>>3324140
“Hm?” The first speaker asks.

In response, she points towards some logo out near the side- it looks like a circle with three eyes inside it, with lightning shooting out in the four cardinal directions- below it, is three circles, each inlaid inside another. “That’s...that’s Chucinahil’s Mark. One of the first Elves to…” she mutters, before she suddenly pauses, holding her head. “Wait, why would I…? How?”

> Worry about the Veilspeakers first, they’re worryingly quiet.
> She needs to explain more about this mark if she knows about it.
> Let them calm themselves, and maybe you get a couple discreet shots before everything gets trampled over…
> Other

>>3324141
> She needs to explain more about this mark if she knows about it.

>>3324141
>> Let them calm themselves, and maybe you get a couple discreet shots before everything gets trampled over…

>>3324141
> She needs to explain more about this mark if she knows about it.

I guess the veil already hinted were we should go next.

>>3324141
> She needs to explain more about this mark if she knows about it.

Details, please. Writing.

>>3324141
>>3324163
>>3324187
>>3324199
The fact that she knows even the slightest bit about what she just drew is important enough to seize on, causing you to push past two Veilspeakers despite protests. “Hold on a second, what do you know about that mark?”

“I...more than I thought…” she groans as she puts her other hand to her head, clearly staving off a headache. “It...it was Chucinahil’s Mark. He was...was one of the first Elves to study what was beyond the Veil...one of the smartest, but...he vanished during his studies, trying to find a way to breach...AGH!” She collapses to her knees, holding her head tightly. “I don’t know how I know this!” she wails, writhing. “It’s like, like flashes of-of THINGS! All at once- stop it, stop it, PLEASE!” she’s near convulsing now- and your pulse quickens, something throwing up red flags in your head…

>Roll 1d20, best of 3.

>Action?

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3324281
> Call Sal and see if this dude is in the Intersection, or if the Intersection has any contemporaries

Possible possession situation?

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3324281
The safest option would be knocking her out, but I vote for force feeding her our Green Potion and attempt to heal her tohether with Izumi.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3324281
Hold her down so she won't hurt herself convulsing. Speak soothingly and calmly in case she can hear you so she'll calm down as well.

>>3324281
Standby to restrain her from hurting herself, someone else, or the markings.

>>3324304
Flux wave to mess with any mana affecting them?

File: 4h35.png (79 KB, 307x280)

79 KB PNG

>>3324310
I know we don't do critfails here, but I'm still pissed at myself.

>>3324281
Call Sal; someone who forced themselves into the Intersection shows potential that the Dealmakers like. If this Chucinahil did it, then that'd be interesting for him.
We might not be able to do fuckall with that kind of info, but Sal might find it useful.

>>3324281
>>3324303
>>3324310
>>3324304
So...we hold hef down, ask Sal about that Chuck-Hill guy, if her convulsions get more violent - knock her out, if her body starts giving up - try to stabilize with all the healing we could muster?

>>3324344
We call Sal for Intersection-related stuff. We have no reason to think this is Intersection yet beyond vague suspicions.

Need to at least make sure she doesn't hurt someone else or herself, it seems. Maybe try to heal her if possible.

Writing.

>>3324358
Of we are finnaly using the gaunlets?

>>3324356
Every time someone mentions 'Beyond' it turns out to be Intersection.

>>3324281
>>3324303
>>3324304
>>3324310
>>3324312
No one’s moving- or if they are, you’re quick enough to get there first, regardless, as her convulsions get worse; her nails are starting to dig badly into her head, and you know full well that’s a bit too far, as you quickly grab hold of them, the blood starting to stream from her scalp due to the self-inflicted cuts. As you pin her down, she lets out a low, keening hiss from gritted teeth as she tries to struggle out of your grasp, her manic shivering causing her to wipe away much of her own work underneath you. Her eyes are stretched wide in pain and madness, and from the drool and foam coming from her, it’s taking all of her willpower not to cry out in agony...shit, this is getting bad.

“Careful now, you don’t need to remember anything you don’t want to bother with,” you try speaking to her calmly as you can. Reassurance wasn’t your best point, but you can try… “You’re here, your safe, you don’t need to think about it, okay? Just look at me. Don’t think about it, just do it, like you want, right?” HOW it’s working, you’re not sure, but you can see her eyes focus on you, and slowly, slowly, the shivering recedes. “You’re alright, you’ll be alright, just focus on me, nothing else…”

Looking at her bloody face, she was REALLY about to rip into herself, you notice. You can see pink, not just blood underneath. Might’ve gone to places unsaveable if you hadn’t stepped in…
Still, it’s bad enough to warrant healing, clearly. Honestly, been wanting to try out these gauntlets anyway…

You focus, concentrate. Her mana signature is something light and erratic, actually- wonder if that’s common or just with her or other Shaded Elves. However, you really don’t have much time to worry about it, as the gauntlets glow a bright green- and suddenly the rivers of blood that’ve been streaming down her face freeze...and then begin flowing back UP, almost like reversing time. In no time, she’s practically already healed!

And it hardly took any of your mana, either…VERY nifty.

>Current Mana: 12,250/12,500

Suddenly, a shriek echoes throughout the camp, and frantic yelling only just outside the circle; you turn to the source of the noise, and your eyes widen in surprise at the scene just in front of you. One of the Veilspeakers, one of the two that’d been entranced- drops without fanfare to the ground.

The cause is a spear bloodily extending through her torso as she stares at nothing with wide, blank eyes, shivering in her death throes as she tightens her grip on the weapon and pushes -further-.

(cont.)

>>3324450
“KALATA!” Norima cries in shock as she runs over to her shock, fury, and disbelief warring over her face. “No, nonononono...WHO GAVE HER THE SPEAR?!” She doesn’t wait for an answer before she turns to you, panic clear in her eyes. You already know what she’s going to ask before she does.

“SAVE HER!” she roars.

A glance at her body, though, tells you that, well...you don’t think there’s anything there to save, in a way. Dead in spirit, if not otherwise quite yet...

>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!
>...No. Dead is dead, and you’ve never gone back on that. Shocking it is...but it wouldn’t sit well with you. This was her decision.
>Other

>>3324453
>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!
Remember, time reversal gauntlets.

>>3324453
>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!

>>3324453
>>...No. Dead is dead, and you’ve never gone back on that. Shocking it is...but it wouldn’t sit well with you. This was her decision.

> Dead is dead, and you’ve never gone back on that.
This is a rare glimpse into Miranda's past.

>>3324453
>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!

>>3324453
>...No. Dead is dead, and you’ve never gone back on that. Shocking it is...but it wouldn’t sit well with you. This was her decision.

We also have a current patient to attend to, and another at risk. Triage is a bitch.

Can we use a flux wave now to purge the area of whatever is happening?

>>3324453
>>...No. Dead is dead, and you’ve never gone back on that. Shocking it is...but it wouldn’t sit well with you. This was her decision.

>>3324453
>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!

Let's see how far we can take this.

File: file.png (1.29 MB, 605x949)

1.29 MB PNG

>>3324453
>Considering your new gauntlets, and the fact that she might not be entirely gone yet...hell, you can try!

>>3324457
i doubt that time reversal can work with spirits that is like another level of magic. We can heal or reverse the body the way it was but not bring the spirit/soul back.

But if she is not completely gone maybe we can save her.

>>3324492
if she wants to return she'll return. Either way since the hit wan't in the brain, she still has some precious minutes before cell death really begins.

>Just look at me. Don’t think about it, just do it, like you want, right?” HOW it’s working, you’re not sure, but you can see her eyes focus on you, and slowly, slowly, the shivering recedes. “You’re alright, you’ll be alright, just focus on me, nothing else…”

lewd...i just hope this doesn't mena she will go wild once we go away.

>>3324498
Honestly I don't care if she dies or not - I want to see how far that 'restoration' ability works and get a feel of the extent of their power and how much mana we need for that, you know?

>>3324498
That's a dangerous (if reasonable) assumption to make. She's magic and so is the gauntlet. I'd rather not risk a "came back wrong" drider go on a rampage.

And wasn't there a second veil talking crazy? We need to keep her away from anything pointy.


>>3324508
It kinda loses the lewd undertones when you're trying to stop someone from literally tearing themselves to bloody pieces.

>>3324498
No i agree with you. This can be really good to save someone of a grave injury or possibly from a coma but i doubt it would work as a ressurection magic.

Still time+healling just need to add some soul manipulation and bang you get a ressurection.

>>3324513
That's why i just picked the talking and the looking description none of the blood and pink under the skin appearing.

Most things out of context can be pretty lewd.

>>3324514
>soul manipulation
sadly that is miranda' s big nope, but time manipulation certainly can fill the gap,specially since this is a fresh body.

Well.

Gonna take a crack at it.

Writing.

>>3324453
>>3324457
>>3324459
>>3324479
>>3324487
>>3324489
You’re already arguing with yourself as you jump over. She’s not quite dead yet, you can still sense the faintest whiff of power from her. It’s nothing worse than a nurse or a doctor trying to save someone on the verge. Izumi wouldn’t want any of these innocents to take their own life- she’d want to help them through whatever caused it and help them heal, she’d appreciate it.

You don't even know if you're lying to yourself or what.

All these little thoughts running through your head as you focus yourself, your hands light up, and you begin to yank the spear out through her back. Cleaner than otherwise. As soon as it’s free you touch hands to the body, almost before it collapses- and everything seems to slow again, stop again- and then like a tape in rewind the blood rushes back to her, the viscera begins to reform itself- you can see the hole repairing itself, a wound that you could see through becoming torn muscle, becoming whole muscle, becoming covered by flesh and bits of chitin once again. It’s not effortless, but you’d be exerting yourself a ton more without these. The wide, hopeful eyes of her friends and allies surround you as you continue to work.

Mind, that’s not what you’re worried about. You’re worried about what might happen after you’re done. For once, you're worried about everything you're doing.

>Roll 1d20+-2, best of 3.

Rolled 19, 14 - 2 = 31 (2d20 - 2)

>>3324537

>>3324537
this can only end well

Rolled 2 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3324544
take 2

>>3324543
yay a 17!

Rolled 6 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3324537

Rolled 15 - 2 (1d20 - 2)

>>3324537
LIVE!!!

>>3324543
>>3324548
>inb4 wrong format so it doesn't count.

>>3324543
I don't think I can take that.

Rolled 3, 2 - 2 = 3 (2d20 - 2)

>>3324557
aw

>>3324562
Still wrong.

1d20+-2, not 2d20+-2.

>>3324557
looks like
>>3324547
>>3324549
4 then. Let's... let's not do this again. It's certainly going to be traumatic, especially with our background.

>>3324568
its 13. not 4. my rolls didn't count and bnFWRHoz was the third vote.

>>3324568
Did you miss >>3324552? It's a 13, not 4.

>>3324568
No, it's best of 3. Since the first roll is botched, we get 13, which isn't half bad.

this reminds me of old DLQ. The PC was a friendly necromancer, but had a very strict rule about not resurecting anyone they had sent see die or had been dead longer than a minute. Anyone else was only eligible to be a zombie, as they tended to come back... wrong outside of the time limit.

>>3324568

>>3324572
>>3324573
>>3324577

Whoops mixed up the Bo3 and that 2d20 roll. A 13 still isn't great for this kind of thing. I expect she's going to have some sort of issue or another.

>>3324573
So either a mouthbreathing veggie or maybe a lifeless meatsack.

>>3324584
i lean more towards a vegtable rather than a lifeless meatsack.

>>3324584
Mouthbreather's a 5 to 10. I'd say there was either mild to moderate brain trauma, or her Sight's been affected or otherwise unable to be used.

>>3324586
Everything is better than making her some violent revenant abomination thing.

Oh well we did saved her. It was never asked if she should be fully concious or working.

This isn't gonna be traumatizing at all.

>>3324595
Comatose is technicaly still alive right?

13. Unlucky number. Not bad. Not great, either.

Writing!

File: everything is fine.gif (710 KB, 140x130)

710 KB GIF

>>3324595
Something along those line, or maybe some minor nerve issues causing sensory or motor issues is about what I expect.

>>3324606
And there's the possibility she could recover too! Either she'll be stuck in a coma forever, recover from it eventually, or she'll snap out of it when we figure out who/what did this to her and we beat the everloving shit out of them/destroy what's causing it.

>>3324617
Well at least now the Veilspeakers have another reason beside good PR to help the alliance.

Also it was probably that elf that was mentioned

>inb4 Khom is that ancient elf

>>3324537
>>3324547
>>3324549
>>3324552
The last of her flesh returns to her- a gasp both horrified and despairing erupts from her mouth as she takes a lungful of air in, whole of body once again. Jubilant, her friends and allies crowd around her, mewling gentle platitudes and well-wishes.

But you’re not concerned about any of that. No, you’re concerned about the one part of her that hasn’t recovered at all, as far as you can see. Her eyes, dead to the world, even as they lift her upright, momentarily blind to whatever thoughts may be running through her head in their ebullience. Norima quickly skitters over to you, tears in her eyes and forcing your attention for a brief moment. “Thank you! A thousand thanks! You’ll be rewarded for this, I swear it!”

You nod, if only mechanically, before she runs over, the second Veilspeaker- Judica, was it? Following at a more placid pace, as though she’s uncertain of her being there. She’s closely watched by two of the other guard Veilspeakers, after several having come to the alarming situation only to see their sister in arms rise from the clutches of death.

She doesn’t speak a single word as she’s closely guarded, eventually Norima having to shoo her fellows away to give her space. Nodding placidly, her eyes are clouded, haunted, resigned...something inside her has vanished, eroded no matter your efforts.

And then her eyes snap to you. Briefly, but her expression shifts to something else when your eyes make contact.

Betrayal. Despair. Fear. Things that hadn’t quite been in them before, now she looks at you as though you were the harbinger of her own personal damnation, a spectre that cannot be challenged in any fashion and who’s say is absolute, regardless of circumstance or desire. Tenderly, she turns her head back towards Norima, and whispers briefly to her; you’ve no desire to listen in, personally. Norima grows solemn, and nods, leading her back away somewhere, Judica following on her command, as do her guards. Carrang, for her part, is pointedly looking at you, and only at you- when you look back at her, she shudders briefly, taking a deep breath and holding it before releasing, and finally standing up.

It’ll be some time before the army resumes marching...maybe you can-

“Goodness! What happened, Yvrace?!” Ah. There’s Izumi, a bit late to the scene, but here nonetheless. “I heard a lot of yelling, and I was told something had happened back here- what’s going on?”

> “Don’t worry about it. It’s over with.” You’d...rather not talk about it. At all.
> “Just...had an issue with that weirdness from last night.” She doesn’t need to worry about the details right now.
> “Ask Norima about it. I need to make sure Carrang’s okay.” You need to distract yourself with the decently recovered one.
> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?
> Other

Actually, I gotta stop it here for tonight. Next run is Friday! Look forward to it- we should get around to making it to the next major stop on this comeback tour by then.

>>3324644
thanks for running! but is that the whole update? it feels like its missing text.

>>3324642
> “Ask Norima about it. I need to make sure Carrang’s okay.” You need to distract yourself with the decently recovered one.

OH LOOK A DISTRACTION!!!

>>3324642
> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

Failing that, let’s at least tell her after the mission is over.

>>3324644
Night boss!

>>3324642
> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?
More lore on MCs, Wooo!

>>3324642
>> “Ask Norima about it. I need to make sure Carrang’s okay.” You need to distract yourself with the decently recovered one.

>>3324642
>> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

Ah, damn, wish I were here 4 hours ago, y'all berk de rule
Granted it was sorta broken back in artificer quest with the MC from that quest and his soul shenanigans.
But now Miranda berk de rule in her own quest!

>>3324642
> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

The price of arrogance. Poor Miranda, suddenly acting out because she wanted to test her new gloves.

>>3324642
>“...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?
What's this?

>>3324642
> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?
It's fair time we actually get some glimpses on Miranda's past and why she has beef with tinkering with the soul and the afterlife in general.

>>3324820
Probably because it never really turns out right, people don't come back the same.

Also was it Miranda or Lorelei who got cut from the resurrection line-up after saving the universe by destroying it?

But yeah. I imagine just a bunch of terrible experiences and stories about it from various magical girls. There's always a price, you know.

>>3324832
Lori got kicked out by erasing herself from her plane's timeline I think. And Miranda tried to summon SOMETHING(A being named Andromeda like her namesake, similar to a goddess?) to take on a threat, and that's basically what I could get from Handler's breadcrumbs.

>>3324642
>“...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

>>3324852
I think you've got those backwards. I know randa defeated some great evil and reset the timeline at the cost of punting her out of her universe. I don't remember what happened to Lori.

>>3324642
>> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?
Aw yiss

I guess we didn't quite catch her whole soul when it was slipping away

>>3325303
Or we weren’t quick enough and she saw a bit too much of the afterlife.

>>3325303
If she's lucky, we replaced the whole thing, but it's "misaligned". If that's the case, with time she might be able to recover.

>>3325303
If souls behave lile the ones in dark souls her's should recover with time. No idea in how long that time might be but she should.

>>3325180
I distinctly remember from the western job that Lori said she had to undo the things a time-travelling villain did, unknowingly kicked herself out of her world in the process, because time physics just doesn't work the way you want to. She was still oblivious by the time Sal found her.

>>3326378
I want to go digging, but the backstories are so scattered I'd end up having to re-read the whole quest.
Not that that's a bad thing, but that's a little more involved that I have time for.

Anyone going to archive the previous thread while we can?

>>3327330
done
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3287541

>>3327349
Thanks, anon.

Maybe we should ice the broken-veilweaver before they're carted off as a grand revival? We are responsible for our mistakes after all. Maybe if we send the soul off again before it experiences too much it'll become whole again.
At least there was no bleach or spaghetti.

> “Ask Norima about it. I need to make sure Carrang’s okay.” You need to distract yourself with the decently recovered one.

As much as I want to hear more Miranda backstory, I think it'll come out anyway, and think taking two "I don't wanna but-" options in a row is just ASKING for bad end.

>>3327443
Keep avoiding it and it won't

>>3324642
>“...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

>>3324642
>> “...Mind if we go somewhere private?” You hate that you’re even entertaining this. But...Izumi laid herself bare before. Fair’s fair, right?

File: 20190309_004038.jpg (343 KB, 1080x1113)

343 KB JPG

>>3324644
Oh, decided to check last crossover's archive and found this.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kj00CtC5_cYWFCmRqc3h68q-OdQwCui3dgxQDbordEQ/edit
>Izumi
>1 Legendary Grade Exotic Scimitar (Fire)

>>3328031
we might need to have an independent google doc so that we can keep track of all the things, lore, items and other tibdits we find.

>>3328488
>General Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/u/MGFHQHandler

>>3328492
but handler misses stuff like the gauntlets and the scimitar among others(also we can't edit that pasetbin) and there are lore tibdits that get lost in the threads and become increasingly difficult to find. having another doc where anons can compile all that stuff should save us some headaches and also help handler in the long run.

Net check. Either it's being weird again, or maybe it's just my browser...so I'm trying a different one.

>>3330191
Good afternoon, boss!

>>3330191
Evening, boss! How'd your week go?

>>3330203
>>3330211
Well enough. Got home late, so dinner, then a late run.

>>3324642
>>3324651
>>3324652
>>3324756
>>3324784
>>3324808
>>3324820
>>3324877
>>3325303
>>3327497
>>3327739

“...Mind if we go somewhere private?” Your voice isn’t working right. Damnit, you don’t know- fuck, that’s a lie. You know damn well what’s wrong. You just hate having to admit it. But, hell. Izumi’s laid herself bare to you, and you treated her respectfully. You know she’s good for it.

But as she nods wordlessly, clear concern in her eyes, you still find yourself only just able to stop yourself from shaking.

Before long, you’re in the woods, a fair distance from the preparing army; you don’t have a ton of time to get this off your chest, sooo…

“I think I fucked up.” That’s as succinct as you can put it. “I just thought she wasn’t quite dead and I had these new gloves and I dunno, maybe-” Okay, not as succinct.

“Whoa, whoa!” Izumi puts an arm on your shoulder gently. “Now, calm down and start from the top, alright?” Her voice is softer, soothing, and you HATE it.

But, fuck, in for a penny. So you tell her the events she just missed. The crazy, the self-mutilation attempt, and…

“...oh. I see.” Fucking hell, she has this LOOK on her face- it’s not pity, but you swear it’s something close. It wouldn’t make you so pissed off otherwise. Still, you’re no raw crying little girl- you can tamp it down. She continues, and you’re glad she can’t look into your headspace right now. “If it helps...to be honest, I would have done the same. To take one’s own life is...well, it’s not something I feel right letting just happen. I’d have tried to save her as well. And frankly, I think you DID save her. She didn’t seem comatose, did she?”

“No, but hell, that’s not what I’m worried about!” you grind out. “Soul shit is always funky, never works how you want it to. It’s so damn precise it’s not worth figuring out, not to mention sensitive!” Why is your mouth still fucking moving? “And hell, that’s just...that’s the person person. Their core! With all the shit people and magical girls go through day to day you’d think they deserve a little fucking rest if they can get it! It’s just too far, okay? You can come back one way or another from just about fucking anything with the right magic. Your soul is IT. The buck stops there. I’m not gonna have another fucking-” Fuck.

(cont.)

>>3330412
Nearly went a foot too far.

Unfortunately, she notices, her face turning understanding- and yet oddly losing that infuriating pity. “Miranda...if you don’t mind my asking...?”

You’re not sure if you do or don’t.

She goes ahead anyway in your silence. “Who...did it happen to?”

Fuck. Fucking...fuck. And at this point, you’re going to have to give her SOME kind of answer.

> “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.
> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.
> “Does it matter? Point isn’t WHO, it’s WHAT.” You’re not trying to give her a sob story, you just want her to know why you hate this.
> Other

>>3330423
>“...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.

>>3330423
> “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.

>>3330423
>“...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.
I'm not sure this is the right time but I'm too curious.

>>3330423
> “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.

>>3330423
>> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.

>>3330423
>> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.

Miranda does NOT need to break down this much right now. Save the details for after the mission when they're back, not here.

>>3330423
> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.
Honestly, I wish we told our backstory to Lori instead because she told us hers and Izumi hasn't

>>3330467
Nah. there is no way to stopp this pain train that we've been trying to avoid and trying to drown with booze for more than 500 years.

>>3330423
>“...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.

>>3330423
> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.
Just the past nipping at my heels. It'll fade with time. Always does.

>>3330423
> “...A close friend of mine back ‘then’.” She doesn’t need to know the specifics- they’re meaningless now; just heartache. But you can at least admit what happened.

>>3330423
> “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.

Well...

Writing.

>>3330423
> “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” Fuck it. Might as well tell her the story.
Go for broke. Getting it out might help Miranda later.

>>3330491
It's been 70 years. Let's introduce ourselves.

>>3330423
>>3330428
>>3330434
>>3330435
>>3330444
>>3330506
>>3330522
>>3330531
For a moment, you consider keeping it hidden again. You doubt it’d come up in polite conversation for...well, a while again. She knows the general etiquette, she’d shut up about it. You could just give a vague answer, she’d allow it and let her imagination do all the talking for you from then on. No need to put yourself through this. None at all.

...that moment quickly passes as you can see the genuine concern on her face; it causes you to flare up in indignation for a second before you let it all out with a sigh. Fuck it.

Just...fuck it. “...Her name was Tessa. One of the original members of my old team. First one to try to reach out to me.” You’re not bothering to look at her now- you know you’d get distracted otherwise if you were watching her expressions. “Real egghead, but in a weird way. Knew a lot of random crap about random subjects; a total trivia queen. Always loved to go on about random shit. Wasn’t as annoying as it sounds because she always managed to tie it into whatever we were doing or facing. Hell, saved our dumb asses a few times.” You’d always gotten the impression that she was some sort of savant…at least, most of the time. “She was kind of the team’s comic relief, but she was cool with it and I appreciated her efforts. Eventually we became...y’know. Friends.” You affect a sigh at this, rolling your shoulders, but Izumi doesn’t react, instead simply nodding at your story, listening intently.

So you continue. “Anyway, one day this really nasty piece of work showed up. I honestly forgot his name because I just called him ‘Lizardface Fuck’.” Thinking about it, you shrug in remembrance. “Well, not in front of the others- just in my head. But anyway, we tag him in a cemetery doing SOME grody shit, go to fuck him up. He’s not screwing around, though, because he has necrosis powers, and that shit is vicious. After about a minute of fighting off these super mutant zombie things, though, we realize that, fuck, where’s Tessa?” You mime looking around briefly. “We hear a scream, and then we realize one of them managed to snag her- big, meat-grinder looking thing. Lizardface Fuck pretty much teleports right to her- I can’t remember what he said to us right then because I was too focused on trying to not get hit- and then he just...touches her. Just fucking...boop, pointer finger to the chest.” Fucking hell, this part. “Swear, I’d never seen Tessa look so terrified or scream like that ever in my life. Honestly, it’s still probably the worst I’ve heard. SOMETHING comes out of her, some pinkish-blue ghostly essence...and he just fucking...transmutes it into a ball. And SWALLOWS IT. WHOLE.”

You'd never felt a gut punch quite like that before when it happened, and you can STILL envision it like it just happened, even after all this time...

(cont.)

>>3330641
>Lizardface Fuck
Too soon man.

>>3330641
Izumi gasps. “Oh...oh dear. I…”

“Not finished,” you mutter, and she immediately shuts up. “So she collapses, and naturally we’re ALL pissed, because fucking hell, he just did...THAT. We don’t know how to react to that really, but fuck, we’re at least going to beat the shit out of him now. First time I ever took the lead for them, honestly.” Hate that THAT was the first memory. “We’re all seeing red, especially me. I honestly couldn’t tell you what happened between then and when I cleared up, but I remember seeing him and his weird leathery skin almost literally melt away- and after he was gone, Tessa’s orb thing was still there, intact- although it had a kinda yellow bit to it now. Obviously we were all super relieved. Weren’t sure how to make it work with her, though, so we tried to force feed it back into her. That…” you sigh. “Well. It worked, for a given value of ‘work’. She opened her eyes again, said she was okay, we laughed, went home...but she was never the same, really. Didn’t talk as much, didn’t joke as much. We thought maybe she was traumatized for a bit, but...her personality shifted, too. She got a lot more sarcastic, a lot more biting humor. Less friendly. Still kinda friendly, but not the same, y’know? Even her powers didn’t quite work the same- her catalyst changed. She never told us what it was, but it wasn’t humor like it used to be. Everyone else could tell, too. Not like we could try to fix it, though…so…” you shrug again. “We just kinda had to get used to it.”

“I...I see,” Izumi replies, clearly distressed- you can see her hand twitch toward you before stopping. “I...can understand your reluctance, I suppose. However-”

“ALL SET!” Suddenly, the sound of the generals jolts you out of your conversation, the both of you looking in the direction of the camp. “SOUND OFF and PREPARE TO MARCH!”

“Damnit,” Izumi swears, before turning back to you. “I’m so so sorry about your-”

> “It’s fine, it’s in the past. But now you know. I’m way too aware of the consequences.”
> “I don’t need ‘sorry’...but I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.”
> “Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.”
> Other

>>3330702
>Other
>Hug her. very awkwardly.

>>3330702
>> “Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.”

>>3330702
>> “Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.”

>>3330702
> "Yeah..."
Followed up by a few moments of silence, after which Izumi does the hand-on-shoulder-from-behind silent comfort bit you see in movies.

>>3330702
> “I don’t need ‘sorry’...but I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.”
> “Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.”

>>3330702
>“It’s fine, it’s in the past. But now you know. I’m way too aware of the consequences.”
An actual specialist would say that OF COURSE something bad happened, we were basically someone with no first aid training except what they saw on medical dramas trying to do brain surgery while the patient is bleeding out. If a specialist had been there, then the soul could have been repaired before being restored to the body.
Little comfort to the person who had to do it, but it should be framed in the right context.

>>3330702
>“I don’t need ‘sorry’...but I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.”

>>3330702
Gonna change >>3330738 to
> “I don’t need ‘sorry’...but I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.”

>>3330702
> “I don’t need ‘sorry’...but I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.”
> “Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.”
They were panicking and the situation scrambled their hands big time. And they had no soul experts. It's understandable in a way.

Writing!

File: q1xRcHR.jpg (26 KB, 480x393)

26 KB JPG

Man...if Miranda ever needed a fight to take something out of her head now would be the perfect time.

Kinda feel bad for the sorry ass that is near her next time. But i know that losing our cool during a battle is just asking for trouble even if i want a scene of Miranda actually being angst about the memory.

>>3330702
>>3330724
>>3330735
>>3330743
>>3330768
>>3330781
>>3330783
Oh, no, fuck this, this is what you DIDN’T want. “I don’t need ‘sorry’, okay!?”

She stops, nearly flinching as she looks away. Fuck. You mentally reprimand yourself. This is what Izumi does, you need to fucking calm down… one, two deep breaths...okay. There.

“...but,” you venture, “I DID need to get it off my chest. So...yeah.” you’re not sure what to say beyond that about the situation. It was there, it’s in the open, let the chips fall where they may.

Fortunately, Izumi seems to understand, giving you a soft smile. “Well...thank you for trusting me to listen. I’m...glad you honored me with it. I won’t betray that trust.”

“Well...Let’s just get back to the camp before they start panicking about losing us.” You’ve had enough of this sappy stuff. Time to get back to work.

Hopefully, the next location will be somewhere teeming with enemies. You’ve got some aggression to work out. It doesn’t take you long before you catch up with the Prince. “Next stop?” you ask, face schooled back into its usual professional standard.

He sighs. “With the situation at Dartmouth...unsuitable, given the current situation, we must detour a bit. Your ‘friend’ in the Blackweb finally showed her face this morning- apparently they she was ‘remotely assessing the situation’.” You can tell he doesn’t buy it for a second. “Nonetheless, my current intentions are to cleave closer to the mountain range from here on in- Kolm’s lands are on the other side, and there’s no easy way through- so if we’re going to make best possible time with minimal risk of casualties, we’ll be stopping near the mining town of Jorhold. It’s both a mining area and a fortress town; I strongly suspect that they will have cleared the town out by now, sadly- but I also see little reason for them to occupy it at this juncture. Still, better safe than sorry.”

“Prince!” A voice calls; you look back to see one of the Veilspeakers approaching rapidly. “We have seen something!”

>Roll 1d100+20, best of FOUR.

Rolled 98 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3330891

Rolled 70 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3330891

Rolled 78 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3330891

Rolled 87 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3330891

>>3330901
>>3330904
>>3330907
>>3330909
>unsure if load of enemies to blow off steam on or free and clear.

>>3330901
>>3330891
Oh boy...they sure did saw something alright.

Seems like their appreciation for your efforts has manifested in superior sight despite the cost to one of their number.

>>3330915
Might be even better - catching one of Kholm's lieutenants offguard. There's quite a list of them.

>>3330926
Did the revived Veilspeaker lose her Foresight abilities? That would hit VERY hard.

Why the heck does everyone call the prince prince? Instead of Prince John or whatever his name was. Or your Royal Hoityness.

>>3330933
This is what was being discussed earlier. Any of the speculative damaged mentioned earlier could be counted as a "cost".

>>3330937
Nobles and royalty tend to put a strong emphasis on their station. It's similar to calling your boss "boss".

>>3330937
Well, most of the time he's being adressed either by non-humans and they have their own ideas on how to use titles, or our outgoers who don't really bother about it.

>>3330926
i would rather have gold thank you.

>>3330946
>or our outgoers who don't really bother about it
It being grammar I assume. "We should do tell Prince."

>>3330891
>>3330901
>>3330904
>>3330907
>>3330909
“Speak,” he commands.

“To the strong north, the land itself rebels against the shadows. In the darkness of the stone, just beyond the efforts of your people lies an ancient power, one of the wild itself. It musters its energy to banish the shadows there...but it will not last. We have seen a path which grants YOU this blessing, Prince. Should you go forth there now and brave what lies beneath, you will claim the ancient knowledge of wild magic, enough to banish the shadow where you step!”

“Oh?” He rubs his chin in thought. “Most interesting. Although by ‘wild magic’, you mean-”

“Hold!” she interrupts, to your surprise. “Because we have seen another path. One very possible, and just as helpful.”

“Another?” he asks curiously. “And what of that one?”

“To the east, the black winds howl. Led by lash and blade, one of our hateful kin seeks to empower herself at the cost of many in a seaside village,” she starts.

To himself, you can hear the Prince mutter ‘Hollow’s Point...?’

“Yes,” she answers, having heard him. “A blood ritual, orchestrated by a Lady of the Blackweb, and her followers chant the name ‘Ferrah’. She will be taken by obsession come this night- a lust for power which blinds her to the outside world until it completes when the moon is full. Strike her before the fourth moon rises, and she will fall, and her followers with her.”

Ferrah? Well, now, that’s one of your targets! It could prove to be quite the boon, either way, it sounds like. The question is, though...which should you suggest he go for?

>The Blessing of the Wild
>The Elimination of Ferrah
>Other

Gonna call it quits for tonight. Run will be tomorrow.

>>3330971
>Other
Try to access the situation more, and plan to take both paths if possible.
I'd suggest sending the duo to assassinate Ferrah, but getting more spells and tools that STAYS with us after the job is very tempting.

>>3330996
Going with this.

>>3330971
>>The Blessing of the Wild
The wilds appear to need him in particular. We can handle the Blackweb.

>>3330971
>Other
Split up: Miranda goes after Ferrah, Izumi goes on an escort mission.

>>3330996
>Other
Split up: Miranda goes after Ferrah, Izumi goes on an escort mission.

>>3330971
>The Elimination of Ferrah

i want to get to Zatzil gold!!

>>3331023
>>3330971
Ayup. Time for some scry & die tactics.

>>3330971
>Other
>Split up: Miranda goes after Ferrah, Izumi goes on an escort mission.
if we can finish this early we can grab loot and then jump/fly back to help Izumi.
Also, we should ask for a map so we won't get lost.unless there are people coming with us

>>3331187
I think we could take Carrang for a ride? To avoid simething like what happend moments ago from happening again.

>>3331302
I doubt that she'd be allowed to move around without a platoon of tard-wranglers watching her every step after recent events, plus she's still a PoW. We could suggest making restraining shirts out of gambesons for the trio that received the message of the Veil though.

>>3330971
>>Other
>Prince should go for the Blessing, Miranda takes care of Farrah

>>3331187
>unless there are people coming with us
I guess it could be arranged to have a few bunny-spies and veilspeaker combatants to join Miranda on her assignment. And we also could contact Zatzil's supporters as well so they would guide us through Blackweb territory and cover our escape.
As for the Prince, we can expect his personal guards and retainers to be there, plus a few bear warriors and ritualists from Braun. Everyone else is supposed to stay with the armies and march towards Jorhold.

>>3330971
>Other: Split up. Izumi and Miranda can take one each; we're heavy-hitters and we can handle it.

Time for a solo assassination job. (With the nebula buster because there's no kill like overkill)

>>3330971
>Split up: Miranda goes after Ferrah, Izumi goes on an escort mission.

If we can't split up I vote
>The Blessing of the Wild

Let the prince become a hero. This world dearly needs one after we're gone.

>>3331870
I think Miranda has earned the right to use excessive force today.

>>3332573
As long as it doesn't make things harder on ourselves later, I'm game for some wanton destruction.

Destruction is fun.

>>3331870
>>3332573
It's my personal goal to use the nebula buster at least once per mission, but if they're supposed to make a blood ritual I'm pretty sure that there will be a lot of innocent around.

File: 1500599509705.jpg (327 KB, 1110x684)

327 KB JPG

>>3332573
I concur

>>3332685
Is it wrong that i want to take a look at this blood ritual? I guess that would be to much for Miranda right? I guess not since blood ritual usualy means someone is getting sacrificed.

>>3332817
Sure rituals are interesting but by design they're not something that will ever be useful, or useable.

We're the hero I guess so a dynamic entry at the last possible moment has a 100% chance of working.

>>3332817
I don't think they're Randa's bag. While not directly soul-related, many variations seem to get kinda close to it. Plus, blood magic is often about sacrifice and/or pain/suffering in exchange for power, which randa already has in spades.

I could see Lori dabbling in it though, as she has less... restraints and is more likely to get herself into a bind that could be solved with a massive short-term power boost.

>>3331084
>>3330971
Changing my vote because i suck at reading comprehension. We are just sugestung wrre the PRINCE should go.

>The Blessing of the Wild

>>3332847
It's less to have the ritual and use it and have it to be more as a inspiration for another work/time of magic. We would never use the healling rituals here, but that didn't stopped from us getting inspiration/ideas from watching people doing it.

>>3330971
>The blessing of the wild
The Prince needs some power up.

For our duo, I agree to split up.

*Kick browser to make it work again*

Right, then. Seems like it's going to be convince him to go for the Blessing, while Miranda anad Izumi split up. Writing.

>>333097
>>3333538

“You should probably go for that blessing,” you mention to him bluntly. “Something with the kind of power they’re making it sound like would be a major boon to us and likely allow you to take back any further areas we come across with far less fuss, considering we’d have to worry less about eliminating the shadows.”

“Mmm.” He nods slowly. “Yes, I can see your reasoning. Although I’m loathe to let this ‘Ferrah’ go unimpeded, especially with the sound of a blood ritual- no doubt requiring sacrifice...perhaps we can send a smaller unit to deal with them- or at least disrupt the ritual attempt.” He turns to the Lizardkin, nearby with Za-Leil. “Captain! Some news here, when you get a chance to hear it! We’ll be off soon!”

“You don’t want us to go to the east?” Izumi asks. “I can assure you we’d be more than happy to deal with this horrible happenstance.”

“If I’m being honest, I’m reluctant to have you too far away from us,” he admits. “You’ve become something of an intimidation factor for us, no doubt.” He looks out to the front. “Not to mention that even with your speed, it’d take time for you to get there and back to us. Perhaps I’m being paranoid, but I worry.”

“Then perhaps it’s best if we divide and conquer,” Izumi suggests. “My speed is superior to Yvrace’s, so I could go, eliminate Ferrah, and come back faster than she could.”

"Nah," you disagree. "I can get there fast enough that the time difference would be mitigated. Besides, the rank and file trust you more than me." No self-deprecation in it; just clear facts.

"True..." Izumi reluctantly admits. "But then, you'll be headed out now?"

You shrug. "Why not? After I get a map this time, though..."

"Anything else?" the Prince asks. "We need to get moving, after all."

Good question. "Well..."

>"No, I'd say that's the only real concern."
>"Actually, Zatzil might have some special insight...hopefully."
>Some further help from the Veilspeakers might not go amiss...
>Other

>>3333770
>"Actually, Zatzil might have some special insight...hopefully."

>>3333770
>"Actually, Zatzil might have some special insight...hopefully."

i'm off to kill your rival. If you have any spies or anyone that is willing to submit and "not wanting to die" move then. Because i'm in a terrible mood at the moment.

>>3333770
>"Actually, Zatzil might have some special insight...hopefully."
If she knows of any potential turncoats, or if she has agents with Ferrah already.
Oh, and a description so we know who to headshot first would be nice.

>>3333770
>>"No, I'd say that's the only real concern."

Fair enough. Writing.

>>3333770
>"Actually, Zatzil might have some special insight...hopefully."
She can probably ID Zatzil, if we apply the appropriate level of subtlety, paranoia and deception.

>>3333835
Oh yeah that would be nice wouldn't it?

>>3333770
>>3333780
>>3333821
>>3333835
>>3333877
Thinking about it, it’d be worth seeing what your informant has on her rival. “I’ll be off in a bit. Zatzil might have some particular insight.”

He nods. “Fair enough. We’ll start marching in a minute; you’ll have to walk and talk.”

“Understood.” With that settled, you head towards the back; if you recall correctly…

Ah, there she is. Still in her cage, now on wheels. That bear guard isn’t with her anymore, instead replaced by two burly grizzly-looking fellows. Despite that, she’s got at least a blanket, and a number of meats in front of her which she’s savoring. For all intents and purposes, she seems to have a gilded cage at the moment and...well, if not loving it, then she seems mostly content. Seeing you walk up, her attention turns from her meal, giving you a sycophantic smile (or maybe you’re just in a mood, still). “Ah, Sabereye. What brings you around to me today?”

...Yeah, you don’t really feel like entertaining any attitude from her today. “Going after one of your targets. Ferrah. If you got any information on her or people of interest, let me know now, or else they’re going to die. Simple as.”

“...S-she’s a rather fierce conductor of battle,” Zatzil says blankly. You’re not even sure if she recognizes she’s leaning back. “And is easily the largest of the three. One of the biggest in general, really- she tends to wear furs on her abdomen, as well as a carry a curved sword and whip, you see. Her armor is also rather...ornate. Black and red, and in particular her helmet- fully covered and stained in pattered blood. She likes to style herself as the Lady of War, and tends to favor brutality and overt intimidation over the more common subtle efforts. She gets away with it because she’s not an idiot, however- she has a PREFERENCE for direct action, but that does not mean she is incapable of strategic thought. Far from it.” She pauses a bit as she racks her brain. “There are some that serve under her that I’ve heard are...less than pleased with her stylings. But I’ve no one there under my own employ- if nothing else, Ferrah is fiercely protective of her status, and knows well each of her recruits.”

You can hear the call to march, as the army begins to shift and move again, on the trail to the north.

>Any further questions?
>Nothing- time to get going.

>>3333970
>>Nothing- time to get going.

>>3333970
"What is the thing that would humiliate her or otherwise make her superiors and equals think less of her?"

>>3333994
>>3333970
Also, gonna grab that helmet, whip, and curved sword.

>>3333970
Ask her if she has any ideas on how Blackwebs could adjust their philosophy so we wouldn't have to go with the genocide option.

>>3333970
>Any further questions?
"Any magical protections? Anyone within her ranks that you've heard can be valuable alive?"

I want to put a shot through her abdomen and make her bleed out. And kill every single subordinate under her. Make the rest of the living soldiers under Kolm fear us.
We don't have the time to really set up a true psychological warfare campaign, so simply killing as many as we can will have to do.

>>3333970
Physical description obtained, look forward to a new helmet Zatzil
>Nothing- time to get killing.

>>3334030
Naw, that helmet's gonna be great as a stat buff piece for us.

>>3334039
Let's be real, that helmet isn't surviving, we're gonna wipe her off this plane with a nebula buster.

>>3334013
>>3333970
At the moment Blackwebs are openly hostile towards other clans and species, don't deal in trade and dabble in blood magic. Threaten her that if that doesn't change, then after we'll deal with Zai the Aliance will wipe the remaining Blackwebs from existence unless she can come up with idea how to change her clan's ways.

>>3334030
No the helmet is ours. It will be cool if we ever go in a villan job.

>>3334051
That makes no sense, we need to humiliate her in close combat first, otherwise how is that going to weaken Zai's place as Matron?

Last question. How do we obtain the HUMILIATION FINISH?

>>3334051
But i want loot. Besides she probably has cool shit in her castle.

>>3334071
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0y0WhGoMw

>>3333970
>>3333988
>>3333994
>>3333998
>>3334013
>>3334023
>>3334063
“You mentioned something about humiliating her and making her seem ineffectual to be best. Any ideas for going about that?” If this was going to happen, it needed to happen as efficiently (and preferably as brutally) as possible.

“Ah, for Ferrah...hm. Honestly, were you to utilize sheer overwhelming force, she may consider it a worthy warrior’s death and merely intend to be a martyr later. To humiliate her...it would take disabusing her of a notion that she is as skilled of a warrior as she claims. If you can get her to beg, even…” she chuckles to herself as the image runs through her head. “Hohoh...THAT would be quite the sight to remember. You’ll need to keep a few of her forces alive to spread the story, of course, but Ferrah begging for her life before the end would be a DELICIOUS marring on her personage.” You decline to add the obvious quip. “In general, it wouldn’t likely be as simple as trouncing her in both single combat and out maneuvering her soldiers. You’ll need to make it seem as though her strategy is inefficient wholesale. How you do that…” She shrugs. “Well, I suppose it depends on the situation, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” you agree as the lot of you begin walking (or in her case, rolling). “Any magical protections? Anyone within her ranks that you've heard can be valuable alive?"

“Nothing I can think of- though I’ve heard rumors that her helmet is blessed by the Ancestors. How and in what way seems to be a guarded secret, though. For all I know, they may be false. As for individuals? I do not know them personally, but I HAVE seen some individuals of her allegiance with furs on them as well- likely some sort of mark of special rank or the like. Is there anything else you need?”
“No,” you decide. “Just a warning.”

“Warning? For wha-” She stops when you look her back in the eye, almost unconsciously skittering backwards a couple more steps until pressed up against the bars.

“Think very carefully about what you might be ‘inheriting’. At the moment Blackweb are openly hostile towards other clans and species, don't deal in trade, and dabble in fucking blood rituals,” you explain. She opens her mouth to rebut, and you cut her off. “Right now, most everyone wants your clan ERASED. I don’t think it’d be out of turn to say that if you don’t find some way to get your people to mellow out after you take the throne, then the rest of the Alliance is going to finish what I’ve started- with relish. That’s presuming I don’t end up doing it first. Clear?”

“I-eh-uh-I mean-er, transparently! I’ll give it, uh, some serious thought, yes!” Hm. At least she’s still smart enough to be scared of you.

(cont.)

>>3334151
With that, might as well get going. After talking to some of the knights, you’re granted a backpack of provisions; food, sleeping roll, waterskin, etc., and with your halberd and your map, you set off wordlessly, only turning to wave goodbye to Izumi before bounding towards the east, towards Hollow’s Point, and towards Ferrah, the Lady of War of the Blackweb.

>Roll 1d20, best of 3.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3334157
onwards!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3334157
On the road again...

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3334157

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3334157
I'M DEATH INCARNATE!!

Writing. I made cookies in the meantime.

>>3334270
What kind of cookies?

This is a very important question.

>>3334301
Chocolate chip. I'm a simple fella.

>>3334304
Acceptable. Proceed.

>>3334304
What kind of chocolate chip, there are many a kind you know.
Are these standard milk chocolate chips? Maybe milk chocolate chunks? white or dark chocolate? crisp or chewy? Inquiring minds need to know.

>>3334157
>>3334163
>>3334164
>>3334172
The trip isn’t harsh, but you can tell the difference in geography after a bit- there’s more gently rolling hills than anything else, less trees. Perfect to get your longjumps going. Although after about a couple of hours or so of jumping, you’re still nowhere near the seaside. Seems like they weren’t kidding about the distance…

It’s at least a pleasant day...well, disregarding the literal cloud of darkness in the sky, although it DOES seem lighter than before…

It’s an hour or so more before you finally decide to take a breather. Your field rations aren’t really much, but they’ll have to do. Hard tack seems omniversal, you swear…

There’s little around these days- the forest is unnaturally quiet, although you suspect that that’s due to the whole ‘literal shadow war’ thing than anything prowling. Still, it never hurts to be aware, which is why you keep an eye out, and thinking on it, you decide to keep a nose out, too. Fortunately, nothing comes at you, although you get faint whiffs of...something, or maybe someone, moving away from your location. After a surprisingly peaceful ‘lunch’, you move on, this time deciding on getting some gliding practice in. With the way mostly clear, you even see fit to try a bit extra- you’re wondering if you can’t do anything extra with this leg control you have nowadays...you’d have to form it so that it isn’t just expelled through your foot- you need it to have proper kick if you wanted any kind of boost from it…

After about an hour or so of messing around, you think you’ve managed to at least give yourself a little ‘kick’, sorta! It’s not much, but it’ll at the very least allow you to change your lateral trajectory, if not your vertical one just yet.

>Learned Air Shift! This allows you to essentially ‘juke’ in midair, altering your lateral trajectory to throw off anyone aiming at you. Vertical doesn’t get you much height at the moment, but it can at least arrest your fall provided you’re not yet in gravity’s grasp.

To your own surprise, it’s nearly evening by the time you crest another hill and see water in the distance. The sun- what little you can see of it- is going down around a very simplistic seaside village- a few ports, with a couple of sailboats, even. A lot of wooden thatched buildings, some stone ones that you think might be warehouses... The village itself seems to be bare from this distance, but you can see even from this distance there’s been a decent amount of destruction, although likely long since occured, and you know full well the place will be crawling with spiders. The whole village seems to be a relatively small cluster of buildings and there doesn’t seem to be any obvious town square or anything...which means you’re going to have to play this a bit differently.

Regardless, you’re going to make sure that come the morning, Ferrah will be dead, and her reputation destroyed to boot.

(Wrapping up here tonight. Run continues tomorrow.)

>>3334421
Dark chocolate, crispy.

>>3334637
Thanks for running.

>>3334637
Night boss. Enjoy your cookies!

Now I want cookies, too...

>>3334637
Thanks for running!

File: Civilization-VI-Friedrich(...).jpg (140 KB, 1920x1080)

140 KB JPG

>brutal spider warlord
>weights a lot, large in size, wears armor
>needs to die in humiliating way
>SEAside village
Here's an example for inspiration.

>>3336228
I had to look up the actual individual to figure out what you meant.

At least I learned something today.

>>3334637
You don’t see any guards patrolling as you try to keep as close to the sparse treeline as possible. There’s a few sweeter scents on the wind, but they’re moving quickly; not towards you, but rather in a number of various directions. Clearly busy, but where to specifically, you can’t identify as of yet. That said, you can hear some noise towards the western area, closer to where you are and in the direction of one of the warehouses...that still smell of fish.

There’s something going on in the eastern side closer to you as well, though...you’re not sure, but there seems to be large piles of dirt on the outskirts of the village, as well as a few shovels planted into the ground. You’re not sure how recent that is, but it might at least be worth looking into; some of the dirt seems fresh, despite the darkness making it harder to tell. It’s then that you get a flash of movement, and quickly conceal yourself as best you can as you see a Blackweb Weaver heave a large bag onto the pile carelessly, before leaving as quickly as they came.

>Head towards the warehouse. Better to see what’s going on there, just in case.
>Head towards the pile and the bag. May be worth investigating, whatever it is.
>Keep concealed and try to stay away from any potential congregation points for now.
>Other

>>3337909
>Head towards the pile and the bag. May be worth investigating, whatever it is.

What’s in the bag, Weaver?! What’s in the bag?!

>>3337915
By the way, how visible is our mana tether? Does it glow, or is it transparent?

>>3337909
>Head towards the pile and the bag. May be worth investigating, whatever it is.

>>3337909
>Head towards the pile and the bag. May be worth investigating, whatever it is.

>>3337937
It's visible, tangible and glows a bit.

>>3337909
>>Head towards the warehouse. Better to see what’s going on there, just in case.
the dirt and bag is either defensive earthworks, or mass graves.

>>3337909
>Head towards the pile and the bag. May be worth investigating, whatever it is.

>>3337909
>Head towards the warehouse. Better to see what’s going on there, just in case.

Oh i get it. They are drainning the villager from their blood for the ritual. Must be a pretty big ritual to require all that blood.

>>3337951
It's mass graves they are preparing to do a blood ritual after all.

What's in the bag?

Writing.

Beware of the Old blood little spiders.

>>3337909
>>3337915
>>3337940
>>3337946
>>3337967
Well, pile and bag is closer; you can take some time out to it. You’ll just have to be cautious about it.

Your hackles rise a bit when there’s no sentries nearby, but you recall the Veilspeaker’s claims- likely Ferrah’s just begun to pull everyone off in order to work on her little ‘project’. As the sun drops below the horizon, you creep up to the mass piles- nearly as tall as the houses themselves, they don’t seem to be anything too special...although you can’t help but take a look at the bag that was thrown on top there. Just what did they have that they junked?

You grimace after you undo the string. Simple question, simple solution...a corpse. Human. Youngish, too, barely out of his early teens, from the look of things. He has a shriveled, anemic look to him, like he was…

...Blood ritual. Right. Duh.

Question is, then, what’s all the dirt for? Ritual circle? Graves? Some sort of construction? As you look inwards to the village street, you notice that there’s a couple of Weavers, both with shovels, discussing something, only to be berated quickly by another Weaver that comes up to the both of them, sending them scurrying along.

Suddenly, you see a trail of smoke go up closer to the beach area- nothing too thick, but why would they be making a fire if they're digging graves? Or even vice versa- if they were cremating the body, then would they need graves? Or is it just for the ritual?

>Head next for the smoke; see if it's fire or what.
>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.
>Disengage- see what's over on the other side, now.

Regardless,
>Roll 1d20, best of 3.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3338096
>>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3338096
>>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.
We can check on the fire after, if we want to. This is time sensitive.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3338096
>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3338096
Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.

>>3338111
noice

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3338096
>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.

Miranda is the night.

>>3338096
>Try to follow the two chatterboxes and listen in, just in case.

Impressive. Let's see what they have to say. Writing.

>>3338096
>>3338111
>>3338114
>>3338115
>>3338116
>>3338128
>>3338161
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of vertical space taken up- not the best idea to take to the rooftops this time. You’re going to have to be careful and follow them on foot if you want to listen in. Still not great at that, but you’re getting better, at least. You take a quick check for anyone else in the vicinity; being much closer, you can detect their ‘scents’ a bit more minutely now. Fortunately, there’s no one nearby, except the ones you want to follow. Perfect.

You dart out across the dirt street to slip behind another house; jumping through a few back areas, you do your best to move quickly and lightly; you’re less than a house’s length from them before turning on your hearing boost. Fortunately, they seem just as chatty as they’d been before.

“...I swear, this goes so slowly! And so meticulous! How much blood will she even need?” At least one sounds frustrated, for sure.

“I don’t know. I never know,” the other one grumbles. “I just keep quiet and do as I’m told. Not inclined to become another ‘sparring partner’.”

“Good point,” the first mutters. “Still, the way she wants this circle built is far too strange. I’m not exactly the best when it comes to ritualism, but she’s not making any sense!”

“That’ll probably change later. We just need to make sure that there’s enough humans for her supply. We can’t just drain them ALL.” Well, that’s good to know. “So you can’t go and do what you just did too often.”

“He insulted my hair! Besides, it was probably going to happen sooner or later. And I get a headstart on my required amount.”

“Good for you. Regardless, we still need to work on the circle FIRST. She was very adamant about that.” Interesting.

A grunt of understanding as they turn off the main street and towards a small hilly area- you can see they’re heading for a clearing with a number of Weavers around it, and several chopping at trees. “Right. So what do WE do with the captive humans, then?”

“Madam Nie’s supposed to be taking care of that. Just ask her. If I recall, I last saw her heading around the big building with Lady Ferrah. The one that stank of fish.” Well, that explains that…

“Then what’s Fireeah doing?” comes the followup question. “Sitting around and drinking tea again?”

“Careful no one hears you say that. She should be here briefly, she’s doing...something, down by the water’s edge. No clue what. Now shut up and let’s get back to work before we get punished this time.”

“Oh, relax, she said nothing about being unable to talk while working…”

(cont.)

>>3338266
Yeah, it’d be harder for you to get closer without getting spotted anyway- but still, some information. They’re not planning on killing all of them just yet, but what they DO need them for...egh. You look up into the sky- you can still see the smoke, at least, but it’s thinner.

You’ve got to figure out how to go about this before you lose the element of surprise…

>Check what may still be there. Might be worth looking into whatever Fireeah was doing.
>Maybe you can strike here. You don’t see any of those ‘special’ Blackweb around…
>Alright, you know that your target is in the warehouse. Time to go say hi.
>Other

>>3338269
>Check what may still be there. Might be worth looking into whatever Fireeah was doing.

>>3338266
>Check what may still be there. Might be worth looking into whatever Fireeah was doing.

>>3338269
>>Alright, you know that your target is in the warehouse. Time to go say hi.

>>3338269
>Check what may still be there. Might be worth looking into whatever Fireeah was doing.

>>3338269
>Check what may still be there. Might be worth looking into whatever Fireeah was doing.

>>3338269
>>Alright, you know that your target is in the warehouse. Time to go say hi.
Doesn't matter what they're planning on doing if they can't do it because they're dead.

I wonder if we could confuse them with our demonic looks and pass as Kolm's direct subordinate, if only for a few moments.

Might as well be making smoke signals. We'll see.

Writing!

we could try to use our summon as a scout. There is no one important nearby that would get spooked by it

>>3338269
>>3338273
>>3338276
>>3338290
>>3338310
Well, whatever that smoke is coming from, you at least want to know the reason behind it. You have to be careful, and truthfull, there’s a number of Weavers that are skittering around, but they all seem to be remaining mostly in the center of the village, as their numbers thin out the closer you get to the edge. More than once you swear you’d been too loud or obvious, but it seems like they’re so busy with their orders that they’re clearly not paying as much attention to their surroundings as they should.

The moon’s light is far more sinister under this cloud cover- honestly, the fact that it can shine at all is surprising to you. And yet it does, at least partially, break through, illuminating the rather small sandy shore ahead.

It’s thanks to that that you can see the cause of the smoke easily enough- fire, clearly. A strange bonfire...although maybe ‘bonfire’ isn’t accurate; the fire is clearly burning in a specific shape, although you can’t quite tell what at this angle... something inside a circle, might be an S-shape. There’s something as well in the center; some kind of small spire. That’s not what sticks out at you, though. What sticks out is the COLOR. A dark, vicious black fire that you can easily feel the heat of from here as it spirals higher bit by bit. Blatantly unnatural, and whatever’s burning in the center is extremely difficult to see because of the fire surrounding it. No one is nearby, however, oddly enough, and despite the smoke lessening, the fire itself seems to be perfectly stable- growing, even…

>That proooobably needs to be taken down soon.
>Hm. You move quickly enough, this might be ignorable.
>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.
>Other

>>3338413
>>Hm. You move quickly enough, this might be ignorable.
Fire is often a cleaner or purifier. I could see us trying to disrupt or put it out only setting it loose.

>>3338413
>>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.
Or make it so that the fire spreads where it shouldn't...

>>3338413
>That proooobably needs to be taken down soon.
>Other: Scan the magic of the fire using the FutureSight
Are we depending on the FutureSight too much now that we have something that can give us an idea of what we're dealing with?

>>3338413
>Hm. You move quickly enough, this might be ignorable.

>>3338413
>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.

Going to end the run here for today, there's a few 'life' things I need to finish up before the day is out.

>>3338499
Night, boss.

>>3338413
>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.

>>3338413
> Maybe you can sabotage it

I wonder what happens if we mix our blood into it?

Anyways, we should maybe also look at those graves again, check that they aren't being buried in a specific order. If they are, we can maybe steal a couple corpses at random and mess that up too.

I wonder if Gartoum would know anything about it.

>>3339212
Maybe this is the shadow version of a upgrade for weapons. The same way that our gloves got a upgrade thanks to the Bears deity or whatever the thing they whorship is.

>>3338413 #
>>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.

>>3339228
We should have brought along a ritualistic specialist.

>>3338413
>>Maybe you can sabotage it- disrupt the circle just enough.

>>3339266
The specialist would probably slow us down of bump into something breaking our stealth. N9 need to complicate stuff our goal here is to humilate the spider, which will work if we fuck up the blood ritual, then give her a sound beating, making so unfair that she will end up begging Miranda to stop, so we can humilate her even further and kill her in the end.

Probably killing three or four of her closest and strongest warriors. Oh and of course the most important part, collecting anything that is valiable and it's not attached to something.

>>3339566
I was thinking about tricking her into fighting with us near the shore, chucking her into the sea and have her drown under her own weight and all that gear that she packs - seeing her helplessly flail around and chocking on water while crying for help would be a quite humiliating way to go for a warrior. And then we can fish-out her loot with the help of our magical super-respirator.

>>3339574
What if she's a water spider though?

Besides, given her body and the whole "near water" thing, her excessive use of artifacts makes me think that she probably is prepared for someone trying something like that.

I say we fuck up her ritual, then set some supplies and such on fire, abduct vulnerable patrols, maybe focus on her supporters within her faction to weaken her power base, then finally we just waltz in and ideally be able to force her into a 1v1 or else we'll go back to guerilla tactics.

>>3339648
>What if she's a water spider though?
Where did you get that idea? And there's only ONE item in her posession that could be called an artifact, and even then it's questionable that it would help her. Blackweb's rituals are focused on strengthening their bodies, not elemental stuff. Plus, there's only sea to the east and we're coming from the west, where all the action is - there's no reason for her to prepare for water hazards since she'll be marching to battle through the hills we've passed. Stop making stuff up and curb your paranoia.
Don't mind id change - phoneposting.

Instead of drowning her in the sea, we could do what the Swedes did, and look for a cesspit to drown her in shit.

>>3339674
Sounds fetishistic and she probably wouldn't fit, considering her large size. We could also try throwing her into the sky instead - gravity does not discriminate (usually). Unless there are anons who think that she might be 'an air spider though'.

>>3339683
I was thinking that dragging her, kicking and screaming, to a cesspit to be drowned will make her start begging for a warrior's death faster, and make her death even more humiliating.

Like, she wasn't tricked into it or anything; she was simply dragged to a toilet, despite all of her vaunted strength as a warrior, and drowned in shit like a peasant being murdered.

>>3339566
>our goal here is to humilate the spider
I understand that we want to, but have no particular need to, besides the nebulous idea that it'll help our captive spider somehow.

>>3339697
And now it sounds like autistic edgy powerfantasy of punishing your schoolbully. Stop.