Jakob Absol, Swamp Lord

Unspent Exp: 4
Total Exp: 42

BODY: 2
COORDINATION: 2
SENSE: 3
Eerie: +1
Empathy: +2
KNOWLEDGE: 4
Counterspell: +2MD
Language (Vartynen): +MD
Sorcery: +3MD
Strategy: +2
Tactics: +2
COMMAND: 4
Haggle: +1
Inspire: +3
Intimidate: +1
CHARM: 2
Graces: +1
Fascinate: +1

ADVANTAGES:
Lucky 1 (one reroll per session on a roll where NO sets turn up)
Thick Headed 1 (one extra wound box in the head)
Status 3 (Lord of the Absol Swamp, FREE for plot reasons)
Followers 5 (10 Threat 4 Unworthy Opponents, the Last Loyal, FREE for picking Swamp)
Possession ? (Castle Briarfast, FREE for plot reasons)
Possession 3 (Well-Made Plate Armor)
Literate in Vartynen 1 (FREE for plot reasons)
Greater Literacy in Vartynen 2 (FREE for plot reasons)
Wealth 3
Spells (1)
Spells (1)
Spells (3)
Spells (3)
Spells (5)
Spells (1)
Spells (2)

PROBLEMS:
Hated Enemy (+1 xp whenever the Hated Enemy harms or inconveniences you)

PASSIONS:
Mission: Solidify your hold on the Absol Swamp
Duty: Be a lord your people and ancestors would be proud of
Craving: Find a worthy and powerful wife


ESOTERIC DISCIPLINES:
Spiritual Escutcheon: My Power Is My Own, Defense Before Thought, Rank 3 placeholder
The General's Visage: Words of Iron, Heart-Hardening Rhetoric

SPELLS:
Aqueous Divination (Sense): Weather Wisdom, Froth, Clearwater Oracle
Eldritch Visioning (Sense): Mind's Eye Clarified, The Gaze That Splits the Stones
Mirror Magic (Command): Grifter's Gold
Smoke Sculpting (Knowledge): Bore Gaze, Minor Smoke Form, Smoke Arrow, Minor Smoke Structure, Smoke Armor
The Night Hunter's Art (Sense): Whiff of the Blood
The Way of the Wood (Knowledge): Blossom Freshness
Wings of Words (Knowledge): Spark, Soar, Words of Lesser Attunement, Minor Lightning Stroke

ABSOL SWAMP: Might 3, Treasure 2, Influence 2, Territory 2, Sovereignty 3

>>4735471
>Tenth installment

Oh I'm getting off to a wonderful start today.

>>4735471
>[Do NOT give Sister Char to Eshtei]
"I cant give her to you Eshtei, she doesnt belong to me now. She is now of the Thorns"

>>4735471
>[Do NOT give Sister Char to Eshtei]
>She remains as warning, besides her blood is of fire and I wouldn't want to see Eshtei harmed by her food.

>>4735471
>[Do NOT give Sister Char to Eshtei]
Sorry Eshtei, she was promised to a different death.

>>4735498

Ah, she said use, not eat.

>>4735513
>May Eshtei have it? If Eshtei uses it, Eshtei shall not need to eat so much.
Ah I misunderstood this line then, I thought Eshtei wanted to keep Char as a living bloodbank.

>>4735517
That's assuming Char was still hanging on to life and not just a crops decorating the wall of thorns.

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"It's best you don't. Her blood burns, and she has been given to the wall." You inform her.

The giant spider's childish voice turns sly, "Eshtei could give back to the thorns. Give them Eshtei's strength. The land will remember. Eshtei will return the favor. Everyone stares at Eshtei so, with that thing, Eshtei could fix Eshtei's own form, make them stare less."

>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]
>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]

>>4735542
>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]

Now you have my curiosity. But make sure she knows that she's fine as she is.

>>4735542
>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]
Our promises are important. Know that you are fine as-is, however.

Now I’m interested in what exactly makes her unique in being useful as fuel. Just being an archmage?

>>4735542
>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]
Hopefully she uses Char's body as a base and doesn't just end up looking like the woman everyone saw us hammer onto the wall....

>>4735542
>>4735542
>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]
"If we are doing this might as well make it formal."
Can we do some ceremony of some shit like a pact or somewhat so she is bound to deliver

Fuck, I will continue this either Sunday or Monday, my allergies are kicking my ass and every few minutes my internet dies.

>>4735595
Rip, Swamp Lord.

>>4735595
That's why you must eat your veggies Wong.

>>4735595
Those damn pesky allergies!!!
Hope you feel better man, I hate spring it is always the worst season for my allergies too.
Well I'll have Monday night off at least
And at least I'm not the only one having network issues, the work wifi has been cutting in and out all evening.

>>4735542
>>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]
I think it's bad idea. Eshtei can lick her if she'd like to though.

>>4735542
>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]
I don't trust her enough yet to give her a "root" accesses to our security system/thornwall. Eshtei seems like she could be the type of coward that tries to please whoever anyone who's stronger, but turns on a dime and power trips the moment she thinks she is the strongest around. like the small child she pretends to be/is? or a house cat who suddenly was larger than it's owner.

>>4735817
Eshtei = StarScream

>>4735819
Gib me dat meme.

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>>4735872

>>4735542
>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]

>>4735542
>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]

>>4735881
Now put a spider in it and it'll be golden.

>>4735542
>Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage

>>4735542
>>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]

>>4735542
>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]

I have reservations about what this could mean. How old is Eshtei? Immortality needs life in payment, but what about soul surfing? Gloam is interested in her for a reason, and if Eshtei can swap her soul between forms, she could be functionally immortal, and the cost increase based on how human the body she currently inhabits is or just a "once every X years" kinda thing.

Just worried we may have a 300+ year old Thornwalker with a grudge and an "in" now. I personally want more info and talks with Eshtei before we trust the unknown practitioner of, at least frowned upon, magic with what sounds like a potential big gift.

Probably paranoia, but other crazy shit is happening, so....

>>4738287
More paranoia is never bad paranoia.

Words to live by.

>>4738287
I sort of want to see where this leads, but I can understand your reservations about this. I doubt the 'functionally immortal' bit, but to each his own.

>>4735542
>>[You're fine as you are, Eshtei]
Giving someone to the Thornwall feels like too final of a thing to later go ,,lol meatpuppet time"
Also doesn't make for good optics

>>4735542
>>[Gamble on Eshtei's promise of repayment, and let her have the former archmage]

>>4740977
>>4740944
>>4738287
>>4736194
>>4736097
>>4735915
>>4735882
>>4735817
>>4735763
>look at all dis one-post chumps trying to tie up the vote

I wonder who will win this round of autism.

>>4741377
I mean...the thread did just start.
It would be on thing if this was a few votes in but this is literally the second vote of the thread.

>>4741393
I would take you seriously... if you weren't a one-post chump as well. Why didn't you vote my man? Unless you already have... >:^(


In all seriousness, I don't mean to piss on all the anons who voted, it just seems irregular from my perspective. I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong in this case anon.

>>4741492

>>4738287 here, I usually wind up sleeping through most of these threads due to my schedule. I try to vote, but so far I've made five lives i think, so these long pause ones are the only ones I can really guarantee my two cents on. Apologies for nor being able to make more, I would love to.

>>4741509
No problem mate, sleep is important. Thanks for proving me wrong!

>>4741563
It's a sad reality that /qst/ and every other board that had quests on them in the past have had samefagging issues
Watch some other 1 post id come to yell about how they're just lurkers who don't normally post and that's why they rarely if ever respond when called out.
Your scepticism is not unwarranted anon.

Well, after a particularly harrowing day at work in which both our computer systems and the physical conveyor line went down I am here. Who else is?

>>4741748
At least one person is!

>>4741748
Heyo Wong

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"You're fine as you are, Eshtei." You have other reasons, including the fact that perhaps you don't yet trust the mammoth-sized spider beastmaker of an age perhaps old enough to remember your ancestor wiping out the progenitors of her magical style, but you gesture to the wall of thorns around Briarfast, "When justice has been pronounced, it must be carried out. She has been given to the thorns, her existence is finished, in any form. I will not take back sustenance given to the wall that has served my family so well for so long." The fact that said wall will not prick you with its thorns when it eagerly impales everything else has a part in that.

For a moment, the great spider is silent, and when it speaks its childish voice is somber, "An interesting choice, Eshtei thinks. Eshtei was being greedy, asking for things from one who has saved Eshtei's life. Besides, the magic is...troublesome. You, King who bears the ancient sigil, are a sorcerer. You know of the laws of immortality, yes?"

"Of course." You do, actually, and they played some small part in your decision.

"Eshtei has lived a long time. Perhaps Eshtei will live forever, but to do so, Eshtei must consume much that lives. For you, perhaps feeding Eshtei will not be troublesome, but the lady of the mask found Eshtei a most irritating guest. Eshtei's durance would be worse if Eshtei thought as you did, but Eshtei cannot remember what it is like to think and feel like people do. Perhaps Eshtei never was a person. Eshtei remembers being a small spider, and the hill of thorns...this place, Eshtei thinks. Eshtei remembers fear, and anger, and spite, but to Eshtei those fears and angers, those grudges, are just words in the book that is Eshtei. Do you know what Eshtei means?"

"Literally, or figuratively? Because I do understand what you are saying. You bear me no grudge for my ancestor conquering your people." You put it bluntly. Why? Because at the head of your army, marching to your own castle, with two archmagi waiting for you, clad in your full armor of both steel and smoke (for effect), you are as safe as you could possibly be. Better she learn your pedigree now than later.

"Eshtei is a spider. Unless Eshtei laid eggs, which Eshtei thinks Eshtei cannot, Eshtei has no people or lineage. Eshtei is simply Eshtei. If Eshtei had a person, still living, whose existence was unwanted, Eshtei could take that person's life and mingle it with Eshtei's, and Eshtei's body would change. Eshtei would have that person's mortality, Eshtei would no longer need to eat quite so much, and Eshtei's body would be smaller and have a face like theirs...but the fact that you don't mind Eshtei like this, it is comforting in a way. You do not fear Eshtei."

Once, you would have, before you passed through the terror of an imminent, awful death. You simply laugh, and wave to your subjects.

Lady Gwelm mutters a quiet, "Speak for yourself."

[Continue]

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You see Grandmama and Nuncle Arad flanking the doors to your castle. The old man looks so stern and dignified that you can tell he's bursting with pride, and Grandmama...

Your heart breaks slightly at the lack of any of her usual mischievous affection on her face. You look back, and see Gorol looking at her. She turns away, and pats Arad on the shoulder as if awarding him a point, stumbling into the fortress. Love of family can be terribly cruel. So can a love of justice.

>[Have him taken to a cell]
>[Have him placed in a nice guest room, firmly locked from the outside]

>>4741775
>[Have him placed in a nice guest room, firmly locked from the outside]
You surrendered, so no need to make his last few days uncomfortable.

>>4741775
>[Have him placed in a nice guest room, firmly locked from the outside]
I'd throw in a request to have the immediate hallway extremely well lit and any window sealed to limit the shadows he could jump into, but I'm not actually sure he's planing to make brake for it.

>>4741775
>[Have him placed in a nice guest room, firmly locked from the outside]

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You instruct your guards to show Gorol to a guest chamber, have the window boarded up so that he cannot step into a shadow outside and simply leave, and keep the door firmly locked and guarded. A comfortable house arrest, as befits a gentleman. For his last few days, at least, he will be comfortable. You also issue orders for another trial, and have your heralds proclaim far and wide your victory over the rebels, trumpeting that their cause is broken and lost, that their leader is fled, and that they cower before your might.

...but one problem remains currently foremost in your thoughts. Dampmeade, one of your villages, is occupied by a cannibalistic monster. A beast whose vestiges of humanity make him more terrifying than Eshtei. What will he do? Hold the villagers hostage? Kill them? As a wild animal finds no shame in flight, will he slink into the wilderness and wait for his chance at your throat, or like the rabid dog he is will he cause as much destruction as possible, either for fun or in the hope that you'll make a mistake?

Regardless, Dampmeade needs to be dealt with. Leaving the Ragged Elder at your back on your road north is to court disaster, and leaving your province disunited is worse.

>[Send rangers, men skilled in stealth and knowledge of the wilds, led by Cailm to reconnoiter the situation]
>[Send your Night Hunters, members of the Pack, led by Twull One-Eye, to try to talk to the Pack members occupying the town]
>[Lead your army there, led by Lord Jakob Absol, to crush the defiant beneath your sabatons]

>>4741817
>[Send rangers, men skilled in stealth and knowledge of the wilds, led by Cailm to reconnoiter the situation]
Sending pack members seems like it would lead to them submitting once more, when they are within threatening range of Grey.
I don’t like risking our woodsmen against a literal beast of the wilds, but any edge over no edge.

Bonus if we can get him or the three wolves before Gorol goes to trial

>>4741817
>[Send rangers, men skilled in stealth and knowledge of the wilds, led by Cailm to reconnoiter the situation]
No good general marches his army without sufficient intel

It looks like I might need to have Cailm statted before Friday, then.

>>4741839
Ohshit, are gonna get to have a Cailm POV section if we really roll poorly on our monthly company rolls?

>>4741817
>[Send rangers, men skilled in stealth and knowledge of the wilds, led by Cailm to reconnoiter the situation]

>>4741851

Next session will be CAILM GAIDEN regardless unless a bunch of people vote for one of the other options, but that seems unlikely at this point. However, Friday might be Jakob decompressing and doing stuff around the castle first, since it's been a while since you haven't been physically leading an army.

>>4741868
Aw shit here we go again
Cailm runs off into the forest and Jacob is once again left telling that one sttaw hat night hunter he "Has absolutely no idea where Cailm is currently"

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And when all of that is done, you call for Cailm. “Listen to me closely.” You instruct him, “I need you to put together a squad of woodsmen and rangers who know the eastern parts of the province, and scout out the town of Dampmeade. You'll be trying to avoid the notice of mages and their pet wolves alike, so exercise the utmost caution.”

He sighs heavily, “What a bother, I was looking forward to regaling the local beauties with tales of my heroic adventures. Perhaps you're just hoping I don't turn the eye of the three women jealously competing for your affections?”

Your cheeks redden beneath your visor, “You assume too much. Only one of them is-”

Your words die in a gale of Cailm's laughter, “You're too naive. Every woman has her hidden depths, you know? You think that bard of yours isn't fighting against the weight of her dreams, even knowing her station? Or the northern giantess against noble propriety? Your problem, Jakob, is that you're an innocent scholar. The most honest of the women in your life is the one whose subterfuges you can actually see.” He adjusts his quiver on his belt, “Ah, I'll pick at least one cute, woodsy girl for this expedition. I'm at my best with someone to show off for, after all. You be careful, now. Plants need watering and women need affection, show at least some interest even if you ultimately choose someone else. They'll survive.” He turns his back, and strides away with a wave, deliberately ignoring any attempts at a comeback you make.

You sigh, heavily. You've been so busy that you have scarcely taken notice of your surroundings. Without thinking, you've returned to your hall, standing in the center of the dais before the high table like a captain on the bow of his ship, issuing orders. Your legs ache, and there is a core of tension running through you that is finally starting to unwind. Some instinct tells you that you need to stop working and making preparations for at least a few hours, or you'll be organizing troop movements in your sleep. You will surely be mingling plenty with your soldiers at dinner tonight, and you could do with a break from noise and raucousness.

>[Talking to a girl would be nice right about now]
>[Invite your archmagi for a drink]
>[Petrine is still around, chat with her and maybe you'll get some stories about your parents or advice on rulership]
>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]

>>4741968
>[Invite your archmagi for a drink]
Grandmama! Nuncle Arad! Cailm was mean to us!

>>4741968
>>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]
Jacob is a nerdy scholar at hearth as Calim pointed out. I feel like he would want some time alone after days/weeks? I forget, in company with others. Even if it's not the most ideal choice or interesting.
>[once you've had some time to yourself and the books invite someone in]

>>4741968
>[Petrine is still around, chat with her and maybe you'll get some stories about your parents or advice on rulership]

Still wanna talk to the woman.

>>4742044
So now it finally updates. Fuckin captcha.

>>4741968
You wanna know the frustrating thing Wong? I'd really like to do them all. *sigh*

>>4742053
same

>>4742059
You wanna star with drinks and move up from there then mate?

>>4742061
start*

>>4741968
>>4741974
>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]
Just for the sake if us not being forever stuck in a tie I'll change my vote.
Who needs alcohol or women when you have books?

>>4741968
>>4742044
>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]

Shit, I'll make in unanimous then.

>>4741817
And in regards to the Ragged Elder, I'm of the opinion that we personally challenge him in Wolf form and use the final rank of Spiritual Escutcheon to solve this problem.

>>4741968
>>[Talking to a girl would be nice right about now]

>Lord Jakob Absol, taking care of business in the Swamp cita 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct2AWh-nKSk

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>>4742472

It's a strategy I personally like, but I'm not sure with the actual wording of the ability that you can just de-wolf him.

>>4742696
It could be interpreted as needing a willing target

>>4742696
Not to put my foot in my mouth, but I do think it's allowed. Reclaiming What Is Mine (lol if we use this to liberate Dampmeade) says we can break ongoing spells so long as we're touching the person or object we're disenchanting. Now, I remember you said that this doesn't apply to the monstrous creations of the Fleshscuplters, as it isn't a spell after creation. Wolf form, though, is an ongoing spell, since the caster can change his form at will for the duration of the spell (assuming). If that is the case, then we should be able to de-wolf the wolfman.

Of course, it is up for interpretation, and that interpretation shall be the QM choice.

>>4741968
>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]
Da books

>>4741968
>>[Petrine is still around, chat with her and maybe you'll get some stories about your parents or advice on rulership]

>>4742696
So we currently have the first 3 ranks of Spiritual Escutcheon and only one night hunter spell.
So putting the wording aside for a moment, how much exp would it cost us to gain the last two ranks of the Spiritual Escutcheon AND the wolf form spell?

>>4741968

>[Petrine is still around, chat with her and maybe you'll get some stories about your parents or advice on rulership]

Maybe offer a small contingent of Wings sorcerers to help with her pirate problems? Flying lightning spitters that can kinda control the weather have to up there on the list of "things boatmen don't want pissed off."

>>4742849

On his friends or even objects.

>>4743235

4 and 5 respectively for the esoteric techniques, but the magic is more complicated, the wolf form spell requires attunement so you would need the temporary attunement spell, and all Night Hunter spells are cast by howling at the moon, which requires the moon to be in the sky. Thusly, the spell to distill liquid moonlight might also be required.

>>4744034
So in short far more exp than we currently have.

>>4744031
The writers use friends because the inverse of that is nonsensical (i.e. shoving his enemies out of the way of harmful spells). You can see in the second paragraph of Community Oath that 'the character can counter spells that target anyone within ten or fifteen feet, as long as he's aware of the enchantment. This works exactly like a character using Parry to defend someone else.' Notice the 'target anyone' and 'defend someone else' as the limiting factor in the flavor of people you can affect. I would like to add that Reclaiming What Is Mine also states the the character 'has to be touching the object or person he's disenchanting', with 'person' being the descriptor here. Even though this Esoteric Discipline was obviously meant to be defensive (Like what proper sorcerer would allow their enemies to come into touching range?), I don't see any reason why it has to be limited by the allegiance of the person he's disenchanting.

That being said, I'll defer to your judgment Wong.

>>4744034
Not to be that dick again, but the distill moonlight spell isn't technically required for Night Hunter spells to work, only access to the liquid moonlight itself is the limiting factor. I will add though, a Night Hunter that doesn't know how to distill their own liquid moonlight is a poor Night Hunter indeed, and that applies to us as well.

>>4744103

Required in the sense of "you'll want this to use it during the day or a new moon". As for Reclaiming What Is Mine, your argument is persuasive and not one I'll dismiss out of hand. While I'm still leaning towards no, it's now on the grounds of balance against Maemeck (Cheillan in this setting) Quelling, which I'll read through again and, if it offers enough to someone who already has RWIM...I'll make my decision that way.

>>4744176
I appreciate that Wong.

>>4742696
I will say, this would be prefect for a monk class, if there is an equivalent in Reign.

Just thought about it, did we ever get a report from the scouts we sent to monitor that Rynd """diplomat""" a while back?

>>4748023
I assume nothing suspicious was found, considering everything was silent on that front.

>>4748023
Considering it took apparently two weeks for that messenger two weeks to reach us from Ryd Territory, I wouldn't expect to hear from our horsemen for a bit yet.
A week to escort the fat man to our borders and then however long it takes for them to return, probably faster without pulling escort duty.

Game will happen but due to a loss in the family I don't know when I'll be home.

>>4751003
You and your family have my condolences Wong.
Take all the time you need, we will be here when you get back.

>>4751003

Family losses are rough to deal with. Hope the way back home is uneventful for you.

>>4751003
I'm sorry to hear that Wong. Condolences and prayers.

>>4751003
My condolences, Mr. Wong.

>>4741968
>[Forget company, you want your library and your books, go have a nice read and see if you find anything interesting in your father's notes]
UNLIMITED POWEEEER

Sorry for the delays, everyone. Yes, I'm still here, yes, we'll be running this week. Don't worry about what happened, it's not a thing that's pleasant to hear about or dwell on and everyone's still shook over it.

>>4760001
Well I have the next few Fridays off so I'll see you then Wong!

>>4760001
Np Wong.

Game will be Saturday instead of Friday so I have more time to prewrite. I had a long thing written up and realized I'd created a massive plothole.

>>4765378
Alright, see ya tomorrow, I'll pop in when I can from work.

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>>4765378
Happens to the best of us Wong. I do hope you'll share it with us when it isn't gamebreaking that we know. See you on the weekend.

>>4765854

Let's just say it's harder for some people to be in two places at once when they don't have a teleporting mech.

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Yes, you could definitely do with a break from the noise. “I'll be retiring to my quarters. No interruptions, unless it's urgent.” You inform your guards, and make your way up the steps, up through the bustling castle, up, up, up to your tower room. Servants remove your armor for you, and you dismiss them after ordering a hot bath prepared.

The sun peeks through the clouds, casting dusty golden rays through the windows. Birds are singing, and almost all is right with the world. “Albeda fled to the woods like a bat.” You cackle to yourself, clapping your hands. You take your time bathing, scrubbing the campaign off your skin until you feel pink and slightly raw all over. It is nearly time for the ward against divination you wove on yourself to wear off, you'll have to remember to cast it again.

Speaking of which, a thought emerges. Albeda is heading to the woods. Ralf Schwaltz wants to marry her. Perhaps you could use him to capture her?

>[Send Lord Ralf a letter saying that the marriage sounds like a wonderful idea and you've sent Albeda to him, he had best intercept her and make sure she hasn't been captured by any ruffians who might try to use her for their own dastardly ends (for example, your enemies). One rival removed, one alliance secured, nice and neat. She wasn't good enough at scheming to beat you on her home ground, she certainly won't beat you outside it.]
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

>>4767344
>[Send Lord Ralf a letter saying that the marriage sounds like a wonderful idea and you've sent Albeda to him, he had best intercept her and make sure she hasn't been captured by any ruffians who might try to use her for their own dastardly ends (for example, your enemies). One rival removed, one alliance secured, nice and neat. She wasn't good enough at scheming to beat you on her home ground, she certainly won't beat you outside it.]
This is probably a terrible idea in the long run, but its just too damn funny not to.

>>4767344
>>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

>>4767344
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]
I know we should probably be making allies of him and the Ryds, but I don't trust him, and the Ancestral Grudge must be settled

>>4767344
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

>>4767344
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

He needs all the allies he can get anyways, what with the king bleeding him dry of Might, and Might is the one thing we have an abundance of.

>>4767344
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

I trust the damn R*ds more than Ralf
Ah checking in early at the beginning of my work shift has paid dividends in my favour.

>>4767344
>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

This gives me an idea: we are one, if not THE province with the greatest military power. If Ralf offers shelter to Albeda, he would be openly shielding a traitor and would be considered a conspirator, could we use it as a casus beli to invade his lands and beat the fuck out of him? I don't think that full blown, permanent ocupation could actually happen, but loot and reminding people of why you don't fuck with the swamp are good second prizes

>>4767344
>>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

>>4767344
>>[It is too dangerous to have Albeda sitting in any provincial noble's court where she can conspire freely. No, she isn't a blood relative, and her lineage-by-mentorship argument doesn't hold much water outside the swamps, but she's slippery and Ralf needs all the power he can get. Don't send a letter, and if you do, let it be to inform Ralf that she must be returned immediately if he finds her.]

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Nah. Albeda is too dangerous with any kind of noble backing. You trust the Ryds almost more than Ralf Schwaltz.

With that decision made, you remove yourself from the bath, dry off, and dress in simple clothes of good quality. Your father disdained an excess of jewelry, and so do you. Your hose and pointed boots are dark, as is the knee-length tunic you wear over them, belted with a broad leather belt whose buckle forms the shape of an eye. Your sleeves are long and dangling, and you wear a knife mostly for the purposes of knives being very useful. There might be a traitorous wheel of cheese somewhere that needs a piece cut out of it. Over this, a short, elbow-length cape with a hood. Mostly for purposes of fashion, if you need to go outside you have the otterskin cloak one of your subjects presented you with as a coronation gift. You browse your library in search of something to read, letting your mind drift.

The smell of parchment and leather bindings hangs in this room, almost like a perfume. You remember when you were small, the bookshelves were like a maze, and you can practically see you and an equally young Cailm pelting at full speed up and down the stairs between the levels. You can almost hear the flutter of your mother's wings in hot pursuit, vowing that your father will hear of whatever mischief you're up to the moment he gets home at the top of her lungs.

>[Serious reading, you have something you want to research or look into]
>[Light reading, purely for pleasure or to pass the time]

>>4768195
>>[Light reading, purely for pleasure or to pass the time]

>>4768195

>[Serious reading, you have something you want to research or look into]

Look for anything Arnveis mightve written just before departing for Cheill.

Strategy, politics, reservations, anything that might be able to give us a better idea of what really happened.

Also look for some custom spells.

>>4768195

>[Serious reading, you have something you want to research or look into]

We should try and see about getting more information about Cheillan Quelling, to see how it's different from our father's techniques, as well as looking up some treatises on martial combat. At least getting some of the theoretical and forms of the more common schools before our new Master-at-Arms is decided on, so we don't look like a buffoon, and can talk properly to them about it when we're choosing.

>>4768195
>>4768225
+1
Focus on his school and what he personally wrote about using it for

>>4768195
>[Serious reading, you have something you want to research or look into]
Perhaps some additional looking into the night hunters school of magic as Brother Grey is our next target, any books acquired by our father that mayhaps predate Brother Grey's culling of practitioners who wouldn't bend the knee to him.

>>4768195
>[Light reading, purely for pleasure or to pass the time]

>man, I need some time off to relax a little
>time for some hardcore research

I do approve of the productivity and initiative here, but we came here to relax a little lads.

>>4768400
What's more relaxing for an introvert than hardcore book binging on a topic?
Especially after so much socializing and being lord?

>>4768404
Being with a woman.

I call the librarian.

>>4768400

>relaxation

I mean, we could also look up horrendously-written, borderline-scandalous literature too, as a joke for whoever comes to find us. I heard 'Passing Through the Willows' by Mme Gray is a rather well-received but salacious romp about the unification efforts of the Swamp under Amadeus Absol, popular among those of a historical bent. It also has a wonderful recipe for a historically significant aphrodisiacally eel pie recipe.

>"Look at this depiction of sorcery, it's barely making any sense in the slightest."
>"Jakob, think for a moment. How many spells do you know specifically require a man and a woman working together, alone, in the night?"
>"...Oh."

Damn, now I want to switch it over. Switching my vote here >>4768286

to

>[Light reading, purely for pleasure or to pass the time]

With a fixation on historical novels. With completely pure intentions, of course.

>>4768413
Ah I guess I'm the only one who unwinds after work by studying the Bronze age collapse.

>>4768433
Of course. The enlightened consider is research... of a sort.

>>4768445
Actually, I often study political phenomena in my off time. Unwinding, it is not. Informative though.

>>4768493

>research... of a sort

Look, uncovering recipes from the earliest records of the swamp is crucial work. We should ensure that they don't go into the bogs with so many other important historical narratives, and should be celebrated.

Besides, one of the key responsibilities of Lords is to ensure heirs to prevent crises like the one we're facing down right now. HEIRS godsdamnit! Shut it Cailm, it's important work for the future of the realm.

And then the power went out. Well, I am going to also run Tuesday and Tuesday might be our new day from now on.

>>4768592

>power went out

Fuckin RIP. Hopefully it's just an interruption instead of a downed line or worse.

>>4768592
It seems like the power is off a lot. Are you experiencing rolling blackouts, or is it simply bad weather?

>>4768592
Ah dang I work the next 4 Tuesdays, ah well.
See ya then Wong!

>>4768607

The power and the internet are separate problems. Sadly, the internet problem has to do with this computer's adapter, as far as I can tell.

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You find it a little hard to just do nothing and read adventure stories, so you decide to focus on something worthwhile. Your studies of countermagic are still fresh in your mind, as well as the recent battles, and moreover you feel a little bit more prepared to look into the events of your father's death than you previously were.

Which reminds you. You have the unpleasant task ahead of finding out where Gorol was conducting his experiments and laying your father properly back to rest.

The books your father brought back from the Cheillan War (aside from the Shattered Shackle) are all on his desk, and you rummage through them. Most of them are light reading themselves, texts on herb lore and birds and history, but one book clearly stands out. Bound in a waterproof jacket, it's little more than a block of pages bound with string, and as you open it and notice his distinctive handwriting beneath neatly marked dates, you realize that this is a diary.

It begins innocuously enough, with him recounting his personal trepidation at leaving you and Albeda alone. You cannot help but feel slightly indignant at the note that 'although in the past, Albeda might have bullied him in my absence, at the age they are at Jakob is just as likely to be the perpetrator of mischief and indeed, part of me fears he will put a child in her before I return'.

It's gross when it's your dad saying it.

[Continue]

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He describes the preparations he made for war, listing exhaustively how he chose the officers he did to delegate to. While, in putting down the rebels, you commanded the mages yourself for the most part, he knew his sorcerers exceedingly well and was able to better divide them into small cadres under the direction of trusted lieutenants.

The logistics of the war itself seem to give him quite a headache. His army is absolutely swamped in Schwaltzwood archers and rangers ill accustomed to the open terrain. He also notes with some irritation that while he has Gwelmite marines whose seaboots are ill-suited for marching and give them blisters that slow the army down, between them and the woodsmen the king has not seen fit to send him any of the disciplined Magdali legions from the capital or the seasoned soldiers from the Escanto desert.

He notes ruefully that he has been handed everything the king could requisition from the Frontier Provinces and more or less told to make the best of it, which is a shame, because he was looking forward to trying massed flame dancing tactics. He actually mentions the spell that Sister Char could supposedly cast, the great flaming giant, but says that only a handful of sorcerers know that particular spell and he doubts the king would send any of them along. Still, he manages, and he leaves you detailed notes on HOW he manages. You learn a great deal about the higher levels of strategy, logistics, training, and beating the impurities out of a raw army until it's an ingot worth forging into a blade.

“Ulrich would once have at least come to me in person, spoken to me man to man, and planned the campaign together.” He writes, “Losing his wife has left him a pale shadow of himself, confined to the palace by chains of fear.” He also opines that the reason so many of the troops are from the Schwaltzwood is as punishment for Lord Schwaltz. Clearly, he believes the rumors that the death of the previous Lord Schwaltz may not have been an accident.

[Continue]

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Then, he gets into his notes on Quelling, the Cheillan sorcerous art, the only one they practice. You get the sense that getting the chance to face them firsthand again is one of the cures for his frustration, as he clearly has fought them before.

The Quellers, he writes, do not choose magic. It is chosen for them. The Cheillans believe that all of existence is one great god-body, of which they are an organ. Magic is the lifeblood of this god-body, and that sorcerers are essentially cancers within it, sucking up more than their due to disrupt its proper function. To be a sorcerer is a defiance of the natural destiny of humanity, but as a result, the Quellers exist. Through some combination of astrology or other superstition-based divination (as opposed to the very real and sensible divination you practice, and no, that isn't sarcastic) mixed with testing, the Cheillan Deciders select children to be part of that despised caste, learning to harness their own internal magical leylines to disrupt spells around them. The Quellers are lower than dung-haulers and corpse-washers, spiritually defiling themselves to destroy greater spiritual defilers. If Cheillan parents were allowed to raise their children themselves, they would surely weep to see their offspring chosen for this role.

Quellers stand out, and not just physically, although they attune to their art (and there is no temporary attunement) through a noticeable series of crescent-shaped runes cut into their flesh and treated so as to scar. Casting a spell in a Queller's presence will produce an unpleasant, disharmonious sensation in the caster even if the Queller is not actively doing anything. Once one has felt it once, simply extending one's arcane senses out will surely reveal the presence of any Quellers within a dozen paces. Again, he speaks from firsthand knowledge. He also makes note of some of the general abilities he has seen or heard of Quellers using.

They can create a dissonant pulse by tugging the strings of magic locally that any mage can feel. They can ward themselves against damage SPECIFICALLY from magic. They can enchant weapons so as to ignore armor SPECIFICALLY caused by magic. They can cause the target to suffer harm whenever they are affected by a spell, whether harmful or beneficial, including repeated castings of the original spell, and he has at least heard rumors that a greater version of this spell lasts forever. They can permanently nullify the attunement of a sorcerer targeted by the Queller. They can deactivate all spells on a person or object immediately (while most of their nastier magic thankfully takes minutes or hours to cast). They can create permanent zones in which greater magic simply doesn't work and lesser magic becomes as difficult as greater magic, in about a square mile region. They can create temporary zones, which get up to a mile across, in which magic simply does not work.

[Continue]

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Your father notes that for the Orruks, this gives them a particular horror of the Cheillans, and given what Gorol said about their views on magic you can see why.

You're horrified just reading it. In a setpiece battle, all the sorcery of the swamp could be rendered useless by a single Queller if said Queller was given the requisite time to prepare, and surely there would exist areas of strategic importance to the Cheillans where the skein of magic would already be snarled beyond untangling. Every battle is reduced to brute force and tactics.

You find yourself staring at that page for a while, contemplating this, how you would react if suddenly your sorcerers were simply useless mouths to feed rather than a force multiplier. Elements of Spiritual Escutcheon are clearly meant as counters for the Cheillan countermagic, but it's neither a complete solution nor a perfect one.

You flip past illustrations of the general shape of the runes, and continue his narrative. He describes the trials and travails of getting the hodgepodge army going, with numerous amusing anecdotes. Apparently the Ryd soldiers tried to bribe him into sending them home, which you make note of. The Galdynfyrgenbach soldiers were little more than bandits and had to be closely watched to avoid desertion. The Ledo Plains had sent the majority of the army's cavalry contingent, and while they were enthusiastic and jolly, the wellborn knights and sons of good families sent along were hotheaded and didn't take things seriously enough. Your father notes with both amusement and irritation that the first bands of Cheillans the knights found, they rode down without bothering to question why they were so far from their fortresses.

...And then the amusement stops. Your father notes passing through villages that were empty, past holdfasts that could easily have been held, abandoned. At one point, they encountered a small band of Cheillans clearly fleeing, but when they realized capture was imminent they slew themselves with their own blades, smiles on their faces. You turn the page, and the next day's entry reads simply, “We have met our enemy. These are no longer the people of Cheill.”

You nearly jump at the sound of your steward's voice, “My lord, come quickly. We have news of the party you sent north with a Ryd envoy.”

>[Later, I'm in the middle of something]
>[The book will be here when I get back, I had better deal with this immediately]

>>4774399
>[The book will be here when I get back, I had better deal with this immediately]

Ohhhh, it's getting good!

>>4774399
>>[The book will be here when I get back, I had better deal with this immediately]

>>4774399

>[The book will be here when I get back, I had better deal with this immediately]

Damn it, interruptions always happen when the reading starts to get good. Envoys and messengers must have a bit of the divining arts themselves in order to find the best possible time to interrupt.

>>4774399
>[The book will be here when I get back, I had better deal with this immediately]
I swear if we get back and the book has mysteriously vanished...

>>4774424
>indeed, part of me fears he will put a child in her before I return
I can't believe our dad was a filthy AlbedaXJacob Shipper

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"It sounds urgent, Harvin. Is everything all right?" You set the book aside, cursing the timing of interruptions.

"He won't bleed out, at least. He's feverish, but I bound his wounds and applied a poultice. He will live, although I have advised him to be very easy with his shoulder. Thankfully, the crossbow bolt went through cleanly, a wound like that can be messier if it doesn't pass out the other side of the body." Harvin leads you down to the main hall, where a young man is laid out on one of the tables. "He is badly dehydrated and short of rest, however. From the sound of things, he rode his horse as hard as he could until it collapsed, then ran the rest of the way here. With the crossbow bolt in his shoulder."

He's got ginger hair and freckles, and a sort of gawky look. His armor and surcoat, bearing your insignia, have been removed and his shoulder heavily bandaged. "My lord..." He tries to rise, and Harvin gently puts a hand on his head and pushes him back down.

"Easy, soldier." You command him gently, "You have done well to return to me. Give him water, Harvin, his voice still sounds dry." Your steward complies, and you use the time it grants you to let the boy gather himself. "What happened to the others?"

"Dead...all dead." He shudders, "Roddy, Big Jack, Mulls, Old Griff. Bastards killed them all. I was the rear guard, the last one they saw. I'm sorry m'lord, I couldn't...I went for me crossbow, but when I was hit I dropped it. I ran, m'lord." His shoulders shake with grief, tears rolling down his face, "You won't tell my mother, will you?"

"Only that you made it home to deliver an essential report. If you couldn't win, you would have just been throwing your life away." You tell him. "Who killed them?"

[Continue]

>>4774429
Should have done it just to give the old man a heart attack.

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"That fat whoreson." The boy snarls through his tears, "That bastard...fire take him...take him..." He sobs, "We knew something was wrong. We caught him loosing a pigeon, but he just gave us an oily smile and said...said he was letting his kin know he was on his way home safe, to...to send guides with provisions and wine. He just needed us to escort him a day's journey over the border, he said. Led us into a narrow little ravine, then shut his carriage up tight as bowmen appeared on both sides above, shouting 'Vengeance! Vengeance for Ryd!' They never gave us a fair fight, just rained arrows and quarrels down on us. I was hit trying to raise...to raise my crossbow and fell off my horse. Right into its shadow. I knew just the one spell, and I dropped into it, hid inside the dark. My horse scampered a ways off and its shadow with it, so I was stuck there for hours, probably. You don't FEEL the time pass when you're in the dark, you know? I only popped out when the sun moved enough for the spot to be in shade again. The others were dead and cold, and me, I was injured. Lucky my horse wasn't too far off, I managed to catch it and...well, I came back here."

"Vengeance?" You question him, "Vengeance for what?" That's a fine question indeed. The Ryds, after all, are the thieves.

"Just 'Vengeance for Ryd, Vengeance for Lord Ryd'." The boy shrugs.

>[What will you do? You committed to helping Hannah, after all, and already your troops are preparing for the march north, it's no secret that the way you're expected to go is through Ryd lands]

>>4774469
Just a stray thought but, our divination magic as it stands only lets us view a person's potential future and not their past correct?

>>4774469
Sounds like a reprisal is in order. It's times like this when you wish you had a Glass Diplomat...

Either call up a war council, or we relax and call them up tomorrow.

To clarify, this is more of a "what will you do IMMEDIATELY" thing.

>>4774478
Calling a war council seems good

>>4774481
Divination magic, then relax, maybe have some company. We can deal with this problem tomorrow after our mind has slept on it for a moment.

>>4774469

We might have to take a detour. Is there other ways to get to Galdynfyrgenbach without passing through "Ryddish" lands? If not, we might have to announce our presence ahead of time with a heavily prepared envoy of our own. Call a council, and pick our advisor's brains over to see if they have some insight in our options.

>vengeance for Lord Ryd.

Main thing I can think of is that Londo might have gotten jumped by the furries if he went near Dampmeade on the way back. Pentacle using them, claiming to be part of the Absol loyalists. Even if R*d survived the attack, his countrymen would pin it on us trying to retake our rightful clay. Albeda and her reading circle trying to get them to turn against us would be a substantial thorn in our side, especially since she fled south to try and get Ralf on her side. Based Lord and Hannah would never support her, and Petrine is an unknown quantity. She'd rather use our traditional rivals and the unknown quantity to shore up her waning power.

It also could just be more R*d powerplays and retaliation since we didn't give them a solid response to their dragon problem. It could also be infiltrators who pretended to be R*ds, and are trying to stoke a conflict between us and them to further divide loyalties in the Frontier. Too many variables that we have to start crossing off with Divinations and spies.

>>4774493
It's obviously Shell's bullshittery and machinations at play.

>>4774478

You could research that spell...but beware, remember the downside of Glass Diplomat.

>>4774469
Someone has set us up I think. If Ryd is dead, on his way out of our lands, we would be held responsible.
First things first, information. Call the war council, make divinations, send out someone to investigate the site of the attacks. Perhaps the Pack may be well suited for this.

Worst comes to worst, we end up having to fight our way through the mountains.
Whoever they are, they will Pay.

Or, this gives us the perfect excuse to add our ancestral lands back into our direct rule.
No, no, I’m not looking for any excuse to use this army we have for Big Stick diplomacy.

Will you invite Petrine Gwelm to the council?

>[No, this is a swamp matter]
>[Yes, as a fellow noble she might have resources to offer]

>>4774500
Hey, fair chance of it getting through if it's only a sole traveler, especially if we put a hood on.

>>4774501
It's Shell. Only person who benefits from frontier Provincial infighting.

>>4774485
>>4774501

Who will you cast your divination magics on? Remember, they must be present.

>>4774511
>[Yes, as a fellow noble she might have resources to offer]

I still want to talk to her personally damnit!

>>4774514
Us or Hannah I say.

>>4774511

>[Yes, as a fellow noble she might have resources to offer]

Not just that, but it's also a Cover Your Own Ass moment. Gives plausible deniability if pressed that we didn't know shit. Plus, Petrine doesn't seem to have much of a stake in helping the R*ds, as far as I recall.

>>4774514

We can probably cast it on Hannah. She'll likely want to know in advance if anything is going to happen on the route back to her homeland. If she doesn't want to, then cast it on ourselves before we re-apply Froth again.

>>4774493
There is also the possibility of dissension between Lord Ryd and the provinces merchant Nobles, seeing as the fatman was one such and he seems to have been the one who sprung this trap/bait.
>>4774511
>[Yes, as a fellow noble she might have resources to offer]
Also let's us try and feel her out. That being said our "feeling people out" skills aren't exactly world class, feela like we should ask Fluffy Bard to be "present" as back ground music but also to watch our Aunt and for suspicious tells from our small selection of trusted mages, seeing as how Cailm our trusted nonmage has already been dispatched away.

>>4774511
>[No, this is a swamp matter]
Trust No One.

>>4774514
Whoever we send to investigate the attack site. Perhaps Twull, or Calim. If anyone strikes them, we can try to know about it.
Gah I wish we just had a bit more straight forwards scrying spell, but that would be insane. Or a way to observe the past, not just the present.

>>4774512

I mean the OTHER downside. Every glass diplomat is self-aware, just as conscious as you are, and knows that nothing is stopping it from killing and replacing you because each one instinctively knows it could become "the real one" that way.

>>4774526
But we do have a way to observe the past anon.

Motherfuckin books lad. That shit is lit.

>>4774527
>inb4 Jacob Glass diplomats Each take a one if the girls as a wife, never saying their aren't the real Jacob and the next generation succession war is absolutely crazy
Muh standard Harem anime ending.jpeg

>>4774511
>>[No, this is a swamp matter]

>>4774511
>[Yes, as a fellow noble she might have resources to offer]

>>4774534
> take a one if
Takes*
Of*
Way to garble my English skills phone.

>>4774534

If real Jakob can't decide, how could multiple identical Jakobs do it?

>>4774527
I can't imagine living life as a glass mirror would be fun, and not learning, using magic or experiencing life? It's as Glass Ass said, it's just a form of hell on earth. Plus, I didn't know we have a secret death wish or something that'll make us kill out of self preservation, but that just may be me being blind as to our character.

Again, I'll leave it to you discretion Wong.

>>4774541
Lottery.

>>4774541
That's a council meeting of Jacobs that takes so long that all the girls have moved on and started entire families before they have even finished the first draft of their pro's and con's list...

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“You've done well, soldier. Rest. Harvin, summon my uncle and Grandmama, along with my officers. No, let them know that our soldiers have been attacked on the northern border, and that we will have council tomorrow.” When their minds are clear, “...Include Lady Gwelm. Find Twull, ask him to take some of his best and go investigate the scene. They can ask him whatever questions they need to get the route.” You gesture to the boy, “...So long as they don't disturb him unduly. I leave that up to you.”

Now, you just need your scrying bowl and a glimpse into the future.

>[Perform a divination on yourself]
>[Perform a divination on Hannah]

>>4774548
>[Perform a divination on Hannah]

It'll be nice spending some time with her.

>>4774548

>[Perform a divination on Hannah]

If she doesn't want to do it, then we'll do it on ourselves.

>>4774548
>[Perform a divination on yourself]

>>4774548
>>[Perform a divination on Hannah]

>>4774548
>[Perform a divination on Hannah]
I'm not sure enough time has passed for us to do a divination on ourselves again and get a new prophecy anyways.
Also I REALLY hope that this is a ploy by some dissatisfied nobles in the Ryd faction. Because having someone who can off THE LORD LONDO RYD someone even our own Father was wary of, not to mention the his personal guard. Just camping out unknown in our swamp does not sit well with me. Unless he decided to be a old dashing young hero and go deal with our grey wolf problem to sure up our aid with his dragon problem and managed to get himself slain to the last man.... Which is also a troubling thought.

>>4774572

Who knows? Well, I know. I know exactly what happened, but you don't know.

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“Also, if you could, find Lady Galdynfyrgenbach and...” You turn around to leave, majestically...and run right into a tower of strong, surprisingly shapely flesh. For the first time, she isn't wearing armor, but instead a decidedly ladylike dress of a subdued violet shade that goes well with her eyes. It would be quite the sight, despite her height and strength she has a feminine build...except that you're too close and for once, being face height with her breasts even at your height bites you right in the ass as you walk facefirst into her chest.

Her breasts squish around your cheeks right up to your ears, and you hear a muffled squeal from up above. You stagger back, face blazing, “I am so sorry!”

She is even more red than you are, down to her breasts, “Curse my form, I have given offense again.” She reflexively shifts her hair to cover her scars, bowing deeply, “Please think nothing of it. Please? For me?” She smiles winsomely at you.

You straighten your already straight clothes, and do your best to ignore the presence of anyone else in the room, “I wanted to see you. Um, to spend time with you, that is. Come with me. I'm going to read your fortune.” You grab her hand, realize that you absolutely CANNOT drag her off, and are spared the embarrassment as she follows you meekly up the stairs, “Before we go north, that is.”

“What happened to your man back there?” She questions, “He was hurt, do your enemies still resist you?”

“We can talk about that later, when I know more about what actually happened.” You lead her to your library, and notice that despite her embarrassment, she smiles as her fingers lace tightly with yours. You couldn't let go even if you wanted to.

[Continue]

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You lead her through the library, up towards your bed...and you turn to notice her eyes are very wide, very soft, very moist. Her lips are parted slightly, and while she is still blushing, it isn't quite so much.

You pick up your divining bowl from the bedside table, and her shoulders dip slightly. As always, the bowl is deeply curved, inlaid with engravings of reeds, frogs, dragonflies, and waterfowl. A pond, when filled with water, sculpted of fine silver. “Oh.” She says quietly.

You aren't sure what to say yet, but maybe you'll think of something clever. You sit down on the bed and gesture for her to sit beside you, taking the bowl and carefully, ritualistically filling it up right to the bottom of the carved reeds. “Take it.” You hold the bowl out to her, “One hand on each side. Hold it gently, but don't drop it.”

She nods, carefully accepting the bowl, and biting her lip as you put your hands over hers. “Don't let it spill, but move with me. Slowly.” You begin to swirl the water around, forming the smallest and gentlest of whirlpools in the middle, “Slowly...feel the river of magic flow through you...” She can't, probably, “Be as its banks, events flowing through you. On and on, the water goes, and in our mind's eye, we turn our gaze downstream...” Your voice is low and soothing

Her eyes shut, and you look down into the water, and see with the eye of your mind.

>[Begin rolling dice. Sense+Sorcery]

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4774607

>Tell me Jakob, what do your swamp eyes see?

>"Future unclear, check again later?" Piece of shit!

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4774607

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4774607
Yosh!

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>4774607
IT'S TIME FOR D-D-DICE!

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4774617
>>4774611
Well we started off with pair at least.
>>4774607
Anime intro music starts playing

>>4774607
Dicelads, assemble!

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4774607

More....Dice....

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4774607
>>4774621
Rip rolls

>>4774620

I mean, we do also have a MD in Sorcery that should apply, so it could be a 2x10 at the least too if we don't get enough 1s for the Intensity.

>>4774618

That Sorcery MD, earned during a dramatic moment, is paying dividends again. Keep rolling dice. You'll have a pool of 10 to roll for details, now.

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4774607
Another die
Well. If nothing else is we got a pair of 1's and with our md a pair of 10's

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4774607
>>4774628

Rolling to see them deets.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4774607
>>4774628
You heard the man
MORE DICE!
And that's me back off to work

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4774607
Hannah, take my Dice

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4774607

More dice to see if Hannah meets any more dark and handsome strangers on the way back north.

Also if this is described a BIT less clearly than the first visions, forgive me, call it a retcon if you like but the way the book describes how these visions work makes it seem a bit less clear than the original cutscene-style ones you had before.

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4774607
And here's my last roll. For now.

We need a few more!

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4774607

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4774658
Yosh!

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4774607

One more, to attempt to fill the void again

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4774658
Hannah, I must compliment you on your thicc Rolls

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>4774658
Rollin

>>4774625
>>4774629
>>4774631
>>4774632
>>4774633
>>4774637
>>4774640
>>4774659
>>4774661
>>4774664

Sets: 2x1, 2x5, 2x8, 2x6,
Waste: 3, 7

File: d067e09a3c7e51999a0a41901(...).jpg (18 KB, 508x381)

18 KB JPG

Rolled 6, 9, 3 = 18 (3d10)

"I see..." The words sweep over you, conveying as much to you as to her, carrying the scattered images conveyed, "Arms, open wide, on the other side of mountains as sharp as teeth. A mother's embrace, calling you home. A place where you will be made whole." You know her entire family is dead, and so the vision puzzles you slightly. "But misfortune awaits, the jaws holding those teeth close tight, each pass becoming as a forest of razors you cannot pass through without being cut to pieces. Yet...even though it is an obstacle, there is an opportunity." Your voice goes quiet as you struggle to make sense of what you see, "Bright water, blue and glittering. The clouds part and a storm stops, and pennants blow northward. The wind is blowing north? I see a ship. No, a fleet of ships, and the pennants tip the billhooks of that army as they raise them high from atop the decks, glittering in the sunlight pouring down from a cloudless sky. The ships travel north, the light on the spears melting the ice ahead of them. A great mammoth rears and trumpets, its fur crimson and its eyes blazing with fire, sclera yellow and irises red. I see..." Your voice trails off.

Oh no. You don't want to tell her about the last thing you see. What an embarrassing social mishap! You'll just have to keep in mind that it's coming, and be there for her when it does. Ouch, that one will surely sting.

The vision ends, and you smile at her, squeezing her hands, "I believe the vision was saying that despite the obstacles and misfortune in our path, our alliance is an opportunity in the long run." Yes, especially the part you CANNOT tell her about, or perhaps you're a horrible person for thinking so, "That is, if we get access to ships, and take advantage of a break in the spring storms and a northerly wind to bypass Ryd lands entirely and travel to your province by sea."

She looks at you searchingly.

[Continue, Hannah rolls Sense+Empathy]

>>4774727
>6,9

Lewd

>>4774727

>Hannah has a Sense+Empathy pool of 3

Seems like she ran into the same issues that we do. Sense 4 never ever.

>>4774738

Actually by this point you've been on campaign with her enough to have her stats. Enjoy.

>>4774741
>Hannah's stats
BEEEEG
SWOLE
TAAAALL
CURVY
shy

Hannah Galdynfyrgenbach, Tundra Lady

Unspent Exp: 0
Total Exp: 0

BODY: 5
Athletics: +3
Climb: +3
Endurance: +3
Fight: +3
Parry: +3MD
Run: +3
Vigor: +3
Swim: +3
COORDINATION: 5
Weapon (Sword): +3MD
SENSE: 3
KNOWLEDGE: 1
COMMAND: 2
CHARM: 1

ADVANTAGES:
Thick Headed 1 (one extra wound box in the head)
Leather Hard 5 (one extra wound box in every location)
Status 3 (Lady of the Galdynfyrgenbach Tundra, FREE for plot reasons)
Possession ? (The Diamond Tower, FREE for plot reasons)
Possession ??? ('Wayward Daughter', Massive Enchanted Greatsword, FREE for plot reasons)
Die With Your Boots On 5 (cannot go unconscious from a head full of Shock damage, takes no penalties for a torso full of Shock damage, can use a limb filled with Killing damage normally for a round by taking a point of Killing to the torso)
Last Push 5 (Can continue to act for 5 rounds after taking enough damage to die)
Whale Blessed 2 (Takes no penalties for swimming in rough or cold water, can swim in heavy armor with a -4 penalty)
Literate: Vartynen 1 (FREE for plot reasons)
Wealth 4
Combat Secrets (17 total)

PROBLEMS:
Drunken Blackouts (When you drink you do foolish, illegal, and dangerous things, +1 xp whenever this causes problems for you)

PASSIONS:
Mission: Put down the rebels
Duty: Survive
Craving: Avoid being bullied or yelled at

ESOTERIC DISCIPLINES:

COMBAT SECRETS:
Broadcutter's Path (Sword): Batter the Blade
Path of the Razor Heart (Sword): Pure Commencement

Usual Combat Stats:

AR: 3 (mundane) on locations 1-10
Damage: Wayward Daughter Width+2 Killing, Width Shock, all Waste dice do a point of Shock damage unaffected by armor

>>4774746

Ignore the "combat secrets (17 total)", I reduced it to 2 after realizing my math was wrong.

File: Hannah drunk.jpg (75 KB, 1280x720)

75 KB JPG

“I see...” She trails off, then smiles brightly, “So we have a plan, then?”

You nod, “Potentially. I can't just ask for ships at this time of year. This will take some finesse, and we will still need to have the war council tomorrow to work out what we do about our border.”

“Do you think I could be useful?” She asks softly. “Whatever I can do to help.” She smiles softly at you, “You know, before I met you, I truly did think I was a monster doomed to perish, unmourned and unmissed...but now I know there is someone who cares for my life, and is willing even to risk far too much on my account. However things end up, Jakob, I am so happy I met you.”

“Y-you too.” You stammer softly. She's so much bigger than you, and so pretty. You might need to be rescued if this keeps up.

She smiles, and hugs you, the bowl falling to the floor and spilling across the floor, patting your head as the water rolls across the contours of the wood in rivulets, shattering the image you couldn't tell her about.

Of her on the ship's deck, naked save for her smallclothes, a bottle in her hand and an expression of drunken, flush-cheeked hunger on her features, advancing on you as you back against the...you think it's called the hindcastle, the back part of the ship that goes up. Stepping over an unconscious Doloranna who is already starting to develop a magnificent black eye as she advances on you, dropping the bottle as her fingers wiggle with malevolent intent.

You have no idea how you will get out of that situation when it comes, OR save her from it.

>>4774746

Damn, Hannah's a beast in the fray. No wonder she wanted our arcane might and ways with words to help her quell the rebellions though. Not a single point in things of courtliness or command. Also, that bit cut off from the prophecy might be a Black-out that causes her to get a bit up close and personal. Something to look out for.

Game resumes Tuesday unless I get the bug to post some stuff sooner.

In the meantime I strongly encourage shitposting on behalf of your favorite waifu.

>>4774759

Maybe YOU'RE using Aqueous Divination!

>>4774760
Night Wong. What a lovely note to leave off on!

>>4774760

Hannah is a good girl, who din't do nuffin wrong. The future can be changed, and she doesn't need to play the part of a drunken ogre that Dolly thinks she is. Have a good one Wong!

>>4774761

>using Aqueous Divination.

What, me? Psh, nah, can't be, don't even own a silver bowl or anything of the like.

My guess was either that, or her fumbling over her words, probably offending Petrine or someone else on the ship, causing more political problems. Still have time to cross and/or burn those bridges when we come to them.

Is there a pastebin for relevant info? Sorry if I am blind, I normally expect those in the OP.

>>4774768
Define relevant info. I might actually throw one together, fuck it, I had one in Mecha Space Pirate Quest so it's not like I've forgotten how pastebin works (the way I forgot how IRC works).

>>4774758
And that is the story of how the swamp ended up a dry province...
Rip Doloranna's face, got top close to Hannah's knee/fist....

>>4774760
Hannah a best,A BEST! 11/10

Lily is an acceptable second 9/10 and Doloranna is ok 7/10. Clemmy got most of my yandere needs happily dealt with.

>>4774760
No matter how cute you make the Giant, I will not stray from the Path of the Floof.

>>4774760
For our lady of Songs and History! (And Floof)

>>4774760
Give us more of Dolly

>>4774760
Harem route too OP pls nerf

>>4774760
Doloranna is a good girl who just wants to eat cheese while giving Jacob Grappling lessons, naked.
Preferably somewhere with good acoustics so certain people can hear it happening.

Game will be Thursday instead of Tuesday due to a work-related social event.

>>4789180
There better be barbecue and cake involved. Otherwise, have a nice time Wong!

>>4789180
Go and eat all the cheese at the event Wong!
It's what Jacob would have wanted. (or done)

>>4793657

New thread up.