>3186003
The problem with improving mana levels is that it doesn't scale well compared with reducing manacost since mana regen varies quite a lot from job to job. This is why anons were worried about lack of upgrades.
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>>3185773
Ooh! What about Jelly Mana Gauntlets?

Like, they could cover our forearms and hands when we're fighting, but it could be sloppy so that when we punch people it has a slight delay as it slams down to our fists to amplify the hit.

Same principle behind a slide hammer.

That way it could be both armor and weapon.
>>
>>3186013
Sorry, I meant refining abilities so that we can utilize our mana levels better instead of gassing out like a fat heavyweight after a couple of absolute wreckers of a haymaker.

That's why I focus so much on using our mana as a H2H weapon, and I went with gauntlets/knuckle dusters to mesh with Miranda's brawling style.

Really, the same principles would work well with other weapons too, but we're already having issues with leveling up our skills and I don't want to add learning how to be good with weapons to it.

Besides, weapons are Izumi's thing.

I feel that for Miranda, being able to concentrate her mana into things like a sustained ability, or being able to use it as a force multiplier with indirect abilities like her electric/burning aura etc is a better option.

That, and the fact that even Manablasts are often overkill, and in the situations that they aren't we don't really have any good choices besides way too expensive overkill.
>>
>>3186025
Never heard of slide hammers, and from what I've foung on image search doesn't add up to what I think Jelly-knuckles are supposed to be. Could you elaborate in laymen's terms?
What I meant by conjured flechettes were thin shards of shield-stuff that we could shoot without AoE but with extreme case of overpenetration. But that would mean it wouldn't be a sure-kill and magiblast can be customized like we did on the last job, so I discarded it.
>>
>>3186037
A slide hammer has a bar that slides down to create an impact on the site where it connects. This allows for more ergonomic application of force and less muscle strain.

However, if you swing a slide hammer, then you have both the impact from the weight + the impact from the hammer as well.

You used to be able to get lawn darts that had sliding weighted collars to drive the darts into the ground when they fell, preventing them from falling over.

So it significantly increases the impact force, both by adding the weight but also the momentum of the weight.

So when we punch someone, the mana would slide down to our fists and punch them again in the exact same spot before it could recover from the impact of our punch. So not only is it applying more force, it's doing it right as whatever we're hitting is maximally stressed from our punch.
>>
>>3186025
I've been asking about using our legs more because she could be missing out on some neat tricks even though everyone is fine with her as a pugilist. Some inspiration could be found in eastern martial arts but I don't know much about them to come up with ideas of my own.
>>
>>3186050
Don't want to discourage, but usually when Miranda needs to hit something harder or penetrate something with force anons choose to switch to gravity-enhanced Flamebringer or use Magi-wave respectively.
>>
>>3186060
Yeah, and that's a high mana cost for a single hit.

Whereas some sort of mana weapon would allow us to have a sustained buff, and also be able to only hit what we hit instead of making an uncontrolled swathe of destruction.

Both of those techniques are messy and inefficient if we're trying to be discreet, or to not cause massive property damage, or if there are friendlies anywhere near the target.
>>
>>3186052
Mana wongs would be cool, especially since we can jump H E L L A H I G H.

Even just being able to jump and then glide would be awesome.

But that's some serious mana control. That's why I keep coming back to starting small and using the sticky mana in the easiest way possible first by just wrapping it around our hands.

After that we can focus on shaping and manipulating it.

Want actual flight? How about we use our energy field to super heat the air around us and then trapping that with a mana wong, essentially creating our own thermal updraft to glide on.

Of course we would need to protect ourselves from said superheated air, so it would be useful to be able to wrap ourselves in a protective layer of mana.

What about shield steps? Instead of a super durable light barrier, a quick and short lasting light barrier the size of our foot.

What about mana skates, a frictionless light barrier that stays around so we can glide over land, water, snow, the seething fires of Svartheilm etc without reduced mobility.

I got ideas, man, but I'm trying to break the more complex ones down into more easily achieved steps instead of trying to whole hog it and ending up with random stuff like fireworks.

Hey, maybe that way we could roll for degrees of success along a path of development instead of pass/fail.

Like each time we succeed a DC, we get another roll to progress it, with incremental increase in DC.

And then have that reset the next time we choose to train.

That way we could strike a balance between not just getting upgrades handed out freely, but still getting guaranteed progress.

Like, if something is hard difficulty, 2e could come up with an intermediate step to try first to reduce the DC of the harder upgrades version.
>>
>>3186072
I really hope we would get regular upgrades/training. Keeping it optional just makes anons spam unfinished and unrefined ideas and there's only a slim chance that these gimmicky half-baked tricks would develop into some useful tehnique.
>>
>>3186060
Let me rephrase how I'm conceptualizing these ideas.

Mana shaping, step one: Wrap mana around your hands, condensing it into a form that can be maintained.

Mana shaping, step two: Form the mana into small shapes, project it out from your hands as a blade, or extend its coverage to your forearms. Form mana around other parts of your body. Condensed mana is not flexible however and joints covered by it will not be able to move. Covering your torso in mana restricts breathing. Covering your head is not recommended due to it blocking eyes, ears, nose, mouth.

Mana shaping step 3: Flexible shifting of condensed mana. After condensing mana into a shape, you can now shift the shape or change the concentration of mana. Mana can now be condensed around joints, or manipulated to mold around your ears, eye's, mouth, etc.

Mana shaping, step 4: Create larger, more complex shapes with your condensed mana. Condensed mana can be shifted around as per step 3, so you could shift mana between covering your body, forming a large weapon, or making wings for gliding.

Mana shaping, step 5: Mana mastery. Be able to create a flexible wing that lets you control flight better, while still maintaining condensed mana armor. Short periods of flight can be achieved by "flapping" wings, but this is much less effective than gliding and requires significant focus, preventing it from being used in combat. Condensed mana can be extruded from the body and used like threads, remaining for a short time after leaving the main mana mass, or be prehensile manipulated for ghetto telekinesis.

Then we could do things at like, step 4 for instance we could use our energy field to create super heated air around us. If we focused on blending mana + energy we could make thermal wings that let us do true flight, that sort of thing.

It's not getting specific set abilities, but getting proficient with using our mana.
>>
>>3185943
>Maybe it could be more of a AoE weapon, either centered on us or equivalent to a frag grenade?
That might require using a Great Barrier instead of a Light one. At least it would make more sense for a spherical barrier to explode in every direction than for a flat one.
>>
>>3186050
The only reason the slides on darts helped is because the point realigned the dart before the weight fell. It didn't help add more force. It is best delivering all the force you have at once rather than spending the force to accelerate the weight and have it impact delayed.
>>
>>3186081
Mana beam, step 0: Our standard beam attack.

Mana beam, step 1: Intensity control. Be able to fire weaker mana beams to conserve energy, or a short burst of overpowered mana beam that destabilizes quickly over range.

Mana beam, step 2: Energy modulation. Alter the beam to carry along your burning/electric aura, or to be set to act as a "carrier" and drain energy into yourself.

Mana beam, step 3: Directed beams. Mana beam direction can be altered (dice roll) number of times before collapsing.

Mana beam, step 4: Seeking beam (requires certain level in harmonized mana). Harmonize mana beam with a target at a resonant frequency so that the beam tracks the targets movement.

Mana beam, step 5: Beam spam. (requires mana harmonization level mana bully). Forcefully mark enemy's mana (number of enemy's determined by dice roll) with your own harmonized mana blasts, then fire a beam that splits to hit all targets successfully marked with your mana. (Yeah, chain lightning!)


It's not that we just get "hey, ability". It's that we get incremental more control over our mana beam.


Like how >>3186081 said, there needs to be more direction in how we evolve our skills with mana. Like having an "unlock" step, and then voting on what the following steps should be.

That way we can still keep our magical abilities flexible, but also have some sort of actual progress instead of just collecting random stuff and then never using it because it's not really relevant.
>>
>>3186086
Why have it explode, when you could have it encircle then contract? Or implode?

>>3186089
So we would be more precise in our strikes instead of being slowed down by trying to swing with it on the ends of our hands?
>>
>>3186093
>more precise in our strikes instead of being slowed down by trying to swing with it on the ends of our hands
None of that makes sense. With the darts you still have to hit the right spot, it only helps in redirecting some force downwards after it hits. You still have to impart force on the weight.
>>
>>3186085
I think you overcomplicate this a bit, the process could be streamlined into something with much simpler concept with less steps. Personally I believe concepts of how mana channels through body, how it shapes and other rules should be left to Handler to explain.
What I meant in my previous post is that all this stuff that we discussed will most likely be completely irrelevant and ignored by anons. Or it could be seen like we are autistically hogging this thread circlejerking off off each other's ideas. I think it's enough for today. See ya in twelve hours.
>>
>>3186092
Did you just (You) me with my own post?
>>
>>3186096
Yeah, I was just using it as an example of how we need to have directed goals with how we proceed through it.

Those were just some examples.

>>3186097
. . . . Maybe? It's like, 3:30am where I am. Not sure what you're expecting out of me at this time.
>>
>>3186096
I would like it if our ideas were "ranked", and if we could get some guidance on intermediate steps to take in order to get to the end-game stuff people proposed.

>>3186095
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIS_bGr0PMY
>>
>>3186093
I was just giving my opinion on the other anon's idea. If you want an AOE explosion from a barrier, I think a spherical one will work better than a flat one.
>>
>>3186105
But why hit the ground and sky?
>>
>>3186112
Why allow the opponents to jump over the attack if they have the leg power for it?
>>
>>3186114
Because then they become skeet.
>>
>>3186121
>wasting time on another attack when the first one could just as well hit the airborne opponent as well
An omni-directional attack that can only be avoided by hiding behind something sturdy or running away just seems like a more useful option than something that can be avoided by slightly changing your altitude. We already have blasts and waves for that kind of more precise attacking. If the opponent is too fast to be hit by those then having an attack that can hit a larger area seems like a good idea.
>>
>>3186130
But really, your attack is only good at very close range.

If they're able to jump over it, they can jump away.

Besides, why spend 10 times as much mana when a horizontal ring will do.

You're just compounding the problem of us having plenty of fire power, but no ability to precisely apply it.

Why not just Omega Buster everything, they can't dodge that.
>>
>>3186152
It's not my idea. I was just telling the other anon that his idea probably wouldn't work with the cheaper Light Barrier.
I started thinking about the possible good sides of the technique only after you started replying to me.
>>
>>3186189
Progress! I mean it's not a bad idea, but why not both a ring AND a sphere option?
>>
>>3186152
>>3186189
I forgot to check IDs. I meant to say that I only started thinking about the technique after the other anon started replying to me. For a moment I thought it was still the same guy replying to me.

>>3186196
More options is always good so I don't see why not
>>
>>3186072
>>3186085
I like the gradual processes here. It gives things a good progression, and seem perfectly in line with learning and refining a skill over time, while giving useful spells along the way.
>>
>>3186093
>Why have it explode, when you could have it encircle then contract? Or implode?
In that case, I think he was going for a means of cutting down large groups of weaker enemies, or forcing larger ones back. Orbital ring already covers encirclement and explosion.
>>
>>3186388
Well the idea is that instead of getting a random result, a one can come up with ideas that fit into different steps. Handler can be the one who determines what "level" a skill would be, and what prerequisites would apply to making progress towards the higher level skills.

That way anons would be more invested in the progressive steps, with ideas and plans on how to actually use the skills, even after achieving the higher level skills the lower levels would also still be useful for mana economy reasons or discrete applications.

Like, if we're just in a brawl with some guys who have weapons, we could wrap some mana around our hands. But if we need to bust down a door or walk, or penetrate thick armor, we could crank it up to the next level.

We could mix skills together, like using light barrier inspired mana skates and mana manipulation to extrude a lance and then skate it at a high speed charge into an enemy.

Or pop mana wings and blast magiblasts up at them to boost our jump, then drop light barrier sphere grenades to airburst troops.

That sort of organic synergy.
>>
>>3186397
Yeah, but orbital ring is *expensive*, also limited in the requirements for making it explode, and in being able to be applied to groups or individuals who can alter their body shape to evade it.

It would be a cheaper version not designed to do anything but quickly surround and implode on enemies that orbital ring would be overkill against, or who wouldn't have the strength to damage it to the point of explosion. Not to mention that orbital ring explosion risks friendly fire instead of a directional attack.

That's our problem, we just have various types of hammers for swatting flies.
>>
>>3186388
Also note that the spells were just examples of useful applications of the qualities of the skill level.

Like level 2 mana shaping >>3186085 isn't "you get a mana blade or mana gloves" but that we become skillfulnenough with shaping the mana that we can form it into things and project it off our body.

Instead of combat purposes, for instance, we could form it into static shapes like inserting it into a lock and shaping it into a key, instead of just a blade. Or maybe that would require the next level where instead of just bobbing it into basic shapes, we can make it more detailed and complicated at level 3.

It's not about having skills, but developing our ability to apply the principles behind the skills.

That way we remain flexible with what we can do with what we learned.

Same way that we developed sticky mana from learning how to make sticky grenades, we aren't learning how to just make sticky bombs but instead we're learning how to manipulate mana properties and using that to create the effect of a sticky bomb.
>>
>>3186388
I've know I've been posting a lot about this, but I've been trying to bring up this concept from waaaaay back when I first brought up chain lightning as an end goal. If you go back and read, I wanted to work towards it by first starting to make a ranged taser ability by combining our mana beam ability with our electric aura in order to tase people from a distance, or short out machinery. I think it was the world we got Owlia and Cylica from.

Best supporting cast members BTW, we interact with them occasionally but mostly they do their own thing and don't take up entire threads like children or robots.

FMMDMG quest is running if people want to roleplay parenting a group of dysfunctional people 24/7.
>>
Okay, then. Run resumes in about an hour or so.

We'll resume discussion about training moves later, though, but I think have an idea for how to make it work a bit more smoothly (thanks for the suggestions, everyone)!
>>
>>3186907
Sorry if I flooded the thread :(
>>
Writing now- something had came up. Oven issues.
>>
You doubt you’ll be able to keep up any sense of subterfuge for very long- you’re going to have to strike quick and hard. Fortunately, that’s a bit of a specialty of yours. Now, if you were an evil spider taking over someone’s land and house, and were doing some remodeling, you’d be situated...hmmm.

You take a few steps, and then LEAP, the full jump clearing several houses as you charge a magiblast- and fire it off just as you land, towards the right corner of the building- the shot streams through the roof easily enough and sends a wood shrapnel explosion pluming upwards amidst the sudden screams. It’s hard for you to see through the smoke, but you fire into the hole anyway, more explosions sounding in concert as you circle around the hole to try and get the far corner as well, just in case.

There’s only a few seconds before you hear *clicks*, and you have to lean back as a storm of arrows stream through the hole where you’d been sticking your face seconds earlier. “SOMEONE GET UP THERE!” a gurgling, pained voice yells somewhere near one of the far walls.

>See if you can’t just bring the whole damn roof down on them. That might squash them all!
>Continue to attack from the hole- they’ll have to come out the front or back to get at you.
>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
>Other
>>
>>3187271
>>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
>>
>>3187271
>>See if you can’t just bring the whole damn roof down on them. That might squash them all!
>>
>>3187271
>>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
Plinking from a distance risks the target sneaking out on us.
>>
>>3187271
>>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
>>
>>3187271
>>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
>>
>>3187271
>See if you can’t just bring the whole damn roof down on them. That might squash them all!
>>
>>3187271
>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
Like the roof is going to hurt them.
>>
Yeehaw.

Writing!
>>
>>3187271
How can we take their leadership prisoner for Intel unless we drop in?
>You might be able to dupe them if you drop in now since they’re clearly not expecting that…
Like a spider on a thread descending from the ceiling.
Except no thread
And we're coming form the roof, not the ceiling.
And we're a winged death machine- this metaphor broke as soon as I made it.
>>
>>3187271
>>3187293
>>3187299
>>3187301
>>3187309
>>3187329
>>3187369
You can hear skittering- away from your general area, even. They must be going around the front and rears of the building- trying to go straight up the hole WOULD be rather risky, you have to admit.

However, that leaves a rather obvious hole in their defenses. Pft. ‘Hole in their defenses.’ Like the hole you just made, yeah. Who says you can’t do humor!

Diving down, you quickly check for the nearest bit of cover- a table leaned onto its side is about the best thing you have as the spiders there yell in surprise and challenge- and you get a glimpse of a larger one with a headdress framing her jet-black, stringy hair, and backing away from the scene. No doubt Lady Zatzil herself trying to secure an escape. As you dart out, you find that there’s only a few crossbow wielders to contest with; the others are melee. Two magiblasts slam the shooters against the wall, but you’re forced to quickly dodge a trio of encroaching blades- one of them some sort of tri-bladed disk attached to a wire. Izumi might be interested in that. Two blades are parried with your halberd, thrown to the side as you heave the polearm from right to left in a swing that gouges one of the warriors deep in her humanoid gut, sending her to the ground, and you have to dodge a vertical throw by the razor disk user as she recalls her weapon like an oversized yo-yo that can’t be touched.

The second tries a desperate thrust that’s easily dodged, and she’s smacked on the back by the blunt end of your weapon before she’s beheaded by the sharp bits. Another swing of the razor disk- sweeping almost the whole room before it’s recalled this time, the weapon swinging above her head as she waits for your next movement, trying to cover for her matriarch’s escape behind her out a rearward door. You can hear the yelling of the forces on the roof as well- you don’t have a lot of time.

>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
>Just hurry up and kill them both, then make your escape. Without a leader, they’ll likely fall into disarray.
>Other
>>
>>3187550
>>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
See if we can finagle that yo-yo into the bargain as well.
>>
>>3187550
>>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
>>
>>3187550
>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
I wonder if we could get an opportunity to check out how they would react to Garotoum.
>>
>>3187550
>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
These spooders aren't bbe
>>
>>3187550
>>Just hurry up and kill them both, then make your escape. Without a leader, they’ll likely fall into disarray.
>>
>>3187550
>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
if they yield or not, we're gonna kill their leader anyway.
>>
>>3187550
>Just hurry up and kill them both, then make your escape. Without a leader, they’ll likely fall into disarray.
And grab that guard's weapon for Izumi
>>
>>3187550
>Try for a capture; kill the guard, and see if they’ll stand down in exchange for her life.
>>
How much will you give me for this spider?

Writing.
>>
>>3187586
Ideally, we would kidnap her. But yes, she's not going back to them alive.
>>
>>3187639
oops i looked away at youtube and missed the vote, dang.
The leader is totally not going to give us anything for her bodyguard. But at least we got the cool bladed yoyo weapon for Izumi.
Should have gone through the wall and intercepted Lady Zatzil.
>>
>>3187686
We're taking the leader hostage. "Kill the guard" is right in the vote.
>>
>>3187686
...We're going for the leader, anon.
>>
>>3187697
>>3187699
Oh, ok I can't read good. Proceed.
>>
>>3187550
>>3187559
>>3187563
>>3187565
>>3187573
>>3187586
>>3187633
You don’t have a lot of time...but you can MAKE time. Hopefully. You’re going to have to act fast, though. Starting NOW!

Leaping forward, your assailant hurls her blade with a hissing shout, the deadly instrument swinging at you at an angle- you have to jink to the side harshly, arresting a bit of momentum as you race forward, under her toss; she tries to recall her blade quicker as she faces you down, but you’re already leaping, above and over as her arm tugs back in desperation.

She flinches as you soar over her, and towards the large queen that had been trying to abscond silently; the impact you make is enough to send her massive body sprawling to the ground, your feet planting themselves on her back rather satisfyingly as she skids a bit, stopping just through the door, opened only a moment ago.

You have your halberd out and at her throat just as the first few of the first responders leap in from the hole, their expressions one of...shock? Yes, shock, but there’s something else in there as well...some sort of curiosity? Whatever.

“Stand down. NOW. Do it, and she won’t be killed.” You’re not sure if you’re lying or not, but the idea is the same.

>Roll 1d20, best of three.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3187721
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>3187721
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3187721
yikes, I hate 1ds.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

And...well, I can't say ignore this, but.
>>
...Believe it or not, these results are actually very interesting.

Writing!

Death is only sport when it's not about to happen to you.
>>
>>3187745
They did worse than we did! Time for a spaghetti cascade!
>>
File: Time for AAAAAAAA.gif (87 KB, 192x197)
87 KB
87 KB GIF
>>3187732
>>3187735
>>3187741
>>3187745
>>
Question: This is just aone random spider lady not the one that was mentioned as the leader of the Blackwebs right?

To bad they are all untrustworthy otherwise i would love to go Shadows of Mordor and take control of her soldiers.

But i doubt that is how their society works even if they keep praising stuff about being strong.
>>
>>3187752
They just killed the matriach and now the new boss is going ro submit to us?
>>
>>3187721
>>3187732
>>3187735
>>3187741
Several of the Weavers look at each other curiously, as though trying to encourage each other to speak up. A few of them even tap their legs in something resembling nervousness or anxiety. They don’t seem like they’re listening to you, however...fine, then, chances are she was about to-

“Counter-proposal.” Huh? You look at one of them- the blade-top-thing wielder. “Do as you like. Kill her if you’re so inclined.”

“WHAT?!” Zatzil yells in fear. “You...you! Cowards! Betrayers! VERMIN!” The tone of her voice...it’s less frothing anger and more something like desperation. “You- I am your Lady!”

“You are- for this excursion,” another one with shorter hair and a bluer body says, with a touch of annoyance. “And should you fall...that means another may be able to fight to rise to the title of Lady. Such is how things are in the Great Web. If it is your turn to be prey...so be it.”

“Wha- you...no. Nononononono, I cannot, not here, not at the hands of this...thing?!” Rude. “To betray me…warrior!” She tilts her head as best as she can without leaning into your blade, as she continues in a desperate cadence. “Kill them! Annihilate them, spare me, and-and I will see to it you have whatever you desire! Riches, land, information, m-my body! Name it and it is yours!”

“THIS is why we cry not at your departure, Lady Zatzil…” the first speaker quips- but they all grip their weapons tighter regardless.

>Yeah...no deal. Kill the lot of them.
>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.
>Other
>>
>>3187808
>>Yeah...no deal. Kill the lot of them.
>>
>>3187808
>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.
She is desperate, that means a looser tongue.
>>
>>3187808
>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.

Ibformation is always good and if she can give us tips about who arr the important spooders and the amount of soldier in the enemy camp that would be great.

She did promises riches and if she tries to run away we kill her.
>>
>>3187808
>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.
>>
>>3187815
Why not interrogate the leader? In a war information is important.
>>
>>3187819
And if we kill everyone here she will have no one else. I also like how these spider work. Miranda can easily handle people/creatures like that.
>>
>>3187808
>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.
>>
>>3187808
>>You might be able to work with that.
"Tell you what. Go back home and tell your leaders she's been killed. I'll find a use for her. But you WILL see me again. And you WILL return this favor I do for you."
I don't mind if we have to kill them, but it would be nice to have informants inside the Blackweb...
>>
>>3187849
We already have. That one spider that we spared. Now that we got a lady too we can easily whipe out the Blackweb and have those two recreate their clan in the fun way!!
>>
>>3187808
>>You might be able to work with that. Entrap her and kill the rest.
she asks to be spared, NOT released
>>
I just find curious she offered her body to Miranda...are kinda genderless in this form? Maybe it's just the desperation of being put against the blade of a weapon.
>>
Your offer is intriguing.

Writing!
>>
>>3187889
Meanwhile, Coril discovers that he's the luckiest spidertaur that ever lived.
>>
>>3187808
What if we declared ourself leader and "fought to the top"?
>>
>>3187901
I think that is what a good ebding without wipping out the blackweb clan would be.

>>3187892
Wonder if Coril is among these losers or if he works for the guard on Dulkward.
>>
>>3187870
>Maybe it's just the desperation of being put against the blade of a weapon.
That seems most likely.
>>
>>3187914
...Coril was sent to check on Lady Zatzil, we technically spared him by getting to the Hall ahead of him. He's missed all action.
>>
>>3187958
Now I kinda want to drag him along as well, just to make him suffer too...
>>
>>3187808
>>3187819
>>3187823
>>3187828
>>3187843
>>3187861
There’s a pregnant silence as you slowly shift your gaze between the standing Weavers, ready to fight at a moment’s notice, and your current captive, her beady eyes trying to look into yours in fear. Honestly, it’s kinda pathetic...but you can work with pathetic.

You don’t vocally answer- instead you launch a magiblast with no warning at the closest Weaver. Two of them immediately try to flee- you launch a magiwave at the both of them to cut them down, and you have a spare second or two to plant Zatzil’s feet with some sticky mana to pin her down briefly before you lunge at the other remaining Weavers.

Damn, you need to practice that stuff more…among other things. Nevertheless.

The fight is, fortunately, short, mostly cutting down fleeing and defensive foes than them trying to fight you. To your surprise, after you hop back down from the roof, Zatzil hasn’t even tried to escape, eyes closed and head bowed in an almost meditative state. As you approach again, she mutters something out. “The Great Web is opportunity. Opportunity is patience. Patience is power. And power is opportunity. Learn all these things, and the strings of the Great Web will be yours to command.” Opening her eyes, she looks to you. “What would you have of me, saber eyed one?”

Seems like she’s actually docile. For now. Wonder how Izumi and her group is doing. Might not be the best idea to barge in on them trailing a PoW, but...might also be better than staying here and getting any Curious Cathy-types looking in on you.

> “You’re coming with me. We’ve got more than a few questions to ask you.” Now where are those bears?
> “You mentioned something about riches. Care to elaborate?” Better to get that done now.
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
> Other
>>
>>3187971
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
> “You’re coming with me. We’ve got more than a few questions to ask you.” Now where are those bears?
> "And just what the hell is this thing called?" (Holds up tri-bladed yo-yo)
>>
>>3187971
> “You’re coming with me. We’ve got more than a few questions to ask you.” Now where are those bears?
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
>>
>>3187971
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
> "And just what the hell is this thing called?" (Holds up tri-bladed yo-yo)
>Summon Gartoum
>>
>>3187971
> “You mentioned something about riches. Care to elaborate?” Better to get that done now.
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
> Other
>Summon Garotoum, check if he can use his looks to pose as someone from their ancient legends.
>>
>>3187971

>“The Great Web is opportunity. Opportunity is patience. Patience is power. And power is opportunity. Learn all these things, and the strings of the Great Web will be yours to command.”

Did...did the spider just quoted the Sith code? Now i really want to control then.

>>3187971
> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”

> Other: "I want to know if you have a way to make your other followers to surrender. If not i want information but not now. You will come with me for now."
>>
>>3187971
> “You mentioned something about riches. Care to elaborate?” Better to get that done now.
>>
>>3187971
>> “You mentioned something about riches. Care to elaborate?” Better to get that done now.
Maybe we can actually get a secondary objective for once.
>> “Okay, that’s not the first time someone mentioned my eyes. Explain.”
We really need to find a mirror.
>>
>>3188001
Izumi can do in a pinch, really baffling we didn't ask her on the long ride over.
Also baffling that we didn't go back to finish off that big goopy monster like we said we were gunna.
>>
People keep saying that...

Writing.
>>
>Also baffling that we didn't go back to finish off that big goopy monster like we said we were gunna.

So you are surprised that we get distracted with shinny things? You must be new to the quest i take it.
>>
>>3187971
>>3187982
>>3187985
>>3187991
>>3187994
>>3187995
>>3187996
>>3188001
As you get her out of your sticky mana, a couple of questions do come to mind… “Okay, first. You’re not the first to mention my eyes. Just what’s up with that? Care to elaborate?”

“Ah? Just an observation...they are like a Stalker’s, after all. Slitted, small points, much like a blade’s seen from the side. You have a human’s guise, but your eyes betray you.” Her smile is small and smug, like she’s just said something clever or intimidating. She hasn’t, but it’s still annoying to see.

“Fine, whatever.” You’re not going to hint anything at her. You’ll just let it go, for now. Although now you REALLY need to remember to find a mirror or reflective surface...or hell, at least check your damn FutureSight and take a picture of yourself. You haven’t even used your wings, yet! Although you’re starting to figure what they might be… “Next question, you mentioned something about riches. Care to elaborate?”

She nods, slowly. “I built up a sizeable horde of treasures, gems, and currency during our conquests. For...appreciative purposes, as well as to...convince some of my peers to overlook some minor issues that affected me. They are outside of the Blackweb’s normal territory; however I must warn you that they are deep within what is now Lord Kolm’s lands.”

Well, that won’t last long. You just need to-

Suddenly a massive roar shakes the village. Crap, you’d blanked on that.

“The Abomination?” Zatzil yells, surprised. “I’d thought it defeated!”

Yeah, well. It’s about to be.

>You’re not going to be going alone, though. “Congratulations, Zatzil, you’re my steed for now.” Besides, a little humiliation will do wonders for her.
>Crap, and you’ve got a PoW with you...better to call Izumi and ask her to clean up. She should be able to handle it easily enough.
>You can probably hit it from here and still keep an eye on Zatzil if you get enough height...wonder if these wings are good for it.
>Other
>>
>>3187808
>m-my body
Lol
>>
>>3188028
No joke, this was coming up regardless. Nice timing.
>>
>>3188068
>>You’re not going to be going alone, though. “Congratulations, Zatzil, you’re my steed for now.” Besides, a little humiliation will do wonders for her.
I can't pass this up.
There's got to be a joke about her offer of her body in here somewhere.
>>
I don't know how much mana we have left, of we have mana potions, but can we just stick her in an orbital ring and say stay put?
>>
>>3188068
>>You’re not going to be going alone, though. “Congratulations, Zatzil, you’re my steed for now.” Besides, a little humiliation will do wonders for her.
Don't let her run off without us getting both info and loot from her. Also, grab that yo-yo thing.
>>
>>3188068
>>You can probably hit it from here and still keep an eye on Zatzil if you get enough height...wonder if these wings are good for it.
>>
>>3188068
>You can probably hit it from here and still keep an eye on Zatzil if you get enough height...wonder if these wings are good for it.

I want to test the wings.
>>
>>3188068
>You can probably hit it from here and still keep an eye on Zatzil if you get enough height...wonder if these wings are good for it.
Besides her feet are still glued and it might take several seconds to get rid of the sticky mana.
>>
>>3188077
We have only 7000 mana and a couple of mana crystal to recharge.
>>
>>3188068
>You’re not going to be going alone, though. “Congratulations, Zatzil, you’re my steed for now.” Besides, a little humiliation will do wonders for her.
>>
>>3188106
we also have the condenser.
>>
>>3188116
The condenser only boosts the recovery rate, nothing more. Baseline for this world is 2500, with the condenser it'd be maybe 3000-3500?
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

Draw.

1= Hi-ho, Silver.
2= Boing.
>>
>>3188121
I thought it recharges amout of mana that it has in it's storage and then refils according to mana levels of that world.
>>
>>3188132
Well, it's not in any pastebin. Does anyone remember when we picked it up?
>>
>>3188144
early thread, before the mission we got the crystal mage duo, I think it was tossed around as an idea to help Lori recover but we stuck her in the engine room because pure magical girl takes pure magic
>>
>>3188166
Thanks, that was what I needed.
Thread #21
>>1096207

>>3188132
We were both kinda right. It looks like it boosts our mana regen and increases our reserves. We got the middle-of-the road option in regen and storage at the time. We should look into better options after this mission; we only spent 7 L Motes on it, and mana is a major concern of ours.
>>
>>3188183
We did get that mana generator we got from the Artificer crossover that worked better. Can't we recharge with that?
>>
>>3188185
I'd forgotten about that thing. It's literally only an orb though, so we'd have to hold it in a hand to make use of it. We should look at having a rig made so we could use it. Maybe it could be integrated into that armor we looted?
>>
>>3188218
No. that would restrict it to the armor, which means that we would always have to use the armor and whatever bonuses it gives us.
>>
>>3188218
Can't Miranda just hold it for a few hours when she's in a safe location to make use of it? In fact, does she even keep it in her inventory?
>>
>>3188234
Thankfully, Owlia and Cylcia were there to help out John with his creations after they purchased the generator and turret, so they might be able to build a second one, given time and resources.
>>
>>3188234
True. Shame though, it would have been cool to have an Iron man suit. Any other ideas for 'wearing' it? just hanging it from a normal bag is asking for it to get cut off at some point.

>>3188247
If it works similarly to the condensers, it wouldn't even take that long to top up from it's internal reservoir.
It's presumably in the bag, no reason for it not to be, but the bag is a pocket dimension and might not have any inherent mana to condense. That'd mean it would need to be on our person somewhere for it to work.
>>
>>3188262
>>3188247 has the right answer.
>The ball might not have any inherent mana to condense
Supposing the mana conversion isn't instant(which i believe it is) I don't think that can be a problem because we can use it when we rest or take it out periodically, negating that particular drawback.
>>
>>3188275
>Supposing the mana conversion isn't instant
If it isn't, then it would need time to do it's work in collection and condensing, which would require being out long term to get it's full benefits. Otherwise, why not put the backpack condenser in the bag and avoid the agility loss? I've always assumed the mana recharge overnight was an abstraction of a day's worth of recharge, as keeping up with the time of day would be too fiddly.
>>
>>3188130
Hmm...That thing’s pretty giant. “One moment.” You hop to the rooftop of the hall again- sure enough, you can just barely see the beast- the Abomination- back on its feet, marching forward to crush the Bears’ wall again.

Well. Can’t have that, can you? Looking back down at Zatzil, who has a curious expression, you gauge the range and possibility of hitting it. It’s a hard shot at this angle...but if you get a bit more height and can hold it…

Well, you just hope these wings are good for something. You have to discard your cloak, though...a quick flutter unveils it, and finally you can take a second to- ah. Bat wings? Battish. Leather, four of them. Thin and rusty brownish-red...kinda cool. Here’s hoping they work well enough, though…

You leap up, doing your best to get as much height as possible while you charge a maigblast in each hand- you don’t like leaving yourself so open, but you’re going to have to take the risk if you want to keep an eye on your captive as well. As you hit the apex, you spread your wings- you don’t know how much it’ll take to keep you aloft, but fortunately it seems like while you’re losing altitude a bit more than your prior job, it’s still enough as you stretch your arms out, aim, and fire.

The two shots scream through the air, the explosions hitting the beast as it tackles the wall, ignorant of your offense too late. The pair of projectiles cause a massive spray of ichor to go everywhere- but you’re not done just yet.

Another pair are charged- you have to adjust a bit as you slowly sink, but the other two sink into their target as well, and this time the beast can’t even roar in pain as its front half is blown apart. The other half goes shortly afterwards- smaller though it is, as you fire more at the orange blobs on the back of the creature- they’re bright enough to target, and that about does it once they impact- the creature exploding into pieces, and finally seeming to disintegrate into nothing but smoke as you drop and land.

Geez...wish you could’ve done that earlier, but...whatever. As you turn around to Zatzil, you find her looking at you with a gobsmacked expression. “How…”

“Because I can. Now, let’s get to the rest.” Hopefully, they wouldn’t kill her on sight…

(cont.)
>>
>>3188300
“Well-done, warriors,” the large bearkin called Braun congratulates you as you convene in one of the unwrecked halls. “You have performed exceedingly well, and thanks to your assistance, the trees survive for another day.”

The shadow forces and Blackweb, realizing they’d been beaten, seem to have retreated for now, and the Bearkin have held out. “We overestimated our ability due to their initial numbers... a perilous lesson to have learned, but one learned well.”

Izumi bows in gratitude. “It was no problem at all, Keeper Braun. We fight to bring the light back to the land, and this is only a single step.”

Zatzil, tied up properly now and under close guard, sighs, simply keeping her eyes closed. She’d not said a word about it, and it seemed almost as though the fight had gone out of her...although you doubt it.

Braun, taking no note of her, nods. “Well said...and we must take many more until the journey is complete. However, what of our human allies? You stated you were sent by them?”

“We were,” you confirm. “We helped them at Shouldin Keep to fight off a shadow incursion. They’re free to move, and marching on Dulwark now.”

“Ahh. Excellent.” He nods in approval. “The civilians shall do what we can to repair damages here, and my forces will prepare to march on the town as well. With our combined force and yours, we should be in a favorable position to reclaim the town, and begin retaking the land in earnest.”

“That’s the hope. How long will it be until you think you’re ready?” you ask.

He rumbles a bit as he thinks on it. “Nature waits for no one. However, one must be sure of themselves before moving out. We will send a runner along to get into contact with our allies, and inform them of the time we intend to move. We must recover our strength, and yet it must be soon, for I doubt Dulwark will not realize that their neighbors are no longer oppressed.”

One of their runners will be slow, but he has a point there…

>You need to recover as well. Let them send their own runner and use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
>You’ll go deliver the news yourself; it’ll make things faster for you in the long run.
>Suggest Izumi should go, considering her speed in general. She’ll be there and back before you know it.
>Other
>>
>>3188304
>>You need to recover as well. Let them send their own runner and use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
Well, I for one don't see the need for haste too much yet, and there IS a prisoner to interrogate, so why not use the time to get info and regenerate mana at the same time?
>>
>>3188304
>You need to recover as well. Let them send their own runner and use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
We burnt through a shitton of mana, take a breather with some Good Cop Bad Cop and some freshly caught salmon and beer.
>>
>>3188304
>>You need to recover as well. Let them send their own runner and use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
The bears aren't going to want to have to hold the spider, and we don't want to have to lug a prisoner around. Better to get anything useful then dispose of her.
>>
>>3188312
Well you never know, maybe she knows some of those dope ritual magics that act as power multipliers, or can sway the blackweb tribe to neutrality or something. She could be useful outside of troop disposition and splatting
>>
>>3188300
We a batgirl? I can dig it.
>>
>>3188325
Or become the new High Priestess of the cult of Garters, the Shadow Weaver.
>>
>>3188304
>You need to recover as well. Let them send their own runner and use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
>>
>>3188304
>You need to recover as well. Use the time to recover and properly interrogate Zatzil.
>Suggest Izumi should go, considering her speed in general. She’ll be there and back before you know it.
>>
Writing, last of the night.
>>
>>3188304
>>3188310
>>3188311
>>3188312
>>3188359
Yeah, no, you need some R&R yourself, and you don’t doubt Izumi does as well. This village isn’t exactly in the best shape, but it’s better than nothing. “Alright, then. I trust they’ll do well. What time are you going to move, then?”

“The land is yet to be shrouded in total darkness. The sun pains them, even if only slightly. I will suggest we attack in two days, just after midday.” Hm. Two days? You guess it makes sense- you’re used to leaping long distances, and your horses were pretty exemplary...you have to remember that people can’t travel as fast as you can.

“Alright, then. We’ll be here. As for formal introductions, I am Yvrace, and this is Hylinde.” You both bow, and he does the same. “In the meantime. I’m sure we all have several questions for our...guest.”

You turn to the spidertaur in question, who opens her eyes slightly- and smiles oddly. “Ask whatever you like. My web is yours to weave upon, sabereye.”

Curious...but you won’t turn down the invitation.

>Questions?
>>
>>3188421
>What's your opinion of Lord Kolm?
>What's your opinion of Zai?
>Tell me about your whole belief system. Anything involving shadowy weaver demigods with red eyes?
>What would convince you to help us with turning the Blackweb against Lord Kolm?
>>
>>3188421
Upvoting this>>3188396
In addition ask more about her horde and does it have books in here.
And also ask bears about their rituals, techniques and books.
>>
>>3188421
Hm, at that pace this job will take weeks, some quality time with Izumi then, Does she have any questions for the drider?
>What's your opinion of Lord Kolm?
>What's your opinion of Zai?
>Could you turn the Blackweb against Lord Kolm?
>She know anything about the Shaded Elves?
>She know any Rituals?
I think we can be direct, she seems to expect dominant behavior. Not to say we wont have to pressure her
>>
>>3188396
Does this mean that discussion of upgrades system is postponed until next run?
>>
>>3188467
I don't see why it would be, if you want to do so amongst yourself. I'm just exhausted. But what I'm thinking of is kind of keeping a hidden EXP system that adjusts depending on what you do and how you do it, and after a certain threshold is reached, you get your option of figuring out a new ability either during downtime on a job or post job.
>>
>>3188480
I guess then your post counts as an anchor for anons to reply to.
>>
>>3188435
An addendum:
>Are there any notable individuals in your clan who wouldn’t mind seeing Zai brought down?
>Is there the possibility of a meeting of the clans to sway them against Lord Kolm?
>>
>>3188421
>What can you tell me about the other Weaver clans?
>Do they support Lord Kolm? Are they still around?
>What about the forces in Dulwark? Who is in charge of the forces there?
>What can you tell us about the giant pillar of darkness comming from it?
>>
>>3188421
> What are the Blackwebs motivation for the war?

> How do we get in touch with the Weavers (those guys who tell the future)?

> What are the composition of the various forces, and how do we find the officers and leaders?

> Where's the treasure?

Also

> Does your side have any history or legends about summoning great beings at great cost. Seriously, we're talking like half the treasury of a wealthy kingdom, we aren't cheap.

> In exchange for more money, not the treasure you've already promised us, but since you're a prisoner now we can guarantee that you'll live out the rest of the war and be in position to assume a role of authority afterwards. Even more so if you let us know who we can kill on the other side so that you can usurp them.

Vichy Spider France. Also she can help us know where to loot. It will also help with stabilizing the realm after we leave which Izumi should like.
>>
>>3188480
1. By the threshold you mean accumulating enough EXP, certain amount of time or completing a mission?
2. Anons often find ideas for new techniques during missions but don't get to develop them right at the place because of something urgent, and amount of time we have in the Intersection is only a day or two of interacting with other characters before being rushed to go on another mission. Is there no way that we could cram in some sort of dedicated traing day without messing up our work schedule?
It would make planning and developing complex techniques much easier by setting up first steps towards their realization and negating redundancy of these prototypes over time.
3. When it is decided to do a training session during a job, the desciption suggests that it does not take that much time to reach some progress (at least on a successful roll). We were also allowed undefined amount of time between confirming our mission choise and being sent to the workplace, time that is spent on checking clothes catalogues and visiting different merchants. Isn't there a way to add an option to do a quick training session, and as a downside we would have less mana on our first day and require a bit of rest? Like trying to reduce manacost of healing hands would result in starting our job with 7250/11000 mana. That way it wouldn't be such a freebie as you've mentioned earlier. The way that we prepare for missions by spending motes and time on appearance modifiers instead of investing in our tools of the trade just doesn't sit well with me anymore.
>>
>>3189287
I think you're overcomplicating things. What he suggested was a simple EXP system, were upon "leveling up" we choose to work on a spell. It doesn't sound like we'd just gain a new spell, only that we'd improve/refine/specialize one.

>The way that we prepare for missions by spending motes and time on appearance modifiers instead of investing in our tools of the trade just doesn't sit well with me anymore.
That has bugged me for ages. It wasn't uncommon for us to spend an entire mission's worth of LMotes before the mission started on clothing, when we spend less than half as much every 3-4 missions on actual gear. The condenser we were talking about? 7 LMotes. Typical pre-mission clothing? 5-10 LMotes.
>>
>>3189474
To be fair, people will absolutely spend more on clothing than gear in quests.

> /qst/ wants to be the little girl
>>
>>3189474
Because so far we dont need other tools. Everything can be solved by applying a liberal ammount of magiblast or an odd nebula buster.
>>
>>3188421
>This whole thing with your clan members looking for chances to gain individual glory and acclaim regardless of your peers... is this something that’s specific to the Blackweb, or do the other clans follow some sort of similar code?
>>
>>3189606
You dense motherfucker, have you even read other anons' posts in this thread?
>>
>>3189953
Different people enjoy different things, he clearly doesn't enjoy the magic system as part of the quest.

And that's fine, but it's rude to try and torpedo it because they don't personally care about it.

Like, I don't give a damn about the robots but hey, not like I'm going to quit or bitch during time spent with them.

I realize other people have fun interacting with them. It's just that we've been doing that with everyone and our magical growth, promised to be flexible and interactive, has been dropped by the wayside to the point all we take lately seem to be smashy jobs that are easy because we aren't good at much else.

Remember how we lost the competition last job? And we didn't get paid as much? Never mind the Mob job clusterfuck.

It's hitting our bottom line, which should be concerning for Miranda.
>>
>>3189953
don't tell me dense motehrfucker when we have +60 threads proving me right, bitch.
>>
Hmmm...wonder if the Dawnspinners can help us to create mana wires if we learn how they build stuff using their webs.
>>
>>3190878
They might give us the idea IC, but their threads should be munday make via their spinnerets.
>>
>>3190914
I meam they are revered for building think from their silk and the Weavers are know for being able to use ritual magic. I'm pretty sure there must be a ritual to empower a web or to make it more resistant or stuckier.

I really enjoy the idea of doing more stuff witht he sticky mana but i do realize that it may not be a very destructive and more a utility magic such as using mana strings to hold someone or the already mentioned sticky mana lasso
>>
>>3190990
Sticky mana cube in a doorway: anybody who runs through it will get their foot stuck and fall flat on their face.
>>
>>3191025
Sticky transparent block in the doorway, anybody who runs through it will get their whole body stuck like a bug on flypaper.
>>
>>3190990
>>3188480
Could we try your concept to create a sticky trap that covers the taget with strings of sticky mana by modifying our largely unused lightning trap? Also the mental image of that thing appears to me as a giant anti-theft ink tag for some reason.
>>
>>3191073
I would see a combination of the lightning trap and the stringa of sticky mana as a improvised shock wire, while the sticky mana string would work as a way to paralise a enemy or cover a room with the wires so while fighting the person would get herself stuck in the tangle of wires or in the sticky nature of the wires.
>>
>>3185909
>>3188480
There's also an issue with lack of mental protection. We were able to 'brute-force' our mind from such attacks several times (syren from first crossover, underage casting couch from Mafia mission and circus tricks on Summon mission), but we might want to develop some means to repel mental attacks. It might happen that we will stumble upon entities that could mindfuck us similar to Blight from the second crossover, risking emergency recall and instantly failing a job. Maybe we could ask Lori if she knows something.
>>
>>3188480
>>3191142
Forgot to mention Lori's accidental bodysnatching during the Dynamics-Silvers joint mission. We could suggest her to be our training partner - we practice blocking her mental prodding and she practices bypassing it.
>>
>>3191142
Worse is if we get mindfucked and it doesn't result in an emergency recall. Nothing to indicate Sal will pull us out if we get mindwhammied because usually we shrug it off (eventually)
>>
Okay, I'm alive again. Barely. Goddamn, Smash is addictive.

Run begins in about an hour or so.
>>
>>3193413
Smash is pretty adictive. Glad to have you back boss.
>>
>>3193413
Glad to see you’re still amongst the living.
>>
>>3193413
Think you should make a new thread? This one is approaching 600.
>>
>>3193857
>Not configuring so the thread that gets a update gets bumped up

We are only in page 4 no need for that.
>>
>>3188421

You’ve got time, but there’s a few things you could ask right now… “Alright. Then, tell me. This whole thing with your clan members looking for chances to gain individual glory and acclaim regardless of your peers… is this something that’s specific to the Blackweb, or do the other clans follow some sort of similar code?” You’d noticed that they seemed to have a culture that promoted that sort of thing...if this was something more universal, it’d be good to know.

She laughs slightly. “Haha, no. The other clans consider it ‘false interpretations’ of the writings our progenitors left behind. However, these are the words on the stone. What other way should it be looked at but what is plainly writ?” Hm. “The Dawnspinners believe that they should be focused on the arts as a path to self-improvement. The Veilspeakers are of the mind that their rituals into foresight are the path to enlightenment. The Striders believe in power and intimidation. We aren’t so arrogant as to presume hidden meanings and thoughts. The words etched in stone are the words we follow. Simple as that.”

Hm. That answers a few things already. “So, you’re doing this because of a belief? Then your whole relationship with yourselves and Lord Kolm is...what, exactly?”

“Mutually beneficial,” is the immediate response. “As Lord Kolm has power, clearly. The Blackweb understood that, and so we made an accord. Once the Lord Kolm has his power over those on two legs, so too shall the Blackweb have power over those with eight, as we are destined to be.”

You raise an eyebrow. “And you’re not worried he might double-cross you?”

“But of course!” She grins. “We quite expect the matter to happen at some point soon- in fact, we have had some suggestions that we act first; to strike before stricken, as it were.”

Hm… “So no real love for him, then? Just for your queen- Zai, right?” This was a two-fold question…

“Ahah! No, none in particular. And we have no queen, just a Mistress. And Mistress Zai is as what we all in power are- a goal to be surpassed. She controls much, and very effectively. So long as her mastery of the web persists, she will have no challengers any time soon.”

“And if that were to change?” You press.

She remains silent for a few moments, clearly thinking on it. “I think you a fool for suggesting such a thing- Zai is powerful not because of her physical capability, but her mental acumen is also unmatched. Even when she takes the field, she is not one to proceed before knowing the outcome. In fact…” She pauses, considering. “Knowing what I do of the Mistress, I suspect word will be getting back to her shortly, and she will begin revisions to whatever tactics and planning she has. Feel both fortunate and terrified if you see little of the Blackweb in the coming days. She WILL be preparing for you.”

(cont.)
(You guys had a lot of questions, bear with me in how I work this out.)
>>
>>3193874
“So how would we prepare for her, then?” You continue. Izumi looks at you curiously, but says nothing, motioning to continue when you look at her in question. “I was thinking of getting the other clans involved; maybe to sway them into proper conflict.”

“Ha! You would, perhaps, be able to convince what is left of the Striders with enough powerful words. However, the Dawnspinners are co- hm.” She begins to say something before freezing up. “Well...I would not expect much from them…” she mumbles, frowning at something. “The Veilspeakers are strange and foolish. I do not know what you would gain from allying with them, but if you wish it, then so be it. I would not know how to convince them, however. Nor would I be willing to help in doing so.” Huh. Seems she’s gained a bit of backbone again. Still, not worth speaking up about. Instead, you focus on that topic.

“Fair enough. Still, know how we’d get in touch with them?” It’d be worth a shot.

“The Dawnspinners reside in an area formerly known as the Ribbonfly Forest, a strong ride to the south east of here. They have practically encased most of the wood in their silk, and unless you stick to the paths, you’ll get caught up in and mesmerized by their artistry. The Veilspeakers are in a cavern system to the east- relations between the two, I think. The Striders are nomadic, and take themselves wherever they so like. I know not where they are. That is all I know, or care of them.”

Drat. You were hoping she’d be a bit more knowledgeable. “Alright, almost done for now. What are the forces in Dulwark currently?”

“Ahhh, that is more in line with what I was expecting. I know not exact numbers, but I am aware that aside from the shadow beasts, there is one of Kolm’s lieutenants residing there at the moment. One of those imitator elves there, named Carrang. Brash girl, she is, always waving her blade at someone or something. There are a number of human guard there as well; she lords over them as though she were a queen. Pah.” Giving a sigh, she looks at you plaintively. “May I rest my voice for a moment?”

“That’s fine,” comes the voice of Izumi over your shoulder. “We’re done here for now.” You purse your lips, but nod. You have time to get anything else out of her.

Considering the time you have, you spend the next day both recovering and trying to get the lay of the land. It’s around the evening that someone knocks on the door to your temporary lodgings; one of the huts that was now sadly vacant. "Yes?"

When the door opens, it's...

>Roll 1d20, best of 3.
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3193879
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3193879
Hello Lorelei
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3193879
Welp.
>>
Hey did the monk guy that we bumped into before going ro glorious battle survived?

Don't know if he had a name or not.
>>
Writing. News is news.
>>
>One of those imitator elves there, named Carrang

>imitator elves

wut? So the trio of dark elfs aren't dark elfs?
>>
>>3193955
Mind the biases of the source.
>>
Are we going to Dulwark and capturing Carrang to interrogate her? Or just kill her?
I mean, if she turns out annoying to capture we'll kill her, but what should our first choice be?
>>
>>3194045
Always try to go for capture. Information is always important. But this Carrang seen t9 be more a bruiser then a thinker so she may not have to much usefull information.
>>
>>3194045
Capture, although we should keep her sword in case it’s magical.

Which reminds me, did we ever find that bladed yo-yo after the battle?
>>
>>3194089
>did we ever find that bladed yo-yo after the battle
Shit, we were going to get that as a present for Izumi. I hope we can still get it.
>>
>>3194092
DAMN IT, we forgot the most important question to ask Zatzil!

What the hell is that thing called?!
>>
>>3194092
It has being two days already? It's probably throwed somewhere in a pile next to the ash pile of drider bodies.
>>
>>3194108
From the description? It looks like a chain whip or a kyoketsu-shoge but intead of the spear tip this one is shaped like a star.
>>
>>3193879
>>3193888
>>3193909
>>3193916
...One of the guards; the giant tower shield set to the side. Behind him is Izumi, arms folded, but not looking particular annoyed. “Warrior Yvrace, correct?” You nod. “There have been developments Lord Braun have asked you to know of- he requests yours and your ally Hylinde’s presence. Please follow me.”

“...alright.” Huh. Wonder what this is about. As you fall in line, you look to Izumi, who shrugs. Guess she doesn’t know, either.

Although, when you pass the treeline in the back of the village, you see a look of understanding dawn on Izumi’s face. She mouths ‘Circle’ to you, and the name rings a bell- this is where Izumi fought at just the other day. So you’re going there, then? Wonder what for…

The answer is revealed when you arrive. Looking for all the world like an elaborate Stonehenge- a large circular stone building, simple, but with a massive number of engravings on the sides that look to go all around the surface, and inside is a flat circle with yet more engravings, and five stone chairs surrounding it. There’s no other objects or accoutrements asid from small divots in the front of said chairs. Well, no…

There’s the bears in front of them, too. Aside from Braun, who sits at the far left, there are four others. A large, female bear in a flower crown headdress and long silken green robes that smiles as you enter. A smaller, yet plump male in rough, coarse fabric and a small cap that wields a club and has an easy look on his face, an old crone of a bear with a lazy eye and walking stick with a clearly restitched cloak, and a massive bear, at least a head taller than Braun, darker furred, but dressed in little but a toga, and seems as though he’s about to fall asleep then and there.

“Know that the Wild watches, and know you are in the presence of the Circle of the Wild,” the guard announces. “Know that Weildsinger Sera, Warmaster Braun, Sincaller Magatha, Highstepper Obin, and Greatfather Uria see you.” He bows, and as one the bears bow back. Izumi and yourself are also quick to follow suit.

(cont.)
>>
>>3194127

“We welcome you, honored guests,” Sera speaks. “Warmaster Braun spoke well of you both the other day. Due to your efforts, the forest folk still have a place of refuge. For that, we thank you.”

“We had to run,” the short one that you’re pretty sure is Obin says. “We aren’t fighters, so we had to flee with as many civilians as we could. But, enough of the past. We need to speak of the present.”

“The humans march. We have been asked to keep our vows and march with them. And so we shall,” the crone speaks in her withered voice. “But be forewarned, our peoples may be mighty, but we are spread, and we are few in these days. Our paths often have us roam, and many are likely lost.”

“Still, you did us a great favor. So the Weild shall have you reap the fruits of labor,” the sleepy giant says as he looks over you. “What is it you would desire of us? We may grant you a boon, perhaps...or should you entrust your life to steel, we may be able to affirm such a weapon. Whatever might be in our power at the moment, we would be willing to grant.”

Izumi and yourself look at each other briefly. Knowing Izumi, she might not want to ask for anything- and you have to admit, it may not be entirely NECESSARY…

...but damnit, it’s free gifts. You hate passing those up.

>You mentioned a boon? What kind?
>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…
>Eh...I don’t really need anything in particular. Thanks, though.
>Other

>>3194092
>>3194092
>>3194108
>>3194110
(I legit forgot to mention that you snagged the thing. Don't worry, you got it.)
>>
>>3194132
>>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…
Sounds like a good chance to get some otherwise expensive work done.
>>
>>3194132
>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…

honestly if they could upgrade the Halberd for us it would be awesome.
>>
>>3194132
>You mentioned a boon? What kind?

Hey, did we even bring Garo's ring with us? We've been pestering you from time to time about it but there was no mention of him aside from side-note that his look was coincidentally similar to local spidertaurs.
>>
>>3194132
>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…
The boon mystery box is intriguing but I'm going to vote for an upgraded halberd.
>>
>>3194132
>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…
Flamebringer or the Rapier.
Or our mana-stone gun. I want to be able to quickdraw it and shoot Kolm in the face when he least expects it.
>>
>>3194156
Yes, it's in your bag.
>>
>>3194148
>>3194157
Honestly we've already got two magic melee weapons, I'd rather get a magic ranged weapon. Either a revolver, a rifle, or our rocket launcher.
>>
I also keep forgetting to put this in your list, but waaaay back in the first crossover you got a pair of battlegauntlets. Those are a thing, and I keep forgetting to put them in the gear list.
>>
>>3194165
I wouldn't mind getting an upgrade for a weapon we brought with us to this world but I'm worried about the bears breaking our expensive stuff.
>>
>>3194170
Uh...do we have anything currently in our hands? Also could the bears upgrade a firearm?
>>
>>3194132
>>3194170
Shit, let’s try the gauntlets, then. It’s been a while since we’ve upped our punching!
>>
>>3194178
This isn't a MMO in which there is a chance of having your weapin break when you try to upgrade it.
>>
>>3194132
>>Well, there’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind getting upgraded…

You think they can improve our rocket launcher?

I'd go for boon but it probably won't be permanent
>>
>>3194148
>>3194157
I don't really see how a halberd would be useful in other missions, we haven't even decided what to do with that giant axe from the second crossover. Rapier could use some love though.
>>
>>3194188
I would be up to have the bear upgrade our punching capability. Who knows maybe we end up witha cool weapon/gear.
>>
>>3194194
That is fine i'm leaning more in having the bear upgrade our battle gautles.
>>
>>3194132
>>3194157
Switching from upgrading halberd to upgrading the gauntlets

>>3194194
I chose halberd on the assumption that there's a chance of the bears breaking whatever we hand over to them. Otherwise I would've voted for one of our magic swords.
>>
>>3194201
I'd rather upgrade something we actually use.
>>
>>3194188
>>3194195
Heh, here's proof of our short attention span.
>>
>>3194212
I would rather upgrade something to give us more versability. Having mutiple weapons so we can change and use when the time is right is more usefull
>>
>>3194132
>>3194139
>>3194148
>>3194157
>>3194158
>>3194192

“Well, I guess if you’re offering,” you quickly speak up, to Izumi’s mild frown. “There’s a weapon I wouldn’t mind upgrading…”

“Then bring it to us, and we will see to it that the Wild knows it well," Sera says. "Though be warned that the Wild is alive as we all are, and it may imbue the object with...unexpected attributes."

"Unexpected?" you raise an eyebrow. "As in...?"

"Nothing limiting- the Wild thinks well of you at the moment. Simply informing you." Her smile is smaller, more mysterious, now.

Well, you have your bag with you, although there’s a couple that aren’t with you...still.

>Gravitic Flamebringer
>Lord’s Rapier
>Knight’s Halberd
>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
>Deadly Yo-Yo Thing
>Manastone Shotgun
>Other
>>
>>3194224
>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
>>
>>3194224
>>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
in a way it's both armor and weapon, since we can still use other weapons while equipping the gauntlets right?
>>
>>3194224
>Manastone Shotgun
Could be useful in Low-Magic worlds, we are already covered in regards of close combat.
>>
>>3194224
>mana stone shotgun
If it does something we don’t like, we still have the mana stone revolver and the rocket launcher.
>>
>Then bring it to us, and we will see to it that the Wild knows it well," Sera says. "Though be warned that the Wild is alive as we all are, and it may imbue the object with...unexpected attributes."

>"Unexpected?" you raise an eyebrow. "As in...?"

Ah!! Knew there was a catch.
>>
>>3194237
Yup. And it will probably be added as another gear for when we equip it and go to another world.
>>
>>3194224
>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
>>
>>3194241
I would rather risk a gear we can easily replace rather then a unique item like the shotgun mana stone.
>>
>>3194224
>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
Better something that we could remake easily rather then something wholly unique to a world.
>>
>>3194251
Unexpected probably means Handler will roll for it's effect. The risk is not that scary.
>>
>>3194253
That's what i think too.
>>
>>3194251
Then can we at least raid an armory to load up on pistols, SMG’s, assault rifles, and grenades on the next world that has them? We have a near bottomless bag and I am frustrated that we aren’t procuring more equipment and weapons from the locals when we could be.
>>
>>3194261
It's of we don't know what the rolls will give. It could be from. Gives the user super strenght or make us able to do earthbending to just giving the gautles sharpnails.
>>
>>3194267
Sure i don't mind. Maybe we get a hightech low-magic world next time. Will be hard because we use our mana a lot and going to low-magic world will have us limited and dependent on weaponry and be forced to watch our mana expenditure.
>>
>>3194224
>>Red Sun Battlegauntlets
>>
>>3194267
Izumi has a couple of clockwork rifles she snagged, we’ll grab one of those off of her when we return. As for the rest, sure, let’s also get some more mines for our rocket launcher, we’re running low on them.
>>
>>3194241
"Truth is... the game was rigged from the start."
>>
>>3194271
I’ve been hoping and praying for the chance to go to a cyberpunk dystopian future world for a while now. Would love to see the portable warcrime they call weapons in those worlds...
>>
>>3194275
>mines for our rocket launcher

I believe you meant more rockets for our rocket launcher.
>>
>>3194283
We can always ask Sal for a job in a setting if we feel like it. I recall we requested him to look for a mission were we could take the kids with us.

It will probably take some time though.
>>
>>3194285
No, actually, I didn’t.

>’Highball’ Anti-Vehicle Rocket Launcher
-A manual guidance only rocket launcher. Its explosive yield is rather impressive, and if anyone else has a Highball brand device, such as the Highball Seeker Mines, or another launcher, it’s standardized laser targeting system allows ‘double duty’ of sorts, allowing someone else to grab control of a launched rocket or other Highball device should an adjustment need to be made on the fly.
>>
Rolled 39 (1d50)

Gauntlets it is! Now, what does the Wild think of them...?
>>
>>3194224
>>Manastone Shotgun
>>
>>3194291
>the Wilds turns them into a pair of grizzlies
>>
>>3194291
Apparently he liked it.
>>
>>3194241
Really wanted to see Izumi's shock when we pull out our shotgun on bears. Alas, there are other allies that know rituals, maybe they can upgrade it later.
My id changed, I already voted for shotgun >>3194240
>>
>>3194299
>>
>>3194295
"This - is my boomstick!"
Yeah, what a missed opportunity.
>>
>>3194339
we need to find ammo for that thing, or adapt it to use our mana.
>>
>>3194359
We bought some firestone-like ammo at the same place we bought the Highball. We should be fine.
>>
>>3194359
We are supposed to have over a hundred peppershots, they just weren't added in the pastebin.
We could also give ammo-gemstones to our crystal enthusiasts to reverse engineer them and find a way to make more.
>>
>>3194371
but if the shotgun works by launching the peppershots as pellets instead of slugs, those peppershots will go away rather quickly.
>>
>>3194376
I think they were stones with a charge that creates peppershot spell.
>>
>>3194376
Heck, let's dive into archives and figure it out.
>>
>>3194376
As far as I remember the stones catalyze a small amount of mana into a specific spell, and the stones burn out when they reach their limit.
>>
>>3194376
>>3194394
>>3194398
>Thread #12
“Well, it’s all the same. Pick a stone, give ‘er a little juice right under ‘ere-” and here he brings up a small area where the grip is; it seems like some kind of grey strip. You’re guessing that’s where to feed your mana in “-and fire. Stone’ll take your mana jus’ like anythin’ else.
>>
>>3194414
oh boy....this is really interesting. It might be a nice project for the girls.
>>
>>3194376
Yeah, no idea how many of these stones wd actually have, description switched to ammout of charges.

>Pepper Stone: 10 bills. Fire ammo. 50 charges.
>Water Stone: 10 bills. Water ammo. 50 charges.
>Shock Stone: 30 bills. Eletric ammo. 30 charges.
>>
>>3194224
Reaching into your draw bag (much to the surprise of the gathered that aren’t Izumi), you decide on a pair of weapons you’d never really used before, but thinking about, would be perfect for this kind of thing. Kind of a twofer, really. The battlegauntlets that you got back during that pro bono job- they’d likely be useful here. “What about these?”

They look at the gauntlets, then to themselves, and nod. “They look most powerful. Set them in the center, and allow us a moment.”

You do so, and when you back off, they bring their hands up, and begin chanting. ‘Wild spirits, hear our plea. We so bring these weapons forth to ask you grant your blessings upon them, that they might protect this land further…” The circle itself begins glowing green, as the etchings within them light up and shine a brilliant yellow. The chanting continues as the light reaches an apex- you have to cover your eyes slightly, even.

You can hear something...else, as well. You’re not sure what, but it’s some sort of whispering presence that you can barely make out at all, even if you can’t understand it. You’re not sure if it’s just you or what, but no one else seems to be worried, not even Izumi.

It takes about fifteen minutes, but eventually the light fades, as does the whispers and what you’re left with are a pair of gauntlets that have clearly grown in sharpness on the nails. They’ve developed softly glowing thorns as well, having sprouted from the tops of the fingers, and are glowing green on the tips. “And so it is done,” Sera says. “Behold these weapons, for protection and engagement alike, and now...for restoration. As what is destroyed, so shall you be able to restore at your will. Be forewarned that the more thorough the destruction, the greater the willpower needed to restore it, for the act of destruction is infinitely easier than that of creation.”

Interesting... you take the gauntlets and slip them on, feeling them out. No difference in weight, but there’s a pleasant slight warmth coming from them now. Izumi looks on in curiosity.”

As though they’d noticed, Sera turns towards her. “And what of you, young Hylinde? We offer the same gratitude to you.”

Almost immediately, she shakes her head. “Oh no, I couldn’t ask such things from you. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“If you are certain,” she says understandingly. “Should your mind change, know that the offer remains open, although much like the seasons, the moment shall have to pass in due time.”

“I understand,” she says, and with that, and a bow from the Circle as farewell, the two of you are led back to the town.

“We don’t have a lot of time left before the march,” Izumi says. “We’re going to need to plan out how we approach the situation.” She’s not wrong. You need to collect more information from your prisoner, and then make plans on how to engage. You’re not sure when Braun will be back, but you can think up some ideas in the meantime.

(Breaking to eat and stuff. Back in about 2 hours or so.)
>>
In fact, we had the shotgun and gauntlets for a while now, they are probably synched with intersection magic already.
>>
>>3194461
well, they have been in the bag the whole time. eh. at least the guantlets seem useful in passive mode. If we infer from what the bears said, seems like they will give a passive bonus to healing and reparing stuff.
>>
>>3194458
Gonna pester you some more by asking to summon Garo, briefing him on spider lore and offering to play a role of their progenitor in our scam.
>>
>>3194458
We should scan the gauntlets with the FarSight so we understand the bonus.
>>
>>3194458
Also there are books to be hoarded. They belong in a library. The Intersection library.
>>
Hey, can anyone remind me about the job where we got these gauntlets? I'm just drawing a blank...
>>
>>3194652
Artificer crossover I think.
Though I could be wrong.
>>
>>3194652
It was a crossover with Starborn quest, they are still running I think. Miranda got hired to babysit a whole cloister of litteral succubi during their tour where they perform reality warping tricks. These 'sirens' were thirsty as hell though, and one of them tried to fuck Miranda to death.
Some kind of evil spirit was haunting these sirens and tried to manifest into physical world through their reality-warping performances. Then Starborn MC turned into a dragon and Miranda decided that she had run out of fucks to give.
The only relevant things for our quest that should be noted is that Sal got assblasted because the siren that tried to fuck us got killed after she was arrested (though there weren't obvious options to prevent it) plus we brought Mono with us.
>>
>>3194728
Ah, yeah, no wonder I missed it. I skipped out of that crossover, it didn't really grab me at the time.

So, how do the gauntlets figure into it?
>>
>>3194728
And we did that job for free too. That crossover still left a bad taste in my mouth.
>>3194766
We got it when grabbing some gear from the local armory I think. Rank of file stuffs.
>>
>>3194766
Honestly don't remember them at all. I speedread through the archive in order to catch up on this quest.
>>
>>3194728
>>3194780
Oh hey, my id changed again.
>>
>>3194779
Now that we're bringing up items from early missions, did we use all of the invisibility potions? I think we started the Prism Girls Mentor mission with three of them and spent only two. Or maybe I'm just a fucking ESL speedreader with no reading retention.
>>
>Behold these weapons, for protection and engagement alike, and now...for restoration. As what is destroyed, so shall you be able to restore at your will. Be forewarned that the more thorough the destruction, the greater the willpower needed to restore it, for the act of destruction is infinitely easier than that of creation.

So we just got a wrapin that is able to restore stuff through our will? That's fucking neat yo! Wonder if it works on people so we are able to restore lost limbs.
>>
>>3194827
I think we used all the potions
>>
>>3194868
we might have one or two left.
>>
>>3194868
>>3194827
Yeah, I think we passed them over to Lorelei on the Dynamic Methods job, the one where she got mind powers and we hired Owlia and Cyclia.
>>
>>3194892
Are you sure? I couldn't find any mention of potions with ctrl+f.
>>3194868
Sorry, but I wouldn't trust a fellow ESL with looking up stuff like that.
>>
>>3194932
I barely remember how many invisible potion we had. I though we had used all of it already.
>>
>>3194939
It wouldn't be the first time that anons forgot about available assets though.
>>
Alright, back.
>>
I just realized that a trickster like Garo is going to love this kind of job. He basicaly has to pretend to be something else so he can trick people and gets to use his shadow as much as he wants to.
>>
>>3194458
Zatzil comes first, however. She’s been isolated in a relatively still intact hut, guarded around the clock, it seems. As you both approach, the guards nod to you and let you through. There’s a third in the room, though aside from meeting eyes with you, he pays you no mind.

Zatzil herself seems to be meditating still- at least at first, although you notice her hands miming at doing...something in the air? It’s almost like typing, but not quite...and it doesn’t remind you of any needlework you’ve ever seen. “Hello again, Sabereye. Swiftrunner.” The latter was her little name for Izumi- apparently she’d tried her own luck with Zatzil independently briefly, but by her own admission was more trying to get her to go turncoat, which had been soundly rebuffed. Seems like there’s a difference to her between helping herself get ahead and putting the entire race under the gun. “More questions, I presume?”

“Got it in one,” you respond as you take a seat. “I’m kinda curious about something you said earlier. You said that Carrang was an ‘imitator elf’. You’re talking about the Shaded Elves, right? Mind explaining that?”

Her expression turns into something close to disgust. “Pah. There is little to explain. In our history, if you do not know, there was once another race on this earth. Elvenkind. They were said to be long lived, you see. And an extensive lifetime breeds much ground for opportunity. It is said that Weavers and Elvenkind well respected each other. Elvenkind were capable of understanding the Great Web...to limited degrees. And so we respected them above any other races. However, they grew eager to understand more. They took to imitating our own practices, and it led them to ruination, as they could not grasp fully the nature of what they were imitating. A great many of them were driven mad, and still others reverted to savagery in their ignorance. Fools and imitators, the lot of them. And yet...their brutality can be of use, at times. So perhaps they merely found a place in the Great Web they were comfortable with?” She shrugs. “It is a matter for scholars, of which I am not one. Regardless, they are brutes and largely incapable of much other than violence and intimidation. Why Lord Kolm chose one to lead his forces at Dulwark is beyond me.”

Huh. Well, that’s...something. “You think she might know anything about the dark pillar coming up from the center?”

“Ah, that?” She smiles thinly. “Largely a boast. A flag, if you will, to delineate the utter conquest of the lands nearby. He enjoys placing a strange structure down, a stone monolith. That is what emanates that shadow. It is said that they increase the might of his shadow forces if they are close by, however I have my suspicions that it is merely for the Lord’s private satisfaction.”

(cont. 2)
>>
>>3195097
“Hm.” Well, that was vaguely relieving. At least it didn’t SOUND like anything too heinous. “Alright, good to know. I was worried it was something like some sort of religious icon that gave you power.”

She actually laughs. “Ahah! Please. Such a thing would be a mark of supplication and humiliation, if so.”

“Whyever so?” Izumi asks, curious.

“Because that is not our way. We revere the First Weaver by continuing to improve our standing in the Great Web. To show that we refuse to be stagnant, that we are ever growing, ever improving, as per her wishes. We honor the Standing Shadows by denying anything that would regress our being. We respect the Progenitors by planning in their name. Thusly, we continue to change and grow, while respecting our ancestry.” She leans back, almost smug. “Does that lesson of our history satisfy you?”

“Almost,” you reply nonplussed. “It sounds like you don’t really do much with rituals like the other races do. Am I wrong about that or no?”

“We have rituals done, much like every other race,” she shrugs. “However, we certainly don’t rely on them as much as SOME OTHERS,” she speaks up, looking squarely at the bear guard in the room. To his credit, he doesn’t even flinch at her goading. “As that would be denying ourselves effort to improve our mental acumen. Mistress Zai is quite knowledgeable in the ritual arts, I’ll have you know.”

“So... no summoning immensely powerful beings at great monetary cost or anything like that?” You venture.

“None. Some old tales about a Standing Shadow in a dream, providing inspiration and the sort, but nothing of your type. Perhaps those Veilspeakers you’re so interested in may have something to that effect, but not the Blackweb,” she responds.

Dang. “Alright. Last question for now. Where’s your treasure?”

A huff of a smile passes her mouth. “It is in my personal retreat, as I said before. It is outside the Blackweb’s traditional clan grounds, but well inside Lord Kolm’s new territory. It lies in an area call the Radiant Valley...though I wager Lord Kolm seeks to adjust that name. It’s rather large, and rather harrowing to get to should you not know where to go. My own personal little hollow and hideaway lies there.”

“Where IN Radiant Valley?” you ask, harshly.

“Somewhere around the center. Or perhaps the end,” she says cheekily. “Although I think there’s a way in through the head of it…” Right.

There’s a moment of silence before you realize she’s not telling you anything else. Great, NOW she finds her spine. Or at least a bit, judging by how she flicks her eyes to Izumi now and again...

> Assure her that she’ll remain alive and unharmed for the duration of the campaign so long as she complies with our demands.
> Ask her who would she need to die in order to become Mistress Zatzil. Just out of, y’know. Curiosity.
> You can work things out from there; no need to keep this guard busy. Kill her now and get ready for tomorrow.
> Other
>>
>>3195105
>Other
>Summon Garotoum >>3194478
>>
>>3195105
> Ask her who would she need to die in order to become Mistress Zatzil. Just out of, y’know. Curiosity.
> Other
What this guy said >>3195110
>>
>>3195105
>> You can work things out from there; no need to keep this guard busy. Kill her now and get ready for tomorrow.
She is far too clever to keep alive. She'll find a way to screw us later if we don't rid ourselves of her now.
>>
>>3195105
> Ask her who would she need to die in order to become Mistress Zatzil. Just out of, y’know. Curiosity.

She wants to climb the web right? Well good for her we want someone to climb and challenge the weaver and get our own faction.
>>
>>3195113
>>3195110
At least ask the bear guard to leave for a moment. Besides Garo doesn't have information of the place yet and he can't pass as a old weaver.
>>
>>3195084
>>3195110
That's what I'm pushing for.
>>
>>3195115
She is already screwing with us. She is doing the play of a double agent passing informarion to who ever was at the end of her typing.
>>
>>3195105
>> Assure her that she’ll remain alive and unharmed for the duration of the campaign so long as she complies with our demands.
>> Ask her who would she need to die in order to become Mistress Zatzil. Just out of, y’know. Curiosity.
Mostly because it would mean creating holes in the enemy command chain. The more leadership we can assassinate, the easier things for us will be.
>>
>>3195122
Add it to >other then. Garo can imply that too much time have passed and their interpretation of progenitors is flawed.
>>
>>3195123
But he doesn't have any information yet. He will just pop in the middle of the room and be himself it will definetly scare Zaz and the bear though.
>>
>>3195105
>> You can work things out from there; no need to keep this guard busy. Kill her now and get ready for tomorrow.

>>3195110
We've had one brief conversation with him in which he tried to screw us. We need to talk to him more off-mission before summoning him on-mission where he could easily cause trouble. He doesn't properly understand the multiverse things, and we don't understand the scope of his powers or captivity. Last thing we need to do is to release a malicious jenie in the middle of a mission.
>>
>>3195119
>challenge the weaver and get our own faction.
There are some 5 other spider factions we are nominally allies with, and she's refused to turncoat already. The second she gets free of us she's going to flee into the darkest hold she can find, or gather as much power as she can in an attempt to protect herself from us.
>>
>>3195135
And then we showed him that his tricks don't work on us. We are his master and his only chance to get out of that ring, why would he fuck us over at first opportunity?
>>
>>3195135
He can't get out of the ring without our help, and he knows that if he fucks us over, we could just dump him in an interdimensional pawnshop.
>>
>>3195134
Cant we simply do the briefing for him outside, then come back to Zatzil? Their lore is not really rocket science material.
>>
>>3195141
Because he’s a trickster demon that hasn’t learned to fear the Dealmakers and their agents?

I mean, he didn’t seem to be too concerned with his situation to me.
>>
About killing Zatzil, didn’t we take this job as a nice thing to do for Izumi? Won’t killing a prisoner without positive proof of said prisoner actively sending info to Kolm be something that would really piss off Izumi?
>>
Trying to sweeten the pot wins just barely, it seems.

Writing!
>>
>>3195151
We're litteraly offering him to work as a trickster. His smugness is just a facade to look important and powerful - that's about how every trickster character works.
>>
>>3195151
And he's not a Demon - he's a Summon. Two different things.
>>
>>3195156
Yes it would. Besides not like they can do much about us. We haven't even pulled the nebula buster card yet and now we just got a upgrade from the bears.

Wonder if each faction we save will give us a weapon upgrade. That would be pretty dope.
>>
>>3195156
No. We already had this conversation last time we took a prisoner. We let them go, and she explicitly asked if we had done it for her sake, and that it wouldn't have bothered her.
>>
>>3195165
She said she didn't expected us to not kill him. Not that it wouldn't have bothered her. Stop saying stuff that wasn't said.
>>
>>3195163
>Wonder if each faction we save will give us a weapon upgrade. That would be pretty dope.

Think about it. Upgrading the Stone Shotgun to shoot poisonous entangling webs with each shot.
>>
>>3195171
Now you are talking my language.
>>
>>3195171
We should scan it with the FarSight when we get a chance to check that the upgrades are permanent or if they’re world-specific.
>>
>>3195105
You sigh, Izumi looking at you cautiously. Tapping your fingers, you decide to finally lay one of your bigger offers on the table. You’re unsure how Izumi will react to it, but… “Alright, then. Let’s say you wanted to become Mistress Zatzil. Besides the obvious, who, exactly, would need to die in order for that to happen?”

There is a long, pregnant pause from Zatzil as she considers your words carefully. “That...is a bold question to put forth. I cannot say I am entirely reluctant to give you an answer...however, that is list of names I am less keen on saying. Perhaps...hm.”

She pauses to think on it briefly, and the bear even seems curious at this point, looking over with naked interest. “There are three whom would allow me an approach were they to...vanish. The Ladies Chira, Malis, and Ferrah, are all three staunch supporters of the Mistress Zai, and of this crusade. Were they to disappear, it would be enough to improve my own standing, considering my survival. However, it would be better for them to suffer humiliation beforehand, in order to improve my own attempts. The less support she has as my own situation were to improve? All the better. None of them are in the area, however. They have given Lord Kolm much of their forces, but the ladies themselves are elsewhere, directing troops and holding territory. Sadly, I know not where they are. But were we to find any of them...” she lets the suggestion hang.

“So long as you pledge to keep your schemes to the Blackweb, we may be willing to assist in your elevation,” Izumi says sharply. “But I would discourage any attempt at trickery towards us. Yvrace is not keen on second chances, and I would not perhaps be able to dissuade her from enacting punishment, in this case.” Ahhhh. So that’s why she’s just been quiet. Good cop/bad cop, of a sort.

“Warriors, I can assure you I will cooperate, so long as I am kept alive and in good health in preparation for the future.” She shudders, briefly. “...I am not a fan of seeing Death’s eyes up close, you see.” And briefly, the image of Zatzil, cowering and whimpering, begging for the slaughter of her subordinates over herself, fills your head. It’s a stark contrast to the calm, self-assured, and near imperious spider-lady that’s in front of you right now, looking for all the world like she’s in control of the situation. Heck, she might think she really is.

But you can work with that. “We’ll make sure your stay is as painless as can be.”

(cont.)
>>
>>3195277
“Then perhaps I can bid you both a good day?” You frown, but considering you’ve got little else to ask- oh, wait.

“Almost forgot,” you say, pulling out the yo-yo weapon in your bag. “What IS this?”

“Ah, that device? It is a ‘Shu-rith’. In the old tongue, it means ‘web cutter’. A advancement of a historical weapon, made by early Blackweb to utilize sharp rocks and other detritus in combination with their own natural webbing. That was...I cannot remember her name, but she was one of the few that still utilized the device. Although it seems to have been made with something other than said webbing… anything else?”

“No, nothing,” you say, and you both walk out.

“Do you really think we should try to install a new ruler?” Izumi asks. “It seems...risky, to say the least.”

“Better than who’s on the throne now...I think,” you admit. Whether that turned out to be true or not? That remains to be seen.

The rest of the evening is quiet, and in the morning as you get up and head outside, Izumi close by, Braun is resting on a small bench nearby, alongside a younger, but equally as armored lady bear with him. You hadn’t really seen them before, but you suspect that’s just you not paying her much attention. “Ah, hello!” speaking of attention, though. Seems like she’s noticed you. “You are the one my father told me of! I am Kana. I must thank you greatly for your efforts the other day- and today I may repay you. There was a note by messenger bird, just a bit earlier. The humans are ready, and in position. They will strike at noon- just enough time for us to get there and surprise the forces of darkness, right as the sun is highest!”

“Ah, good news!” Izumi says cheerily. “Then we’ll be ready to move when you are. Although I am wondering about the prisoner...”

“She will stay here,” Braun says, and his tone indicates the finality on the matter. “However, I am curious as to your own intentions. We would prefer you fight alongside us again. However, I make no claim to leadership over you- you have proven yourselves enough to grant that much.”

> “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
> “What she said. We’ll ride with you, give your forces a major opening that the enemy either has to ignore or get wasted by us.”
> “Kinda think we’ll do the same thing as before. Hylinde rides with you, I go alone to harass the enemy and make them think I’m trying to be a hero.”
> Other
>>
>>3195278
> “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
>>
Oof, actually, I think I might call it for today. Resuming tomorrow.
>>
>>3195278
> “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
>Other
Ask them if they have books about treir history, rituals or something interesting
>>
>>3195284
Night, boss! Don't be a stranger!
>>
>>3195278
> “What she said. We’ll ride with you, give your forces a major opening that the enemy either has to ignore or get wasted by us.”

Glad to see that the bear guy realize that brigging a spider that is able to send message to the other spiders is a bad idea.
>>
>>3195285
>>3195282
I kinda want to befriend the bears...
>>
>>3195301
I kinda wanted you to change your vote several times in this tread too. Tough luck.
>>
>>3195301
Don’t get me wrong, they’re cool and they’ve got some sweet rituals. I’m just thinking the less bear casualties there are, the better.
>>
>>3195306
Wow domeone is mad. Don't worry buddy one day you will get thing your way.

>>3195313
Hmm...i guess you are right.
>>
>>3190878
It's shocked me that we haven't bothered to learn more techniques on jobs. Like we learned rune writing on that one world, but other than that quite frankly I think we've been looking down on other places magic because they're weak, but that doesn't mean they're unskilled.
>>
It's might be a wild guess, but according to what Handler said earlier in this thread:

>I swear Gartoum's appearance and these guys' whole shadow thing wasn't intentional. It just kinda worked out that way. Blame multiverse RNG.

>But I WILL say this is another world in which I particularly enjoyed making the NPCs and I hope you meet a number of them! As thin as information is so far, as well, I hope you're interested just as much.

Which might imply that this mission was prepared somewhere last year, maybe just after Artificer crossover. Knowing that Garotoum appeared less than a month ago due to bizzare streak of critical rolls, there is a legit reason why there are no options to summon him present on this mission. Maybe Handler subconsiously added number of traits from local spidertaurs to Garo, and now he fits just too well in this adventure. So well that he can easily derail this whole mission arc in a way that is not salvageable and/or resulting in missing all the stuff that Handler prepared for us.
Thus I came to a conclusion that Garotoum is literaly the manifestation of multiverse RNG fuckery that could not be adjusted into working out in current narrative and that summoning him should wait until we get back to the Intersection.

tl;dr Garo has Henderson score of >0 on this mission and should be ignored till later.
>>
>>3191142
Manafoil hat? To keep the Gubmint outta our brain!

Hey, what happens if we put a glob of sticky mana on someone's head then rapidly cycle the frequency?
>>
>>3195278
>> “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”

>>3195337
Make a whiney post, get an annoyed response. At least give an argument for your vote if you don't want similar responses in the future.
>>
>>3195278
> “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
>>
>>3195391
The fault lies on the fickle RNG gods! They are responsible for all that is wrong ever. Even choises and options provided by QM's narrative are not safe from their whims! The only way to salvation is through creating our own meta-driven options for all character actions!
Glory to The >Other Option!
All hail The >Other!

...what? No, I'm not affiliated with quest-hijackers and their apologists!
>>
>>3195433
I think you may have replied to the wrong post.
>>
>>3195391
Who's Gubmint? And what do you mean by mana frequency? Harmonization?
>>
>>3195522
Tinfoil hat -> mana hat.

Gubmint -> government

Flux wave works by rapidly switching mana frequencies, but now that we can harmonize mana, what would happen if we put some sticky mana on either side of a person(?)s head and then rapidly cycled those frequencies? Gore free torture? Would they act differently if we just cycled it slower or rapidly switched between two frequencies vs strobing multiple frequencies? I have questions. Science magic questions. Questionably ethical questions.

Can we cover someone's head/face with sticky mana to suffocate or blind them?
>>
>>3195532
Can we manaboard someone?

What about intentionally irradiating them with mana?
>>
>>3195278
>“I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
>>
>>3195400
Okey dokey.
>>
>>3195278
>“I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
>Other: "Can you show us where you plan to attack from? We can attack elsewhere, force them to weaken their other defenses and be out of position."
>>
>>3195278
Supporting >>3195755
>>
>>3195755
>>3195402
Changing my vote to include this.

>>3195278
>>
run will begin in about a half hour.
>>
>>3195532
I'm sure Owlia would be thrilled to research this
>>
File: Dulwark.png (1.28 MB, 2847x2764)
1.28 MB
1.28 MB PNG
Got delayed due to need to replace an oven.

>>3196535
You look to Izumi, considering. “I think maybe we should move ahead of the army again. We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.” It saves time, and while they might bring a lot of their big guns to bear immediately, that could work out in your favor if you’re able to neutralize them before the mass forces get there.

“Seems like a plan, though we’ll have to be careful to not just run in and get bogged down,” Izumi suggests. “If we plan our strikes well, we can heavily disorient them- perhaps even get a decapitating strike if we’re lucky.”

You have to admit, the prospect is alluring. With that in mind, you turn to Braun. "Can you show us where you plan to attack from? We can attack elsewhere, force them to weaken their other defenses and be out of position."

“I can,” he says, and motions to his daughter, who pulls out a map from a satchel on her hip. Presenting it, you can see the general outline of the area. “We cannot mount a direct attack on the gate; they would see us coming and destroy us all too quickly. Our intention is work in tandem with the forest, to strike from the northeast; their defenses will be weakest there. Our plan was to secure the outlying area, draw their forces and position several of our Oakbreakers to possibly breach the wall. Once we do that, we will make to encircle the town with our human allies attacking from the west. We will then congregate and push the shadows out.”

Hm.

>Any suggestions to their tactics?

>Proceed to engage.
>>
>>3196675
>Proceed to engage
>>
>>3196675
We came from west, right? Does that mean that human armies will atack from that side?
>>
>>3196682
Anon, please put more thought into this engagement. There is a reason Handler provided us with the map.
>>
>>3196686
Yes.

Also, as a preface: The center is obvious. The outer wall buildings are all barracks. The large building to the center top right is a temple, apparently.

The lower leftmost 'square' area are 'slums', and the upper right where they intend to breach is civilian homes, where apparently many mortal enemy soldiers have taken for themselves. Upper left is also homes, and bottom right are buildings for various official duties and whatnot.

The rest are various businesses and homes.
>>
>>3196675
That shadow pillar is supposed to be some sort of monument, which could mean that it is placed in the town square (small circle) or the town hall (the biggest building to the top-left of that circle). If we feel extra daring, we could fly in and destroy it, boosting morale of our allies and seriously pissing of that dark elf lady.
>>
>>3196701
Though I hope anons would come up with more plans of their own.
>>
>>3196688
I would just cause more problem i'm not good at strategy. Only thing i can think is using Garo to force the shadow creatures to fight each other.
>>
>>3196703
I mean, we could attack a gate and pretend to get wounded, drawing them out for Izumi to spring a surprise attack on.

That's sure to distract them from the Bears, especially since after wiping them out we can resume attacking the gate.
>>
>>3196700
Were are the captured civilians? In the slums?
>>
>>3196675
Do you have an idea if there are any civilians left in Dulwark, either imprisoned or local resistance? Where exactly would they be located?
>>
>>3196722
>>3196731

"We're not sure entirely, but we believe so. The last reports we got before we came under siege were that civilians were being herded in that area."
>>
>>3196675
Also we need to consider that spider-Mistress would at least warn them about surviving bears and could send orders to fix that gap ob their defences that bear's plan rely on. The Elf could countermand it since she's in charge of occupation but the spidertaurs would probably listen to their Mistress and goad those who don't by threats of insubordination to her authority.
No idea how to help humans with the western wall. Even if they breach it they would bog in slums anyways.
The fly-in plan works purely on wishful thinking. If it is somehow chosen then I'd suggest finding fly-path with lowest density of archers that defenders could deploy.
>>
>>3196738
So unknown numbers of civilians and their location. I guess going through the slums would just put then in more danger.

Or it could help us protrect then and avoid that the enemy use the civilians as meat shields.
>>
>>3196738
Mind if I ask what they typically do with their captives?
>>
>>3196746
"We're unsure, but we know they don't kill them immediately. The popular rumor is that they use them to fuel their dark energies somehow."

(Voting will close in 30 minutes since this is a final check and I'll be going late if possible.)
>>
If our attack is supposed to just be a diversion, what if we attack the west gate? We simply use a big enough magiblast, low-powered Nebula Buster, or some magiwaves, and we just blow open the gate. The defenders won't be able to ignore firepower of that magnitude.
>>
>>3196755
>>3196754 Or that.
>>
>>3196744
Breaking in through the southern wall is the fastest way to the central square and the hall. It doesn't allign with bears or humans angles of attack, but I suspect we need to circle around the city to do it first.
>>
>>3196755
Well fuck me and my big mouth.
>>
>>3196675
How are they planning to attack a wall segment? Siege ladders? Ritual Magic? Or are the walls wood and they're just going to smash them?

Rough composition of the bears, humans, and enemy, as best we know? Calvary could be useful in swinging to the south after the battle starts, as that gate should be lightly defended, if at all. Ranged units could be important for softening the enemy on the walls. Siege shields would be useful for closing with the walls.
>>
>>3196758
>>3196755
>>3196761
So since we will be approaching from the bears's side (north east), how about we start blowing up their gates, going counter-clockwis from eastern gate>northern gate>western gate>breaking southern wall near that T-shaped building and rushing to the center to destroy shadow-pillar? It would help bears in the north east, humans in the west and we draw attention to the south.
>>
>>3196775
>tactics for us
I figure we attack the south east wall or south gate to draw defenders away before the battle starts. Once it does, we should attack the West or East gate, clear it of defenders and open it to allow our allies through. Assuming nothing has gone wrong by this point, we should go to the other gate and do the same. That should wrap things up pretty quick.
>>
>>3196761
With our speed and our wings we could easily sneak to the southern wall and jump/fly into the less defended part of the wall.

Point us do we want to be a sneaky strike force to cripple the big bads from the inside our make noise and distract the enemy?

Because if we manage to take the southwall we could easily link to the attacking forces by taking the wall/distracting it and once the gates are open we continue to move toward the center.
>>
>>3196783
I think we should concentrate on one side. If we destroy all the gates then it would be obvious that we're doing it as distraction. If we only attack one point, then it'll be easier to draw attention to ourselves.
>>
>>3196783
Focusing in one point would be better. IF the place we are atracking is lightly defended and we manage to overwell the defenders i guess we could link with either the bears or the human forces.
>>
>>3196792
Wouldn't destroying their shadow pillar help more? Like, it's supposed to empower their shadows somehow, possibly.
>>
>>3196783
>>3196788 (there is no southern gate maybe you meant easter one)
>>3196792
>>3196793
Then maybe we should attack south- eastern wall, clear eastern gates, maybe break the wall near southwestern farms, and then rush to the center to destroy the pillar and challenge the elven commander?
>>
>>3196806
*southeastern farms
Heh, easter gates.
>>
>>3196806
For some reason I had the gates flipped 180.

Ideally we should be attacking as far away from where the bears and humans will be as possible. If we can make a breach somewhere on the southern arc, that would work great, but if the walls are stone thick enough to walk on we may not be able to without burning a lot of mana.
If we can get our allies inside the walls we should be able to clean house, no need for a 1v1.


Are the bulges along the walls defense towers?
>>
>>3196802
It would but we can't be sure that the powerfull guys won't be protecting it or if us being able to assist and help the humans push faster toward the center would be better.

I take that we can take care of ourselfs but this will be a long campaing and the more men we havr in our disposal the better. In another words it would be to choose if going after the pillar or protecting the soldiers would be a better plan and considering that the shadows and the enemy in general without empowerment already cause trouble to our allies supporting then would be a better way to ensure they aren't overwhelmed.

>>3196806
Sounds like a plan.
>>
>>3196816
We have wings and probably can easily jump over the walls.
>>
>>3196816
Also humans are comming from West and the bear from Northeast.

So we can attack south and then if we manage to break the enemy defense link up either the bears or the humans. I would go with the bears since they are the ones with less numbers.
>>
Alright, writing.

Also it seems like we have no complaints about their tactics, but plenty of suggestion for our own.
>>
>>3196825
Oh fuck we tunnel-visioned and forgot that we could suggest bears to try something different.
>>
>>3196819
We can, yes, but a breach in the southern arc would force them to split off troops to counter us and defend it after we leave, leaving less defenders for the actual attack points. Divide and conquer. Plus the south should be lightly defended anyway, so even if we can breach it we should still divert plenty of troops.

>>3196825
Yea, sounds fine. We don't know enough about our or their force composition to make a more informed decision.
>>
>>3196835
You worry to much i think. Besides this enemy commander is more a bruiser not a strategist like Zai from the Weavers.
>>
>>3196838
i thought that we and Izumi would be the only ones doing the attack.

If it's only us i don't see a need to breka the wall when the two armies (Humans and Bears) are all focused on the North and Wet side gate
>>
>>3196842
And you worry too little. I still remember how you suggested to deal with the abomination earlier this thread by placing a single barrier in front of it and saying 'you shall not pass'.
>>
>>3196845
>We’ll soften up the occupying forces, and you guys come in as scheduled for the knockout blow.”
If is reasonable to attempt, a breach would be another point of entry they would be forced to defend, and as we'd just blown it they would assume someone was going to attack from that way, forcing them to shift even more defenders to the south, far away from any actual attackers.
>>
>>3196852
So? It worked in the end.
>>
“Alright. I’ve got some ideas for our own plays, but we’ll leave you all to do your thing,” you decide, “so we’ll prep and start setting out. We’ll move quietly, and probably attack a bit before you’re scheduled to show up.” No clocks in this world, so you’ll have to guesstimate and hope for the best- although you doubt they’ll be very strict with timing. “We’ll get some food then prepare to move out.”

Some time later, as the troops are marshalled and proceed to prepare to march, you look back where Zatzil is. You’re hoping that her opinion of Carrang isn’t just bias...if not, you might be able to help make this quick and clean. “Alright, time for us to get going,” you say to Izumi. “Here’s hoping they can make it down the mountain in decent time. I don’t like leaving the horses here, but…”

“They should be fine,” Izumi assures as you start descending the cliff face. “Now, what’s the plan for us? I was thinking we divide and conquer…”

“Read my mind,” you confer. “We sneak around to the southernmost area, breach the wall, just generally raise a ruckus. We’ll force them to split their numbers into more manageable chunks. Might see about destroying their big pillar, too. Might draw out the boss herself.”

It’s not too long before you hit the base of the mountain, and from there you need to maneuver to the south, in order to begin enacting your initial diversion… “Ready?” you look at Izumi, blade already drawn.

“Let’s move,” she says, and the two of you proceed under the forest cover. You're going to need to keep a close eye out for any enemy forces nearby or patrolling...

>Roll 2d20, best of 3.
>>
>>3196862
Still blowing the wall means that we will need to stay to fix it if we want to hold this place.

Even if i doubt that walls do any shit to stop shadows from getting inside a place.
>>
Rolled 7, 6 = 13 (2d20)

>>3196869
rollin
>>
Rolled 17, 2 = 19 (2d20)

>>3196869
>>
Rolled 6, 8 = 14 (2d20)

>>3196869
>>
Rolled 1, 18 = 19 (2d20)

>>3196869
>>
>>3196872
>>3196873
>>3196874
17, 8
Awkward.
>>
>>3196877
Did Randa slogged behind?
>>
>>3196869
>>3196872
>>3196873
>>3196874
It’s less easy than you’d prefer; the closer you get to the town, the more guard presence nearby, most of them human. No shadows, for whatever reason, and precious few Weavers- you’ve seen maybe two. Still, it seems that egotism or not, Carrang at least looked to have a strong watch out. “We may have to ambush in order to get past the eastern road,” Izumi mutters as another patrol walks out of earshot. “We’re going far too slow for my comfort regardless.”

“Any way we could get around the other direction?” you wonder.

“Probably will take too long. I can move quicker than you, but if we’re staying together, we might have to choose a slightly different path.” Hm. You aren’t a fan of that…

“Move as best you can, I’ll get there. Just hold position until it’s time,” you decide. She frowns, and initially starts to say something, but pauses and nods, and darts out of cover as you push forwards as well. She’s way more used to this stealthy stuff…

The eastern road is, at the very least, densely wooded in part, and it’s there that Izumi moves towards, leaping across the road utilizing the high branches of the trees- just managing to cross before there’s a sudden noise nearby.

Stuck behind the treeline, your gaze goes towards the road itself, right near the gates. From the looks of things, there’s a number of human guards walking out; why, you aren’t sure, but...ah.

They form a position, and one of them starts barking formations, and they fall into a training regime. Well, nuts. Izumi’s already gone ahead, and now you’re stuck here with a strong risk of getting caught if you move. You’re going to have to do something…! Well, aside from informing Izumi, that goes without saying.

>Tell her to proceed as planned, and you’ll wait for her start. Risky, but could make things that much more effective.
>You’ll need to hold off until they’re finished, although who knows how long that’d take.
>Well, they’re right here- call her back, and we can double team them and start things early!
>Other
>>
>>3196934
>Tell her to proceed as planned, and you’ll wait for her start. Risky, but could make things that much more effective.
>>
>>3196934
Other: Summon Garo and have him use his shadow magic to make us able to sneak around better.
>>
>>3196934
>>Tell her to proceed as planned, and you’ll wait for her start. Risky, but could make things that much more effective.

>>3196944
Good idea. We're ahead of our allies, and it's a good chance to see what he can do.
>>
>>3196951
Besides maybe the shadow pillar will empower him too?
>>
>>3196934
>>Tell her to proceed as planned, and you’ll wait for her start. Risky, but could make things that much more effective.
>>
>>3196957
Or he could drain the power out of it to use against our enemies or reverse the flow to suck out the energy from the shadow imps.
>>
>>3196963
Maybe he could end up even controlling the shadow imps. Who knows? I guess this is the best time to try and figure out.
>>
>>3196944
Yeah, no. I'm not letting go of my conspiracy theorist tinfoil hat >>3195388
Not unless there are more followers of The >Other option.
>>
>>3196934
>Tell her to proceed as planned, and you’ll wait for her start. Risky, but could make things that much more effective.
>>3196944
Tempting but not something I think Miranda would want to try in the middle of a coordinated strike. Maybe if we had bothered to get him out and talk to him about it beforehand.
>>
>>3196944
I know you all are desperate to use him, but in the middle of a sneaking mission is not the time. Try voting to talk to him during a quiet moment or something. We don't know what he can do besides "maybe shadow powers", and we don't have a full understanding of the rules of his confinement. We don't even know if he'd be willing to help.
>>
>>3196974
There is no one besides us here and we are on the other side of the attacking force.
>>
>>3196976
I figured we could ask him to do something or not. But is everyone is so afraid of using him wr can just do it another time. Not like this chumps can do anything against us and the dark lord forces are all over the country so we will have plenty of engagements to use him.
>>
>>3196976
There never IS a quiet moment. Almost every moment on a job we have to talk to someone, fight something, or go somewhere. Here, we've got nobody else around who might raise a fuss, and we're trying to stealth our way in (something we're not at all skilled at), and we're not using him.
>>
Plan continues.

Writing!
>>
>>3196995
I'm sure that there will be a down time once we take back Dulkward back. After all the humans and bears will need to organize themselfs to go help the lizard and probably take care of the wounded and arrange a group to stay to protect/guard the town once the army starts to move again.
>>
>>3196982
We have organized a plan of attack with OTHER PEOPLE, introducing such an unknown factor that could mess it up when we don't need to is irresponsible.
>>
>>3197049
Dunno why you continue to discuss the subject when we already moved pass it...
>>
>>3196999
“Crap.” You’ve got to let her know, and you quickly fish out out one of your murmur stones. “Hylinde, you there?” Silence. “Hylinde?”

There’s a few tense moments you think she might not realize, but then it glows slightly. “I’m here. What’s up?”

“You got across just in time. Big military group came out, looks like they’re training outside the gates.” You give a quick check to your surroundings; nothing coming your way. “Might be stuck out here for a bit. Continue as planned; there’s a chance we can make this into a big hit if we time it right.”

“Right, I see what you’re going for,” you hear. “I’ll begin breaching in 3 minutes. Be ready to move.”

“Understood. Out.” The line is shut, and from there, it’s a matter of patience…

Sure enough, after counting down in your head, a massive rumble comes from the south, where you intended to set up. That’s probably your signal, then, as the men nearby suddenly shout in alarm, the bald man at the head of them immediately ordering them back inside as they begin to race to the entrance, and a number of shadows immediately begin to form around them; almost like they’re guards or the sort, even.

Showtime.

>Surprise the procession once their backs are all turned, a magi-wave in the back should handle it nicely!
>Wait until they’re getting through the gates and blast them in the back to draw more individuals and worry your way.
>You can use this opportunity to set a few traps, perhaps...that’ll help even the playing field a touch!
>Other
>>
>>3197082
>>Surprise the procession once their backs are all turned, a magi-wave in the back should handle it nicely!
>>
>>3197082
>Surprise the procession once their backs are all turned, a magi-wave in the back should handle it nicely!
>>
>>3197082
>Surprise the procession once their backs are all turned, a magi-wave in the back should handle it nicely!

Better not attract to much. They can still drown us in bodies if they have enough of those.
>>
>>3197082
>Surprise the procession once their backs are all turned, a magi-wave in the back should handle it nicely!
>>3197076
It's a matter of education. You are presumably going to keep contributing.
>>
Rolled 14, 20, 9 = 43 (3d20)

Plain enough. Writing!

Also rolling.
>>
>>3197122
>20

Uh-Oh.I sure hope that was for Izumi.

>>3197105
Sure whatever you say buddy.
>>
>>3197122
Who are these rolls for though?
>>
>>3197130
Hopefully anyone but the enemy. Or maybe enemy encounter? Who knows?
>>
>>3197082
>>3197088
>>3197089
>>3197097
>>3197105
Timing...timing...now! As you leap out, a pair of waves follow- there are a few that dive to the sides, having sensed your reveal, but a large swath of the platoon is wiped out almost immediately; several of the shadows survive, however, as well as the captain, who’s already retreating with a couple of his men past the gate- you let loose a few magiblasts in pursuit, but they splash against the rock wall, send parts of it crumbling, but not quite collapsing. There’s a few that are still out there that you quickly mop up, but the fact that a couple are escaping isn’t a good thing. You’re going to need to catch up to them- although as a great yelling in the distance is heard, you have to imagine they’re being thrown into chaos right now, as you decide to breach the gates yourself, seeking to keep low to the ground in the overcast town.

As you swing through the side streets, cutting down the occasional panicking patrol, you have to admit, you’ve seen much better coordinated responses. It’s clear that the invading force was expecting one thing and got quite another, as you can see a number of passing patrols fully focused on making it to the southern wall; their focus is such that it’s not all that hard to hide from them, and by the time you’ve worked your way near the center plaza, you have to imagine that a large chunk of the army is there...which probably isn’t good. An explosion suddenly rocks the southern area, and a massive yellow/gold wall of mana goes up- Izumi’s Rajomon, clearly.

Shaking you out of your considerations, you hear a faint roar far off to the north. Looking in that direction, you’re almost surprised to see a massive overgrowth of vines seemingly snaking up and down the northwest wall. So THAT’S how they planned to get in…? How did they set that up so fast? Hell, you can already see a few furry bodies coming up and over...

As you funnel to the center of the town, you have to admit that things are good for you at the moment- despite the non-presence of the human army. Still, best to take advantage of the lack of attention while it lasts…

>Move to reinforce Izumi- throwing up her barrier so early can’t be a good sign.
>Get to the plaza center and smash that shadow pillar- that’s gonna definitely pull them to attention at you, though.
>Help the bears smash through everything ASAP; if the occupiers realize things are going to pot fast, they’ll shift priorities in a heartbeat.
>Other
>>
>>3197186
>>Get to the plaza center and smash that shadow pillar- that’s gonna definitely pull them to attention at you, though.
I wonder what a flux wave would do to these shadow imps?
>>
>>3197186
>Get to the plaza center and smash that shadow pillar- that’s gonna definitely pull them to attention at you, though.
>>
>>3197186
>Get to the plaza center and smash that shadow pillar- that’s gonna definitely pull them to attention at you, though.
>>
>>3197186
>Move to reinforce Izumi- throwing up her barrier so early can’t be a good sign.
>>
>>3197186
>>Move to reinforce Izumi- throwing up her barrier so early can’t be a good sign.
>>
>As you funnel to the center of the town, you have to admit that things are good for you at the moment- despite the non-presence of the human army
>non-presence of the human army

Wonder if we can take the place before the humans arrive.
>>
Breaking things. Writing!
>>
>>3196758
> low-powered Nebula Buster,

Is this even possible?
>>
>>3197299
Isn't nebula buster supposed to be a supercharged regular blast?
>>
>>3197250
Best thing to do, you figure, is get eyes on someone else. And since you’re the closest person around…

...hm. That was sort of a joke. Regardless, there’s an easy solution to this problem, and as you break into a run towards the center of the plaza, it’s right in front of you. Won’t be for very long, though.

Your velocity only adds to the crushing impact when you swing your fist at the giant, vase-like structure spewing shadowstuff into the air, shattering a side of it thoroughly and immediately blanketing the surrounding area of the plaza in thick, dark smoke...a brief energy channel does wonders to ward away the miasma surrounding you, but as things clear up somewhat, you can hear shouting coming towards you, as well as a few cheers, even. The battle is far from over, though- especially because you can hear the growling and chittering of a horde of shadow imps…

As they form from the nooks and crannies and hidden places, you draw your halberd, staring them down as they creep closer. They’re even joined by a few armored humans, their black and silver armor glittering darkly- and it’s now that you notice shadowy veins around their eyes, pronounced and bulging. “A poor decision, girl…” one of the soldiers says mockingly. “The punishment for such a heresy is death.”

Well, you at least just need to hold out until reinforcements come yourself.

>Roll 2d20, best of 3.
>>
Rolled 1, 14 = 15 (2d20)

>>3197304
here we go
>>
Rolled 20, 1 = 21 (2d20)

>>3197304
>>
>>3197300
Yeah but I think there's like, a criticL tipping point to create it. You can't order like, half a nebula buster with salad.

I wonder, if the pillar DOES affect shadows, what would a flux wave do? On the plus side, for once we can use flux wave without worrying about friendly fire.
>>
Rolled 13, 16 = 29 (2d20)

>>3197304
>>
>>3197311
20, 1
Checked.
Impressive.
>>
Rolled 6, 13, 2, 8, 4, 11, 3, 19, 1, 16, 16, 1, 17, 2, 8, 18, 2, 17, 18, 19, 13 = 214 (21d20)

>>3197311
>>3197309
I don't know what to make of these rolls lol.
>>
Yeah that'll work. Last post for tonight.

Writing!
>>
>>3197304
>>3197309
>>3197311
>>3197317
Almost immediately you’re charged by a pair of swordsmen, both of which are deflected and you shift the motion into a spin in order to eliminate a wave of shadows leaping at you. That’s essentially the trigger; almost as one the entirety of the group lunges as you, and you’re forced to take to the air briefly to escape their grasp- a few magiblasts send bodies scattering as you create some space, and from there you start swinging, having to dodge several lunges and even some black goop spat at you from some strange, new, elongated shadow creatures; two of such in the front are cleaved in two in short order, but that hardly stems the tide.

It’s clear that you did in fact get a lot of attention your way; it seems like there’s a good mass of soldiers coming from the streets, and soon you’re going to be facing off more with steel than with shadow, even. You’re going to need to gain some space and get them off you-

Suddenly a loud roar echoes through the streets to the west; almost as one a number of the soldiers look in surprise- just enough for you to remove a few heads in their distraction and resume the fight in earnest. You’re not sure what just happened, but more swords come at you before you can guess, forcing you to give ground bit by bit. You might have to start breaking out the big guns for this-

“HA! Rat bastard, so you’re the one fucking everything up? You and your damn friend there?!” Up and to your right on a rooftop a bit away comes a voice, surprisingly enough. It’s rough and coarse and yet slightly feminine; the owner matching that description physically as well. An ashy grey, her hair is rough and scraggly, and she has strange cracks of a sort running down her arms and legs, as though her skin were stone and worn. Dressed in lightweight, black dyed leather armor as well, and wielding an ornate longsword, with a blood red center. On her off-arm is some sort of buckler shield. Her eyes are a rich orange, similar to what you’ve seen before on the bigger shadow creatures, and she grins a near feral grin at you. “Well, fuckin’ bold of you to think you could just waltz in here, into MY town- even WITH your fucking friends! ‘Cause now, you’re all just walkin’ to your graves!”

Well. THIS would be Carrang, one could presume.

Thanks, all. Run continues Wednesday. Tomorrow will be busy for me.
>>
>>3197430
We'll be ready for anything that she can throw at us, boss! And by that I mean we'll be looking up anti-elven slurs! Maybe prepare some shitty shadow themed puns as well!
"Why are you so mad? Did your granny steal another one of your dimwit boyfriends? Well, he could have just mixed two of you up - you're in the same age category with her after all. It wouldn't surprise me, since you knife-ears are just not very bright."
>>
>>3197430
>"I would say that those words are impressive... but so far you haven't being able to impress me."
>>
I hope we're wearing the gauntlets
>>
>>3197430
> A) I'm the reinforcements for them, not the other way around. B) This isn't your town, not since I walked in her. C) Solar Flare!

Then proceed to rush her down and beat on her while she's blinded.
>>
>>3197563
I wonder if the gautlet restorative power would allow us to retore a shade elf back into a normal elf...
>>
>>3197430
“That’s a real nice sword, Carrang. It’s going to look real nice on my belt.”

Pulls out Flamebringer.
>>
>>3197597
> cross swords with Flamebringer, using an overhand strike to place it on top of hers.

> activate gravity gem. Drop Flamebringer suddenly, knocking her sword down

> proceed with punching really, REALLY hard.

Welcome to the jungle.
>>
>>3197631
Even better: we bring out the Flamebringer, but we don’t ignite it until we’re face to face crossing swords. That way we can get a pretty nice view of her face when she realizes “Oh fuck, you got a flaming sword?!”
>>
I've got the perfect situation for us to use Gart!

All we need to do is have another bad movie night with our coworkers, and we can see how well he can snark to Murder Mice of Slaughter Hills. Foolproof!
>>
>>3198836
How do you delete someone else's post?
>>
Howdy, folks. I'll start writing in 30.

Man, this thread is a big one.
>>
>>3200285
Hello, boss. Thanks for your previous run. Sure been some time since anons had to come up with a big plan of their own.
>>
>>3197430
You’re tempted to say something to her; but you can’t forget you’re still surrounded. Not that they’re a major threat, but they have proved to be...annoying without going overboard, at the least. It seems like they’ve stopped for whatever reason, though- presumably to let the girl grandstand a bit. Sounded like she was very much all about her. “I dunno how those fuzzy idiots managed to get through that invasion, but frankly? Doesn’t matter. Just lets me kill them myself! And as for you and your weird self, I’m gonna…”

>Let her keep talking- dull as she is, she’s wasting time for herself and her army.
>...Really, if she’s just going to leave herself open like that, then you’ll take the invite.
>Wonder if you can goad her into a one on one? She seems like she’d take the bait easy enough…
>Other
>>
>>3200332
>Wonder if you can goad her into a one on one? She seems like she’d take the bait easy enough…
>>
>>3200332
>...Really, if she’s just going to leave herself open like that, then you’ll take the invite.
I think we should attempt a magi-beam
>>
>>3200332
>>...Really, if she’s just going to leave herself open like that, then you’ll take the invite.
Monologuing is a stupid idea, no matter who you are. Let's teach her a lesson.
>>
>>3200332
>>...Really, if she’s just going to leave herself open like that, then you’ll take the invite.
>>
>>3200332
>Wonder if you can goad her into a one on one? She seems like she’d take the bait easy enough…
It'll be good for morale.
>>
>>3200332
>...Really, if she’s just going to leave herself open like that, then you’ll take the invite.
Hit her hard, then give her enough time to breathe and to listen.

“Talking instead of fighting is amateur hour horseshit. Shut up and fight.”
>>
Talk is cheap and you are expensive.

Writing.
>>
>>3200332
>>3200340
>>3200341
>>3200343
>>3200354
If there’s one thing you can’t stand nowadays…

Wordlessly, you toss your hand up, a single finger extended. A beam immediately zips out, and her face is frozen in confusion and surprise when it pierces her side. “Make yo-ugh!?

You were going for her heart, to be honest, but she was being very emotive with her body.

Almost the entirety of the human forces there jump back in surprise, and even Carrang herself seems as though she’s not quite understanding what just happened, blinking owlishly. “What the…?” She looks down at her injury, and she has a dawning look of confusion, and quite possibly dread on her face. “O-oh...oh no...oh damn, this hurts…” She wavers briefly, and collapses on the roof then and there- you don’t think she’s dead, but she’ll been passing on shortly without immediate medical care.

The sounds of battle rage around you as suddenly a mass of the shadow imps howl, and slip away, oddly enough, melting into the shadows or otherwise scampering off. As for the remaining human forces...they seem rather cowed, now, all of a sudden, although several of them are trying to inch forward, as though they can take you by surprise…

>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)
>Time to clean up the rest of them, then. Clear the way for the Bearkin and the humans; they don’t need the extra hassle.
>Other

Yeah, this wouldn't have been a choice with lower Intimidation.
>>
>>3200391
>>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)
"Please note, I did that with out even breaking a sweat. Would you like me to show you what WOULD?"
>>
>>3200391
>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)
>>
>>3200391
>>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)
>>
>>3200391
>>3200403
Oh yeah, GRAB THE SWORD.

Because hey, free sword, yo.
>>
>>3200391
>>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)

>A beam immediately zips out, and her face is frozen in confusion and surprise when it pierces her side. “Make yo-ugh!?
That was deeply satisfying.
>She wavers briefly, and collapses on the roof then and there- you don’t think she’s dead, but she’ll been passing on shortly without immediate medical care.
For her sake, I hope that roof was flat; A broken neck would just add insult to injury.
>>
>>3200413
After that display, we only need to point a finger at them and tell them to surrender.

>>3200410
Might as well if it's got any magic in it. It might be worth a few LMotes if nothing else.
>>
>>3200419
Kinda hoping we could learn how to dual wield with it, honestly. Or we could keep it for the kids once they're ready to learn about magic weapons as an example, or as a prize for one of them for doing well with their studies.
>>
>>3200391
>>Time to clean up the rest of them, then. Clear the way for the Bearkin and the humans; they don’t need the extra hassle.
>Other: stabilize Carrang, because hey, leaders get to be interrogated before they’re allowed to die
>>
Honestly, why do people act so surprised when we don’t tolerate monologues? What kind of pissant amateurs are these people?

Can we berate them for it while we kill them?
>>
>>3200431
Or you could practice empathy.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

Surrender or die. Well, really, it's less 'surrender or die' and more 'Surrender and die later or just die now.'

Writing!
>>
>>3200436

Ugh, I hate we've gone over the image limit. (I think.) Perfect opportunity for a laughing gif or something.
>>
>>3200436
...Please tell me that was for them.

Please.

PLEASE.
>>
>>3200338
Don't forget to fly up and use our BOOMING VOICE
>>
>>3200440
Raiders of the Lost Ark Indy vs Sword Guy?
>>
>>3200440
>the image limit.
I refuse to believe that qst has a 12 image limit.
>>
>>3200391

>(Intimidate) Convince the rest to stand down- they’ll be tried by the Prince fairly. (And probably executed, but that’s none of your concern.)
>>
File: SuSxo4c.gif (1.66 MB, 600x337)
1.66 MB
1.66 MB GIF
>>3200436
>1
well, this should be interesting either way.

also image test
>>
>>3200492
I thought 12 was rather low for an image limit.
>>3200440
I think it's either an issue on your end or 4chan's gone screwy lately.
>>
>>3200391
>>3200403
>>3200405
>>3200407
>>3200413
“Alright, let’s not be idiots about this,” you say loudly. You raise a finger again, and the people lean back again. “One finger. That’s ALL I needed to do that, and look at her now-” a sudden *whump* briefly interrupts you as the aforementioned body slips from the roof and collapses on the ground, nothing more than a lump of flesh at this point- she’d fallen off? Huh. She’d collapsed on her back, but you’d sworn she wouldn’t have...whatever. “That’s all she is now. It wasn’t hard. It was barely a thought. My efforts against you earlier were more exercise than effort.” You allow yourself a moment of fire as your energy channel flares. “Do you REALLY want me to actually show you what it’s like when I actually exert myself?”

Dead silence. A few looks, but no words.

“Then I suggest you stand down. My associate will be finished shortly, and you’ll be tried by the Prince and be fairly judged.” They’ll probably be executed thanks to the whole ‘treason’ thing, but the point remains they may have a minute chance of escaping death.

The thing, however, is that they THINK you’re being merciful. And it seems to work, and a large number of just throw their weapons down. It seems like you at least have an understanding with them.

Your murmur stone goes off briefly, and you answer it. “Yvrace? Were you the cause of the pillar stopping and the majority of the shadow creatures retreating?”

“I was. Just killed the lieutenant running things here...and got the surrender of the human forces currently. I’m at the center plaza with them. How’re you faring?” You’re making sure to keep an eye on all of them, who look at you with naked fear and curiosity.

“I see...I’ve been running between the human forces as support and a selective strike force. I’ll let them know that the center plaza is pacified and be along shortly to assist in presenting them to the Prince. Great work.” Well, you won’t complain about that.

“Likewise. We’ll talk more later. Out.” You pocket the stone, and turn to the men there. “You will be marched to the west of the city with one of my compatriots, who I can assure you is just as powerful as I am. You’ll surrender to the Prince, and convince your fellows to surrender as well. Understood?” A round of nods. “Excellent.”

Izumi should be around in mere moments. As for you…

>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.
>Make sure that the Bearkin are doing fine. With a sizeable amount of their forces not fighting anymore, they should be able to break through sooner than later…
>Best to remain here with the group, just in case something unexpected happens.
>Other

(My internet's a bit wonky, pardon any delays tonight.)
>>
>>3200496
>>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.
Even crappy loot is still free money.
>>
>>3200496
>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.

SWORDS FOR THE SWORD COLLECTION WALL!
>>
>>3200496
>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.

"Man, do I feel embarrassed for you. And I'm the one doing this job."
>>
>>3200496
>>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.
>>
>>3200496
>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.
>>
>>3200496 #
>Investigate and see if Carrang might still be alive. If not, you’re at least getting her sword.
>>
>>3200507
If we had some form of telekinesis, it would be great fun to loot weapons on jobs and use them as a cloud of floating weapons for disposable offense and defense. Not really Randa's style, but it would be cool.
>>
>>3200496
>>3200509
Should we grab the buckler as well? Might be useful, or maybe not, but it's free.
>>
>>3200519
the kids might like it.
>>
>>3200519
Not unless it's magic or especially well made. If we start picking up mundane gear, we're going to end up striping everyone we fight of stuff for those pennies they're worth, and that's just tedious.
>>
>>3200522
Yeah, I can see Noran taking to sword and board style fighting.

>>3200523
We'll just call it a spare souvenir for the kids.
>>
>>3200523
we can always sell them to a scrapyard in a per kilo basis. Also Owlia and Cylica might need space things to test their new inventions on.
>>
>>3200496
>>3200504
>>3200507
>>3200509
>>3200512
>>3200514
>>3200517
She’s not that far off. Might as well see if she had anything good on her…

“Move.” You say simply, and the group parts as you walk over to the building that Carrang fell from. No one even tries anything towards you as you approach the crumpled body of Carrang. There’s a pool of blood beneath her, which you briefly ignore as you check her sword nearby- that’ll be yours. Might take the buckler as well. Upon further inspection, it’s segmented- might be one of those bladed shields of sorts. Very useful if you know what to do with them. No telling if Carrang did or not. Speaking of…

A nudge on that body reveals a small twitch- might just be muscle reflexes, but to your honest surprise, a hand twitches repeatedly, much to the surprise of the others. Is she still kicking, even if barely? Damn, not bad resilience...but even if she’s healed, she’ll be out of it for some time. Who knows…


>Current Mana: 12500/12500

>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.
>Let her die. She’s not worth the effort when you already have a captive.
>Other
>>
>>3200607
>>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.

Intel is always useful, and I'd love to have a chance to mock her.
>>
>>3200607
>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.
>>
>>3200607
>>Let her die. She’s not worth the effort when you already have a captive.
We're going to kill her after we get any info out of her; not worth the mana.
>>
>>3200607
>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.
>>3200611
I hope her real threat isn't stupidity induced aneurisms or something.
>>
>>3200607
>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.
She was much closer to the center of action than the useless spider. I suspect she won't be easy to get anything out of though.
>>
>>3200607
>Heal her, and take her into captivity. Her intel may be useful.
>>
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>>3200607
>Upon further inspection, it’s segmented- might be one of those bladed shields of sorts.
So, something like this, then?
>>
>>3200639
Akin, yes.
>>
"Perhaps you might be able to do SOMETHING useful with that big mouth of yours."

Writing.
>>
>>3200663
L-lewd.
>>
>>3200607
>>3200611
>>3200614
>>3200618
>>3200623
>>3200629
Bah. She’s not exactly a threat- might as well make sure you can get something out of her. You’ve just flipped her over as you hear someone land near you. “This the lieutenant?” Izumi asks. You nod in confirmation. “Ah. And these are her men. Alright, then, I’ll make sure they get to the Prince in good time. I look forward to hearing her side of things.”

“See you soon.” With that, she makes herself known to the group- they don’t seem to be as afraid of her, as much as you can guess as you glance between your healing and her, but the way they glance at you lets you know they’ll hold their tongue, for now at least.

It takes not very long- the hole was a clean shot- but they’re already moving by the time she opens her eyes. “...whaaa…”

Her eyes are foggy, but they still focus squarely on you. “You’re officially a prisoner of war. You’re coming with me.” Hauling her over your shoulder, you can barely hear her mumbled response.

“...yeah, okay.” At least she’s quiet, for now.

“Warrior!” Ah, there they are. Was wondering when they’d show up. Braun, his daughter, and a goodly number of his kin are lumbering as quick as they can towards the square, many of them blooded and bruised. Braun's daughter in particular has a nasty cut across her arm, judging from the blood-soaked bandages, although she seems in good spirits. “We saw that the pillar had been extinguished, and our fight become easier. The shadows have melted away- although why, we are uncertain…”

“I’ve got an idea or two, and it’s all a good thing. Although, we’ll have to catch up later- as you can see, I’ve got a captive. I was thinking to hand her over to the Prince, see if she’s willing to talk.”

Braun nods. “Understood. It seems as though the resistance here was less intense than anticipated- although I’ve little doubt it was due to your doing.”

“You should see all the captives we managed,” you snark. “And I’m pretty sure Hylinde sent a good number of people packing one way or another. But, we’re not quite done here…”

“Indeed. We need to free the peoples, and make certain that all the remaining occupiers are washed out of this town. Still, this fight has gone quite smoothly, and with little loss of life. We thank you, and I’ve no doubt the human Prince thanks you as well. For now, however…” With this, he turns to his forces. “We move to free the civilians! Follow me!” With a roar of approval, his men and women continue to follow him as they move through the square.

You, at least, have a special prisoner to present to the Prince...

>Continued tomorrow.
>>
>>3200742
Handler how does the restorarion power from the gauntlet works? Can it work on people and things? Or just in one of then? Or is this one of those things we would need to test before to kbow what it does?


Thanks for the run see you tomorrow.
>>
>>3200742
Night boss! Thanks for running.
>>
>>3200764
Well, technically I should say 'you have to figure it out', but if I'm being honest, I thought it was relatively obvious, so I'll explain it in spoilers just in case.

It's basically Crazy Diamond's (from Jojo's) restoration skill but less ridiculous. You can restore people and objects to what they were before contact up to a certain time frame, and too big of an object or too complicated will cost mana and give you a splitting headache at best.
>>
>>3200779
So we can basicaly restore the shaded elfs back to normal elfs?!! THAT'S SO COOL!!! And will probably turn us into a form of demi-god for the shade elfs.
>>
>>3200785
Uh, when did he say that?
>>
>>3200785
I'm pretty sure that whatever happened to the shaded elves falls under the too complicated a or out of the time frame parts
>>
>>3200779
Thanks for the run handler
>>
>>3200785
...I sincerely doubt that we can heal them that way. At best, it's going to take them many, many generations to undo the changes that their corruption did to them.
>>
>>3200790
>>3200801
Eh i guess you guys are right. Just got to happy/excited with the power.

Maybe reducing the damage to their mind at least if we can't turn then back into normal elfs. Unless that comment that Zatzil made from the shade elfs being lesser then their old counterparts was her just being mean with the shade elfs.
>>
>>3200807
Why do you wan't to "heal" them in the first place?
Its stupid and even with the gauntlets, that's still a logistical clusterfuck. Also, we aren't izumi; we won't do charity work with millions of people for no money.
>>
>>3200815
I mean, it'd be cool to do if we could purge the crazy out of them, just from a "Hey, this is a cool new power" standpoint, but it's still way outside our mission parameters. At best, I'd prefer we do two or three, then teach them and/or a qualified healer how to do it themselves, and that's in an ideal do-gooder situation.
>>
>>3200815
reasins why to do it:

1)To have the shade elfs ally with us.
2)Have all those old and powerfull shade elfs give us money to heal their crazy once they hear about this.
3)Because it's cool.
4)With less crazy she will be able to give us better intel.
>>
>>3200826
Wrll the evil overlord does have three shade elfs working under him. Now i believe it will be just two since we got one of then.
>>
>>3200834
I don’t think Carra’s one of them. The trio sound like they stick together, and sound more like ritualists then warriors.
>>
>>3200849
So i guess he has other shade elf servants? Anyway, if the trio hears about this strange lady able to heal the crazy and restore the shade elfs, even if that restoratiin is just fixing the cracked skin they seem to have. I think they might see there are better benefits of working with the humans and of course we will charge the elfs for anything else we want be it gold or some knowledge of their rituals.
>>
>>3200894
>I think they might see there are better benefits of working with the humans
That is incredibly optimistic. They're much more likely to consider it a "corruption" of their current form, rather than the reverse.
>>
>>3200898
True, but who knows? Besides we need to practice the restoration gautlet anyway. What better way to test it then using in a POW?
>>
>>3200908
But anon that's a waaar criiiime
[Spoilers] Who can stop us? [/Spoilers]
>>
>>3201010
shit
>>
>>3201017
highlighting text and pressing "Ctrl + s" will set the tags automagically.
>>
>>3200807
OR we could do nothing because that's not what we're getting paid to do, let alone the fact that we aren't sticking around here.
>>
>>3200898
> We revert all the shade elves back to pre-corruption forms

> they immediately corrupt themselves again

Facts.
>>
>>3201010
Izumi.
>>
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>>3200898
Wait I have a greentext for this
>>
So, anons. This thread turned out to be a longer one, and we've filled a big chunk of it bouncing ideas of new techniques off each other. The theoretical techniques list in the pastebin sure could use these extra options.
Since the next run would probably start in a new thread, could someone prepare the list of all the ideas that we came up with in this thread and post it at the begining of the next one? Making this list would spare us the trouble of looking up every individual concept in this thread when it gets archived.
Could have done it myself but I live in a different timezone (>t. native siberian) so I'll probably miss the start of the next run, and if I post the list now it wouldn't be noticed by many.
>>
>>3201073
Sure i was kinda in the hopes of getting a reward or money from the elfs for restoring their minds. But i guess that is to hopefull.
>>
>>3201165
I know Handler said that he'll look over these suggestions but this here is to be extra sure:
>>3184474
>>3184551
>>3184725
>>3184737
>>3185773
>>3185997
>>3186003
>>3186050
>>3186072
>>3186085
>>3186092
>>3186564
>>3186594
>>3186604
>>3189287
>>3190990
>>3191073
>>3191142
>>3194371
>>3195532
Hope I didn't miss anything.

Also since we almost always go for the capture if such option appears, and we had Shock Touch spell for a while now, then how the fuck have we not come up with a simple taser spell yet? So far we've been just beating the target until it lays still with its bum up the sky and hoping that it is not dead yet, and this shit worked purely by QM's grace.
>>
>>3201167
We take payment in advance for side gigs. After all, we're getting paid for our time and effort not results for things like that.

Also like other anon pointed out, what if they WANT to be this way.

I'm all for putting it out there if someone will pay us, but honestly it's probably better to subcontract that out to Cyclia and Opie whatshername. Crystal head.
>>
>>3201165
Now that I think about it, posting this list in the begining of the next run and starting a discussion would be borderline case of thread hijacking. I'll post the list myself once tomorrow's run ends, though if you wouldn't trust an esl with this task then you are welcome to beat me to it.
>>
>>3201194
Make a pastebin, give it to Handler to merge with the current experimental ideas pastebin.

We can continue to discuss during downtime.

I feel like it could be useful to talk to the Spiders about manashaping slash mana weaving.
>>
>>3201196
As long as it's not crazy long, in-thread is actually better archive-wise. And we're only on page 7, so it should be fine.
>>
>>3201348
Dude, this list turns out VERY long.
Also are you sure this thread could fit enough replies for another run?
>>
>>3201436
/qst/ autosages after 1000 posts or 72 hours after OP. There's no hard limit on posts per thread afaik, though they do get laggy on some machines after a while. The /qst/ is slow enough threads take weeks to fall off. We're only on page 7, so we've got a couple of days at least.

Character limit is 3000. I'd say if you think it's going to take more than ~3 posts, go ahead and dump it in a pastebin. It's not crucial info, just handy, so it's not a big deal.
I was just suggesting it because I've been archive binging in the past on threads where half the useful info is in bins, many of which are dead or hold most recent info, so can't be read in case of spoilers.
>>
>>3201470
There is this dude with a4 page sized posts who's input I can't ignore, but the stuff he says for some reason doesn't click in my head the right way so I can't make abriged versions of these posts. I'd probably have to add them in a separate pastebin.
>>
>>3201543
Oh, is that me with the Mana (variant) Knuckles? I do get wordy but I can pare the ideas down to point from.

I usually try to explain the context behind why I want to learn skills like that, where it could go, etc.
>>
>>3201543
Just let me like. Get to a computer instead be on the phone about to GET MY EYEBALLS FILLED WITH LASERS.

I'M EVOLVING INTO MY FINAL FORM MOTHERFUCKERS.
>>
>>3201543
If you're taking posts wholesale, a link is sufficient instead of a copy-paste.
>>
Yeah, pastebin is done. I'll wake up in 6 hours and then post this piece of shit list.
>>
>>3201196
The current paste in in the op is not even the final version. I made another one, hell maybe two more versions, but he didn't use them. They're... Somewhere in the archive. Before the artificer crossover.

There were tons of spell ideas during the Mafia job iirc if anyone wants to dig them back up.
>>
Made stat values for some of the new weapons we got out of boredom. It’s all headcanon until Handler stats them up for himself, so take it with a load of salt.

>New weapon stat values

>Shu-Rith, aka bladed yo-yo of doom
>Otherworldly +1, Humor +1

>Knight Halberd
>Intimidation +1, Plainness +1, Humor -1

>Red Sun Gauntlets
>Hothead +2, Otherworldly +1
>>
>>3202506
>Shu-Rith, aka bladed yo-yo of doom
>Otherworldly +1, Humor inverse with users skill
>>
>>3202506
>Shu-Rith, aka bladed yo-yo of doom
I would rather make it plainness -1 than otherworldly +1
>>
>>3201170
Tried to make this pastebin shorter, hope this stuff is still comprehensible.
https://pastebin.com/S0sLtv2B
>>
Said I was going to run today, but some shit happened that's gonna make that not happen. Run will be tomorrow, instead.

However, I do want to say this- it seems like there's a lot that I missed and need to clean up. I think that the nature of the current job will allow me to do that, and as such, I think that the next thread (likely far shorter than this one) will be entirely devoted to cleaning up any issues vis-a-vie learning abilities and other facets of the quest that may not be being utilized at their fullest potential.

Sound reasonable?
>>
>>3202610
Looks good, though you missed the mana flamethrower from properly developing Fireworks (or maybe combining it with sticky mana.

Also the Barrier Frag is a cool idea, but not quite what was talked about. I originally brought up using shield shards en mass as a means of utilizing our raw power, vs the complexity that most of these ideas take (and Randa isn't as good at). I'd envisioned it as a sort of shotgun/canister shot in directed form, or in a circle/sphere in an undirected form. Justification could be that Magiblasts take a while to charge to full, and this could be much quicker for the power output. Or less risk of collateral damage. Or maybe it's better at penetration or something, I dunno.

>>3202629
Sounds good. Thanks for being willing to take a look at this.
>>
>>3202647
When we talked about barrier weaponization I thought of something completely different, like actual conjured weapons. Like I said - misunderstanding.

>>3202629
So the next thread will be in Q&A format?
>>
>>3202647
Also I thought that 'flamethrower' is already in experimental technique list.
>>
>>3202658
>Like I said - misunderstanding.
Na, it's fine. Barrier frag is also a cool idea, but Frag Shot(?) had a particular reason behind it, which is why I brought it up.

>>3202662
Not that I see, Fireworks still are, but not a proper flammenwerfer.
>>
>>3202610
Links with longposts
>>3186025
>>3186050
>>3186085
>>3186092
>>
>>3202658
Mostly Q&A or otherwise just hammering shit out meta-wise.
>>
>>3202715
aaah I like that. First Q&A focused thread since forever. AND the quest's big enough for one too.
>>
>>3202715
That's great. Gotta prepare a notepad for my questions.
>>
>>3202715
In character or QM Q&A?
>>
>>3202776
IC would be more for lore than mechanics I think.
>>
>>3202647
Added this stuff. Anything else?
>>
...I'm sorry I never paid more attention to these ideas.

I like them a lot. I'll keep them in this pastebin for now, however, until I can refine the training phase of things.
>>
>>3202804
There was two different ideas for learning how to use Flamethrower, actually. One of them was to channel mana through the Flamebringer so the flames would leap off the blade. Benefits could include a reduced mana cost and longer range as compared to combining Fireworks with Sticky Mana, but without the ability for the flames to stick to the target.
>>
>>3202670
>https://pastebin.com/S0sLtv2B

Don't forget the simple change of placing a barrier horizontally!

Okay, not really a technique, but a more "aggressive" counter-charge tactic.

> Oooh, I wonder though if we could make a "spiked" barrier by destabilizing the mana slightly a la Flux Wave as we formed the barrier, causing it to have erratic burr like protrusions to catch and tear at enemies when they touch it.

Also, don't forget

> Flux-shock therapy: Summoning sticky mana in each hand, Miranda places them to either side of the victims head and cycles the mana frequency to create even more intense, localized symptoms of the flux wave. All the torture incentive to share information, none of the marks.

Okay I don't really see people going for that one.
>>
>>3202914
>Spiked barrier
Put it in the 'barrier manipulation' stuff. I tried to make descriptions of 'manipulatio n' and 'conductivity' ideas shorter so they could be streamlined into versatile concepts, no need to come up with separate techniques for each shape of a barrier or sticky mana combo.

>Flux-shock
It's in the description of mana conductivity. Tether+flux=single target disharmonization. Should require much less mana, easier to adjust for one specific target and because of that we're unlikely to disharmonize ourselves like we do with Flux-Wave. Probably used if shock touch combo doesn't work out.
>>
“Secure the northwest! Make sure none are allowed to escape!” the Prince yells as you approach with your passed-out package. He’s surrounded by his guard, but once again, looks a bit torn up, although far less so than when you first met him or left him. There’s a few individuals that are being...pacified, but by and large it seems like the battle is under control- no doubt due to the sudden massive exodus of the shadow creatures. There’s even enough time for him to look your way when he sees you approach. “Yvrace! Am I to presume that the pillar of darkness dissipating was your doing? Hylinde informed me of a few things...”

You nod as you present your captive. “That caused the shadows to run off, alright. And once I took down their boss…” You shrug your shoulder, motioning to the shaded elf you’re carrying.

“Then many of them lost their will to fight,” he finishes, understanding. “Don’t worry, they’ve been taken, stripped of arms, and are under close watch by our forces. It seems we owe a great deal to you and Lady Hylinde. And is the leader still alive?”

“Barely, but yes.” You admit. “I figure we can get some intel out of her, see if it lines up with what my other captive said.”

“Other captive?” Prince inquires. Right, you still have to tell him that…

Well, if nothing else, you’ve got some time. They’ve got to pacify this area, and then make sure they can hold it. After that...on to freeing the lizards. Hopefully, they’re holding as best they can.

While you suspect it’ll only be a couple of days or so before you resume marching, in the meantime, you can at least see what this town had or has...fortunately, it seems like most of the buildings are still intact. It’ll take some time to see the civilians back to their homes, but you wonder if any of the shopkeepers might not mind a bit of a ‘thank you’ gift or two...

>Roll 3d20, best of 3.

I might start that new thread today, actually. Page 8 and all.
>>
Rolled 12, 4, 3 = 19 (3d20)

>>3204572
>>
>>3204572
dice+3d20
>>
Rolled 7, 16, 14 = 37 (3d20)

>>3204572
>>
Rolled 20, 1, 15 = 36 (3d20)

>>3204572
>>
Rolled 10, 20, 8 = 38 (3d20)

>>3204572

>>3204581
put it in the options field
>>
>>3204579
>>3204590
>>3204591
20, 16, 15, not bad at all.
>>3204593
Too bad it's not best of 4.
>>
Rolled 10, 18, 3 = 31 (3d20)

>>3204593
Like this?
>>
Seems like the answer to that question is yes...

Writing!

(Thought I sent this already.)
>>
>>3204572
>>3204579
>>3204590
>>3204591
There’s a lot of here and there to get the people not only freed, but convinced that the Prince has enough force to hold the town- although with the presence of the Bearkin, they seem to be a bit more assuaged. To your vague annoyance, he doesn’t make much mention of your works to the public; rather he simply calls you and Izumi ‘extramilitary assistance’ and leaves it at that. Izumi doesn’t seem to mind- she simply bows when mentioned and says stuff along the lines if ‘it’s no trouble’. You’re not much for speaking in those cases.

It seems that while a number of more influential individuals have been killed- namely the mayor and a few other lawkeepers- most of the civilian populace was rounded up, and to your non-surprise, tortured or otherwise kept imprisoned. That said, it seems to have been at the least more psychological than physical, and although frightened and despondent, they look as though they’ll recover.

Pleasantly, they do seem to be willing to thank their saviors, at the least; along with many of the other soldiers, they offer lodging, as well as a fair bit of food. It’s pleasant, even if they constantly shiver around you.

The traitors were, largely, put to death as you expected; however, Izumi pleaded with the Prince to spare a few. You personally felt that they got what they deserved…

>So you didn’t really speak up at all. Just desserts, and all. Besides, it’d be trouble to constantly have to watch for any backstabbing.
>...but there was this trio that seemed to be particularly willing to play double agent if you let them free. So you spoke up for them, at least.
>...but there was this captain there that you figure the army could at least benefit from, experience-wise.
>...but there was this pair that seemed as though they were absolutely devastated that they got misled and corrupted. They claimed they were desperate to pay their dues on the front line.
>Other
>>
>>3204726
>>...but there was this captain there that you figure the army could at least benefit from, experience-wise.
>>
>>3204726
>>So you didn’t really speak up at all. Just desserts, and all. Besides, it’d be trouble to constantly have to watch for any backstabbing.
>>
>>3204726
>>...but there was this pair that seemed as though they were absolutely devastated that they got misled and corrupted. They claimed they were desperate to pay their dues on the front line.
>>
>>3204726
>So you didn’t really speak up at all. Just desserts, and all. Besides, it’d be trouble to constantly have to watch for any backstabbing.
>Other
Now that the town is safe, it's time to get some books. Let's visit the library.
>>
Meh, fuggit.

Writing!
>>
>>3204726
>>3204743
>>3204763

...so you didn’t really speak up at all. Izumi might still have a bleeding heart, but for you? Honestly, it’s just desserts, and all. Should’ve ran or something before they got taken over. You aren’t sure about the claims of being tricked, and it’s clear neither is Prince. Besides, it’d be trouble to constantly have to watch for any backstabbing.

In the end, it’s only a handful of soldiers that get spared thanks to Izumi’s pleas. As for your own issues, well...you wonder if maybe there’s some books around here:

“Beg pardon? Uh...miss?” Hm? Turning around, you’re surprised to see one of the Prince’s soldiers. “I was wondering. Er, might you and your companion be willing to tell us a touch about your fightin’? We noticed that you’re...rather an unusual sort, y’see. That kinda magic...and with no rituals? Or at least, nothin’ we know of. There’s a couple-a tales, but...” he seems to trail off briefly, before shaking his head. “If’n you don’t mind us asking, what exactly...er...can you do?”

What can you do? Hm.

Good question.

>New thread being made shortly. It’s mostly going to be Q&A and refining a few things.
>>
Thread is up!

>>3204875
>>3204875
>>3204875



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