>>3964216
>from prior thread, voting still active

“Well, kid does have a point, the cult is probably the least likely group to try and screw us…” Larry said, almost a whisper.

“I don’t have any opinion on this, stop looking at me.” Alice said, trying to just quietly enjoy her meal.

“I don’t think you need to ask me or Johnny’s opinion on the matter.” Xavier said smugly.

“Actually, I don’t have an opinion on this matter either. I’ve been privy to abuses in the church that rival the little catastrophe that you described to me. The fact of the matter is, everyone there made a willing sacrifice. That is far better than some of the things I witnessed during the last vampric war, or some of the things people get up to in the various swamps and bogs around here. As bad as the cult might be, they actually have improved people’s quality of life in this city and beyond. More than can be said about most of the other factions outside the church.” Johnny said.

“They’re a bunch of murderers and heretics!” Xavier complained.

“So are we, essentially.” Johnny replied. “You live in this glass house now, Xavier. You must learn not to throw stones. Neither you nor Henry are really able to claim the high ground here.”

“You’re really fucking doing this?!” Henry said, raising his voice.

“I’m playing devil’s advocate. The church has its own problems. However, I can tell you based on personal experience that THEY don’t have much influence within the cult. I’d even go so far as to say that they act as a counterbalance, and one that doesn’t despise humanity or treat them as livestock. Or would you rather throw in your lot with the vampric barons?” Johnny said, coldly.

“Well, Rosa should be here as well, she has as much right as any of us!” Xavier said.

“I agree, the lass has been with us through thick and thin, even saved Henry’s life once or twice. She’s earned the right. Sides she’s gonna be Mrs Fisher soon.” Larry said, chuckling.

Charles tried to raise an objection but clamped his mouth shut after being hit by a withering stare from Henry.

Decisions:
1. “Well I guess this is a voters decision now, fucking hell.”
2. “Look, I make the decisions here okay? We’re going my way.” (additional decision after this)
3. “We will have to work with the cult in the short term, let’s just do that for the time being and see how it goes, once we get a better idea of how it’ll work we can figure out what we want to do.” (delay the decision)

>>3964217
So the last these archived while I was writing my reply...

I want to bring up the hidden option of that fae creature from the Clue episode. She hates black mana and Johnny, but perhaps not all her peers will. Or maybe we can turn her around somehow.

The reason I say this is because we know that all of our options are terrible for many of the same reasons. Church, vampires, cult of progress and all of them will hinder us from flying solo.

Those other places are completely unknown and for all we know they may actually have a fighting chance since they don't rely on the seraph.

We should at least present it to the group.

>>3964229
"Lady Marlene"

>>3964323
Yeah her, it's been a while.

I've got a favor to ask you, when you break chapters can you cut down on the amount of +++++s a little? It breaks the site's width in mobile view and makes it necessary to scroll sideways or zoom out to have all the text in view.

>>3964408
yeah sure chief
>imagine being a mobilefag

>>3964408
>>3964229
+writing and using the reply from the last thread too

>>3964217
“We might want to talk to Lady Marlene, I don’t know if she’d even be willing to put us under her protection though.” Henry said.

“My few encounters with fae make me think that’s unlikely. They’re highly fickle creatures prone to bouts of emotion. Ask any hunter of them. They don’t think like humans either, they have their own honor code which is nigh impossible to decipher.” Johnny said.

“The little I’ve heard of fae tells me they’re terrifying abominations on the same rank with sea monsters.” Xavier said. “I don’t think it’d be any wiser than what we have now.”

“I said it was an option!” Henry said.

“Well she gave us a fair shake right?” Larry asked. “Sides she owes us a favor what with you savin her life and all.”

“Is protecting us from the Cult of Progress worth a single favor?” Charles rebutted.

“Is it worth trying to tell Rosa?” Henry asked.

“Horrid idea. Honestly you should keep that witch out of this.” Ophelia said.

“Well I’m going to go find her, we’ll continue this in a little bit.” Henry said.

Henry finished breakfast on a slightly sour note, and headed off to the small community church further up the hill. He found the place to be nearly empty, and upon speaking with one of the Deacons he discovered why. Sisters from across the city had been called to Magica in an attempt to contain a strange plague of madness that had been inflicting multitudes of people. From what Henry learned the church was trying to contain the spread and had been forced to bring in more help. Henry worried that Rosa would be affected but the Deacon didn’t seem too concerned. With that many sisters and talented mages someone would discover something, he said.
“So you said your name was Deacon Mulberry?” Henry asked.

“Yessir, I’m the Senior most Deacon here now that Deacon Redsher got promoted.”

Decisions:
1. *ask the Deacon something*
2. *thank the man and head home*
3. *head out to Marquis Ludvic’s estate to get paid and tell him the good news.*
4. (write in)

>>3965236
>1. *ask the Deacon something*
What did the previous deacon do to get promoted?

>>3965318
Yeah this. Paranoia mode engage

>>3964551
You force me to play during breakfast and my morning break, chief

>>3965318
And ask the second what he did to get promoted here.

>>3965318
>>3965550
>>3966080
going to bed early so no posts tonight

>>3965550
I was joking around, using less + symbols is a-ok

>>3965236
“So what did the previous deacon do to get promoted?” Henry asked.

“Oh, well, it wasn’t due to the plague. He was the most experienced Deacon in the area, so when a position opened up in the church down the road, the district bishop decided he would be the best choice, based on our priest’s recommendation.” Deacon Mulberry explained.

“How did the position even open up?”

“Well, don’t tell anyone I told you this, but the old priest had a weak heart, and apparently he died after being startled by a ghiest that managed to slip into the holy grounds.” The deacon said. “It was quite a horrid day for them, but a priest is always needed. Honestly Deacon Redsher wasn’t all too happy about the circumstances.”

“Right.” Henry said.

Decisions:
1. *head home to continue your day*
2. *head out to Ludvig to get paid, you really shouldn’t keep the man waiting too long, he probably already knows you arrived in the city*
3. *say something else to the deacon* (write in)
4. (write in)

>>3967585
>4. (write in)
And what did you do to get promoted to such a happy place?

>>3967695
This then fuck off to get paid

>>3967695
>>3968159
writing

>>3967585
“And what did you do to get promoted to such a happy place?” Henry asked.

“Promoted? I’m but a humble deacon… as for why I’m here. I was an orphan, lot of us were. Least in Avignon. Lotta the priests are good people, just wish the damned Archbishop wasn’t in the pocket of the cult. Lot more good would get done I figure, I sure as hell don’t trust them new pylons they got going up. No way something running on whale oil is gonna keep the gheisttide out.”

“Right…” Henry said. The man had gotten a lot more than he’d bargained for.

Henry wished the man a good day, went back to his home, then grabbed Johnny and Charles and left Larry in charge. Normally he’d be worried about leaving Larry in charge but he knew the man wouldn’t get into any trouble, and that he could handle basic decisions well.

As for Johnny, Henry trusted nobody more to keep him safe, and Charles… well Henry didn’t want to admit it but he wanted to keep an eye on the kid. He was beginning to act a bit too craftily for comfort.

The trip up to the mansion was fairly easy, Henry went to the cult’s headquarters, explained what he wanted, and he got a carriage ride up the hill. The carriage was fancy too, plush seats and a nice cog logo on the side.

The mansion was much the same, Ludvig was working out around the back on a walking automaton. The thing wasn’t too complicated and had a weird gait, but it was walking plain as day. The fact it didn’t have any soul inside of it was unnerving. Henry had no idea how anyone could make something walk like that. The irony of him being a necromancer was lost on him, of course.

“Ah, Henry, just the man I wanted to see, and congratulate!” Ludvig said, hopping up from his fine tuning with more vigor than a sixty five year old man should have.

“Ha ha … yeah.” Henry said.

>>3968383
“I assume you’re here to get paid, and let me say you’ve earned it.” Ludvig said. “Do you want your payment in gold coins or bars?”

“T-thirty coins, the rest in bars.” Henry said.

“Ah, so I’ll give you two bars and thirty.” Ludvig said, motioning to a servant to get the payment ready.

“Come sit with me, you can even bring that interesting guard and apprentice with you. Quite a fine collection of talent you’re acquiring now.” Ludvig said.

“No its fine…” Henry said, trying to extract himself.

“I have to insist Henry. You’re latest success has attracted the attention of some incredibly important people. I’d even go so far as to say you keep this up and you’ll be offered the position of pointer… though that little tidbit stays between us of course.”

“Doesn’t’ the cult already have a pointer?” Henry asked.

“Ah, Rousseau died last week I’m afraid… we believe he was struck down by no other than Star Paladin Venser. That’s part of what I wanted to discuss with you, actually.” Ludvig said. “Now that we know you’re not working with the church, not to mention the fact you saved us an inordinate amount of trouble, the hand believes it can place a bit more trust in you to handle more delicate matters.

Henry nodded, sighing. He took a seat in a rather comfortable wicker chair sat next to an unlit fire pit. Charles sat down in another open seat while Johnny stood at the ready.

“Ah, such a good guard.” Ludvig said. “Incredible to think you managed to pry him out of the hands of… well. That was one of the reasons we took such an interest in you.”

Decisions:
1. “You better pick your words carefully.”
2. “Why is Johnny so important?”
3. “I actually did want to talk business.”
4. “Tell me everything if you can.”
5. (write in)

>>3968386
>1. “You better pick your words carefully.”
You fucking what mate?
You avin a giggle?

>>3968386
For actual now.
>5. (write in)
"Do what."
"**Who** did I wrest him from?"

>>3968391
>>3968389
writing

File: Spoiler Image (15 KB, 112x112)

15 KB PNG

>>3968394
OH GODS
NO WHY
I'M NOT QUALIFIED TO SOLO THIS

>>3968386
“You better pick your words carefully.” Henry said.

“You as well, in fact, I’d recommend you think very carefully before responding Mr. Fisher.” Ludvig said.

“WHO did I wrest him from?” Henry asked.

“Your former employer. How you got out is a matter of some debate… the fact you’re still alive is a bit of a miracle. As for who exactly… is this the best time or place for that?” Ludvig asked, turning to Charles.

Henry grit his teeth.

“Johnny, escort Charles out of earshot please. That’s an order.”

Johnny complied without any reluctance while Charles looked like he’d just been betrayed. Henry figured he’d have to tell the kid, but wasn’t really sure if he could trust him with that information.

“Ah, I see.” Ludvig said, watching the ‘show’

“Talk.” Henry said.

“No need to be so defensive my dear boy. Although given the little we do know about the Lic’toron I can understand why you would be. I can tell you’re under some kind of contract so I assume you can’t say too much…” Ludvig said.

Henry grimaced. He actually could talk, he just couldn’t act against them.

“Henry, Abraxas is indeed a powerful being, but he isn’t the only game in town… did you know he has disappeared too?” Ludvig said.

“What?!”

“Oh, around the same time the High Seraph did… the church has been very quiet about it, even the Ring Finger… the Arch Bishop of Avignon, doesn’t know exactly what happened… but what we do know is that the two of them fought each other, and now apparently nobody knows where either is… and you know what that is my dear boy? A power vacuum. Quite troubling…”

Decisions:
1. “So you want my help to fill that vacuum.”
2. “I can see where this is going but I cannot help you, due to my contract, not with them at least.”
3. “I’m in.”
4. (write in)

>>3968406
>4. (write in)
"Or, and this may be very troubling, or that shit of a demon has captured the high seraph and is trying to possess him."

>>3968406
>Knowing that that monster is gone is not an opportunity, it's a cause for great concern damnit. If those lunatics are without a leader, and may the gods help me for saying this, who can keep them on a leash there is NO telling what kind of shit they'll pull. I'm not going anywhere fucking near them

Can we even be sure that even if he's gone that the contract is too? One signatory is still around

>>3968430
>>3968756
writing, somehow still awake

>>3968406
“Knowing that that monster is gone is not an opportunity! It’s a cause for great concern damnit. If those lunatics are without a leader, and may god help me for saying this. Who can keep them on a leash? There is no telling what kind of shit they’ll try to pull! I’m not going anywhere fucking near them!”

“We thought so too, at first, but from what we could tell, it was business as usual. I believe that one of the demonic princes may have overthrown Abraxas. However the cult is behaving as normal, or they are doing an incredibly good job pretending to do so. Regardless, you underestimate the cult of progress. We control Avignon, not the Lic’toron. We control the coast from the silver beaches to the edge of Van Graf territory. We no longer need to worry about a good majority of the corpse barons and with destruction of the Zirdec caverns… well, we no longer have any thorns in our sides. There are only three threats of any note now, Henry. The vampiric families, who have already started infighting. The autumn horde which is on the other side of the world, and the Lic’toron in Celeste.

“And the church?” Henry asked.

“The archbishop himself is part of our cause, Henry. We’ve been taking our time for the last four decades steadily filling seats. The only real threat left is the angels… and give it a little more time and that will take care of itself.”

“What?” Henry asked.

“You’ve noticed the angels are weakening, Henry. Soon they will lose their remaining power and humanity will be defenseless. They will need a savior, Henry, that savior shall be progress.” Ludvic said.

Decisions:
1. “Just tell me the next job”
2. “Do you want me to kill Venser?”
3. “Why me?”
4. “Who is this very important person, I thought you were one of the fingers?”
5. (write in)

>>3968796
Really not sure if we can trust them, but they are not wrong.


Ask him about that eye in our dreams, the one Charles has also seen

>>3968857
waiting for more votes but will begin posting later tonight

>>3968857
Not sure what he'd know about spiritual dreams... and I don't want to take him into confidence.

I am trying to formulate a way to break off without fucking it all up but it looks like we're either his servant or his enemy.

How does he know all this? He can even tell if the Lictoron act normal or abnormal- they know what and who they are and they leave them alone? The organization aside, this guy is too ambitious and cold hearted by half.

>>3968796
>You'll have to forgive me for not taking you at your word, these are matters close to my person and I won't act reckless without investigating myself. I need proof beyond a shadow of a doubt.

And we're not trusting any they've had their grubby hands on first, oh no, we've gotta make double and triple sure with our own eyes and ears.

>>3970017
Suppin'

>>3970017
>>3968857
>>3970123
writing

>>3968796
“You’ll have to forgive me for not taking you at your word, these are matters close to my person and I won’t act reckless without investigating myself. I need proof beyond a shadow of a doubt.” Henry said.

“Ah, I figured as much. Well, as it stands you’re still a relatively new factor. While I believe you can be trusted, especially given recent events, there are others who don’t. People who’ve been with the cult quite a long time.” Ludvig said. “I wish they understood just how important your help could be…”

“I’m not all that important…” Henry said.

“My boy, I believe you shall play a critical role in the future of this world. Though you don’t need to be a sage to tell that.” Ludvig said. “You have the royal heir, and the daughter of a true genius working with you…”

“This still isn’t giving me any proof.” Henry said.

“Alright Henry, I suppose I could show you my workshop if you wish to share some degree of trust. Otherwise I’m open to suggestions. Being offered the chance to shape the world isn’t something I expected you to turn down.” Ludvig said.

Decisions:
1. “fine, I’ll have a look.”
2. “I just want to leave a simple life.”
3. (write in)

>I believe you shall play a critical role in the future of this world
WHAT DOES HE KNOW
REEEEEE
>>3970424
>3. (write in)
"Just tell me there's not any demons there, I've had my fill of demons."

“Just tell me there’s not any demons there, I’ve had my fill of demons.” Henry said.

“Ha, I can assure you there are no demons within the cult of progress. Humanity Ill needs to follow their guidance. The same could be said of angels and the gods of the pagans. Humanity must lead itself. That is our goal and dream Henry. No more gods, no more masters.”

Henry nodded, he knew a liar or when a man was trying to sell him something. Ludvig truly believed it.

The two moved back through the mansion. Henry checking in with a very distraught Charles. Henry’s assurances that he’d make it up to the boy went unheeded. He resolved to figure out something and walked with Ludvig.

“My grandfather built this place you know. Lot of history here, sometimes I think a little too much.” Ludvig said, using his ornate cane to help himself walk.

“History ain’t worth being shackled to.” Henry replied.

“Ha, history is incredibly important Henry. It’s the job of Varce the Index to constantly search any historical texts or archive for further information. Right now our current project is the angels. We wish to find out just how they tick. As for myself… Ludvig said, trailing off.

The man led Henry down a set of spiral stairs carved right into the stone of the cliff, under the house. The two ended up in a large three story chamber, and lining the walls were an assembalage of corpes, large and small. As well as reinforced glass spheres pulsing with mana, complex artificial tulpas. Things like souls but never quite reaching them, often used by necromancers to create franks. Henry had been working on one for Ophelia’s project, but these… these were works of art.

Henry looked around, seeing a multitude of complex human sized franks. All of which either dormant or performing fairly complex tasks. Running throughout were coils and wiring, humming with lightning. There were glass spheres which contained balls of the stuff, rumbling about like miniature storms.

“My goal is to create life Henry.” Ludvig said. “As you can see, I’ve gotten closer than anyone else. These creations are able to make low level decisions now. With my latest project, I hope to create a true living being, able to make its own decisions.”

Decisions:
1. “Incredible.”
2. “You must trust me a great deal to show me this.”
3. “How long did it take?”
4. “I want you to teach me.”
5. “I’m horrified.”
6. (write in)

>>3970595
>3. “How long did it take?”

>>3970595
1. “Incredible.”
2. “You must trust me a great deal to show me this.”
3. “How long did it take?”
4. “I want you to teach me.”

Just Wow, ok then... I kind of want to stay with the cult now. THis is really cool, but Rosa is going to freak hard.

>>3970595
But for what purpose? To say that you did, to know it can be done?

>>3971335
>>3971297
>>3970615
writing

>>3970595
>
“Incredible.” Henry muttered, despite himself.

“It truly is, isn’t it.” Ludvig said.

Stepping out into the room. Henry noticed a couple of side chambers filled with more equipment and a staircase leading even further down at the far end.

“How long did it take?” Henry asked.

“A lifetime my boy. My father had this place constructed as a wine cellar, I eventually converted it to my own use after his passing. He was too enamored with the old ways, bless his soul.” Ludvig said.

“You must trust me a great deal to be willing to show me this.” Henry said.

“Shouldn’t I? You have proven to be extremely capable, and I feel that would will be an excellent member of our little group.” Ludvig said.

“What, as a servant?”

“As an equal Henry. Not right away of course, but I feel that with your recent achievements considered there is a bright future ahead of you here.”

Henry sat down on a hard wooden chair, his head spun. This was just Ludvig’s private workshop.

“How many more workshops?” Henry asked.

“We’ve been preparing for a very long time Henry, one could say it was a stroke of fate that two of our chief rivals have disappeared, if one believed in fate, anyhow. All along the coast, right under the church’s nose. I hope one day necromancy is seen as a tool like any other branch of magic. Perhaps the undead will guarantee the living’s prosperity.”

“Teach me.” Henry said.

“Me take on a student, what a funny thought… you know Henry… I might just take you up on that one day.” Ludvig said. “Your ticky project fascinated me, to create a body not of flesh, but of metal. I’ve been hard at work on that little project you saw upstairs, but creating something completely automated to behave like a human is not possible, at least not the way I’ve attempted.”

Decisions:
1. “It’s a mode of research I wish to conduct myself, until I can prove its sustainable.”
2. “I’m not going to share my notes.”
3. “Ophelia would likely kill me if I shared with you.”
4. “If we pooled our minds and resources, we could do it.”
5. “We need a soul or a very complex tulpa… I frankly didn’t think it could be done, but looking at the ones you’ve produced…”
6. (write in)

>I hope one day necromancy is seen as a tool like any other branch of magic.
Nice
>>3972835
>3. “Ophelia would likely kill me if I shared with you.”
"And truthfully, I wouldn't blame her."
>5. “We need a soul or a very complex tulpa… I frankly didn’t think it could be done, but looking at the ones you’ve produced…”
What about a pair of them, one for the higher functions like talking and critical thinking, and another for all the mechanical operations, like walking and combat? or another one explicitly for combat?

>>3972876
the twin soul idea wouldn't work exactly as you think it would. There would be a "dominant" soul and any additional would act like aura's welded to it.

>>3972876
will await further votes then write around 7-8pm eastern

>>3972876
writing

“Ophelia would likely kill me, and probably be justified for it, if I shared with you.” Henry said.

“Ah, yes Von Kurtz… such a shame with her, so much potential squandered in squalor.” Ludvig said.

“She says you had a part in it.” Henry replied.

“Henry, her father one was of my dearest friends and an excellent mage in his own right. I want to assure you that neither me nor the Cult have anything to do with his death.”

“Alright.” Henry said, rolling his shoulders.

“So how about your little project? I believe I could be of partial assistance even if I’m not allowed to look at the blueprints.” Ludvig said.

“We need a soul or a very compex tulpa. I frankly didn’t think it could be done, but looking at the ones you’ve produced…”

“Ah… these are for… a special project I’m afraid. They’re not thing I can just give out… but a soul would be incredibly easy to obtain. We’ve run the city’s prison after all.” Ludvig said, chuckling. “The church hardly cares what happens to a few misplaced sinners.”

Decisions:
1. “I don’t want any more uninvolved blood on my hands Ludvig!”
2. “A soul like that would likely be more dangerous than anything else…” (partial lie)
3. “I think we’d need a child’s soul, I think it’d be more likely to acclimate to the body.”
4. “Maybe you could produce a tulpa or two? I’d be willing to pay you for the trouble of course.”
5. (write in)

>>3974407
>2. “A soul like that would likely be more dangerous than anything else…” (partial lie)
"More prone to violence."

>>3974576
Suppin'

>>3974576
>>3975156
sick as hell right now, will post tomorrow assuming I feel better

>>3974407
“A soul lie that would likely be more dangerous than anything else.” Henry said.

“Why would that be…” Ludvig asked, furrowing his brow.

“We wish to give control of lower level functions and non-critical tasks to the machine prototype. We feel it would allow for better connectivity and better project success. A criminal wouldn’t be ideal.” Henry said. “We don’t have the resources to keep a watchful eye and I wouldn’t condone using the full scale prototype for it. Especially since we are planning on installing weapons. A criminal in a massive metal body with high grade weaponry is not a recipe for success.” Henry said.

“So what do you plan to do Henry? You can’t go and grab someone off the street.” Ludvig said.

“Well obviously not, be we need to be selective with what kind of soul we use. This isn’t like a normal Frank, hell we’re trying something that’s never been done before.” Henry said.

“Like a permanent astral projection.” Ludvig mused. “If the mind loses connection to the body and soul it generally goes insane, Henry.” Ludvig said.

“I don’t know if we’re even going to bother doing a mind transfer.” Henry said.

“So the creature would develop everything from the ground up? More control at the cost of more work.” Ludvig said. “Not exactly fit for mass production, but if these creations are as strong as the Grutzberg report leads me to believe, then I’d be willing to accept it.”

“Thank you my lord.” Henry said.

“Oh please Henry, only officials and dignitaries call me that. Mr. Ludvig is perfectly fine, especially during cult business.”

“Why did you call yourselves a cult?” Henry asked. “Seems a bit odd for men of science.”

“Oh no no, the Church declared us an unsponsored cult about fifty years back, we managed to survive and we ran with the name as a sort of slight against them. The name’s stuck at this point, no sense removing it now and confusing people.” Ludvig sad.

“So that just leaves us at procurement of a proper soul.” Henry said.

“I suppose I could tap my orphanage connections, see what turns up there. From what you described a child’s soul would be ideal for this project.”

Decisions:
1. “Yes… unfortunately.” (grit teeth)
2. “I’m afraid I want to see if we can avoid using a human life.”
3. “Are you sure you cannot produce a tulpa?”
4. (write in)

>>3977173
>1. “Yes… unfortunately.” (grit teeth)
"If you're going for a child, could you aim for one that's crippled? That way we 'could' do a mind transfer and have it feel grateful at the ability to walk again. And it'll be less work."

>>3977173
>2. “I’m afraid I want to see if we can avoid using a human life.”
>3. “Are you sure you cannot produce a tulpa?”

We just avoided a mind break over killing a possessed child. Can't just pretend that didn't happen. Also, Rosa

>>3977767
>>3978115
will post tomorrow morning, still sick as all hell

roll 1d100 for the persuasion

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>3978115
That's why I suggested it to make a child have a better life.
Hmmm
HMMM
What if we make prosthesis as an in-betweenin stead of just taking a soul?
We connect it to the soul and body of the person, and study how a mind and soul that already has experiences interact with the clockwork addition. That way we could theoretically take minds and souls from adults and place them directly into the automaton.
Or we make them connect to the mind and soul and have them as magical power armor.
Also rolling
>>3978281

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>3978350
You're still putting a child inside a war machine, you can't explain that away

>>3978915
It doesn't have to start out as a war machine, we could make a small weak version in case it goes bad, that way it won't cause as much problems as ticky the first did.

>>3978915
>>3979162
gonna wait a bit to see how this debate plays out

>>3979162
You're putting a child's soul inside of a machine, dude. You're doing this after like a dozen threads of Henry trying to be a better person and not even a week after he decided to set a better example for Charles.

Explain what you are thinking

>>3979182
A pitifully short life due to work accidents, cause this world has the same work ethics of the start of the industrial revolution, making the kids crawl into big machines and work on them sometimes while they're running. We Give the kid a new "life," and after he gets accustomed to the new body, all the while the cult studies him, we can transfer him to a bigger body so he can work for us. Since the cult is gonna do it anyway, we may as well try to help someone anyway, and there's no shortage of crippled kids. If it goes well, we could even make ones that don't need to have the kid die, we could make mech like variants where the person just climbs in.

>>3979186
Now convince Rosa of this

>>3979191
HmMMMM
That would be a problem.
We could wait till it's in the prosthesis phase, and never tell her of the starting.
But then again more secrets will hurt us in the long run.

>>3979191
Oh, the prosthesis phase is the public face of the program, it's what the church and the people would see.

You're just throwing away half a year's worth of planning and character growth. I don't understand why you are doing this.

We decided to tell the cult to fuck off and now you want to squeeze souls into cans because of what? Because you want to make money from the ticky project or because you actually believe in this guy's bullshit?

>>3979198
Didn't someone vote to ask mr frankenfurter to teach us this shit?

>>3979198
>>3979201
Cause if that wasn't you, I'm willing to throw that anon under the buss and cut our losses.

>>3979205
But now there's the issue of us being in his secret lab.
So we now have to be EXTRA careful with what we do next.

>>3979201
I dont know what the fuck they were thinking, I wasn't there but asking him to teach is not the same as going "just put kids in there". This current vote is much more of an actual commitment. We still have the chance to get out

>>3979208
He was never going to let us just walk away. We are either his ally or his enemy, this secret lab will just make him more itchy. We were never safe, this changes very little

>>3979212
Well before the lab, we could have been more fringe to the cult, doing jobs and stuff, but now we're in the middle of it.
Well, we don't have to do the kids.

And besides, he believes that he is on top of the world. The Archpope is on his side. All the factions are weakened or infighting, he can easily suppress or deny anything Henry tells people about what he is doing or his plans- who is going to do anything about it? This guy has already won.

>>3979217
True.

I just think its utter bullshit that with a single vote where no one even wrote the same thing they overturn what we've been working towards for ages. One guy shows us his new toys and nothing we debated, decided and voted to do matters anymore

>>3979232
>>3979220
if the only guy to actually bother voting votes something then I'm going to follow it.

>>3979660
I'm mad at him not you

>>3977173
Henry took a long time to think. He was obviously impressed by Ludvig’s workshop but he’d let his excitement get the better of himself. He needed to calm down and think things through. Allowing the cult to gain the ticky project would make him indispensable but it would also mean the cult had access to automatons of great strength. Was it worth the risk?

“Henry, I’m wise enough to know that you should never force an answer when someone has a life altering decision to make. You must be wary, I hardly blame you for it.” Ludvig said. “But I’m afraid that I must discuss unrelated matters.”

“And those would be?” Henry asked.

“I’ve spoken a great deal about trust Henry, and I wanted to speak to you about that subject further. You see, we’ve been contracting a certain individual to… obtain specific items for us, magical, high grade items you see. Recently we’ve contracted them to gain a very, very specific item called the tide shaper. We believe that it could prove indispensable to our cause and more importantly we believe that Venser’s faction is trying to gain possession of the object. We’re uncertain as to why but it can be for nothing good.” Ludvig said.

“How does this have to do with trust.”

“Does the name Sophie Tailor ring a bell to you?” Ludvig asked.

Henry tried his best to maintain a blank expression. Ludvig furrowed his brow then chuckled. Casting a blue mana spell into the air. “Answer the question Henry.”

“Yes.” Henry said.

Ludvig waited a moment then smirked. “Trust… but verify. One of my favorite sayings Henry.”

“How is she involved?” Henry asked.

>>3979999

“We believe she is working for Venser, or potentially another faction which would be undoubtable worse. Do you think she could be working for the Lic’toron Henry?”

“No, I think there is a zero percent chance that’d happen.” Henry said.

“What makes you say that exactly?” Ludvig asked.

“They took some real important people from her.” Henry said, wincing as Ludvig cast another blue mana spell.

“Regardless, we’ve hired that woman to track the artifact down. We want you on the same team with her, and we’re going to recommend you to her as soon as we can… provided that doesn’t cause any additional complications for you.”

“She already contacted me.” Henry said.

“Oh? Interesting… perhaps she was trying to contact you before we could?”

“I don’t think she’s the type to work for anyone but herself.” Henry said.

“Time changes people Henry. It might’ve changed her too.” Ludvig said.

“Not her.” Henry replied.

“Well Henry, this is what the inner circle and the hand wishes for you to do. Complete your contracted assignment with her as normal. If she’s working with another faction I want you to ensure the item she gives us is the real deal. If she’s working with Venser’s group. The Hand wishes you to remove her from the equation.”

“You’re asking me to kill her?” Henry asked.

“Only if she’s actively working against our interests. Otherwise we wish you to leave her be. Competent thieves who can keep their mouths shut are incredibly hard to find.

Decisions:
1. “Alright.”
2. “I don’t want to murder her.”
3. “God damn it you planned this from the start.”
4. “What’s in it for me?”
5. (Write in)

>>3980003
>5. (Write in)
"You planned this from the start didn't you."

>>3980003
>Sneak cast Close Mind
Fucker is using mind magic on us.

>3. “God damn it you planned this from the start.”
>"I'll have to think about it. Good day."


Ah, the price of loyalty. Kill your family, kill your friends.

>>3980067
>>3980592
will begin writing around 8:30ish eastern, get your votes in now if you still haven't

>>3980592
>>3980067
writing, hopefully my connection remains stable

>>3980003
Henry cast close mind on himself while Ludvig was turned away. Henry didn’t dwell too much on the fact that Ludvig was comfortable enough to do so.

“God damn it you planned this from the start.”

“Henry, I already believe you to be the perfect individual to fill the open spot in the hand, regardless of what the inner circle may think. This idea wasn’t mine and quite frankly my hand is being forced. Pull through this though, and I can assure you that you’ll be given quite the position. Doubly so if this automation project bears fruit. We need people who can deliver on big ideas, especially in these trying times.”

“I’ll have to think about it, good day.” Henry said, curtly.

“Ah, I suppose this meeting has been dragging on rather long. I’ll ask my butler to see you out.” Ludvig said, pulling out a jade carved orb and pressing it against a notch in a nearby column. The structured emitted a couple veined pulses of light and then subsided.

“He’ll be waiting at the top of the stairs” Ludvig added. “And Henry, you need to learn more complex mental protection spells, a simple closing of the mind isn’t nearly as airtight as you might think.” Ludvig said.

The man acted like a kind grandfather but it still set Henry on edge.

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

Henry walked back towards his home in silence. Charles was fuming and Johnny knew better than to try and say anything. Henry himself was furious. He’d been fucking played, again. He couldn’t exactly run at this point, not to any major city, anyway. Hell the cult of progress had people in most of the medium sized ones too at this point. He needed to see this through… and then there was the fact that Venser was now likely his enemy. Fucking fantastic.

Decisions:
1. *go practice some magic, you need to throw bolt spells at SOMETHING*
2. *go get a drink, you need something to calm your nerves*
3. “Say what you want to say Charles, as long as it isn’t anything prying ears shouldn’t hear.
4. “GOD FUCKING DAMN IT”
5. (write in)

>>3981684
>4. “GOD FUCKING DAMN IT”
>5. (write in)
AAAAAAAAAAA
"They were ALREADY thinking about recruiting me."
"SOMEONE IS TRYING TO GET ME IN THERE"

>>3981718
Pretty much this. And when we get back scream some more. Fuck all of these people. Now we can't even be sure that cooperating with venser will do any good if they know so much about what he's doing. If we warn him about spies they will know who said it

>>3981718
Suppin'

>>3982723
>>3982446
>>3981718
writing, damn 3 whole votes

>>3981684
“GOD FUCKING DAMN IT.” Henry suddenly shouted. He violently kicked a can he saw on the side of the road and stomped ahead.

“Good lord.” Charles muttered, covering his ears.

Henry was finally relatively alone. He still had Charles and Johnny but this part of town didn’t get much foot traffic during this part of the day.

“FUCK.” Henry said.

“Why are you getting so angry!?” Charles asked, semi terrified.

“THEY WERE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT RECRUITING ME. I CAN’T GET OUT, FUCK.” Henry said, slamming a fist into the side of a building. Henry gripped his hand but was too angry to really care. He didn’t feel a thing from it.

“Someone is trying to get to me!” Henry said again.

“Oh Henry, stop with the abject paranoia.” Johnny rebutted. “And calm yourself, we’re still in public.”


“FUCK YOU… you… god damn it you’re right.” Henry said. “Fucking hell, thanks.” Henry said, deflating.

“It’s what I’m here for.” Johnny cheerily replied. The skeleton completely realized the gravity of the situation but knew better than to let it affect his emotional state.

“Henry, go to the lighthouse, find something you can safely let your anger out on, if you go into the workshop I fear you’ll take your rage out on Ophelia.”

“I’d probably strangle the bitch if she started with me.” Henry muttered.

Charles nodded along. Henrys emotional outbursts were becoming par for the course now. With everything more or less settled, he didn’t really need to pay it too much attention.

“Johnny we’re going to need to talk about what to do next… Sophie’s caught up in all of this, and the damn Marquis wants me to potentially assassinate her.”

“I always said she was more trouble than she was worth.” Johnny mused.

“I’m serious Johnny, I really might be forced into murdering her or making an enemy of the entire cult.”

“I’m well aware of how serious this is. But there is little we can do about it from here, so no sense getting worked up into a state that you’ll make far more errors in.”

“Yeah.” Henry said. “Thanks.”

“Any time.” Johnny replied.

“Not only that, they’re after Venser, apparently that man is leading some sort of resistance against them. That man I killed a few weeks back in Del Mar’s house was probably one of them, so I doubt they’d even trust me at this point, fuck.”

“What a wonderful life we all lead.” Johnny replied, dryly.

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

>>3983783
Ophelia looked upon her latest creation with a glowing sense of pride. Alice had just finished the stitching, the woman had looked like she was going to vomit… or perhaps that just how she showed satisfaction. Ophelia had trouble reading emotions on a good day and the fact that Alice didn’t even have a regular human face compounded the problem.

Ophelia double checked every joint as well as the quick deployment mechanism. She was happy that her invention worked, but it could potentially use some tuning. The thing had trouble folding back up and was not nearly durable enough to take any serious impacts, not to mention that Alice hadn’t been able to runically seal the thing either. Magic would wreak havoc on it. The one thing Ophelia had managed to do was partially fireproof it. Of course the thing would still go up after prolonged exposure or if it took a hit from a hot enough flame spell.

The stitched wings project was finally complete. Larry had refused even the idea of flying the thing. Ophelia had repeatedly told him that it would work the second Charles could activate it, but the man had still refused. Ophelia had wracked her brain and had eventually decided that she’d need Charles’ help, all she had to do was help him at the breakfast table’s ‘political squabble’. She agreed with Alice that the arguments the others got up to were foolish. As long as the cult of progress recognized her for her work she would be satisfied.

She giggled as she stuck a volt rune rod to the wing. The wing, half skin and half metal, twitched as the current ran over it. Ophelia hoped to add float runes to the thing to enable true flight rather than just controlled gliding. But that would require more fine tuning… maybe she could do a few more favors for Charles to get his assistance?

“The others are back!” Mark shouted excitedly.

Ophelia frowned, she hated the two of them, the bug children. The two had rummaged through her things, HER LOFT. Johnny had made sure they stayed away from anything dangerous but they’d MESSED UP HER SORTING. THEY’D DRAGGED DUST UP THERE. THEY WERE NOISY, AND KEPT ASKING HER STUPID QUESTIONS.

Charles was the one exception she figured. That boy had an actual future. She figured the bug children would have complications growing up. Likely fatal ones.

“Charles wants ta see ya.” Larry said, leaning in behind Ophelia.

For some reasons Ophelia felt her face flush. She still didn’t know why that man elicited such a reaction from her.

“Alright, I’ll be down in a minute.” Ophelia said, watching as Larry descended back down from the loft.

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

>>3983786

“Ophelia?” Charles asked.

“Ah, just the boy I wanted to see.” Ophelia said. “I believe you owe me a few favors, which I intend to collect.” Ophelia said.

“Oy Charles. Where did Henry go?” Larry asked.

“Off to the lighthouse to cool down, bout of rage over the fact he’s getting a nice position offer to him in the cult.”

“Why would he be angry about that?” Ophelia asked. “I assume Ludvig asked him. Did that bastard steal his work?”

“Not exactly… “ Charles said, evading the question.

Decisions (Ophelia):
1. The transference rune project needs more testing and you want Charles to help. The thing is his hands are smaller than yours and he should be able to pull the magical essence of the rune more easily due to it.
2. You want him to try out the wings, he has black mana and can use basic necromancy, that’s all that should be required.
3. You want his help on a Frank project. You need help with heavy lifting around the lab and Henry has given you no assistance at all.
4. (write in)

>>3983788
>1. The transference rune project needs more testing and you want Charles to help. The thing is his hands are smaller than yours and he should be able to pull the magical essence of the rune more easily due to it

>>3983788
>1. The transference rune project needs more testing and you want Charles to help. The thing is his hands are smaller than yours and he should be able to pull the magical essence of the rune more easily due to it.

This is the coolest project

>>3983788
>1. The transference rune project needs more testing and you want Charles to help. The thing is his hands are smaller than yours and he should be able to pull the magical essence of the rune more easily due to it.

>>3984480
>>3984456
>>3983838
writing

>>3983788
The transference rune project had been an utterly massive thorn in Ophelia’s side for the last couple of months. Ever since Henry had dropped the project on her lap Ophelia had been toiling away at it. Normally projects either didn’t interest her, or came to her and she could easily complete them. This runic project was vastly different. But with Alice’s help she’d managed to make great amounts of progress. They had stable runes now, and they’d even been able to transmit short distances, say, two feet or so. But that was unacceptable if they were to actually be used as intended. Ophelia wanted a range of two miles at the very least.

Alice wasn’t too keen on testing anything Ophelia had put her hands on, Larry had repeatedly stated he had to perform ‘guard duty’, Xavier and Henry wanted nothing to do with her experiments, and Henry had REPEATEDLY yelled at her not to involve that skeleton of his in anything she did, so thus it fell to Charles to be the guinea pig. Of course, how dangerous could testing blue mana based runes be? Blue mana was the least volatile of all the mana colors and had by far the highest potential for complexity.

“Charles, I want your help fine tuning the transference runes we’ve managed to make. I have everything ready, thank you so much for helping!” Ophelia said.

Charles took a few steps back, wondering if some doppleganger had killed Ophelia in some dark alley and had taken her place.

Ophelia’s smile faltered as she wondered what she’d done wrong. Larry had been teaching her how to be more friendly… perhaps she’d not done it obviously enough?

Charles felt his resolve waver when Ophelia grinned even wider. He briefly wondered who was the most dangerous person around, Henry, Johnny, or Ophelia?

Probably Henry.

Decisions: (Ophelia)
1. “Alright let’s get to work, I got all the right tools set up!” (roll 2d100)
2. *yell at Mark and Nina to keep it down. Damn beetle children are more annoying than the buzzing flies.*
3. “So why is the murderous drunkard so upset?”
4. “How was your visit to Ludvig’s place?” (roll 1d100 to ensure you can fake caring enough)
5. (write in)

Rolled 52, 95 = 147 (2d100)

>>3985651
>1. “Alright let’s get to work, I got all the right tools set up!” (roll 2d100)

>>3985697
thats a pass and a crit success right there

I'll let you suggest a minor upgrade to the rune due to that

>>3985728
Signal amplifying? Dampening the mana signature?

>>3986183
you may choose one.

Signal amplifying will increase the range to seven miles (instead of three)

Dampening will mean that the rune will require an enemy to be consciously searching to be able to detect it.

>>3986457
Three miles is pretty good, and if no one knows that we've got these things there invisible.

I'll pick dampening

>>3986944
supporting

>>3985651
Ophelia immediately put Charles to work at her workbench, bringing out both of the intricately carved runes that Alice had helped her make. She explained to Charles that these were the only stable prototypes they had and ask him very nicely to not break them. She then guided Charles through what she wanted to do, carefully pulling out strands of carefully wound mana that made up the enchantment. Alice knew her craft well but with Ophelia’s blueprints they’d made something incredibly complex. There were a couple of small gemstones inlaid in each of the runes, which Ophelia explained would light up if a signal was sent through. The woman briefly demonstrated and explained that she had already made a code to allow them to communicate through them.

Charles got to work, only asking for a glass of water. The blue mana work was far more precise than anything he’d done before, and if Ophelia wasn’t giving him explicit instructions he would’ve likely made a mess of the entire thing. As they finished up Ophelia grabbed one of the runes and climbed down the ladder. Charles sent a pulse of white mana into it and based on Ophelia’s squeels of joy he figured they’d finally got it working.

“ITS … WIRELESS MANA TRANSMISSION?!” Ophelia screamed. “WE’VE MADE A MASSIVE DISCOVERY!”

Ophelia was almost bouncing off the walls at that point. The woman was running circles and hopping.

“Oy be careful with the stone, no sense breaking it.” Larry said, putting an end to Ophelia’s showboating.

“Oh yes the rune is very important, it’s not like some of us are trying to read here.” Xavier said sarcastically before returning to his scripture.

Ophelia scampered back up the ladder and nearly kicked Charles out of her chair. She hastily grabbed a scrap of paper and began jotting down notes at a frantic pace. Charles thought he even saw smoke being generated by the woman’s manic writing.

“Oh this is so much more than mere communications… this could make my career…” Ophelia said, muttering to herself.

“What’s the big deal?” Charles asked.

“The big deal is we have just had a proven case of wireless mana transmission through a runic diffraction!” Ophelia said.

“What?”

“We sent a current of mana through the rune… and it didn’t have a connecting tether… think of your necromancy, you always have a connecting mana tether to your undead correct? That’s how all magic works, even regular runic communications. There is either a conducting wire, or you simply charge the rune enough to create a tether in the open air. But what we just did was created a tetherless transmission. Many scholars thought it impossible… Charles I’m not dreaming am I?”

“What?”

Charles watched, baffled as the woman slapped her face a couple times then giddily returned to her work.

“I’ll be able to reproduce this… but I must learn EXACTLY how we did it… perhaps we sent a signal over the aetheric membrane? Oh that’d be revolutionary in its own right…”

Charles sighed and headed back downstairs, leaving the woman to her manic writing.

>sidemission completed, Runic Transmission acquired

Decisions: (Charles)
1. *check back behind the lab to see if that feral child returned*
2. *check on Henry, it’s been a couple hours now, he’s probably calmed down.*
3. *practice sword fighting with Larry*
4. *go see where Mark and Nina scuttled off to.*
5. (write in)

>>3986969
Sidemission Complete:
You will be able to utilize Transmission Runes to send mana signals to each other. With Ophelia's code you can communicate using what amounts to magical morse code. In addition, due to the fact that the transmission leave no aetheric residue or mana tether, you cannot be discovered unless someone knows what to look for.

>>3986969
>1. *check back behind the lab to see if that feral child returned*
>>3986970
That would mean our damn bomb runes can be operated remotely without the possibility of finding them by the mana thread.

>>3986970
Hell, we could set up damn zombies in people's houses, remotely activate them, and then use a bomb rune to destroy the transference rune and they'll be blamed for necromancy

>>3986969
>4. *go see where Mark and Nina scuttled off to.*
Charles creating loyal minions

-

We gotta sell some of those runes to Venser

>>3987656
>>3986980
>>3986975
>>3986970
writing, and Merry Christmas!

>>3986969
Charles spent the next few minutes searching around the lab and the outer warehouse for the two kids, but his search proved fruitless. As he circled the outer perimeter wall, he ran his hands over the bricks. He decided to check out back where the trash was piled for collection. Henry had explained that it was sent to a Cult of Progress facility to be burned; apparently it generated energy for the fancy folks on the other side of the cliff and for the Cult’s factories.

Charles wondered how long until it was truly the cult calling the shots. He had no idea why Henry wouldn’t want to be part of the winning side. If Charles could get those sorts of connections, he’d have a real shot at avenging Regibald, not to mention making a name for himself, not as the royal bastard but as his own man. He smiled as he turned the corner to find an opened dumpster but no sign of any feral child. Charles was certain that he’d closed it but figured it had been visited.

As he returned to the front he spotted Johnny walking through the front entrance. He considered asking the skeleton for help but he’d been asking for help far too much, he had to be able to do this much on his own. So he turned towards the last place the children could’ve been, the lighthouse.

As he approached he could hear the sound of children playing. He quickly rushed around to find Mark and Nina playing on the sand, with their mutated faces in plain view for anyone passing by on a boat. Charles quickly considered his options.

Decisions:
1. “WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU OUT HERE?!”
2. “You realize the church will kill you if they see your actual faces? Right?!”
3. “Oh, how cute. Playing in the sand like a couple bugs.”
4. “You shouldn’t be out here!”
5. “Please go back inside before you get seen!”
6. *leave them be, if they get caught it’ll be their own damned fault.”
7. *watch them*
8. (write in)

>>3989372
>3. “Oh, how cute. Playing in the sand like a couple bugs.”
But just mumble to himself

>7. *watch them*

>>3989372
>2. “You realize the church will kill you if they see your actual faces? Right?!”

>>3989372
“Oh how cute, playing in the sand like a couple of bugs.” Charles muttered, adopting a haughtier tone than he’d expected.

It reminded him of how he’d treated Henry when they’d first met. He chided himself for acting like his had any right to superiority. He hadn’t earned that yet.

He watched the two children play in the sand, hiding behind the building and staying quiet like Johnny had taught him. It was amazing how even with their improved senses they didn’t notice him. Not only that but the fact they could be so carefree given the circumstances was unbelievable.

“You realize someone might hear us?”

Charles perked his ears. That was Henry’s voice.

“Oh calm down and stop being so dramatic. I know just the spell…”

A female voice, one he’d heard before…

Charles craned his neck and saw Henry speaking with a set of floating clothing… no wait that must’ve been Sophie. But how had she managed to get here? In broad daylight? Had she swam?

Suddenly a medium sized blue light emerged from Sophie’s hand and blanketed the room. Henry’s lips continued to move but no sound could be heard.. a silence spell? Charles had read about them before. The caster must’ve been fairly skilled to be able to blanket the entire house though.

Decisions: (Charles)
1. *you’re sick and tired of being left out, barge through the front door and confront the two*
2. *Get the children back inside, one less problem for Henry to deal with.*
3. *try to sneak inside* (roll 1d100)
4. (write in)

>>3990378
no votes, so I can't really post

>>3990378
>2. *Get the children back inside, one less problem for Henry to deal with.*
Everytime EVERY TIME CHARLES HAS CHANCES FOR DEVELOPMENT SOMEONE CHOOSES FOR HIM TO BE A DICK

>>3990378
>2. *Get the children back inside, one less problem for Henry to deal with.*

>>3991656
>>3991624
roll 1d100

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>3991713

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>3991713

>>3992354
thats a pass

>>3991624
He's kinda gone down that path himself, so now I'm keeping it up. Not making it worse. I'm trying to vote for the adults to start raising him properly but they still haven't noticed except for Henry and, well, there's only so much time in the day. That or they think it's not their problem or their place to tell a blue blood how to behave

>>3989372
“Mark, Nina?” Charles asked.

The two children shot up straight and turned towards Charles.

“Oh it’s just you… Charles?” Mark asked. “Want to play with us? We were building a sand castle.”

“I’m a princess!” Nina said.

Charles smiled the same sort of fake smile he’d seen Henry use many, many times.

“Ah, you forgot to bring your hoods.” Charles said, trying to bring the conversation the way he wanted it.

“But why do we need to hide our faces?” Mark said. “Nobody was willing to tell us!”

Charles bit his lip, Henry would’ve but he must not have had the time… why hadn’t Johnny? Was the man softer than he’d thought? Nobody else would’ve cared enough… except maybe Xavier. Had the vampire felt it wasn’t his place?

“The church would bring you harm.” Charles said.

“But why? We haven’t done anything wrong!” Nina said.

“I… just look at yourselves! You look like…” Charles said, stopping himself.

Nina was close to crying, Mark was shuddering.

>>3993083
“I… its true, you both need to toughen up, this world isn’t going to be kind to either of you.” Charles said.

“Shut up.” Mark said.

“I’m being far kinder than most people would be. Most would kill you just for how you look, and they’d be far less merciful than the Church.”

“I said shut up!” Mark said, raising his voice.

Charles glanced nervously towards the window. Henry hadn’t noticed them yet, did the silence spell work both ways?

“We’re heading inside, it’s too dangerous for the two of you to be out here!”

“Leave us alone… it’s hard enough without you being like this.” Nina said. “What do you know? Our parents are all dead, we have nowhere to go… you have it so much better than us and you act like that?”

Charles glared at the two of them, they knew NOTHING.

“You’re in good with the boss of this place!” Mark said. “Nobody even wants us around except him! The one who wears a helmet all the time is nice… but he’s creepy, and everyone here is like a criminal!”

“So that’s how you repay our kindness? We should’ve left you in that hovel to burn!” Charles said. “Then you wouldn’t have so many complaints, right?!”

>>3993083


Mark tackled Charles and the two rolled about on the ground for a time. Nina stood up against the side of the lighthouse in shock. The two children struggled on the ground but Charles had the advantage in size and experience. Mark had never had to truly fight for his life before. Charles remembered having his ribs shattered back in New Haven from a single kick… never again. He’d fight back, he’d win!

Charles pressed the flat of his dagger up against Mark’s throat, making sure the boy wasn’t in any real danger.. There was enough flesh exposed that the boy would die if Charles cut it, although he knew it wouldn’t come to that. Mark froze up, fearfully looking up at Charles. Charles felt a small rush, was this what it was like having control? How his fa-… the king felt?

“So will you listen to me now?” Charles asked, panting for breath.

“Just stop, please” Nina said, sliding to the ground.

“I want to hear it from you, Mark. Not her.”

“Fine… bastard.” Mark said.

Charles wanted to hit him in the forehead with the handle of his dagger. But he’d learned enough from Henry to know how fragile a person’s skull could be.

Charles slowly got off of Mark, and then sheathed his dagger.

“You’re not normal kids anymore; you can’t keep acting like nothing’s changed.” He said.

“It’s not fair.” Mark said, crying.

>>3993087
>

“LIFE ISN’T FAIR.” Charles yelled. “NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH, YOU NEED TO SUCK IT UP AND FIGHT BACK.”
“No wonder you’re so mean.” Nina said, running off back towards the warehouse.

Mark turned back towards Charles for a moment, shook his head, and then followed Nina.

Charles grimaced and punched the lighthouse. He jumped back when pieces of brick fell down on his feet. The wall hadn’t been damaged the last time he’d been out here, right?

He didn’t realize how much he was following in Henry’s footsteps.

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

Henry sighed and offered Sophie a glass of scotch. The woman looked at it ruefully and turned it away. Henry shrugged and placed it next to his half full glass.

“You’re going to drink yourself to death… or maybe that’s what you want.” Sophie said, whimsically.

“So are you just visiting to catch up on old times or are we going to talk business.” Henry asked.

“Oh you do know a lot about that… fine, I have the rest of the crew together. We’re stealing an artifact from the castle I mentioned before. There is a small harbor town below it, Van Graff controlled. We’re going to need you and Johnny’s help to get past the defenses.”

“You need Johnny?” Henry asked.

>>3993089

“Having an indestructible skeleton who can slip into small spaces? Why yes, I would!” Sophie said, mock gleefully.

Henry smirked and continued to enjoy his scotch.

“I want your help to disable their Franks and their possessed armor. My source tells me they utilize quite a few. Apparently their head magus is quite… intimate with them.”

“I could’ve gone my whole fucking life without having to hear that.” Henry retorted.

“But at least you heard it from me.” Sophie replied.

Henry half smirked. “So why did you really want me to tag along?” Henry asked.

“Because you’re a good necromancer and I know you better than any other necromancer.”

“Oh you think you can trust me?” Henry said.

“I know how you act and what you want, so yes. I do believe I can.” Sophie replied.

Henry chuckled inwardly, if only she did know.

Decisions:
1. “Let’s head off to that safe house or whatever, I’ll bring Johnny along. I assume you haven’t finalized the plan yet?”
2. “So how’ve you been Sophie?”
3. “I’m happy to see you really haven’t changed, even after everything that happened.”
4. “Sophie… I never did get to tell you I’m sorry, I know you probably think I’m full of shit but I mean it, for everything that happened.”
5. “I hope you’ve been staying out of trouble with you know who.”
6. (write in)

>>3993100
>Well I'll come along Sophie.

Drain the glass

>Everything's gone fucking pear shaped, you know that? Every time I do something it turns out that it didn't really matter.

>>3993750
Suppin'

>>3993100
>
“Well I’ll come along Sophie. Another one of your incredibly dangerous heists” Henry said, draining the remainder of his glass and reaching for the one Sophie had refused.

He felt a gloved hand on top of his as Sophie sat down beside him.

“I wish you wouldn’t do this to yourself.” Sophie said.

“Right like you care, I thought you utterly despised me.” Henry said.

“I… I did.” Sophie said. “But so much has changed Henry… I understand why you did what you did, to protect me. I don’t hate you anymore”

“So what? The others… Carter, Page, Wilson-“

“Are dead, I know. But it’s MY fault Henry, not yours, you can’t keep shouldering all of this weight!”

“The fuck do you know about that?” Henry asked.

“I know about having to live with the fact others are dead because of you, Henry. You don’t need to keep shutting yourself away. You have so many people who care about you, whose lives you’ve made better. They all live back there, in that warehouse. Stop pushing them all away!” Sophie said.

“Yeah… but they’d never understand… they’d hate me you know that.” Henry said.

“They’d forgive you, easier than you would.” Sophie said. “I wish I had people like that in my life, Henry.”

“You… you could Sophie.” Henry said.

He felt the sofa shift as Sophie moved herself towards him, close enough that he could feel her breath on his face.

“You really mean that, don’t you, Henry?” Sophie asked.

Henry felt time slow down for a moment, then he pulled away from Sophie. He hadn’t realized he still felt… he had Rosa now, he couldn’t betray her like that.

“Oh… right… I’m sorry, you have the healer…” Sophie said. “I’m sorry about that, I let my emotions get the better of me.”

“Yeah, I know what that feels like.” Henry said, trying to lighten the mood.

“You’ve changed a lot since then Henry… you’re much smarter, more mature, but I’m happy you’re still you.” Sophie said, standing up.

“Sophie… everything’s gone fucking pear shaped, you know that? Every time I do something it turns out that it didn’t really matter!”

“Don’t ever say that, Henry. You’ve affected so many people’s lives, and quite a few of them for the better. Charles would be dead sitting at the bottom of some drainage pipe if you hadn’t recused him. Not to mention everyone else. They look up to you, you’re their pillar Henry, that’s why you should never say nothing mattered.”

“I want… to have some control in my life.” Henry said.

“So take control.” Sophie replied. “Come on, we have an incredibly dangerous heist to plan out.”

>>3994431

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Marquis Ludvig Von Braun sat idly twisting his cane about while his first son Calewall read off a list of carefully collected data that the Index… Grand Archivist Sullivan Ar’ Mar had collected personally. It was top secret, not even all of the hand knew about it. But they’d managed to collect a hell of a lot of data. On top of the stack of documents was the photograph of the newest Seer, Gerald Risks, real name, Gerald Artoris.

“And all of this is accurate?” Ludvig asked, flicking through the pages.

“Yes father.” Calewall said, “This has been verified by multiple sources.

“Shit.” Ludvig muttered. “No wonder the Solarch took him in. The son of the king’s sister… how did nobody know about this?!”

“Well, everyone had assumed that she had died when she was young… apparently the first prince… the former king, had her disappear. Her son managed to escape to a small orphanage in the middle of Harrison Province. He was thought to be killed when the orphanage burnt down but he turned back up several years later. His identity was privately confirmed but it managed to slip out to a few parties, including us.”

“Who else knows?!” Ludvig asked.

“We believe the Ratway knows about it, potentially the angels do too, and we believe the Lic’toron had a hand in his disappearance based on the circumstances. To think, all three of them, the king his sister and brother. All fought for the throne before only the king remained.”

“I was there when it happened. I don’t need you to explain.” Ludvig said. “But I never thought she managed to have a child… and with a lowly knight no less. This is horrible news… with this… if this gets out this boy will have a rightful claim to the throne, and he’s the church’s fucking lapdog!” Ludvig exclaimed, banging his fist onto the table.

>>3994434
“Father… your heart.” Calewall exclaimed.

“Yes yes…” Ludvig said. “Well… fortunately a solution has already landed in my lap.” Ludvig said. “Call it fate, but the missing son has returned.” Ludvig said. “The claim to the thorne we may now possess could very well cause a civil war.”

“Ah.. yes, the people you hired recently…” Calewall exclaimed. “But… subjecting him to such danger…”

“I don’t believe he knows just how important he’ll be in the future and for the time being I’d like to keep it that way. He’s proven extremely resourceful and has a group of diehard supporters, however he lacks experience, which I’ve been slowly giving him. Once this fight for the throne heats up, the little dustup to the east will look like a torch fire in comparison.” Ludvig said. “If we can claim the throne, the church is finished. The only threat then would be the angels.”

“And they lose power by the day. The Seraph of Midnight has been unsuccessful in her various attempts to heal the disgraced angels… apparently their Flights are becoming desperate enough to consider fielding them.”

“Excellent, all we need to do is wait and build our strength then.” Ludvig said, spinning around in his chair to look out a set of grand windows. Down below, the city of Avignon bustled with life.

>>3994439
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Henry and Johnny found themselves in a small room underneath a small bar. There were three other individuals there besides himself, Sophie and Johnny.

One of which, a disheveled looking man, looked like his hair had caught fire at multiple points. The other two didn’t really stand out to Henry all that much, a woman and a man. The two were like opposites, the man was a giant of a person, standing over six feet tall and packing quite a bit of muscle. The woman on the other hand looked like she’d snap if the wind blew too hard.

“Henry, this is Coliq the explosives expert.” Sophie said, pointing to the man with burnt hair.

Henry glanced at Sophie wondering what the fuck she was thinking.

“This is Madison, and Lily the Arcanist.”

“A mage?” Johnny asked.

“Yes, I uh, I know quite a few different spells that Sophie said would prove invaluable, I’m h-happy to make your acquaintance.”

Henry pegged her as blue mana, she didn’t seem the type to even be able to lie, she was also making too many subtle movements to be a bad liar. She was either truthfully acting shy or a very good liar.

“So what do you do, Madison?” Henry asked.

“I punch people who ask stupid questions.” Madison replied.

So he was simple muscle then, Henry figured. If he was a mage henry figured he’d have red or green as his colors.

“Boys please. Let’s save the excitement for after we’re done this little job.” Sophie said.

Decisions:
1. *introduce yourself* (write in optional)
2. “So this is the band you managed to scrounge together?”
3. “So what’s the plan?”
4. “So what are we stealing exactly?”
5. “Who are we working for?”
6. (write in)

>>3994442
>I'm Henry. Mage. Done all of this many times before and I'm still here, I know what I'm about.

3. “So what’s the plan?”
4. “So what are we stealing exactly?”
5. “Who are we working for?”

Really no point in not asking...

>Cast close mind! They knew so much about Sophie, how can we trust that these teammates are genuine recruits and not cult agents who've fooled her?

>>3994705
Supporting

>>3994705
>>3994750
writin

>>3994442
“I’m Henry, mage-“

“Necromancer.” Sophie corrected. “Its fine Henry, none of us are about to quote from scripture here.”

“Necromancer… Done this many times before and I’m still here, I know what I’m about.” Henry said.

“What are you about?” Lily asked, genuinely confused.

Henry stood there for a moment while Johnny shook his head.

“You really scraped the bottom of the barrel with her Sophie, the ground facing end.” Johnny dryly stated.

“Oy!” Coliq said, “No need to go to insults, we all know how to do our jobs, and I suspect you do too. Otherwise the lovely lady wouldn’t have picked ya.”

“What are we stealing exactly?” Henry asked.

“Priceless artifact stored in Castle Manistique. The whole thing was once an artifact repository for the Church when the town of Dolance was still under nobility and church control. The nobles sold the church out, got beheaded, and they still couldn’t hold the town from the Van Grafs, same as it ever was.” Sophie said. “Regardless, the repository has only been added to over the years, our clients wants a couple items, the most important of which is a skeleton key, apparently the thing can open any lock.” Sophie said.

“No shitting?” Henry asked.

“He just wants it to open a box of some sort, even I wasn’t able to pick the thing, which is why we’re going on this little mission.” Sophie said. “Beyond that, we have a couple telescopes and an astro lathe

>>3994956
another client wants us to steal, things are very powerful, apparently able to track the moon and stars perfectly. Lastly there were a couple of fancy medallions, not enchanted but worth a fortune. There are a couple of mockups on the wall.” Sophie said, pointing to a couple of sketches hanging from a corkboard.

Henry scanned over the sketches. Sophie had only improved as an artist since the last time they’d been in contact. One of the medallions had an intricately carved frog while the other had a single large fly carved into it. The damned thing reminded Henry of Del Mar.

“So who are we working for?” Henry asked.

“Come now Henry, don’t embarrass me, we both know its better that you don’t know who you’re working for, just more risk for you.” Sophie said.

Henry scooted over to Sophie while Johnny engaged in casual conversation with the others.

“Bullshit, who are we working for?!” Henry whispered.

“Ugh, fine. Couple of nobles, not really important names or all that powerful but their money is good. Apparently the medallions were some long lost symbol of their houses, while the telescopes are for some Duke who enjoys stargazing. The things are some of the finest telescopes I’ve heard of so I’m not surprised he’d want them. As for the key… well… guy works as an industrial auditor in Celeste, paid good money but not more than I think he’d be able to. Struck me as a tad odd but not all that suspicious. He had this fancy puzzle box with a keyhole in it.” Sophie said.

“Yeah?”

“I couldn’t open it Henry. I’m dead serious, spent two hours on it. Nothing. Its heavily enchanted and to tell you the truth I don’t want to be anywhere near the guy when he opens the thing.”

“Are you sure that’s everything?” Henry asked.

“Yes, well. You’re welcome to claim anything else you can grab. Quite a few powerful and potentially cursed artifacts in this place, long as we grab the stuff we need we should be golden.”

Decisions:

1. “So tell me how we get into the castle.”
2. “Whats security look like?”
3. “How do I fit into all of this?”
4. “Why do you really want Johnny along?”
5. “Who are the nobles affiliated with?” (roll 1d100)
6. (write in)

>>3994959
bet you thought I forgot about Bryce and his box didn't you

>>3994959
>1. “So tell me how we get into the castle.”
>2. “Whats security look like?”
>3. “How do I fit into all of this?”
>4. “Why do you really want Johnny along?”
ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS

>>3994959
>1. “So tell me how we get into the castle.”
>2. “Whats security look like?”
>3. “How do I fit into all of this?”
>4. “Why do you really want Johnny along?”

>Getaway plan? Do we split up and meet somewhere after the job or are we getting out as a group?

Yeah. We'll probe her later in private

>>3995338
>>3994973
writing

>>3994959
Henry sighed, he had a lot of questions to ask. He rubbed his head and watched as Sophie pulled out a map, this was going to be a long night.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
==== 2 days later ====

Henry shivered slightly as Mallory’s skiff sailed past yet another village. They were approaching the edge of Church territory. The cliffs and beaches of the coastline Henry was all so used to had begun giving way to swampy muck and salt coated marsh. The town of Dolance was still about an hour away, but Henry was nervous as all hell.

“Right, we’re going over the plan one last time.” Sophie said, laying out the map onto the table.

The table had been properly nailed to the floor of course, but the way it creaked didn’t help Henry’s emotional state.

Johnny kicked his foot off the corner of the room he’d been standing in while Coliq and Madison leaned over the table.

“Where did Lily run off to?” Coliq asked.

“Off on the deck hurling her dinner off the side.” Johnny replied.

“Well someone go get her, we need to make sure we’re all ready to roll.” Sophie said.

“So, security is normal tonight, based on our sources.” Sophie said. “If anything the security has been relaxed as the church has been pulling back from the outlying villages. Lot of em have been hit this last month, Van Graf’s getting all the human sacrifices they could want.”

>>3996491
>>>
Henry shuddered, poor bastards. The Van Grafs were just as bad as the Lic’toron, though Henry didn’t know much about the demon prince who led them.

“The main issues are the two demon hosts that rule the roost. One is Ivy Van Graf and the other is Holms Squire. Ivy’s the real crazy one, bitch is known to be a little handsy with the undead there and is a pretty good necromancer. Holms was brought into the family and is the real brains behind the operation. I suspect if we go loud Holms will be leading the efforts to catch us, so keep an eye out. We are not under any circumstances to try fighting these two.” Sophie said.

“Right, and the undead?” Henry asked.

“Fifteen advanced Franks, thirty suits of possessed armor, and lord knows how many undead in the surrounding swampland. There are also a medium number of cobbled franks, around thirty five to fifty based on Church reports. Henry should be able to wretch control of them if needed.”

“The advanced franks and the armor will be the main issue.” Henry said.

“Right, how do I take the armor apart?” Madison asked.

“Right, the armor general houses a rune that contains the soul of the person powering the thing. Its going to be a precious gemstone of some sort, or a rune if they’re cheaping out. Smash or remove that and the armor ceases to function. The other option is to destroy or separate the armor enough that it can’t come back together. Though a mage can revive it if the core isn’t destroyed. As for the advanced franks, things are specifically bound to their creator, who in this case will be Ivy. I can’t take control of these things unless the creator’s dead, and as you heard from Sophie, that ain’t happening.” Henry said. “Any other undead defenses weren’t important enough to mention.”

“Right, beyond that they got a whole horde of tainted footsoldiers, all Van Graf affiliated.” Johnny added. “They’re not stronger than a normal man, but they have an increased ability to utilize black mana spells due to their patron. They’ll likely have horns or other deformities due to their poisoned lineage so keep an eye out.”

>>3996492
“Van Grafs not into hiring regular blokes?” Coliq asked.

“They’d treat their population like a larder, possibly literally. Wouldn’t’ be surprised if they have a tax of some sort on their controlled towns.” Henry said.

“Fucks sake, don’t get caught then.” Madison replied.

“I’m back, what did I miss?” Lily asked, wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

Disgusting land lubber, Henry thought.

“Right, we’re taking the wind rune boat and sneaking in through an old drainage tunnel here.” Sophie said. “We’re then going to head up into the main castle and get into the vault, located here. I’ve been informed that one of the two demon hosts keep the two keys to the vault in their personal chambers. I’m going to attempt to get with Johnny.”

“Right.” Johnny muttered. “I assume I’ll be wearing one of the suits of armor, then?”

“Correct, otherwise we won’t be getting the keys past security.” Sophie said.

“Can’t you just make the thing invisible?” Lily asked.

“And alert every magic sensitive soul in the joint?” Sophie asked. “No, we’re using Johnny because he isn’t alive and that means he won’t raise the alarm. The demon hosts can see a person’s soul.”

“What about you then?” Coliq asked.

“Thanks to my affliction I’ll be fine.” Sophie replied.

“She still has her soul before anyone asks, I personally checked.” Henry added.

“So I’m disabling their defenses, Madison is there to clobber any interference, Coliq is here to destroy any defenses or doorways we can’t break open. Why the fuck is that girl here again?” Henry asked.

“I’m to gather information directly from their minds and to ensure passage by controlling the chief guard Monroe. He’s the only non demonhost in the place who can grant us access to the vault. Otherwise we’ll be out of luck.

“So we use the air boat to get to the drainage pipe, then haul our way inside. Get our bearings, get the keys and the head guard, disable their security while Coliq disables the traps, and get into the vault. Then we have fun while Lily checks for curses and confirms that the enchanted goods are legit. Then we have to escape.” Sophie said.

“Back down the pipe?” Henry asked.

“Ideally, assuming the alarm isn’t raised. If it is we’re going to have to escape via the secondary route.”

“Great.” Henry muttered.

“Oy you got wings pal, you don’t have to worry bout that.” Coliq said, patting Henry on the back.

The stitched wings stirred. Ophelia’s present hadn’t been tested, in fact Henry had nearly struck her when she said she’d wanted Charles to, but it was a damned fine present and if it worked then Henry would be able to glide himself and Johnny to safety from the top of the battlements. Ophelia hadn’t been able to get the float runes working and thus the thing was a glorified glider for the time being. Still, it was a beautiful piece of work. A pair of undead wings.
> Gained “Stiched Wings”, use them to glide and survive fatal falls. Can also be used once per combat to surprise an opponent, (if successful cancels their next action)

“How do you escape if the alarm is raised?” Henry asked.

“Well, they got something special on the inside. A battle wagon. Thing is full of gheists and would normally be used to rain hell down on enemies. If the alarm raises we point the thing at the gate and blow it to hell, then it’s a run down the streets and split up. Each of us has their escape route memorized and we’re not telling each other in case one of us gets captured.” Sophie said. “You have the easiest route out any who.”

“Lucky.” Lily muttered.

Decisions:
1. “Well let’s get there already, Lily looks like she’s about to vomit again.”
2. “Mallory is okay with sitting off the coast? What did you even pay her?”
3. “What about the demonhost’s fear aura?”
4. “I’m guess you don’t know the exact makeup of their mages.”
5. (write in) (ask questions now, you won’t get a chance to later)

>>3996504
>3. “What about the demonhost’s fear aura?”
>4. “I’m guess you don’t know the exact makeup of their mages.”
And can we interfere with their connection to the franks so their orders coming through become muddled or echoes?

>>3996620
I'd make sure you ask everything you think you'd need to know now, you might not have the chance to later.

Have to wait until I'm back home for this one

>>3996504
Once the mission starts the team will be splitting into three groups.

Henry and Colique will be disabling traps and securing the vault door area, Madison and Lily will be bringing the chief guard, while Sophie and Johnny will be getting the keys.

>>3997260
no post tonight due to new years celebration, will be posting tomorrow morn

>>3996834
do you still want to vote?

>>3996834
>>3996620
waited long enough, writing

>>3996504
“What about the demonhost’s fear aura?” Henry asked.

“The what now?” Coliq asked.

“Already forgotten Coliq?” Sophie asked. “I planned around that Henry. You, me and Madison and Johnny should have immunity from that particular problem, as such I’ve ensured all the groups have people with immunity from it.”

“Immunity?” Henry muttered. “The hell did he get it?”

“None of your fuckin business chump.” Madison replied.

“He’s clean Henry, do you really think I’d place my life in the hands of some cultist?”

“If I wasn’t’ on the job I’d kill as many of em as I could.” Madison replied.

“Seems sincere enough.” Johnny mused.

“Henry sighed.”

“I’m guessing you don’t know the exact makeup of their mages.”

“Afraid not, it’s a fairly important location so they change up their lower level guards frequently and randomly to avoid them skimming off the top so to speak. But that means that some of the guards might not be familiar with the non-defensive layouts. Which will work in our favor.”

>>3998551

“Nobody there expects people to try and break in.” Lily said. “I doubt we’ll even be at risk of being noticed until the approach.”

“Oy, we’re two miles out I figure, lighthouse just came into view through the mist.” Mallory yelled down.

“Right let’s move out.” Sophie said.

Johnny and Madison hoisted a small boat with a rather large rune tied to the end up and off the boat using a series of pulleys. The group descended down. Henry sat away from Lily as the woman looked even worse for wear in the tipsy boat. Henry had no idea how she could feel so sick, the water wasn’t even that rough.

“Oy, water’s ain’t calm.” Madsion said. “That gonna be a problem?”

“Fucks sake this ain’t nothing.” Henry said. “Ain’t even that rough, lord knows none of you would survive a real storm on the water.”

“Maybe not, but with my luck we won’t be having stormy seas.” Sophie said, cheerily.

Henry scoffed and imagined Sophie slyly smiling at him. She probably was.

Decisions:
1. *attempt to cast silence on the boat to properly learn the spell* (will use mana even if attempt fails, but this is the safest place to learn you’ll be getting)
2. *let Sophie do the spellcasting, she’s an expert at silence spells after all*
3. (say something to someone) (Write in, which character(s))
4. (write in)

>>3998554
the case officially starts upon entering the drain pipe and the castle, until then actions are considered "free" and will not consume time.

>>3998554
>2. *let Sophie do the spellcasting, she’s an expert at silence spells after all*

>>3998607
Suppin'

>>3999297
>>3998607
writing

>>3998554
Henry watched as Sophie cast silence and then an illusionary spell of some kind on the boat. With that and the thick mist there was no way in hell anyone would see or hear their approach. The boat set off, a steady stream of high wind blasting out of a hole drilled into the air rune. The ride over was tense, doubly so when the town of Durance came into view. There were several flags with a black and green emblem on them, the Van Graf House’s sigil. From what little Henry knew of them, they had been fallen nobles, centuries back. From the more recent stories, he knew they possessed none of the high class that the nobility of church lands. They were monsters through and through. Henry wondered just how bad life under their rule could be.

The boat continued North towards the shore, carefully navigating a set of rocks. Henry knew Sophie had memorized the sea charts that had been provided by yet another one of her sources. She could probably do this with her eyes closed. Hell with the mist in place she basically was. Madsion tapped his foot against the bottom of the boat, restless. Henry wondered if the man could even swim.

The boat surged into a small river and continued onwards past a couple of sentry towers. Henry knew they wouldn’t be able to see or hear them without very expensive equipment but he still held his breath regardless. Everyone breathed easier once they had made it through. Henry saw as the castle loomed into view.

The thing must’ve once been majestic but time had not been kind to her. Part of the southern wall had collapsed and half of the towers around the wall didn’t have roofs, based off the little moonlight that got through the mist and the castle’s own torchlight. Henry wondered just how messed up the interior would be, and just what sort of people would let their castle fall into such a state.

“Like I said, nobody expects the church to do anything.” Sophie muttered. “I imagine they’ve gotten real comfortable.”

“There are people hanging from the towers.” Madison said. “Lots.”

“Fucks sake.” Coliq muttered, “Really?”

“Shut up.” Henry said. “Don’t get talking about that stuff before a job, I thought you’d done this before.”

>>3998554


“Never something like this.” Coliq admitted.

Henry shot a glance at Sophie but the woman was too concentrated on piloting the boat to notice.

As they made their final approach, passing right through searchlights without a care in the world, the boat ran aground near a drainage pipe. Coliq had a look and confirmed there weren’t any traps, then Lily confirm there were no enchantments on the thing either. Johnny went ahead to pry the thing open when Madison stood up.

Henry watched as the man simply pulled apart the shoddy lock that had been applied to the thing, ripping the chain apart as well. He then effortlessly yanked it open, gesturing Sophie to head in.

“Thanks.” Sophie said, hopping in, followed by Johnny and then Henry.

He’d specifically asked to be in the middle, the safest part.

The trek through the pipes was a fairly easy affair, up until they found a collapsed section.

“Shite.” Sophie muttered. “Right we’re gonna have to find a way around this.”

“The smell is awful!” Lily exclaimed. “How much longer?”

“Brat has a silver spoon.” Coliq said. “Wish she’d share.”

Decisions:
1. *try to use a spell to get through* (Write in)
2. “Coliq has something right? Wwe should be deep enough below ground the noise won’t reach.”
3. “Let’s start digging. It’ll make our exit easier too.”
4. *attempt to find a way around* (roll 2d100)
5. (write in)

>>3999710
>3. “Let’s start digging. It’ll make our exit easier too.”
Just hope the collapse hasn't backed up the sewer enough that when we break through enough the water behind it washes us out

>>3999718
Supporting this, if we can do it quietly we should be able to exfiltrate much more easily

>>3999718
>>4000092
roll 1d100 to see how successful you are

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>4000187

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>4000187

>>4000234
>>4000238
pass, writing later

>>3999710
Through a bit of manual labor, mainly Madsion and Johnny pushing aside rocks and pieces of pipe, a small opening was made, through which Henry could see the cause of the collapse. What looked to be catacombs had collapsed into the pipe. Henry wondered just what sort of castle they were going to be entering.

“The fuck.” Henry muttered.

“Is this whole fecking place patchwork?” Coliq asked.

“Shouldn’t be if they’re still living in it.” Sophie said, squeezing her way through.

Everyone else managed to follow her, the only difficulty occurring when Madison became stuck temporarily. Henry made a note that escaping down this way would not be feasible if the alarm sounded.

The rest of the trip was fairly easy, up until they came upon the access ladder, or rather what remained of it.

“Oh joy.” Lily muttered. “I’m going to suffocate down here if we remain.”

“Stop whining.” Madsion replied.

Decisions:
1. *have Johnny boost everyone up. You can pull him up after, he doesn’t really weigh much.*
2. *try to find a replacement for the ladder elsewhere*
3. *see if coliq can blast footholds in the wall*
4. (write in)

>>4001109
>1. *have Johnny boost everyone up. You can pull him up after, he doesn’t really weigh much.*

>>4001215
roll 1d100

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>4001316

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>4001316

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>4001316
Rollan

>>4001328
pass

>>4001109
>reacting a bit to that super crit

Johnny wordlessly got into position, creating a foothold with his hands, and eyed Sophie. Without a word the woman ran at him, leapt, and was propelled upward. With catlike reflexes Sophie grabbed the top of the hole that led to the next floor, scurried up, and kicked down a rope. Apparently the inhabitants had been using that. It added another layer of defense, even if it was incredibly easy, Henry admitted. Everyone managed to follow her easily enough.

They found themselves in what appeared to be a series of burial chambers and catacombs. Appeared being the chief word as they had been thoroughly desecrated. The few church symbols that remained were badly damaged and defiled. From what Henry could tell they were around fifty years old based on their style. He’d pawned a fair bit of the things ironically enough, Sophie had provided the majority of them.

“Oy now where do we head to?” Coliq asked.

“Did you not even read the map?” Lily asked, exasperated.

“Oy my job is disabling traps and blowing shit up, I don’t really need to think about much else if you’re doing yer jobs properly.”

“People please, it’s this way~! Sophie said, immediately disarming the tension in the room.

“There is a hole over there Sophie, it leads back into the pipeworks, I think we can use that for a fast escape!” Johnny said, peering over a collapsed section of the floor.

>Mega crit reward, fast escape tunnel

“Excellent, we might need to use that if the situation demands it.” Sophie said, quietly opening a door.

Henry glanced down at the woman’s gloves. The things had a heavy enchantment on them, probably a silence enchantment of some sort. He wouldn’t be surprised if the woman’s entire kit had them, Sophie was well heeled enough to have such trinkets.

“Seems you got an upgrade.” Henry said, walking through the open doorway.

“Well what can I say, they’re worth every penny.” Sophie replied cheerfully. “Sometimes fancy things can earn you a lot of money, Mr. Miser.”

>>4003311
Henry sighed, he’d actually spent most of his earnings on booze, but he’d never told her that fact. She probably figured he had all of his old savings stashed somewhere. If she tried to sift through his things back in Celeste she’d be in for a disappointing surprise.

“Oy can you lovebirds keep it down, we’ll be leaving the catacombs soon, right?” Madsion said.

“Yes, we’ll be passing through the dungeon. I figure it’ll have some people in it, that won’t be a problem will it Henry, Madison?”

“Shouldn’t be.” Madsion said nervously.

“I didn’t sign up for a rescue mission in the first place, and its not like we need that sort of trouble.” Henry replied.

“I can’t help but notice you didn’t ask me.” Johnny piped up.

“Pretty sure Henry doesn’t give you an opinion when it comes to important things, right?” Sophie asked. “Maybe you have changed a bit, Henry.”

“Gee, thanks.”

The group continued on, eventually reaching a locked wooden door which was reinforced with strips of iron. Sophie took some time picking the lock, fortunately the thing’s lock could be accessed from both sides. After a while Sophie swung the door open and scuttled into the next chamber, poking a glove hand back through the doorway to show the coast was clear.

Showtime.

=================================(End of Chapter) ===================================

>>4003349

alright folks, the Case and Next Chapter start next thread, which will be made tomorrow. I hope you're enjoying the relatively fast pace of this current part of the arc. I'm going to be moving much quicker as a sort of experiment. I want to see if I can keep a quicker pace while still maintaining the narrative and dialogue heavy focus the quest has had.