>>3392457
>>You really would rather talk with the Prince to figure out what’s going on in his head now.
Need to make sure the client hasn't gone too nuts.

Welcome back.

>>3392457
>You really would rather talk with the Prince to figure out what’s going on in his head now.
I guess we could as Izumi to grab a spot for us too

>>3392457
>You really would rather talk with the Prince to figure out what’s going on in his head now.

Hey boss

We need to ascertain a few things...

Writing. And thanks. Glad to be back.

>>3392457
>>3392472
>>3392500
>>3392577
You’re mostly concerned that he’s not going to start acting too weird. You still want your money, after all, and preferably with a minimum of fuss. He seems content just sitting up and staring at the sky, which, to be fair, is a bit clearer than it’s been for a while up here. You can see the clouds heavier and deeper in the direction he’s facing, though he doesn’t seem to be focusing on the distant atmosphere. “Simply magnificent, isn’t it?” He says quietly as you walk up; Izumi remains near him, but aside from a curious look at you, remains silent. “I never bothered to look at the sky like this before. I always thought it peaceful, but now I understand just how important this all is.” He chuckles a bit, shaking his head. “And I used to think the bears were a bit overzealous about it all…but now I get why they are like they are.”

Riiight. Well, that said, you want to at least ask him…

>Just how confident he is in this power of his. Sure he still needs support, but if that massive beam you saw in the distance was anything to go by…
>Where’s Macul’s Gate, and why, exactly, does he intend to go there now?
>He's not going to suddenly abandon kingdom and country for straw huts and simple living, is he? You still need payment.
>Other

>>3392649
>>Just how confident he is in this power of his. Sure he still needs support, but if that massive beam you saw in the distance was anything to go by…

and
>He's not going to suddenly abandon kingdom and country for straw huts and simple living, is he? You still need payment.
but deadpan.

>>3392649
>Where’s Macul’s Gate, and why, exactly, does he intend to go there now?
>Other: "Yeah, the environment is very important. Most people don't live in interdimensional pockets that can't be polluted, after all. It's actually surprising how often the phrase 'don't shit where you sleep' gets forgotten by civilizations when they should know better."

>>3392649
>He's not going to suddenly abandon kingdom and country for straw huts and simple living, is he? You still need payment.
And then
>Where’s Macul’s Gate, and why, exactly, does he intend to go there now?

>>3392649
>Just how confident he is in this power of his. Sure he still needs support, but if that massive beam you saw in the distance was anything to go by…
>Where’s Macul’s Gate, and why, exactly, does he intend to go there now?

Macul's Gate? Never heard of it, need to know about it.

Writing.

>>3392649
>>Where’s Macul’s Gate, and why, exactly, does he intend to go there now?

>>3392649
>>3392666
>>3392686
>>3392687

While his new perspective is all well and good, it’s not quite your priority now that you have an idea of where his mind is. “Well, you can understand all you want. What I’m curious about, though, is where’s Macul’s Gate, and just why you’re wanting to go there now all of a sudden.”

“Yes, actually,” the voice of Thorumin speaks up behind you. “I must admit I’m curious about that myself.” The other racial leaders are nearby as well, clearly with a similar mindset.

“Ahh. Macul’s Gate is a pass between the northern mountains, which we’re riding the edge of. It’s a wide enough range that a border fortress could be built there. It was initially simply a resting point for the first explorers of this land as they passed through from one side to the other, but it has become a major milestone for traders and travelers. Going to the Gate is far quicker than going around the mountains, but it’s also a bit more risky. I had initially wanted not to, admittedly, as I am aware that Macul’s Gate is well defended...but with this power, your capabilities, and the army’s resilience, I am now well confident that we can take back Macul’s Gate. This will allow us to deny him a major staging area, and force him on the defensive.”

“Hmph.” Braun...smirks? “Sounds well similar to an idea I had earlier, if I recall- but in fairness, you were not chosen by the Wild at that point.”

“A risky play,” Za-Leil says bluntly. “And one that could cost us...however, perhaps at this juncture it may be worth considering.”

“Be forewarned,” Norima says cautiously. “They will be waiting for us. I don’t need to speak to the Veil to know that they felt that power, and will want to quash it as soon as possible. It is anathema to them.”

“Indeed. Which is why I only gave us until tomorrow to rest. We must move quickly. The Wild cannot wait for long on this matter,” he admits.

“Then we shall make good of the time we have,” Thorumin says. “Considering this type of town, it would be excellent if we could find some additional supplies and perhaps even do a bit of weapons maintenance…”

“I insist on teaching you some of our meditative ways,” Braun suggests. “You may feel more at one with the Wild should you practice them.”

“I will be running drills,” Za-Leil decides, and says nothing more as he heads off.

Izumi turns to you, still smiling. “Then I’ll see to our temporary housing, Yvrace?” and that immediately falls into a grimace. “Although I’m worried people will have claimed most of the good places already...”

>You’ll join Izumi.
>You’ll train with Za-Leil and the lizardkin some more.
>You’ll see to your weapons with Thorumin.
>You’ll sit in on these meditative lessons with Braun.
>Other

>>3392885
>You’ll join Izumi.

>>3392885
>>You’ll see to your weapons with Thorumin.
Sounds like it could fall into a seize pretty quickly. Best make sure the seize weaponry is in top shape.

>>3392885
>>You’ll see to your weapons with Thorumin.

>>3392885
>You’ll join Izumi

>>3392885
>>You’ll join Izumi.

>>3392885
>Other
Find Zatzil and tell her we finished our sidequest

>>3392885
>You’ll join Izumi.

>>3392932
Still need to kill two more spooders mate.

>>3392885
>You’ll see to your weapons with Thorumin.

>>3392942
I'm pretty sure when we left we said we were going off to kill just this one spider

>>3392977
Oh you meant just that one? I though you were wanting to charge Zatzil for killing all her competitors. It was two spider plus the big bad spider lady.

Househunting. Writing.

So are we going to find a destroyed mansion and rebuild it with our glove power?

>>3392885
>>3392901
>>3392919
>>3392925
>>3392942
“Hylinde, I’m coming to look around with you,” you decide. Your own gear is still plenty fine, and no reason to intrude on anyone else’s plans right now. You know your next destination and goal, so that’s fine enough for you. “Maybe we can get something that’s not smashed up.”

“That WOULD be nice,” she muses as you both leave the Prince and the others to their work.

As you both walk the streets, eying potential spots (and grousing at ones that have already been claimed by eager soldiers) Izumi turns to you, stars still in her eyes. “I’m rather proud of our client. He insisted on taking the final tunnels by himself, and while I kept an eye out for his safety, he proved quite able to grasp the stone which was the source of all this. It turned into that blade, even.”

Transfomative? Neat. “Really? Not gonna lie, I saw that thing and for a second there was wondering if I could get my hands on it.”

She just laughs at that. “I doubt it! It seems rather attached to him. But hopefully it’ll help make our jobs easier as well. From what I witnessed, those smaller shadow creatures should fall to pieces just by being in its presence. They’ll be forced to take us seriously.”

“Which is why we’re trying to strike while the iron’s hot, right,” you confirm. The Prince’s logic made a lot of sense- there was only so long a secret weapon could remain secret when it had already been broadcast to all and sundry that it was now in play.

“Not just that- did you sense his potential level increase? It’s impressive what the wild of this world bestowed on him.” Ah, that. You hadn’t actually tried to sniff him, but you HAD gotten a sense that he was more than just human now. Didn’t take anything but experience to judge that. “He’ll be able to stand strong against the tide now.”

You shrug. “I guess so. Honestly, that’s good for us. Less worry, although we should still make sure that he doesn’t get too confident. He seems to be aware of that so far, but who knows in the future.”

“Too true,” Izumi concedes. “But for now I suppose let’s try to find a decent house, hm? Seems like the people were pretty eager…”

“Well, we don’t exactly need much,” you admit. “Although I WOULD like a decent bed…”

>Roll 1d100, best of 3.

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>3393241

>>3393250
This amuses me greatly.

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>3393241
Come on dice gods give me a ruined mansion that no one is using because is all destroyed.Please.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>3393241

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>3393241

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>3393241

>>3393250
Kek, gonna have yo sleep with the stars apparently. Hopefully the ground is soft

File: 1540445646812.png (33 KB, 185x221)

33 KB PNG

>>3393250
>>3393258

>>3393258
...

So we're doing critfails now?

>>3393278
Prepare to roll for anal circumference.

>>3393282
That's true. I'd actually be ok with taking this one, considering the stakes aren't exactly high.

>>3393264
Dammit you ruined it! Why'd you have to roll high!

...
...

Writing!

I'm still amused.

>first roll is a 1
I know we ignore critfails here, but this number really irritates me.

>>3393282
Not like Randa and Izumi can't just stay a night without sleep.

>>3393291
Wait for the day we roll three crit-fails in a roll friend

>>3393241
>>3393250
>>3393261
>>3393264
It takes about a decent hour and a half of investigation into a few areas, and honestly for a second there? You were worried that you might have to sleep under the stars. There were a number of wrecked buildings, most without rooftops and trashed walls that you could’ve claimed, or otherwise were decent- but most beds were either weak and uncomfortable or otherwise just nonexistant. You COULD deal with it, but you and Izumi had both stubbornly held out. Professionals and hard survivors you might be, but that’s no reason to not enjoy some things or at least have some standards when you have the option of doing so.

Fortunately, your persistence pays off when you finally discover a 2-story townhouse in what looks to be stable enough condition, although overgrown with vines and greenery thanks to the Prince’s newfound power. Whatever flowers are in there actually help the place out- instead of smelling like dust and other detritus, there’s a light, floral scent in the air that’s pleasing. The ground floor seems to be for cooking and living, and the two bedrooms- one clearly for children, the other for the adults- are upstairs. You’d guess this was for a foreman of the mine, or at least someone important, judging by the tools. It’s rather far back in the town, however, nearly hugging the mountain’s base and has a clear view sidelong of the main mining tunnel. Likely the reason no one claimed it before you did- it was tucked far back enough that no one noticed it.

“Well! I think this is rather a good find, hm?” Izumi decides as she dusts off a nearby cabinet. It’s of little meaning, as you’re staying here maybe a day, but whatever. As she will. “We’ve a day to properly refresh ourselves; I saw a bathtub of sorts in here somewhere. I doubt there’s running water, but there should at least be a well…”

That IS true...a bath would be nice.

What follows is largely a day of relative ease, as opposed to the usual concerns of camping out; even with the soldiers on watch, everything has a far more relaxed atmosphere, and considering the recent events, moral has risen markedly- there’s a near-tangible energy in the air (although that might just be that power, again), and up to the evening people are cheerful, ready, boisterous in a manner that you hadn’t seen of them until now. Before, it was the laughing and jokes of men that were living it up like the day would be their last. Now, it’s of people that are actually assured that they could win and live to see another day. While you have little doubt that many will be proven sadly wrong, it’s nice to not feel like you have to peek over your shoulder for a bit. As a result, you main spent the rest of the day:

>Focused on improving one of your skills. (Which?)
>In the bed after a nice long soak, saving your energy.
>Looking around for possible keepsakes for when you left.
>Other

(I thought I'd posted this, sorry!)

>>3393531
>>Looking around for possible keepsakes for when you left.

>>3393531
>Focused on improving one of your skills.
>Study 'Mana Conductivity'

>>3393531
>Looking around for possible keepsakes for when you left.
Even if we don't keep them, we could convert them into Motes.

>>3393531
>>Focused on improving one of your skills. (Which?)
Maybe see if we can seperate the "sticky" from the sticky bombs, and just a time-delayed explosive of some sort. It would make them more efficient, and most ideas using them don't need them to be sticky.

Alternatively, go for the Flamethrower. It covers room-clearing and biological attacks and other close range AOE, something we lack.


And remember to charge the Condenser. It'd be nice to actually get some use out of the thing for once.

>>3393531
Ah, right, our condensers.>>3393595

>>3393531

You know what i will change and support the flamethrower. idea: >>3393595

Just so we can have a pass by with Miranda burning all the shadows in her way!!! Using flames.

>>3393611
Would Miranda's sun flare spell actually harm the shadows given that it produces light?
>>3393531
Focus on improving one of your skills. Flamethrower.
Purging flame is always useful, and it's a more low-cost constant damage source that sticks around, hardly anything likes being on fire.

>>3393531
>Other: set up the Mana Condenser. Charge the dozen mana crystals we have if they're empty
Right, the Condenser, I forgot about that. Again.

It's such a useful thing but we keep forgetting it. Like having bought batteries for a flashlight but always forgetting to get them out of the package.

We're going to figure out how to set shit on fire one of these days. Flamethrower it is.

Also breaking out the condenser which finally seems to have gotten enough collective votes.

Writing.

>>3393531
Switching >>3393560 to flamethrower technique

>>3393631
Honestly? No clue maybe it will be able to debuff then? But the solar flare is used mostly to blink the enemy and not to damage it.

It could damage the smaller ones but i wouldn't quote myself on that.

>>3393631
>Would Miranda's sun flare spell actually harm the shadows given that it produces light?
I think we've fought them on daylight, so i don't think the flash will harm them.

>>3393531
>>3393595
>>3393611
>>3393631
>>3393648
>>3393635
>>3393605
You liked the idea of taking a look around, maybe taking it easy... but the honest fact of the matter is that you can’t shake the feeling of needing to do SOMETHING while on mission. You’re not a workaholic, but this just isn’t quite the time to lay down and relax, for you. You’ve still got things to do, and that means you should be trying to figure out how best to do them. Or considered another way, what kind of techniques you can work on to make your work more efficient. (Or at least entertaining.) You’ve managed to figure out a pretty decent bit on this job, having put your mind to it; what’s a bit more self-improvement? In fact, thinking about it, there’s this one trick that you STILL haven’t really figured out.

Although now that you’ve got some time to consider it, sitting in the tub, mana condenser nearby and charging (along with a couple of small crystals you’d never bothered to recharge, just neglectful, that was) and letting your mind wander, you think you might have an idea on how to make it easier…

That whole idea for a flamethrower a while ago didn’t quite go anywhere; you made some burbling, sticky fireworks-style manasparks, but nothing concrete or even long enough lasting to really burn. But maybe...hm. Were you approaching it the wrong way? You were trying to flare out your mana at first with the sticky bomb thing (fat lot of good that’s done, but who knows in the future, you suppose), but maybe thinking along more traditional lines is the key, here. Your energy channel causes flames, although their nature means that they’re susceptible to different rules than your normal mana usage. Could use that as a base and work to maybe extend that? OR, perhaps you were working along the right pathway, and should try to more focus your control of your mana to do as you like, maybe something more napalm-esque. You’d like to think you’ve gotten better control of your mana, so you’d hope you could make some more progress on that front as well.

>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.
>Continue using your general mana as a base; you’d have great range and possibly versatility with it, although they’d be easier to end.
>Other

>>3393741
>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.
We are melee, so we're gonna be at a close range anyway and unquenchable flames sound rather cool.

>>3393741
>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.
https://youtu.be/9VNP50Cdkqs
Mana Greek Fire

>>3393741
>Continue using your general mana as a base; you’d have great range and possibly versatility with it, although they’d be easier to end.

>>3393741
>Continue using your general mana as a base; you’d have great range and possibly versatility with it, although they’d be easier to end.

>>3393741
>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.

Tied. Giving it a bit longer (let's say 10 minutes) before I flip for it.

>>3393741
>Other can we just use mana to increase friction or rapidly vibrate stuff? Really flames aren't a necessary part of the equation; just heat and fuel, if we can just create a heat ray and cause things to combust that'd be pretty good.

Or just a tie breaker >Continue using your general mana as a base; you’d have great range and possibly versatility with it, although they’d be easier to end.

>>3393741
>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.
Bring out the Flamebringer to help reduce the mana cost.

>>3393770
The way I see it, using mana as a base would allow us to work this technique into creating proper Fireballs like modern missile-flamethrowers or mixing with Trap techniques.

>>3393741
>>Try using your Energy Channel as a base; fires unquenchable by normal means would be useful and intimidating, if a bit short range.
I'm torn, but I gotta go with the higher temps. Range isn't what we need on a flamethrower, purification and area denial is

>>3393831
I believe using energy channel would make this actual melee range.

>>3393829
On the other hand, by working with Energy Channel we could try different auras later on, or maybe improving the Light Flare.

>>3393831
If things don't change, I'm ok with swapping in the interest of moving things along. I can see both methods being useful.

Energy Channel style it is. Writing!

>>3393829
Maybe next time.
https://youtu.be/VOiylaQj2xc

>>3393741
>>3393747
>>3393756
>>3393811
>>3393826
>>3393831

As you get out of the water and redress, you consider your options. Long range would be nice, but to be honest, you’ve plenty of that. What could be particularly useful, though, is augmenting your close and mid-range capabilities. Your Energy Channel helps with that, but you think you might be able to do better with it, with some work. Partially, you haven’t really done anything else with it because, it was...complicated to work with. But you’ve honestly gotten a bit of a different attitude about that sort of thing lately. And given that you can figure out this and that’s with your standard mana (with some help, perhaps), no reason why you can’t figure this out either, right? Just need to find somewhere quiet and abandoned. Easy enough.

…

...After about three hours, you’re reminded why you never bothered with this. The flames are just...hard to freaking GRASP. Like, you can call them, but you can’t really seem to wield them aside from increasing the output. It’s like trying to hang onto a constantly wriggling worm or something. Your struggles, though, increased to the point where you’ve had a couple of individuals in the army come over in concern to ask what was going on- you waved them off after explaining your training, but that doesn’t make anything simpler on your end. Taking a deep breath, you dismiss the giant sea-green flames that had flared up around you, taking a seat on the ground as you recover, your muscles de-tensing, and your heart rate returning to normal as exhaustion races into you. Helpful in a pinch, but...not what you wanted. Not to mention typical and risky. “Great,” you mutter to yourself. “I know I had something there...maybe I just need to start smaller.” Maybe just try...making them last a bit longer? Hm. Or maybe literally smaller. That should be easier to control, maybe? Taking a deep breath, you shake your tiredness off and continue to focus. You’re going to get SOMEWHERE today.

The next couple of hours go by as you refuse to get up, trying to figure out how to, perhaps, SHRINK the flames your Energy Channel calls up, and THIS manages to get a bit of a result; easier to just scale up and tamp down than anything else so far. There’s just a light flicker of fire around you now...and as you stretch your conscious control, you CAN feel as though you can grasp it a bit at ALL now…though it’s more of a nudge before it slips through.

(cont.)

>>3393976
Come on, there has to be something. Maybe if you can just keep nudging it bit by bit...nudge, release, nudge, release, nudge, release…
So deep into your own head you are, that when you open your eyes, it’s late evening, and as you glance at your hand, you’re surprised and honestly? Very happy to see a small...sphere, of sorts, of flame on your fingertips, no bigger than a baseball. And although it’s flicking as though it can go out at any moment, it’s at least a start.

>Learned ‘Over Channel’! This technique is more of an emergency powerup, and gives Miranda a much larger bigger boost in strength than her normal Physical Boost and Energy Channel, but takes a lot of stamina to keep up, and even saps her mana more than normal. Cost: 1000 Mana Activation + roll for upkeep per post it’s activated(1dX x 100).

>Leaned ‘Wisp Lighter’! This technique is the basis, you think, for a flamethrower technique. As it is, you’d have to be within touching range of something to light anything on fire with it, but it’s at least something if you don’t want to DIRECTLY poke something with your fingers...

“Yvrace?” Izumi’s voice calls out as she steps out into the abandoned street. “Oh, there you are. I have to commend your dedication to training, but it’s time for dinner. The soldiers have appropriated some of the dried foods that were left here, so we might have a bit different fare tonight!”

“Well, that’s always welcome,” you decide as you get up, yawning. Geez, all that effort really DID take it out of you.

The fare is hearty enough, and you agree that the lentils, dried meats now roasted and cooked, and different fare was a lot more appealing. Although you’d love to talk with some of the others, you were well and truly tired for the day, and your allies all seemed a bit nervous when one brave soul joked about your training. It wasn’t funny, but you were exhausted enough that you let it slide- though Izumi gave him a talking to.

Finally, though. Your bed awaits.

…

Your eyes flash open, and instinctively you know that it’s too early. But why? *creeeeeeak* Hm? The house settling?

*crack* *crack* *crack* Wait...that’s not settling- oh, son of a-

You’re not even out of bed before the floor collapses, and you plummet down to crash right into the floor of the house, in what you’re pretty sure is the sitting room. To your honest to goodness surprise, the bedframe is crushed, but the mattress itself is still intact. Hell, the dust isn't even that bad.

"Yvrace?!" a noise calls from the other room. "Are you alright?!"

...forget it. "Yeah! Just go back to sleep!"

"Alright!" You’ll deal with it in the morning.

(Stopping here for the day. Continuing tomorrow.)

>>3394023
>Miranda groggily repairs it with her gauntlets, goes back to bed, wakes up the next morning just before the floor breaks again

>>3394023
>joke about miranda being so fat that not even the house floor can take her weight.

>>3394023
>1dX
uhh. Not sure what this means.

>As it is, you’d have to be within touching range of something to light anything on fire with it,
Well, it's a start. Hopefully we can get it up to a proper 'thrower in time.

>...forget it. "Yeah! Just go back to sleep!"
pfft.

Thanks for running.


>>3394043
I wouldn't trust it to not break again on us. easier to leave it be and maybe fix it up in the morning.

>>3394023
Oh man, what's with everyone and bullying Miranda when she's practicing magic shit.
Remember when we were doing Stickybombs at the intersection and people came over to shit-talk us for trying something avant garde?
Now even platemail wearing normies are mocking us?

>>3394056
All it means is that it's circumstance depending. Like, the dice will be bigger or smaller depending on the situation you're in or what you want to do with it. I don't think it'd take as much to keep it up in a low-stress situation than a high-stress one, after all, or if there aren't other factors. In general, though, it'll be d20, d10, or d5.

>>3394057
Best guess is they see us practicing and struggling with something as humanizing, making it easier to approach us.

>>3394061
Oh ok, cool. I was afraid you'd gotten something flipped around somewhere.

>>3394069
>>3394057
To be fair, they weren't originally messing with her. They were concerned because they could see sea-green fire from that distance and wanted to make sure it wasn't a horrible thing happening.

>>3394056
>I wouldn't trust it to not break again on us. easier to leave it be and maybe fix it up in the morning.

It was a joke about grogginess and forgetting stuff when you’re sleepy, not a serious write-in.

>>3394077
>"they weren't originally messing with her"

>>3394044
Well, it was mentioned once that MGs might weight more than they look - right before this mission, when Izumi fell from a tree.

>>3394126
It's that anime schoolgirl toast and shortcake diet. Really adds up over a couple of centuries. We shoulda gone to that restaurant that Australian magical boy invited us to.

>>3394173
That would mean dealing with the Australian magical boy, and he’s a character I do not want to deal with.

>>3394173
>>3394246
He did promise to teach Miranda a special move of his the next time we meet, so we might pay him a visit.

>>3394253
No thanks. I’d rather miss out on an upgrade then deal with him.

>>3394264
>>3394246
. . . . really.

>>3395556
I'm of a similar mind. He's so much of a polar opposite of Randa it's ridiculous.

>>3395572
I'm actually impressed a little then. It's hard to make a character the players hate more than powerups.

Can I vote to have him interact more often with us then?

>>3395589
i support this. I don't really mind interacting with him.

>>3395589
Randa doesn't really *need* powerups. They open up more options that "magiblast or punch them to death", but she operates healthily within her powerband. It's not worth the pain of dealing with him for a party trick.

>>3395607
The big fear with him I think was shipping.
Which handler can veto I imagine.
I don't mind interacting with him.

I've been voting to interact with him but I don't see him as a romantic interest

>>3395625
Besides the shipping, I found him incredibly obnoxious. I'd much rather spend time with SES or explore the city or something. We don't do that enough as it is.

>>3395613
I don't really care about this cook-boy that much, but the thing he promised to teach was a martial arts moveset, not a magical power up. Something that might be useful in some cases if we encounter anti-magic abilities.

>>3395589
Wasn't a fan. He was too childish. Randa would be much happier hanging out with someone closer to her maturity level.

>>3395556
Really. That much.

>>3395625
>>3395630
There’s also the issue of character bloat. We’ve gotten so many complaints about how mentoring the kids takes up so much time. Imagine that, but with a romance sideplot most people don’t want to take.

>>3395659
On the gripping hand, though, he would be perfect for a recurring character that DOESN'T suck entire threads down.

>>3394023
There’s little you have to say towards Izumi as you wake up and she has a minor freakout about the sudden repositioning of your sleeping location. Rather than try to make up some sort of excuse or otherwise concern her any more, you simply hop out of bed- mindful of the debris- and prepare for the day as best you can, despite her sputtering and concerns. You can already feel that you’ve been asleep later than you wanted to be…

The morning otherwise passes with little incident, although before you left, you noticed that there was some good natured grumbling about leaving so soon. The morale from the other day seems to have translated into late night drinking and carousing for many of the soldiers, who are paying for it today.

If nothing else, it seems that there’s no ambushes lying in wait for you as you head off. If you’re fortunate, it’ll stay that way- not that you’d ever say that out loud.

“Ahaha...hellooo there!” a familiar voice crows behind you during your march. You turn behind yourself to see, to your surprise, Zatzil, walking under her own power...somewhat. She’s being closely guarded by Norima and another Veilspeaker warrior, and quite literally leashed by the neck, but she seems rather pleased. “I heard through the grapevine that you’ve been rather successful regarding certain tasks as of late!” She chuckles lowly, the meaning obvious. “I DO hope you made her suffer so…”

Normai simply tugs on the rope, gagging her slightly. “Enough boasting. You said you had a question for her.”

“And I DO. Are you so used to predicting everything you’ve never heard of smalltalk- gah! Alright, alright!” She coughs lightly, looking back at you after fixing her face. “Right, then. Have you, perchance, heard of the Noxis Ritual?”

“No,” you respond bluntly. “Why?”

“Mmm yes, well.” she purses her lips. “I ask because it has come to mind that Mistress Zai, in all her strategic acumen, may be trying to enact it, if what I was so GRACIOUSLY told from these Veilspeakers is accurate about what they saw. It’s a rather brutal thing, you see, and involves a great deal of sacrificial subjects. Ones that, if I recall correctly, do not necessarily need to be nearby for the ritual to be accomplished.” She frowns a bit. “I know little more about the ritual, however. As Lady, I have knowledge that it exists, but little more aside from that tidbit. We’ve yet to meet many other Weavers on this path, correct? Save for Ferrah’s little detatchment who hadn’t been called back for whatever reason...perhaps you understand my implications?”

>You think she’s going to sacrifice her best individuals for...what, exactly? A personal powerup? From what you told me about her, I doubt she’d go that far.
>Well...it might be possible. I was curious why we didn’t get anything like a revenge attempt on the way back, but it was smooth sailing.
>...Great. So what, I’ve got to start fighting non-lethally now? Doesn’t that go against what YOU wanted me to do?
>Other

>>3395659
>We’ve gotten so many complaints about how mentoring the kids takes up so much time.
really? wasn't that just one guy bitching too much about it?

>>3395800
>...Great. So what, I’ve got to start fighting non-lethally now? Doesn’t that go against what YOU wanted me to do?
>Other: or wait, are you suggesting that she would have set up a ritual circle over where the army will be passing, and will activate it to kill us and power her ritual at the same time?
Or maybe I'm assuming too much competence from our enemies?

>>3395800
>Well...it might be possible. I was curious why we didn’t get anything like a revenge attempt on the way back, but it was smooth sailing.

>>3395800
>Well...it might be possible. I was curious why we didn’t get anything like a revenge attempt on the way back, but it was smooth sailing.
>Other
>Got any bright ideas regarding my warning?

>>3395800
>>You think she’s going to sacrifice her best individuals for...what, exactly? A personal powerup? From what you told me about her, I doubt she’d go that far.

>>3395802
He wan't the only one with that opinion, though he may have been the most outspoken. I don't mind the kids in short doses, but they tend to chew thread time up like nothing.

>>3395800
>...Great. So what, I’ve got to start fighting non-lethally now? Doesn’t that go against what YOU wanted me to do?

To Norima:
> “On the last mission, I met up with a pair of Blackweb that were willing to escape with a large group of freed prisoners. The pair of them are interested in going legit in running an inn or restaurant. If the plan to convince the Blackweb to find a new meaning in their writings are still in the works, perhaps you might consider investing in their plans, so as to prove that their choices might be worth continuing.”

Seems like a tie. 5 and then I'll flip for it.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3395825
>>3395851
Wait, so what about the side gig?

>>3395831
>>3395836
You may be onto something.

>>3395825
Support

>>3395800
>>3395831
>>3395836
>>3395851
>>3395886
As much as you don’t like the idea, it DOES make sense. “Well...it might be possible. I was curious why we didn’t get anything like a revenge attempt on the way back, but it was smooth sailing. You think that might’ve been the reason?”

“Perchance,” she admits. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were observing you to report back to her. She likely is imagining just how much fodder she needs to throw at you to achieve her goals.”

“Well, fodder isn’t her Ladies…” you opine. You might have to tell Prince about this…

“EVERYONE is fodder to her,” Zatzil corrects. “It’s merely a matter of making yourself USEFUL fodder.” You’re not sure if that makes sense, but you figure better to not say so. Instead, you simply nod. With one already trying to kill you- and with this information you can’t discard the idea that she might be EXPECTED to lose- you’re definitely going to have to keep your guard up. “So, as for your little job...it’s still on. But be careful about how much blood you spill.”

Still got her dreams, huh? “Fine.” Maybe you can get away with crippling them?

“While I’m not surprised you’d seek to betray your clan,” Norima starts, “I’m surprised you’re so willing to work with the Alliance to do it.”

“I see no reason no to,” she says bluntly. “Should it get me closer to my goal, and keep me well protected and alive, then I have little problem with that. It’s called ADAPTING.” She smiles sweetly at them. “Perhaps you should consider the notion?”

“Speaking of adapting,” you mention, “that reminds me. On that little excursion, I met up with a pair of Blackweb that were willing to escape with a large group of freed prisoners. Apparently, the pair of them are interested in going legit in running an inn or restaurant.”

“Beg pardon?” Norima asks, her eyes wide in surprise. Zatzil herself has to hold back a snort of laughter.

You can only shrug. “Well, I dunno. I thought it was a good idea. They make a pretty good soup. I’m just saying, if the plan to convince most of the Blackweb to find a new meaning in their writings are still in the works, it might be worth considers investing in their plans. Y’know, to prove that their choices might be worth sticking with.”

“Ha!” Zatzil barks out a peal of laughter. “Perhaps were I made Mistress, I would, if only for the amusement of seeing Blackweb attempt to run a place of hospitality.”

“It IS hard to believe.” Norima agrees. “However, if it’s legit, then I see no reason to not approve of it. Now…” And she tugs on Zatzil’s collar again. “I believe it’s time for you to return.”

“Fine, fine. Let us away!” And without so much as a farewell, she takes her leave of you, leaving you to ruminate on the news she’s given. Noxis Ritual...hm. Ominous sounding, and likely hard to defend against. You’re going to have to be cautious.

As the wagons rumble on and the army continues to march, you consider just what you might be in store for.

>Roll 1d100, best of three.

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>3396043

>>3395873
She is doing soul bullshit isn't she...i mean sacrifice from a distance it must be some soul sucking ritual bullshit.

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>3396043

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>3396043
on the road again

>>3396075
>the roll was to see how well Thyra and Yulieve‘s new inn works out.

>>3396097
>implying that the soup we aproved isn't good enough to not require a roll.

>>3396112
Hey, it got favorable marks from the Saber-eyed Butcher, the Winged Terror, the Burnt Warrior. That should count for something.

>>3396043
>>3396047
>>3396072
>>3396075
The trip, for the most part, is relatively quiet; it seems that the light of whatever the Prince is using now is more than enough to keep most shadows at bay, save for a few roaming shadows that seemed to be patrolling- those, you fortunately managed to assault and dispatch with little concern (although part of you worries that they might have some sort of connection telling their leaders that they died or the like). However, there are still no Blackweb to be found, and that in and of itself is concerning, considering the warnings you’ve gotten.

Prince, for his part, seems confident, and you and several others notice during the days of travel that he seems profoundly at peace, and what’s more, that the land itself seems to brighten around him, given enough time sitting in one place. A literal beacon of hope if ever there was one. Still, the days are relatively calm, and it’s fortunately only three days of marching and the occasional skirmish before the forest becomes more rock than root, and you can tell you’re headed into the mountain range.

“Be cautious,” Prince warns. “We still have a bit of a ways to go before we reach the Gate. Warriors?” He turns to you both. “Will you do me the favor of scouting ahead?”

“Of course,” Izumi answers, and you simply nod. He’s paying you.

There’s little room in the pass for you to glide and get an aerial view, but the terrain is craggy enough that either of you could climb up and try to get a view of things from there. There’s bound to be a watch out, though. After you explain this to Izumi, she nods. “Right. Best to split up, you think? Get as much of a sense of things as possible?”

>No, we should stay together.
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll go high.
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll stay low.
>Other

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll go high.

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll stay low.
I kinda want to try out our new Over Channel spell with our gauntlets.

>>3396175
>>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll stay low.

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll go high.

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll go high.

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll stay low.
We're bait for our bounty hunters, not that we need backup to capture bounty hunters.

>>3396193
But we are just scouting.

>>3396218
For right now. There's still the possibility of getting caught.

>>3396175
>Agreed. We’ll each cover a side. I’ll go high.

We're better specced for overwatch.

>>3396193
We need to get really good at healing people while punching them and increasing their endurance and heightening their senses while also ramping up the pain they feel.

Praise the Metal Bat!

>>3396274
and maybe jojo's gold experience

Going high, then. Writing.

Gonna need another roll set. 2d20, best of three to see what you can see as you work your way up.

Rolled 8, 16 = 24 (2d20)

>>3396333

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d20)

>>3396333

Rolled 11, 2 = 13 (2d20)

>>3396333
Hmm

>>3396343
>>3396347
>>3396355
>11, 16

not terrible.

Writing!

>>3396343
>>3396347
>>3396377
>>3396355
“Alright. I’ll go high, you stay low in case you need to get back quickly.” She nods, and the two of you break off as you find a decent path upwards.

There’s not a whole lot for you to work with, but there’s enough of a trail that you don’t need to worry overmuch about falling and revealing your position. A quick glance to the side reveals Izumi slipping in and out of the shadows of rocks and crags along the lower pathway- the darkening sky helps with that. Yourself, too.

Sticking close to the inner edge of the natural pathway, you approach quickly, head down and covered under the cloak of darkness as you both soon see the Gate in the distance. It’s indeed a minor fortress- hewn from thick rock and clearly staffed with corrupted soldiers, even from this distance. Let’s see...your FutureSight should have a decent zoom function- ah. Perfect. Right, then.

There’s at least three floors, and the Gate is quadruple walled- two back to back walls on each side, clearly for trapping invaders, or at least slowing them down, and raining down pain on them in the attempt of a siege. Considering what you’re trying to do, that’d be troublesome; although you suspect the Prince at least knew about that part.

What you don’t suspect he knows about are the massive beings that you can just see the tips of in the keep, right under the walls- behemoths like you fought back at the Bearkin’s territory. Two of them, ready and waiting.

Your stone shines slightly, and you quickly answer it. “Hey. In position?”

“I am. Outer walls look well guarded. Archers in several positions, equidistant from each other stretching the length of the fortification. Can you confirm?” Hmm...ah, there they are.

“Confirmed,” you respond. “There’s also two big fucks like back with the bears. They’re just small enough that you can’t see them from ground level, but I’ve got eyes on them from up here. They’re taking up most of my eyes’ real estate, though.”

“I’m just barely seeing inside one of the wall’s windows,” she responds. They’ve got a Shaded Elf in there- I’m going to bank on at least a detachment, if not a full group. He looked well-armored. Important.”

Hm. Good to know. This could be rough. “Any spiders? I don’t have eyes on any.”

“None that I can see. Not going to assume, though.” Yeah, you neither. “They’re going to get slaughtered if they just charge in there, Prince’s powers or no.” She sounds disappointed, of all things. “We should get back and let them know.”

“Agreed.” You’re going to have to think about how to handle this one…

(cont.)

>>3396613
---------

“Well, that is unpleasant...but I trust in what the Wild says.” is the Prince’s response. “We will have to draw them out, and then I will call upon the Wild. We shall eliminate the shadows in one fell swoop. The beasts are what I fear, but I trust you will be able to handle them?”

“If I may?” Thorumin intercedes. “I believe I might be of some use here. We can provide covering fire and harassment before your...whatever it is you’re going to do. It should keep most of your men out of the line of fire, and soften up the beasts, correct? Frankly, I’ve seen what these two are capable of,” and he points towards you both here, “And while I fully agree they’re mighty warriors, I admit concern in such a concentrated area. I think it would be best if they remained behind as support instead of the vanguard.”

>Honestly, it makes sense. You can provide PLENTY of support without risking so much. Agree with Thorumin.
>Nonsense. He wants us to handle the giant abominations, then you’ll do it. Although he might not like the collateral damage necessary.
>Other

>>3396618
>Honestly, it makes sense. You can provide PLENTY of support without risking so much. Agree with Thorumin.

We are trying to hold the place right? If we wreck the palce to much it will be useless as a fortress

>>3396618
>Nonsense. He wants us to handle the giant abominations, then you’ll do it. Although he might not like the collateral damage necessary.

>>3396618
>>Nonsense. He wants us to handle the giant abominations, then you’ll do it. Although he might not like the collateral damage necessary.
>"SOME of what we're capable of."

>>3396618
>Honestly, it makes sense. You can provide PLENTY of support without risking so much. Agree with Thorumin.

>>3396618
>Nonsense. He wants us to handle the giant abominations, then you’ll do it. Although he might not like the collateral damage necessary.
Prince is the one paying us, though... does he want the fort intact?

>>3396652
>>3396673
Guys remember we are tryong to avoid as much acualties as possible. Supporting the line while the big guns bombard the enemy will alow us to have more people of the alliance to survive.

>>3396686
Since this is the fort that will be used as a forward base to the enemy lands? I believe he would like that yes.

>>3396686
>does he want the fort intact?
...that's the idea. Have the fort as close as intact as possible.

>>3396694
Then he might want to reconsider sending us because I was thinking we use beam or nebula to make the pass a bit more passable.
Changing vote
>Honestly, it makes sense. You can provide PLENTY of support without risking so much. Agree with Thorumin.

>>3396702
Not to mention the fire we recently acquired isn't good for when we want to keep things intacted. After all it's hard to keep things from being destroyed if your fire can't be stopped from burning everything.

I'm a bit late, but it seems there was a small discussion anyway, so.

Hanging back wins. Writing!

File: HeavyWeaponsSquad.png (1.49 MB, 1040x673)

1.49 MB PNG

>>3396770
Time to build a fire line!!!

>>3396618
>Other
Does he actually NEED the fortress after this? Because we could just Nebula Buster it and be done with it. The mana regeneration with the mana condenser is enough that we can easily recharge.

>>3396770
Uhh, I think it was a tie, actually.

>>3396785
Oh, wait, sorry, someone switched their vote. My mistake.

>>3396785


>>3396650
>>3396685
>>3396702


>>3396652
>>3396673

Nope,
>>3396686
>>3396702
was a flip

>>3396782
Yes he does. Next time we should pick a evil job maybe we will be able to nebula buster a couple of cities.

>>3396782
>>3396828
I am a fan of deleting problems wholesale, but some people seem to have problems with it, citing "collateral damage" and "waste of potential assets".
Fie on them, explosions are the only assets we need! giant fiery .png files to cover the world!

>>3396828
I could see someone hiring us purely as a WMD, not letting us fight at all to as many Nebulas out of us as possible.

>>3396828
>>3396836
I've been itching to use the big red button since we haven't slammed it since forever. The loot goblin within me advised otherwise though, since we'll burn all the good stuffs in the carnage.

>>3396836
Explosions are pretty fun.

>>3396887
Now that Miranda has wings she is able to fly towards a target and drop a nebula buster right above a city that needs to be deleted.

>>3396900
Same. But hey maybe now that we are getting a opening toward Khom's lands we will be able to blow some enemies strongholds. But again... that would mean destroying all the potential loot that they may have inside it... Yeah the loot goblin on my shoulder would say we should hold a little bit more.

Although i would have extremely enjoyed using Nebula Buster on the rat city. Maybe if that rat we captured is still around we should blow a city as a demonstration...

>>3396618
>>3396650
>>3396685
>>3396686
“He makes a point- providing you want the gate intact, it’d be better for them to come to us, rather than for us to go to them,” you point out. “We can focus fire the big guys down if need be, but in general, we don’t want you getting pierced by an arrow or worse before you can get your big spell off.”

“Hmm...very well. I’ll accede to this,” he says demurely. “Ready your armaments, Thorumin, and let me know when you are prepared.”

“Naturally,” he says, and turns to start shouting orders to his men.

Prince smiles wanely- you’re not sure what he’s thinking, but he still has that odd peaceable aura around him. “The shadows are teeming- but we shall prevail.” And he’s still speaking like that.

Before too long, Thorumin’s got his cannon primed and ready, and his rabbits are armed and set to fire vollies alongside the humans. Braun and Za-Leil are awaiting further orders, it seems, in case things get too hairy. “At your word, we charge, then!” he says with aplomb.

“Very well. Proceed when ready.” Hm. His men are still far back. Wonder what he’s got up his sleeve.

Thorumin doesn’t seem to be concerned. “Ready for approach, then! CHARGE!” And like a thunderous storm, the rabbits break out into a massive, thumping charge, and along with the humans, it’s like a roar of the earth itself. You can see the shadows undulate on approach at the gate, the movement quick and certain as yells in the distance ring out, and the shadows begin to writhe.

And by ‘writhe’ you mean it means a FLOOD of shadows, literally streaming over the castle parapets and walls like inky tears, swimming along the ground before forming into tangible states as they charge their would be victims. The arrows fly hard and heavy, and the cannon roars is song as a massive hole is blasted in the keep. Before long there’s a practical curtain of arrows between the keep and the assaulting vanguard- only a rare few finding purchase, as it seems like the shadows are darting and weaving more effectively than normal, prompting you to take a few potshots yourself. Izumi seems to have a similar idea, and as the both of you fire away, you have to wonder just what it is that the Prince has in mind…

As the gates of the keep open, and the three massive beasts clamber out, slavering at the mouth, you have to resist shouting that very question to him.

And then, it’s answered as you feel a massive pulse of power at your back, and you instinctively throw yourself to the ground as you feel a wave of *something* pass over your head. All at once, there are a massing of shouts, screeches that remind you of something suffering absolute pain...but like a momentary shout, they fade as soon as they came.

And then silence.

Looking up, you’re...well.

“Huh.” You kind of feel cheated, honestly.

(cont.)

>>3397065
>>3397065
The only hint of shadow left are the massive abominations, pieces of them sloughing off- though recovering, you think, slowly- and every shadow that was racing for the lot of you is...well, gone.
Nothing. In its place is the hint of greenery in the floor of the pass, newly born and ready to grow and flourish.

“...Oh dear.” Izumi says. You have to mentally echo that. Honestly, if he can do THIS now…

“It is not an easy task,” the Prince says with clear exhaustion in his voice. “Being the will of the Wild like so. I fear that calling upon it enough will send my soul to be one with it. This power must be used sparingly, and for important situations.”

...Oh, good. Well, that’s one concern gone. But…

“Then why’d you bother to have us scout?” You ask, only a bit of the annoyance leaking through, fortunately.

“I was unsure of myself, if not the Wild.” he answers easily. “This was the first usage of such a power, and now I have greater understanding.”

Why that...gah. Well. At least you can still kill the abominations. Kinda cheap feeling, now, though...

(Stopping for tonight. We'll see if I can run during the week.)

>>3397088
Goodnight, boss. Hope to see you running soon!

>>3397088
Well, I guess now we'll have to make sure the Prince doesn't blow himself up trying to channel power from the Wild before we get paid.
That side-quest was a major backfire, it introduced a new failstate.

>>3397088
Thanks for running.
Wow, Prince got himself a pretty potent boost. Hope it doesn't go to his head.

>>3397088
Now I wonder what would happen if we never brought Izumi along and snagged that power for ourselves.
We'd ace the rank promotion test. Just need to not lose our mind in the process.

>>3397154
The Wild sounds like a world specific sentient life-stream situation, pretty sure it wouldn't transfer well to the intersection.

>>3397157
It also sounded like it was tailored to him, and that it was a short term boost.
Also Izumi would have been miffed.

>>3397154
Eh flowery powers isn't Miranda's thing.

>>3397154
You know that the promotion isn't just based in raw power right?

>Elsewhere:

>"Let's see...347...348...ah! 349! This must be the meeting location!" *knock knock knock*

>"...Hello?"

>"Greetings! I am Prima. Am I correct in my determinations that this is the meeting location for the AI Allied Assistance today?"

>"Oh!? Why, it is! It's always pleasant to see someone new. By all means, come in! I am designated N-SF23, but in shorthand, I tend to be called 'Nash'."

>"My gratitude! I am newly arrived, you see, and have had some difficulties in ascertaining a few essentials; I understand you can help?"

>"I am 93.1 percent positive we can! We will certainly try our best! Now, follow me...everyone! It appears we have a new CPU among us!"

>>3397266
Good to see they're getting that worked out. Last time we took a crack at robo support it looked messy. They would have had serious issues being Outgoers without the ability to source replacement parts. On the plus side, they were built as modular battlebots, so parts shouldn't be too expensive to fabricate.

>we have a new CPU among us!"
>AI deliberately misusing terms as slang
I don't know whether to be impressed or horrified.

Say, how large is the area that Flux Wave covers? We could rush to the wall and do a double-whammy for once, knocking out wall defenders and keeping the fort intact.

I hope we get to use nebula buster at some point to compete with the prince (and I hope our attack is more powerful)

>>3397556
Considering that Khom apparently has some kind of shadow castle in his control? We probably will.

>>3397556
I don't think we have the min collateral rider, but we've been avoiding breaking things because it makes our job easier. If we end up in a position where that's not the case, a little friendly competition might be in order.

I thought about doing an April Fool's thread, but decided against it because it probably would've turned into something I actually wanted to continue. I'm not really great at that sort of thing.

>>3397302
It's great, isn't it?

>>3399708
> because it probably would've turned into something I actually wanted to continue

Oh no, that would be *terrible*.

>>3399727
...unironically it would be terrible.

>>3399708
What would it be if you decided to run it anyway then?

>>3399763
A massive mistake.

>>3400045
It's a Miranda gets a weird dream episode, isn't it? Or Lori is setting up a prank again.

>>3400045
Lorelei decides to tail Jago to find out where he’s been going during his off hours. This eventually leads her to discover the meaning behind the phrase, “Once you go bot, you ain’t gonna stop.”

>>3400045
You're a big guy

>>3400045
Uh, boss? You keep offering us the option of purchasing a new appartament for Miranda from time to time, but what perks does it actually provide us with? Some kind of 'Outgoer systems' were mentioned before but that's about all I remember.

>>3400856
Having a bigger room is just by itself a great thing because we have more space for our stuff: of course, this is from an IC view. From a meta perspective its not worth it, because if it were for us we would live in a cardboard box, or in the HQ because its the cheapest.

>>3402492
There has to be more to this than just 'more space'. But we have no way of knowing it since we never look into it IC.

>>3402512
Well, we never are in our room and when we are we always want to get out ASAP because we want money(even if the "lore time" stops when we are in the intersection). I'd like to have a "mission" that basically is us having a vacation and exploring all of the intersection without the pressure of jumping into a mission right away. Just like how we helped the kid find his sister.

>>3402528
Since we know that Outgoers can officially investigate suspicious activities inside the Intersection, I can see such "mission" happening in the future.

>>3402528
> spoiler text

You mean like how we do in between every mission?

>>3402615
nope. i'd like to have the length of a normal mission (or close to it) with us interacting with the intersection. I mean, we live in it, yet we know nothing about it. We literally know more about the other worlds than the one we live in (at least from a meta POV).

>>3402629
IC, Randa would need a pretty good reason to take an in-Intersection job. She's not much for things like subtly, sneaking, patience, low-collateral damage, or working for free. Plus, depending on the nature of the job, you risk making enemies that live in the same city as you.

I don't necessarily disagree with the concept in spirit, but there's a lot stacked against it.

>>3402643
well, handler has said that we don't really require to take the job as soon as they appear to us. and this "mission" could be a personal favor from the other characters.

>>3402660
True, it wouldn't have to be an official, for-Motes job, but none of what I said changes in that case.

>>3402643
If by 'in-Intersection job' you mean tasks and shenanigans that Miranda could take part in then I can think of at least 3 possible scenarios that wouldn't be OOC.
Or did you mean to caution players' agenda with your post?

>>3402629
Well maybe if we dealt with the Cook again it could be funny.

But there's just not a lot to do in the intersection for Miranda, and like someone said the Dealmakers can directly oversee conflicts such as when our wrestling got out of hand in the tournament arc we had.

Actually maybe participating in a tournament, or like the time with Cyclia and Omelette with the crystal factory.

Honestly, it would be fantastic to meet the Phoenix herself and learn more about the inner history of Intersection and the start of Outgoer business in general.

I wonder if she's used to people killing her as a joke just to see her revive

>>3403388
I think jokes like this warrant immediate ejection from the Intersection, considering her unique status as the first and only retired Outgoer and the obscene amount of privileges she has.

>>3403407
onsidering her unique status as the first and only retired Outgoer and the obscene amount of privileges, who would he able to kick her out for jokes in poor taste?

Especially since from what we've seen of Dealmakers so far, they would probably appreciate the joke themselves.

>>3397088
Honestly, sieging this fortress without a map layout is kinda weird. We could've spent the down-time preparing tactics. For example:
Now that the majority of their forces have been wiped out, how about armoring up and securing the gates of the second wall?
Since we need this fortress to stay intact, we could jump on top of the second wall and use double Flux wave in order to knock out majority of their defenders, ruining any rituals that they have been cooking up and triggering magical traps and wards that they could've set up.
>from Flux Wave description
>Being hit with one wave can cause mild disorienting, both can generally cause instant incapacitation, complete with nausea and vomiting, dizziness and blurred and blackend vision.
>it's non-discerning and has a fairly wide area- roughly a city block.
The AoE is probably big enough to cover the first and third walls and the three floors of the keep too. This action would give our forces enough time to approach the first gate unhindered while the enemy has to adress our presence. And then there's also Izumi to cover us up or reinforce the army.
And there is no need to worry about the manacost so much - Miranda rested one night in the mining town and then there was at least a day of marching, we have mana capacity boosting shoes, recharged the condenser and mana crystals, and Izumi can share some of her juice, plus she has her own condenser and crystals.

Howdy folks. Appreciate you all keeping the thread alive even in my absence.

>>3405338
Your welcome boss

>>3405338
Hey there. You running tonight, or just popping in?

>>3405358
Popping in. Might get a post up after I eat, but I'm exhausted today.

>>3405370
Don't push yourself if you're not up for it. We'll keep.

>>3405370
Just a map would be nice.

Okay, tonight is good. Writing now.

>>3405426
I'll see what I can do.

>>3397088
As you approach carefully, you have to admit- part of you feels like it’s almost unnecessary.

The larger part of you yells that of COURSE it’s necessary and proceeds to stomp all over that. The men seem pretty gobsmacked, and you can hear the panicked yelling even from here coming from the keep.

“Generals!” The Prince yells out, and it’s clear he is indeed winded. “Continue the charge!”

At once the combined army surges forward as the cannon roars once more; with that kind of headstart it should be a simple matter of clearing the keep out. Their biggest force multipliers (as far as you know) have been taken out, and a decent portion of their overall numbers, to boot. You can see why the Prince was feeling more confident in this plan of action.

Still, the fighting isn’t quite over yet, although as Izumi runs past, sword in hand, you sourly admit to yourself that it’ll probably be closer to cleanup than real battle. You’re pretty sure that his little stunt pierced the walls...ah. Speaking of walls.

>Head back up, stick to the walls and play overwatch, keeping an eye on anyone that tries to escape or get any ‘clever’ ideas.
>Help by blasting the doors down and giving them all another reason to be scared; you’re going to shock and awe the hell out of them.
>You’re going to jump up, over, and ahead of the pack to see if there’s anything interesting, while the army causes a massive headache.
>Other

>>3411031
>>Help by blasting the doors down and giving them all another reason to be scared; you’re going to shock and awe the hell out of them.

Welcome back, boss! Been a few days since you've been around. Doing alright?

Also I cannot for the life of me find that tool I used to use to make building maps. I THOUGHT I had it bookmarked, apparently not.

>>3411031
>Help by blasting the doors down and giving them all another reason to be scared; you’re going to shock and awe the hell out of them.
>>3411041
Are you talking about Generic Medieval Map thing you used earlier for this mission?

>>3411031
>Head back up, stick to the walls and play overwatch, keeping an eye on anyone that tries to escape or get any ‘clever’ ideas.
I don't understand how this is very different from ">You're going to jump up, over, and ahead..." though, I guess we're father back? All the better to see things? Anyone decides to collapse a cliff on our army, we gotta be able to put a stop to that lickety split.

>>3411031
>>Help by blasting the doors down and giving them all another reason to be scared; you’re going to shock and awe the hell out of them.

>>3411054
Really, a map WOULD make this more clear...
Going up would be posting up around the walls of the gatehouse and essentially keeping an eye on things from up there. Jumping over is going right into the courtyard early before the main bulk of the forces get there.

>>3411046
No, the one I used for making the initial HQ layout, for example. The blue grid thing.

>>3411037
Oh, and I'm fine, just tedious work means I'm ready to just fall out after I get off of work. It's not difficult, just long, which I dislike because less questing time.

>>3411031
>Help by blasting the doors down and giving them all another reason to be scared; you’re going to shock and awe the hell out of them.

>>3411082
Hopefully you'll get used to it after a while. It's exhausting doing tedious work all the time.

>>3411031
>>3411037
>>3411046
>>3411057
Time to breach. You’re going to have to be fast about it, though…

Two large magiblasts shatter the first, then the second gateway beyond, and any organization the defenders might’ve have is nearly entirely thrown away with the clear access and the cannon’s imprints already having done a number on their tower defenses.

A quick dart into the (clearly recently flowering) courtyard has you in the midst of a number of armed and armored soldiers of various sorts scrambling for some semblance of order, while most seem to be trying to flee- Prince’s opening gambit seems to have sent the entire place into a rout! Likely were expecting a lot more time to set up, and far less immediate damage to be done.

However, it’s not entirely a gimme, as you’re quick to sidestep a chop from a halberd and respond with a quick slice of your own. There’s at least still a BIT of fighting to be done, and as your side streams into the courtyard as well, you’re quick to begin the process of clearing them out.

It’s hardly a few moments into that, however, when you hear the cranking open of a rear gate, and a number of carriages with armed soldiers break out on the far side, clearly intent on fleeing the scene. Well, you don’t like the idea of them getting awa- what?

Your eyes notice a couple of them clinging to the carriage looking off to their left, towards the distance. You dodge a few lethargic shadow swipes as your eyes follow their gaze…

...and to your surprise, there’s a Weaver, clinging to the cliff face. Blackweb? You’re unsure, but you can’t tell entirely from this distance. She’s facing away from you; towards the runners. In the next second or two, she begins leaving the area as well, but going clear across the cliffs themselves, in an eastern direction.

>Follow and eliminate the carriages; while they in particular might not pose a threat, the fewer words get back to Kolm, the better.
>This spider might be someone you want to talk to...for a certain definition of the word. The Alliance has this easily enough.
>Gah. They’re both too far away, and hopefully you’ll be moving quick enough it doesn’t matter. Stick to clearing out the keep so you can be on your way.
>Other

>>3411176
>>This spider might be someone you want to talk to...for a certain definition of the word. The Alliance has this easily enough.
Mana tether should work.

>>3411176
>>Follow and eliminate the carriages; while they in particular might not pose a threat, the fewer words get back to Kolm, the better.
Blackweb doesn't worry me.

>>3411176
>Follow and eliminate the carriages; while they in particular might not pose a threat, the fewer words get back to Kolm, the better.

No escape.

>>3411176
>This spider might be someone you want to talk to...for a certain definition of the word. The Alliance has this easily enough.
Remember the ritual thing, bad juju

>>3411176
>This spider might be someone you want to talk to...for a certain definition of the word. The Alliance has this easily enough.

>Izumi can take care of the carriages.

>>3411176
Supporting >>3411198

>>3411186
>>3411196
>>3411198

There could be loot in the carriage

>>3411211
Then you should vote for the carriage.

>>3411211
So? There might be loot inside the Gate, the spider might carry loot, we're waiting for a reward from Norima and a bribe from Zatzil. I think loot shouldn't be a priority.

>>3411217
Already did.

File: Judging Crow.jpg (13 KB, 480x480)

13 KB JPG

>>3411254
...No, you didn't. Your ID shows that you've only made this post and >>3411211.

>>3411271
Well, if there's something important inside the carriages then it doesn't matter who's sent after them, they'll secure it anyway. And since we've technically won the siege already then there's no reason to leave any of our two outgoers inside the Gate.

>>3411271
ip reset probably

...I shut my eyes for a minute and then it was middle of the night.

I'll...continue when I get back up again.

>>3411591
It's just a dream.

>>3411591
No problem on our end. We have a lot of time.

>>3411176
>>3411186
>>3411196
>>3411198
>>3411202
You’re not entirely surprised that there was a spider or two skulking about- although judging by the pointing, you think that what she just did may not have been entirely appreciated. Figures that they’d been keeping an eye on things, even if not taking part in the defense directly.

And that makes you wonder just what they’re doing here. Whatever it is, you’re loathe to leave it alone. The carriages aren’t great, but with this side play that Zai is apparently setting up...yeah. You quickly leap up towards one of the walls, breaking free of the morass for a moment as do your best to keep an eye on things. You’d call Izumi, but things are a bit busy right now to distract her like that. You’ll have to report in later. Two more jumps, one off of a tower, and you quickly glide towards where she disappeared- around a small cliff face that bends a bit before straightening back out in the distance, from what you can tell, essentially widening the pass into two split paths.

You’re quick to see her scuttle around, using her natural gifts to navigate the crags and slopes with particular ease. She’s got something in her hand- a small leather pouch, it looks like. She’s rummaging around in it as she heads along, eventually pulling out...something. She picks up speed, her legs making noticeable clicking sounds as she presses herself to hurry.

Strange. Wonder what’s pressing her? Whatever it is, it eventually leads her to start leaping down and towards the floor of the pass properly. You can just barely hear her grumbling to herself...

>Whatever it is, you’ll get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Well, spiders. Pick her up here and now and get her to sing.
>Maybe you can play this quietly...or at least try to. Keep a low profile and see where she’s going or she’s doing.
>Honestly, it’s not worth the risk. She’s clueless about you; you can take her out here and now, no fuss, no muss.
>Other

>>3412805
>Whatever it is, you’ll get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Well, spiders. Pick her up here and now and get her to sing.

>>3412805
>Whatever it is, you’ll get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Well, spiders. Pick her up here and now and get her to sing.

>>3412805
>>Whatever it is, you’ll get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Well, spiders. Pick her up here and now and get her to sing.
Why wait for her to talk if you can make her talk?

Slow. Alright, writing.

>>3412805
>Maybe you can play this quietly...or at least try to. Keep a low profile and see where she’s going or she’s doing.
If there are other spiders in the area she'll probably lead us right to them

>>3412805
>>Whatever it is, you’ll get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Well, spiders. Pick her up here and now and get her to sing.

>>3412805
>>3412812
>>3412822
>>3412923
>>3412940
Well, you’re not really interested in her getting an opportunity to do...whatever it is that she’s trying to do. But considering what you can do...well, you have ways of making her talk.

And one of those is by reminding her how gravity works.

“GWAHHH!!!!” Your swooping in is enough to freak her out and drop whatever she had in her offhand- while she still holds the bag, you can see some kind of vial drop to the ground as you catch as much air to get back up as possible. “WHAT THE- AWAY, YOU BEAST!” She can’t even see you from her position, but as she scrabbles, you realize that you might have to make this brief.

Flapping is still out of the question at the moment, but the wind whistling through the valley is enough to at least give you a bit of time and weight to your threats as it carries you upwards a bit more. “I just have some questions,” you say primly. “Answer them honestly, I let you go free. You try to play any games and I just let you go. Clear?”

“You little-!” She struggles to get loose, and her jostling is frustrating, but you nonetheless hold her steady. “Do you really think you’d get anything out of me?”

“Do you want to splatter on the ground?” You’re several stories up, likely more considering you’re sure you’re well higher than the gatehouse- it’ll hurt if absolutely nothing else. At her lack of answer, you continue. “Let’s start simple…”

>You have about 4 questions, you estimate, before you get too low for your initial threat to be of any use.

>>3413054
Ask about
>the bag
>the vial she dropped
>her reason for being here
>where she was going to
but maybe not exactly in that order

>>3413066
I don't think the bag is important, she just held onto it as a bluff. Otherwise looks fine.

Also, we're not letting her go. We intercepted her so she wouldn't tell what she saw.

>>3413054
>What was in the vial?
>Where did all the Blackwebs go? Weren't you supposed to assist Kolm's forces?
>What were you doing here?
Inspect bag's contents

>>3413054
>What’re your orders?
>Who orders are you currently following?
>Where is the ritual located?
>How is the ritual activated?

We have questins.

Writing.

>>3413054
>>3413066
>>3413090
>>3413123
“How about you mind telling me what you’re doing here?” Might as well get the obvious out of the way.

“I was clearly inviting you to CHOKE ON MY WEBS!” She screeches, still flailing. “So you can just- gAH!” Whoops, hand slipped just a bit. “OBSERVATION, damn you! Observation on orders, that’s all!”

“Observation, huh?” You tilt yourself up to catch a bit more air- it’s not much, but it’s enough to at least try to dash her against the rocks pretty well if need be. “So who gave those orders?”

“Who do you think?! Mistress Zai, of course!” Yeah, figured. Good to verify, at least.

“Fair enough. So that bag and vial was part of that?” You continue.

“It was just for a communication ritual! I’m just a damn scout, so let me GO! SAFELY!” Huh. Points for catching the loophole. Not that it matters much.

“That’s all, huh? I’m guessing your lack of helping Kolm is because of something else, right?” You manage to crane her back just enough so that you can look her in the eye- true to expectations, she recoils from you in sheer shock; you almost lose your grip, and you lose a few more yards of height steadying yourself. “Maybe that’s where you were off to? Wherever the rest of the Blackweb went?”

At that, a dark look crosses her face. “Tch. THAT doesn’t matter whether I say it or not. Kolm’s forces seem to not be holding up their end of the bargain. Stumbling at the finish line. Mistress Zai is considering alternative paths forward regarding the Blackweb’s supremacy in the new world. I was going to rendezvous with a detachment led by a Lady in the area along with additional forces. Of course, if you tried to engage them there, even someone like YOU would be slaughtered.” How can she sound smug even like this?

Either way, you’re starting to lose altitude. Need to end this fast.


>Just smash her against the rocks and be done with her. You need to get back to the gate.
>Hm. Well, you’ve got a decent track record so far with convincing Blackweb to go turncoat. Why not?
>Other

>>3413235
>>Just smash her against the rocks and be done with her. You need to get back to the gate.

>>3413235
>Hm. Well, you’ve got a decent track record so far with convincing Blackweb to go turncoat. Why not?

> “Listen, clearly you’ve seen just how Zai’s decision to tie herself to Kolm has led to your situation in my loving, tender care. If you change your loyalties now, I’m willing to bet that whoever wants to reinterpret their ancestors writings to something less warlike to the other clans and races would be in a very good position after this war’s finished...”

>>3413235
>>Just smash her against the rocks and be done with her. You need to get back to the gate.
Not worth the trouble of convincing her and hauling her back.

>>3413235
>Just smash her against the rocks and be done with her. You need to get back to the gate.

>>3413235
>>Just smash her against the rocks and be done with her. You need to get back to the gate.

Noted, locked, but a tad busy. Will resume in about a half hour with luck.

>>3413235
>Hm. Well, you’ve got a decent track record so far with convincing Blackweb to go turncoat. Why not?

>>3412805
>Hm. Well, you’ve got a decent track record so far with convincing Blackweb to go turncoat. Why not?
Guys, remember not to kill the spiders to power up that ritual thing.

>>3413531
If she doesn't want to switch sides, just cripple the spidershit, break her legs or eyes or something.

>>3413540
Or glue her to the side of the gate.

...God, I love sticky mana.

>>3413235
>>3413251
>>3413289
>>3413295
>>3413363
“Well, I’ll have to disagree with that,” you say as you veer towards the cliff face sharply. You don’t even give her much of a chance to dispute it as you draw her up and plant your boot on her sternum. With little else out of her aside from the beginnings of a scream as you push forward fiercely, she’s smashed into the cliff face at speed, and you can feel her body give way sharply as her upper half is shredded by the rocks digging into her body, leaving a fountain of blood as she ragdolls along the mountains, her lifeless (or soon to be so) body tumbling along and along until it crumples in a heap at the base along the path.

You’ve no doubt it’ll be discovered eventually, but that’s none of your concern for now. You need to get back to the gate and make sure everything good.

To your lack of surprise, it seems like there’s little more than cleanup left; when you land back into the courtyard, you notice that most of the defenders are either surrendering or being finished off. “You vanished!” Comes a familiar voice- Izumi, and she looks curious. “What happened?”

“There was a Blackweb that was keeping tabs on the situation. Decided to take her out before she could report anything,” you respond. “Tried to get some information out of her, but she didn’t have much; although apparently the Blackweb are having second thoughts about their teamup with Kolm thanks to our turning the tide for the Alliance.”

“Interesting...I wonder if that means we’ll be seeing a bit more division within the ranks,” she muses. “Perhaps this might be why we haven’t seen so many lately?”

“Yup,” you confirm. “And why I have a price on my head, now.”

Izumi blinks. “Wait, you do?”

What? “Yeah, I told you on the trip over, remember?” You could’ve sworn you’d mentioned it…

She shakes her head in dismissal. “Well, that’ll be something to worry about later. I actually wanted to mention to you that it seems that we’ve found a few prisoners...some Ratkin were being kept in holds for whatever reason. The Prince is talking to them now.”

Huh. You were wondering if you might not come across any on your campaign. Apparently so. “Alright. What about us?”

“For now we’re going to make use of the facilities to restock, rest briefly, and then continue on. We’re trying to move fast, so we won’t be here very long. Some hours, if that.” Huh. That’s a bit quick turnover for normal folks, having just come out of a battle. Still, you can’t deny that you’re not still raring to go.

>Agree and go with it. The faster, the better.
>Might as well get some mileage out of this place. Convince the Prince to rest for a night.
>Other

>>3413610
>Agree and go with it. The faster, the better.

>>3413610
>Might as well get some mileage out of this place. Convince the Prince to rest for a night.
I’d like to practice that flamethrower we’re working on.

>>3413610
>Agree and go with it. The faster, the better.

Let's keep kicking.

Writing.

>>3413610
>>Agree and go with it. The faster, the better.

>>3413628
Next fight we need to take the ground-side, should give us a good chance to field test it.

>>3413610
>>3413621
>>3413634
>>3413693
Well, all things considered, he’s the shot-caller. “Alright, then. That’s on him.” You’re perfectly fine, and while a decent amount of the soldiers look okay, a couple others looks winded or hurt. Izumi might be able to help with that, at least. “How long can we expect him to be talking to the prisoners?”

“He should be out before long, hopefully. He’d already been in there for some time when you got back.” Hm. And it’s taking this long? Wonder what the hold up is.

You get your answer in the next ten minutes while you’re musing about what to do with the dented helmet of Ferrah. For something that was supposedly enchanted...bah, but then, it WAS just rumor. Might’ve just been all talk. Shame. Still, fix it up, and it’ll be a nice souvenir. “Beg your pardon, Ms. Yvrace?” The Prince calls, with what seems to be a smaller Ratkin group- two males, three females, and a smattering of younger ones. “Could you get Ms. Hylinde and meet me with the other leaders? I’ve learned of some news that could be either helpful or harmful. We’ll need to discuss it.”

Curious...wonder what’s got him looking like that.

When the lot of you meet, you immediately notice Thorumin take an odd look at the new ‘guests’. “Well, now. Thought most of you lot were holed up somewhere else, were you not?”

“We were- ack!” one of the males sputters, collapsing into a brief coughing fit. “Ah, sorry… we were lost on the other side when all the fighting started. We held out in Jamston for as long as we could-!” One of the females pats him on the back as he begins coughing again.

“Jamston is generally the first town you can get to on the other side of the Gate,” the Prince explains. “There’s a lot of dead or rocky land there, and that means there’s fewer villages or towns. A great deal of mineral resources, however, and a few particular species that don’t make their homes on this side of the range for whatever reason. Keeps trade between towns valuable. Jamston in particular is one of the bigger ones, because...well, take Jorhold and multiply that. They’re an industrious folk over there. The Ratkin there in particular...” Here he turns to the group, who nod.

“Duchess Helliot held out for as long as she could…” one of the rat ladies mourns. “But eventually they got inside the city walls, and...well, we don’t know what happened, but I...I’m pretty sure she’s been executed by now. But we did our best to hide out, until...well, it was either try to escape or starve. Nearly made it, but…” No need to explain further. Honestly, they’re lucky they weren’t killed on the spot.

“Right. So, I feel that with this information, we should move to Jorhold immediately,” the Prince says.

“NO!” One of them suddenly shouts; and shrinks back when all eyes are on the little one.

(cont.)

>>3413827
“No?” Za-Leil asks in bafflement. “Why no? You do not want rescuing? That makes no sense.”

“No!” The kid, dressed in nothing but a frayed and dirty tunic, shakes his head. “You can’t! ‘Cause they know!”

At THIS, the Prince raises his eyebrow. “Know? Know what? That we’re coming? That’s hardly unexpected at this juncture.”

“No, but, but they know that you got really really strong people with you!” He exclaims.

“Mavil, why didn’t you mention this before?” the second ratwoman asks, kneeling down to him gently.

“‘Cause...cause I didn’t think I’d get to. But I can, now, mama! ‘Member when we were squeezed in the-the floor foun-thing? I heard one of the spider ladies say that they were ‘gonna catch that idiot prince and his weird eyed whor-’

His mouth is quickly covered as his mother grins shakily. “Right, right, right! Of course, sweet-thing, I forgot, too...” She affects a smile as though to beg forgiveness, but you just shrug.

The Prince, however, seems iffy. “Hm. Is that so...Then they want to bait us into a trap. Unfortunate.”

“And yet now we know where the trap is,” Braun says. “They will not expect us to know about the trap, and we can spring it at will, and decimate them.”

“I wouldn’t honestly bother with it, much as the thought pains me to admit,” Thorumin says moodily. “They’ll be sitting on their bums waiting for us to show and we can waltz right by them. A whole lot of fuss and muss avoided while we target the bigger fish.”

“I second that idea,” Za-Leil says. “Sounds harsh, but decisions must be made.” Braun growls, but then looks to the Prince.

For his part, he nods. “I can understand where you’re coming from; however I must think that it would partially fall upon the individuals the trap was lain for, hm?” He turns to you for that, just as you’re looking at Izumi.

For her part, she steels herself. “Alternately, I can do what Yvrace did before- go by myself. I can keep their forces their distracted and you can proceed onwards. I can disengage from them once we’re well past and they’d risk overextending by coming after us.”

Hm. For your part, you consider the issue; they want you to show up; unlike Ferrah, you get the idea that whoever masterminded this won’t be easy to simply freak out like before.

> “I’m up for a repeat performance. I’ll go by myself and they’ll be stuck wondering.” And if it’s one of your side-marks, all the better.
> “Fine, Hylinde. You want this round, then go for it.” She did offer, so why not?
> “Maybe we SHOULD just let this one lie.” You’re not sure that this is even one of the officers you need to kill...and that’d just be splitting things up.
> Other

>>3413831
> “Fine, Hylinde. You want this round, then go for it.” She did offer, so why not?
>Mention the info we got from Blackweb scout.
>Pass Owlia's Shield Gemshard to Izumi

>>3413831
>“I’m up for a repeat performance. I’ll go by myself and they’ll be stuck wondering.” And if it’s one of your side-marks, all the better.

>>3413831
>> “I’m up for a repeat performance. I’ll go by myself and they’ll be stuck wondering.” And if it’s one of your side-marks, all the better.

>>3413831
>“Fine, Hylinde. You want this round, then go for it.” She did offer, so why not?
This whole side side mission screams "Izumi come and save us". Its for the best that we humor her.
>Mention the info we got from Blackweb scout.
>Pass Owlia's Shield Gemshard to Izumi

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3413831
>> “I’m up for a repeat performance. I’ll go by myself and they’ll be stuck wondering.” And if it’s one of your side-marks, all the better.
>> “Fine, Hylinde. You want this round, then go for it.” She did offer, so why not?
They both have their good points, so I'm just gonna roll for it.