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>>4399412
This guy is pic related.

>>4399412
>Who are your enemies?
>What is the plan? What is needed of me?
>Where do I start?

>>4399412
>what is the first task you want me to do then?
Act like a cool and snarky underling.

>>4399418
we're going to fight the FOOLISH WARRIOR(s) and it will be cool.

>>4399412
>"Do I reserve the right to pillage, my lord? We of Dragonblood are empowered by wealth."

I know we're bullshitting, but it's half truth, and this will get the "looting without permission" thing out of the way.

>4399412
>Whom shall be made to suffer first?
>Extend the wings!
(Should we kneel? It's probably appropriate for the narrative to kneel.)
>Kneel
(Should we ask if we have plundering rights?)

>>4399430
>not going with our characteristic brand of professionalism

>>4399412
>Kneel
>"Enlighten your lesser servant, my King. What is this Power of Lagos, and how can I help you obtain it?"
>"Do I reserve the right to pillage, my lord? We of Dragonblood are empowered by wealth."
>Extend wings

>>4399412
>What do you need me to do?
>I reserve the right to pillage.

No requesting. Nothing too showboaty. Keep it professional. He's a client, not our employeer.

Last thread is not archived. Will be a while until it is slid away, but just a note.

>>4399440
I mean, he paid for a narrative rider, that's worth some acting and lip service to his face at the least. If not we're not being properly professional.

Asking about Pillaging right off the bat might annoy him, given that he knows we are to be paid an exorbitant amount of wealth. Worse he might take it off our paycheck.

>>4399459
The Summon job had a narrative rider as well, never had to kneel or call the client our 'master'. Following a narrative rider doesn't mean we have to be a submissive bootlicker.

>>4399464
I'm alright with bowing and calling him by his title, but kneeling and calling him 'our' lord is too far.

>>4399464
Well we sort of got into onsite trouble for being too willful on that job. I'll conceed, "Master" and "My Lord" might be too heavy of roleplaying for Miranda. I think kneeling is harmless though, and we've been on enough jobs for evil overlords, they betray you less often if you're willing to humor their grandeur.

>>4399478
That. This guy has a huge ego (typical), we just need to butter him up a little.

>>4399486
I'm voting against going full Ham for future reference, dragons are commonly prideful, and while we're perfectly loyal so long as we're paid, we don't need to degrade ourselves or
come off as (accurately) sarcastic to the desperate overlord.

>>4399478
Personally, I’m hoping he forgets that we’re a mercenary and not his underling so we can loot him and blow the place when he tries to keep us around too long.

>>4399478
>>4399486
>become badass dragon
>monster warrior of terrifying power
>start kissing ass right at the begining of the mission

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>>4399490
>goddamnit...
*blow the place up

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>God.

>Damnit.

>>4399495
>>4399492

>>4399494
Well, what, you wanna play the stoic? That's fine, I don't.

>>4399498
I said we can bow and call him whatever he calls himself, but no need to overdo it.>>4399471

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So the consensus is to have us seen as a professional dragon and not a kissass?

>>4399435
>Switch kneel to bow.
>"My greetings, Shadow King. What needs to be done?"
>"We of Dragonblood are empowered by wealth and treasure. Should it be allowed, I reserve my right to pillage. It would contribute to the war effort tremendously."

To the point and present an argument for the looting to not come off as greedy.

>>4399412
>"King of Shadow, Ah-Rul, i'm [Insert made up name here] of the Silver Eye, as by the bounds of the summoning: i shall heard your commands while travelling the land to retrieve the artifact you so desire in exchange for payment worthy of the deed of course. This bound is terminated once the deed is done."

>"What is thy bedding my Lord?"

>>4399651
Doh', oh right, and introduce our name of course.

>>4399649
Even Sauron needed to trick Smaug.

>>4399651
Or maybe replace the "My lord" part for "Oh Shadow King"

>>4399412
I support >>4399651
We gotta remind him that we're not gonna be here forever.
I suggest Melinda for the codename.

>>4399651
I hope Handler fixes that bedding typo back to bidding.

I hope this guy has a fat armory that we can procure from.

Writing now!

>>4400810
Yes!!! Dragon time!

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We're commanding armies for a resurrecting overlord, what does that mean?
That's right folks, it's everyone's favorite leisure and pastime activity, committing war crimes!

My favorites are experimenting on PoWs and hostages with a side of scorched earth.

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>>4400843
Let's napalm a village using randa new green flames.

>>4400843
Boy he better not ask us to do necromancy, because that's a hard no-way ho-zay.

>>4400865
We don't need necromancy. Also his stick seems to be more shadow stuff. Wonder if his army is a army of orcs.

>>4399412
>>4399431
>>4399425
>>4399440
>>4399649
>>4399651

This guy seems one one of your usual ‘big on pomp, circumstance, and supplication’ sorts, just judging from how he talks. And, well. He paid for the Narrative Rider. Might as well play to the ol’ ego to make sure things start on the right foot.

You decide a decent bow is in order, allowing yourself to get a feel for your tail at the same time. "King of Shadow, Ah-Rul, I am Melinda of the Silver Eye; and as the bonds of the summoning state: I shall heed your commands while travelling the land to retrieve the artifact you so desire, in exchange for payment worthy of the deed, of course. This bond is to be terminated once the deed is done.”

“Hm. Of course…” he...grumbles? You swear that’s a grumble. Almost a whine, even.

Nonetheless, you continue. “What is thy bidding, oh Shadow King?"

You can practically hear the grin as the shadowy presence seems to accumulate further. “The fools that govern this realm thought my power well and truly sealed. In ages past, their ancestors opposed me for power- and to their blasted fortune, cast me down. However, their WEAKNESS was not enough to end me for good, no...they thought to use ancient magics, and with assistance by those accursed Fairy Elders, broke my power into pieces, sealed them away into five ‘Lockstones’, and scattered them to the winds.” You can hear the disgust in his voice as you let him monologue. “I know not where exactly they lie, as the power of the Fairies blinds me to their presence. Yet, they underestimate my being. Already the essence of myself has begun to creep, corrupt and decay. This, and the enormity of my being allows me to detect them in a general sense. I shall direct you, and you shall, regardless of obstacles in your way obtain those blasted stones! Ah, but do NOT break them, for they contain a link to my power that I must utilize to restore myself truly. Once I do...I can at last obtain the Power of Lagos. The power of the world itself...”

That sounds risky as hell, to be frank. But you’re not voicing that right now. “Then do I reserve the right to pillage, sire? If you haven’t noticed…”

A laugh emits from all directions. “Yes, yes...ahhh, I’d nearly forgotten...Verugan...the ancient dragon and his kin were quite avaricious.”

...sure, you’ll roll with it. “Indeed. We of Dragonblood are empowered by wealth."

“So be it. I care not for glittering gold and gems, for they are but trinkets and baubles to me, though much of it, claimed rare and valuable, has been thrown to me by fools seeking mercy where there is none. But of that stock you shall have NONE until the deed is done!” Well, it’s something. “However, be warned- you shall only do so under MY command, and under no other situation!”

Oh, blah. “As you command, sire.”

(cont.)

>>4400890
“Good. Now, then...hmm, yes. Where shall you begin searching...there are three I can sense at this moment, if faintly. To the north, amidst the great mountain ranges, if I recall. The east, no doubt somewhere near in that blasted Kingdom of Alminia...ah, and to the west, indeed...where lies another kingdom, no doubt- and once the site of one of my most fierce battles, yes..." Hm. Well, at least you've got choice in this. Although you kinda wish you had a map, he doesn't sound like he can tell exactly what's been going on outside. Boo.

"This is all I can detect for now. YOU, agent, must search of them yourself beyond that. And for that purpose, some subterfuge may be required...” Almost before he finishes saying such, the inky darkness swirles, coalesces…and a cloak, long, and dark violet, forms from the shadow. “Here. Through my magics, none shall sense your true being unless desired, save, perhaps, for those with affinity to the -light-” he chokes out, “-the cowards. Have you any other questions? If not, then you shall begin at once!”

>Any further questions?

>Choose where to go:

>North, towards the mountains.
>East, towards Alminia.
>West, towards the other kingdom.

>>4400900
>"Before we begin, sire, how should I contact you during the progress of retrieving these stones?"
>"Are there other agents too beside myself that I should know about?"

>>4400900
>North, towards the mountains.
The area is emote, so news will spread slowly (if at all) on their tech level, they'll have less time to respond and organize before we come after the second gem.

>>4400910
*remote
Supporting this too>>4400904

>>4400904
>>4400910
++

>>4400900
Supporting >>4400904 and >>4400910
Using Gartoum as our reconnaissance, stealing and spying guy would be essentiall here. Plus, he fits with our gimmick of shadows and shit.

>>4400900
>East, towards Alminia.
North sounds really safe, like, this worlds races are human fairy catfolk and orcs. No dwarves even. It'll probably just be some ancient ruins or something, probably the right choice. I wanna go to Alminia and see what we're dealing with, it'll probably be more interesting.

>>4400900
>North, towards the mountains.
A slow and quiet start.

>>4400924
I thought really hard about elves. Like, near an hour JUST on that decision. Once I decided no on those, I also decided no traditional dwarves.

Anyway, North it is! Writing.

>>4400900
>North, towards the mountains

There were no dwarfs in the races described in this world. So the mountains will be safe-ish.

>>4400929
Just watch us end up making a forest fire or blowing off the mountain.

Oh god...i just realized what the Mountain is... It's were the freaking hero village is!!!

To do list when we go:
>we need to gain more knowledge of these fairies since they're a threat to our client and us
>get a map
>steal everything in our path

>>4400954
>>4400968
you're really convincing me to use Gartoum for recon in the area and as a helping hand in genocide.

>>4400968
Well, there's nothing saying there can't be a tragic protagonist starter town in the mountains, but I dunno where your certainty comes from.

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>>4400968
fuck

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>>4400968
>>4400980
>get a map
>steal everything in our path
>burn the hero village while leaving him and his sidekick alive

It's just like my video games.

>>4400900
>>4400904
>>4400910
>>4400914
>>4400916
>>4400929
>>4400939
“Just a moment more,” you insist, deciding on the flowery phrasing. “Before we begin, sire, how should I contact you during the progress of retrieving these stones?"

“You need not concern yourself with such a matter,” he dismisses. “Behold.” The darkness swirls again, and comes together...and a small pin, with that same symbol as the door drops into your hand. “This hereon will be my method of contact. Sight, as I am, is difficult. But SENSE...that is a different story. Speech beyond this place will be difficult, and I shall do so sparingly. Know this, and do not disappoint me with errors in judgement.”

You pin it to your new cloak. "Understood. Are there other agents too beside myself that I should know about?"

“Muhahah...not any of your type, no. But in due time, all things will become MINE. I shall see to that, and you, perhaps, shall bear witness during the process...”

Interesting. Well, then, that’s all you have to-

“However…” Hm? “There is one of a sort. And I shall grant it as a boon to you. To carry you swiftly from place to place- and to strike fear in the hearts of those who dare witness it.”

Wait, is he-

A high, warbling screeching erupts from far above you- the pitch blackness causing you to miss the fact that anything was up there at all. A gust of wind and large, flapping wings beating down towards you causes you to leap back in instinct as an immense, bat-like beast alights with surprising agility on the ground, though it’s landing still causes the ground to shake a bit. As you take a better look at it...yeah, it’s definitely a black and silver bat. It’s got longer legs that allow it to stand up right, but otherwise, the ears, fangs and all definitely scream ‘bat’. “This creature was one of the first to turn to heed my dark power upon being sealed in here. It has grown large, and most eager to serve its master. It shall do so, by ferrying you to wherever you need go.”

(cont.)

>>4400990
Huh. You were kinda hoping he could just kinda...warp you close? But guess not. As you approach the creature, it indeed seems...docile, for lack of a better word. It at least lets you scratch its neck fluff, as wild and unruly and freaking thick as it is. “Waste no more time! I desire those stones, and my POWER!”

Impatient cuss. Well, fine. Not much else here for you, anyway. You give a bow- slightly mocking in your head, but you doubt he notices. “As you wish, sire.” With that, you clamber on the thing’s back- there’s plenty of hair for a handhold, and it’s also not honestly that uncomfortable. “Then to the north, and swiftly!”

With another cry, it takes off, flapping high, high, high into the darkness, to the point you’re starting to wonder just how the hell you’re getting out of here- and then suddenly it pivots in pitch-black, and there’s a speck of orange light on the horizon…

You burst out into the evening sun from the subterranean caverns as you climb higher and higher into fresh air- before long, you’re among the clouds, and looking down at a world that goes from dust and dirt and dead lands, to lush greenery and hills and more- and clearly has no clue what it’s in store for.

But, considering a mount like this...should make for quick travel, hopefully. You don’t even SEE the mountains yet, so it may well be a bit of a trip…

>Roll 2d20, best of three.

Rolled 19, 3 = 22 (2d20)

>>4400992
uh oh

Rolled 7, 4 = 11 (2d20)

>>4400992

Rolled 17, 10 = 27 (2d20)

>>4400992

>>4400988
Or...
We could just leave the hero starter village be and delay their chances of going out of their villages because I can't think of a way to quickly destroy a village without fire (which will make smoke and alert nearby villages)

>>4400992
19, 10.

Hm.

Writing!

>>4400992
>>4400994
>>4400995
>>4400998
Fortunately, it seems as though the beast is plenty capable of kicking it into high gear. It’s only a couple of hours before you see the mountains in the distance…a wide range of mountains, you should say.

That in itself is frustrating, really- how the hell are you going to...well, maybe this pin. You consider it, looking at the thing for a moment- but it’s then a screech takes you out of your musings. It hadn’t screeched all flight.

As your mount moves closer...well, you don’t really need to in order to see what it’s probably screeching about. A town. An actual, honest to goodness stone and wood castle town that seems to be situated halfway up the mountain. Okay, granted, the snow’s not thick like further up, but it’s still honestly kinda surprising for you. It’s got city walls, watchtowers (you think) and everything- including its castle further in the back.

It’s likely this place is decently defended, surprisingly enough. That’s...not the start you were hoping for. Especially considering you’re not certain where the Lockstone is...for all you know, it might be on a different mountain entirely…

...but that castle is probably the best source of information you’ve got on hand.

>You don’t know if they’ve figured out what you are just yet, and with your cloak, you shouldn’t raise any alarms if you turn back now and enter on foot. Play it careful, and see if you can’t ask for directions, so to speak.
>You’d rather not deal with that right now. The mountain range isn’t THAT big- you can at least scout it out, maybe bug your patron a bit and see if he can’t sense anything now if nothing turns up.
>The local lord probably WOULD know about something like this. Maybe you can make a grand entrance and ‘convince’ him to share.
>Other

>>4401030
>You don’t know if they’ve figured out what you are just yet, and with your cloak, you shouldn’t raise any alarms if you turn back now and enter on foot. Play it careful, and see if you can’t ask for directions, so to speak.
We need to be on foot in order to break vases!

>>4401030
>Other
Send Gartoum in while you scout other areas.

>>4401037
He doesn't have that kinda range, if you mean go to other mountains, I'll say that right now.

>>4401030
>You’d rather not deal with that right now. The mountain range isn’t THAT big- you can at least scout it out,
>take out Gartoum to scout as well.
Nah, we don't know what's in that town/mountain and we don't want the people to alert others about us this early.

>>4401042
Forgot he has limited range hmm
Supporting>>4401043

>>4401042
>>4401043
Ok how about we land near the mountain. And scout from there?

>>4401043
>>4401046
Sure, let's do this instead. The area around the settlement in general?

>>4401048
Yes. We can send Gart to the town to gather info while we scout around the mountains.

>>4401030
so, the consensus is that we're landing nearby and start scouting together with Gartoum?

>>4401030
>You don’t know if they’ve figured out what you are just yet, and with your cloak, you shouldn’t raise any alarms if you turn back now and enter on foot. Play it careful, and see if you can’t ask for directions, so to speak.

We can terrorize the countryside once our evil dark lord buddy has any sort of army.

>>4401052
Think so. Let's actually be stealthy for once.

>>4401049
we can also order to Gart steal a map from the town.

Seems like indeed, majority is for scouting around the general area while Gartoum does what he can inside the town.

Writing.

so I guess these folks are some sort of highlanders, and these kind of people tend to be suspicious of any outsiders. that might make trying to talk with them extra difficult. although judging by the location and their size/development, this place is of strategic importance and they rely on imports for food and other goods.

Try not to do any sidequests once we've done a big move (like taking the first stone). They'll eventually pick it up and fortify other locations then.

>>4401030
>>4401046
>>4401048
>>4401049
>>4401052
>>4401056
>>4401057
“Turn back,” you tell the beast, pulling on its hair at the same time. You don’t want to park this thing too close to them, and you don’t want to risk setting foot inside a city right now. But that said...you DO have other options. Or option, rather. “I’ll get down somewhere well outside the city, and I’ll go from there,” you mention. “You just keep away and don’t come back until I need you...although how I’ll do that, I’m not sure…” you admit out loud.

It gives a short cry, and does as told. You don’t want to get too far away from the mountain, though...at the very least where there’s a few crags, outcroppings, and small trees to provide a semblance of cover. You wind up landing in what’s essentially a small cave. Figures the bat would pick something like that...but it’s not a bad choice, you’ll admit. The castle is some thirty minutes walk or a couple minutes hopping, you estimate. As you climb off, your mount suddenly turns to you, leaning down and looking at you close as you lean back to gain a bit of space. It looks more inquisitive, not violent, so you don’t react...at least, not until it reaches a giant clawed wing around and taps the pin on your cloak twice.

It doesn’t take you long to get the message. “What, is this thing how I can contact you? Can you hear me through it or something?”

It gives a small, short chirp in what you can only guess is affirmation. Certainly no help from the boss themselves… “Well, here’s hoping. Gartoum, come out!”

“Ah, greetings!” His form today is a rather top-heavy, ink-black demonic look, although his face is absent features aside from eyes, his bat wings are a bit small for the frame, and his bottom half is just one long stream of shadow going into the ground like some kind of shadow genie. “My my, a lot of delectable energy around here! I must admit, I’m quite at home! Although I cannot help but feel insulted for perhaps obvious reasons…”

Right, he used to be a big deal with the darkness, too...well, nevermind that for now. “Maybe, but I still need your help. We’re looking for something called a ‘Lockstone’. Rare artifact, keeps our client restrained. We think it’s in this mountain range, but there’s a castle town here, too. Was thinking you could try and infiltrate the place, see if there’s anything to figure out, while I scout outside of it and hopefully find a lead or the thing itself that way.”

(cont.)

>>4401102

To your surprise, he actually adopts a thinking post. “Mmm...well, that DOES sound interesting, but I must have you know, if you’re going as far as I think you are, I should note that the further away from that precious little home on your finger, the worse I am at magic, the weaker I am- and the longer it’ll take for me to reconstitute myself should...ah, the worst happen. BUT! If you’re certain, so am I!” Well… “Now, which way was it?”

“To the west of here, there’s a trail that leads up to it. Hard to miss.” Before any more words can be said, he slips out, nothing but an elongated puddle of black. "And get a damn map," you hiss into the ring.

Well...points for enthusiasm, you suppose. In the meantime, you’d better get started as well…

(Cutting it for here right now. Resuming tomorrow. Gotta say, kinda got a fire going in me for this one.)

>>4401104
Thanks for running!

>>4401104
Ah, so we can try to be a little closer to the castle. we should activate our enhanced hearing and danger sense while we scout.
Thanks for running.

>>4401104
Keep it up, glad you're back.

>>4401121
FutureSight could provide more information - it has zoom function and even record sound from distance.

>>4401104
Glad you're glad Handler!

>>4401150
The enhanced hearing and danger sense are more for detecting dangerous animals like wolves/bears or random people/guards/hunters in our path.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the FutureSight

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So, what kind of opposition can be expected from these kingdoms? What can they use against us? The tech level here is noticeably higher that in the shadow war mission.
>Technological Level Examples: Printing Press Available, Sea Transport available, Beast-Drawn Carriage Transport Available, Flintlock Weaponry Available.
This suggests that more of a Renaissance era level of development: spyglasses; professional standing armies and mercenary companies instead of levied peasants; polearms dominate the battlefield https://youtu.be/2Dj5fWYvSx8?t=303 ; shot and pike formations; canons and mortars replace the cumbersome and static catapults and trebuchets; cavalry with pistols and thick musket proof armor to dab on pike lines;
Historically, shields, bows and crossbows get out of style in that period, mostly because guns and new tactics made them obsolete, but were still used to some degree, and with some magic they can be even more dangerous: shield could reflect or block spells and specialized bolts and arrows were a thing.

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>>4401216
Maybe gun shields could be a popular thing

>>4401218
never, it's a gimmick at best and an awkward un-aim-able heavy hunk of garbage any other time.

>>4400982
Mostly because this region is a isolated place in the mountains. The Hero is usually from a small town village or soms other fief far away from the usual knows main cities.

>>4401216
Good thing it was confirmed by Handler last thread that normal flintlock bullets SHOULDN'T penetrate our skin. Enchanted bullets are another thing however.

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>>4401216
For anti-magic handheld shields that can deflect our blasts, guess who just bought a Kirkhammer and want to test it out?

It will be just like playing baseball, can even stack with the Assault Crystal or Over Channel.

Writing in just a bit. My attention is a touch split, but nothing major.

>>4401104
You’ve been at this for some hours now, hopping around this mountain area. It’s cold, you’re kinda peckish, and Gartoum hasn’t said anything yet. Well, annoying as it is, you’ve still got a bit more real estate to check that you feel safe staying within his range of…

...although you’ve been careful to avoid anything like guard presences. There’s been a couple of patrols here and there you’ve had to dodge, but nothing major yet, thank goodness. You’re going to have to figure on another plan of action if this one doesn’t pan out…

>Roll 2d20, best of three.

Rolled 7, 3 = 10 (2d20)

>>4402483

Rolled 6, 14 = 20 (2d20)

>>4402483

Rolled 1, 19 = 20 (2d20)

>>4402483

>7,19
bad news and good news.

>>4402493
Either we or Gart just got spotted.

>>4402483
>>4402485
>>4402487
>>4402488
Nothing. You can’t find a damn thing in these crags, not right now, anyway. You’re on your way back, considering calling Gartoum, when you see something out of the corner of your eye that sends you scrabbling backwards as quietly as possible - hell, you were maybe five steps away from nearly getting caught as you were rounding the corner. It’s two guards, one male, one female, both human and walking away from you. The male is armed with a sword, the female with a short staff- scepter, really. To make matters worse, they stop to gossip.

It’s not even GOOD gossip, just complaining about merchant prices and goings on in the town. Nothing relevant to you-

“Helloooo?” Oh, Gartoum. Seems he had a similar idea for timing. “Got a moment?”

Hm. Best to back up a bit. “Yeah. Go ahead.”

“I DO believe I’ve found something.” Thank goodness. “I must say, this place is DRIPPING with magic. Very few homes and places without some kind of charm or alarm, very dangerous! I couldn’t even get NEAR the castle, it’s got quite a defensive barrier on it against...folks of my sort.” He carries a bit of a grumble with that, but otherwise continues on. “That saaaid, from what I managed to overhear, it looks like the Lockstone is under close guard, and somewhere west of here on the mountain.”

“Hm. I looked west, but I didn’t notice any trail or anything...then again, why WOULD there be a trail…?” you mutter to yourself. “Sounds like it was out of range for me to keep you within reasonable range.”

“It ALSO sounds like it may get a bit nippy…one of the guards complained about how cold it was. We’re likely to do a bit of spelunking.”

Unsurprising. “Good work, I-” Wait. Footsteps. Coming your way.

Shit.

>Cut the call, act calm.
>Prepare to do some quick knockouts.
>Other

>>4402519
>Cut the call, act calm.
>Quietly call Gartoum back to assist in a possible knockout.
Just a normal little girl doing some foraging, nothing to worry about.

>>4402519
>>4402525
This could work.
either way quickly kill the mage first.

>>4402519
>>4402525
+
If our act doesn't work, just geek em'

>>4402519
>>4402525

Our moveset is loud and flashy, might need to use the assault crystal to avoid drawing more attention.

>>4402528
Also if we're gonna kill them, order Gart to target the mage first so the swordsman gets distracted and we have an opening to kill him as well.
I think killing them would be ideal since they won't provide clues about us to their superiors

>>4402536
Also steal their stuff and bury the bodies in the snow

>>4402536
We've got a new fancy anti-magic knife, better leave the fighter to Gartoum to play with.

>>4402519
>Cut the call, act calm.
>Danger sniff
We do have skills to perform subterfuge, we just often forget we have them.

Writing!

>>4402519
Oh right, use danger sense as well

>>4402519
>>4402525
>>4402528
>>4402530
>>4402531
“Get back here but be stealthy about it,” you rush whisper as you make to calm yourself down. Alright, careful, think of an alibi…

“Whoa there!” You’re not even looking in their direction, but you get that tense feeling that you always get when someone’s got a bead on you and you just kinda KNOW. She (as it was definitely the girl) continues. “Apologies, stranger, but you’re in Elertian territory and we've been informed to be quite careful as of late. Mind informing us as to your purpose here?” You take a quick sniff- it gets no reaction, as you’re facing away from them. The male...hardly anything at all. Likely just all strength. The girl has a faint, overripe applish scent, but that’s all. Nothing to concern yourself, then, just standard patrol guards. Still, best not to cause undue trouble.

“Just some foraging, is all,” you say idly as you slowly, carefully stand up. “Nothing more.”

“...foraging?” there’s a pause. “And with no container I can see?” Ah, right. Although wait, you DID have a container…

“Is this good enough?” you ask as you turn around, pulling out your bag of holding- it’s taken the form of a moderately sized satchel, perfect as an excuse.

“...Ah.” To her credit, she seems a touch ashamed, but otherwise holds steady...though upon locking eyes with you, you can see her bravery waver, as well as her comrade’s, judging by their sudden onset of shaky legs. “Well, uh...er...s-sorry, uh, Miss.”

> (Intimidation) “Is this how you welcome all newcomers to your lands? Blind suspicion?”
> “It's fine. Could you lead me in the direction of the town?”
> "...leave me be. We’ll think no further of it."
> "Is something the matter to be so cautious?"
> Other

>>4402591
>"Is something the matter to be so cautious?"
>"is it dangerous for me to stay here? Then I should hurry back"

>>4402591
>“It's fine. Could you lead me in the direction of the town?”
>Mentally order Gartoum to attack the swordsman
>Kill the mage by slashing her throat with the draining knife while they're surprised/distracted.

>>4402591
>>4402598
Actually I'm gonna change my vote and combine >>4402594 with
>Mentally order Gartoum to attack the swordsman when he gets near
>Kill the mage by slashing her throat with the draining knife while they're surprised/distracted

>>4402591
> "I'm a newcomer to this land, as you can see. I'm trying to find out more about it."
> "Is something the matter to be so cautious?"

Not yet, anon. There will be time for blood, but not now.

>>4402591
>>4402594
>>4402607

>>4402591
> "Is something the matter to be so cautious?"
I think we don't want patrols to go missing yet, let's just lett'm go, we already have a lead on the stone. We can mislead them on where we're going to assuage fear.
Or we could offer to help, that's always hilarious.
Capture is an option, but we don't exactly have anywhere to put them, or any way to send them back to the evil shadow lord.
Murdering them wont work to throw off our trail, patrols going missing is often a sign of bad in the area.

Locked and writing!

>>4402631
We can kill them in a way that suggests monsters did the deed. We also happen to have a shadow monster between our fingers.

>>4402637
Why should we bother?

>>4402659
If mana autopsy is a thing (high chance), we need some way to redirect suspicions.

>>4402591
>>4402594
>>4402607
>>4402619
>>4402631

You eye them for a moment, letting the fear sink in juuust a bit, before speaking. “Well, I'm a newcomer to this land, as you can see. I'm trying to find out more about it. And speaking of such..." you give them a faux once-over, frown deepening. “You seem concerned. Is something the matter to be so cautious?"

“Ah, well- well, I…” she takes a moment to pause and clear her throat (and her fear). “T- there’s been reports of monsters becoming far more aggressive than normal as of late. They’ve attacked guarded caravans when normally a few pikemen would be enough to keep them at bay.”

“Some’ve even been throwing themselves at the walls,” the swordsman pipes up. There’s clear worry in his voice. “Nothing tonight, thank goodness! But, uh... you should, ah, get indoors afore you run into...y’know... trouble.” He trails off at that last bit- the sky is clear enough on this night that you can tell he’s not exactly saying so in the best mood. With such a setting, illuminated by the light of the moon and perhaps a magelight, judging by the soft glow they give off, you can easily see why they’re on pins and needles.

“You need not worry about me,” you say calmly as you sense Gartoum sloughing into view just barely. “If such is the case, then if it is so dangerous, perhaps I should hurry off.”

She opens her mouth once, twice, as though trying to get something out. “W-well...are you sure? I mean...the, uh...the good people of Glowfield wouldn’t say no to an, uh, errant young traveler...” It’s obvious to you she hardly means it, but she’s rather just trying to be polite.

Still, it’s unnecessary. “As I said, you don’t need to worry about me. Whether I go or not, I’ll be quite fine, thank you.” With that, you casually walk towards- ignoring their flinch- and past them, Khartoum moving into your shadow once you’re out of view.

“Some guards,” he scoffs inwardly. “A mean look and they’re wetting themselves. Pathetic.”

You can’t disagree, but best to move on to more important things. “Well, let’s not worry about them for now. You mentioned west?”

“Oh yes, of where we touched down! Have to do a bit of climbing, methinks, too. It sounded like there IS something of a path, but it’s unpaved and not quite obvious…” Well...that’s better than it being absolutely anywhere. “As I said, there’ll be a guard presence, so best to keep an eye out! That is, IF we’re going out tonight.”

>Might as well, get it over with. It’ll be a lot riskier in the darkness, but the sooner the better.
>No, you’re just going to sleep in that cavern and tackle that issue when you have daylight to work with.
>The town might not be that bad an idea, actually. At least as a rest stop, if nothing else. Not like you HAVE to sleep at an inn...
>Other

>>4402679
>The town might not be that bad an idea, actually. At least as a rest stop, if nothing else. Not like you HAVE to sleep at an inn...
Risky move, but we need to know more about the lockstone place before planning an assault. Only place for that is the town.

>>4402679
>The town might not be that bad an idea, actually. At least as a rest stop, if nothing else. Not like you HAVE to sleep at an inn...
If we're gonna smash n dash, we should do it when we can see where we're going. Nice to see if we trigger shadow wards too.
I'd wager the anti-shadow forces are, probably not better at, but probably more prepared for night fights than Miranda.

>>4402679
>The town might not be that bad an idea, actually. At least as a rest stop, if nothing else. Not like you HAVE to sleep at an inn...
>Other
They should have some kind of messenger office right? If we can stalk one of them on the way between settlements...

>>4402679
>No, you’re just going to sleep in that cavern and tackle that issue when you have daylight to work with.
Don't want no 'light'-alligned fools stumbling upon us.

>>4402719
as in 'sening our presence'

locked. Writing! We're townbound.

>>4402679
>>4402701
>>4402707
>>4402712

“Best not, I don’t think,” you communicate back to him. “Considering we don’t know much beyond what you managed. Which IS good information, don’t get me wrong, but if there’s guard presence, there might be more. Not to mention I’d rather not try to trek across a mountain in darkness. I might have you, but I still prefer to see where I’m going.”

“Aww...well, I suppose it makes a CERTAIN amount of sense…” and he doesn’t say anything more, thankfully. Now you just need to figure out how to get inside; the gate’s long closed. Well...not like that’s a major issue, really. You make sure to pluck a few herbs and flowers from what little you can see- at least, you think they’re such. It’ll be good fodder to fool anyone if you have to fall back on that excuse again…

...and then you follow the long, long wall around, at a distance, of course. It’s a decent wall, but with your claws, all you need is a spot with no guards…

It takes a bit, but fortunately that happens, around a small creek flowing into and under the city through a basic sewer, and you clamber up and over with little further fanfare- to land in what you can only presume to be a small intake area, with little but a few empty crates to greet you. Onwards, then. Best to keep your head down and suspicion low. The castle itself, standing much further in the back and practically built into the mountain, looms over the town itself, reminding you of its wards Gartoum claimed. You’ll have to be careful here...but first, to find somewhere less exposed to take a nap…

(continued tomorrow!)

>>4402751
Thanks for the run boss!

Nice, great job handler see you next time

Jus a reminder everyone

>Local Rulership: King Jader (Alminia) / Empress Kitha (Yulin) / Lord and Lady Aurintine (Droga) / Queen Asha (Elerta) / King Crova (Balunda)

So apparently we are in Elerta, Queen Asha territory.

>To her credit, she seems a touch ashamed, but otherwise holds steady...though upon locking eyes with you, you can see her bravery waver, as well as her comrade’s, judging by their sudden onset of shaky legs
>“Some guards,” he scoffs inwardly. “A mean look and they’re wetting themselves. Pathetic.”

Pay attention, our intimidation is so high it's leaking through our masquerade cloak.

This gives me some ideas.

i wonder were Randa is sleeping. Maybe she found a nice roof to sleep.

Not able to run tonight, obviously, but tomorrow is weekend. Apologies.

>>4404149
It's k. We all have those days.

>before long, you’re among the clouds, and looking down at a world that goes from dust and dirt and dead lands, to lush greenery and hills and more- and clearly has no clue what it’s in store for.
>A town. An actual, honest to goodness stone and wood castle town that seems to be situated halfway up the mountain. Okay, granted, the snow’s not thick like further up, but it’s still honestly kinda surprising for you.
So, what time of the year is it? Late winter? Early spring?

>>4404446
The town we are at is on the mountain's top. So obviously there is a climate change when you go up the mountain range.

File: snowline.jpg (31 KB, 465x291)

31 KB JPG

>>4404633
It's not at the top, only half-way in. But we're in the north, so maybe you're right. Just thought that it'd be interesting to see places in different seasons and deal with more diverse environmental conditions, since we're traveling across time and space. I think the only time we've seen rain in this quest was in the other medieval mission, where we spent two month campaigning with Izumi.

Writing in a bit.

>>4405382
Nice

>>4402751
You’d eventually decided on the rooftops of a small, boxed in home between two larger buildings. No windows on either side of you, and blessedly, said roof was only slightly curved, meaning you could stay on it with little issue. A commoner’s home...although for a commoner, it was well built and clearly in a space where there was warmth to be had and security to be found, so maybe not-so-common...merchant, you’d guess, then.

When you wake up, you give a quick check around to see if anyone’s making any fuss about you...and blessedly, it seems like no one’s noticed. Thank goodness. You’re not even sure anyone would see you, the house is down an alley, if a nice one. Although that does leave the issue of how to leave without being spotted...you got here under the cover of darkness, but you didn’t anticipate how many children used this area as a playplace...there IS a guard wall not far away, but you’d wager it’s, well, guarded. Dropping down onto the street and just walking is...well, you doubt the children would take kindly to that. Screams would abound, or otherwise they’d take interest where they shouldn’t. What to do…?

>Take your chances with the wall and make for it.
>Wait it out, be patient, and drop when the kids (and preferably anyone else) leaves.
>You may have to drop down...be as casual and non-threatening as possible though.
>Other

>>4405429
>Wait it out, be patient, and drop when the kids (and preferably anyone else) leaves.

>>4405429
>You may have to drop down...be as casual and non-threatening as possible though.

The kids live in the area and are guliable they probably know about the path and everything else.

>>4405429
>Wait it out, be patient, and drop when the kids (and preferably anyone else) leaves.
>try to use Gartoum's shadowporting to hide from view/sneak out

>>4405429
Since we're on a rooftop already, are there other buildings around that might have windows or rooftop access? Ladders or what have you from ground level? Hopping off a rooftop is suspicious but if we come down a ladder I don't think anyone will bat an eye.

>>4405429
>Wait it out, be patient, and drop when the kids (and preferably anyone else) leaves.

>>4405439
Let's try this.

>>4405441
You can't see any ladders around, nor rooftop access. You can see a window on one of the adjacent buildings near you, but it's higher up, and you'd be in full view of just about anyone that bothered to look.

>>4405452
>You may have to drop down...be as casual and non-threatening as possible though.
It's just a rooftop

Just be calm.

Writing.

>>4405429
>>4405433
>>4405439
>>4405450
>>4405448

Well, no reason to rush it, you think. You hold steady for a while- several hours, in fact. The kids mostly leave...save for one or two, unfortunately, who seem to just hang there, eat probably- stale bread, and lament their lives. You wouldn’t be surprised if they lived there, judging by their threadbare clothes. Still...you could’ve gone longer, but you soon get a voice in your head, one all too familiar.

“Alrighty, now, this is just sad. I’m fairly certain I COULD just...get us out of here. Remember that little shadow diving trick we did last job? Howsabout we just do that again?” Khartoum suggests. Well, that is an option, true… “I don’t THINK they’ve got any particular magic sensitivity since I basically had the run of the place so long as I wasn’t obvious…”

True...there IS that. “Alright. Go for it.”

You practically fall into the thing as you say it, and soon you’re moving at that slow pace with minimal sense of the outside…

...it’s actually kinda disturbing. Wonder if this is what Prima feels whenever she goes in the bag…

>Roll 1d20.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>4405501

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4405501

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4405501

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4405501

Aaaand writing.

Rolled 9, 7, 9 = 25 (3d10)

>>4405501
It’s slow, and more than once it involves stopping and starting and hiding, you think, in someone’s shadow until they make it elsewhere where you can move. And yeah, it’s all kinda particularly weird, you have to say. Nonetheless, you’re more or less coughed up well outside the city gates, your eyes readjusting to sunlight instead of pure void. “Well! That was a trip, but all worked out, I’d say!”

“Yeah, mostly,” you admit. “Now to find that pathway so we can get that damn Lockstone.”

“Oh riiight! You’re in luck! You might not’ve heard much in there, but IIIII did!” he crows. “Seems like the Lockstone shouldn’t be horribly far, either; sounded like the trip can be made in less than a day; overheard one of the guards talking about her friend getting back by dinner, ‘after guarding the entrance for so long.’” Hm. Yeah, that’s at least useful. Lets you know when you’re far enough.

“Then we should be on our way,” you motion as you continue up the slope. Ideally, your journey won’t be but for a couple of hours...and truthfully, considering the nature of a mountain, there’s only so many outside paths that can be had, right? You’ll just have to be cautious…

Indeed, not too much later, you notice that the ‘road’ technically splits- although it keeps going to the right, there’s a clear leftwards path that, initially, seems untraversable unless you could fly or were an excellent rock climber...but there’s a clear cavern that the outcropping leads into, and juuust enough room for someone to sidle along the edge. Not that you need to do that- a long jump clears the gap just fine.

It’s not much later, clambering up and across rock and vine and traveling through some clearly man-made paths that you notice that there’s a number of beasts and monsters that live here regardless- nothing remotely dangerous to you, you think. Insect things, a few fox-ish knockoffs, some weird toothy round ball of a creature, the occasional angry ugly bat thing and some others. Scant few of them dare to challenge you- most flee on sight, particularly the bats.

Nonetheless, you realize clearly on the right track when you start seeing muddy, yet drying, footprints. Jackpot.

Roll another 1d20. My rolls are not opposed.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4405600
Hmm.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4405600

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4405600

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4405600

>>4405600
Shall we prep the Z1 for messing with this fortress while the forces of good are unprepared?

Neat. Writing!

File: Random base map.png (2.31 MB, 2477x1731)

2.31 MB PNG

I might have a game plan for this. Fake a state of emergency.

>Frantically shout that minions of the SK are assaulting the base for the stone and demand entry.
>Cue Gartoum hamming it up to confirm the "attack". The currently rising monster aggression should give the assault more credibility.
>Any normal guards would have let us in on impulse by now. Bonus if Gart's presence draws more guards from inside the base out.
>While G is distracting/killing them, take advantage of our high intimidation to get the remainder to take us to the stone (excuses include just wanting to check on the state of the stone, or wanting to setup for an emergency portal spell,...)
>Chances are there will be a bigshot next to/on the way to the stone who can see through our masquerade. If that happens, pop a Flux Wave and kill them first.
>Pocket the stone and clean up, loot and burn the base. No evidences or witnesses.

We can just walk right in and start the show, but this will definitely catch them off guard.

>>4405623
Better we see the place first.

>>4405623
"...minions of the SK..." this is too true for a bluff
"...draws more guards from inside the base out." Why would they go outside, they've got perfectly good walls here.
"...take us to the stone" I dislike intimidation as a tactic, it rarely works and I don't understand it when it does.
"...If that happens, pop a Flux Wave and kill them first." Why not open with this, it's got a good range, and it stops any messenger birds or sending spells being sent for reinforcements.

>>4405600
>>4405603
>>4405604
>>4405605
You sense them before they see you, fortunately; as the footsteps get fresher, you take care to step quieter, and let the natural sounds of the caverns, dripping from melted snow and echoing with the sounds of creatures, do their best to mask your noise. You finally reach an archway, again, too smooth to be natural, and post up against it on the near side. The far side you can just see through, and it leads to a large, circular open area (as open as inside a mountain gets, anyway). On the other side of the wall, but the same side as you? Three individuals, all with a smell of pungent, perhaps rotted meat. Perfectly doable, though not individuals to take too lightly. They’re just...standing there. No movement. Guards.

Hm...what to do…?

“I don’t like this,” one of them says unbidden, and loud enough to head.

“What’s wrong?” a lighter, slightly more gravelly voice asks.

“She means s’too much ruckus,” a third says tensely. “Monsters are extra restless today. Not had a single curious beast we’ve had to beat back. They’re all elsewhere. Not a good sign.”

“But...isn’t that a good thing?” the second asks.

“No,” the first replies. “Cause that means somethin’ shook ‘em out of the usual routine. And THAT means either A: something’s strong enough to have killed ‘em...”

“Or B: something’s strong enough to make them RUN,” the other finishes. “I don’t like this. Stay wary, Alaia.”

...smart cookies, you’ll give ‘em that. Still, now. What to do…?

>Just go in and start blasting. You’ve got the element of surprise, why not?
>(Intimidate) You might be able to scare them into letting you through for an easier time of it…
>Maybe you could... (Other)

>>4405623
>>4405646
Want to give this a try. Who knows it might actually effin work.

>>4405654
They know the monsters are hiding instead of roaming

>>4405646
We can make Gartoum as that "scary something"
>Use Gart as a distraction
>While he distracts them we can kill them from a distance with the wonderland rifle or just straight up get close with the draining knife
Those guards probably have magic shields on them

>>4405646
>Just go in and start blasting. You’ve got the element of surprise, why not?

>>4405656
Yeah, from Gartoum. Who looks the part of that scary something.

>>4405659
Actually while Gart distracts, we activate flux wave.

>>4405646
>Send Gartoum in first to bait them
>Ambush them with Flux Bubble
Or jump in with Flux Wave

>>4405646
Oh my, rotted meat, these are pretty strong for humans.
>Just go in and start blasting. You’ve got the element of surprise, why not?
>I think Energy Channel and melee sounds good.

>>4405646
I agree that we should let Gart be a distraction.
BUT please don't waste a Flux Wave on these 3 scrubs. Just geek the mage when they're occupied and we can easily sweep this encounter.

>>4405693
They're not exactly scrubs, judging by their smell.

>>4405693
>Smells like rotting meat
>Scrubs
Nah, flux the fuckers. I don't like wasting time on them.

>>4405693
We've just started and you're already complaining about using mana

>>4405693
My vote's for fluxing em'. We have plenty of mana left and a good FW will instantly end this.

Just remember to equip mana condenser once we get out of here, should double our mana regen. Then we'll have a couple of days to refill while looking for other stones.

>>4405693
They are guards, do they even have a mage to geek?
I say we energy channel and just beat them down, throw in some ranged abilities if they try to retreat. If we beat them down non-lethally we can even test out that healing field on them.

i wonder if this is the heroe's party.

I'll continue tomorrow, but it seems like the vote is for Flux Wave now? I usually go by arrows, but it seems more discussion, so I'm not certain what's a vote perse and what isn't.

>>4405728
It seems more votes are calling for Gartoum to be a distraction/boogeyman while we blindside them with a Flux? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I want to add in trying to down one of them from behind too because FW shouldn't take that much time to cast. Better to just permanently take care of one target while they're focusing on Gartoum and then flux the others.

>>4405731
I think summoning Gartoum will lose us the element of surprise, but I think there are 3+ votes for Gartoum? I'm the odd one out.

>>4405646
>Just go in and start blasting. You’ve got the element of surprise, why not?
Opening with a flux wave.

File: so anyway.jpg (25 KB, 680x384)

25 KB JPG

>>4405728
>>4405731
Yup, you got it right.

>>4405731
I sure hope Gartoum is down to get fluxed.
This will be a most unique and unpleasant experience for him, so he should LOVE it right?

>>4406502
That's why I was voting for directed version

>>4406502
we can tell him before hand and tell him to duck or get to the ceiling once Miranda is at the back or something.
We do what >>4405731 says.

>>4406502
>>4406507
>>4406581
Can signal him to go intangible and dive under the ground or something. Pretty sure FW doesn't penetrate that far.

Okay, yeah, it seems like it's 'Gartoum distracts', pop Flux Wave.

Wrrrriting.

>>4406697
Don't forget "tell Gart to dodge or get out of the way of our attack"

>>4405646

An idea comes to you. A risky one, but an idea. “Alright, Gartoum, got a plan. Might be a bit dangerous for you, though…” He doesn’t respond immediately at your mental suggestion, but you kinda wish you could sense what he feels about it. “I want you to go in as a distraction- be that ‘scary something’ they were talking about. After that, though, I’m launching a Flux Wave, so you might want to clear out asap. Ideally, get low or high so it has less chance of hitting you.”

“Oooh dear, that doesn’t sound pleasant,” he admits with an audible grimace. “I’ve SEEN what that does to magical-types like myself…eeeh, but needs must, I suppose. Just...don’t expect a great deal out of me afterwards, hm? Very well.”

Huh. First time he’s really been reluctant to take an order, you think. Still, at least he’s doing it.

And Gartoum indeed does, slithering into the room with a black shadow and ominous laugh…

“What the...shoot! This might be it!” You can hear movement as he rises up from the floor, his screech echoing off the walls of the cavern. “Protect the barrier with your lives!” In the meantime, you start cylicing through numbers...still not the best, but it’ll work for now...

>Roll 3d20, best of three.

Rolled 16, 4, 5 = 25 (3d20)

>>4406762

Rolled 7, 12, 12 = 31 (3d20)

>>4406762

Rolled 8, 2, 4 = 14 (3d20)

>>4406762
Oh fuck here it goes

File: 1416012980881.jpg (866 KB, 1280x1024)

866 KB JPG

>>4406768
Fucking dice

Well, at least they aren't low rolls. All of them are affected.

Time to test out the Morph-Blade. A fitting weapon for a high intimidation run.

Well it isn't bad. Not perfect, but no passable. Hopefully we can at least knock one down.

16, 12, 12.


Flavor: Royal Lockstone Barrier Guard Duty (Informally called Barrier Duty, or, more disparagingly, Doorstop Duty) is a post exclusively reserved for lady magi of the Elertian Guard out of old tradition. It's usually relatively quiet, with the worst the guards having to do is shoo away curious beasts. Lately, it's been getting more serious as the monsters are getting much more aggressive, thus necessitating more competent guardswomen to take up the duty.

Whoever is still conscious will get the horrible sword slice to their neck.

>“Protect the barrier with your lives!”
either we use the draining knife to cut it open or use the condenser suck out the mana.

>>4406780
Don't need to aim for the mage if all of them are mages eh? Ready the dagger.

Poor gals.

But hey, decent enchanted loot!

>>4406786
With any luck, the FW will brick the barrier too. It has done that before.

>>4406762
>>4406766
>>4406767
>>4406768
You’re quick to leap out before anything gets too rambunctious, though you already see a single spell fired off as you make your entrance, which Gartoum swivels around, and delivers his own dark slash back to; it impacts flush, but you can see a glow of some shield-like magic flare up as she’s thrown back. The other two dodge to create space, and one of them; the tallest and framed by a head of fiery hair underneath a helmet, manages to fire off a red bolt of energy- it misses entirely, screaming past his head, and the third is trying to start up some kind of chant…

But, you’re not willing to let that happen. The moment you land is the moment Gartoum stretches his body up, up, up- the bottom half snaps up as he hits the ceiling, and as your own Flux Wave rips through the space he was just in in a multicolored sea of mana that slams against the magic barriers they have thrown up- you can SEE the spheres of mana surrounding them practically ‘pop’, as two of them recoil badly and take a knee, blinking in confusion and disorientation. The third is just now recovering, further away, but still not very hurt as she tries gamely to stand up.

On impact, the wall behind them- now clearly a massive stone double door, with various engravings on it- seems to shimmer, its barrier indeed shining to life, and practically wobbling, like a thin bubble film…

>Current Mana: >Current Mana: 8800/11000

>Action!

>>4406802
Magical creatures don't fare much better against FW, in wild west we popped a FW and it knocked out the pygmy shamans handily.

>>4406804
Their shields' down then.

>Draining Knife out, aim for the third. Make it fast and lethal.

>>4406804
Blast the third person and slashthe necks of the two people on their knees with the draining knife.
The faster we finish this the more time we can get the lockstone and get away

>>4406804
>Activate Assault Shard and Energy Channel
>Get your Morph-Blade, shape it as warhammer and strike the disoriented ones first
they're armored up, so slashing them is not an option

>>4406804
Well if they're kneeling at kicking height it'd be rude of us to not take advantage of it, but how can we kick both of them at the same time...
Can we jump on them? I imagine if we jump off them hard enough, they'll get KOd from it.
We could use mana tether to get the third mage with a shock touch

>>4406804
>>4406816
+
I want an overkill for this one, since there are only 3 guards in here.

>>4406818
>Mana tether
Oh yeah, we can grab the third person and kick the other two with our knee.

>>4406818
Let's do this then.

>>4406804
>>4406818
I'll switch to this, but PLEASE use the Assault Crystal

>>4406804
Okay changing my vote >>4406813 to:
>kick the two people kneeling
>use Mana tether to drag the third person to us
>If possible, use the morph blade to kill them all quickly

>>4406818
No need to shock, just drag her in like how Scorpion does. Can the crystals be recharged? No reason not to use the assault one too.

>>4406827
But if we lethal them, we can't use them as guinea pigs for Owlia's stuff.
Though maybe that's too unethical, yea, let's just lethal them, we can at least not torture these folks with our R&D, we'll chase down a bunny or something, and use the Z1 on the next patrol we find.

I also realized that the SHADOW King has hired an agent that has light and flashy magic.
Bet that'll shock the opposition.

>>4406830
We can use the Z1 on an army later, because it's experimental and fragile. It would be for the best to use it on a wide target rich environment for better recording.

Assault Crystal, punt, drag in? Right, then. They're all stunned, so...

Writing.

>>4406828
Why drag her to us, when we can drag us to her! Let's pull ourselves to her while doing a Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (ryu's tornado kick thing)

>>4406835
It's fragility might be highly over-stated. They took entire clips of bullets back in skyworld.

>>4406838
But that's X4 not Z1...

>>4406836
Easy take down.

>>4406831
Dragons are broken.

>>4406841
I said might

I just realized this is the classic first encounter with the BBEG right hand. The one were people het a scripted defeat and usually followed by a mentor figure making a sacrifice for the hero and sidekick to survive.

>>4406862
I don't really like categorizing events and trying to frame everything into tropes. Call me a square, but these 'hero' jokes are getting really stale.

>>4406804
They’re stunned and helpless to you. No chance. Still, just to be absolutely safe…

The glow of the Assault crystal fills you with power, and in a flash you’re over by the side of the two girls still standing. The alignment is just right so that when you rear back and slam into them with your boot, you connect with the tall one, then the one that was trying to get off a spell- you can hear both of their skulls crack, and they’re both sent flying into the cavern wall, near the third, who screams in shock at the crumpled bodies of her fellows. You stretch your hand out, and a thin stretch of sticky mana snakes forth, attaching to the girl in a second; the retraction causes her to yell in shock, and she’s delivered right to your hand in the next. She, already weakened from the flux wave, doesn’t make much effort to struggle...instead, she merely glares at you...you’ve no doubt she’d love some last words of some kind.

She doesn’t get the chance.

After they’ve all fallen, you look up to see the shadow drip down, and lethargically slorp back to your ring. “Dear, dear...might not have been aimed for me, but I certainly felt that, regardless...think I need a little nap…” Huh. So he wasn’t kidding. Well, that’s something to remember for in the future. As for now, however…

The door stands before you, unguarded save for a magical barrier.

>Current Mana: >Current Mana: 8800/11000

>Try Flux Wave again. Will be annoying, but couldn’t hurt...well, aside from your mana count.
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.
>Maybe you can drain this thing... or smash through it.
>Other

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.
That was clean.

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.
Oh sweet, loot!

and if we can't get anything useful from them:
>Maybe you can drain this thing with the draining knife

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.

>>4406877
>Search the girls. They might’ve had something worthwhile on them.
>Maybe you can drain this thing... or smash through it.
>Use Mana Condenser and Draining Knife
We did something like that before, back in the mafia job when the mob boss hunkered down in his bunker.

...Pretty one sided.

>>4406880
>>4406882
>>4406886
>>4406887
>>4406889
>>4406890
3d10, best of 3, then.

Rolled 3, 1, 5 = 9 (3d10)

>>4406903

Rolled 4, 8, 9 = 21 (3d10)

>>4406903

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4406903
Ere'

Rolled 9, 2, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>4406909
Damn it wrong dices

Woo! We got something.

9, 8, 10. Well well.

Writing.

>9,8,10
Oh yeah good loot!

>>4406877
>>4406903
>>4406905
>>4406906
>>4406915
Might as well take a looksee just in case they had anything worthwhile…

...ah, and they very much do. Aside from what you can guess is money- several denominations in small and big copper coins and small and big silver coins, there’s at least one of them that has an interesting sash of some kind. It’s got a faint power in it, you think, but you’ll have to check it later. The two other girls both have strange, small statues. One of them seemingly carved out of green crystal, in the shape of a...admittedly somewhat rotund and curly haired fairy. The other one is much slimmer and spiky haired, and is carved from red stone. On the tall girl’s body, however, is something more interesting to you personally- a small medallion. It’s not like the money you picked up; rather, it has a symbol on it that seems like a...burst? Stylized explosion? You’re not sure. Either way, it also radiates a faint power, though what kind you’re not sure- you don’t feel anything in particular channeling your mana, so...experiments for later.

>Acquired 50 small copper coins, 13 large copper coins, 10 small silver coins, and 7 large silver coins!

>Acquired strange green fairy statue!
>Acquired strange red fairy statue!
>Acquired strange medallion!

Good stuff- wait. There’s something else in the leader’s pack. A small orb, about the side of a baseball, maybe a bit bigger. It...seems like it’s just glass, at first blush. You can’t feel anything coming off of it at all.

>Take the orb? Yes/No

Well, either way, you need to figure out what to do about this barrier…

>Might as well try Flux Wave.
>Maybe Flux Bubble would work here, actually?
>Hopefully the Draining Knife can cut you a hole…
>Other

>>4406932
>Take the orb? Yes
>>Other
>Try Mana Condenser first
>Hopefully the Draining Knife can cut you a hole…

>>4406932
>Take the orb
>Maybe Flux Bubble would work here, actually?

I know a Macguffin when I see one.

>>4406932
>Yes, take the orb
We'll scan it with the FutureSight later.
>Use the draining knife and cut a hole

>>4406932
>Take the orb? Yes
>Mana Condenser and Draining Knife.

silly Handler! We're role-playing as a greedy dragon girl here, why would we not get shiny important looking things?

>>4406932
>Take the orb
>Hopefully the Draining Knife can cut you a hole…

>>4406932
>Yes
>Hopefully the Draining Knife can cut you a hole…
In the magic, not the door. don't want to dull it too bad.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

Righto. Another roll, this time the usual 1d20. My roll isn't opposed.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4406971

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4406971

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4406971

>>4406975
Ah... my rolls are cursed

Saves Mana. Time, not so much.

Writing!

>>4406932
>>4406935
>>4406936
>>4406938
>>4406939
>>4406947
>>4406967
>>4406973
>>4406975
>>4406977

Might as well take the orb. Never know, and can scan it, too. Now, back to the important business...

Using another flux wave so soon without any residual mana built up? Not the best idea for mana conversation. On the OTHER hand, you DO have a new weapon that might be able to aid in that issue. The draining knife, depending on how much mana it can soak in, might just be the trick, you think. Provided it works as advertised, at least…

Giving it a couple of test slashes, you swing the thing at the wall- and as expected, it hits the barrier- the thing now shining brightly as it tries to repel the attack. It’s like cutting into something thick but viscous, causing even you to have to exert some serious effort in making a mark. Dragging it diagonally, you notice that it’s kind of...opening things up, and you can SEE a gaping hole in the magic where you cut…

...at least for the next couple of seconds, when suddenly the knife shines brightly. Ah. That’s that ‘extra cutting power’ thing he was talking about. Not that it feels like it from your perspective. In fact, it seems like it’s actually going SLOWER, and you can see the hole in the barrier sluggishly repairing itself. Great. The only real positive is that you can push it anyway, and the mana seems to sort of...stretch? Around the knife. Kind of like (and probably is) overflow. Since it can’t suck it up, but it can’t stay in the same place, it’s getting pushed around…maybe you can still work with this.

It takes several minutes longer than you’d prefer, cutting, absorbing, and essentially pushing the mana around, but eventually you manage to make a decent sized hole in the barrier- and waste no time in blasting through the thankfully ordinary stone doors behind it. Finally, you can get to this damn…

...inner cavern where there is no Lockstone immediately in view.

“Damnit!” you swear, even as the pin on your cloak pulses. Wait, what? You check again. It’s definitely pulsing, when it didn’t do that before. Or at least, YOU feel like it’s pulsing. Hm...

(cont.)

>>4407033
Sure enough, you continue forward, climbing over more rocks, avoiding icy underground lakes, and jumping crevasses as the pulsing gets more frequent. This area’s less full of monsters, obviously, and has a clear path...but from a sheer traversal point of view, it’s much more dangerous. That said...there ARE some beasts- a massive (yet smaller than your steed) worm creature that you run off, and insectoid things that remind you of pillbugs. However, when you finally reach a long hallway, lined with torches, you can’t help but grin. Finally.

You step into the large chamber, stone and curiously similar to the one you arrived here in. The difference, however, is that this one is lined with white torches, cold and bright. A small light shines down from a gap high above, allowing small snowflakes to drift down into the center of the room- wherever it is you are, you can see the sky, even if only a pinprick. But that’s not important right now. In the center of it...is a single floating stone, shaped like a MASSIVE, black, upside down pyramid, with a golden chain attached to it and holding it down. The thing’s twice as big as YOU. How the heck are you going to-

‘Ahhhhh…’ oh, speak of the devil. ‘At last. One of these accursed Lockstones…be not intimidated by its size. The important factor is the chain that binds it. Break it!’ Ah. Well, then…

Thinking quickly, your knife cuts and slashes- and fortunately, it DOES seem to be doing the trick, if in a few cuts. The magic the chain has is gradually siphoned away, and the gouges deeper- until one more cut snaps the thing entirely, and it’s left floating in the air. ‘Now, reach for it, and claim it in my name!’

...right, sure. But as you do, you notice a dark light emitting from it, and for a moment you’re worried- before there’s a flash of light, and when you recover, you see the stone, far smaller. You reach out and take the thing, finding it able to fit in your palm, but still black as void. Excellent. ‘Ahahaha! Yes, YES! Now, you need merely call your steed and abscond. A most auspicious start, my agent!’

>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.
>Yeah, that’s probably the quickest way to get out of here, and speed is of the essence...also it’ll be a nice threatening image.
>Other

>>4407041
>>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.

>>4407041
>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.
No dramatic entrances yet, we'll do that for the next lockstone.

>>4407041
>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.
>Ask SK what stone should we take next.
They might have siege/anti-air spells...

>>4407044
*Exits
Goddamnit.

>>4407041
>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.

>>4407045
>They might have siege/anti-air spells...
This, and we should try to research about the magic, weapons and history before going ham on towns or cities.

>>4407041
>You’d rather not do something so high profile. You can get back through the caverns without being seen...you hope.

I'm regretting that we didn't take the vanishing plate. It would be great for escaping and hiding.

>>4407041
>>4407043
>>4407044
>>4407045
>>4407048
>>4407053
“Not yet,” you mutter. “Don’t need anything so high profile. I’ll make my way back through the caves just fine.”

‘So you say...” the voice grumbles in clear protest, but falls silent otherwise. With that, you pocket the Lockstone- even just holding it you can admit it’s got a fair bit of power stored away. With that, you begin to make your way back through the caverns, stepping quickly, but lightly where you can. It’s not very long, however, before you can hear footsteps- heavy ones, and multiple. Had they sensed it already? That was damn quick. But if you’re going to remain unknown, you’re going to have to hide. And with Gartoum out for the count, it’ll have to be the old-fashioned way.

You were never great at stealth, but hopefully you could prove the odds wrong…

>Roll 1d20, best of three.