>>4497628
Still, you’re not a fan of being shut out. They might have some kind of information that you could use. And not to mention considering how nervous he seems, you don’t think it’d be too hard to bully him into letting you in with him...although that might annoy his boss and cause issues. May want to avoid that to continue flying under the radar for as long as possible.

>Ask to be let in so you can hear what they have to say, maybe grill the boss yourself.
>Say nothing. You’ll find a method to get your information without him.
>Other

>>4497629
>Ask to be let in so you can hear what they have to say, maybe grill the boss yourself.

>>4497629
>Say nothing. You’ll find a method to get your information without him.
>Sneak in and eavesdrop with enchanced hearing.
Welcome back.

File: 1600561362714.png (12 KB, 1633x127)

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>>4497632
If the boss decides to grill us instead, then we could take advantage of our high (intimidation) stat.

>>4497629
>>4497633
This. Play it safe for now.

>>4497629
>Say nothing. You’ll find a method to get your information without him.
Its time to prepare our drill sergeant monologue

>>4497639
Our current stats:
Intimidaton A
Humor E+
Otherworldly B
Hothead C
Plainness D-
Hope we'll see what (otherworldly) options look like.

Writing!

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>>4497653
otherworldly just makes us look like an eldritch being on the higher(A and up) levels. we looked like pic related when we were training the magical girl squad

>>4497660
Sorry, I meant what are the dialogue options look like, not our appearance.

>>4497629
>>4497633
>>4497641
>>4497648
You decide to just keep quiet. Not that you’ll stay out there yourself, but...he doesn’t need to know that. No, instead you’ll just keep to yourself, leaning on the wall in apparent acquiescence.

He gives you a grateful look in return. “Thanks a ton. You, uh...you just sit tight. We’ll be back out to getcha, for sure.” With that, he disappears inside.

You’re gonna give him about 30 seconds or so before… ‘Gartoum?’ you mentally ask.

‘Let me guess. We’ll be listening in?’ You can practically hear the grin on his face.

‘Give it a few more seconds before we slide in.’ You confirm.

-------------------

It’s child’s play to slip under the door crack and into the room. ‘My my, a great number of files and shelves. So much paper and print. Drab, really. Ah, but the voices here may be worth some interest, for certain! Up you go, then!’

When you’re back in the light, you notice that you’re behind a large row of files; seems like the room is bigger than you thought. Not big enough to need to strain yourself to hear the tense conversation, however…

“-crazy. Can’t imagine the timing’s accidental. We get these weird kids trying to steal from Duke Alcore of all people, then this islander with a cloak asking after them? Chief, I think we’re gettin’ involved in some heavy international stuff.’

“Heavy or not, we got rules, kid,” comes a gruff response. “Can’t just let anyone walk free, no matter what might be going on. Not without the authority of the king hisself. Sure, Alcore might be a rotten egg, but that don’t give anyone the right to steal whenever they like. Can’t let jus’ anyone see ‘em, either.”

“But sir, if this girl is a member of what I THINK she’s a member of, we’re not gonna have much choice!” Huh? “The Makuvian Shadows are under special dispensation of the Empress; if we say no and hinder whatever investigation they might be undertaking, we could-”

“-she ain’t gonna do a thing,” the ‘chief’ counters. “An’ if she was a Shadow, she wouldn’t be out an’ about so blatant-like. She’d have sent someone else ta ask after the kids, some patsy that ain’t so obvious a Shadow. Boy, stop an’ use yer head for a bit. She’s likely either jus’ an islander what got curious or someone in the know. Tell me, how many questions she ask?” Oh. Smart man.

“Just...just the one about if we’d asked them much; wanted to know what we got outta them.” He timidly asks.

“Did you answer, boy?” he asks with exasperation.

You can hear the hesitation. “I- well, yeah. Not much, though! Just that-”

“Consider your pay docked for the next two weeks for information leaking.” The chief says, non-plussed. “You’re also on cleanup duty for the duration.”

(cont.)

>>4497717
“W...wh-but!”

“Want it three?” Is the smooth reply. You hear nothing from the guard. “Good. Now, you’re gonna invite her in and offer her a talk with the kids. My guess is she’s a fixer of a sort, or mebbe tryin’ to continue their work. Might be a whole gang at this. So you’re gonna say that I got the message, an’ authorized a standard 10 minute visit. Heavy precautions, but call 'em standard. Got me?" A moment more of silence. "You listen in, log as much as you can at the desk. Don't matter if it sounds completely normal, you get it ALL down. Might well be able to use this as bait to catch the rest in the act if she's up to more trouble in their name or not, or mebbe stop a breakout attempt.”

Hmph. Well, that's not grand. You're going to have to...well, not like you couldn't knock them out now, but THAT'D be risky as all get-out, not to mention put a serious timer on your excursion. You could play the I Know You Know game, too...go along with it all peacefully, but you'd have to be very careful what and how you say.

"I'm gonna go write the authorization. Stay in for a bit longer, make it seem like it was a real hashing out."

>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.
>You don't need them to come with, thanks. You'll just...deal with them here.
>Other

>>4497725
>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.
Gotta admit this chief's good, but he played the wrong hand - we aren't with the kids. And the logs are useless since we'll be long gone by the time it can bite us in the arse.

>>4497725
>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.

>>4497725
>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.

Well, at least now we know that we can use the makuvian shadows as a front.

>>4497725
>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.

Leveling up bluffs and stealth. Are we multiclassing?

>>4497725
>Slip back out, feign ignorance. You'll play their game up until you feel like breaking it.

>>4497725
>>4497729
>>4497732
>>4497733
>>4497734
>>4497939
You might be able to play with them for a bit longer, if only to keep the ease of getting to the source of information intact. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ you state, and without a word you drop back down into the dark…

When he comes back out, you’re in the same position as you were before. He fixes you with a smile. “Good news! You’ve got, uh, ‘authorization’. So, come on and follow me!” He leads you towards the back, and you set about looking carefully around to map the place out mentally. Just in case.

It’s a pretty simple setup, if you’re being honest. Very much for general incarceration, mostly just rows of jail cells and some occasional offices for the officers on duty. You’re taken down a set of steps, into a more underground holding area...it’s a bit dirty and dripping, but not too nasty. It does seem to be sort of...refurbished, or adjusted, as it seems like there’s some sort of small aqueduct or ditch with running water in the middle of the hallway, a large one. At the foot of the stairs is a small room with a desk and some office supplies. Moving on, there’s a small bridge that connects the two sides, and there’s jail cells on either side. “Here we are. At the end of this hallway, you’ll find our...guests. You’ve been authorized to have some time to question them, but we ask you don’t try to free them, of course.” He chuckles slightly, as though it’s a joke, but you simply nod, and move on, not bothering to see his reaction.

(cont.)

>>4497969
They’re all in separate cells, naturally. And there’s three of them. The first you see is a tanned young girl, brown-haired, green-eyed, and with tattered...you can’t remember what those things are called, the leggings that belly dancers wear. She at least has a full form blue top on, and judging from a few lighter spots around her wrists and neck, is used to wearing some sort of jewelry or specific garb. She seems to simply be sitting down on her cot, facing away from the cell door, knees to her chest; upon further inspection, it seems she’s asleep.

The second individual is a young man, in a brown cloak vaguely similar to yours, in that it covers his head and body. Beyond that, it’s hard to see anything of him besides his sandals and red hair. He’s relaxing on his cot on the ground, and raises an eyebrow when he sees you. “Who’re you? Never seen your like around here.”

“Huh? Someone there?” the voice furthest down asks. You move on to see them- the few steps taken reveal a rather...muscled figure. Yet he still seems young, despite his obvious six pack. He’s got black, spiky hair and he’s in a dirty white undershirt and simple pants. He seems just as confused as you are. “Whoa. Hey, what’s going on? Are you going to let us go?”

“I doubt it…” the cloaked boy mutters. Well, you're going to have to figure out how to approach this. You can't talk to them independently, which means that what you ask one will affect how you approach the others...

>Talk to the tanned girl first.
>Talk to the cloaked boy first.
>Talk to the muscular boy first.

>>4497971
>Talk to the muscular boy first.

>>4497971
>>4497998
Actually, let's try the girl first, she might let something slip from her sleepiness. If we go for someone else then she'll likely wake up and will prepare for questioning. The order in which we question the boys doesn't matter as much.
>Talk to the tanned girl first.

>>4497971
We don't know who is strictly speaking involved, in this theft, or if the duke is regular shady or darkness shady, but a popular first step in divide and conquer can serve us well.
>Open Question, "Who got you all arrested?"

>>4497971
>Open Question, "Who got you all arrested?"
>Talk to the tanned girl first.

>>4497971
>Talk to the tanned girl first

>>4497971
>Talk to the tanned girl first.
Alright, so what's the narrative we're going to spin here? Heavily imply that we're a Makuvian shadow and see what kind of information we can squeeze out of her?

>>4497971
>Open Question, "Who got you all arrested?"

>>4498353
Dunno how hot-headed/reckless these kids are yet so we have to choose our words. But I think just implying they involved themselves into something that's WAY out of their league is a safe bet.

>>4497734
>Leveling up bluffs and stealth. Are we multiclassing?
We're working towards A rank, and for that we'd have to take harder solo jobs - so we need a well-rounded skill set.

>>4499021
Or enough crutches to cover the areas in which we're lacking. Like how we've been using Gartoum in this mission.

>>4499026
If I knew we would end up going stealth mode in the beginning of this mission, I should have voted to bring the invisibility plate. We would have been more stealthy in the fortress.
Oh well. Gart MVP.

>>4499106
yeah... dunno why we didn't take the plate. maybe we just forgot.

Hopefully your crunch will be over soon boss, because frankly most of us are tired of this glacial pace we're having.

>>4499134
that sounds very entitled my dude

Geez, talk about timing. But no, I feel similarly.

There is an end in sight, thank goodness. Before the month's out. This SHOULD be the last week, in fact. Keyword being 'should'.

>>4499154
>>4499159
Sorry for being rood, just expressing concerns that's all.
And THANK YOU for some good news! Don't work yourself out too hard.

>>4499120
We took:
>Operation Z1
>Revitalization Barrier
>Syn-Seither Pills (x2)
>Levitation Crystal
>Assault Crystal
I don't know what to expect from the revitalization barrier. Nura should be able to start making healing potions soon, which makes it somewhat redundant if it only has healing properties, but on the other hand - synth-seither pills turned out to be extremely effective, so the bar for the final product is kinda high.

>>4499234
If it works, it can serve as a heal-bot for choke points (TF2 Dispenser comes to mind), so we don't have to stop shooting to recover. It can also heal multiple people at once.
We should look for wildlifes to convert/test the barrier in the near future.

>>4499249
>so we don't have to stop shooting to recover. It can also heal multiple people at once.
i don't think we ever had the need to stop to lick our wounds. the closest thing to that that i remember was in the mafia world when we got directly shot and that only left a bruise.

>>4499249
That's not how I interpreted it's effects. Nanomachines were mentioned in its description, I don't see how it has anything to do with area of effect.

>>4499258
Just checked, it's in thread #45. The wound was more serious than that - Miranda was bleeding and started to limp a bit, had to stop and have our leg bandaged. There were other instances where Miranda got badly wounded (although half of them were in crossovers), same for our teammates. Although, yeah, holding chokepoints and tanking stuff is not what SES girls do, they hit and run and follow the principles of 'just don't get hit, lol'.

>>4499263
>>4499274
I mean it's a barrier, how can a barrier NOT have an area of effect?
And like I've said, the barrier can provide some important action economy advantage should we need to hold a point.

>mfw we've been playing a glass cannon crew since the start

>>4499293
I thought it's like a personal barrier

>>4499293
>>4499297
Because it's based on crystal-tech, and none of R&B crystals had AoE.

>>4499293
we aren't glass cannons though; well, at least miranda isn't.

>>4499311
>>4499293
As long as no sharp objects are involved, our magical girls can take a lot of punishment + Miranda and Izumi can make shields, big and small. Jago is somewhat hardy, although he's not a military bot and his parts weren't exactly top tier stuff. Owlia almost always wears her power armor during missions, no idea if shoving a crystal in her brain made her more resilient or not. There was an option for Mono to develop a 'humming' technique that affects only her, maybe we can develop it so she could buff her protection.

>>4497717
>The Makuvian Shadows are under special dispensation of the Empress;
>Local Rulership: King Jader (Alminia) / Empress Kitha (Yulin) / Lord and Lady Aurintine (Droga) / Queen Asha (Elerta) / King Crova (Balunda)
>Miranda is mistaken for an islander
I guess that Yulin is a maritime empire, might be wrong tho. What else do we know?

>Saberlane, place famous for its scholars and advanced magic
>4th Lockstone is in the desert
>the tanned girl has a belly-danced outfit
I tend to associate curved swords like sabers with the middle east, same with deserts and belly-dancing - so I guess we might visit Saberlane later, when we'll be looking for the fourth Lockstone.

>>4500741
>I guess that Yulin is a maritime empire, might be wrong tho. What else do we know?
other than that, i don't think much else. Our safer bet right now should be to pull a trick from the hostage negotiators/fortune tellers and just ask leading questions that give us some leverage over them.
hmm, now that i think about it, we could have some extra psychological effect on them if we try to play nice with them. our high intimidation stats plus acting nice will probably scare them to no ends or make them think that something went really wrong.

File: Terrible_fate.jpg (36 KB, 452x570)

36 KB JPG

>Pic related is Miranda

Hello, folks. It has been a week. It continues to be a week.

Writing shortly.

>>4502652
Shit boss, you doing fine? How's your current work?

>>4502652
It's work, it's busy. I got off an hour ago. Mind, it's not horrid, just. Busy as shit.

“I’m here because I want to know something,” you say without answering their prior question. “Who got you all arrested?” Time to test their loyalty.

The cloaked boy lets out a scoff. “The Duke, duh. We were just minding our own business, an-”

“Oh, so no one here screwed up?” you say easily. “You don’t seem stupid, so maybe he was just smarter?”

“Ha! Yeah right!” the kid complains. “He just got lucky with coming back when he did. Otherwise we’d have been long gone.” Interesting. Not even trying to deny it. But if none of them are willing to complain about each other, then that’ll make things a bit tougher. Fine, then. Moving on...let’s try the sleepy girl, first.

You approach her over the complaints of the cloaked boy- a simple pebble is enough to wake her up. “W-huh? Who’s there?” She turns around- her eyes are a rich caramel, and she seems...wide eyed. Guileless. “Who’re you? What’s going on here?”

“Hey, don’t you say anything to her!” the cloaked boy yells, which the buff kid agrees with. “She’s probably a spy!”

"Not a spy," you mutter. But you DO have to see what they are about, somehow... "I can see you've happened upon a sorry fate. But for that, I have questions."

>Decide on three questions.

>>4502720
>Grab a book or a note from inside the cloak as if checking our notes

>What was your reason to try and steal from a powerfull duke?

>Do you have any idea of the importance of what you were taking? (Be vague try to gauge her wording)

>>4502720
>Grab a book or a note from inside the cloak as if checking our notes
>"Who or what convinced you to do this? You are trying to stop something from escaping, but this is not an impulse decision from reading tall tales."
>"What are your connections with the Duke before this?"
>"Do you still have possession of the item you tried to steal?"

>>4502729
>>4502720
Oh add to my questions: "Does she know on how much trouble she is for trying to steal from the duke?" (Basicaly guide and see if the possible idea of some unknow punishment would have her talk about what she and the group tried to do.)

>>4502733
They go caught so i don't think that they have the item.

>>4502720
>ask her name first. Who is she?
Then this >>4502729

>>4502737
It's a bait question anon, we can read faces and moods. It can also point to where it is while being less blunt (we're being recorded)

>>4502737
They also could have stashed it before they got arrested. I think that might've been mentioned in some regard before, though maybe I'm projecting.

>>4502720
>>4502739
taking this

>>4502745
Switching to >>4502733
I think this is more "full"

>>4502739
I still think that using names can provide some useful psychological effect.

>>4502755
>>4502720
Can just ask for her name too then, nothing too harmful.

Locked. Writing.

>>4502720
>>4502729
>>4502733
Hmm, maybe instead of pulling out a book we could scan them with FutureSight. This can also create implications that they got involved in something out of their league.

>>4502763
Oh well, we can try it in the next round of questions

>>4502763
If Miranda does anything to these chucklefucks they'll realize they're out of their league.
Unfortunately protags tend to not care about the odds. Hence being heroic.

>>4502769
that doesn't matter right now though. driving up the creepy factor up to 11 until one of them breaks is the goal.

>>4502769
Hence why I didn't want to resort to intimidation tactics. Last thing we want right now is more unpredictables.

>>4502769
I don't think they're protags, just another group of adventurous little shits. But if they are - FutureSight scans can tell approximate mana levels and affinity and other interesting stuff that could come in handy in case we'll have to deal with them in the future.

>>4502778
But being intimidating is all we can do. And what unpredictable stuff can they do inside their cages?

>>4502720
>>4502729
>>4502734
>>4502739
You’re going to get something out of her, like it or not. And first thing's first. "What's your name?"

"...Lia," she mutters.

"Alright, Lia," you start. You're going to get something out of her, one way or another. You’re going to need something in the way of props, however. And fortunately, you’ve got plenty. Reaching into your bag, you grab a book from inside it- the titleless one. Doesn’t matter what’s in it, they won’t see. “What was your reason in the first place to try and steal from a powerful duke?” You say, looking at it as though checking something.

“W-what? What do you mean?” she asks, fearfully.

“Please answer the question,” you insist flatly. Complaints from the other two are shut out, mentally; you need to make her believe you can’t be rattled on this topic.

“I...um. We don’t usually steal, but, um, we had to!” she exclaims.

“Had to,” you repeat. “Why is that? Do you have any idea of the importance of what you were taking?” You don’t want to give away much of what you do or don’t know here- being vague generally means that she’s more likely to specify, mentioning details she thinks may be ‘obvious’ in this situation.

“If we don’t then the fairies-” she starts, before she pauses, catching herself. “...well, it won’t be good! We need the key to...well, do what keys do!”

“Unlock something?” you ask rhetorically. “Unlock what, then?”

“Ha! Nice try,” cloaked boy says. “Maybe you get us outta here, and we’ll answer more questions. For now though, we ain’t talkin’!" Hm. He’s a stuffy one.

>Insist on continuing with her.
>Switch a new person.
>Other

>>4502814
>Insist on continuing with her.
She's struggling.

I'm struggling, too. Tired and going to bed. Nearly fell asleep at my keyboard. Will post tomorrow.

>>4502814
>Insist on continuing with her.
Night boss.

>>4502814
>Insist on continuing with her.
Night, boss. Rest well.

>>4502814
>>4502824
Adding
>Take out FutureSight and scan them

>>4502819
Good Night, don't let the interstellar metallic goop merchants bite.
So they were stealing a key, sounds suspiciously close to the keystones we're collecting, but we've gotten jebaited before, could be his secret temple shortcut key or something.

>>4502814
>>4502826
Hmmm, time to make a mother of bluffs.

>Take out FutureSight and scan them
>"A hint of truth then, you've involved yourselves into something that's far beyond your league - something that my group has also been tackling."
>"It's happening sooner than you think, and we're very much short on time. What your group and mine are trying to prevent will be only a sign of things to come, unless you cooperate. Do that, or be useless in these cells."

They're short on time themselves, part of the reasons why they tried to steal this key so recklessly. This will give them a kick to spill it out.

>>4502860
I don't think we should spill out so much, the guards are taking notes as well.

>>4502870
And pulling out the FutureSight is not alarming?
And let them record, this will only confirm their false narrative (being that this is an international incident in the making) + they'll believe that we're a Makuvian Shadow. At least that's what I'm leading myself into, can just scare them off into not revealing our info to snoopers on the way out.

>>4502879
Pulling the futuresight just says that we're someone very powerful and reaffirms the idea that we're a Shadow or a spook from another kingdom. Implying that we have the same goal only would raise alarms in everyones head and probably falls under metagaming as well because miranda definitely doesnt know who these people are.

>>4502888
I'm just saying it's a bluff/half-truth, and appearing to their goal will also make them easier to spill. That definitely doesn't fall into metagaming, it's a valid tactic. We need some kind of proverbial fire to light up their bums, they aren't talking deep otherwise.
And we'll be long gone by the time the logs can be spread anyhow.

>>4502879
>>4502888
What he said. FutureSight is just some weird gizmo for them, not really alarming. The guard captain said that Makuvian Shadows are way more subtle - blatant mention of other groups and common goals would likely complicate things for everyone, including ourselves.

>>4502900
We don't even know their motive, or if it's even related to Lockstones. There's no concrete evidence, yet anons have dubbed them protags.

>>4502914
My guess is that they're trying to free a group of fairies from something dangerous and can potentially harm them?

Hmm, what if the Duke is actually one of "historians". Gotta clarify that later.

>>4502927
Oh wait, I have something now.
>Nothing concrete. Just malarky about needing to stop ‘them’ from escaping

Evil fairies?
>>4502932
We can seek audience with him if this goes nowhere.

luck

>>4502914
>>4502937
Oh guys, the shadow king has been having us collect the lockstones so that he can subvert their power to support himself more powerfully than he was before, what if these kids are collecting the keys to try and keep them away from the shadow king because they hilariously misunderstand?

>>4502970
probably. the problem is that miranda doesn't know who these kids are and for all purposes they might have tried to steal something that isn't a lockstone.

>>4503372
You know who these kids are?

>>4503694
we also don't know who the kids are, but there is an anon or two that think that they are the group that we have read in the interludes.

>>4502814
No, no, you're not going to let her off so easily. Not just now. "I think it'd be better if you let her decide what she wants to say, unless you're in the business of making all her decisions for her." You quickly turn to her. "Are you? Or can you think for yourself what's best for you?"

"I-I...I mean, it's important," she says warily. "For everyone, I think. It...it's not something everyone realizes is important, but it really is!"

"How important?" you press.

"Very!" the boy interrupts again. "Now lay off her and-"

"So how important?" you continue, ignoring the boy completely.

"I...really, really important. It's kind of...well...it'll help save the world...?" she hazards. "I... think? I know it sounds crazy, but maybe if we explain it better, people will understand!"

"Do tell," you insist.

"Or don't!" the cloaked boy rebuts. "Cause if you do, they're going to either think we're crazy, or try to get at them first! That's BAD, Lia!" She flinches a bit, but gulps.

"I...I'm sorry," she insists. Annoying, but...interesting. Is this girl related to your own job, or something else entirely? You're not sure, and you'd rather not accidentally out yourself over it. But then how can you ask them?

>(Intimidation) Press her harder. You may have to make her cry a bit, and maybe anger the other kids, but omelets, eggs, and all that.
>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.
>Other

>>4504235
>(Intimidation) Press her harder. You may have to make her cry a bit, and maybe anger the other kids, but omelets, eggs, and all that.
I think this will ease the locals more into thinking us as a spook from another kingdom, instead of our true role.

>>4504235
>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.
More Makuvian Shadow-like.

>>4504235
>>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.

>>4504235
>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.

>>4504235
>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.

>>4504235
>(Otherworldly) You know just enough that you should be able to creep her out with the right words...and get her to spill. Or freak out entirely. Either or.
Mind break time!

Expect an all day run tomorrow. Just to kick things off right.

>>4506738
The usual time (2PM PST) boss?
Also how are you doin'?

>>4506740
Yup. And I'm doing peachy now.

Took a shot at cooking Pacific Rockfish. Came out well! Baked it.

>>4506821
that sounds tasty

>>4504235
>>(Intimidation) Press her harder. You may have to make her cry a bit, and maybe anger the other kids, but omelets, eggs, and all that.

>>4504235
>>4504246
>>4504287
>>4504393
>>4504591
>>4504601
Well. If nothing else, she seems the easily worried sort. And that makes you think…. you phrase things right, and she might spill herself out of fear or mesmerization. Not quite intimidation outright, but the simple fear of the unknown is usually enough to get people talking. Someone’s own imagination can do wonders against them. “So. You’re aware that something’s changing. Do you really comprehend what the result of your actions may cause? Or are you simply rushing forward with little thought but your own envisioning of justice?” You hold your hand out in a questioning manner- while letting loose just the smallest flair of mana. The way she blinks makes you think she saw it, but isn’t certain.

Regardless, the complaints fall silent after you say that. “...w-what do you mean? Do...do you know what might happen? W-how?”

"Knowing won't help you. What matters is your actions regardless of your knowledge." That more than a big vague, but a small shiver goes through her briefly; a good enough start. "What that key unlocks is beyond your ken." At least, you think it is, if it has any remote relationship with your own task...

"B-but Ms. Fairy said-" Fairy? Oh boy. "-letting them go would help protect the world..."

"Protect can mean different things from different viewpoints," you insist. A fairy being involved is...concerning, but you might be able to make this work. "Someone can use their physical power to 'protect' someone else... and another someone can use darker means to 'protect' their own interests. A matter of perspective. You'd be wise to learn the difference."

"Wha...but then...why...?" She's getting confused, sure enough. Seems like she's not very skeptical.

From here, you’d be best served trying to steer her towards a direction in this case. The question, though, is what direction?

>Steer her and them in the direction of mistrust and doubt. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?"

>Insist that this is all none of their business and they should bow out. "Oftentimes, the best way to avoid being manipulated...is to not play the game at all. Defend yourselves and those close to you, that is all. Leave the rest to more experienced hands."

>Other; you can come up with something a bit more clever than this, even...

>>4507809
>Steer her and them in the direction of mistrust and doubt. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?"

>>4507809
>Other; you can come up with something a bit more clever than this, even...
Start scanning her with the futuresight and read out her bio.

>>4507809
>>Steer her and them in the direction of mistrust and doubt. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?"
>Scan her with FutureSight

>>4507816
what's the purpose of this? what are you trying to gain from doing that to her?

Righto, I enjoy this place.

Though the whole endomagic thing makes me think.
Physical strain on the body? Sign me in.
Gimme all of those negative effects.
Micro fractures in them bones? Yes please.
Muscles overstrained? With pleasure.
Imagine training every muscle in your body, while also strengthening you skeleton, all while you just lie there doing nothing.
Granted, you'd probably be in a pretty bad world of hurt. But hey, free workout.
Don't forget your protein and stuff.

Yes, we should find a 'bonehurting juice' spell.

>>4507809
>Steer her and them in the direction of mistrust and doubt. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?"
> Perhaps you should read some more, with an open mind. There is naugh but one side to a story, often more than just the two.

>>4507809
>>4507828
This and scan her I guess. But dunno if that would help anything.

>>4507809
>Steer her and them in the direction of mistrust and doubt. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?"
>Start scanning her with the futuresight and read out her bio.

>>4507822
There must be something special about these kids, if a fairy thinks that they can steal something important from the Duke's house ('duke' is the highest rank of nobility and sometimes can rival that of the royalty). And from what these kids said - they've almost managed to do it. We know from the catgirl we've met that entertainers can use Endomagic to boost their performance, and this girl has a belly-dancer outfit, so she might be much more capable that it seems.

>>4507850
Did we ever use it to scan any person? Just recall having used it on objects of unknown nature, for the most part.

>>4507828
Ya know, the more I read about it the more I think Endomancy can be a great tool for interrogations and the like. Need to ask around in that scholar town for more tips though.

>>4507857
We've scanned ourselves and prima and got some stats about our physical strength and magical attunement. And we've scanned the Ivonium-poisoned bird-girl in the last mission.

>>4507857
It can, in a sense. Just hasn't really been used often. I'm pretty sure you lot scanned at least someone once before. Although it can't read their past if it's not easily accessible on an internet analogue, in which case it otherwise basically does a dragnet for information. Otherwise it's just biological information and several best guesses using known data and cross-referencing.

>>4507859
Also workout. Don't forget the workout.
Gotte get fukken ripped! Maybe.
Hey, magical girl channeling to enhance our physical abilities can only go so far.

>>4507872
>Also workout. Don't forget the workout.
thisssss. 100% this. in 10 minutes and enough magic we can beat the shit out of your muscles like if you worked out for 2 hours. hell yeah!

>>4507872
Oh! Oh! We've got a weights room from participating in the Roller-Derby! We're gonna be so ripped!

File: file.png (1.24 MB, 960x1361)

1.24 MB PNG

>>4507872
I'm not questioning the full extend of our magical capabilities, but no need for gym stuffs when you can replicate this with STR/INT minmaxing bs.

File: file.png (1.11 MB, 960x1361)

1.11 MB PNG

>>4507878

But yeah, aside form bone hurting juice to assist in working out, there is a lot of practical application with endomagic, I imagine.
Getting rid of tension aswell, full body massage with a spell...
Getting some general warmup done...
Maybe I'm just thinking too simple on this, or too bound by regular old science, but hey, so long as it's fun.

Sowing seeds of doubt, and showing that we know more than likely should.

Writing.

>>4507864
>>4507857
#81
>something that’s just called ‘Scan’ which apparently breaks down whatever the camera’s pointed at to it’s constituent components and gives you a basic readout. Hell, you’ve even got a basic log on yourself, after testing it by turning the camera towards yourself and snapping a selfie, so to speak. Expected stats: name, age, classification (Magical Girl, natch), blah blah, but it also has a full 3D wireframe turntable of you, as well as a general blurb:

>Highly skilled in melee combat. Physical skills rated as {Superhuman} according to Intersection Average. Very High mana capacity. Mana affinity is Neutral. Mana usage style is {Omni}. Poor physical reach due to physical attributes.

>Prima, classification: Living Robot. Huh. Not ‘android’ or anything like that? Blah blah blah…

>Skilled in melee combat. Capable of remote program analysis and override. Physical skills rated as {Above Average Human} according to Intersection Average. Extremely Low Mana Capacity. Mana Affinity is Electric. Mana usage style is {Multiple: Calculative, Runic/Glyph, Medium/Object Dependant}. Poor physical reach due to physical attributes. Alternative construction possible. System interference and shutdown possible.

Well...either way, that’s interesting. And about your ever raucous piratebot...

>Skilled in melee combat. Physical Skills Rated as {Peak Human} according to Intersection Average. Extremely Low Mana Capacity. Mana Affinity is Earth/Ground. Mana usage style is {Multiple: Calculative, Runic/Glyph, Medium/Object Dependent}. Limited Ranged Capability. Alternative construction possible. System interference and shutdown possible.

Hope we can strap artificer mana reactors to minibots one day, to rectify the issue with 'Extremely Low Mana Capacity.

>>4507899
amon its most combat focused applications, endomagic could be used to more or less permanently disable a specific body group by basically obliterating said muscle....we could use it as a very crude and painful way or body control, as a way to "debuff"enemies....i can't really imagine any other variant right now

>>4507809
>>4507816
>>4507821
>>4507828
“Simple question,” you decide on. "Has 'Ms. Fairy' ever kept anything from you? Something that she seems reluctant to talk about, or perhaps a subject came up that she was quick to change?" The way she opens, then closes her mouth makes you suspect the answer is ‘yes’. “Consider such things next time you deign to show absolute faith. That faith may not be reciprocated. There are many ways to find things out about someone while giving little away yourself.” A bit on the nose, but there’s an easy way to distract her...if you’re careful.

As you pull out the FutureSight, you’re surprised to see it’s taken the form of a large book. With a gem in the middle of the cover. Fancy, and kinda funny. The pages are...stuck together? Oh, wait. Just a front- the pages you’re ‘open’ to is the screen. There we are. Holding it up to her, you input the commands for a scan, the position you’re in masking your hand movements to her. “For example, this tome tells me much about you…” Hopefully. She’s normal, it shouldn’t take too long to- oh thank goodness. You notice the light shines as well on the front, which causes her to let a small ‘eep’ of surprise.

Let’s see...height, weight, size, blah, blah, where’s the good- aha! “For example, I know that you are skilled in acrobatics and dancing. Your weapon of choice is a pole, as well.” Judging from the microfilaments of wood and thin calluses on her hands, at least. And with what’s next on the scan… “A reasonable choice for an individual who prefers not to fight directly if possible, but rather to heal and support.” More guesswork, really, considering her lack of blemishes and marrs on her skin.

“...what- how?” she finally gets up, and you can see her wide, surprised eyes. “How’d you know that? Who are you?”

“As I said,” you ignore her. “Actions, in this case, are more important than your sheer knowledge. My name is less important than the actions you will take from this point onward. For example...what will you do now?”

"Well...she told us her friends could help..." she admits. "if we unlocked them. They...they were locked away. They aren't fairies, though...I think." Oh?

"Then what are they?" you ask. She just shrugs.

>Inquire further about the theft.
>Talk to Cloak.
>Talk to the Muscled Kid.
>Other

>>4508011
>>Inquire further about the theft.

>>4508011
>Inquire further about the theft.
Might as well continue, she's dancing to us now.

>>4508011
>Inquire further about the theft.

>>4508011
>Inquire further about the theft.

>>4508011
>Inquire further about the theft.

>>4508011
>>4508016
>>4508017
>>4508019
>>4508026
>>4508046
“Hm. so you sought to steal something for no reason?” you inquire. “Are you just thieves being manipulated after all, then?”

“No way!” Cloak and Muscle Boy both say. She shakes her head in agreement. “Duke’s a jerk and he’s constantly trying to push folks to only buy stuff backed by him anyway!” Cloak agrees. “And anyone tries to argue, he usually just jails ‘em on false charges. It’s a mess; the nasty underbelly of the port no one wants to look at!”

Riveting, but he’s not the one you’re talking to right now. Instead, you refocus on Lia. “Is what he says accurate?” you ask. She nods. “Interesting. But it may well be irrelevant. How did you get in? Surely there was some level of defenses.”

“I...we didn’t do anything, it was...she distracted the guards.” Ah. No question as to who ‘she’ was.

“I can’t help but notice that ‘she’ isn’t present,” you note. “Escaped?”

“She...she’ll help us. Somehow.” Lia persists. “I believe in her. We all do.” Hm. Well, the question is does it even matter to you?

“So, you don’t think she’ll just abandon you, take the key, and move on? I suppose that makes sense.” She’s a small thing, likely. She’d need hands to help her in whatever she’s doing.

Hm. Wonder how much longer you have until the guard gets annoyed. Well, doesn't matter too much.

>Any further questions?
>Move on. There's little else to extra from her.

>>4508149
>"I may want to pay a visit to this Duke later, to figure out another side of this story and all. Any particular notes I should know about?"

>>4508149
>>4508154
>ask more about the duke

>>4508149
>Move on. There's little else to extra from her.
i want to freak them out more, but i don't really know what can we do.

Great we acted sus, now we gotta silence the guard.
However we want to silence him, I was thinking we start saying completely ridiculous things to discredit his record keeping, like start talking about how much we hate standing guard, so we let in a small island girl and said she was a secret agent.

>>4508149
this>>4508154

>>4508177
>acted sus, now we gotta silence the guard.
wuh? we told him we're an important investigator - we're investigating. the post said that the guard might get annoyed, not suspicious or worried.

>>4508149
>>4508154
>>4508162
You sigh, pretending to thumb through your book yet again. "I may want to pay a visit to this Duke later, to figure out another side of this story and all. Any particular notes I should know about?" They seem surprised at that, with Cloaked Kid making a surprised sound, but. “Unless that’s all you know?”

She pauses, thinking. “I...don’t know if it’ll help much, but...well, the Duke has...guards. Special ones. They managed to catch up to us, and they’re the ones that arrested us. He calls them the Eagle Guard…they’re scary and strong.”

“How many?” you ask.

“Five, I think,” she admits. “I...there’s nothing else really I can think of.”

Hm. Well, that might have to do for now. Maybe you can- “Hey there! Your time’s about up, I’m afraid. Mind if we take you back up, then?” the guard suddenly asks. You’re not sure if it’s actually been as long as they claimed, but...well, might as well. You nod, and despite the complaints from Cloaked Boy, you take your leave.

Well...that was some information, but not a great deal, unfortunately. Enough to figure on something to do, though, at least. So that’s good. The question now is just what TO do, as you make your way towards the front of the building. Chances are investigating that Duke would be a good idea, but then again, you know that Little Miss Fairy should be by, and probably before too long...if you can corner her, then that’ll likely get you a whole host of information on what these kids are trying to do.

Alternately, you can likely let everything play out without messing with it- the guard should’ve been taking notes, so they know as well as you that something will be attempted, so...chances are you can make some ground without worrying about them, if indeed they’re worth worrying about.

>Begin your stakeout of the Duke.
>You'll hang around the area for now. You've got a Fairy to hunt.
>This whole thing might be wild goose, or at least incidental. Time to move on.
>Other

>>4508251
>Begin your stakeout of the Duke.

>>4508251
>Begin your stakeout of the Duke.
The Duke has a static location, the fairy does not.

>>4508251
>Begin your stakeout of the Duke.

>>4508251
>Begin your stakeout of the Duke.

>>4508251
>You'll hang around the area for now. You've got a Fairy to hunt.
lets confirm the suspicions first by capturing the fairy, or at lest trying to gauge their power. we can talk with the duke later

This'll be it for tonight. Running tomorrow!

>>4508265
night boss, sleep well

>>4508265
g'night
>>4508264
I'd be down to play it like moon knights except we're actually the bad guy. I think we're too interesting for these people to NOT seek us out to ask us more questions. Questions like "Who the heck are you?" or "What do you know about fairies?" for starters. So even if we don't stake out the fairy, we'll probably get a second shot at the theives.

>>4508269
hmmm...this gives me an idea.
what if we play the part of the mysterious secret agent that helps them obtain the rest of the lockstones?
I mean, we know that the stones don't need to be returned to the shadow king to give him power, plus their meddling can help us get the other stones more easily or at least they will help us by being a handy distraction.

>>4508273
They could be a sideplot, perhaps the fairies are locked away as well as the shadow king.

>>4508251
>>4508258
Another thing about the duke - since he's a high-ranking noble, then he should know about where the Lockstone is and who's protecting it, plus we could learn what's Alminia's deal with their neighboring country or check if he can help us find the "historians".

I said I would be running today but I got some unfortunate news, and I need to make sure my family's alright, soo...delaaaaay.

>>4509804
It's fine, take your time.

>>4509804
Family's important, take care of your home first.

Gonna go ahead and update here for clarity's sake; my cousin has las 'Rona. This wouldn't be a cause for too much worry as he's a big healthy dude and feeling relatively okay.

What's concerning is that my aunt who lives nearby is immunocomp'd as she's undergoing chemo. I'm officially on call in case something goes south since I'm a night owl. This will be the case for several nights.

>>4509862
Oh, jeez, sorry to hear the news, boss. Hope your cousin keeps being okay and your aunt stays safe and COVID free. And you as well, for that matter.

Okay, I'll be able to do a full day run tomorrow. Posting tonight.

>>4511003
Woohoo!
How's everything on your side?

>>4508251
>>4508254
>>4508256
>>4508258
>>4508259
Thinking about it? Best you see what this Duke has to do with this all. Someone being that high up on the pecking order generally means they’re privy to a lot of insider info. Investigating him might yield dividends in regards to the location of the Lockstone. So, if nothing else, that’s a pretty decent reason to spend time on whatever this might be. Now, it shouldn’t be too difficult to see where he lives…

It takes you a bit, but you indeed manage to find his manor- and it IS a manor. Hidden away down a side path, nestled into the cliffside. A little private area all his own. At risk for rockslides, in your opinion, but whatever. It’s basically just one long stretch of alabaster brick pathway along the coast that leads to his house...well, normally. You can kind of see it from far out on the pier of the town itself. It’s enough angle that you can essentially observe his house from the top down if you wanted- and were willing to dig a little nook into the cliff to hang out in. You’ll make your decision come morning- chances are he’s already turned in for bed by now. No sense in skulking about when nothing’s happening and everyone’s off the street.

The issue ends up proving moot when, come morning, you see someone that can only be him as you’re looking out of the window mid-musing. He’s...tall. Thin. In a very well pressed three piece suit, perfectly coiffed goatee and mustache, and his hair is...thinning. Combover. He has thin, piercing eyes and frankly he looks like he’s constantly angry. Or disgusted. He certainly is at the innkeeper, who if looks could kill (for normal people, anyway), he’d be ashes. “It’s just shameful, really. Children like that trying to commit theft on an upstanding individual like myself is just disgusting. Really, they should be properly reprimanded and punished thoroughly for the besmirchment!”

(cont.)

>>4511225
He’s got a follower with him, some portly fellow, but at least his clothes are well tailored; beige suit and pants, with a top hat. Far shorter, however, but with a similar combover and less glare. The both of them are further flanked by five rather ostentatious looking guardspeople- all decked out in gold and red armor, with large pauldrons and beaked helmets. These were the people those kids lost to, then?

“...and I’d be far more cautious of your tenants, were I you.” He’s got that ubiquitous nasally voice a lot of these types seem to have. “You should be fortunate that I’m only letting you off with a monetary punishment for having the gall to house these ruffians.” The lady, fierce looking, simply glowers in return. Guy must have some real power here, then. Well, administratively, at least. Personally you can’t get a whiff of any inlaid combat ability. Not from him, anyway. The guards DO seem like they’re stronger, a pungent odor about the lot of them obvious from even here. Not the most disgusting, but something to note, for sure. “Now. IF you’ll excuse me. I have rounds to make.” With that declaration, he’s off and about- and the both of them miss the double finger salute she gives them in response. Heh.

Well, you know what's going on with him- and that he's out and about. You DID say you were going to watch him, so...well, now's as good a time as any.

>Roll 2d20, best of three.

Rolled 7, 3 = 10 (2d20)

>>4511226

Rolled 7, 16 = 23 (2d20)

>>4511226

Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d20)

>>4511226
Don't fumble now.

>>4511234
Welp, at least it's not a combat roll.

>>4511228
>>4511232
>>4511234
777...
Jackpot?

>>4511238
Boss, can we get an unusual event for this one?

>>4511226
>>4511228
>>4511232
>>4511234
As you work to trail him, unfortunately, you find yourself constantly blocked and waylaid by various people, whether they’re tourists, traders, or otherwise. Whatever they are- they’re ALL too tall, and you have a rough time seeing through the throngs; oftentimes all you have to go is his rather reedy voice and the occasions where you manage to get close enough to him (or at least his guard) is good enough that you can take advantage of the little bubble his personage creates before people fill back into it. It’s...annoying, and the number of people talking means that it’s hard to make anything out whenever he speaks.

You can only barely manage to catch glimpses of him at times as he variously yells at, insults, snidely comments about, or pointedly ignores a number of people just passing by and impromptu petitioners both. Definitely has a swelled ego.

It’s as you’re trying to catch up, however, that you see something drop from his person as he tries to harangue a shopkeep with some sort of set of papers and wild gesticulating. A small...icon? Drops from his pocket, some sort of arrow shape. You don’t think he or his guard noticed, and no one seems in a rush to point it out otherwise- likely because they’re too terrified of him to notice anything so small. It doesn’t even make a sound as it hits stone, oddly enough.

You’re quick to snatch it up as it tumbles in your direction, then sneak off before the whole thing is noticed by any relevant parties. How it wasn’t, you have no clue, but...not questioning it!

As you slip out to an alleyway, you’re quick to check it out. It is indeed some sort of arrow...medal..icon? You aren’t sure, but it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. You don’t think this is the key those kids were trying to steal, but...never know. There’s a division in the middle, too...ah.

It twists open- there’s a compartment in there, no less! And in it is a very, very small piece of paper. And on it? Three symbols. A sun, three wavy lines, and a...square with a small triangle in it. Strange. What’s it for, you wonder…

>Try to resume tailing him- you need more from him.
>Might be something in his manor. Maybe should pay it a visit while he's out...
>Try and pay those kids another visit. A bit more discreetly this time.
>Other

>>4513322
>>Might be something in his manor. Maybe should pay it a visit while he's out...
Heist time.

>>4513322
>>Might be something in his manor. Maybe should pay it a visit while he's out...
We found his Skyrim puzzle door password! The fool! He should have engraved it on an ornate claw made of some rare material!

>>4513322
>Try to resume tailing him- you need more from him.

>>4513322
>Might be something in his manor. Maybe should pay it a visit while he's out..

>>4513322
>Might be something in his manor. Maybe should pay it a visit while he's out.
I'd like to talk to him face-to-face, but this works too.

>too short to spy on people
I find this too cute.

>>4513595
The short struggle is real.
Especially with shelves.

>>4513322
>>4513337
>>4513358
>>4513477
>>4513495
That is, when you pay a visit to his manor. Likely he’s got something in there that he’s hiding, and you’re going to find out what. Slipping away from the throng, you have to admit a bit of satisfaction that you know EXACTLY how you’re going to get into his place. Just have to take a bit of a walk…

“Well, then,” you hear Gartoum say in your own head. “It seems like we’re doing a bit more skullduggery, hm? Seems to be a running theme here.” Yeah, you can’t say that’s not a recurring element. It’s not something that you’re opposed to- but part of you kind of wishes you could be recording this. You kinda want Lorelei to see if she could offer any pointers at the rate that you’re going…

At any rate, time to take a bit of a climb. You’ll approach from the cliffside and call for Gartoum to slip inside. After that…

----------

“My, he’s a rather showy one, hm?” ...is just a matter of locating the thing. This guy is...well, egotistical was right. Busts of himself, portraits, and one hell of a flashy bedroom. The shadows are just enough to slip through the windows, but now that you’re in...well, you’re not sure where you’re going at this point. Giving the door a little nudge, you’re vaguely surprised that it’s open, and that he doesn’t have any guards stationed there, oddly enough. You’re at the end of a hallway, and there’s a spiral staircase halfway down, opposite another door on the far end. Wonder if anyone else lives here? That’d be worrisome. For now, though...searching.

>Roll 1d20, best of three.

Not gonna lie, I ran into writers block for this entry.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4513691

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4513691
We can do with a little imperfection boss.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4513691

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4513691

Writing.

>>4513691
>>4513694
>>4513695
>>4513722
The Duke’s got a lot of meaningless but expensive looking knick-knacks in and around his bedroom, clearly. Stuff likely to just reaffirm his mental state of ‘I’m rich’. You can’t quite see anything outright useful here...though you do make sure to keep those symbols for it nearby and are on the lookout for them. You’d be surprised if there isn’t absolutely anyth- wait.

It’s behind his bed, of course, but...it’s an old cane. And its knob top has an engraving in the shape of a sun. The same type as on the picture, no less! Huh. So that’s one. Wonder if they’re all personal effects, or if they’re other things. Well, point is you managed to find at least one. So that’s a start. Now, as for where the others are…

Further checking of the room itself doesn’t reveal anything particularly interesting, so you’ll have to just go about checking things the old-fashioned way. Ideally, you’ll have time to give everything a once over before he comes back, but just in case…best to take a quick look at what’s on the top floor while you can.

The room nearest the bedroom is some sort of sitting room, full of old parchment and writings. There’s only two seats, and this room, interestingly, seems to have pictures of a king all over, as opposed to himself. There’s a globe and everything, otherwise. Typical. The next room after that seems to be some sort of...well, you’re not sure. Storage doesn’t quite describe it, but it’s also got a number of boxes in it as well. What makes you say it’s NOT storage is the chairs and table that seem to be there as well. Someone moving in, maybe? Or just temporary usage? Odd.

The furthest door...is another bedroom. This one’s smaller, it seems, and...well, if you didn’t know any better, you’d say it’s for a lady and her kid. A guy like THAT having a child? Pity on the poor thing, really. But there’s small wooden toys there, sculptures, a rocking horse, and a few dolls. No shelves or anything.

But, what to check first…?

>The sitting room.
>The makeshift storage.
>The child’s room.
>None of them; go downstairs and see what’s there.

>>4513849
>The child’s room.
Fairy Kid’s gonna get himself some new clothes and a toy or book if he behaves himself.

>>4513849
>The sitting room.
>Other
Have Gartoum take a peek at the makeshift storage room too.

>>4513849
>The child’s room.
at least we'll be able to nab some things for fairy kid.

>>4513849
This >>4513858

>>4513849
+ >>4513858

>>4513858
Supporting.

Writing.

>>4513873
I... I don't think he's that small of a kid, sounds like toddler baby stuff.

>>4514075
there's only one way to find out!

Run resumes in about an hour.

>>4513849
>>4513858
>>4513865
>>4513866
>>4513872
The sitting room seems the most simple to go through at the moment- you’re not going to mess with the kid’s room. Not right now, anyway. As for the storage room? ‘Mind taking a look in there, see if anything sticks out?’ you question Gartoum.

‘I’ll give it a little once over, sure,’ he responds, and the two of you split to begin your investigation. You’re not a fan of having to sit and read through everything...but fortunately no one is here. And you have a FutureSight. You should be able to scan everything readable in minutes. And while it’s doing that, you can give a more manual look around to everything else in the search for a matching symbol or any clues to it otherwise.

The whole place is actually kind of dusty when you step in properly. Clearly largely gone unused. Wonder why.

>Roll 2d20, best of three.

Rolled 17, 4 = 21 (2d20)

>>4516260

Rolled 5, 7 = 12 (2d20)

>>4516260

Rolled 9, 4 = 13 (2d20)

>>4516260

Rolled 19, 1 = 20 (2d20)

>>4516260

Huh, so it was just a normal store room?

>>4516260
'Unused', honestly, is putting it mildly. The place is musty, and a thin layer of dust is on most *everything* in here, from the pictures to the floor. Overall, it’s likely just for show and any practical usage has long been dismissed. At least, as far as you can tell…

...although that train of thought stops when you pass by the globe in the room. It’s...well, everything’s dusty about it like everything else- except for one notable area. Not on the globe itself, though, no. It’s NEXT to the globe that intrigues you, as there’s a small golden statue, that of a simple bird, and a space around it which is noticeably clean in comparison. So’s the statue itself, for that matter.

You can’t help but smile. Think you’ve cottoned on to something. Taking hold of the statue, you find that it comes up easily. Lifting it to look at its base, you’re rewarded by noticing the three wavy lines, just like in the picture, that make up its base. Excellent. That makes two. As for the third… ‘Anything?’

‘No, sadly,’ comes the report. ‘Just a bunch more little this and thats, dolls, fine wares, silks. Boring. No fascinating symbols or the like to be seen,’ he laments. Well, rats. That means…

>Time to check the kid’s room.
>Right, you’re headed downstairs.

>>4516439
>Time to check the kid’s room.
Of course a guy like this still has a soft spot for his family.

>>4516439
>Time to check the kid’s room.
By the way, does fairy boy even knows how to read?

>>4516439
>Time to check the kid’s room.

>>4516439
>>4516453
>>4516456
Might as well check the kid’s room just to be safe. You’re rejoined by Gartoum as you step inside, and overall it feels like this place is...well, opposite of the sitting room, but the same in a way. That room felt musty and unused and largely forgotten about, save for the one part. This room, on the other hand, feels...well kept is the best word you can come up with. There’s not a smidge of dust anywhere, and yet all the toys seem as though they’re just...laying there. Unkempt, yet still clean, as though their owner just stepped out for a bit. Well, to be fair, they might have. Although you hadn’t heard anything about the child since, but. Who knows.

You’re not a fan of having to rummage around a kid’s room like this, but. Well, hopefully you’ll find something of worth in here. If not, then it’ll be a bit more annoying…and the time you have to search ticks down bit by bit. You’ve never been a fan of being under the clock, but needs must.

>Roll 1d20, best of three.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4516609

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4516609

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4516609
Our rolls are getting lower all the sudden.

>>4516619
So basically nothing of note, boring.

>>4516622
Glad I tripped that flag before anything important.

>>4516622
>Miranda trips and breaks her neck, forcing sal to teleport her back to the intersection where she spends 3 months recovering from the fall. the end(of the mission).

>>4516622
Oh boy, time to kill some fuckers and probably torch the place while we are at it.

>>4518141
you can't have a successful recon mission without some good old war crimes along the way

>>4516622
Thank goodness for no critical overrides eh?

>>4518141
>>4518624
I though Miranda was supposed to be a professionall operator, not a blood-thirsty murder-hobo. There is some overlap, but come on.

>>4518912
>I though Miranda was supposed to be a professionall operator, not a blood-thirsty murder-hobo
both of them overlap more times than what you'd expect

>>4518915
yes, but not in this case
>the client has pointed out that he's not ready for war yet, so we better not start shit if it doesn't involve the Lockstones.
>the Duke could be involved with the 'historians', there are plenty of flags that suggest that he's a slimeball who's involved in a conspiracy or three.
>we've notified the authorities that we'll be visiting him >>4508251, the locals know where we were staying - so the errant knight from the last thread will notify his knightly order as well once he learns we're causing trouble.
>'Duke' is the highest rank of nobility, that's some high-profile shit we've got ourselves into for a side-mission.
>What are we even getting out of this side-mission?
torching the place and killing people left and right is amateur level shit, how does this overlap with 'professional operator'?
I know things got slow and boring because Handler is too busy IRL, but we'll get to the action part once we learn the location of the Lockstone, we don't need to escalate things too early.

>>4519038
dude, its a joke, and said joke flew like three miles over your head

>>4519152
You never know if someone's cracking jokes about nat 1's or if they're serious about it. Better make a fool out of myself and play it safe than have some jokesters mislead some inattentive players - wouldn't surprise me if someone forgot what we're supposed to be doing over the weeks of delays.

Feeling better. Long run today. Starting in about 3 hours

>>4516609
>>4516614
>>4516619
>>4516622
Nothing. You can’t find anything in this room. Pictures, carefully painted. Some childish drawings along with them. Some small hygiene products, and of course clothing. But nothing with any symbol or possible ulterior meaning, or any particular indicator that anything in this room is anything more than a simple child’s room.

You suppose that it’s not really unexpected- if he did have a kid, then it’s more than likely he’d do the best to keep anything related to any unsavory issues to himself. He likely wouldn’t risk it being near a child where it could be destroyed, misplaced, or otherwise. You only let out a small huff in annoyance. Maybe if you can-

-suddenly, a humming from nearby rips you from your thoughts; someone’s in the house! Coming up the stairs, no less...sounds feminine at first blush. You move to the small door and give it a small peek through- it’s a Wildling; young of age but in her adolescence, and clearly a worker of the manor, judging by her maid outfit. She holds a bucket, duster, and mop, not to mention a belt of small pouches, for other small tools...clearly doing cleaning rounds.

Well, that brings to mind some options, honestly. Could see if you couldn’t grill her for information- she might know a few things about the place. Or, honestly, you could just try to avoid her entirely and prevent any unnecessary contact.

>Try to question her. Sneak up and nab her from behind.
>Nah, avoid her as best you can. Wait until she's busy.
>Other

>>4521799
>Nah, avoid her as best you can. Wait until she's busy.

>>4521799
>Nah, avoid her as best you can. Wait until she's busy.

Hm. Writing.

>>4521799
>>4521808
>>4521830
No, better not. You’re not really in the market for risking it right now. Rather, you decide it better to wait; she’s not angling towards the kid’s room as it stands, which should give you a bit of a window to get out...now! She heads right for the master bedroom, and as soon as the door closes behind her, that’s when you carefully exit the room, take a glance over the railing, and, seeing that no one’s there, make a hop over. Your landing is fortunately light, and you can see there’s a number of more rooms on the bottom floor than the top- at least five. And even then there’s a hallway that leads to two more in the back. With the maid rummaging around up there, you’re not sure you’re going to have a great amount of time to check all of them; especially if the goal is to remain silent.

You can tell that at the least the room to your right leads to the kitchens, as it’s open a crack and there’s a good smell wafting out of it- presumably, the dining room wouldn’t be far behind that. That leaves four closed rooms for you to investigate, not including the kitchen and the foyer behind you. You have to be cautious, so…alright, let’s start with what’s right up here.

Okay, careful with opening, careful…

>The room to your upper-right seems to be some sort of study or workroom. Unlike the sitting room, there’s a single desk with a number of papers on it, a variety of small hanging scrolls with various writing on them, and a wall that’s an entire shelf of books. Further in the back is some device you’re uncertain of, but it takes up half the back wall.

>The room to your upper left is some sort of preparation room, you think; a larger room with a number of outfits, but also some strange platforms as well. If you didn’t know better you’d call it a modeling area, but it doesn’t quite have all the trimmings for that. There’s a desk for likely makeup and everything else as well.

>The room to your upper left is a small one; mostly for cleaning and a break room, apparently. Nothing much to say about it, honestly; a wash basin, window, and an area for cleaning and pressing clothes and other things. Aside from that, it’s a small room with little to say about it. There does seem to be a chest in the back half, though.

>The room to your far left is some sort of schoolroom, with two desks and a typical chalkboard. There doesn’t seem to be too much to it, though there’s sign of recent usage, considering the half-erased board and a few things left on the teacher’s desk. One of the desks also seems to be ajar.

>None of these- check the two rooms in the hallway.

>>4521893
>The room to your upper-right seems to be some sort of study or workroom. Unlike the sitting room, there’s a single desk with a number of papers on it, a variety of small hanging scrolls with various writing on them, and a wall that’s an entire shelf of books. Further in the back is some device you’re uncertain of, but it takes up half the back wall.

>>4521893
Study is a classic for hidden area and the thing could be a way to watch the mansion like a primitive security system.

>The room to your upper-right seems to be some sort of study or workroom. Unlike the sitting room, there’s a single desk with a number of papers on it, a variety of small hanging scrolls with various writing on them, and a wall that’s an entire shelf of books. Further in the back is some device you’re uncertain of, but it takes up half the back wall

Also if this guy is helping keeping the lockstone there is probably some document indicating ir.

>>4521893
>>4521896
>>4521910
The room to your upper-right is likely your best bet- it’s got the most raw information in it, plus something you can’t identify. It’s easy to slip into, fortunately, and a quick skim through the papers and the machine on the back end- which to your eyes is starting to look more and more like some kind of printing or distillation machine- is proving worth investigation at the very least.

“Gartoum,” you decide. “Help me take a look through here. We need to be quick and don’t want the maid to get any ideas. You’ll help keep things in place.” He doesn’t respond, merely salutes and proceeds to slither to the shelves. Good, those would take forever for you, even with a scan. You can focus on the rest, now…

>Roll 2d20. Best of three.

Rolled 19, 19 = 38 (2d20)

>>4521983

...well then. Gonna leave it open for a bit more cause who knows? Might get that 20.

Rolled 10, 17 = 27 (2d20)

>>4521983
i'm gonna roll anyway

>>4521989
You dropped your nametag Handler

So I did. Writing.

Sorry for not voting earlier boss, you started way earlier compared to the usual time.

Rolled 2, 13 = 15 (2d20)

>>4521983

>>4521983
>>4521985
The papers that are on the desk are...well, you’re rather pleased. Seems like he was addressing the issue with the children before taking his little ‘walk’. Judging by this...he’s trying to have them jailed indefinitely for treason? Ouch, rough. Apparently the idea of stealing from a Duke is considered a crime against the crown here. Sucks for them. Well, then onto the next papers. Let’s see…

...ah. It’s a letter.

Specifically, a letter to a compatriot who is, apparently, the Royal Steward of the Castle. The letter starts out with general platitudes, but then goes into the theft, and states something very, very interesting.

‘In effect, these brats came close to depriving me of one of the keys meant to secure the gateway to the Alminian Lockstone, not that they knew of the importance of their target. Like as not they thought it to a safe of some kind, despite their ramblings. So do not fret, no one yet knows where it is precisely, save the King. It is fortunate we can at least track the object somewhat. They don’t even know that it moves.’ Moves?! Well, hell. ‘On that topic, I must redetermine soon its general location- last I am aware it was somewhere in the Greenwave Valley, though that was some time ago and it may have changed. I so despise stepping into that cold room, however...it is good that it is not necessary too often. Not to mention it is most complicated to access…’’

...well, well. THAT’S a good amount of information. You’re looking for any description of exactly WHERE the access point is, but sadly...nothing. Damnit. You know that it’s a cold room, at least, which means that there’s a way to locate it if you’re careful…

“Aha!” Gartoum says softly. “I’ve found a little something that may be of interest to you…” He slithers out, and what he drops into your hand is...a stamper? “Check the bottom?” Hm? It’s- oh. Well, then. The last symbol. A square with a small triangle in it. Okay, THAT one’s clever. “Now...what are we to do with these?”

Good question. You’ve got an idea, though. You’re going to have to do some searching around for it, though- and you’re still going to have to be quiet.

>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.
>It's unlikely to be in the same room; try searching elsewhere on the first floor.
>Other

>>4522078
>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.
The corruption runs deep. A Duke and the Royal Steward are both in.

>>4522078
>It's unlikely to be in the same room; try searching elsewhere on the first floor.

>>4522078
>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.

>>4522078
>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.
so in theory if we follow the duke (or force the information out of the king) we will eventually get to know where the lockstone is. that sounds easy enough. it just requires us to be patient.

>>4522078
>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.

>>4522087
Humoring the king himself seems a bit risky, I say if we run out of options we can just have a direct talk with the Duke to see which side he's on.

>>4522090
yeah, obtaining the information from the king is a last resort thing, but at least we know there is someone else that knows about the lockstone.

>>4522090
i think the duke is one of the classic villain trying to steal our current boss for himself.

>>4522078
>Try the machine, see if there's anything about it.

>>4522111
our current boss power*

>>4522078
>>4522080
>>4522084
>>4522087
>>4522089
First stop, though, should be right across the room. This machine doesn’t seem like anything you can name immediately, which merits a touch of investigation. Could be what you’re looking for right there.

It’s got an open, conical top where a tube feeds into a chamber that then feeds into smaller tubes. In the main chamber is some sort of gem with a purple coloration, that doesn’t seem to be doing anything. The device has no buttons, but rather knobs with several number settings on it and a trio of levers. One of them says ‘drain’, another says ‘infuse’, and the last 'invert'. You’re not sure what it’s meant to drain from, or ‘infuse’, but it seems like the device might be for some kind of extraction and replacement process, if nothing else. Checking below the levers reveals some sort of meter. The 'Drain' one is half done. 'Infuse' is empty, and 'Invert' is full.

You’re not going to fiddle with it too much, but it certainly doesn’t seem like it has anything to do with the Lockstone, anyhow. Seems like it’s more of a tool for another reason. Although that does raise the question of just what the heck it’s doing in his office. He certainly doesn’t LOOK the part of any sort of researcher, even if looks are only skin-deep.

>Drain
>Invert
>Infuse
>None

>>4522239
Man I hate puzzles.
>Drain
My guess is that this is an enchantment device for the gem, so the safe thing is to just drain it. Infuse and Invert can risk it combusting and make noises.

>>4522239
>Infuse

Drain is probably drainning away from something or someone. Infuse Sounds like they are putting or infusing something with whatever it was drained. Maybe it's some type of potion? Maybe it's fairy juice

>>4522245
It could be drainning from something else do remember that the kids were making mentions of wanting to release someone who were imprisioned?

Miranda did say it looks like a distelery.

Or it could just be a water puzzel.

>>4522239
Boss, is the jewel radiating mana?

>>4522239
You think so. Faint as all get out, though.

>>4522253
Meant for you.

>>4522239
When in doubt...
>Scan it with FutureSight
Messing with unfamiliar devices during stealth is not a good idea.

>>4522239
>Drain
uuuugh, i don't like doing this kind of puzzles through text

>>4522256
Uh so it's either drainning the jewel or infusing it with whatever that the duke is drainning?

>>4522239
>Drain
>Scan the device with FutureSight

>>4522264
>>4522239
>>4522261
Yeah let's scan it too while juuuust slightly turning the Drain lever.

>>4513322
>Three symbols. A sun, three wavy lines, and a...square with a small triangle in it. Strange. What’s it for, you wonder…
Not sure if it's related to the machine or another puzzle

>It’s got an open, conical top where a tube feeds into a chamber that then feeds into smaller tubes. In the main chamber is some sort of gem with a purple coloration, that doesn’t seem to be doing anything
>The gem is faintly radiating mana.

Checked again.
Sooo do we nab the gem or not?

>>4522276
free gem is free gem.

Writing!

>>4522276
Are you really asking if we should grab free loot?

>>4522277
>>4522285
Just sayin' that it will lead the local police back to us. They already suspected that we're in cahoots with the kids and we did say we'd pay the Duke a visit. We'll be long gone by the time they can do something though.

>>4522289
Except we already stole all three puzzle pieces.
>>4513849
>>4516439
>>4522078

>>4522300
Drats, you're right. Gem's ours then.

>>4522304
We could confront him, still not sure which side he's on. And the 'Fairy' that sent the kids to his mansion wants to get the Lockstone for herself, so we have a common enemy.

>>4522312
OR we wait for him to go to the lockstone. the letter he was writing implied that he'd do that soon enough, so we just need to hold in this town for some days before he does the job for us and no one will suspect a thing.

>>4522322
That's not possible now unfortunately. We already stole 3 of the clues and we're about to take the gem too, the local enforcers will be mobilize and they already have our face.

>>4522322
We could, although we'd have to deal with multiple opposing sides: Almina's guards, Duke's forces, the 'Fairy', woudn't surprise me if Balunda would try something funny against their neighbor or some other foreigners decide to intervene.

>>4522327
>>4522332
if we were wearing the cloak (and we are), they don't have our face. the cloak is designed to make our face as generic and unidentifiable as possible, but i guess both of you are right. time is tight mostly because of the imprisoned team.

>>4522334
Wasn't the cloak only supposed to hide our aura/draconic features only?

>>4522334
>>4522335
The Cloak only hides our demonic tidbits and dampens our intimidation, it still shows our face. That's why people can still identify us as a local islander.

>>4522335
>>4522337
fair enough

so, to refresh everyone's memory, a reminder about the prep work and the clothes we got for this mission.
>Electric/Fire Line unlocked: An improvement of Mana Tether, allowing you to send mild shocks or mana-made fire through the tether to impact whoever’s on the other side. It’s difficult to keep up, however, and for now should only be used in short bursts. Not to mention, the mana infused makes the tether more fragile than without it, and thus it can be snapped easier- for now.
>Cost: 200 per pulse.
We have a taser technique now - if we can reach someone with sticky mana, then we can zap them. And we already can use sticky mana to catch multiple people at once, so...

>Meditation Room Bonuses Applied- Temporary Mana Cost Reduction, Additional Suggested Dialogue Options Possible.

>Dragonbane Vest
>Not so much a traditional vest as it is sleeveless armor, this is said to be made from scales of a powerful drake that once ruled over a kingdom. It was only slain by tricking it into eating powerful poison, and its scales were fashioned into an intimidating protective vest. Said to be immune to fire...which would be fantastic if it didn't leave your arms unprotected.

>Chaser's Jeans
>These black jeans are made of a strange, but excellent fabric that allows for defensive capabilities akin to that of kevlar while still being airy and comfortable.

>Catfight Claws
>Raptorclaw Toe Shoes