>>4312198
>from previous thread
Agatha quickly found an abandoned patrol boat that the crew had ditched when the initial devil attack had happened, now it sat idly by. Agatha found a container and Larry helped her shove their captive inside of it. Agatha cheerfully sat on top, as if there wasn’t someone trapped inside. Henry wondered what the fuck sort of things she’d gotten up to while working with the inquisition, that sort of behavior made him nervous, he’d known a few people he’d never seen again after they’d been put into crates like that.

Ophelia had cast some sort of light cloaking spell. It was more of a distracting aura rather than a full on cloak. Apparently Ophelia was nervous that the angels would see through her spell and decided on something that didn’t look quite as suspicious.

Henry sat down with Johnny and laid out a map of the area he’d gotten from the cult of progress. They both agreed that the perpetrator had to have been close by to organize the devils in any capacity. Even if that organization was just flinging them at the Cathars to die. Henry also felt like he’d have a hard time blending in with the church considering all the angels nearby. Someone with the stink of devils on them like that would be dealt with by any angel who so much as glanced at him. Henry also wondered what the hell Venser’s people had been doing trying to sink the ship, something didn’t add up.

They were probably trying to lay the blame on whomever was controlling the devil’s, the church would’ve just blamed a stray devil getting through and focused on that. However, why would Venser order this? Tons of people would die if the boat had sank.

Things to think about.

>According to Ophelia, the bomb that has been safely thrown into the bay goes off in “3” actions, nobody will be harmed by it but it’ll cause a stir.

>>4312205
Henry nervously approached the Crusader Captain. Henry didn’t really know how this was going to play out, but he knew that leaving as a bomb went off would not send the best message, Inquisitor or no. Henry began to speak up when Agatha stepped in, making it so Henry didn’t have to take part in such a high pressure scenario.

“Captain, a word.” Agatha said.

“Yes what is it, Inquisitor?” The man asked, clearly agitated.

“I’d like to let you know that we found two stowaways on board, and a fairly complex bomb that they were going to utilize to sink the vessel.” Agatha explained.

“Ah… and you think that its my fault? Bah, the boat just got into port, they must have stowed away at departure. If you haven’t noticed security was increased severely.”

“Ah, yes, I was just stopping to inform you that one of my compatriots tossed the live bomb into the harbor. It should be going off in a few more minutes, give or take. So when you see the massive plume of water, remember that, alright?” Agatha said, mockingly.

“Yes… fine. Wait, WHAT!?” The Captain asked.

“I won’t explain myself again, I am a busy woman, Captain.” Agatha said, turning on her heel and striding off full of pride.

Henry wondered what she was so happy about.

“Uh… I’ll just… yeah…” Henry said awkwardly, turning around to leave as well.

The group jumped into their borrowed patrol boat, and headed out towards the Cult of Progess’s HQ. Henry radioed Charles to get ready but the lack of response indicated the boy was out of range.

Henry sighed and enjoyed the salt air.

>>4312207
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Johnny grunted as he lifted the handcuffed blue mage and slung her over his shoulder. The woman had come to on the boat ride, surprisingly quickly from what Ophelia had said. The woman had been resistant at first until Henry spun Ophelia up about the blue mage being her latest “test subject”, that had gotten the woman on board rather quickly. It seemed Ophelia had left her mark. The woman didn’t break down which was impressive, but Henry could see the fear in her eyes. He could break her if he put his mind to it.

Agatha was practically giddy about everything, explaining to Rosa how she’d just saved her career. Rosa for her part paid attention enough to add in that she was just doing her job and that personal reward was just supposed to be an unintended consequence. Agatha shot back something about taking scripture too literally.

Larry and Ophelia were thick as thieves, The man had gone and craved a couple devil horns off and had strung a necklace out of a few of them and had offered it to Ophelia. It made Henry uncomfortable to say the least.

“Hey boss.” Xavier said, drawing in close as the group stepped off the dock and back onto solid ground.

“Yeah?” Henry asked.

“Ain’t this gonna cause a problem now?” Xavier asked.

“What?” Henry asked

“Well, our agreement with that inquisitor was to stop the boat from being bombed, right?” Xavier said.

“It was to keep the city from going to shit.” Henry explained.

“Well what’s stopping her from running off with the mage?” Xavier asked, still eyeing the inquisitor. “Those inquisitorial types are shifty as hell.”

Decisions:
1. “I have this all under control, she has nowhere else to go!”
2. “Yeah… maybe I should have a word with her.”
3. “Well tell you the truth I was planning on her having an accident.”
4. “Well Rosa was willing to vouch for her, and I trust the woman as a judge of character.”
5. (write in)

>>4312208
>5. (write in)
"We need someone to take the credit for this so people won't look too closely at us."
"And we'll also be getting a favor from an inquisitor."
"So, as long as she doesn't do anything stupid, it should be alright."

>>4312789
writing

>>4312208
“We need someone to take credit for this so people won’t look too closely at us.” Henry explained.

“Fair, and she seems extremely happy about that fact.” Xavier pointed out.

“And now that inquisitor owes us a rather big favor. Hell, maybe several. So as long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, it should be alright.” Henry said.

“That was my concern, that’d she’d do something very smart.” Xavier replied. “What exactly is stopping her from just running off?”

“Well, the fact that it would turn the entire cult of progress against her? Just for starters. It’d also royally piss me off, and I’d hunt her down like a fucking dog.” Henry explained.

“Ah… right…” Xavier said.

“Don’t worry we all say silly things from time to time.” Henry said.

The group returned to headquarters in a rather subdued fashion. After the previous night, Henry had made sure to get Agatha a change of clothing. He’d even consulted with Rosa about it to make sure it’d be something Agatha wouldn’t complain about. What he’d finally settled on was a rather plain looking dress. Seeing Agatha wear it just didn’t feel right. It was like she was made for her inquisitorial robes, not civilian clothing.

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

Henry paced around the warehouse while Agatha looked on disapprovingly. Rosa and Johnny had gone out to check on the hospital, something Rosa had repeatedly insisted on, she wanted to make sure nothing had gone wrong in her absence. Henry had sent Johnny with her to ensure she’d remained safe.

Ophelia of course was consciously avoiding Agatha whenever possible, while Larry was learning more swordplay from Xavier deeper inside. Charles was the only one who was with Henry to give him backup.

>>4313464
“So she isn’t talking.” Agatha explained. “More annoyingly she’s a good enough mental mage to avoid my suggestion spells. I figure we’re going to need to employ torture.” She continued.

“Well we’re going to need to move her out of her cell then.” Henry said.

Henry had managed to convince Agatha to hand over custody of the woman to the cult the prior night, which hadn’t exactly been easy. Well, having a dozen cult employed guards and several talented mages agreeing with Henry had helped tremendously. Agatha had quickly realized her position and had dropped her complaint like a hot piece of iron. This was Henry’s show, not hers. For now.


“So we can’t torture her on premises?” Agatha asked.

“No because the who place isn’t silenced and there are normal people who work there. The cage she’s been placed into is normally meant for animal specimens.” Henry explained.

“Ah, I would’ve thought the Cult would’ve had such facilities.” Agatha said.

“If they do, or did. You really think they’d invite an inquisitor?” Henry asked. “Do you think I’d be dumb enough to give you dirt like that?”

“Fair.” Agatha said.

“We need to decide on something.” Charles said. “Can’t we try… cutting a deal with her? We need to keep her alive and she probably knows that.”

“That can be used to our advantage, Charles. Knowing you won’t be killed no matter what can sometimes be the scariest thing.”

Charles said nothing and nervously broke eye contact.
Decisions:
1. “We’re going to have to torture her.”
2. “Lets try talking. Maybe you just didn’t use the right… approach.”
3. “We should let her rot in there for a bit. There are other things we can do in the meantime.”
4. (write in)

>>4313467
>2. “Lets try talking. Maybe you just didn’t use the right… approach.”

>>4313568
writing

>>4313467
Henry strode into the cells where the blue mage woman was being kept. He had only brought Charles along with him. Everyone knew who Agatha was at this point and Henry wasn’t going to stick his neck out for her so she could come into the building’s secure area. Henry watched as a few exotic beetles the size of a man’s head lazily crawled up the walls of their jungle like enclosure. On the left was a small nursery containing massive mean looking plants, the words “maneater” were posted in large red letters on the tempered glass and iron reinforced viewing glass. There were even a few exclamation marks for good measure. Lastly, in a massive cage, there was the slime queen and a few of her drones in an large enclosure resembling a cave, complete with glowing mushrooms. The queen seemed to be asleep while the drone busied themselves moving dirt and farming mushrooms.

Henry continued down the hall towards a small holding cell. He caught the blue mage woman in the act of ineffectually trying to pick the lock.

“Yeah that’s not going to work. The locks are all rune activated; they don’t use keys here. Most up to date locks they can make.” Henry said, smugly.

“Tch.” The woman muttered.

“Should we have told her that?” Charles asked.

“Probably not.” Henry admitted. “But it won’t help her a damn.”

Henry sighed and stepped up to the glass. The woman glared back at him and said nothing.

“I find this quite funny; our roles have reversed. You lock me in a fucking vault and now I lock you in a dog cage. Though I can guarantee you aren’t getting out of this cage without my say so.” Henry explained.

“The fuck does that mean?” The woman asked.

“It means he’s valuable enough to lock in a vault… and well, you’re in a cage meant for attack dogs, figure it out.” Charles said, snickering.

Decision:
1. “Have they been feeding your properly?”
2. “So you still haven’t told us your name. We might need to give you a serial number like your cellmates have.”
3. “Well, look. I could honestly just hand you over to the cultists to play around with. Or I could hand you back to Ophelia. You screamed quite a lot when she had a crack at you earlier today.”
4. “Good news and bad news. Good news, the inquisitor isn’t going to harm you. Bad news, I am.” (threaten)
5. “I’d like to handle this nonviolently, but I get the feeling you’re going to force my hand. Please do.”
6. (write in)

>>4314979
>1. “Have they been feeding your properly?”

>>4314983
"Well, it doesn't matter. A few weeks in there without food, you'll be willing to eat pretty damn near anything."
Have our most insidious smile creep onto our face.

>>4314988
"I'd even bet the festering corpse of you compatriot would start to look appetizing."

>>4314979
“Have they been feeding you properly?” Henry asked.

“I haven’t eaten since I’ve gotten here.” The woman replied.

“Well it hardly matters. A few weeks with little food and you’d be willing to eat anything. I’ve seen it enough times to know.” Henry said, smiling wickedly.

“Fuck you.” The woman said.

“I’d bet the festering corpse of your compatriot would even look appetizing.”

“FUCK YOU” The woman said, ramming against the glass and ineffectually bouncing off.

“Yeah that isn’t going to work either. These cages are meant to hold really, really nasty things. You couldn’t even put a scratch on this glass, let alone shatter it. But feel free to break your arm trying.” Henry said, cheerfully.

The woman glared at him, before saying. “When I get out of this stinking cage I am going to cut your fucking throat and watch you die.”

Decisions:
1. “Oh is that all? Awfully uncreative.”
2. “Shame you won’t be getting out.”
3. “I wonder if you have people you care about, family? Friends? The cult is reaaal good at tracking people down, you know.”
4. “So why are you working for Venser? Come out with it already.”
5. “Honestly you’re only chance of getting out of this alive is working with me, the Church would hang you dead for what you tried to do. Me? I might let you walk if you tell me something useful.”
6. (write in)

Does black mana have specific spells just to cause pain, or would that be red?

>>4315112
>6. (write in)
"Oh dear, and here I thought we were doing so well."
"Talking, and being civil."
Spark some black mana between our fingers, let her see the enemy she'll be dealing with.
"And I was so hoping to have a nice, calming, violence free conversation."

>>4315127
yes it actually has quite a few.

>>4315163
Nice

>>4315112
“Oh dear, and here I thought we were doing so well.” Henry said.

“What?” Charles asked.

“Talking, being civil, seeing eye to eye on things.” Henry replied, then let a rather large gush of black mana free from his hand, enough that he could kill someone with it if he wished to. In fact it would be rather easy to do so.

Henry smiled as the woman noticeably shied away from the glass.

“I was just hoping to have a nice, calm, violence free conversation.” Henry continued.

“Fine, you’ve made your point.” The woman said, backing up to the wall nervously, her mage bane handcuffs jiggling.

“Oh and I noticed that you can free of those, you can dislocate your thumb, correct??” Henry asked.

“Tch, you’ve got a good eye at least.” The woman said.

“Look, I’ll be honest, I’ve seen your abilities, it’d be a waste of a talented mage if I turned you to ash.” Henry said.

“Thanks?” The woman said, suddenly knocked off kilter by the compliment.


>write in

>>4315174
>>write in
Demonic smile.
"So lets make a deal."

>>4315178
I need more to go off of

>>4315213
Mainly seeing if she was willing to make a deal, but with contracts that are bound to her life and soul.
Stuff like she'll be working for us permanently
She can't tell anyone
she can't betray us
she can't tell anyone
She must at least contact one of the members of our group twice a week or she immediately dies.
She can't tell anyone anything

>>4315244
>>4315178
will post tomorrow.

>>4315244
writing

“So lets make a deal, then.” Henry said, smiling sweetly.

Charles and the woman both took a step back as a small bit of black mana swirled around Henry before dissipating.

“What?!” The woman asked.

“You’re going to work for me, you’re going to inform me on what’s going on with your little group, and there will be about a dozen other things that will be included in this contract. Its either that or… well, I have Ophelia come back and play with your head again. You didn’t seem to enjoy last time so much. If that doesn’t work… well… I suppose I could pick my tools back up again… hmmmm.

“H-henry?” Charles asked.

“But you must be warned I’ve not had much time to practice…”

“Henry!?” Charles asked again, yanking at the man’s sleeve.

Henry glared down at Charles for several seconds, and Charles found that he was afraid… he wondered if being behind a wall of thick tempered glass wasn’t the safer place to be.

“Ah… sorry.” Henry said, pulling his hand away and sighing. The small miasma of black mana that had surrounded him dissipated back into his body, and the room became still once more.

“Who the fuck even are you?!” The woman asked.

“Just some random asshole you’ve ticked off.” Henry replied.

>>4317843
“Bullshit… I’ve never heard of you before, you’re telling me you’re an unscholared mage?! You’re not part of any large guild or I would’ve heard of you! How the hell do you have so much raw mana?!” She asked.

“You’re asking the wrong questions right now. What you want to be asking is, how can I get through this alive.” Henry said.

“No… No I won’t betray them, I won’t help you, and I won’t help the cult, you piece of shit!” The woman said, trembling slightly.

Decisions:
1. “Hrmph, well, Charles, time for plan B. Go get Ophelia please.”
2. “You know what, I want to deal with you personally… Charles go have Ophelia set up the silenced cage, and Larry and Xavier to help me haul her into it… and get a couple tarps too, I imagine this will get very messy.”
3. “I’ll let you sit on it, I can tell you for a fact that I’m not going to be the one to kill you, whichever decision you make.”
4. (write in)

>>4317845
>4. (write in)
Look down and away, while *trying* to look a little disappointed.
"Well, we can always ask your corpse."
Look back, look deep into her eyes, and let the smile grow once again.

>>4317845
Henry sighed, looking down at the ground for a moment, pretending to be dejected.

“Well, I suppose we’ll have to ask your corpse then.” Henry said, looking right into the woman’s eyes, and smiling with just a hint of vinegar.

“You won’t get away with this you piece of shit!” The woman said, banging against the glass again.

“I hope you can come up with some good insults before I get back, come on Charles, we have work to do.” Henry said.

Charles glanced at the woman and then back to Henry, hesitated, then followed along.

“We really going to kill her?” Charles asked, after they’d left the room.

“Well I hardly see what other choice we have. While I’d love to have Ophelia probe into her mind there is a chance, she’d take the opportunity to wipe it. While that chance is small, the safest bet is to just murder her then ask her corpse.” Henry explained.

“Well… I still don’t know…” Charles said, glancing back towards the cells. “I guess we won’t need that cage you had Ophelia put together, huh.”

Decisions:
1. “You’ve kept going on about how you’re trying to grow up and make something of yourself, Charles. How about you actually back that talk up? You’ll be the one to end her.”
2. “I’m going to do it nice and easy. I don’t have time to play around.”
3. “Charles, tell Ophelia to rig up the silenced cage anyway. I’ve got a bone to pick with that woman, and I’m going to make sure her way out of this world is as slow and painful as possible, and we.”
4. “You’re free for the rest of the day, Charles, go have some fun.”
5. “Do you want to eat before or after we start?”
6. (write in)

>>4317908
>3. “Charles, tell Ophelia to rig up the silenced cage anyway. I’ve got a bone to pick with that woman, and I’m going to make sure her way out of this world is as slow and painful as possible, and we.”
Afterward
4. “You’re free for the rest of the day, Charles, go have some fun.”

>>4317908
“Charles, tell Ophelia to rig up the silenced cage anyway. I’ve got a bone to pick with that woman and I’m going to make sure her way out of this world is as slow and painful as possible.” Henry explained.

“Alright.” Charles said.

“After that, you’re free for the rest of the day Charles, go have some fun.” Henry said, “Just don’t poke your nose anywhere you shouldn’t.”

Henry watched as Charles scampered on off ahead, and began wondering exactly what he’d be doing to the woman. Well, he had some time to think. By the time he’d reached the warehouse Ophelia had already gotten halfway through setting the cage up with Larry and Xavier. Agatha watched the whole construction with a bemused expression, while she read the day’s paper and sat back.

“Funny, don’t you have work to be doing?” Henry asked.

“My work is getting information out of that woman.” Agatha replied. “But I have the feeling I won’t be getting a word in edgewise, and that talks have broken down. I also have the feeling that this is personal, do you know the woman?”

“In passing.” Henry said.

“Well, no matter. As long as you get the information from her I really don’t care what you do to her. Wise of you to get Rosa out of here, she wouldn’t have the stomach for this.”

“Honestly I think we’re the only two who do.” Henry explained. “Hence why I’ll probably be doing this myself.”

“What?” Agatha asked.

“I have my methods, and I’m going to stick to them, especially while we’re on cult property and I’m on cult business, understand?”

“Fine.” Agatha exasperatedly blurted out.

Henry turned toward the cages as a metal clanging noise echoed throughout the warehouse.

“Damn it watch it you clumsy bastard!” Xavier said, shaking his fist at a rather perturbed looking Larry. On the ground was a piece of fence that had slipped free.

The cage itself was a ramshackle thing, constructed out of spare fencing and rebar that had been lying around the warehouse. The fact was as long as it held its basic shape the details didn’t matter. The entire thing could be silenced easily with a few runes or enchantments and that would be that. Then Henry could just throw a tarp over it and nobody would know what was happening inside.

Decisions:
1. *well, no sense waiting, right to torturing then.*
2. *head out, you have things that need doing* (Will bring up second menu)
3. *head back into the branch office to speak with Marko, you need something from him* (will begin conversation with Branch Head Marko)
4. (write in)

>>4317939
>2. *head out, you have things that need doing* (Will bring up second menu)
Supplies for torture.

>>4319457
writing

>>4317939
Decision:
1. *head over to the general hospital*
2. *head back over to the dockyard*
3. *head over to the Gold Hand Mage guild for spell practice*
4. *head to a local information broker*
5. *head to Nirdec Caverns*
6. *head to the Mayor’s office*
7. *head to the town’s central cathedral*
8. (write in)

>>4319545
>1. *head over to the general hospital*
See if they can spare some medical supplies.
Then
5. *head to Nirdec Caverns*

>>4319549
roll 1d100 for medical supplies, then you'll head to Nirdec

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>4319597

>>4319602
writing

>>4317939
Henry decided to head out for a spell, since the cage still needed a bit more time to be set up, and he wanted his poor victim to have some time to stew things over. He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to spare her at this point, but a bit of a wait wouldn’t really change things. As for his traveling companion; Larry had been the default choice, really. Xavier, while being a vampire, knew how to keep his mouth shut and could cast glamour magic. While an inquisitor was still a threat, Agatha wasn’t in the state of mind to be actively looking for a vampire, and so far the spell had been holding against the woman. As for Ophelia, while the woman became incredibly nervous around Agatha, she had managed to keep her proverbial shit together and more importantly she was the best person to have working on the cage.

Now, Larry complained that he was getting dragged into a den of disease. Which Henry assured him the hospital was not. Well, it wasn’t anymore now that the boat had made port. Already things had changed around the hospital. There were a lot more healers and staff to go around, more guards and supplies… and well, a few of the guards recognized Henry from the devil attack earlier in the day and they’d managed to convince a few of the healers to spare some medical supplies. Nothing too fancy of course, but things like bandages, blood clot crystals, minor healing runes, a few minor healing spell scrolls, and the like. Nothing that would save someone’s life in a critical situation, but stuff that could provide decent enough aid. Cursebreaking equipment, however, was very much off the table. Henry only managed to get a grand total of 2 cursebreak scrolls. Being mass produced and of generally low quality they’d only be of minor effectiveness against a skilled curse-maker, but still, better than nothing.

>Gained Medical Supplies (Quality: Average)
>Gained 2 cursebreak spell scrolls (Unlike runes, spell scrolls do not store mana internally, they need to be externally powered by a caster, and will break down after limited usage. However, the caster does not need to know how to actually use the spell on the scroll, and mass produced spells are a popular item for mages of lower skill levels)

Henry sighed as he tucked the scrolls away.

“So you can really cast a spell from a piece of parchment?” Larry asked.

“Yes… though I really don’t trust them, things only work seventy percent or so of the time. Lotta defects and personally I’d rather just learn the spell myself.” Henry explained.

“But you don’t actually need the right color, right?” Larry asked.

“Not unless you buy a converter scroll, and these aren’t that nice.” Henry explained. “They’re only equipped to use blue or white mana.”

“Great, so they’re useless to me.” Larry said.

“Yep, pretty much only good for the toilet.” Henry said, laughing.

The two had a good laugh as they walked the road out of town and towards Nirdec Cavern. Henry had to flash his regular cultist badge at the town gate, and answer a few minor questions, but otherwise he was waved through, not even having to pay a fee.

The walk took around an hour and a half and the Nirdec Mountains loomed large in front of them. Henry watched as an angelic patrol soared overhead in the distance, while verdant farmland stretched for miles in all directions. The town of Magica was visible in the distance, its factories quiet and its air noticeably less polluted than neighboring Avignon.

“So then.” Henry said, sitting down on a nearby stump.

“Yeah, why’d you drag me all the way out here?” Larry asked, yawning.

Decisions: (pick one)
1. “We’re going to see if we can get into the cavern ourselves. From what Ophelia told me, scar gas is a yellow color and it should be pretty obvious if the air is bad.”
2. “We’re actually heading further up the mountain. I want to see if we can get a good look around” (Will use up more time)
3. “Gonna hit up the local watchtower, see if any of the Cathars on duty have seen anything recently.”
4. “Well, I think we should try asking an angel for help. No I’m not joking.”
5. “I want to try piloting a zombie into the cavern, and I’m going to need you to protect me while I do it. If those angels spot us we need to run like hell.”

Flavor Decisions:
1. “I think I can see the ruins of that observatory me and Ophelia blew up from here.”
2. “So what’s been going on with you and Ophelia? Everyone’s been curious.”
3. (write in)

>>4319649
>1. “We’re going to see if we can get into the cavern ourselves. From what Ophelia told me, scar gas is a yellow color and it should be pretty obvious if the air is bad.”
3. (write in)
"If our 'guest' was working with 'someone' then we should find their base right?"

>>4319649
“We’re going to see if we can get into the Cavern ourselves. From what Ophelia told me, scar gas is a yellow color and it should be pretty obvious if the air is bad.” Henry explained.

“So you’re asking me to possibly die by drowning in my own lungs?” Larry asked.

“What?” Henry asked.

“I actually listen to Ophelia when she talks, that’s how you die when you breath in scar gas. It destroys your lungs!” Larry said, nervously.

“Yeah, that’s only if you get a whole mouthful, a few wisps will be fine.” Henry said.

“I hope you’re right, otherwise I’m going to haunt you when I die.” Larry said.

“A ghiest can’t haunt another ghiest.” Henry explained.

“Shut up.” Larry shot back.

“Whatever, look if our guest is working with someone then we should see if we can find their headquarters. I think its in the cavern. I know whoever is controlling the devils has to be working with Venser in some capacity, right?”

“Or they’re both enemies.” Larry said. “Not everything ties together so neatly all the time.”

Decisions:
1. *Head through the main cave entrance, you figure it will be fastest.*
2. *take a route higher up the mountain, you’ll lose some time but you figure there won’t be as much gas*
3. *head lower down the mountain and into a nearby forest, you know there is a safehouse down there that scouts affiliated with the Cavern used to bunk up in, maybe there is a clue down there.*
4. *head for a lesser used entrance, you figure few people even remember it exists. Problem is, the path was never well maintained, so it might be hazardous.*
5. (write in)

>>4319685
>4. *head for a lesser used entrance, you figure few people even remember it exists. Problem is, the path was never well maintained, so it might be hazardous.*
see if someone else has been using t recently first

>>4319691
roll 1d100 for perception

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>4319693

>>4319695
>>4319691
writing

>>4319685
As the duo made their way towards the lesser utilized entrance, Henry began seeing more and more tracks, most of them old, extending from the cave mouth, all of them moving away. Henry recognized some as human, but a bunch were not like any animal Henry could recognize.

“The fuck is all this?” Larry asked, unsheathing his sword.

“Put that back, its all the undead wandering out of the cavern. Probably a ton more still in there. Doubt the church planned for this shit to happen. Buncha farmers have probably died from this shit.” Henry said.

“So we’re going into a cavern full of gas and undead now? Yeesh, you really should be paying me more.” Larry said.

“Fuck off Larry.” Henry replied. “I know you forget shit, but you really think some undead will be an issue for me?”

“Well I mean if its just one or two I guess you could take em down…” Larry said.

“Larry, I’m a necromancer, I can handle a lot more than one or two.” Henry said, stepping into the cave entrance.

The two wandered further inside while Henry dug around in his pouches for a couple small light runes. He was glad Ophelia had obsessively left them out on the headquarters roof since they’d come in mighty handy. The air had become stale after a while but was otherwise breathable. From what he could tell the gas had mostly settled in the lower layers of the cavern, which included the main chamber where the fleshmarket had been. This was somewhat of a relief since it meant nobody would be able to easily access it.

The other concerning thing was the fact that old decaying devil corpses had been turning up. Demons and the like were banned from operating in Nirdec of course. Well, to the extent that one could ban them. No open demonic shit, basically. The fact that a bunch of devils had showed up seemed to indicate that someone else had moved in.

“Jackpot.” Larry said. “So lets end the guy behind all this and get paid.”
Decisions:
1. *head back out and come back with more people*
2. *press further on, you think you see a light up ahead*
3. (write in)

>>4321210
>2. *press further on, you think you see a light up ahead*
>3. (write in)
be sneaky, do reconnaissance, and come back with reinforcements
Cause going in unprepared is suicide.

>>4321213
roll 1d100

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>4321310

>>4321332
writing, good rolls lately.

Henry motioned for Larry to be quiet and to follow him on ahead. The man nodded and quickly crouched down next to Henry and the two crept forwards. According to Henry’s mental map, they weren’t anywhere near the main cavern. This was a part of the caverns that wasn’t used much, so he wasn’t sure what someone was doing living up here.

“So they think they have me beaten do they?!” A voice cried out from up ahead.

Henry paused for a moment, grabbed out a dagger, then continued onwards. Larry had already unsheathed his sword again and nodded at Henry when the two made eye contact. Henry hoped the man wouldn’t run on ahead without warning. It could be fatal for the both of them.

“So they stopped the attack… so what?! I have plenty more of you, my pretties!” The voice continued.

It sounded distinctly male, though it wasn’t exactly a threatening tone. The man sounded like a pushover in all honesty.

Henry reached the opening and gasped. Inside was a massive throng of devils, a couple hundred of the damned things, all clustered around a man giving some sort of speech. There were all sorts of devils too, small impish ones, lanky ones with long arms, a few had what appeared to be hellhound mounts, and there were 2 large, big brutish ones, each around the size of a horse.

Henry figured that this was their culprit. He watched as the devils began to hoot and holler as the man continued delivering his speech. He went on to say how the church and the cult would both pay, how magica would run red with blood, et cetera.

“Somethings funny about that guy.” Larry whispered. “I think he has a tail.”

“Henry craned his neck and noticed that the man did indeed have a tail, a devils tail… his skin was also a reddish hue, and his eyes were a charcoal black.

“The fuck.” Henry muttered.

That wasn’t normal at all. Henry had never heard of those abnormalities in a human before. It was like the man was part devil. From what Henry could tell he also was incredibly crazed. His speech was rambling and strayed off topic a couple of times, but his hatred shown through very well. Henry immediately thought that there was no way this lunatic was working with Venser. No way in hell.

“We should leave before he finishes up.” Henry said.

“We might be able to sneak further inside.” Larry said. “Maybe steal something important?”

Henry looked at Larry for a moment before realizing he was considering the crazy idea.

>write in

>>4321430
no votes

>>4321430
>>write in
This is not good, not good at all.
We need to go get a shit load of reinforcements

>>4322983
writing

>>4321430
“We’re falling back and getting reinforcements, no way in hell are the two of us going anywhere near that guy.” Henry said, slowly creeping back down the tunnel. The two encountered no resistance on the way back out, and quickly headed back for town. By the time they arrived at base, it was around 3pm.

Decisions:
1. *go and grab people from the warehouse headquarters* (write in who)
2. *head to Marko to get Cult support*
3. *head to the grand Cathedral to try and get church support*
4. (write in)

>>4323010
>1. *go and grab people from the warehouse headquarters* (write in who)
Maybe Henry and Ophelia can do a Mortar spell, but pointed sideways into the opening and just kill all the bastards. Oh, bring Agatha along so she can see them too.

>>4323010
sleep time for me

>>4323026
this will require about 6 high rolls to pull off, and thats assuming you get Ophelia's help. Controling that much red mana in that effective of a manner over that great of a distance will be difficult. You could possibly do it with the right materials but not on such short notice.

>>4323038
Then we'll only do that as a last resort.
We'll take the our main group and go to the entrance, while they're getting ready we'll head to the cult and see if they can let us borrow some people.

>>4323058
after Agatha sees what's going on in there, she can go for church reinforcements.
But we should be through by the time they arrive.

>>4323067
>>4323058
>>4323026
writin

>>4323010
Henry quickly got everyone up and into attention, Larry was sent running off to get Johnny and Rosa while Xavier donned heavy leather coverings and a hood to protect himself from the sunlight. Charles joined him and the two headed off to continue scouting. Henry knew the transference rune wouldn’t carry over such a large distance but Charles was the only one who could reliably operate it.

“Henry, we should activate Ticky II!” Ophelia said, “This it the PERFECT trial run, we just need a human soul and we’re golden!”

“Good lord enough. Bad enough I decided to bring the fucking thing along. Now you want to activate it? How do we turn it off after we finish?” Henry asked.

“Well, that’s easy. I rigged up a solstice container for the soul to be placed into. When we wish to turn Ticky II off, we simply remove it and it shuts off. Like flicking a switch. The soul stays bound to the container. I was planning on making it modular but that will come after I prove it works!”

Henry sighed and leaned against a nearby wall, considering his options.


Decision:
1. *outright refuse, you will not have that thing active with your people nearby it*
2. *try to placate the woman.* (write in)
3. *agree to it, but say its her responsibility to find a human soul*
4. *agree to it and try to get a human soul yourself*
5. (write in)

>>4324918
>2. *try to placate the woman.* (write in)
"While ticky would be a good asset during this raid, the devils may cause it more harm and I don't want to have to start over on a ticky MK 3, and I especially don't want to waste a soul on fucking devils."
"Once we're out of this city, I promise we'll start working on the project earnestly."

Just remembered that the cult guy that hired us to kill the slimes said they didn't really believe the feelings of the soul would seep into the creation, but it clearly did in the first iteration of ticky.
Seeing as it tried to make "babies"
Maybe we should inform the cult of this.

The owl statue we have, could we copy the mechanism it uses to transfer the sight and feeling of the magical owl construct it creates to the user for use with Ticky?
That way we can have remote workers and stuff.
And with the transference runes, when we've worked on them enough to work better and at longer range, we could even have the "pilot" use magic through the Ticky unit.

>>4326102
if we can do this, we can make Mechs

>>4326094
this was more due to Ophelia never having attempted necromancy before, and not actually creating a emotional partition. If a usable one is made you won't have the emotional bleed that occurred with the first prototype. Also using a soul from someone who is still alive when its torn out will make it FAR more viable for a bevy of reasons. (this was discussed in part earlier in the quest)

as for using a remote control mechanism, you can try, but if you fail you'll lose the owl statue.

>>4332486
if you try to convince Ophelia to drop things for now, roll 1d100 to see if she's agreeable.

If you're going to try the owl statue route, roll 3d100 instead, and whether it works or doesn't you won't lose any points with Ophelia.

>>4332488
Suggest the owl statue controller as something that needs to be looked into before we use the ticky mk 2, stating that it would be a waste to have it damaged at this point in time.
aaaand, we don't want the tick to collapse the tunnels we're in again.

Look, we don’t have the time or resources to extract and transfer a soul into Ticky II.” Henry said.

“No! You’ve said we’d just need a bit more time for the last MONTH! I’ve triple checked everything! Why can’t we use the prisoner for this?! She won’t talk so she’s of no use to us!” Ophelia demanded, furiously stomping her feet. “I won’t take no for an answer, Henry!”

“Look, maybe we can… use the owl statue as a placeholder?” Henry asked.

“What? You mean as a control module? You think I’m going to have my life’s work be… a mere machine!? To be played around with by anyone who has a pulse and a pair of hands!?”

“You’d be controlling it Ophelia, nobody else has much experience with the owl. It’d only be temporary, too.” Henry countered. “Look the damned thing wouldn’t even fit properly into the tunnels, and if the cave collapses on us then we’re toast.”

“If the cave collapses then it’d be better to have the giant machine capable of shattering stone, on hand, next to you!” Ophelia continued. “I have the soul gem all ready to go too!”

“You… wait, what!?” Henry asked, dumbfounded, when the hell had she had the time to get a large enough gemstone. When had she had the time to learn enough to make one…

“I used my own money, that I earned, to help pay for everything. Henry, I’m going to do this, whether or not you help me!” Ophelia continued.

“No you are not, not on this mission, not when I’m on the front line!” Henry shot back. His mind spun, how had she managed to get into the safe? He’d only shared the code with Johnny and Charles. Johnny couldn’t have told her… god fucking damn it. Charles had gone behind his back. He’d probably gotten her the information she needed to make the soul gem too. From his own library… fucking shit.

>>4332523

“Unbelievable!” Ophelia yelled. “Everything is READY, yet you’re too much of a coward to take the first step. We have everything we need! Right, here. We have a soul, we have the holding cell, we have the control matrix, we have the soul gem…and we have a person talented enough to bring it all together... I though we had more than one person, but it seems I was wrong. WE HAVE EVERYTHING. RIGHT. HERE.”

Decisions:
1. *relent, you can’t have your scientist throwing a temper tantrum now. You’ll just have to figure things out.* (makes Ophelia happy, Ticky II creation process will be started)
2. *try to convince her to utilize the owl. You’ll have her actually tinker with it near the mountains, far away from anyone else. If it fails… or if you choose for it to fail, then she won’t be able to do anything. You can probably get Larry’s help to prevent her from doing something stupid.* (will keep Ophelia from having negative feelings towards you, and will give you plausible deniability. But there is a risk she’ll realize what you’re doing, or find out afterwards.*
3. *utilize violence, you’ve been too nice to her for too long* (nice and simple)
4. *cast a spell* (Write in spell)
5. *Walk away and have the cult deal with her, you figure there are enough mages here to keep her contained until you get back.* (will make Ophelia unavailable for the mission)
6. (write in)

>>4332525
>6. (write in)
I want to make sure that all variables are taken into effect before we use the ticky mark 2 unit, I don't want it to somehow fall into the hands of some devils, especially what looked to be a human devil hybrid of some sort.

>>4334216
roll 3d100, you're trying to outscience Ophelia here.

Rolled 48, 91, 69 = 208 (3d100)

>>4335808
More like not wasting a secret weapon so early.

>>4332525

“I want to make sure that we test under perfect conditions, Ophelia. Worst case we lose the unit to the devils and then we’re back to square one.”

“Are you doubting the quality of my work?!” Ophelia stammered.

“Our. Work. And we haven’t even installed weapons into it yet. It’ll be reduced to using its fists and who knows what the devil blood will do to it. Even if its solid iron all it’ll take is for some blood and guts to get into an exposed set of joints and weld them together.” Henry explained.

“mmMMMMM… but…” Ophelia said, realizing he had a point.

“Not to mention the human devil hybrid… tell you what. When we’re done we can study the man’s corpse together.” Henry explained. “How’s that sound?”

“Fine…” Ophelia said. “I am interested to see how mutation occurred outside demonic possession…” Ophelia said, deflating.

“Look, I’m sorry things have taken so long, but its not without good reason. There are considerations beyond those that are merely scientific. Ones which you’re not all that good with.” Henry said.

“I know. You know its funny, Larry said the same things… different words but the same things.” Ophelia said.

“He probably said it nicer than I can manage.” Henry said, happy the situation had been properly defused.

“I….I’m sorry.” Ophelia said, nervously looking away, uncertain of herself.

Henry nearly had to pick his jaw up off the floor after Ophelia’s apology. He couldn’t have imagined the woman ever being sorry about anything, let alone something she felt so strongly about.

Decisions:
1. “Apology accepted, come on we have work to do.”
2. “Ophelia, I’m going to need to convince the cult to help us, do you want to tag along?”
3. “Finish up here and then go join the others.”
4. “So why is Charles giving you so much help?”
5. “Do you know where Agatha got off to? I just realized she isn’t here, and I don’t know where she is.”
6. (Write in)

>>4335874
>1. “Apology accepted, come on we have work to do.”
>5. “Do you know where Agatha got off to? I just realized she isn’t here, and I don’t know where she is.”
probably interrogatin

>>4335882
writing

“Apology accepted, come on we have work to do.” Henry said.

“I always have work to do.” Ophelia shot back, immediately returning to her usual self. It was actually comforting in a way to see she hadn’t changed too much.

“Do you know where Agatha got off to? I just realized she isn’t here, and I don’t know where she is.” Henry stated.

“I think she went to the hospital. She told Xavier that she was going to inspect the hospital, see if everything was… how did she put it… ‘above board’. She must just be distrustful of the staff there, which doesn’t really make any sense. But she’s an inquisitor, none of them really make sense.” Ophelia explained.

Decisions:
1. *head over to the hospital and meet up with Larry, Rosa, Johnny, and Agatha*
2. *head into Marko’s office and enlist the Cult’s help. It might take some convincing to get people on such short notice. *
3. *head over to the central Cathedral*
4. *head out to the mountain meetup spot. The other’s will find their way there eventually*
5. (write in)

>>4335890
>2. *head into Marko’s office and enlist the Cult’s help. It might take some convincing to get people on such short notice. *

>>4335895
do you want to bring Ophelia. Y/N

>>4335898
Ehh, last time she started hollering at them they were thieves and they stole her father's work.
Sure, it might just be the researcher that she blamed.
Lets tell her that she'll need to be calm, she can call them names, but as long as she's calm.

>>4335905
>>4335895
writing

>>4337463
tomorrow, because I'm an idiot who gets sidetracked

>>4337649
test

>>4348912
welp, seems I'm able to post again, somehow.

>>4335895
>>4335905
writing

>>4335890
“Come on, lets go talk to Marko.” Henry said, heading for the door. “But please don’t say anything… inflammatory, act civilized, and for the love of god don’t embarrass me.” He added.

“Fine. I guess.” Ophelia said. “Not like I have much to say to any of them anyways.”

“I’m serious Ophelia, I figured you’d be interested in speaking with the people we’re working with. Y’know, since they’re going to be funding the Ticky project.”

“Fine.”

The two headed into the cult of progress’ branch office, and took the lift up to the top floor. Where were led into Marko’s office to find the man jotting down notes on some papers.

“Ah, hello again Henry. I pray you have some good news?” Marko asked.

Decisions:
1. “I found out where the bastard behind all of this is right now, but we need to strike fast.”
2. “I need some additional equipment.”
3. “We’re about to have this all wrapped up nicely.”
4. “I’d like you to meet my associate, Ophelia Von Kurtz.”
5. (write in)

>Lorekeepers Note: Vacation is over

>>4352196
>1. “I found out where the bastard behind all of this is right now, but we need to strike fast.”
"And you wouldn't believe what he looks like"
"I barely do."

>>4352204
writing

>>4352196
“I found out where the bastard behind all this is right now, but we need to strike fast.” Henry explained.

“That’s… excellent news! Where exactly is he located?!” Marko asked.

“Nirdec Caverns, non-gassed bit.” Henry explained. “I think he was a former inhabitant, he’s pretty insane now. Luckily, we didn’t get noticed on the way in or out but I have no idea how long he’ll be there. I have the rest of my crew heading over there now to keep an eye on it but we need to move quickly or he might slip through our fingers.” Henry continued.

“Ah, well I believe we could put out a wanted poster with the church if you got a good look at his face. Just in case.” Marko offered.

“You wouldn’t believe what he looks like, hell I barely do. All I know is a certain someone will be interested in his corpse.” Henry said.

“So what exactly do you need?” Marko said, putting his papers down properly and turning his full attention to Henry.

Decisions:
1. “Fifty men, fully armed. We should be able to clean out the cavern with that.”
2. “One hundred men, or as many as you can provide, place is swarming with devils.”
3. “We’ll need assistance from the church, I’m afraid. Though given what happened down at the docks I figure they’ll be more than happy for some payback.”
4. “A few mages. Mainly those that specialize in magic that can capture him alive. My group isn’t very good at that.”
5. (write in)

>>4352326
>1. “Fifty men, fully armed. We should be able to clean out the cavern with that.”
>4. “A few mages. Mainly those that specialize in magic that can capture him alive. My group isn’t very good at that.”
5. (write in)
>"I would also suggest mages to do magic control cause of all the devils and the uh.. devil human hybrid, oh, and if you bring in *some* church people, you'll probably get a little gratitude there, but that's not really my department."

>>4352335
"We'll probably need their healers too, cause damn, there's a lot of fucking devils in there."

>>4352337
"I fucking hate devils."

>>4352339
>>4352337
>>4352335
roll 1d100

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>4352532

>>4352577
will post tomorrow!