>>3419206
“Gonna take a look, keep any trouble out.” Henry said, grabbing at his sword and placing it at the ready. He didn’t dare unsheathe it though, if he did run into Cathar’s then having it out would only complicate things.

The foyer of the house was fairly undisturbed other than a couple pieces of overturned furniture and a few Knick knacks knocked to the ground. To his left was a kitchen which was in a far worse state of disrepair. There were a host of cabinets with their doors ripped off their hinges. Henry took a peek inside and found they had been splintered against a wall. Several chunks of wood still hung out of the wall yet Henry didn’t have any uneasy feeling in his gut. He figured that this had been caused by the creature, though it would’ve had to be much smaller to fit inside the hallways.

Further inside Henry could hear the sound of someone rummaging through something. Based on the footsteps Henry guessed they were about human sized and still had all the flesh on their bodies. He couldn’t quite guess their weight but he figured three males, two adult and one adolescent.

He grabbed out a couple of daggers and slowly crept out of the kitchen and back down the hallway to a large study. Where a couple of people had gathered.


“Do you think he was raided?” One voice asked, a man’s.


“Doubtful, they wouldn’t have left the door UNTOUCHED.” A second voice complained, a females.

Henry hated being wrong.

“So he did this to himself!?” The first voice asked.

“People do strange things for love, right Adam?”

Nobody responded to that. Henry didn’t know what the fuck was going on.

Decisions:
1. *try to hide and gather more of their conversation*
2. *reveal your presence*
3. *attack them*
4. *leave quietly*

>one vote for sneak from prior thread

>>3419208
>1. *try to hide and gather more of their conversation*
We shall TRY to use our skill set of private detective, even if we suck at it.
Are we a private detective? Maybe, if the price is right.

>>3419220
Roll 1d100 and pray to the dice gods, the assholes.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>3419228

>>3419208
Henry inched closer to the room where he’d have a good angle to see at. He tucked himself into a bathroom with a window he could use to escape if he needed to. Johnny wouldn’t be able to tell it was him though, since the glass window was made where you couldn’t see through it. Fortunately Johnny had orders to stay the fuck put.

Henry glanced around the corner back into the study. He found a group of three people rummaging around. He had been right about their number. One of them, the lady, was cloaked in a massive patchwork cloak and raggy clothing. Henry didn’t really know what to make of her but she seemed to be a bit mentally unwell based upon the fact she seemed to be muttering to herself. The second one had some weird looking armor. Pieces of plate mail with other bits of metal pistons and cylinders jammed on the outside. Henry didn’t really want to learn what it all did. The whole thing was fairly conspicuous though, and would’ve drawn the attention of anyone watching if not for the fact it was fairly compact. Henry had trouble making it all out under the man’s cloak. Lastly was the third member. The man never said a thing, but for some reason Henry felt like he recognized him. The man was fairly young and had a set of metal armor on, Henry couldn’t make out much more and the man was turned away from him so he couldn’t see his face.

“So we all think he’s been killed yeah?” The female asked.

“Seems that way, but the man was already going off his fuckin rocker anyhow, probably would’ve ruined the plan.”

“I can’t believe we’re actually going to do it.” The lady replied. “Finally, Adam will have his revenge! Aren’t you excited dear!” The lady was talking TO HER CLOAK.

“Let’s grab what he wanted and get out of here. We only needed a few of his books correct?” The third one asked, finally speaking up. Henry recognized his voice but still couldn’t quite place him.

“Yeah I got it here, lets make those fancy pants fucks pay.”

“Patience, it’ll still take a month or two to get everything together... if your team pulls through.” The young man said.

“Aye I know she and her group will, she’s getting the whole thing set up, trust me.”

Decisions:
1. *get out before they head back*
2. *continue to listen and try to get a good look at their faces* (no more rolls needed for this, as first stealth roll succeeded)
3. *try to remember who the young man is* (either roll or make a guess)
4. *reveal yourself*
5. (write in)

>>3419302
>2. *continue to listen and try to get a good look at their faces* (no more rolls needed for this, as first stealth roll succeeded)
She didn't use the skin of people she knew to make the cloak did she?
And she's talking to it cause she think's their spirits are somehow connected to it

>>3419302
this >>3419369
gheists can attach to objects, right? maybe it's a similar thing here

>>3419410
>>3419369
writing

>>3419302
“So we’re going to burn this place to the ground then?” The Lady asked.

“Yes, we can’t be leaving any evidence for third parties or the cult if they haven’t already investigated this place. Burn this… shell too. Doing the world a favor.” The young one said. “Can I trust you to handle it?”

Henry tried to get a better look at the ‘shell’ but wasn’t able to get a good angle.

“Come on now, fires my bestest friend!” The armored one said jokingly.

“Just get it done, I don’t want the whole thing to unravel on us. We’re going to be hero’s if we pull this off.”

“And we’ll be lucky if they kill us if we don’t.” The lady said. “I’d do well to remember that lad.”

“Right.”

Henry backed into the bathroom as the lady and the young man headed toward the exit. Thinking quickly he positioned himself so the bathroom mirror would give him a good look at them. The lady was middle aged, with some graying hair and a boatload of wrinkles. The young man… he recognized him from the Chateau… a paladin. Order of Lanterns. The hell was he doing here? After they’d left and Henry was certain they hadn’t found Johnny due to the lack of screaming. He pondered his next move.

Decisions:
1. *stabbing time*
2. *sneak outside*
3. *cast a spell*
4. *try to get a better look inside the room*
5. *wait till the armored guy leaves, then try to grab what you can before the entire place goes up in smoke.*
6. (Write in)

>>3419552
>3. *cast a spell*
Blue spell, the mind altering one.
Question the armored one.
But still be prepared to gank him.

>>3419552
this >>3420194

>>3420247
>>3420194
will write tomorrow night (though technically tonight since its 1 am)

AAAAAAAAAA

>>3420247
>>3420194
>>3421953
I'd recommend taking a very good look at the description for memory scatter

>>3426150
Hmm
Hit him with memory scatter, steal all the documents in front of him, leave.

>>3426161
Memory Scatter: Will allow you to selectively remove short term memories from an individual without magical ability. This is a fairly safe spell to use, as you do not go into their LONG TERM memory. The spell travels like a bolt towards the target. At longer ranges this can be dodged or dispelled. Regardless, it is extremely useful. (Costs 1.5 blue mana to cast)
HMMMMMM

>>3426172
>from an individual without magical ability.
AAAAhhhhh shit

>>3426176
its a low tier blue spell, basically

>>3419552
Changing vote to
>Walk right in and chat with the armored guy. Say some stuff about having your house attacked out of nowhere and important shit thrashed, scrying to find out that this place is important, then sneaking in. We were hiding because people were here already, and we heard mention of revenge - seemed awfully convenient and nice, you know? We have no beef with this armored dude, and we know a guy who also loves fire. There's no reason to fight or start shit, we're only here for answers and the answers might be in these books. Maybe they could be nice and let us burn the place down for them, and the armored guy can go to his buddies and ambiguously pretend that the place will be up in smoke really soon.
This feels like the best bet we have, going by all this info we eavesdropped.

>>3426228
heh, writing

>>3419552
Henry had had a long day, the previous night his house had been attacked, he’d had to put up with bullshit from Malory and Fraz, as well as the fucking shades and now this. So he wasn’t exactly in a good state of mind. With this fact in mind, his decision to speak with the twitchy pyromaniac could be seen more sympathetically, however, in all actuality, it was a poor decision.

As Henry approached cautiously, the armored man whistled a tune while gathered books, paper, and other flammable material together.

“Look I’m fecking getting things together, you’re worse than my fecking mom.” The man said.

“Yeah hi.” Henry said. “I just had my house attacked and I was looking for some answers.”

The man spun around surprised and leveled his arm at Henry. A moment later a stream of flaming liquid emerged from a pipe attached to his metal armor.

Decisions:
1. *dodge out of the way*
2. *try to reason with the man*
3. *draw your weapon and attack*
4. *use a spell*
5. (write in)

>>3426258
>1. *dodge out of the way*
>2. *try to reason with the man*
>"I'M ONLY HERE FOR REVENGE ON THE GUY WHO LIVED HERE, STOP TRYING TO KILL ME YOU DAMN IDIOT, WE'RE ON THE SAME SIDE"

>>3426271
roll 3d100

>>3426258
>4. *use a spell*
Lightning talon the fluid, cause it to burn back in it's reservoir. Hopefully it'l explode into his armor and he'll burn alive.

>>3426271
>>3426283
one vote to reason, one vote to murder

>>3426288
Fuck him, he tried to flamenwaffen us.

>>3426288
fuck it
LIGHT HIM UP
ROAST HIM IN HIS OWN ARMOR

>>3426308
>>3426293
roll 5d100 :)

Rolled 84, 56, 57, 96, 61 = 354 (5d100)

>>3426312
I have bad feelings

>>3426318
welp, shit

>>3426318
will write in the morning, I didn't think you'd be this successful

>>3426332
actually writing now

>>3426258
Henry immediately cast lightning talons, and a couple streaks of pure red mana emerged from right above the back of his right hand. He’d been practicing the casting of this spell and it was like second nature to him now. He immediately rushed toward the very surprised armored man.

The man swung his arm around and a blade extended from his armor, and it began to spark with red mana. The man swung at Henry and the two traded a couple of blows, it was only due to his combat training kicking in that Henry wasn’t decapitated. Otherwise he would’ve frozen up in surprise after being stopped by something.

“The hell can you do that?!” The mage asked, “No blade, no anything?!”

The two traded a few more blows. Henry needed to end this now, he couldn’t hold up the spell for too much longer.

“DIE COG BOY PIG!” The man screamed as he lunged at Henry.

Henry managed to sidestep him perfectly before lining up a kill shot, the man tried to block it with his blade. Henry didn’t give him any time to react, he parried the man’s blade out of the way and tore right through the barrier of blue mana he threw up before impaling him in the chest and causing him to spit out blood and ash. He had a look of pure terror on his face as he realized he was about to die.

“F-fuck. N-no… not yet…” The man muttered before falling to the ground in a heap. He struggled for another minute before he died from his injuries. If Henry had the time to check he would’ve found the man’s lungs completely scorched and partially full of ash.

Henry took a few minutes to scoop up a bunch of books and papers he found lying around into a nearby sack that had been handily left there. The first volley of flames from the dead mage had begun to spread and consume the house. The smoke was beginning to become distracting.

(Gained: Important Looking Diary, Several Business Invoices, Coded Messages, ‘They’ve found me’.)

Decisions:
1. *continue to look for evidence*
2. *get the hell out of dodge and regroup with Johnny*
3. *spit on the man’s corpse*
4. (write in)

>>3431803
>1. *continue to look for evidence*
See if there's anything incriminating or useful on the dead guy. Don't spit on him in case the burglars have bullshit tracking magic.

>>3431803
this >>3431829

>>3431834
>>3431829
roll 1d100

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>3431846

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>3431846
Rolling...

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>3431859
>>3431848
rolling detection 1d3

>>3431861
>>3431859
>>3431848
success, and writing

>>3431803
Henry began frantically searching around the house, until he managed to hit a switch hidden behind a set of encyclopedias on a nearby bookshelf. The bookshelves slid away to reveal a set of stairs leading down into the depths of the home. Henry glanced at the rapidly spreading fire and cursed, he’d have to make this rather quick if he wanted to not die horribly.

He rapidly descended down the stairs into a dimly lit basement full of about a hundred cages of various insects, all deceased, and a husk which vaguely resembled a man. After scientifically poking at the thing with his shortsword to ensure it was dead, henry took a closer look at it. From its overall size and shape Henry figured it had been Requin Del Mar. That and the set of tracks that led away from its split open back and into a massive pipe set into the floor. Probably the bastards escape tunnel.


Henry noticed a map on the wall of Avignon with a couple different points circled in red pen and underscored with various runes. Interestingly enough there was a second map that had been torn down and removed. Henry could tell from scraps of paper that it had been of Magica, but beyond that he had no idea.


“Rats, you there?” A female voice echoed through the house, far louder than it should have.
“Oh blast boy what is taking you so long?”


Decisions:
1. *grab anything else you can*
2. *book it down the pipe, you can fill in Johnny with his contract*
3. *head back up and out, chance a meeting with whoever is up top*
4. (write in)

>>3431888
I should mention that Henry has grabbed the map

>>3431888
>2. *book it down the pipe, you can fill in Johnny with his contract*
>Necromance a wasp to distract the voice for a bit to give Henry time to escape.

>>3431894
How about the map scraps? Could come in handy in case we find the original.

>>3431902
This
We also need a pocketfull of dead bugs just in case

>>3431888
THIS>>3431902
time to bait and run

>>3431908
>>3431902
>>3431909
>>3431916
roll 1d100

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>3431924

>>3431929
Absolute horse shit

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>3431924

>>3431936
writing

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>3431941
late but rolling anywa

>>3431888
Henry grabbed the map of Avignon, the scraps of the Magica map, and a couple random dead bugs as a sort of afterthought. He winced as they made crunching noises inside his bag, maybe they’d turn up something interesting. They looked fairly exotic based on their colors though.

Henry rushed down the pipe with his loot. For a bit it felt like something malicious was chasing him but he managed to lose it when the pipe ended a few hundred feet away at the base of the hill inside of a cave. Henry emerged and found himself on the outskirts of town. He quickly found a place to hide and wrote a quick note to Johnny explaining the situation and to meet him at a pub in town. Hopefully the skeleton hadn’t tried to intercept the intruders. Though he’d know Henry was still alive since his curse hadn’t popped off.

He took the time to get a better look at the map, and found that it was a much older map of Avignon than he was expecting. This map obviously a copy based on the material it was on, but the city it showed was from over two hundred years ago, before all of the factories in the city had been established, and thus it only showed the older districts. One of the marked locations Henry recognized as one of the largest mage’s guilds in the city. Another was an underwater spot in the bay. A third was the Cathedral of Midnight. A few other land marks were included as well, including the east towers of the Dullahan Bridge and a random spot on the north side of town.

Henry had a sneaking suspicion of what this was but he’d have to consult his own charts for proof.

He flicked through the journal but found that most of it was encoded and thus illegible. He’d have to spend some time cracking it later. A few sections seemed to be the man’s personal journal, and were written in normal script, but Henry didn’t feel safe reading it here.*

Decisions:
1. *head back to Malory’s ship and back home* (will pick up Johnny)
2. *try to get the jump on the other two mystery people*
3. *head back into town* (random event)
4. *use the Dullahan Bridge to get back to Avignon*
5. *write in*

>>3431980
>2. *try to get the jump on the other two mystery people*
Act as if we didn't just gank one of their cohorts.

>>3431991
writing in 5 min

>>3431980
>1. *head back to Malory’s ship and back home* (will pick up Johnny)
The last time we tried talking to someone, he tried napalming us. I doubt his pals would be willing to listen after he was ganked, anyway.

>>3432014
Hmm good point, lets get back home to do research.
Also ask Ophelia if she knows what the bugs are.

>>3432018
>>3432014
writing

>>3431980
Henry carefully made his way back into town, and took far too much time ensuring he wasn’t being followed, and jumping at every other shadow. He’d killed a lot of people as of late, and if Johnny’s constant whining was to be believed then he’d suffered for it, somehow. Honestly he should’ve been more worried about the other two friends of the man, one of whom was a paladin trainee and the other was likely a mage of some kind. He took the time to ask a bit around town but came up with nothing.

He grabbed Johnny out of the bar, the skeleton hadn’t drawn any undue attention fortunately. The two took about an hour or so to make their way back down to the rendezvous point where a rather impatient Malory was waiting.

“So what went wrong this time” Malory asked.

“Nothing.”

“Aw shit.”

Henry decided to not tell Malory that he’d just murdered someone in sort of self-defense. The woman was morally flexible, sure, but the less she knew the better.

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

Malory’s little boat took off across the bay, making good time towards Avignon. Henry didn’t rest easy until after they’d passed the midway point, however.

“So what did ya get?” Malory asked, poking her head around the wheel.

“Some information, hopefully some of it will be useful.”

“Boring.” Malory snickered.

“Probably far more valuable than a few gold coins.” Johnny said. “Hopefully worth the cost.”

Decisions:
1. *talk to someone* (write in)
2. *investigate the evidence* (choose a piece of evidence)
3. *ponder a subject* (write in)
4. (write in)

>>3432187
>First off, find an old potato sack we can put the dead bugs in, instead of our satchel
>2. *investigate the evidence* (choose a piece of evidence)
Invoices first, then the map, then "They've found me" note.

>>3432187
This >>3432225
Even mundane things like finances and invoices can reveal important info. Maybe the guy was routing gold to someone else? Maybe he was running low? Maybe something else? Check what we can now, then get Ophelia to help when we return to the warehouse - her brain damage autism could point out things Henry doesn't know or understand.

>>3433048
>>3432225
writing

>>3432187
The first thing Henry did was find an old sack to place his dead bugs in, the things were dry and crunchy instead of wet and splorchy which meant they wouldn’t leave any stains or smells, which was nice, but also worrying. Henry had figured the mage had turned into that thing the night he’d attacked them, but if the bugs were dry that implied a few things. Based on how rare they seemed to be, and from a gag inducing passage in the man’s journal about his ‘little children’, Henry figured that the man had begun his transformation a while back at least, which left an odd gap in his timeframe.

He took a good look at his evidence, the invoices were fairly interesting. One was from a safe company, with a combination listed on it. Henry hadn’t seen any safes during his little investigation but perhaps the storage warehouse invoice he’d found had something to do with that. It listed out a location in Avignon that Henry figured was where he’d need to look soon. The final invoice was for ‘baking services rendered’ Henry knew code when he saw it, but had no idea what it was about. The amount was awfully large as well. Beyond that there was a note scribbled on the back of the warehouse note.

‘Yellow Pebbles, Blue Stones, Green Boulders.’

The map was more helpful. There were a few notes scribbled on the bottom “Artifact still exists, but I need more time to determine where it ended up. It will suit our purposes perfectly.”

Fantastically vague.

Henry sighed and read the final note.

Johnny watched as Henry’s expression went from bored, to slightly confused, to worried, to downright panicked. The man bolted upright and rushed over to Malory and the two began arguing over how boats traveled, how ‘speeding up’ was impossible. How no, she wasn’t going to dump her cargo for anything, and that Henry was a ‘big boy who could wait half a fucking hour.’

Henry paced around rather nervously and cursed the fact he’d left Ophelia alone.

Once he’d shared the information with Johnny, the skeleton sighed, pulled out his sword, and began to sharpen it.

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

File: IMG_5989_copy.jpg (198 KB, 2140x2139)

198 KB JPG

>>3435592
Ophelia yawned as she looked up the shark jaws she’d been collecting from local fishermen. She had brought the plan to Henry but had been blown off on account of the fact that the idiot hadn’t understood her brilliance. Of course a bunch of shark jaws could be forced into a human shape and the resulting undead would be extremely deadly, and easily stored, and wouldn’t smell… well maybe a bit like fish but far better than any corpses Henry would raise. Skeletons were far more sanitary.

There was also Ticky MKII which had run into a small snag. A power source. Henry had repeatedly mentioned that the creation of a functional soul would be the hardest part. Ophelia’s helpful suggestions of using a starving orphan had been rather violently shot down. Ophelia eyed the glass shards still sticking out of the brick wall to her far left, then continued her work.

There had been the portable flame caster project, which had been easy enough. Ophelia had taken that beauty on as her personal weapon after last night’s excitement. The thing could easily engulf an intruder in flames, and Ophelia had no qualms about using it, in fact the thought of a field test excited her greatly.

Lastly there were the unused transference runes she’d perfected. She’d found that coded transmissions could be sent through them, and that after completing them that a current could be sent either way by simply changing their aetheric wavelengths, which was a massive breakthrough and would revolutionize communications for certain. If a language could be generated using short and long bursts, then long range communications could be created. Henry had simply relegated them to a curiosity and had refused to devote time to helping her. Ophelia sighed at this. She had to get Ticky’s weapons systems fully operational before the end of the month if they were going to keep on schedule. With Henrys help the body had been turned into a walking castle. Nothing short of a ballistae would be able to so much as dent the thing. But its weapons had been a trickier matter. Henry had just wanted to slap some claws on, or a sword or something, but that was so simple!

Ophelia was thrown out of her thoughts when the cold room’s metal door was violently dented outward.

Decisions:
1. Grab your flame caster and have a better look
2. Run away screaming
3. Run to ticky and guard it
4. Grab a few bomb runes and chuck them inside
5. Find something better to do, Henry would understand
6. (write in)

>>3435599
>If a language could be generated using short and long bursts, then long range communications could be created.
>Ophelia invents Morse code
THE MADWOMAN

>Grab your flame caster and run to Ticky to guard it
WE BURN ANYTHING THAT TRIES TO HARM OUR BOY... robot... thing.

>>3436148
You mean Ophelia code?
>Grab your flame caster and run to Ticky to guard it
WE BURN ANYTHING THAT TRIES TO HARM OUR BOY... robot... thing.

>>3436486
>>3436148
writing

>>3435599
Ophelia grabbed her flamecaster and immediately placed herself between Ticky and the now heavily damaged door. After a few more banging noises and a few more dents, a scythe like appendage poked out and began to feel around. Ophelia hadn’t paid much attention to the monster after it had stopped interrupting her, but she was fairly certain she would’ve remembered something like that.

Ophelia was more annoyed than afraid. Why hadn’t Henry just burnt the corpse… studying it was nice and all but they both had the main project to do. The thought of the whatever it was damaging Ticky filled Ophelia was an inhuman rage which was only tempered slightly by her broken and abused self-preservation instincts, which generally just hunched over and cried in the recesses of her mind.

A final bang sent the now comically dented metal door screaming off its hinges and skidding a few feet along the floor. The head that poked its way out of the cold room was slightly different than Ophelia had remembered. It looked far less human and far more insect like, a couple of fly like eyes had emerged from the sides of the tattered human head, and the bug had annoyingly reattached its lower half. It let out a series of clicking noises while staring Ophelia down.

She noticed a few things. One that the bug was moving under its own power using four scythe like limbs while a pair of armored, four fingered hands idly flexed. The whole creature was now covered in thick sheets of carapace which looked fairly sturdy, and tattered remains of mage robes could be seen on its back. The spot where the bug had been cut in half now had far more carapace than before, in fact Ophelia could see faint flickers of mana flowing along it, which immediately caught her attention.

Ophelia leveled her Flame Caster and began to consider her options.

Decisions:
1. *attack the nasty bug*
2. *use a spell* (will bring up spell options)
3. *hold your position*
4. *back off*
5. *Try talking to it* (write in)
6. (write in)

>>3438243
>*Try talking to it* "WHY WON'T YOU DIE?! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?! WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE?! GO INFEST YOUR OWN DAMN WAREHOUSE!" (hysterically)
>*use a spell* (will bring up spell options)
>*hold your position*
protecting Ticky is #1 to Ophelia

>>3438264
====(Ophelia's Spell Options)====

Bolt (1 red mana)

Arc Bolt (2 Red mana) (bolt but multi target)

Trick Bolt (1 red mana, 0.5 blue mana) Bolt but the bolt itself starts from a different location, other than your hand

Sleep (2 blue mana, will incapacitate a human sized target)

Memory scatter (read henry's description)

short hop teleport (bad idea, very dangerous spell for a variety of reasons, 4.5 blue mana)

Mana Shield: Will summon a blue mana wall which will count as a magical construct until dissipating, the shield is stationary and will not change shape unless broken or recast 3.5 blue mana)

>write ins optional, will require Lorekeeper approval

>>3438287
How much Red and Blue mana bars does Ophelia have?

>>3438314
12 of each

>>3438314
Yes, how much?

>>3438316
I am slow today
Then lets
Trick Bolt (1 red mana, 0.5 blue mana) Bolt but the bolt itself starts from a different location, other than your hand
Shoot flame caster, while hiding the spell activation in the flames

>>3438316
Attempt to cast Sleep on the giant insectoid monster.

>>3438324
Several shots, 5 shots for now.

>>3438316
Nevermind >>3438325, backing >>3438324 instead while keeping initial vote hysterical yelling.

>>3438329
>>3438325
roll 2d100

Rolled 42, 36 = 78 (2d100)

>>3438330

Rolled 39, 34 = 73 (2d100)

>>3438330

Rolled 23, 9, 52, 20, 32 = 136 (5d100)

>>3438335
>>3438332
rolling counter attacks

Rolled 34, 64, 66, 58, 61, 25, 65, 92, 66, 86 = 617 (10d100)

BEGONE LOW ROLLS REEEEEEEEEEEE

>>3438243
“Stupid thing, WHY WON’T YOU JUST DROP DEAD ALREADY?! WHATS THE MATTER WITH YOU, WHY DID YOU EVEN COME HERE?! GO INFEST YOUR OWN DAMNED WAREHOUSE!” Ophelia said, anger turning to hysteria. The woman gripped her flamecaster harder until her fingers hurt.

The beast stared her down, the emitted a shriek, before a voice in Ophelia’s mind, like something skittering, began to pick up.

“Knowledge gem, in your head, I need it, give it to me!” The voice bellowed, like a swarm of ants cresting a hill and covering it completely in their glory.

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU OVERSIZED COCKROACH.” Ophelia responded out loud and in her head.

(-20 sanity)

The bug took a single step back but immediately pressed forwards, beginning to slowly advanced on a panicking Ophelia.

Ophelia stood her ground and began to cast a spell.

The bug stopped its advance and raised its human like hands in response, a LOT of blue mana was gathering in them, to the point where it honestly terrified Ophelia, though she was more angry that a bug was outclassing her than anything.

The first spell, her spell, a sleep spell. Went off, the spell was partially countered by the bug, and the half of the bolt that made it through had little noticeable effect. Only later would the woman realize that the spell had saved her life.

The next couple of spells were bolts of blue mana that immediately turned into swarms of glowing blue bugs. Blue mana summons which swarmed around Ophelia and began to sting and claw at her. Ophelia immediately panic fired her flamecaster and managed to take out most of the bugs before the weapon was clawed in half by the big bug. The woman narrowly avoided a second attack which split her desk in half, and a third which nearly took her head off.

She in desperation she grabbed a couple of bomb runes from her bag and chucked them at the creature. They managed to blast a couple of holes in its carapace and the creature retreated as blue mana began to flow into the wounds and a swarm of bugs formed out of it, plugging the wounds up and allowing the creature to move unhindered. The fact that its flesh was bubbling didn’t help matters.

Decision:
1. Cast a spell (see spell list)
2. *Tactical retreat* (write in optional)
3. *Try to activate Ticky MK II*
4. *Run for it*
5. (write in)

>>3438373
>1. Cast a spell (see spell list)
Arc Bolt. It's got it's friends plugging it's wounds, zap them so he's got holes in his carapace.

Then BURN IT!

>>3438373
could Short Hop Teleport be casted on others or self-target only?

>>3438423
the target cannot be a competent mage.

>>3438435
ok backing >>3438422

>>3438435
Can we teleport something INTO the competent mage?

>>3438439
Telefragging?

>>3438439
no, for one teleporting something without a soul is incredibly difficult, and teleporting something into a creature with a soul is impossible. Especially during combat.

>>3438422
right now the only actual vote I have is for an arc bolt.

>>3438479
Backing that Arc Bolt then, let's fry this bug faggot

>>3438490
>>3438422
roll 1d100

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>3438844

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>3438844
Rolan

>>3439088
Nice one!

>>3439088
thats a crit, writing the bug getting hurt

>>3438373
Ophelia decided enough was enough. Her left arm hurt from all the scratches and biting the bugs had done, she had far more important work to do, and to be honest the bug smelled horrible, like a mix between raw sewage and rotten eggs.

“Either get out or I will dispose of you.” She said blithely.

The creature stared at her for a moment, taken aback. If there had been anyone else in the room they would have been utterly horrified by the bug monster, then utterly baffled by the crazy woman.

The bug seemed to sigh, then began to advance on Ophelia, arms raised and gathering blue mana. The whispers returned as Ophelia placed a hand on her head and groaned. It had given her a headache.

So she cast an Arc Bolt mainly at the swarms of bugs filling in the holes in the creatures carapace. She flicked her wrist as the bolt traveled, managing to get it to duck and weave away from the half a dozen counters the creature flung at it. The creature already had a dispel ready though, but Ophelia had expected that. So she simply had the spell duck down at the last moment, and back up again around the creatures dispel barrier. The bolt struck the creature in each of its exposed weakspots and caused horrifying arcs of electricity to spike all over it. It wings burst into flame and the creature let out several shrieks of pain. But that was it.

Wait what had happened? Why wasn’t it dead? Ophelia wondered.

She began to cast a counterspell but a shriek left her clutching her head.

The creature cast a flight spell, and a pair of new wings made of blue mana materialized behind it over the course of several seconds. Far faster than Ophelia thought possible for a creature of that size.

The bug thing took off, smashing a second hole in the now tattered skylight, and a loud splash could be heard as the thing landed in the ocean.

Ophelia breathed a short sigh of relief and went back to work as the distraction was now dealt with. She’d have to get some parts to fix the skylight later though, and chew out Henry for not properly securing his corpses… test subjects? Well whatever the word was.

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

>>3441259
Henry had Malory park the boat near the lighthouse and him and Johnny rushed into the building. He heard the woman cursing about how this would cause problems for both of them but she quickly fell out of earshot. Yes, a merchant vessel would attract attention but a monster running amok would cause far more problems.

So with a shout he swung open the front door and came in to find the lab… mostly okay, except the obviously destroyed cold room. There was a pile of debris and glass in a neat pile while Larry wandered around aimlessly. Charles was writing something down near the coldroom, probably taking inventory on what had been lost, good lad.

Ophelia… was tweaking the flamecaster she had made for Ticky, and not much else.

What the fuck had happened?

Decisions:
1. *yell at Ophelia, it’s probably her fault, somehow* (write in)
2. *Talk to Charles* (Write in)
3. *Talk to Larry* (write in)
4. *fuck this, go outside and see if anything’s changed in the neighborhood*
5. (write in)

>>3441260
>5. (write in)
Take the damage in stride, and just give her the notes and stuff

>>3441271
so don't even ask her what happened to the big bug? Keep in mind Henry has no clue

>>3441290
He'll figure it out when Charles gets him the inventory

>>3441300
actually that would be funnier

>>3441260
Henry glanced first at his motley crew, then up towards the now destroyed skylight, then to Johnny who simply shrugged and sheathed his sword, grabbed a bin, and began to clean up the debris pile. Henry walked over to Ophelia and slammed his pile of evidence, notes, and most importantly the journal on her hastily repaired desk. The thing had been split in two and hastily repaired with some planks and nails. It didn’t really make for a flat surface so the woman was just writing on a clipboard. It looked utterly uncomfortable.

“What?” Ophelia asked. “I’m almost done with this weapon! Can it wait?!”

“No.”

“Fine.. what is it.”

“It’s an encoded journal I want you to crack, can you handle it?”

“Yes, but do I have to.”

“Yes.”

“Fine…” Ophelia whined.

“Remind me to make this up to you somehow, you saved our butts.” Henry said, eyeing the skylight again.

“Whatever.” Ophelia replied, oblivious to the anger that would soon crest the horizon.

Decisions:
1. *talk to someone* (Write in)
2. *review the ‘they’ve found me’ note*
3. *head outside*
4. (write in)

>>3441351
>4. (write in)
Look at the busted door and imagine how mush it's going to cost to replace it.
Then lets talk with Johnny on security.

>>3441354
writing

>>3441351
Henry took a long hard look at both the cold room, all the damage to it, and the door. The interior was fairly trashed. With vials and boxes of reagents in various states of damage and decay. The actual metal box that made up the cold room was fine, so there was that, and Henry kept anything really expensive in his one in the lighthouse, out of now warranted paranoia. Regardless it’d probably take half a gold coin to replace everything. Then there was the matter of the door.

The thing was completely trashed, and nearly in two pieces. The metal could be salvaged for the Ticky project, perhaps as spare parts for repairs, or sold as scrap, but a new door would need to be bought. Fortunately the cold room they’d bought was a fairly standard model, he could probably even send Larry to get a new one… although that’d be a horrible idea.


“So I think we might need to get some quick and dirty security.” Henry said.


“Take up Ophelia on that utterly stupid idea?” Johnny asked.


“I mean it should work, I just didn’t want to deal with a walking pile of shark jaws.” Henry said. “You know I don’t like sharks.”


“I actually didn’t.” Johnny replied. “They amazingly never came up before.”


“Oh, well I don’t.” Henry said. “Anyway the bodies should come in a day or two, then we can start outfitting them, it’ll cost a bit but honestly it’ll provide better security.”

“Lovely.”

Decisions:
1. *speak to Ophelia about the sharkjaw skeleton project.*
2. *check on Charles*
3. *see what Larry is doing*
4. *head outside*

>>3441366
>3. *see what Larry is doing*

calling it a night

>>3441366
>1. *speak to Ophelia about the sharkjaw skeleton project.*

>>3441366
This >>3441750

>>3441750
>>3441854
writing

>>3441366
Henry sighed and with more than a little bit of reservation he plodded over to Ophelia. The pile of shark jaws she had been collecting sat in a fairly large container in storage, although a few of the things stuck out.

“So I’d like to speak to you about the shark jaw project.” Henry said. He braced himself, but it didn’t really help.

“So you’ve finally come around to my way of thinking? Lovely, finally.” Ophelia said. “I’ve already written down the plans based on your explanation of how skeletons work, and I’ve even taken the time to cut the bones into shape, all you’d need to do is arrange them and conduct the summoning.”

“Thanks…” Henry said.

“Well don’t look at me! I’m working here!” Ophelia said.

“Oy Henry, before you create any unholy abominations I think you should know a couple Cathars have been poking about, I think its cause of all the noise the damned thing made.” Larry said. “I told em the owner was away but I think one is still at the front gate.”

“Fucking hell, how many?”

“Just the one, but the man is real feckin nosy.”

Decisions:
1. *Get to work on the sharkjaw skeleton*
2. *go confront the Nosy Cathar*
3. *speak to someone else* (write in)
4. (write in)

>>3443651
>(to Ophelia) "We'll talk later"
>(to Charles before you leave) "Good job taking inventory like I taught you. Keep that up, I have to go check on a certain someone outside."
>*go confront the Nosy Cathar*

>>3443663
Support

>>3443663
>>3443669
writing

>>3443651
“We’ll talk later Ophlelia.” Henry said.

“Sure.” Ophelia replied and waved her hand around. “As long as it grants me some peace and quiet.”

Henry decided to let that comment slide, he had far more important things to do than something as petty as enforcing respect. Before he left he turned to Charles and congratulated him.

“Good job taking inventory like I taught you. Keep that up. Gonna go check on a certain someone outside. Make sure the place doesn’t burn down.”

“Yes sir!” Charles said. The boy was much peppier than he had been that morning.

Outside Henry found a lone Cathar waiting outside the gates. The man looked bored but perked up upon Henry’s arrival.

“Are you the owner I’ve heard so much about?” The cathar asked.

“Yes.” Henry said.

“Good, we’ve been getting a lot of noise complaints from your neighbors and its gotten to the point they sent me out to see what was going on. Didn’t even think this place had an owner till I saw your employees.”

Decisions:
1. “Apologies about the noise won’t happen again.”
2. “Who sent you out, exactly?” (roll 1d100)
3. “The horrible noises weren’t us. Would be nice if you could deal with it. Maybe keep the streets clean of Franks at night.”
4. “Had a bit of an accident but it’s been resolved*
5. (Write in)

>>3443729
>“The horrible noises weren’t us. Would be nice if you could deal with it. I think whatever made it won't be coming round here again.”

>>3443786
support

>>3443786
>>3443787
roll 1d100 for bluff

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>3443795

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>3443801
HOLY SHIT

>>3443795
rolling anyway

>>3443729
“The horrible noises weren’t us.” Henry said. “Would be nice if you could deal with it, I think whatever made it won’t be coming back, hopefully.”

“Eh, good enough for me.” The Cathar responded. “Just be warned if you have any part in this it won’t end well.”

“That’s it?” Henry asked.

“Yeah, honestly I was using this little trip to take a bit of a break. Didn’t think you guys had anything to do with it. But it’s gotten everyone riled up for some reason.”

Decisions:
1. *ask further questions* (write in)
2. *say nothing and head back inside*
3. (write in)

>>3443806
>3. (write in)
I hear you, with all the strange things going on I'm surprised you're not having it worse.

>>3443808
that's not question, but did you want to steer the conversation in a particular direction?

>>3443814
Yes, to hear him complain of what's he's experiencing with complaints or events he has to deal with.

>>3443823
writing

>>3443806
“I hear you, with all the strange shit going on lately I’m surprised your not having it worse.”

“Feckin hells ain’t that the truth.” The Cathar said. “Can’t even smoke on duty no more, or I’ll get the boot, yknow?”

“Right, how’s the night shift?” Henry asked.

“Fucking godawful. So many fecking cobbled together abominations vomited out by insane idiots. I heard that the problems should be sorted out soon though, apparently the big wig got some sorta plan or something. Maybe it’ll kill whatever the fucks been killing mages too.”

“Somethings been killing mages?” Henry asked.

“Yeah, bunch of them fancy pants cult of progress sorts have been droppin dead. Nobody knows what done it but people have been talking about some right nasty beast.”

“Right.”

Decisions:
1. “The angels haven’t been helping?”
2. “Well have a good day then.”
3. “So someone’s been targeting the cult of progress? The hell?”
4. “Any wacky stories or gossip to share?”
5. (write in)

>>3443848
>3. “So someone’s been targeting the cult of progress? The hell?”

>>3443859
writing

>>3443848
“Well it happened like, I dunno, three days ago? Big meeting of the blokes got interrupted by a monster who slaughtered most of em and kidnapped a few more. They injured the thing but it got away. Couple of angels tussled with it but it got away from them as well, and apparently its just been picking off more of em as time’s gone on. They have a massive fecking bounty of the thing which is nice. Wish I could claim it. But straight into the coffers if one of us bags it.”


“A reward?” Henry asked.


“Double digits gold coins.” The cather replied. “The Scarred Hands are the expected winners I’d say, bastards generally do well with bounties. He’ll they’re practically just a wing of the cult at this point.”


“The church isn’t stepping in?” Henry asked.


“Have you just gotten into Avignon? No shit we won’t step in, not while the Archbishop has anything to feckin say about it.”


“Right.”


Decisions:
1. “The Arch-Bishop is okay with the cult doing whatever?”
2. “Have there been any other deaths? I want to make sure my own people will be safe.”
3. “Where is the bounty posted?”
4. (write in)

>>3443879
>2. “Have there been any other deaths? I want to make sure my own people will be safe.”
And
>3. “Where is the bounty posted?”

>>3443882
calling it a night

>>3443879
this >>3443882

>>3443882
>>3443907
writing

>>3443879
“Have there been any other deaths? I want to make sure my own people will be safe.”

“Not sure, haven’t heard of any deaths related to the beastie. Tons of injuries and a few deaths from rogue franks though. City’s going to shit… I erm.”

“Its fine, I’m aware.” Henry said. “You’re doing the best you can. Everything’s going to shit.”

“Right.”

“So where is this bounty posted.”

“Their fucking guild hall.” The Cathar replied.

“The fuck?” Henry asked.

“Right? They didn’t even bother posting it to us or on the public boards, they just slapped it on their front door with a few other bounties. Whatever this thing is REALLY pissed them off.”

“That’s … the fuck?” Henry asked.

“Hell I heard fucking Ludvig has even thrown in a massive bonus for anyone who can get the body back intact.”

“Ludvig?” Henry asked. “You mean THE Mister Millennia?”

“Yeah, he’s a big shot with em right?”

“Yeah…”

Ludvig Braun Miser, the man was a certified genius, someone who’d only come around once in a millennia, hence the title. But that wasn’t all, he was Avignon’s top nobleman, and a member of the hand of progress, the leadership of the cult. Henry also had heard plenty of rumors that the man dabbled in stichcraft, but nobody had spilled anything when he’d asked about it. If he could impress that man….

Henry turned back towards his warehouse, to where Ticky MK II was. If he could secure the cult as a buyer… then his money issues would be solved. He had the bug in his freezer, it had given them some trouble, sure. But Ophelia had obviously been able to secure it. He had a once in a lifetime opportunity sitting right in his warehouse.

God had finally thrown him a freebie.

Decisions:
1. “Thanks for the help” (end conversation)
2. *Ask further questions* (write in)
3. *Gather some people and head out to see the bounty* (write in)
4. “Here we go again.”
5. (write in)

>>3445720
>*Ask further questions* (write in) "You hear any other juicy tidbits that most people wouldn't be privy to? I'd make it worth your while (flash several silvers)."
>(mentally think to yourself) "He said the big wig got a sort of plan against the thing killing mages... Weren't those three back at Requin Del Mar's house talking about a plan? Some sort of revenge? Could that be it, or are the planning something entirely unrelated...?"

>>3445741
writing

>>3445720
“Hear anything else interesting?” Henry asked, flashing a few silver coins.


The Cather glanced at them, glanced at Henry, took a look around and smiled.


“Yeah I’ve heard a few things alright. Mainly that trying to bribe a Cathar is a really stupid idea. I may be a lazy shite but I do take my vows seriously.”


“Ah…” Henry said, nervously.


“Well its fine I guess. I did hear a weird story recently. Some kid living with a pack of dogs. Bunch of us think he’s a werewolf but nobody’s been able to catch him yet. I haven’t seen him myself but my superior’s been kicking a fuss up about it. Guy’s gunning for a promotion to a real important role. I don’t really get why, it’s just more work.”


The man turned to leave. “Look pal, just don’t try to bribe any more Cathars, our superiors have started enforcing some outdated rules again, like cutting off people’s hands and such.”


Henry watched nervously as the Cathar chuckled and walked away.


Henry’s thoughts didn’t linger on the Cathar for long. His thoughts flew to the three mages that
he had encountered earlier. They’d mentioned a plan and revenge.


Henry thought back to the note. From what he’d understood, the bug wouldn’t die under normal means. Its why he’d been so panicked earlier since he’d left Ophelia alone with the thing. But the rest had been confusing. It seemed like Requin’s cover had been blown, and that he’d decided to take as many members of the cult out as possible. Henry wondered if the man had been a spy or something similar. Perhaps he’d transformed during the meeting?


He didn’t have all the pieces yet and it bothered him.


Decisions:
1. *Ask Ophelia where she put the bug*
2. *send someone out to look at the bounty’s amount and related instructions* (write in)
3. *You have a hunch about the map of the city* (roll 1d100 for wisdom)
4. *check the map to see if there are any clues about Requin Del Mar’s hiding place*
5. (Write in)

>>3445796
>*You have a hunch about the map of the city* (roll 1d100 for wisdom)
>*Ask Ophelia where she put the bug*

>"Ophelia."
>"What?"
>"Where's the giant bug monster?"
>"It's right over there in the cold storage. See, there's the restraints we put on it and everything."
>"You were supposed to make sure it would be dead and not leave in the first place!"
>"Relax, I am!"
>"Oh, really?"
>"Yes!"
>"...So go get the giant bug back."
>"Okay, I will!"
>Ophelia runs into the wall next to the busted cold room door.
>Ophelia walks into the cold room, looking around wide eyed and frantic.
>Ophelia runs out of the cold room.
>"...I think I see the problem."
>"Oh DO YOU?!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6r_3HMTs9M

>>3445838
gonna take this general concept and roll with it.

>>3445847
That's fine too. A little comedy before the chewing out is nice. Goodnight.

>>3445849
also you didn't make the wisdom roll

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>3445851
oh yeah, rollan

>>3445853
easy pass, writing

>>3445796
As Henry walked back inside he thought over the map, and the spots that had been circled. In his mind he formed a rough diagram of the leylines around Avignon and found that leylines ran near or through all of the circled areas. He’d have to grab a book and double check of course, but that was a fairly big lead. But so many leylines… what the hell would they be doing with it? They’d mentioned an artifact to…. Well it could wait till later… if it was even his problem. Sure he’d killed one of them but they hadn’t actually seen him.

He walked into the warehouse and down a couple hallways past the kitchen and living quarters. Charles was inspecting something in the freezer. Henry stopped and saw he’d placed a bunch of highly valuable components and materials into it.

“Good work.” Henry said.

Charles grinned at that and got back to work.

Larry was still wandering around when Henry got back, and Johnny was talking to Ophelia.

Henry made his way over to Ophelia, and asked her a simple question.

“Ophelia.”

“What?”

“Where is the giant bug?”

“It’s right there in cold storage.” Ophelia said absent mindedly. “Will you quit bothering me.”

“Are the restraints still on?” Henry asked, glancing over at the battered piece of metal that had been the door.

“Sure.” Ophelia said, trying to shoo him away.

Henry walked over to the storage container, thinking of what he could do with the funds and influence, only to find it empty save for some destroyed shelves and broken glass.

“O-ophelia?” Henry asked, turning around and stomping back over to her. “Where the fuck is the bug?”

“What?” Ophelia asked. “O-oh, right. It ran off.”

“It… IT RAN OFF?!” Henry screamed. “AND YOU LET IT GO?!”

“I don’t care about your stupid bug, I chased it off and once it was gone I went back to my work. I’m not going to be bullied around by you over every little thing!”

Henry stood there a moment. Utter disbelief on his face. Johnny watched as it began to slowly turn to anger, all consuming rage would soon follow.

>>3445893
“You let it go?”

“Yes, is that so hard to understand? Do you want me to paint you a little picture? Put on a performance with puppets?”

“You ….”

“Yes me, the only thing I’ve ever cared about were my own projects, just because our interests line up doesn’t mean I’m going to be b-b”

“LARRY HELP ME!” Johnny screamed.

Ophelia glanced up at the knife that was mere inches away from her forehead. The woman let out a small gasp of air, like she’d never even considered the possibility that she could die. Normally she’d come up with a witty remark or not even notice the severity of the situation. But at that moment Henry looked like a demon. The woman fell off the chair and onto her back as she tried to kick away from Henry.

“L-l-look its j-j-just a bug…” Ophelia said. “I-I c-c-can find it.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you Ophelia.” Henry said, with no emotion in his voice.

“LARRY STOP HIM.” Johnny said. The skeleton was being dragged behind Henry.

Johnny knew he couldn’t stop the man, not when he got like this. He could practically feel the malice exuding off of him.

Henry walked over to Ophelia, and held the dagger up in the air.

“S-stop!” Ophelia said, “I-I’m SORRY!”

Henry began to bring the knife down but was tackled to the ground by Larry.

>Booted from host, choose new host

Select a Temporary Host:
1. Johnny
2. Charles
3. Rosa
4. Larry
5. Ophelia

fuck I cannot decide between Charles and Rosa

>>3445895
Gonna go with Rosa.

>>3445895
Fine
>Rosa

>>3445924
writing our little side adventure!

>>3445895
Rosa sighed and glanced at the burn wounds on the paladin. The man had simply came in and asked politely to be treated while being severely burned in several places. The man had refused to give anything more than his name, even though that important piece of information hadn’t been disclosed to Rosa.

“So you took serious burns… after falling into a fireplace?” Rosa asked, not even bothering to hide the disbelief in her voice.

“Yes, quite an embarrassing situation. I’d really appreciate it if word didn’t get around yeah?”

The paladin was young, younger than Rosa was, yet had a haughty air about him. Rosa began to heal the wounds while concentrating. A moment later she jumped as if something had crawled up her back.

She glanced through the window out towards the lighthouse. The back toward her tight lipped patient.

“So were you the only one who, uh, fell into a fireplace?” Rosa asked.

“Fortunately.” The man replied.

A horrible liar. Rosa noted, sure his tone and voice were all right, but she hadn’t been born yesterday. She knew he was hiding something and she just had to know.

Decisions:
1. “So were you at home or out?”
2. “How did you get such horrid burns from a simple fire?”
3. “You’re lucky you didn’t fall unconscious.”
4. “So what did you say your name was?”
5. *begin healing him*

>>3445936
>3. “You’re lucky you didn’t fall unconscious.”
>1. “So were you at home or out?”

>>3445936
this >>3445965

going to bed

>>3446011
Night, boss.

>>3445965
>>3445967
writing

>>3445936
“You’re lucky you didn’t fall unconscious.” Rosa said, finishing up his left arm and moving onto his right. “How did you even get here with these wounds?!”

“Adrenaline mostly.” The Paladin said. “That and my training.”

“I don’t know why people call you lanterns soft at all.” Rosa said encouragingly

“Because they think fighting ghiests is easy work.”

“So were you at home, or out when this happened.”

“If I was at the citadel then I would’ve been treated there, we do keep healers on staff you know.”

“Ah, yes.” Rosa replied, a little embarrassed.

She finished up and inspected the man once more.

“If I meet with your approval then I’ll gather my things and take my leave.” The man said.

“Rosa!” Sister Éclair called, “Your man is here, he needs personal attent-“

“W-what?” Rosa asked, flushing red and glancing at the paladin before turning her eyes back to the snickering healer.

“That quiet one, all done up in armor, asked for you specifically. Aren’t you popular all of a sudden?”

Decisions:
1. “shut up”
2. *say nothing*
3. “Don’t you have some floors to scrub?”
4. “If you don’t have anything important to do gather this man’s things.”
5. “Watch your tone.”
6. (write in)

>>3448148
>(to Sister Éclair) “S-shut up! Why don't you go back to giving the floors your 'personal attention', sister?”
>(to the Paladin) "Ugh, my apologies. I hope you take care to avoid falling into fireplaces next time."
>(get up and go see if it's... him)

>>3448184
supporting

>>3448232
>>3448184
writing

>>3448148
Rosa squirmed around for a moment as Sister Éclair giggled at her discomfort.

“S-shut up!” Rosa finally stammered. “Why don’t you go back to giving the floors your ‘personal attention’, sister?”

Éclair’s face noticeably soured and sauntered away from the room with an audible ‘hmph’.

“O-oh, my apologies for the lack of professionalism from my sister. I hope you take care to avoid falling into fireplaces next time.”

“Oh I don’t think it’ll be a problem Sister, thank you.” The man said. “I’ll just be grabbing my weapons from the front desk and leaving.”

Rosa sighed. Éclair was one of the more tolerable ones. She’d only been here two months and already she wanted to strike out. She turned toward the door, watching the paladin depart. If it hadn’t been for Henry she’d do the same.

Speaking of Henry, what workplace injury had he gotten this time? He came to her whenever his machinery caused injury… or even when it didn’t… heh. Hopefully it was the latter. She thought back to last night’s festivities and nearly skipped out the door. She went to the front desk and was wordlessly pointed back to room 103. She tried asking a few questions to Sister Mary Anne, who was filing her nails instead of doing actual work.

“Figure it out.” Mary Anne said, not even looking up from what she was doing. “He’s your man, no need for any of us to get involved.

Rosa’s mood had begun to take a turn for the worse.

It wasn’t helped by the fact that Henry was lying unconscious on room 103’s hospital bed. The man had a nasty gash on the front of his head. Rosa guessed he’d taken a nasty fall. She’d internally panicked as she mentally went over a list of what she needed to do, and how much mana she had left. She briefly registered Johnny leaning against the far corner of the room. It had been the first time she’d seen the man without a weapon, now that she thought about it.

Decisions:
1. *Ignore everything and heal your man*
2. “What happened?!”
3. “WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT KEEPING HIM SAFE JOHNNY?!”
4. “Johnny I need you to hold me steady.”
5. (Write in)

>>3448270
>1. *Ignore everything and heal your man*
>heal your man
Lewd

>>3448270
yes, this >>3448284

>>3448270
Rosa leapt into action, ignoring Johnny completely. The man said a few things of course, but she didn’t hear them. She had a patient, and a very, very important one at that. All that mattered was healing him and making sure he’d see another day. As she worked she recalled the words of her mentor, back when she’d worked at that small hospital in Magica.

‘Doesn’t matter who they are, what they did or didn’t do. All that matters is that you’re a healer and they need healing. If they need sorting out, leave it to the Cathars or to God.’

She worked quickly. First she found a shallow stab wound. It was fairly easy to patch up. Next was the head injury. That made her very nervous. She could heal the bruise itself, but if the brain was damaged, then there wouldn’t be too much she could do. The brain was far too complex of an organ to just mend. She simply healed the bruising and placed cold runes on the swelling and prayed silently that Henry would wake up okay.

All in all the treatment only took thirty minutes. In fact he’d been less injured then that Paladin she’d treated earlier, but she was far more worried for him.

“He’ll be fine, I can assure you.” Johnny said. “He’s suffered far worse and walked away from it.”

Decisions:
1. “Hello to you too Johnny.”
2. “Thank you.”
3. “How did this happen?”
4. “Is Charles okay?”
5. (write in)

>>3448318
>no votes so far
goodnight ya'll

>>3448318
>4. “Is Charles okay?”

>>3448318
This >>3448405

>>3448405
>>3448918
writing in a bit

>>3448318
“Is Charles okay?” Rosa asked.

“A little shaken but he’ll be alright.” Johnny replied. “Nobody else was injured, fortunately.”

“I thought you said you’d keep an eye on him!”

“…”

Johnny sighed and rolled his arms around. Rosa noted how polished his armor looked. It was a new set from what she could tell. She fidgeted about while trying to think up something to say, but failed. Johnny was good enough at conversation but the man always seemed far too guarded, like he was worried he’d say the wrong thing. She could understand why, she wished she was more cautious with what she said.

The two sat in silence for about forty minutes before Henry came to, the man was groggy and clutching his head but he was fine otherwise.

“How long have I been out?” Henry asked.

“Couple hours.” Johnny replied.

“Where-“ Henry began

The man was pushed back down into the bed by Rosa. The woman hadn’t even gotten up from her chair but the woman seemed determined to keep him from moving too much.

“You need to rest, you’ve taken an injury!” She said. “I want to make sure you’re okay, I’ll ask you some questions to make sure your memory is intact.”

“I’m fine Rosa.” Henry said, once again trying to sit up and once again being pushed down by Rosa.

>transferring back to main host

Decisions:
1. *pull the woman in close, if she won’t let you get up you might as well make this uncomfortable for her*
2. “So uh… did I uh… how bad was it Johnny?”
3. “It happened again didn’t it.”
4. “Look I can’t stay here I have work to do!”
5. “So do I just sit here until you leave?”
6. (write in)

>>3450441
>6. (write in)
Just stay there.

>>3450441
this >>3450445

>>3450445
>>3450454
alright, do you want to give Johnny any orders?

>>3450459
Just sit tight and relax.

>>3450474
Pretty much
We have friends around, so we musn't be in too much trouble.

>>3450441
As much as he wanted to leap out of bed and get back to unfucking the mess he’d probably caused, Henry decided to sit tight and shut up. His memory was fairly hazy, the last thing he really remembered was finding the bug’s corpse was no longer in his cold room. He had a good enough understanding of his ‘outbursts’ to know he might have done something truly stupid, or irreversible.

“Johnny… did I, uh.”

“No, thankfully.” Johnny replied. “You’re the only one who was injured.”

“Good.” Henry said, lying back in the bed more peacefully than he had before. Worry that he didn’t even know about sliding off his face.

“So you don’t seem to be too badly hurt.” Rosa said. “I’ve healed your physical injuries, although I’m as of now uncertain if you took any mental harm.”

“I’m fine.” Henry said, smiling. “Really. I’d know if a few screws had come loose…”

He gently bit his tongue as Johnny leaned in towards him slightly and stared him down. There would be a conversation about this. He hoped he hadn’t caused too much trouble. Well it was done now…

“So can you tell me the first thing you remember?” Rosa asked.

Decisions:
1. “Sitting in my mom’s lap, watching the tide come in from our home.”
2. “I remember scraping my knee after falling onto a pile of rocks on the cliff near my house.”
3. “I remember a story my grandfather told me while he was visiting us around my fifth birthday.”
4. “My memories of that time were hazy at best before this Rosa.”
5. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
6. (write in)

>>3450514
>1. “Sitting in my mom’s lap, watching the tide come in from our home.”

>>3450514
This >>3450518 plus wistful smile, genuine