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>>4392710
“You know me well,” you admit. “What we can do is prop up leadership in Noroit and eastern Bretonne where the Inquisition is in retreat.”

“How so?”

You lead the others into the reception hall, marking a series of trade routes that cross the border between Noroit and Bretonne, and follow the southern border of Cuilan.

“Here,” you explain. “If we can place marching forts along this route we can help ensure vital trade reaches western and northern Noroit. The more trade they get the more money they can put into public works and defenses, assuming they follow the conditions we set out for them.”

“I see the plan,” Helen agrees. “It makes a certain amount of sense… the Inquisition probably seemed like an answer to peoples’ problems. Solve those problems by building the people back up, and you prevent the Inquisition from returning.”

“Exactly,” you nod in agreement.

“We can also have some of our number head down to that region,” Aurora suggests, stroking her chin thoughtfully. “Probably four or so… that could be sufficient to throw contrast on the Inquisition’s inability to do the job that we can.”

>I agree. We should settle on a team now, and find a good location in our first few days there.
>I’ll be going to deal with the political aspect of things, so I’ll see if Aurora’s idea is feasible.
>We can go with a team of four, but be very cautious about it. I’m not sure staying there is a good idea.
>Other?

>>4392715
>>I’ll be going to deal with the political aspect of things, so I’ll see if Aurora’s idea is feasible.

>>4392715
>>I’ll be going to deal with the political aspect of things, so I’ll see if Aurora’s idea is feasible.

>>4392715
>I’ll be going to deal with the political aspect of things, so I’ll see if Aurora’s idea is feasible.

>>4392715
>>I’ll be going to deal with the political aspect of things, so I’ll see if Aurora’s idea is feasible.

>>4392715
>>I agree. We should settle on a team now, and find a good location in our first few days there.

>>4392715
>I'll be going to ...

>>4392715
“I’ll be going to deal with the political side of things,” you reply, considering Aurora’s idea carefully. “While I’m doing so, I’ll see if that plan is feasible.”

“Feasible?” Aurora repeats. “In what sense would it not be feasible?”

“Well, if the Inquisition just uses it as an excuse to attack whatever settlement we decide to operate out of,” you suggest. “Then it kind of defeats the purpose of building these areas up, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I see,” Aurora nods thoughtfully, “you’re just concerned it may end up being counterproductive?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I can agree with that intention,” Aurora admits. “But I hope you’ll agree it will be prudent to take someone with you.”

>Thanks for volunteering.
>I’ll take a volunteer.
>A small team would be good.
>Other?

>>4394213
>I’ll take a volunteer.
*Everyone looks at Aurora*
>Thanks for volunteering.

>>4394213
>I’ll take a volunteer.

>>4394213
>>I’ll take a volunteer.

>>4394213
>I’ll take a volunteer.

>>4394213
>>I’ll take a volunteer.

>>4394213
This is far too good to not use, supporting! >>4394223

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>>4394213
>>4394223
Yesssss....

>>4394213
“I’ll take a volunteer then,” you muse.

Aurora looks around the room at the multiple people staring at her, then glances back at you. “What?”

“It seems,” you muse, “that you’ve been voluntold.”

Aurora glances at Helen, who nods silently, a sage expression on her face.

“… fine,” Aurora sighs. “I guess it was my idea.”

…

You and Aurora are ushered into the palace with neither fanfare nor resistance, finding yourselves seated against the wall behind Noventus who is himself seated at the head of a long conference table.

Noventus himself seems to continue with the work of discussing the season’s taxation rates, while the other representatives and administrators are somewhat distracted by the abrupt appearance of their queen. You sit in the background and wait patiently, until Noventus seems to succeed in convincing the council to take a little more strain of the lowest rungs and place a little more onto the comparatively low number of very wealthy landowners.

“Now then,” Noventus addresses you as your regent, “I assume that the queen herself did not enter this meeting just to listen to discussion about taxation policy?”

“You assume correctly,” you declare, rising from your seat as Noventus does the same, offering his seat to you and standing over your right shoulder. “Thank you for your time. What I would like to propose is a mission across our southern borders.”

“A mission as in a military mission?” one of the councillors asks. “To what end?”

“The Inquisition is currently on the back foot,” you inform them, “after its disastrous defeat at Scaithness and the discovery in Noroit of a yōma masquerading as an Inquisitorial agent. Faith in the Inquisition’s ability to keep the populace safe has never been so low.”

“You propose to finish what has already been started?”

You nod curtly. “Yes.”

“And how would you accomplish this?” another man asks.

“It’s simple in theory,” you explain. “What we would need to do is position marching forts along the major trade routes between northeast Bretonne and western Noroit, guaranteeing the safe flow of profitable trade into and out of regions in Noroit where local authorities are trying to reassert themselves in the absence of the Inquisition.”

“With greater trade and prosperity comes a decreased reliance on the Inquisition’s resources, and greater stability, which allows us half-blooded warriors to operate in the area.”
>1/2

>>4396854
“And why would that be important to Hazaran’s interests?”

“Because it further undermines the Inquisition’s position,” you explain without missing a beat. “Their ability to defend people from the yōma is already in doubt, but without an alternative people are still too scared of the monsters under their beds to tell the Inquisition to leave.”

“One question comes to mind,” Noventus muses over your shoulder. “By definition this plan would involve crossing multiple borders, moving through the territory of Bretonne.”

>Luckily, as queen I can negotiate permission with the leading council of Bretonne.
>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.
>Bretonne’s council is corrupt and impotent. Our presence would quickly become an inarguable reality.
>Other?

>>4396867
>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.
>Bretonne’s council is corrupt and impotent. Our presence would quickly become an inarguable reality.

>>4396867
>>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.

>>4396867
>Luckily, as queen I can negotiate permission with the leading council of Bretonne.

>>4396867
>>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.
>>Bretonne’s council is corrupt and impotent. Our presence would quickly become an inarguable reality.

>>4396867
>>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.
>>Bretonne’s council is corrupt and impotent. Our presence would quickly become an inarguable reality.

>>4396867
>Luckily, as queen I can negotiate permission with the leading council of Bretonne.
>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.

>>4396867
>It suits Bretonne as well… removing an enemy at their border and increasing revenue.
>Bretonne’s council is corrupt and impotent. Our presence would quickly become an inarguable reality.

>>4396867
“I doubt anyone would raise any serious objections,” you muse thoughtfully. “Especially since this works to Bretonne’s advantage as well.”

“And how do you figure that?”

“Because Bretonne has no king,” you continue, “nor is it led by a church, by its military, or by a political class. Instead it has a council of the wealthiest landholders and merchants… motivated by mutual self-interest. They will see the removal of a threat at their eastern border and an opening up of trade as profitable, doubly so when they need not commit any of their own resources to doing so.”

“If we do this right everyone wins, except the Inquisition.”

“Yes, but will the merchants believe they’re winning enough?” Noventus muses aloud.

You turn to speak to him over your shoulder. “Regent Noventus, I would have you contact them on my behalf. Explain the situation to them. Make them understand it as you made these councillors understand. I have every faith in you.”

“And what will you be doing?” one of the other men at the table asks.

Noventus coughs loudly, and the man makes the necessary addendum. “My queen?”

“The arduous work of organizing and leading the men taking part,” you explain. “All I need is one hundred men, and I intend to lead them out of Bladnock. I can have usable camps established in as little as a day each, with a fifteen mile march between each.”

“And how many men will need to serve on this line of defenses?”

“Only a few hundreds,” you declare. “Regent Noventus, what is your military judgment?”

“Five units of one hundred men each would be more than sufficient to dissuade bandits,” he declares. “For at least one hundred and fifty miles of defenses.”

“There you have it,” you muse. “Are there any objections?”

…

With no further objections being raised, you’re left to make preparations.

>Organize the lead unit yourself, and lead it along the route you intend to defend.
>Organize the lead unit, but travel ahead of it to warn the locals first.
>Inform the governor of Bladnock of your need, then head out to identify emerging leaders in Noroit.
>Other?

>>4398386
>organise the lead unit, but travel ahead to warn locals

>>4398386
>>Organize the lead unit, but travel ahead of it to warn the locals first.

>>4398386
>Organize the lead unit, but travel ahead of it to warn the locals first.

>>4398386
>Inform the governor of Bladnock of your need, then head out to identify emerging leaders in Noroit.

>>4398386
>Organize the lead unit, but travel ahead of it to warn the locals first.

>>4398386
You and Aurora head to the castle town of Bladnock with written orders… after a little initial hesitance the governor authorizes you to take one hundred of the garrison’s three hundred-strong permanent defenders.

The first camp is just on the opposite side of the border, in the northeast corner of Bretonne, where you call the column to a halt.

“We’ll camp here,” you order the Captain.

“Any particular reason?” he asks.

You nod. “It’s a comfortable one-day march, not too close to the nearest town.”

“We don’t want to be near town?” the Captain muses.

You shake your head. “We’re not an occupying army, we’re here to keep peace along this trade route. That’s all.”
>3d10, best three of four

Rolled 9, 3, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>4400069

Rolled 5, 2, 5 = 12 (3d10)

>>4400069

Rolled 4, 6, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>4400069

Rolled 6, 7, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>4400069

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>>4400069
You lay out your plans for the benefit of the Captain and his men: a series of ten marching forts, each located about a day’s march apart. The map you brought allows you to position forts deliberately so that they’re either just too far outside the nearest settlement, or else they won’t be in a prime position to be siege forts. It would take some real deliberate misrepresentation to give the impression that these are anything more than temporary waystations for troops moving along the trade roads.

Each will be just large enough for one hundred men, with low, simple walls mainly built from wood and dirt, ringed by the ditch that the dirt is to be taken from. More effort will go into levelling and clearing the ground for tents, laying out lasting latrine pits, and logistical considerations like that than making these ‘forts’ into lasting, hardened defensive installations.

You copy the details from the map, which you leave with the Captain, into your notebook, and sketch the prototypical layout and physical appearance of an ‘average’ marching fort.

“We’ll be going ahead,” you declare as you and Aurora don fine cloaks in deep, blood-red, with golden broaches. A step up from anything even an officer would wear, these should make an impression… as should the finished crown which you brought for the occasion. “We’ll contact settlements ahead of your arrival.”

“You brought the crown out here?” the Captain asks, clearly surprised that you’d do that.

“You have a crown?” Aurora adds. “When did that happen?”

“When I became queen,” you muse, enjoying her incredulity for a moment. “I’m here ‘showing the crown’, proverbially, in an official capacity. That would be hard if I couldn’t prove that I am the queen.”

You have to pull your bangs back, but the shining steel diadem and the brightly-glittering stones make exactly the right impression… there won’t be any doubt who you are when the locals lay eyes on you.

>Go village by village along the intended route. Methodical is best.
>Focus on the larger towns. Information will disperse naturally from there.
>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.
>Other?

>>4400107
>>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.
nothing clearer than a show of force

>>4400107
>>Go village by village along the intended route. Methodical is best.
if we find a yoma we can do both, we are still a claymore

>>4400107
>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.

>>4400107
>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.

>>4400107
>>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.

>>4400107
>>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.

>>4400107
>Find a spot along the route with a yōma. Give the locals something worth talking about.

>>4400107
>>Go village by village along the intended route. Methodical is best.

>>4400107
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 5, 3, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>4401452

Rolled 4, 6, 9 = 19 (3d10)

>>4401452

Rolled 4, 2, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>4401452

>>4401452
“Nothing quite like a little showmanship to get word spreading quicker,” you muse to Aurora. “What do you say to finding a town with a yōma and exterminating it very publicly? You flush it out to me and I kill it, flash the crown, make a little speech?”

“I like that idea,” she agrees immediately. “After all you are a queen, so it only makes sense to make use of that fact, right?”

“That’s the thought.”

…

The town you identify is a small one about two days’ march from where you left your men, but close to the main trade route that you intend to follow, so that much is good. Somewhat surprising is that it’s not one yōma but three… which doesn’t change the plan all that much, honestly.

“Let’s take turns,” you suggest playfully. “I’ll take the last one, so do you want me to flush out the first two for you, or what?”

“We’ll take the first one together,” Aurora suggests. “Then you can flush the second out for me, and I’ll do the same for you with the third.”

“I like the way you think,” you admit. “You’re really embracing the whole concept here, aren’t you? If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were even starting to enjoy yourself.”

“Who, me?” Aurora replies with faux-innocence.

…

The first yōma, you and Aurora find in a pub. The two of you draw your swords without explanation and the edges of your blades slice through the target going in opposite directions. Hers cuts his torso from just above its hip out through its neck, while yours slices off the top of its skull. The purple blood makes a bit of a mess, but also makes it obvious that you’ve not just randomly murdered a human being in cold blood.

…

The second you find near the market, flushing him out from an alley in his true, monstrous form, where Aurora is waiting. He must've known what happened to the first of his kind, that you were coming for him too. That only works to your advantage.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 10, 1 = 18 (3d10)

>>4401951

Rolled 10, 6, 4 = 20 (3d10)

>>4401951

>>4401951
dice+3d10

Rolled 7, 9, 10 = 26 (3d10)

>>4401985
>>4401951
Well that's embarrassing

>>4401951
This yōma tries to snag itself a human shield, which doesn’t work the way it expected. Instead it finds Aurora there, who in three flashes slices off each of its arms before sending its head flying. Then, with a slight flourish, she impales its head on the tip of her sword in midair.

You’re sure to pull your hood back to reveal your brilliant hair and your crown to the crowds in the market when you emerge from the alleyway.

“You’re challenging me,” you muse. “Aren’t you?”

“Whatever could you mean?”

“By showing off, using your shining sword against such a pathetic yōma,” you clarify. “You’re challenging me to one-up you with the next one.”

“Maybe,” Aurora muses innocently. “Can you, Noel Tiberius di Hazaran?”

Name-dropping your full title… nice touch, Aurora.
>3d10, best of five

Rolled 4, 8, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>4401998

Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d10)

>>4401998

Rolled 7, 4, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>4401998

Rolled 7, 3, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>4401998

Rolled 4, 4, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>4401998
wow best of 5
extra lenient

>>4401998
The third yōma doesn’t go quietly either, and this time manages to grab a hostage who just happened to wander into its path… a young man whose eyes are wide in fear when you confront them in front of the town hall.

“Now then,” the yōma sneers, holding the young man by the neck as a shield. “Now that I have your attention, I want out of this town. You make one move I don’t like and I pop this brat’s head off like a cork, you understa...”

The yōma doesn’t get to finish the thought, as you’ve already jumped into the air and slung your blade at the top of its shoulder. It severs the limp with pinpoint accuracy, embedding into the ground just behind the monster as the young man it had prisoner falls to the ground covered in purple blood.

“You fool!” the yōma snarls, charging you with its remaining claw raised and ready for what it thinks will be a kill. “Once I eat you, I’ll just grow...”

A reversing kick with your white strikes technique crushes the yōma’s innards and sends it careening backwards.

“Oh really now?” you muse, stepping towards the yōma as it staggers back to its feet. “Let’s see you grow your entrails back after that.”

“Why you...”

Your next three punches lift the yōma off its feet, juggling it in the air for a few moments before you deliver a spinning snap-kick that bends it practically in half, shattering all its ribs and folding its spine over itself. By the time it manages to start crawling away, you’ve already retrieved your sword.

A single thrust through the back of its skull ends the one-sided beating.

“On your feet,” you tell the young man, pulling him up by his arm. “You’re safe now, so time to put on a strong face for your friends and neighbors.”

Aurora emerges from the shadows. “Not as flashy as mine.”

“Ha, ha,” you roll your eyes.

“But definitely effective,” she admits.

>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.
>Head into the town hall, speak with the local leaders and explain the situation.
>Introduce yourself as the silver-eyed Queen of Hazaran, ask to speak with their leader or elders.
>Other?

>>4402139
>>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.
the leaders will come

>>4402139
>>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.

>>4402139
>>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.

>>4402139
>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.

>>4402139
>Make the speech here, standing over the dead yōma. Play up your Claymore side.

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>>4402139
You pull your blade free from the yōma’s skull, or rather what remains of it, and take a few steps up towards the front of the town hall before planting it point-first in front of you. A pace or two behind you and to one side, Aurora does the same.

“I am Noel Tiberius di Hazaran,” you declare loudly even as onlookers roused by your previous two kills find their way here to see what you and Aurora are up to. “Some of you may have heard rumors of a silver-eyed queen in Hazaran: these rumors are at least substantively true in that they all refer to me. I am the Lady of Scaithness and rightful queen of Hazaran by birth, served by my regent Marshal Noventus.”

The crowd murmurs at this confirmation that a silver-eyed witch is the rightful queen of a nearby kingdom: some may even be beginning to question how such a thing is possible.

“These yōma are prey for women of my capability, such as my friend Aurora here and myself,” you continue. “She and I have purged the yōma which had been hiding among your neighbors. The threat to your lives has, for now, passed… unlike under the Inquisition, it is now safe for us to offer you our protection, along with the support of my kingdom in re-establishing yourselves.”

“My army has sent three hundred men to build up positions along the Via Perliana and the western Via Lanerk trade routes. Make no mistake that this is absolutely inadequate to be considered an ‘invasion’: all I seek to accomplish by it is to guarantee that the trade caravans will be free to return with the knowledge that they’ll be safe from banditry, by common thugs or by Inquisitorial holdouts alike.”

“I understand that many conquerors have begun with the words ‘I come in peace’, but I can also assure you that I look forward to the day when my troops can return to their homes, because that will be the day that they have accomplished the mission I have set out for them: the revitalization of Noroit, free and independent of the Inquisition’s domination.”

“Tell others of what happened here today, and what was said. Tell your brothers and sisters they are free to stand tall once more.”

At first there’s mostly stunned silence. Then, a few loud cheers, joined bit by bit by more voices.

>Head for the largest settlement along these routes and warn the local authorities of what’s going on.
>Find some more yōma to slay. Try to turn this incident into a genuine groundswell of popular support.
>Hand over more specific plans to the elders in this town. Give them a clear idea what will be happening.
>Other?

>>4403276
>>Head for the largest settlement along these routes and warn the local authorities of what’s going on.
>>Find some more yōma to slay. Try to turn this incident into a genuine groundswell of popular support.
if possible do both, but these kind of theatrics work for the people so prioritize them

>>4403276
>Hand over more specific plans to the elders in this town. Give them a clear idea what will be happening.
>Head for the largest settlement along these routes and warn the local authorities of what’s going on.

>>4403280
>>4403276
In with this guy

>>4403276
>Head for the largest settlement along these routes and warn the local authorities of what’s going on.
>Find some more yōma to slay. Try to turn this incident into a genuine groundswell of popular support.

>>4403276
>Find some more yōma to slay. Try to turn this incident into a genuine groundswell of popular support.

>>4403276
>Head for the largest settlement along these routes and warn the local authorities of what’s going on.
>Find some more yōma to slay. Try to turn this incident into a genuine groundswell of popular support.
Rumors travel faster than fact or truth doesn't it? Let them embellish our story, but also not let the inquisition know what we are up to too quickly,

Just a thought, and I don't want to give anyone any ideas *glaces over at qm*, but.....

how come yoma never came up with the idea to steal or hide all the money from the people so they could not afford to hire a witch from the organization? Not that most of the towns and villages are particularity wealthy in the first place, but I guess its more on the writers \of the manga who didn't think of it in the first place.

I suppose you could argue some towns ask for help but refuse to pay or fail to pay afterwards or make large sacrifices to pay for one after.

>>4404018
In a more "advanced" setting a yōma bank heist might have been a thing. But although yōma sometimes maul livestock, which Noel is aware of, generally the better strategy is to remain undetected as long as possible. After all, there's only a few dozen people in this corner of the world who can spot them.

>>4404288
>>4404018
>"Give us your money and nobody gets eaten!"

>>4403276
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 2, 2, 8 = 12 (3d10)

>>4404634

Rolled 3, 7, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>4404634

Rolled 9, 10, 1 = 20 (3d10)

>>4404634

Rolled 1, 3, 8 = 12 (3d10)

>>4404634

>>4403276
“Let’s do a repeat performance,” you muse as you’re leaving the town with Aurora. “Sound like a good plan to you?”

“Shouldn’t we be moving on to one of the larger settlements?” Aurora asks in return, “get the word out in an official sense?”

“The two aren’t mutually exclusive,” you suggest. “If we encounter more yōma in a timely manner then it’s a good opportunity.”

…

Thankfully, you get that opportunity just outside the small city of Perliana, which is well south of the mountains. It’s something of a spoke: trade comes down from the mountains, up from the coast, east from Bretonne, and west from Lanerk and nations further to the east. You sense that there’s one yōma here, hiding in a run-down building on the outskirts of a farming village.

“So how do you want to do this?” Aurora asks you. “Same way as before?”

>Let’s just kill it quickly and drag its body into the village.
>We can chase it into the village and kill it more publicly.
>Let’s inform the villagers first, offer to kill the yōma for free.
>Other?

>>4404734
>Let’s just kill it quickly and drag its body into the village.

>>4404734
>>Let’s just kill it quickly and drag its body into the village.

>>4404734
>>Let’s just kill it quickly and drag its body into the village.

>>4404734
>Let’s inform the villagers first, offer to kill the yōma for free.

>>4404734
>Let’s inform the villagers first, offer to kill the yōma for free.

>>4404734
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 2, 6, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>4404876

Rolled 7, 2, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>4404876

Rolled 10, 9, 1 = 20 (3d10)

>>4404876

Rolled 1, 1, 9 = 11 (3d10)

>>4404876

>>4404876
You decide that the best plan will be to kill the yōma quickly, then drag the proof into the nearby village to tell them about the risk and what you’ve done to protect them. That way the threat is mitigated quickly, and the villagers won’t be put in undue risk by having you doing your work too close to them.

“We’ll end this now,” you decide. “No show.”

“I like that plan,” Aurora agrees.

…

Instead of taking it in turns, you time your attacks to be simultaneous.

The building you track the yōma to is a single-room barn, made from graying timbers and planks and full of old straw, seemingly having stood abandoned for quite some time. Charging in from opposite entrances leaves no easy escape: even charging towards one or the other wall in an attempt to crash through it means charging into either your strong side or Aurora’s. And so the yōma chooses Aurora’s.

Its upper body manages to get through the planking, but it leaves its lower body behind in the attempt.

You hurl your sword like a spear through the hole it made and pin it to the earth for good measure, and by the time you walk out and around to it the yōma has already breathed its last.

“Amazing how much simpler things are when you don’t make them harder on yourself,” Aurora muses thoughtfully. “Shall we deliver the corpse?”

“That is the idea,” you agree. “Do you want to do the honors?”

She shakes her head. “You’re the politician.”

“That’s uncalled-for.”

…

The two pieces of the yōma you’ve dragged into the village make for quite the show, sprawled out awkwardly on the small green. Aurora takes a step back to allow you to speak.

“I am Queen Noel Tiberius di Hazaran,” you declare, “and this is my friend and colleague ‘Shining’ Aurora. We were on our way to Perliana when we found this beast lurking on the outskirts of your village, in an old barn.”

“Some of you may know that the Organization charges large amounts of money for such a service… we do not. In fact we are largely supported by the Kingdom of Hazaran, so we can get away with not charging you at all.”

“Now then, unless there is some other business for us here we’ll be on our way again. If you see some Hazari soldiers in a few days that’s no cause for alarm. It’s what we’re going to Perliana to discuss.”
>1/2

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>>4406403
Perliana is one of the oldest cities in the south, due to its strategic location along a river that runs to the inland and ends in a particularly fine port. In essence, it stands at the middle of a sort of ‘vertical archipelago’ where goods only available from the mountains and those only available from the sea meet at perhaps the perfect spot for agricultural products to be grown along the river connecting those areas.

The river cuts deep through this stretch of hill country, and the city of Perliana grew up on both sides of that river… each side, interestingly, having its own castle by that river. It was between those two keeps that the bridge was eventually constructed. With a span of seventy-six meters and a soaring height of twenty meters above the rocky shore of the river Perlia, it’s an architectural marvel: the longest single span of any bridge in the world.

Or at least, in the world you know.

“I’ve never seen this place before,” Aurora admits. “Impressive… to think such a thing was built by human hands.”

“And human minds,” you add. “The math that had to go into the plan, and the skill to actually execute that plan.”

“Are we going to cross it?”

“We have to,” you observe. “The castle on this side of the river is purely defensive, it’s the one on the far side of the Perlia where the city government meets.”

…

The trade on the river seems to be somewhat diminished from what you understand it should be, no doubt suppressed somewhat by the Inquisition in some manner or other… you have to figure they probably worked hard to tax all trade along this vital route to build revenue, too lucrative a source of revenue to overlook.

So the docks seem to be a little too extensive for the number of small, flat-bottomed craft using them to load and unload. Hopefully that will change.

“I see they have a large cathedral,” Aurora muses. “No doubt the Inquisition was sore over having lost that one. I wonder if they left behind a lot of their men as insurgents?”

“It’s possible,” you admit. “Though they wouldn’t necessarily need to have done so intentionally. A zealot is pretty much by definition someone who doesn’t need to be told to go to extremes.”

>We’ll slip in unnoticed. With just the two of us it shouldn’t be too difficult.
>We’ll go in through the front gate, play by their rules the whole way.
>A queen shouldn’t be seen bowing to the whims of others, so we do this on my terms.
>Other?

>>4406469
>A queen shouldn’t be seen bowing to the whims of others, so we do this on my terms.

>>4406469
>>A queen shouldn’t be seen bowing to the whims of others, so we do this on my terms.

>>4406469
>>A queen shouldn’t be seen bowing to the whims of others, so we do this on my terms.

>>4406469
>A queen shouldn’t be seen bowing to the whims of others, so we do this on my terms.

We are a queen so why not to flex that a bit.

>>4406469
>We’ll go in through the front gate, play by their rules the whole way.

>>4406469
>3d10, best three of four

Rolled 4, 9, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>4407283

Rolled 4, 1, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>4407283

Rolled 6, 6, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>4407283

Rolled 7, 3, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>4407283

File: 800px-Castello_di_Torrech(...).jpg (172 KB, 800x600)

172 KB JPG

>>4407283
“We’ll go straight in through the front,” you muse. “My father told me something once… that a queen who never behaves like a queen won’t be seen as a queen for very long. So if I want the government here to treat me the way my position demands, I have to demand it through my actions.”

“So through the front door it is then,” Aurora muses. “How bold.”

“Feel free to disagree at any time.”

“Nah, I’m starting to appreciate it.”

…

The castle on this side of the river is situated at the edge of this half of the city: beyond it in two directions lies only rolling farmland and vineyards with sparse homesteads dotting the landscape. The river Perlia lies downslope, running past the castle… though there is a certain sense to the layout.

Any unloaded cargo from the river has to come up along a wide road from the docks on its banks, cut into the rocky bones of the hill upon which the castle and the closest part of the city to it are built. The main road into this end of the city comes around the base of the castle to meet that road up from the river, and both merge and have to pass under a gate tower outwork connected to the castle itself. It’s a perfect way to ensure that all the relevant tolls from both the river trade and the hills are paid at the castle.

You and Aurora walk up a covered ramp, which runs beneath the guard barracks along the lower battlement, boldly striding past the armed guards who stare at you in confusion but ultimately defer to the crown and to the massive swords slung across your backs.

“It’s a lovely castle,” you admit, admiring the arched doorways, the square towers with their pyramidal rooflines, and the wide covered patios lined with colonnades and archwork. “I can see why the governor and the trade guilds chose it.”

“But would it stand to cannonfire?” Aurora muses as you enter the main keep through a covered stairway at the base of a square corner tower, which sits low relative to the glacis upon which the keep itself is perched.

You shake your head. “Not anymore. Too many tall, flat walls and the rooftops would be vulnerable to plunging fire.”

“So as a queen you wouldn’t want it?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” you admit. “It is quite lovely. I just wouldn’t treat it like a functional castle.”

Finally, at the top of the corner tower when you’re a stone’s throw from the seat of the city’s government, someone actually stops you.

“Halt,” the guards order. “State your business.”
>1/2

>>4407368
“I am Queen Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, here to speak with whoever’s in charge now that the Inquisition has withdrawn from the region,” you declare. “This is state business. Stand aside.”

“The City of Perliana has not recognized a monarch in Hazaran since the days of the Mad King,” one of the guards retorts.

“All the more reason I should be seen promptly,” you counter, “and not delayed by meddlesome guards as though I were selling trinkets at the door.”

“All the same,” his partner insists, “we wouldn’t be very good guards if we were to just let anyone claiming to be a queen in without substantiating their claims.”

“I’m wearing a sapphire the size of a quail egg on my forehead,” you insist sharply. “I must look like so many people to you.”

After a moment, one of them turns to the other.

“I mean, she’s not wrong, sir,” he mutters. “I’ve never seen a stone like that ‘cept in portraits of queens or kings. She might be who she says she is.”

“Yeah, and it could be a fake,” the other guard counters.

“Just sayin’ sir,” the junior insists. “If it’s not this could be a real big deal. I don’t wanna chance it!”

>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.
>A queen is generous: you are willing to wait for someone with more authority to be called here.
>Instruct them to take your message to the governor. You will wait in the courtyard.
>Other?

>>4407376
>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>>A queen is generous: you are willing to wait for someone with more authority to be called here.

>>4407376
>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>>Insist that you be escorted: a queen is not one to detain without due cause.

>>4407376
>3d10 best of four

Rolled 9, 5, 8 = 22 (3d10)

>>4408799

Rolled 9, 10, 9 = 28 (3d10)

>>4408799

Rolled 7, 1, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>4408799

Rolled 10, 3, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>4408799

>>4407376
“The two of you will escort us to meet with your governor and council,” you instruct the guards in no uncertain terms. “I’ve decided on that as an appropriate compromise.”

The guards exchange a worried glance, but eventually come to a tacit agreement that it would be best to simply follow your orders.

…

It’s a long way to get where you’re going, through a fairly significant compound. The castle is a square plan set onto one corner of the raised glacis walls, with the other corners being occupied by the guard tower you just passed through and the other two occupied by lower wings, each topped by a colonnaded patio.

The guards lead you into the corner tower closest to the guard tower, which features a grand entryway. Then they lead you up the stairs to the second floor, from which there’s another short flight of stairs connecting to a long hall with high timbered ceilings. This hallway runs to the next corner tower from which you can access the first wing. Now you’re led down a series of stairs and out into an open garden, walled on two sides by the secondary wings and on the third by the main square keep, but facing out towards the river.

It’s on the far side of this garden that the guards finally lead you into the second wing of the castle, before passing you off to an older-looking man dressed somewhat like an usher or a butler.

“And who might these two ladies be?” the man enquires, stopping you in the entryway.

“One claims to be the Queen of Hazaran,” the senior guard explains. “We weren’t...”

“Then for god’s sake I hope you didn’t delay them,” the butler sighs.

“Not seriously,” you insist, only half-truthfully. “And I do understand that our arrival was not anticipated.”

“I will take things from here,” he insists to the guards. “The two of you may go and do whatever it is that the two of you do here.”

Exchanging another awkward glance, the guards leave.

The butler shakes his head dismissively. “For cowards who fled into hiding when the Inquisition took this city, the guard sure act like the rest of us should be impressed with them. I apologize if they gave you any trouble, right this way, lady...”

“Noel Tiberius di Hazaran,” you nod curtly. “Though day-to-day affairs are handled by my appointed regent, I am by right of birth the lawful queen of Hazaran.”

"How amusing," the man muses as he leads you up another stairway, this one wide and lined in red carpet. "To go so quickly from humoring Inquisitorial agents to hosting a silver-eyed queen. Never let it be said that working here I haven't seen some interesting times."
>1/2

>>4409126
The butler opens a set of ornate double doors once on the upper floor. “My lords, may I present Lady Noel Tiberius, Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hazaran.”

You step forward, with Aurora right behind you. “I seek an audience, and would hope that your lordships would find the time to humor me despite the lack of notice, for time is too short to fuss over the usual formalities of diplomacy.”

The main room on this floor opens out onto the patio, with a wonderful view of the river, the famous bridge, and the castle on the other side of the river. In that room is a long table, at the head of which is a man who is clearly the governor of the city and its surroundings.

He is the one who rises to face you, a stern-looking man with a bushy grey moustache and a patch under his lip.

“I am governor Kodoce,” he introduces himself. “By that authority I welcome you. Why is it that you say time is short?”

“Because the Inquisition won’t be gone forever,” you explain, the butler setting you a chair at the near end of the table. You hand your sword to Aurora, who holds it carefully and stands over your shoulder attentively… playing the role, at very least.

When you sit, governor Kodoce does as well. “And if you’re not prepared by the time they come calling again, you’ll be right back where you started.”

“A fair observation,” Kodoce admits. “And if you wish to advise our efforts to rebuild it stands to reason that the sooner we act on that advice the more ready we will be when the time comes.”

You nod. “Precisely.”

“Then what is your advice, silver-eyed queen of Hazaran?” he asks, “and does it involve reinforcing our combat capabilities?”

>What do you mean by that, and why would you mention it explicitly? Tell me the situation here.
>My intention is to ensure that the volume of commerce you see here returns to what it should be.
>Guns, horses, and supplies were not my first intention, but we can discuss that after my proposal.
>Other?

>>4409157
>>What do you mean by that, and why would you mention it explicitly? Tell me the situation here.

>>4409157
>What do you mean by that, and why would you mention it explicitly? Tell me the situation here.

>>4409157
>>What do you mean by that, and why would you mention it explicitly? Tell me the situation here.

>>4409157
>My intention is to ensure that the volume of commerce you see here returns to what it should be
>And through that you could invest on your military to defend yourself better. Mutually beneficial, but it does seem that there is more to it.
>Because why would you mention it explicitly then? Tell me the situation here.

We can help them with our military to get their trade up and secured. The increased profits then allow them and us to invest more on military and infrastructure.

>>4409157
>>4409176
supporting.

>>4409157
>>4409176
This is good

>>4409157
“You came to that immediately,” you muse. “I’d be curious to know why it was such a concern.”

“When the Inquisition withdrew from the region they made certain preparations,” Kodoce explains. “The most significant of which was depleting our armories. They stole or destroyed hundreds of muskets and pistols, looted or slighted bronze guns, damaged portcullis gates.”

“I came here to help your community recover economically,” you admit, “by ensuring a resumption of normal trade. My people would not stand for a prolonged military entanglement.”

“There is one key issue,” one of the governor’s many advisors points out. “The bridge.”

“There were eight bronze swivel guns built into the pilings of the bridge,” Kodoce clarifies what his advisor means. “Four aimed upriver and four down, to counter the threat of an invasion along the river. They were a specialty item and their absence has been acutely felt by our military planners.”

“Could we do that?” Aurora asks you quietly over your shoulder.

“Bronze guns are expensive,” you admit, “a huge expenditure of resources even for a state. Nations with the resources frequently keep their large guns in a national armory, and in the case of a nation with a navy the guns are typically issued from that armory on a per-campaign basis.”

“Some guns in Hazari service have had a use life approaching a century.”

“But could it be done?”

You shrug. “In theory. But eight guns, even breech-loaders, is asking a lot.”

After holding a similar conversation at his end of the table, Kodoce returns to speak with you once more.

“You said that you were here for another reason,” he recalls. “Why is it you have sought us out?”

“The means by which I intend to secure the trade routes is by patrols using men from one of my southernmost garrisons,” you explain. “That way it will help provide local security for other communities as well.”

“The reason I came here is because I judged it to be the place with the best chance of meaningfully building on the opportunity that income and security offers, not because I wish to manage your defensive spending and organization personally.”

>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.
>In exchange for passage for my troops, Hazaran will turn 900kg of copper and 50kg of tin into eight new guns for your bridge, no additional cost.
>I’m not sure Hazaran should be in the arms dealing business, but I’ll at least entertain the notion once I see some evidence that your government is making progress.
>Other?

>>4410382
>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.

>>4410382
>>In exchange for passage for my troops, Hazaran will turn 900kg of copper and 50kg of tin into eight new guns for your bridge, no additional cost.

>>4410382
>>In exchange for passage for my troops, Hazaran will turn 900kg of copper and 50kg of tin into eight new guns for your bridge, no additional cost.

>>4410382
>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.

>>4410382
>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.
>But I want a trade agreement signed between our countries, something to tie our economies together even a little bit.

Expensive, but I see the positives outweight it. And while normal free trade is good, I bet Hazaran needs something they can provide and vice versa. An agreement between states would ensure that this need is fulfilled.

>>4410382
>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.
>But I want a trade agreement signed between our countries, something to tie our economies together even a little bit.

>>4410382
>>I can offer you the cannons, but ONLY if you commit to spending a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects.
>>But I want a trade agreement signed between our countries, something to tie our economies together even a little bit.

Just finished Shinigami savant quest today...
then marathoned the archive for second swords quest. Looking forward to actually participating in this one

Is there any way we can set up a loan for the cannons? Not even charge interest, but when their economy recovers they pay us back?

>>4411490
That'd be doable, for sure. If anyone else likes the idea I'm giving y'all some time to decide that... probably until later in the evening my time.

>>4410382
Seems like this is something we can combine all options into if all of us didn't feel too lazy.

I would be willing to strike a deal for the passage of my troops and your commitment a certain fraction of your region’s revenue on specific defense-related projects. In return we will turn 900kg of copper and 50kg of tin into eight new guns for your bridge.

(cost optional, negotiable, or free. It depends on their response. But if they even cover a small part like 10 percent of the costs of cannons, that would be greatly appreciated.)

>>4411588
I'll support a cannon loan.

>>4411490
yeah i like this, regardless of how the vote turns out, this keeps the countries in contact and encourages mutually beneficial trade agreements

>>4411490
This is good.

>>4411588
>>4411490
I'm on board.

>>4410382
“It’ll take nine hundred kilograms of copper and fifty kilograms of tin to make eight swivel guns,” you muse, “which is no small amount of raw material. Too much to trade away for simple passage through the region, especially considering that this isn’t even a national government.”

“What were you thinking?”

“We can deliver you the guns,” you continue with a knowing grin, “and we’ll do it at cost. But we’ll expect you to pay back the price of the copper and tin… we can make arrangements.”

“What sort of arrangements were you considering?” the governor plays along.

“One year of installments,” you decide. “And of course I’ll also expect your council to commit to spending at least a certain minimum amount of its total revenue on the appropriate self-defense projects, in order to take over for us in securing these vital trade routes.”

“At the end of that year, we’ll consider the guns paid for and withdraw our troops... and your city will be a regional power in its own right.”

“We’ll have to discuss your offer,” Kodoce admits. “Would you mind stepping out onto the veranda for a while? I can have refreshments brought for you while you wait.”

“That sounds lovely,” you rise to your feet and incline your head politely. “We’ll be outside then when you’re ready.”

…

There are comfortable chairs out on the veranda where you and Aurora can set aside your swords for a moment and sit in the calm afternoon air, looking out at the river, the famous bridge, and the city on the far side. Some light white wine, kept slightly cool, is brought out for you in a pitcher and set on a low table between your chairs, accompanied by a small plate of sliced cheese, cured meats, and berries.

“You don’t mind if I eat?” you ask politely.

“Not at all,” Aurora shakes her head. “Even I’m feeling a bit peckish.”

You eat a handful of mixed berries, and sample the meats and cheeses. Some are clearly meant to pair with the berries while others are intended to go with the meats, but all of them play nicely with the smooth, cool, mellow white wine.

Even Aurora takes a few small, appreciable nibbles.

“So how does this compare to how you were treated before?” Aurora wonders “Back before you came out as a literal queen?”

“It’s different in some ways, but in others it feels exactly the same,” you admit. “People go out of their way for the sake of appearance, just like they’ll cooperate when they need a warrior. But there are some exceptions, people with a real sense of loyalty and decency. Being seen as human is a small blessing in both cases.”
>1/2

>>4412120
When you’re called in, the governor is standing.

“We have decided… and not unanimously… to accept your proposal under one condition,” Kodoce informs you.

“And what is the condition?” you ask.

“That our council be the ones to identify the specific projects to spend on,” he clarifies. “We feel that it is a series of local priorities, and should be resolved at the local level of governance.”

>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.
>We should agree on the proportion of annual revenue to be spent through negotiations, but you may choose your priorities yourself.
>I have a counter-proposal: send me reports of your priorities and expense estimates, but I will reserve oversight authority and the right to final approval.
>Other?

>>4412139
>I have a counter-proposal: send me reports of your priorities and expense estimates, but I will reserve oversight authority and the right to final approval.

>>4412139
>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally. I just wish that the spending is done wisely.

We got what we wanted. No need to push them more.

>>4412139
>>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.

>>4412139
>>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.

>>4412139
>We should agree on the proportion of annual revenue to be spent through negotiations, but you may choose your priorities yourself.

Entirely possible that some dumbass will attempt to line their own pockets

>>4412139
>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.

>>4412139
>We should agree on the proportion of annual revenue to be spent through negotiations, but you may choose your priorities yourself.

>>4412139
>>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.

>>4412139

>We should agree on the proportion of annual revenue to be spent through negotiations, but you may choose your priorities yourself.

>>4412139
>I agree completely. After all I said it myself, I have no intention of managing your decisions personally.

We can convince them otherwise easily.

>>4412139
“As I’ve already said,” you admit, “I have no desire to manage your city’s finances myself. So your condition is fine by me. That being said I will expect regular reports to verify that you’re meeting certain economic targets.”

“My own advisors would scream if I told them I didn’t at least require that much.”

“Agreed,” governor Kodoce nods curtly. “It seems that Hazaran finally as a sensible leader again… even though some people will be unhappy that leader is a silver-eyed witch, in reality it makes little difference. A good leader is a good leader.”

“I’ll have to take that as a vote of confidence,” you incline your head, ever so slightly, for the sake of decorum. “My three hundred men will be making slow progress towards your city over the next few weeks, after which they’ll be regularly moving along the routes. So it would be good if you would communicate with outlying communities to ensure that they’re aware of what’s happening.”

“I understand your intention,” Kodoce agrees. “And I too think this would be a good way to handle those local concerns.”

>Take this information back to Hazaran, inform your regent and your advisors of the deal.
>Head back to meet the men as they establish their marching forts, oversee that process.
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.
>Other?

>>4413412
>>Head back to meet the men as they establish their marching forts, oversee that process.

>>4413412
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.

>>4413412
>kill yoma and then meet up with your men

>>4413412
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.

>>4413412
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.

>>4413412
>>Take this information back to Hazaran, inform your regent and your advisors of the deal.

>>4413412
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.

We should probably send a messenger back to Hazaran

>>4413412
>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.

We can probably send a messenger or similar to tell them about the deal.

>>4413412
>>Search out more yōma, ensure that rumors of your return to the region spread even further.
>>Other?
Send a runner to inform our regent.

>>4413412
>>Head back to meet the men as they establish their marching forts, oversee that process.

>>4413412
>3d10, best three of four

Rolled 4, 1, 8 = 13 (3d10)

>>4415223
GO HIGH MY DICE

Rolled 4, 4, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>4415223

Rolled 3, 10, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>4415223
one high roll please

Rolled 7, 7, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>4415223

>>4415234
Acceptable because jeez, the two previous rolls were bad!

>>4415223
You and Aurora agree to send a messenger back to the Capital, and so when you rendezvous with the forwardmost unit of soldiers you order them to send a squad back for that purpose. But after that, the plan is to continue hunting yōma under the assumption that there are going to be quite a few of the monsters hiding in this region after having been under Inquisitorial control for so long.

And of course, on your first day out, you find something far worse than you expected.

“Does that feel like an awakened being to you?” Aurora muses, as you look down from a rocky hill at a small town by the shore of a small lake that feeds into the river Perlia. “Probably a former double-digit?”

“It feels that way,” you agree. “Just the one. I think we could probably take her at a third of our full ability?”

“If that,” Aurora scoffs. “Remember, I’m actually just a bit stronger than you are, without your half-awakening in mind.”

“I was giving it some wiggle room,” you shrug. “I’d rather have an easy fight against a yōma than a fair one.”

“I can agree with the sentiment,” Aurora grins. “So, shall we?”

>Let’s flush it out of the town. I’d rather not have too many people see us fighting at that level.
>If we crush the thing publicly that’s good for us. And this is all about spreading the rumors.
>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.
>Other?

>>4415306
>If we crush the thing publicly that’s good for us. And this is all about spreading the rumors.

>>4415306
>>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.

>>4415306
>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.

>>4415306
>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.

>>4415306
>>Let’s flush it out of the town. I’d rather not have too many people see us fighting at that level.

>>4415306
Let's flush it out

>>4415306
>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.

Preferably not inside a town.

>>4415306
>>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.

>>4415306
>I’d like to know why it’s here, and who it’s affiliated with, if that’s at all possible. Then we can kill it.
>Other?
I want to feed it glowing mushrooms and see how it trips out.

>>4415357
What about outside town but in full view of the inhabitants?

>>4415306
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 4, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>4416341

Rolled 4, 7, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>4416341

Rolled 1, 6, 3 = 10 (3d10)

>>4416341

Rolled 1, 9, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>4416341
Highhighhighhigh

>>4415306
“I’d like a chance to figure out who this one is,” you admit, “who she works for.”

“That’s fine,” Aurora shrugs. “We’ll just have to get her talking, I suppose.”

…

The one you’re looking for is easy to find: black hair, green eyes, and a yōki aura that nauseates you just by looking at her as you pass her on the other side of a window. She’s definitely an awakened being, hiding herself behind a seemingly legitimate business selling flowers.

“Hey,” you ask a man, stopping him on the street a little ways past the shop. “The flower shop just down the street here… tell me about it. How long has it been open?”

“A few months?” the man replies thoughtfully. “Woman that runs it’s name is Solaris, she does a good business. I buy flowers there sometimes for my wife after I stay out too late drinking.”

“I see,” you muse. “Thanks.”

…

“Hope we’re not interrupting,” you greet the awakened being as Aurora pretends to look at some flowers arranged and planted in small ceramics.

“Living flower arrangements,” Aurora muses. “A specialty back east. Very lovely.”

“I learned it on Lavinia,” the awakened being explains.

“Tell me,” you demand, once you’re sure the shop is empty but for the three of you. “Who do you work for?”

Aurora carefully flips the little sign hanging in the square window set face-height into the door, from displaying ‘open’ to ‘closed’.

“I could ask the same thing,” Solaris counters with a frown. “You certainly don’t look like pawns of the Organization.”

“We’re not,” Aurora admits, carefully lowering the slatted blinds in the windows. “At least, not anymore that is.”

“Am I being shaken down?” Solaris wonders. “Usually you half-bloods are much quicker to chop up people like me.”

You roll your eyes. “Do you think you’re ‘people’?”

“Do you?”

Her restraint so far certainly seems unusual…

“We work for ourselves,” you explain. “The Organization would’ve wasted our lives. We thought we could do better.”

“Your turn.”
>1/?

>>4416447
“I am Solaris, formerly number Thirteen,” the awakened being introduces herself. “From my understanding you would be Aurora, formerly number Three, and Noel, formerly number Seven?”

“You’re well informed,” Aurora admits. “So is that why you’re being so bizarrely civil then?”

“Anything is possible.”

“So which faction has you under their thumb?” you press. “Is it Ella, Constanzia, or Salem?”

“Will my answer change anything?” she enquires, shutting her eyes and leaning back in the chair behind her service counter.

“Anything is possible,” you smirk.

Solaris clacks her tongue, considering her options with obvious distaste.

“Salem,” she eventually admits.

Aurora whistles. “First I’ve ever heard of anyone actually meeting someone from Salem’s pack of monsters. Ella makes no attempt to hide her activities, and I know you’ve met Constanzia, Noel. Have you heard of Salem’s actually doing anything?”

You shake your head. “Never. I’ve only ever heard rumors of Ella getting up to no good… and of course, there are Sabela’s doings.”

“I gathered from the briefing we received that even Constanzia and Rafaela tend to keep to themselves, but I don’t know anything about Salem.”

“That’s because of the three Abyssal Ones,” Solaris explains, “at least, the three true Abyssal Ones, Salem is the most secretive. She actively avoids crossing the others, unlike Sabela and especially unlike Ella.”

>Question Solaris further about Salem, her activities, and her faction.
>Demand to know what Solaris is doing here, playing at owning a flower shop and all.
>Mention the prospect of a ‘change in diet’. Solaris’ response will tell you all you need to know.
>Other?

>>4416458
>>Mention the prospect of a ‘change in diet’. Solaris’ response will tell you all you need to know.

>>4416458
>Mention the prospect of a ‘change in diet’. Solaris’ response will tell you all you need to know.

>>4416458
>Mention the prospect of a ‘change in diet’. Solaris’ response will tell you all you need to know.

>>4416458
>>Mention the prospect of a ‘change in diet’. Solaris’ response will tell you all you need to know.

>>4416458
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>4416738

Rolled 1, 8, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>4416738

Rolled 7, 5, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>4416738

>>4416738
“Would your loyalties change if I offered you a… change in diet, I guess you could call it?”

Solaris frowns at you. “I don’t understand what you mean. Why don’t you clarify?”

“I mean,” you tell her, “what would you do if I were to provide you an alternative to eating humans?”

She’s still frowning. “To what end?”

“We’ve seen some convincing evidence that yōma, and by extension awakened beings, don’t actually need to eat humans,” you explain, “but rather something that exists inside humans. We’ve been developing a technique for providing that nutrient as a supplement.”

“Like adding salt to regular food?” Solaris summarizes.

“Basically,” Aurora nods in confirmation. “From what I understand it’s a little like how animals look for salt licks.”

“A deer isn’t clever enough to really know what salt is or why it needs it,” you add. “But it’s an instinctive behavior.”

“That’s interesting and all,” Solaris admits, “but even if, for the sake of argument, I agreed to give this thing a try, and that you can actually do it, what’s the catch? What’s in it for you?”

>Rehabilitating my mother. That’s what’s in it for me.
>Helping our fallen sisters is reason enough on its own.
>I don’t know how stable a ‘half awakening’ is. We’re hedging our own bets too.
>Other?

>>4416865
>Helping our fallen sisters is reason enough on its own.

>>4416865
>>I don’t know how stable a ‘half awakening’ is. We’re hedging our own bets too.

>>4416865
>Blind testing to see if it actually works or we missed something. There's numerous reasons, we don't have to kill our sisters who have not utterly lost themselves to bloodlust, and secure our future if we have to push past our limits putting down the ones that are.

>>4416865
>Rehabilitating my mother. That’s what’s in it for me.

>>4416872
>>4416865

>>4416872

>>4416929
link to the story post, or it won't count

>>4416865
>Not enough enthusiasm. She's too okay with eating people. Waste her.

>>4416865
>Helping our fallen sisters is reason enough on its own.
Why are we trusting her with so much information? We should have mentioned the diet thing after asking a at least a few questions.

>>4416865
>>Helping our fallen sisters is reason enough on its own.

>>4416865
>Rehabilitating my mother. That’s what’s in it for me.

>>4416865
>Rehabilitating my mother. That’s what’s in it for me.

>>4416872
changing to support this,

>>4416865
“It was kind of an accident that we stumbled across a possible solution,” you admit, “for a problem we didn’t even know had a solution. But when it started to seem like it was viable, there were a lot of reasons to see if it actually works… most of all because we’d regret not knowing for sure.”

“We were trained to believe that the world we were joining worked a certain way,” you continue. “But since then we’ve learned that there are other options besides dying, being put down by our sisters, or awakening.”

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I at least see a possible future where we don’t have to execute each other, and I want to see that possibility become a reality.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 5, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>4418254

Rolled 8, 3, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>4418254

Rolled 8, 7, 8 = 23 (3d10)

>>4418254

Rolled 2, 9, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>4418254

>>4418254
Solaris is quiet for a few moments, before shaking her head. “That would certainly be nice, wouldn’t it? The trouble is that the Abyssal Ones probably won’t appreciate losing their precious toys. What guarantee would I have that I wouldn’t just be murdered by Salem?”

Aurora glances in your direction, wondering how much you’re actually going to say.

>Because my mother is Sabela. Yes… THAT Sabela.
>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.
>You don’t. If you’re going to commit to this, commit because it’s the right thing to do.
>Other?

>>4418276
>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.

>>4418276
>You don’t. If you’re going to commit to this, commit because it’s the right thing to do.

>>4418276
>Because my mother is Sabela. Yes… THAT Sabela.

>>4418276
>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.

>>4418276
>>You don’t. If you’re going to commit to this, commit because it’s the right thing to do.

>>4418276
>>Because my mother is Sabela. Yes… THAT Sabela.

>>4418276
>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.

I am not comfortable at revealing all the details.

>>4418276
>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.
Sabela kept being our mother secret for a long time for a very good reason.

>>4418276
>You don’t. If you’re going to commit to this, commit because it’s the right thing to do.
"We all die some day. You can choose to either die lucid or a slave to your body."

>>4418276
>>Because Sabela is the one we’re working with on this. Yes… THAT Sabela.

>>4418276
>>You don’t. If you’re going to commit to this, commit because it’s the right thing to do.
I just don't like showing our hand, might be too late for that though.

>>4418276
I can’t guarantee you anything,” you admit, “though there is some degree of insurance.”

“And that is?” Solaris presses.

“I won’t tell you,” you counter. “If you’re going to commit to this, commit to it because it’s right. Not because it’s safe.”

After a long pause, the awakened being heaves a sigh. “Fine! I’ll admit it, I want you to be right. And even if sticking my neck out gets it chopped off it might just be worth it.”

“I just… don’t want to be used again. I’m sure you can understand the sentiment, right?”

“Sabela is working with us to make this work.”

Solaris’ eyes widen in shock. “Wait, what? You don’t mean that Sabela!?””

“Yes,” you nod curtly. “I mean that Sabela. That’s your insurance.”

“Good enough for you?”

“Yes, yes!” Solaris agrees. “That’s absolutely good enough! If you’d led with that the conversation would have been over a long time ago!”

“But then we wouldn’t have heard your true thoughts on the matter,” Aurora smirks, understanding your ploy. “I’m sure you can understand the sentiment, right?”

Solaris sighs. “Damn you.”

“So,” you continue. “You’re still interested?”

“… what do I need to do?”

>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.
>Remain here. We’ll contact you again in due time.
>We’ll send you a package when it’s ready.
>Other?

>>4419666
>>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.

>>4419666
>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.

>>4419666
>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.

>>4419666
>follow us back ...

>>4419666
>>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.

I’m a little worried about us bringing another awakened being back without the others opinions first, but it’s also probably better that we get her to stop eating people sooner rather than later

>>4419666
>Follow us back to Scaithness. Be subtle about it.
We should send message up ahead to not cause panic or worry Sabela.

>>4419666
You sigh, not entirely sure how what you’re considering is going to be received back home. “I think you should follow us back to Scaithness, at a distance. And wait for us on the edge of town when we get there.”

Solaris nods. “I understand you’d be wary. I assume there are more of you there?”

“Yes,” you admit. “Though I don’t intend to tell you much more than that just yet.”

“Even if this were a ploy,” Solaris concedes, “Salem is hardly in a position to fight with Sabela. I should warn you though… things may not stay so deadlocked if what you’re working on turns out to be viable.”

“You’re saying this may be the first step towards open warfare between the Abyssal Ones?” Aurora guesses.

Solaris nods. “Unfortunately yes. Those with power will do anything to hold onto that power… that’s just how… well, it’s how humans are.”

“They picked one human quality to cling to,” Aurora shakes her head. “And they picked that one. Great.”

“We knew something like this was bound to happen eventually,” you reply quietly. “Nature abhors a balance as much as a vacuum.”

“I’ll close up shop here,” Solaris decides. “Though I have to admit, I’ve started to get used to this place.”

>You’ll be back. A sudden disappearance would start rumors among the locals, so at least tell someone.
>Gather anything you can’t easily replace. Your cover story will be that you were an informant the whole time.
>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?
>Other?

>>4421953
>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?

>>4421953
>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?

>>4421953
>>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?

>>4421953
>>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?

>>4421953
>>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?
this amuses me. Also it fulfills our purpose of advertising our skills and hurting the Inquisition.

>>4421953
>You’ll be back. A sudden disappearance would start rumors among the locals, so at least tell someone.

>>4421953
>How are you at theatrics, and how do you feel about faking your own untimely demise at our hands?
Let her gather some of her things tho, or have some of our people break in to her residence for a fake burglary.

>>4421953
“How are you at theatrics?” you muse, “and how do you feel about ‘dying’ at our hands?”

“I can understand what you’re suggesting,” Solaris agrees, “but I don’t think that’s the right way to go about doing it.”

“What would you suggest?” Aurora asks skeptically.

“A robbery gone wrong,” she replies. “You walk out of here with all of my flowers, and stop by the tavern… explain that you bought out the whole place to take back home with you. I’ll gather the few things that matter to me… seeds, bulbs, that sort of thing… and leave behind a scene.”

“They’ll assume someone saw us with the flowers and knew there’d be money in there,” you muse. “Leave some blood, but no body...”

“… and people will assume the worst,” Aurora nods along. “How do we know they won’t start a hunt for the perpetrator?”

“I’ll steal a horse,” Solaris replies. “Make the villagers believe that whoever ‘killed’ me fled town. The two of you can ‘discover’ that in the morning while the villagers are making a fuss.”

“It doesn’t exactly tie things up,” Aurora frowns. “But it does deprive the villagers of anything to chase.”

“And it will be less traumatizing in the long run, I think,” Solaris suggests. “Finding a yōma hiding within the community, even if it’s dealt with promptly… the two of you must know what that can do to people, especially in a smaller settlement.”

Aurora glances at you. “What do you think?”

>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.
>I’m not so sure. If any of the locals see anything… we’ll need to be VERY careful.
>Making you out to be a yōma may be more horrifying, but it’s also straightforward. Final.
>Other?

>>4423461
>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>Making you out to be a yōma may be more horrifying, but it’s also straightforward. Final.

>>4423461
>>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>Making you out to be a yōma may be more horrifying, but it’s also straightforward. Final.

>>4423461
>We’ll offer to have governor Kodoce send a guard troop here, address any lingering fear.

>>4423461
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 10, 8, 5 = 23 (3d10)

>>4424353

Rolled 2, 7, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>4424353

Rolled 4, 3, 7 = 14 (3d10)

>>4424353

>>4424353
Still need one more, technically.