>>6108349
>Eve
>Nabi

> Head south
Why'd Mom leave?

>>6108349
>Gnarra
>Pudding (Named when we were a wee lass)
>Head East

>>6108385
+1

>>6108349
>>6108469
+1

>>6108385
She died

>>6109311
I meant why did she leave the Ice Kingdom?

Decided to head south, to the ancestral homeland of your predecessors, you start walking confidently out of the swamp. But by the time you reach a part of the swamp you've never been at, you find a patrol of lizardmen!

Trey attack you with throwing spears!

Nabi is out hunting.

> Unsheath your sword and attack the lizardmen
> Attempt to parlay with the lizards
> Toss a potion at the lizardmen
> Run away screaming
> Write in

>>6109430
>Run away screaming
Damsel in distress + dragon = dead lizz

>>6109430
> Run away screaming
NABI HAAALP

>>6109430
>Run away screaming

>>6109433
>>6109437
>>6109441

You panick when you see the lizardmen and start to run away screaming!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!", you scream, a deep piercing shriek ecoating throughout the damp swamp air.

You run away through the muddy waters until you trip and fall. You crawl away trying to get up, but the mud is slippery!

The lizardmen approach you in a menacingly fast gait.

All the while you don't stop screaming!

They are upon you! They are about to grab you!

Then a blast of powerful acid melts them to the bone!

One of the lizardmen is melted almost completely, only the skeleton and the legs remain, and even those melt soon after.

Other two lizardmen are caught by the acid splash, but suffer only minor wounds.

Still, the psychological damage is huge! They all drop their weapons and run away for their lives!

Nabi descends from the sky in front of you and roars mightly as they flee!

When they are gone, Nabi looks at you, a worried glint in his eye. He then licks your old boots - you didn't notice, but some acid splashed on it and was melting it slowly, your feet would be next.

He noticed, and got rid of it.

Then his stomach grumbles and he whiffs, descending his head slowly, as if he's sleepy. He always do that when he's hungry.

> Break down and cry, hug Nabi and tell him you were so scared
> Tell Nabi to resume hunting, you can get by from here
> Ask Nabi to escort you till you're out of the swamp
> Tell Nabi to go eat the fleeing lizardmen

Loot javelins?
>Yes
>No

Resume travel?
>Yes
>No (select new destination)
>Camp here for the night

> Break down and cry, hug Nabi and tell him you were so scared

>Yes
We're a protag, after all.

>Yes

>>6109653
>>6109695
+1

>>6109653
>Tell Nabi to go eat the fleeing lizardmen
They taste like hot dogs. Plus we can't have them alterting the rest of the tribe

Yes

Yes

>>6109653
>Ask Nabi to escort you till you're out of the swamp
>Yes
>Yes

>>6109695
>>6109892
>>6110138
>>6110159

Sobbing uncontrollably, you hug Nabi and tell him how scared you were.

You recollect yourself, grab the javelins and start walking out of the swamp.

Nabi flies ahead of you and return with his dragon snout bloodied. There was not enough time for him to go hunt, so you think he actually ate the lizardmen.

The two of you walk together until you leave the swamp.

Then you reach a deep chasm! There is a bridge with a troll living under it.

The troll is sleeping.

What do you do?

> Tell Nabi to kill the troll
> Cross the bridge and try not to wake up the troll
> Wake up the troll and talk to it
> Write in

>>6110941
> Wake up the troll and talk to it
Surely it won't be stupid enough to start shit with a dragon staring at it, maw dripping with its principle weakness?

>>6110947

You wake up the troll.

"Hey, you! Wake up! I wanna talk to you.", you scream.

The troll grabs a huge club and jumps to his feet! He was about to attack you, when he sees the dragon and becomes livid! Nabi blows some air through the nostrils.

The troll says some words which you do not understand, must be a different language.

The troll seems apprehensive, but dropped hostilies for the time being due to fear most likely.

"Me Chonk. Soldier! Boss troll north cave. No kill me. Soldier!", he says, expressing himself as best as he can in the human language.

> Have Nabi kill the troll
> Demand tribute for your patience
> Tell the troll to come with you to see his boss
> Go see the troll boss and leave this troll alone
> Threaten troll with death if he doesn't come with you
> Write in

>>6110953
QM, I'd maybe wait longer than 38 minuets and/or for a second vote if you want more than one player...

>Ask about the lands to the south, and dangers along the way

>>6110962
-1 to slowing down the board even more >:^)

>>6110953
>Go see the troll boss and leave this troll alone

>>6110953
>>6110962
+1

File: tegaki.png (10 KB, 400x400)

10 KB PNG

>>6109311
>She died
sure, but WHY?

Is quest kill?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6110962
>>6111007
>>6111182


1 - the troll claims to know
2 - the troll claims not to know

>>6110953
>>6110962
>>6111007
>>6111182


"South?!? There?" he says, pointing south. "Fire bird. Nasty. Avoid. Danger."

> Have Nabi kill the troll
> Demand tribute for your patience
> Tell the troll to come with you to see his boss
> Go see the troll boss and leave this troll alone
> Threaten troll with death if he doesn't come with you
> Write in

>>6113599

sorry, I don't have time to run quests every single day.

>>6113352

when you woke up she was dead in her bed

>>6110953
>Tell the troll to come with you to see his boss
> Threaten troll with death if he doesn't come with you

>>6113940
>Go see the troll boss and leave this troll alone

>>6113940
>Go see the troll boss and leave this troll alone

>>6113940
>Peace out and keep going south

>>6113957
>>6114123
>>6114134
>>6114148

“Let’s not waste our time with this troll, Nabi,” you said, your voice steady. “We should head straight to his boss.”

Following the troll's crooked finger, you and Nabi made your way to the mouth of a large cave. The entrance loomed before you, dark and imposing, the jagged rocks surrounding it casting eerie shadows in the fading light. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, a faint echo of dripping water coming from within.

The cave seemed to beckon, yet a sense of foreboding lingered. Will you enter?

> Go in first
> Send Nabi in first
> Yell and see if someone will come out
> It is too suspicious, check for traps
> Write in

>>6115458
>Go in first

>>6115458
> Yell and see if someone will come out

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6115497
>>6115499

1 - go in first
2 - yell

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6115497
>>6115499
>>6115518


You enter the cave!

1 - trap
2 - no trap

>>6115497
>>6115499
>>6115518
>>6115521

You step into the cave, the cool air and faint echoes of dripping water filling the space. The jagged walls close in as you walk deeper, your steps cautious but steady. The deeper you go, the more the path seems to twist, not in obvious loops but in ways that feel unsettlingly familiar.

After what feels like hours, you find yourself standing back where you began - a large stone formation near the entrance, its outline unmistakable. But how? You’ve been walking straight. It’s not a circle, it’s as if the cave itself is turning you around without your realizing.

Then it hits you: an infinite corridor. You’ve heard tales of these magical traps - caves or corridors enchanted to disorient and confuse, looping endlessly unless the enchantment is broken.

How are you going to escape?
> Carve the walls with your sword
> Draw on the walls with your own blood
> Look for the precise spot where the corridor loops
> Try closing your eyes and walking backwards
> Write in

>>6115524
>> Try closing your eyes and walking backwards

>>6115524
>Write in
Call for Nabi

>>6115524
>Draw on the walls with your blood

>>6115524
Do we actually know how to dispell the infinite corridor?

>>6115775
You're mom.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>6115534
>>6115573
>>6115761

1 - close eyes
2 - call nabi
3 - draw with blood

>>6115534
>>6115573
>>6115761
>>6115775
>>6115853
>>6115897


You start screaming for Nabi!

Then you see the walls near you start to melt.

You start taking some steps back.

Then something really weird happens.

Out of the melted walls, some kind of portal appears!

Nabi sticks his head inside and looks at you intently.

You grab on his head and he pulls you out.

When you're out of the trap, you see a massive rock with blue glowing inscriptions in it half melted.

Nabi dragon senses must have heard you and/or caught your scent and figured this rock was the source of the trap.

Upon melting it with its acid breath, the enchantment was disabled.

You see something shiny within the melted rock, though you wouldn't dare touch it.

> Continue exploring the cave
> Tell Nabi to grab the shiny thing for you
> Leave this cave, this place is too dangerous
> Write in

>>6115900
>Write in
>Dare touch it

>>6115914
+1
use sword

>>6115900
> Poke it with a stick, if we have any

Bestie or not, directly touching the acidic sludge created by a dragon's breath could NOT be healthy.

>>6115954
>>6115948
>>6115914
+1
Poke it with a stick or sword, or whatever we can.

>>6115900

>>6115914
>>6115948
>>6115954
>>6116216

With a careful nudge of your sword, you poke at the gleaming object embedded within the acid-scarred, blue-hued rock. The surface hisses faintly as the blade makes contact, and a slight resistance tells you that the item is lodged deeper than it first appeared. Applying more force, you feel the rock give way with a crunch, and the object dislodges, tumbling free from its molten prison.

A sense of awe grips you as the object rolls into view - it's a gem, the size of your fist, glowing faintly with a mesmerizing sapphire-blue light. Though untrained in the finer details of gemstones, you can tell this one is special. Perhaps a sapphire, though you’ve never actually seen one in person before. Still, its luster and weight suggest value beyond your wildest guesses.

As it clinks to the ground, the remnants of acid still cling to it, sizzling on the dirt floor. You crouch and roll the gem in the loose earth, neutralizing the lingering corrosive liquid. The coolness of the gem presses against your palm as you finally lift it, its deep blue hue almost seeming to pulse with a life of its own. Pocketing it, you press on deeper into the cave.

The air grows thicker as you descend, the dim light narrowing to a soft glow from further down the passage. As you step through a narrow archway, the cave opens into a large chamber. Bioluminescent fungi cling to the stone walls, casting an eerie yet beautiful light in shades of pale green and blue. They flicker like distant stars, illuminating a room filled with scrolls-some neatly stacked on shelves, others scattered in messy piles across a massive, worn table. The scent of old parchment and damp stone fills your nose.

>>6116774

Your eyes sweep the room and land on a hulking figure - an old troll, deep in slumber. The troll is massive, its leathery, gray-green skin cracked and scarred with the passage of time. A weathered chair groans under its weight as it slumps slightly to the side, seated on the far end of the chamber. Between you and the troll stands the large table, its surface buried under an ocean of scrolls, charts, and what looks like strange, arcane symbols.

Behind the troll, you spot a partially open metal door, its dull sheen barely catching the soft light. It’s a narrow gap—just wide enough for a single person to slip through - but far too tight for your companion, Nabi. Worse still, the door’s rusted hinges glint menacingly; any attempt to move it would likely create a screech loud enough to wake the dead.

You pause, your mind racing. The troll, even in its advanced age, looks dangerous. But the room holds secrets, you can feel it. Scrolls that might contain lost knowledge, or even a clue to unlocking the mysteries of this cave. Yet, that metal door beckons - a glimpse into what lies beyond. You feel the weight of your decisions press down as you glance at Nabi, his eyes sharp and ready, awaiting your command.

What will you do?

> Tell Nabi to kill the old troll. The troll sleeps now, vulnerable and unaware. With a single, well-placed strike, Nabi could end its life before it even wakes. But trolls are resilient, and you know that things seldom go as planned.
> Scream to wake up the old troll. You could startle the troll from its slumber, forcing it to act on instinct. Perhaps you could use the chaos to your advantage—but would you be ready to face a troll head-on?
> Sneak through the door to get a peek. There’s a chance the troll stays asleep, and if you’re careful, you might slip past it unnoticed. You could catch a glimpse of what lies beyond the metal door, but could you make it out undetected?
> Steal a bunch of scrolls and leave. The knowledge scattered across the room might be worth more than the troll's life. You could take what you need, quietly gather the scrolls, and retreat back the way you came before the troll even stirs.
> Write in

>>6116775
> Steal a bunch of scrolls and leave. The knowledge scattered across the room might be worth more than the troll's life. You could take what you need, quietly gather the scrolls, and retreat back the way you came before the troll even stirs.
A fight might damage the scrolls. After taking the scrolls, kill the troll (along with Nabi), THEN peek through the door.

>>6116775
>Clear your throat and wake the troll politely, and announce the presence of yourself (and your very dangerous dragon, lest he get any ideas)
>Ask about this fire bird

>>6116807
+1

>>6116775
>Steal the scrolls

>Steal dem skroll

>>6116793
>>6116807
>>6116819
>>6117114
>>6117139

With a sharp glance toward the sleeping troll, you make your decision. Moving as swiftly and silently as you dare, you begin snatching up scrolls from the cluttered table. Their parchment crackles softly beneath your fingers, some of them crumbling with age, while others are bound in leather and sealed with strange wax insignias. You can’t help but wonder what knowledge is locked within - ancient spells, maps to forgotten places, or histories long erased from the world. But now isn’t the time to linger on these thoughts.

Your heart pounds in your chest as you scoop up as many scrolls as your arms can carry, careful not to drop any as you cast anxious glances at the slumbering troll. Each breath the creature takes seems like a rumble from deep within the earth, its chest rising and falling like the swell of a storm. For a moment, the troll stirs, shifting slightly in its chair. You freeze, every muscle taut, watching it closely - waiting for that moment of sudden wakefulness. But the beast only grunts and drifts back into its deep, rumbling sleep.

Not daring to push your luck any further, you retreat back toward the entrance, your heart racing faster with every step. The bioluminescent fungi cast long, eerie shadows as you weave your way out of the chamber, the old troll still lost to his dreams, oblivious to the theft.

The cave’s entrance looms ahead, and you make a break for it, stumbling into the daylight just as the faintest sound of shifting rock echoes from deep within the tunnel. You don’t wait to find out if the troll is waking - there’s no time. You dart behind a nearby boulder and collapse onto the soft earth, gasping for breath, the armload of scrolls spilling out around you like forgotten relics.

>>6117400

Once outside, the cool breeze brushes against your face, a welcome contrast to the damp, stale air of the cave. You drop the scrolls beside you and begin carefully stuffing them into your backpack, arranging them with as much care as you can muster given your shaking hands. You can still feel the adrenaline coursing through you, your mind racing with the thought that, at any moment, the troll could emerge, enraged and ready for vengeance.

Finally, with your pack filled and the weight of the scrolls pressing against your back, you straighten up and glance out across the landscape. The forest surrounding the cave is lush and green, the trees swaying gently in the wind. Birds call out from the branches, and the distant murmur of a nearby stream reaches your ears. It’s a peaceful contrast to the danger you just escaped, but your reprieve is short-lived.

To the east, you notice something unusual - a thin column of smoke rising against the horizon. The smoke is faint, but unmistakable, curling up from somewhere beyond the trees. It could be a campfire, a sign of life - perhaps travelers or settlers. Or it could be something more dangerous, something you’d be wise to avoid.

Your stomach growls, reminding you of the gnawing hunger you’ve been ignoring for too long. There’s a forest nearby, rich with game. Nabi, ever alert, stands beside you, ready to assist in the hunt. You could easily track down something to eat, but then again, the smoke on the horizon tugs at your curiosity. What, or who, could be out there?

As you ponder your next move, the thought of the troll resurfaces in your mind. It won’t stay asleep forever, and when it wakes, it may come searching for the one who disturbed its hoard of scrolls. It might be wise to put some distance between you and the cave before that happens.

What will you do?

> You’re starving, go on a hunt with Nabi. The forest is close, and food is a pressing need. You and Nabi could track down some game and fill your bellies before deciding what to do next. But it means staying close to the cave for a little longer.
> Travel toward the smoke, there might be people over there. The smoke could mean a settlement, or at the very least, a camp. Perhaps there are people who can offer supplies, information, or help. Or perhaps there are dangers that await.
> Explore the general region, there might be something else useful around here. This area is unfamiliar, and it wouldn’t hurt to scout the surroundings before making any hasty decisions. There could be hidden paths, secret resources, or something else of value.
> Go as far away from here as you can (pick a direction). The troll will wake eventually, and when it does, you don’t want to be anywhere near this place. You could put as much distance between you and the cave as possible, disappearing into the wilderness in a direction of your choice.
> Write in

>>6117401
>
Travel as far East as we can, minding the smoke and it's creator

>>6117401
> Travel toward the smoke, there might be people over there. The smoke could mean a settlement, or at the very least, a camp. Perhaps there are people who can offer supplies, information, or help. Or perhaps there are dangers that await.

>>6117401
> Travel to the east as far as we can
Keep an eye on the smoke and its source, it may or may not be friendly. If not, then we can always put them between us and the troll.

>>6117432
>>6117541
>>6117556

You travel eastward, the trees parting like silent sentinels as you move deeper into the forest. The faint column of smoke you had first intended to avoid now beckons you closer, curiosity gnawing at you as much as your hunger. The smell of something cooking drifts on the wind, and despite the risks, you find yourself drawn to it. You glance at Nabi, his sharp eyes watching you as if sensing your hesitation, and with a whispered command, you signal him to stay close but hidden.

The forest grows quieter as you approach the source of the smoke, your footsteps deliberately slow and quiet. The underbrush crackles softly beneath your boots, but you make sure to keep your profile low, slipping between trees and crouching behind thick bushes. The scent of the cooking food grows stronger with every step, filling your nose with the savory warmth of meat roasting over a fire. Your stomach tightens painfully with need.

>>6118240


Finally, through the foliage, you catch sight of the campsite. It’s modest but well-organized. A group of soldiers - six in total - are seated around a fire, their armor gleaming faintly in the flickering light. The metal of their breastplates and helmets shines under the glow of the flames, each of them armed with swords sheathed at their sides. Nearby, a rack of spears stands ready for use, their sharp tips reflecting the orange firelight. A large tent looms behind them, offering shelter and perhaps more supplies within.

The soldiers are talking in low voices, seemingly relaxed, their helmets resting beside them as they tend to the meal. A large pot hangs over the fire, the smell of stew and roasted meat filling the air. Your mouth waters involuntarily as you take in the scene. From your vantage point, they seem unaware of your presence - focused on their food and conversation. But you know better than to assume safety in such situations. These men are armed, organized, and possibly dangerous. You have no way of knowing if they are friendly or hostile, but one thing is clear: you’re starving, and the aroma of their meal is nearly unbearable.

You hunker down behind the cover of the bushes, weighing your options. Nabi stays crouched beside you, his form hidden in the shadows, his eyes flicking toward you for guidance.

The fire crackles, and the soldiers laugh at something one of them says, the sound carrying softly through the still night. The decision hangs heavy in the air, as the smell of their food teases your senses, urging you to act.

What will you do?

> Tell them a sad story and beg for some food. You could step out from hiding, unarmed and humble, and appeal to their mercy. A tale of hardship and hunger might convince them to share their meal with you, but soldiers can be unpredictable. Will they be sympathetic or cruel?
> Ask them for directions and to partake of their food. You could approach more confidently, as a traveler in need of guidance. You’re hungry, yes, but perhaps they would be willing to offer food in exchange for conversation. If they are friendly, you may learn something valuable, but if they’re not, this could quickly turn dangerous.
> Tell Nabi to create a distraction so you can steal their food. Nabi is agile and clever - he could create a diversion, drawing their attention away from the meal. While they’re distracted, you could slip in unnoticed, grabbing enough food to satisfy your hunger before they even realize what happened. But it’s risky; if the soldiers catch on, it could lead to a confrontation.
> Tell Nabi to kill the soldiers so you can steal their food. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You could order Nabi to strike, swiftly and brutally, eliminating the threat and allowing you to take the food without question. But such violence would draw attention, and who knows what consequences might follow?
> Write in

>>6118241
> Ask them for directions and to partake of their food. You could approach more confidently, as a traveler in need of guidance. You’re hungry, yes, but perhaps they would be willing to offer food in exchange for conversation. If they are friendly, you may learn something valuable, but if they’re not, this could quickly turn dangerous.

Have Nabi on standby. If they're friendly then we'd be as well, if they're not... let's just say Nabi would be eating well tonight.

>>6118241
> Tell them a sad story and beg for some food. You could step out from hiding, unarmed and humble, and appeal to their mercy. A tale of hardship and hunger might convince them to share their meal with you, but soldiers can be unpredictable. Will they be sympathetic or cruel?
I agree with >>6118246 though, that we should
>Have Nabi on standby. If they're friendly then we'd be as well, if they're not... let's just say Nabi would be eating well tonight.
I just think we'll maybe get better results playing the waif.

>>6118241
>Avoid being sighted and spy on the soldiers to find out what they're up to out here or what is in their camp

>>6118241
>Ask for directions and to partake

>>6118241
>>6118267
Support

Rolled 2 (1d2)

1 - directions and partake
2 - sad story

>>6119029

You carefully unbuckle your belt and begin securing your backpack and scabbard to one of Nabi’s sturdy legs. The process takes a bit of time, as you make sure everything is tied tightly and won’t slip off. Nabi, ever obedient, stands still, watching you with calm eyes as if sensing the importance of this task.

Once you’re confident your gear is secure, you give Nabi a reassuring pat on the side. “Stay nearby,” you whisper to him. The large creature nods slightly, understanding your instructions, and retreats into the shadows of the nearby bushes. You take one last look at him, knowing that if things go wrong, he’ll be ready to act.

With your heart pounding in your chest, you step forward, carefully approaching the campsite. The warmth of the fire beckons, and as you draw closer, the soldiers’ voices grow clearer. You quickly decide that a sad story will be your best chance—something to pull at their sense of mercy.

When you’re close enough to be noticed, you raise your hands in a gesture of peace and step into the open. The soldiers stop talking and turn to look at you, their expressions a mixture of surprise and suspicion. You force a weak smile and begin to speak, weaving a tale of hardship.

“I… I didn’t mean to intrude,” you start, your voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. “I’ve been wandering these woods for days, lost and without food. I was with a group, but we were separated when bandits attacked our caravan. I’ve been on my own ever since.”

You pause, letting the weight of your words sink in as their eyes follow your every move. “I’ve had nothing to eat for days… I thought I could make it, but I’m so tired.” You swallow hard, casting a glance at the stew simmering over their fire. “Please, I don’t mean any harm. I just… I need something to eat. Anything you can spare.”

The silence stretches as the soldiers exchange glances. You stand there, trying to look as pitiful as possible, your stomach growling audibly as if to emphasize the truth of your fabricated story.

Now, you wait.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6119030

1 - soldiers are sympathetic
2 - soldiers are cruel

>>6119031

The moment you finish your story, the soldiers exchange cruel smirks, their eyes narrowing as they size you up like a piece of prey. One of them, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, steps forward and sneers at you. His voice is harsh, dripping with malice. "Lost and hungry, are ya? Well, maybe we can help you in ways you didn’t ask for."

Your stomach tightens in fear, the tension in the air thickening as they begin to move toward you, their armor clinking ominously. Your instinct screams at you to run, but your legs feel rooted to the spot as they close in. One soldier, younger than the rest, looks uncomfortable, his eyes darting nervously between his comrades and you. "Come on, she’s clearly been through enough. We could at least give her a little food," he says, trying to sound reasonable, though his voice is shaky.

The others laugh, a mocking sound that sends a chill down your spine. “You idiot,” one of them spits, pushing the younger soldier roughly. "You think we’re running a charity? She’s a waste of space. Let’s show her what happens to beggars in these woods." The younger man stumbles back, his face pale, but before he can respond, the situation escalates.

Tensions snap like a cord pulled too tight. Two of the soldiers shove the young man hard, their insults flying. He shouts back, pushing one of them in return, and before long, fists are swinging and bodies are crashing into each other as a vicious brawl erupts. They’re consumed by their fight, fists and elbows flying in a chaotic tangle of armor and curses.

>>6119035


But three of them don’t join the scuffle. Instead, they approach you with dark, twisted grins. Your heart hammers against your ribs as they grab at you, their rough hands reaching for your clothing. Panic flares hot in your chest as you try to shove them away, but their strength overwhelms you. You scream, your voice cracking with fear, but they laugh, ignoring your desperate pleas.

Just as your terror reaches its peak, a sudden, deep growl reverberates through the air—a sound that chills the blood. The soldiers freeze, turning just in time to see Nabi charging out from the shadows, his massive form hurtling toward them with the force of a storm.

Before any of them can react, Nabi leaps through the air and sinks his powerful jaws into the head of the nearest soldier. There’s a sickening crunch as bone and flesh give way beneath the strength of his bite, blood spraying as the man’s head is torn clean from his body. The lifeless corpse slumps to the ground, a spray of blood soaking the dirt as Nabi stands over it, his teeth bared and dripping crimson. The other soldiers recoil in horror, their cruel smirks replaced by wide-eyed terror.

"By the gods!" one of them yells, stumbling back as they scramble for their spears. The air is suddenly thick with tension again, but now it’s fear—fear of the beast that just killed one of their own in a heartbeat. Despite the gruesome death of their comrade, they rally, emboldened by the spears gleaming in the firelight.

They seem to believe they can kill Nabi. Their eyes narrow, determination hardening their expressions. "It’s just a beast," one of them snarls, clutching his spear tightly. "We can take it down. It’s not invincible."

But you know better. You can see the rage in Nabi’s eyes, the wild fury that burns like a firestorm within him. The soldiers have no idea what they’re about to face.

Use the distraction to flee. With the soldiers focused on Nabi, this might be your best chance to escape. While it feels wrong to leave Nabi behind, you know survival is paramount. You could slip away and save yourself before the situation worsens.
> Fight alongside Nabi. Nabi came to your rescue, and now you could fight at his side. Grabbing one of the discarded weapons or retrieving your sword from Nabi’s leg, you could turn the tide together and bring down the soldiers.
> Try to negotiate with the soldiers. Now that one of their own is dead, perhaps fear will force them to reconsider. You could attempt to de-escalate the situation, offering them a chance to retreat before more blood is spilled.
> Appeal to the young soldier for help. The younger soldier who showed compassion might be your only chance at avoiding further violence. You could call out to him, hoping he can convince the others to stand down or even join your side.
> Write in

>>6119042
> Fight alongside Nabi. Nabi came to your rescue, and now you could fight at his side. Grabbing one of the discarded weapons or retrieving your sword from Nabi’s leg, you could turn the tide together and bring down the soldiers.

Spare the young one if we can. The other two.... DRACARYS.

Negotiate from a point of strength whenever possible.

>>6119042
>Fight alongside Navi
Surprised it’s with a weapon
Guess witch mom didn’t teach us any combat spells

>>6119050
+1

>>6119042
> Fight alongside Nabi. Nabi came to your rescue, and now you could fight at his side. Grabbing one of the discarded weapons or retrieving your sword from Nabi’s leg, you could turn the tide together and bring down the soldiers.
>Spare the considerate young fellow

>>6119042
>> Fight alongside Nabi. Nabi came to your rescue, and now you could fight at his side. Grabbing one of the discarded weapons or retrieving your sword from Nabi’s leg, you could turn the tide together and bring down the soldiers.
>>Spare the considerate young fellow

>>6119042
> Fight alongside Nabi. Nabi came to your rescue, and now you could fight at his side. Grabbing one of the discarded weapons or retrieving your sword from Nabi’s leg, you could turn the tide together and bring down the soldiers.
>Spare the considerate young fellow

You make the split-second decision to join Nabi in the brutal battle. With a sharp, steady breath, you draw your sword, the weight of the blade familiar in your hands, and swing it in front of you, clearing a path. Blood and chaos swirl around you, the clash of steel and the wet sounds of torn flesh filling the air. One of the soldiers locks his eyes on you, gripping his spear with grim determination.

“I got this!” he snarls, rushing at you while the others charge toward Nabi, their shouts blending into the cacophony of the fight. You don’t dare look in Nabi’s direction, even as blood splashes across your clothing from his tangled battle with the soldiers. Your focus narrows on the soldier lunging toward you, spear aimed straight for your chest.

With a quick parry, you manage to deflect his strike, the spear skimming past you. Seizing the moment, you try to grab the spear and swing your sword around in a wide arc, hoping to catch him off guard. But you're too slow. The soldier pulls his spear back with a sharp jerk, the friction against your hand burning your skin. You grit your teeth, trying to keep hold of your sword, but before you can recover, he lands a solid kick to your stomach.

Pain explodes through your body, and you nearly drop your sword as you clutch your abdomen, struggling to breathe. The force of the kick leaves you disoriented, your vision swimming for a brief second. The soldier isn’t done. He surges forward, grabbing a fistful of your hair and slamming his elbow into the side of your head with brutal precision. The impact knocks you off balance, sending you crashing to the ground, dizzy and vulnerable.

The world spins around you as you struggle to regain your senses. The soldier looms over you, his eyes dark with malicious intent. His hands grab at you, pinning your arms to the ground, and for a terrifying moment, you realize what he’s about to do. But before he can go any further, he freezes. You hear a wet, choking gasp, and suddenly, his body jerks violently as a spearhead erupts through his neck.

The young soldier stands behind him, his face pale but resolute. With a sharp thrust, he shoves the dying man off you, the lifeless body collapsing to the ground. Blood pours from the gaping wound in the dead man’s throat, pooling around him.

The young soldier extends his hand to you, his voice urgent but kind. "Are you okay?"

>>6119880

Your body trembles from the shock, but you nod, reaching up to grasp his hand. He pulls you to your feet, and as you steady yourself, you glance around the battlefield, taking in the carnage. But something feels off.

“Where’s Nabi?” you ask, your voice rising in alarm.

The young soldier glances around, his brow furrowing. “The others jumped on him, and then he… flew away, dragging them with him.”

“Flew away? Dragging several men? He can’t even carry me!” you exclaim, disbelief coloring your voice.

“I don’t know. He might have just jumped. Wait—I hear him! Over there!” The young soldier points, and you both hear a familiar roar echoing through the trees.

Without hesitation, you break into a run, the young soldier right behind you. The sound of Nabi’s roar leads you to a clearing where the grim reality of the battle is laid out before you. Bodies are scattered everywhere, limbs dismembered and strewn across the ground. Most of the soldiers lie dead, their broken forms twisted and torn. Only one remains alive.

The last soldier, missing both hands and covered in blood, lies on the ground, a deep claw mark etched across his face. His once-fearsome armor is now soaked in red. He sobs in agony, trying to stop the bleeding from his stumps as he looks up at you with wide, terrified eyes.

“Spare me, please!” he cries, his voice cracking with desperation. “I don’t wanna die here!” He trembles, his face pale, as he presses his bleeding arms to his chest, trying in vain to stem the blood flow.

Nabi stands nearby, his massive body towering over the dying man. He opens his jaws and spits out the severed hands onto the dirt, the sound of the impact making you wince.

You stare down at the broken, pleading man, your heart pounding in your chest. The weight of the moment settles heavily on your shoulders as you consider what to do next.

What will you do?

> Let the man live. You could spare him, allowing him to live with his injuries as punishment for his cruelty. His life would never be the same, but he would leave this place scarred and broken.
> Give him mercy and kill him. Perhaps the kindest thing to do is end his suffering now. A swift strike from your sword would stop his pain and grant him a quick death, instead of leaving him to die slowly and agonizingly.
> Tend to his wounds. Despite what he has done, you could choose to help him. Bandage his wounds, perhaps even try to save his life. Maybe there’s a chance for redemption, even for someone like him.
>Tell Nabi to chew him until he dies. The man has caused you harm and nearly killed you. Letting Nabi finish what he started would ensure he never poses a threat again. It would be brutal, but there is no denying he deserves it after what he tried to do to you.
> Write in

>>6119882
>Let him live
No bandages though, we might need those for Nabi

>>6119882
> Give him mercy and kill him. Perhaps the kindest thing to do is end his suffering now. A swift strike from your sword would stop his pain and grant him a quick death, instead of leaving him to die slowly and agonizingly.

Quick, clean, efficient. We do not promote human suffering, but we cannot affor him to blab about us and our dragon.

>>6119880
That stupid asshole was literally going to try to rape us while a dragon was slaughtering his comrades? Ha. he got off lucky.

>>6119882
>>6120206 +1

>>6119882
>>6120206
+1
And see if Nabi's still hungry while we're at it. Just because we don't like to see people suffer doesn't meant fresh corpses aren't proper dragon food.

With a swift, practiced strike, you end the last soldier's life, your sword slicing through him cleanly. The sound of the blade cutting through flesh and bone is sharp and final. Blood sprays across the dirt, and the soldier crumples to the ground, lifeless. You take a moment to breathe, wiping the sweat from your brow as the adrenaline still pumps through your veins.

Without hesitation, you turn to Nabi, his large, hulking form towering over the battlefield. "Eat," you command, and without a second thought, Nabi begins tearing into the bodies of the fallen, devouring them piece by piece. His jaws clamp down with vicious force, and you can hear the crunch of bones as he consumes them.

As the battle’s intensity fades, your attention shifts to Nabi's wounds. His thick hide bears several deep perforations, and the blood that leaks from them pools at his feet. You kneel beside him, inspecting the injuries. They're severe, but not life-threatening. His body is strong and resilient, and you estimate that, with some rest, he should recover within a few weeks. Still, you can’t help but feel a pang of worry for your loyal companion. "You'll heal," you murmur, placing a hand on his scales. He huffs in response, his breathing still heavy from the fight.

Hunger gnaws at your belly, and you turn toward the fire where the soldiers had been cooking their meal. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, the pot of stew is still there, untouched and warm. The aroma of the woodsy soup draws you in, and despite the grim surroundings, you scoop up a bowl and take a bite. The rich, savory flavor fills your mouth—it’s unexpectedly delicious. For a brief moment, the taste of the meal distracts you from the carnage around you.

The young soldier, the one who saved your life, approaches quietly and sits near you, a bowl of the same stew in his hands. As Nabi continues to devour the corpses, you turn your gaze to the young man. "What’s your name?" you demand, your voice sharp. "And why were you with these soldiers?"

He looks up from his bowl, his expression uneasy but willing to speak. "My name is Caleb," he says. "Our group works for the Dark Lord Tyranus. We were sent here to gather magical components for his potions."

>>6121068

You remember the hushed tone in your mother’s voice when she first told you about the Dark Lord Tyranus, a name spoken in fear and revulsion. "He was once a great wizard," she’d whispered, "but his ambition twisted him." She described him as a rogue, consumed by an obsession with immortality. His pursuit led him down dark paths—experimenting on the living, draining souls, and corrupting magic itself. She warned you to never go near his lands, for those who did rarely returned, and if they did, they were never the same. His eyes, she said, were filled with nothing but hunger for eternal life.

Your eyes narrow. "So you’re one of Tyranus’ men?" you ask, already feeling a surge of suspicion. But Caleb shakes his head quickly.

"Not for long. We were thinking of deserting. You see, we just lost our Dark Apprentice to a bear attack. Tyranus will have us killed for it. That’s why we were planning to leave. There are three squads like ours, but without the apprentice, we’re nothing but dead men walking when we return." His voice is shaky, but he seems earnest. You take in his words, processing the weight of what he's just revealed.

"And where were you planning to go?" you ask, eyeing him with caution.

"There’s a port city northeast of here—Winstongate. It’s a rough place, full of thieves and mercenaries, but it’s far enough from Tyranus' reach. From there, I could take a ship to another continent and vanish. No one would follow me."

You ponder for a moment before asking, "And this apprentice—where is he now?"

Caleb points toward the large tent behind him. "Inside the tent. She was a young woman, incredibly powerful. But she’s dead now, and we’ve been trying to figure out what to do with her."

Curiosity gets the better of you, and you stand, making your way to the tent. Pushing aside the flap, you step inside, and there, laid on a makeshift cot, is the Dark Apprentice. She is breathtakingly beautiful, her face serene, her body seemingly untouched by any injury. You step closer, inspecting her still form. There's no visible sign of the fatal bear attack, but Caleb wasn’t lying—she’s dead. You check for vital signs, but her pulse is absent, her skin cool.

You glance back at Caleb. "She doesn’t look mauled. How did she die?"

"The bear got her head. Her skull is cracked beneath her hair," Caleb replies, his voice hollow. "We couldn’t save her."

>>6121070

You study her for a moment, a thought beginning to form in the back of your mind. You remember an ancient ritual—a way to bring someone back, at least temporarily, by sharing the heart of a dragon with them. While you don’t have Nabi’s heart to offer, there’s a chance that some of his blood could work. It’s a gamble, but it might bring her back for a short time.

Caleb watches you, waiting, as you consider your next move. You could use Nabi’s blood to revive her, but to what end? Would she serve you, or would you bring an enemy back to life?

You weigh your options and turn to Caleb. You form in your head the thought of asking him to travel with you, thinking that having him by your side might be useful.

Do you invite Caleb to travel with you?

> Yes. Caleb could be an ally in the uncertain days ahead. He saved your life and seems willing to leave Tyranus’ service. You may be able to trust him, or at least use his knowledge of the Dark Lord.
> No. Caleb has served the Dark Lord, and no matter his reasons, his past makes him dangerous. You can’t risk having him with you.

And what will you do next?

> Pay a visit to Dark Lord Tyranus. Confronting Tyranus directly could yield powerful rewards, or you might find yourself in greater danger. If Caleb knows the way, you could track him down and deal with him once and for all.
> Revive the Dark Apprentice with Nabi’s blood. The ritual could work, at least for a short time. Reviving the apprentice might provide you with valuable information or even an ally, though it’s a risky move.
> Find a place to hide in the forest until Nabi heals. Nabi needs time to recover, and staying hidden could give you a chance to rest and regroup before continuing your journey. The forest offers plenty of places to hide.
> Loot the bodies and resume travel (select direction). There may be valuables among the dead. Loot the bodies, take what you need, and continue your journey, away from the chaos and bloodshed.
> Write in

>>6121072
> Yes. Caleb could be an ally in the uncertain days ahead. He saved your life and seems willing to leave Tyranus’ service. You may be able to trust him, or at least use his knowledge of the Dark Lord.
> Loot the bodies and find a place to hide in the forest until Nabi heals. Nabi needs time to recover, and staying hidden could give you a chance to rest and regroup before continuing your journey. The forest offers plenty of places to hide.
Save the blood for someone who's earned it. IF we find a bottle, bottle that shit.

>>6121072
>>6121118
+1
We need the supplies, and a tent sounds nice.
Also, we sorta need hatchets, firestarting tools (unless we have a magic spell for starting campfires), skinning knives, ropes, pannier bags for Nabi, etc...

(Did we bring anything with us beyond a sword and Nabi when we left our home?)

>>6121385
>(Did we bring anything with us beyond a sword and Nabi when we left our home?)

a backpack and some perishable supplies, but they ran out already, I might keep track of supplies if it ever becomes relevant to the narrative

you never had any reason to stockpile much supplies in the swamp because food grows abundantly there, and stockpiled supplies attract nasty swamp rats

>>6121385
>>6121610


almost forgot, you also have

six unlabelled potions

you don't know what they do

could be healing, could be poison, could be explosives

the flasks are very durable and hard to break

>>6121118
>>6121385

"Do you want to travel with me?" you ask Caleb, your voice calm but your eyes scanning his reaction.

Caleb hesitates only for a moment before nodding. "Sure thing, but we need to get out of here fast. The other patrols are still out there, and if they find us, we’re as good as dead."

You glance at Nabi, your dragon companion, who still bears the marks of battle. "I'm not leaving just yet," you say, running a hand over his dark scales. "I need to nurse Nabi back to health first. Once he's ready, we can make our move."

Caleb raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "A wounded dragon in the open isn’t exactly safe. But... there’s a cave not far from here. It’s not the best hiding spot, but it's big. If anyone tries to come after us, your dragon could... I don’t know, spew fire at them?"

A smirk tugs at the corner of your lips. "Nabi breathes acid, not fire."

"Acid?" Caleb grimaces. "That’s even nastier."

You chuckle lightly, then gesture to the scattered gear from the dead soldiers. "Help me loot this stuff. We shouldn’t leave anything useful behind."

Without hesitation, Caleb begins disassembling the large tent. He grabs anything of value from his fallen comrades, stuffing it all into his oversized pack. Then, he piles up the rest of the supplies on a blanket, ties it securely with a rope, and lashes the makeshift bundle to a couple of sturdy branches, forming an improvised sledge.

As you watch him work, your eyes drift to the still, beautiful form of the Dark Apprentice. Her body lies cold and lifeless, untouched by the carnage around her. You frown, considering her fate.

"Should I drag her along too?" Caleb asks, glancing warily at the corpse. "I mean... we could just leave her here."

You think for a moment, weighing the options. The apprentice was powerful in life, but in death, she’s just a body—unless, of course, you decide to make her more. "It could be useful to have her, but I’m not sure how long she’ll be in one piece."

What will you do with the Dark Apprentice’s corpse?

> Tell Nabi to eat it now. Dispose of the body immediately—she's dead weight, and Nabi could use the nourishment.
> Drag the body with you for later. Save her for later. Once Nabi recovers, he can feast on her remains, but for now, she might still have value.
> Leave her behind. Her time has passed. There’s no reason to burden yourselves with the dead when the living still need to survive.
> Burn the body down. Make sure she doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. A dark apprentice’s body could be valuable for unsavory purposes.

>>6121630

Caleb frowns as he tightens the ropes on the sledge. "Sure you wanna drag all this crap with us? It'll slow us down. And if anyone finds us, we’ll be sitting ducks."

You glance at the pile of loot he’s amassed—useful, but cumbersome. Caleb is already loaded down, and there’s only so much you can carry without sacrificing speed.

What will you decide?
> Have Caleb drag all the loot. It’s too valuable to leave behind. If it slows you down, so be it—you can handle it.
> Travel light. The faster you can move, the better. Take only the essentials and leave the rest.

After making your decision, you head toward the cave Caleb mentioned. By the time you reach it, night has fallen, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The cave is vast, much larger than you expected. As you explore, you find several chambers within—one, near the entrance, is spacious enough for Nabi to rest. Further in, there’s an even larger chamber with a small underground spring, providing fresh water, and a narrow choke point that could be useful for defense. There’s also a tunnel that winds deep into the earth, though it narrows to a point where Nabi can’t follow.

The cave is far from empty. Bats flutter above, their high-pitched squeaks filling the air. Nabi watches them with mild interest, though you know the tiny creatures wouldn’t be enough to sate his massive appetite for long.

You settle in for the night, exhaustion finally creeping up on you. As you sit in the silence of the cave, a sudden noise catches your attention. From the depths of the narrow tunnel, a small, scrawny figure emerges—a kobold, carrying a tattered sack over its shoulder. Upon seeing Nabi, the creature lets out a terrified scream, dropping to the ground in a pitiful display of worship. It prostrates itself before the dragon, trembling. Aside from its sack and a crude copper dagger hanging at its side, it’s nearly naked.

The kobold mutters something in a language you don’t quite understand, but its intent is clear—it sees Nabi as a deity, something to be feared and revered.

What will you do to feed Nabi?

> Have Caleb go hunt to feed Nabi. Send Caleb out into the forest to find game. He’s capable, and it would give you more time to tend to Nabi.
> Go hunt for Nabi yourself. Take matters into your own hands. You know what Nabi needs, and you trust yourself to bring back the best prey.
> Have Nabi hunt for himself, wounds and all. Despite his injuries, Nabi could still hunt. Let him find his own meal—he needs the exercise anyway.
> Demand the kobold bring food for Nabi. Leverage the kobold’s fear. Make it find something worthy of feeding your dragon.
> Write in

>>6121630
> Tell Nabi to eat it now. Dispose of the body immediately—she's dead weight, and Nabi could use the nourishment.

> Travel light. The faster you can move, the better. Take only the essentials and leave the rest.

Anybody give a run-down on our loot? Perishable food is best used to feed Nabi right now, extra weapons would only be good if either of us can use those effectively, but camping supplies and hunting supplies definitely wouldn't hurt. Also, try to see is Nabi can carry a few things.

> Demand the kobold bring food for Nabi. Leverage the kobold’s fear. Make it find something worthy of feeding your dragon.

Don't be too harsh on it though. Better have a willing friend than a scared slave.

>>6121630
> Tell Nabi to eat it now. Dispose of the body immediately—she's dead weight, and Nabi could use the nourishment.

>>6121632
> Have Caleb drag all the loot. It’s too valuable to leave behind. If it slows you down, so be it—you can handle it.
> Demand the kobold bring food for Nabi. Leverage the kobold’s fear. Make it find something worthy of feeding your dragon.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6121807
>>6121814

1 - travel light
2 - drag loot

>>6121807
>>6121814
>>6122536


You drag the last of the loot into the cave, your muscles protesting with every step, but the sight of the vast chamber brings a sense of temporary relief. After wiping the sweat from your brow, you begin to unpack and take stock of what you’ve gathered.

Loot:

Six spears – Long and sharp, but crudely made. The shafts are sturdy but worn from use, and the metal tips need sharpening.

Hunting equipment – A bow with a quiver full of arrows, small-game traps, well-made snares, and a bone-handled skinning knife.

Camping supplies – Two rolled-up hide tents, woolen blankets, a large spool of twine, and a small metal lantern with half a candle.

Strange amulet – Worn by the Dark Apprentice, the amulet is a black stone that glows faintly with violet energy swirling at its core. It hums with an eerie warmth whenever you touch it.

Metal armor – A full set of bloodstained armor, bearing dents and scratches from the recent battle. Heavy but durable.

Cooking equipment – A dented iron pot, a skillet, a ladle, and several metal cups and bowls. A small bag of spices is tucked away with them.

Barrel of preserved meat – A heavy barrel of salted and dried meat, enough to sustain you and Caleb for weeks. The soldiers had packed it for long journeys, and it’s a valuable prize.

After sorting the loot, you turn to the kobold, who watches you with wide, curious eyes. You gesture toward Nabi’s bloated form, his oversized belly distended after devouring the entire corpse of the Dark Apprentice. “Go fetch him some food,” you say, but the kobold just points to Nabi’s belly, as if to say the dragon’s had more than enough already.

Still, the kobold remains eager to help and spends the next few hours exchanging snarls and grunts with Nabi. It’s strange to watch them communicate, as if they’re developing some primitive language between them. The dragon, intelligent as ever, seems to be learning quickly from the little creature.

As the two converse, you sit with Caleb by the cave entrance. He’s been quiet since the battle, his face clouded with thought. Eventually, he breaks the silence.

>>6122565

“I still don’t know your name.”

“It’s Eve,” you reply, watching his reaction. “But I don’t know much about you either.”

He nods, thinking for a moment before speaking again. “I was born in a village deep in the Dark Lord’s territory. Not much of a place, just struggling to survive. We had to pay tribute to him, whatever he demanded. If we didn’t, well... the village would be razed.”

You nod, understanding the cruelty of the Dark Lord’s reign. Caleb’s voice grows darker as he continues. “One day, he demanded soldiers, and I didn’t have a choice. I was dragged into his army, spent months training to fight for a man I hate.”

After a pause, Caleb’s mood lightens, and a small, mischievous grin crosses his face. “There’s a song we used to sing about the Dark Lord. A mix of fear and respect, something to remind us of his power.”

He clears his throat and begins to sing softly:

In shadows deep, his power reigns,
A terror none can flee.
He binds our souls in endless chains,
His gaze, our destiny.

He smirks. “But if you change a word here and there, it turns a lot more disrespectful.” He hums the tune again, this time slightly altered:

In shadows deep, his power wanes,
A terror none can flee.
He binds our souls in worthless chains,
His gaze, our misery.

You laugh, and Caleb’s grin widens. “That’s the version I like best,” he says. “Drives his soldiers mad.”

The two of you share the moment, and for the first time, you feel a bit of warmth toward the young soldier. After a while, you turn more serious.

“I need to learn how to fight better. I was nearly killed in that last battle. I don’t want that to happen again.”

Caleb considers this for a moment before nodding. “I’m not the best warrior, but I can teach you the basics. Spent six months in the Dark Lord’s barracks, so I’ve got some experience.”

Your mornings soon become a routine of training and study. Each day, you spar with Caleb in the cave’s open chamber. He teaches you how to hold your sword properly, how to parry and deflect blows, and how to anticipate your opponent’s movements. It’s grueling work, but you feel yourself growing stronger with each passing day.

In the afternoons, you sit by the fire and pore over the scrolls you looted from the troll’s lair. Some of the writings are in strange languages you can’t decipher, but others contain valuable spells and fragments of ancient knowledge. You read aloud occasionally, but Caleb eventually admits, “I don’t know how to read.”

>>6122567

Surprised, you offer to teach him, but he declines with a wry smile. “Maybe someday, Eve. But for now, you handle the thinking, and I’ll handle the fighting.”

Meanwhile, the kobold continues his scavenging trips into the forest, bringing back a strange assortment of food and trash. He finds dead rabbits, squirrels, and sometimes birds, but he also brings back wild forest fare—clusters of mushrooms, sticky combs of wild honey, fat wriggling worms, handfuls of berries, and even a few eggs from hidden nests. Along with these, he hauls in bits of broken glass, rusty metal scraps, bones, and ragged cloth, none of which are particularly useful, but it’s clear the kobold is doing his best to be helpful.

As the days pass, Nabi continues to recover from his wounds, though his hunger is never fully sated. He spends the afternoons communicating with the kobold, learning their strange shared language. By nightfall, both dragon and kobold are exhausted, often falling asleep together.

Though the kobold’s scavenged food has kept you going, the supplies are running low. You’ve carefully rationed the soldiers’ preserved meat, keeping it for yourself and Caleb, to avoid lighting fires that might draw attention. Now, with Nabi almost healed, you face a choice.

What will you do next?

> Let Nabi out to hunt. Nabi’s wounds have healed enough. It’s time to let him fend for himself in the wild again.
> Leave the cave. You’ve been lucky so far, but you can’t stay hidden forever. It’s time to move on before someone finds you.
> Hunt with Caleb and the kobold. You’ll need to venture out to find more food. If you want to stay hidden, you’ll have to hunt together.
> Make this cave your lair. The cave is spacious and defensible. With some work, it could become a permanent home for you and your companions.
> Write in

>>6122568
> Leave the cave. You’ve been lucky so far, but you can’t stay hidden forever. It’s time to move on before someone finds you.
I still want to see the motherland down south. The kobold and Caleb can come, too.

>>6122568
> Leave the cave. You’ve been lucky so far, but you can’t stay hidden forever. It’s time to move on before someone finds you.

The Dark Lord's army is still here so we probably already overstayed our welcome.
Bring the kobold with us.

>>6122568
>> Leave the cave. You’ve been lucky so far, but you can’t stay hidden forever. It’s time to move on before someone finds you.

>>6122584
>>6122965
>>6123190

You decide to leave the cave, feeling like it's time to move on. After packing all your things, you prepare to continue your journey toward the distant motherland of your ancestors.

Caleb, strong and reliable, takes charge of dragging the sled packed with your supplies, using the makeshift setup you both had crafted. However, the sled leaves a conspicuous trail, easily visible on the forest floor, and the kobold—sharp-eyed and nervous—gestures to the disturbed path with concern, as if warning you of the danger it poses.

Caleb looks back at the obvious trail and frowns. "Maybe dragging all this stuff isn't such a good idea," he says. His words are heavy with unease, and you wonder if holding onto all the loot is worth the risk.

You consider your options:

Keep dragging the loot and roll a 1d6:
1 - A Dark Lord patrol tracks you
2 - Bandits track you
3 - Monsters track you
4 - Adventurers track you
5 - You find a merchant
6 - Nothing happens

Drop the loot at the cave and travel light (roll 1d10 instead):
1 - A Dark Lord patrol tracks you
2 - Bandits track you
3 - Monsters track you
4 - Adventurers track you
5 - You find a merchant
6-10 - Nothing happens

Nabi, having gone hunting earlier, won’t return until nightfall.

you may of course decide what you take with you and what you leave behind

>>6123302
>keep loot. Have dragon fly behind us and gank anyone following our trail. Few acid fly by attacks fucks up everyone's day.

>>6123302
>Keep dragging the loot and roll a 1d6

>>6123394
Nabi's out hunting and wouldn't be back any time soon.

>>6123302
Can we drop the armor and the spears? We need the hunting, camping, and cooking supplies, but as long as all three of us are armed and suitably protected we don't need the dead weight.
... also, which direction is the Dark Lord's domain? The Ice Kingdom our mom came from was known for evil magicians....

>>6123302
>Drop loot

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6123522
>Can we drop the armor and the spears? We need the hunting, camping, and cooking supplies, but as long as all three of us are armed and suitably protected we don't need the dead weight.
>... also, which direction is the Dark Lord's domain? The Ice Kingdom our mom came from was known for evil magicians....

sure, I'll just roll a dice since it appears we had a tie, but if drop loot wins you'll just drop all the soldier's armor and spears that you don't need. Caleb will carry a backpack will all the crap and hold the barrel of meat in his hands. You will carry the amulet, a tent, some cooking supplies and the bow.

1 - carry all teh stuff
2 - drop the loot

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>6123302
>>6123687

You drop the unnecessary loot.

Rolling for encounter.

1 - A Dark Lord patrol tracks you
2 - Bandits track you
3 - Monsters track you
4 - Adventurers track you
5 - You find a merchant
6-10 - Nothing happens

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6123690

rolling for monster!

1 - shadow dancer
2 - iron cobras
3 - werewolf
4 - vampire
5 - lizardfolk
6 - dire bear
7 - druid
8 - satyr
9 - giant spider
10 - unicorn
11 - treant
12-13 - troll
14-16 - kobolds
17-19 - gnolls
20 - Young dragon

>>6123697


As you approach the edge of the dense forest, a hauntingly beautiful melody drifts through the trees, carried on the wind. Caleb, walking just ahead of you, tilts his head in curiosity.

“What is that sound?” he asks, his brow furrowed in confusion.

You listen closely, the tune light and playful. "It sounds like... a flute?"

As you crest a small hill, you spot the source: a satyr, perched lazily atop a large moss-covered rock etched with strange inscriptions. His hooves dangle over the edge as he plays his flute, eyes half-closed in bliss. Upon noticing your group, he hops down, grinning mischievously.

“Oh, hello there, travelers!” he calls out with a flourish. His voice is smooth, laced with charm. “Haven’t seen a girl as pretty as you since yesterday when the nymphs were around!” He saunters toward you, his goat-like legs moving with unnerving grace, while he eyes your party with amusement. “What a peculiar band—a Dark Lord’s mercenary, a kobold, and... a princess?”

Before you can respond, the satyr grabs your hand and plants a theatrical kiss on it. You jerk it back, but not before he tries kissing up your arm, his lips lingering a bit too long.

“Stop it!” you say sharply, pulling away with a shudder. “We’re just passing through. We don’t want any trouble.”

“Trouble? A quick romp is no trouble at all, dear,” the satyr retorts with a roguish wink. “Are you shy because your friend here is watching?” He waves a hand toward Caleb. “No need to worry, lad. Just around the corner, there’s a lake where the nymphs are always, and I do mean *always*, in the mood. They’d love to meet a strapping lad like you.”

“I’m not interested, thanks,” you say firmly, crossing your arms.

The satyr cocks an eyebrow. “Not interested? Then what are you doing here in this lovely forest if not for a bit of... fun?”

“We’re heading south, to the Ice Kingdom,” you explain tersely, hoping to brush him off.

>>6123705

“Ah! The Ice Witches!” he laughs, throwing his head back in mirth. “Cold as snowflakes, those ones! Prudes, the lot of them. Sure, they dance naked under the moonlight, but that’s about as wild as it gets with them. They cling to this ridiculous idea that being a virgin makes them more powerful. What nonsense! At this rate, they’ll be extinct in a century." He narrows his eyes at you suddenly, looking speculative. “Speaking of which... you’re not a virgin, are you?”

Your face flushes with anger and embarrassment. "That's none of your business!"

“Oh, gods!” he gasps, eyes wide with mock concern. “You are, aren’t you? Oh, dear, your first time should be *special*! Trust me, darling, you’ll never forget it if it’s with me.”

"Let's get the hell out of here," Caleb mutters under his breath, his eyes flashing with irritation.

The satyr's eyes flick to Caleb. “Still here, boy? Didn’t I tell you about those nymphs?” He smirks, then his expression shifts to one of realization. “Wait... don’t tell me... you’re in love with this lovely flower here? Oh dear, have I been getting in the way of your romance? My deepest apologies! How about I make it up to you?” He gives a wink. “I’ll agree to a threesome!”

You clench your fists in frustration, weighing your options as the satyr waits expectantly.

> Ignore the satyr and move on
> Invite the satyr to join your group
> Ask the satyr to lead you to the nymphs
> Attack the satyr
> Write in

>>6123706
> Ignore the satyr and move on

Nerver trust the fey - their idea of "common sense" and "morality" is completely alien to that of a human's and vise versa, and are likely to be controlled by their "living force of nature" aspect than any conscious thought.
Taking them on is a bad idea at our current situation, but taking their offer might as well read an automatic Game Over even assuming they meant no harm.

... hmmm, did our mom teach us any magical spells/rituals before her untimely death? Not that we need them as of yet, but it's never wrong to be prepared.

>>6123736
>... hmmm, did our mom teach us any magical spells/rituals before her untimely death? Not that we need them as of yet, but it's never wrong to be prepared.

A whole bunch of minor rituals. I might compile a list so you're not left in the dark, but actual spells consume life force and can cause unpredictable effects. This is not exactly a dnd/vancian magic system, what I am aiming for is a bit closer to mage: the ascension, but I'm still working out some of the details. Basically, rituals are fine to do, but "spells" that bend reality have a very high resource cost. This weekend or the next I'll be done with the system and might even post a pastebin, but I will post some sample rituals before that.

Also, if there is some ritual you have in mind, post it and I might include it in the list if it is not too unbalanced.

>>6123706
> Ignore the satyr and move on

>>6123706
>Accept the satyr’s proposition

>>6123754
Welp, at least normal rituals don't require blood sacrifice so thank the small mercies for that!
Last time I talked to some purple-eyed weirdo with a dragon they said their world's magic requires human blood to function, and ritualistic human sacrifice would be needed for anything big... good we are nowhere near that shithole.
(No, I MOST DEFINIETELY DO NOT suffer from a Game of Thrones brainrot, I swear!)

You decide to ignore the satyr’s antics, barely giving him a glance as you move on. He chuckles, waving you off with a wink, “Off you go then, but don’t say I didn’t offer!” His laughter fades as you step beyond the boundary of the forest, the dense canopy of trees thinning behind you.

Traveling light, your small group makes steady progress across the rugged terrain. The air feels lighter, though the open sky brings with it a sense of exposure. Nabi is out hunting, and Caleb walks beside you carrying the barrel with supplies.

After hours of walking, the eerie silence is broken by a piercing shriek. It slices through the sky like a jagged blade, stopping you both in your tracks. Caleb’s face drains of color.

“Get down! Shut up! Stay still!” he snaps, dropping to the ground and yanking you down beside him with a rough pull. His breath comes in shallow gasps, his eyes wide and alert, scanning the horizon for the source of the sound.

You lie flat on the ground, heart hammering, as another high-pitched screech echoes across the sky. Your eyes strain to catch sight of something—anything. Then, in the distance, you spot it. A tiny glint, moving at a terrifying speed across the sky.

It’s no bird. Another shriek follows, closer this time, and you realize it’s flying higher than you first thought.

Several shrieks later, and the creature is gone, vanishing over the horizon like a nightmare chased away by dawn.

“What... what was that?” you whisper, still shaken by the bone-chilling sound.

Caleb sits up slowly, scanning the skies with fear in his eyes. “A Demon Bat,” he mutters, his voice tight with dread. “One of the Dark Lord’s scouts. It probably heard me, but it was in a hurry. It’ll come back. They always do.”

Your stomach tightens. “How many of those things does he have?”

“More than enough,” Caleb answers grimly. “They’re fast, they’re vicious, and they drink blood. We need to find cover now. Call your dragon—we have to hide!”

You pause, considering the shriek you heard earlier. "How strong are they?"

“Not that strong,” Caleb admits, “but they’re freakishly fast. If one catches you, it drains you dry before you can blink.”

You look at him, an idea forming. “Maybe we should lure it in. And kill it.”

Caleb stares at you, eyes wide. “You’re serious? You want to take that thing on? We could get hurt—or worse.”

“I know,” you say, glancing around. “But if it tracks us later, we’ll be even more vulnerable. We have a chance now.”

Caleb rubs his chin, thinking. Then he gestures ahead. “There’s a cliff up ahead. To the east, there’s a cemetery. To the west is orc territory. We need to be smart about where we make our stand.”

You survey the horizon, weighing the dangers in each direction.

> Climb down the cliff and move on
> Find a cave in the cliff to hide
> Go around through the cemetery
> Go around through orc tribe territory
> Write in

>>6124400

You do know a ritual that can come handy, it is called:

Veil Of Silence

by inscribing runes upon a surface and clapping your hands, the area within the runes becomes utterly silent, blocking all sound from entering or leaving. It lasts for as long as you can keep concentrating on maintaining the effect, or until someone within the area claps their hands.

>>6124400
> Go around through the cemetery
Maybe we can lure it into a mausoleum or under a large tombstone we can topple? Make a bunch of panicked noises where we want it to alnd, then use >>6124402 to cover our sounds as we move out of sight and spring the trap?

>>6124400
> Find a cave in the cliff to hide
Speed less useful in tight spaces

Use the ritual to hide the sounds of all but one “bait” target

>>6124400
>> Go around through the cemetery
A mausoleum to hide in doesnt sound like a bad move

>>6124468
>>6124668
>>6125454

You guide the group deeper into the misty graveyard, the oppressive fog swirling around your legs as you move. The sound of your footsteps seems to vanish into the thick, stagnant air. Nabi walks at your side, his bulk casting a long shadow in the dim light. The eerie stillness of the cemetery wraps around you like a shroud as you move between crumbling tombstones and weathered statues.

Eventually, you find a massive, ancient mausoleum, its stone doors hanging ajar. You slip inside, its musty, cold air offering shelter from the eyes of any who may be searching. The space inside is cavernous, with cracked, moss-covered walls and a lingering sense of dread. You waste no time, kneeling on the cold stone floor to begin preparing the Veil of Silence ritual.

Using a piece of chalk, you inscribe the sacred runes on the floor in a circle around you, tracing them carefully despite the tension tightening in your chest. Once finished, you clap your hands together sharply, activating the spell. Immediately, the air within the mausoleum becomes unnaturally still. The Veil is in place—no sound will pass through the barrier. You exhale softly, knowing that your concentration is the only thing keeping the silence intact.

Outside, Caleb steps forward. He knows what he must do. Without a word, he moves out of the mausoleum and begins to make noise. His boots crunch on the ground as he kicks stones and snaps branches, doing everything he can to draw attention. You watch him from behind a crack in the mausoleum door, your heart pounding as you strain your eyes for any sign of the Demon Bat.

But something else catches your eye.

>>6125926

Emerging from the ground, its form shifting and twisting, is an eerie apparition. The ghostly figure is almost formless, like smoke given sentience, with eyes that burn like cold fire. It drifts toward Caleb, silent and menacing, its translucent arms stretching toward him like reaching claws.

You feel a chill run down your spine as you watch the creature hover closer, its ghostly form seeming to ripple and bend around Caleb. His obliviousness to the danger is terrifying, as he continues calling out for the Demon Bat, unaware of the spectral menace creeping toward him.

The apparition reaches out, attempting to possess him.

Your muscles tense, your mind racing. You need to act fast, but how?

> Rush towards the apparition and attack it with your sword: You spring into action, sword in hand, determined to stop the apparition before it takes hold of Caleb. Charging forward through the mist, you aim to strike down the spectral entity before it can fully possess him.
> Spring the trap on the apparition and have everyone attack it together: Without a sound, you gesture to Nabi and the kobold to ready themselves. When the time is right, you'll spring from the mausoleum and overwhelm the apparition with a coordinated attack from all sides, hoping to catch it off guard.
> Let Caleb deal with the apparition alone: You hold your position, trusting Caleb’s strength and instincts to prevail against the apparition. He may not be aware of the danger yet, but you have faith in his ability to react and fight it off.
> Push Nabi to attack the apparition: You tap Nabi gently, directing him towards the apparition with a silent command. The dragon, still recovering but strong, can use his fearsome power to tear the ghostly figure apart before it can harm Caleb.
> Write in

>>6125927
>> Push Nabi to attack the apparition: You tap Nabi gently, directing him towards the apparition with a silent command. The dragon, still recovering but strong, can use his fearsome power to tear the ghostly figure apart before it can harm Caleb.
And then come right back, to lure the demon bat into the trap, okay sweetums?

>>6125927
>> Push Nabi to attack the apparition: You tap Nabi gently, directing him towards the apparition with a silent command. The dragon, still recovering but strong, can use his fearsome power to tear the ghostly figure apart before it can harm Caleb.
Surely the ghost wont possess nabi right?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6126287
>>6126336
>Surely the ghost wont possess nabi right?

that's a good idea, let's roll to check for it

1 - ghost possess Nabi
2 - ghost does not possess Nabi

>>6126287
>>6126336
>>6126373


Nabi bursts from the mausoleum with a thunderous roar, his massive form crashing into the apparition with brutal force. The ghostly figure and the dragon tangle in a chaotic struggle, a deadly dance where claws slash through ethereal limbs, and the misty form of the apparition twists and recoils. With a final, savage swipe of his claws, Nabi shreds the apparition into fragments, scattering its form like mist in the wind.

But just as the victory settles in, a sharp, piercing shriek cuts through the air.

From the sky, the Demon Bat swoops down with terrifying speed, its fanged maw latching onto Nabi’s neck. The dragon roars in fury, shaking the ground as he thrashes violently, trying to dislodge the bloodthirsty creature. The air around you fills with chaos as the beast’s talons tear at Nabi's scales, and the bat's wings beat furiously against the dragon’s flanks. You watch in horror, wanting to intervene but frozen by the fear that you might accidentally harm Nabi in the confusion of the battle.

Caleb, with swift reflexes, grabs his spear and leaps into the fray, fearlessly plunging the weapon deep into the Demon Bat’s side. The creature lets out a blood-curdling screech, its grip loosening on Nabi as blood spurts from the wound. With the bat finally dislodged, Nabi lunges forward, sinking his powerful jaws into the creature’s leathery flesh and tearing off a chunk. The Demon Bat explodes in a violent gush of blood, staining the ground in dark crimson.

But before you can breathe a sigh of relief, something even stranger happens.

>>6126390

The splattered blood from the bat touches the remnants of the apparition Nabi had torn apart. In a blinding flash, the ghostly form solidifies, turning into a beautiful yet haunting figure—a middle-aged woman with long white hair cascading down her back, wearing a plain linen dress and a silver crown. Her features, though pale and ghostly, carry an air of nobility.

"I'm... I'm alive? How?" the woman whispers, looking at her hands in disbelief.

“The dragon blood must have revived you,” you explain cautiously, still trying to make sense of it all. “Who are you?”

“I’m... Lady Griselda,” she says, her voice trembling. “The last thing I remember is... falling from the balcony of my castle. I've been dead for so long... I can feel it. But... I don’t understand.”

“How long exactly?” Caleb asks, wiping the blood from his spear.

“Thousands of years!” she gasps, but before she can elaborate, her face contorts in agony. She doubles over, clutching her stomach. “I think... I think I’m dying again... oh, by the goddess, the pain...”

Caleb kneels beside her, quickly assessing the situation. “Try drinking some of the blood. It’s everywhere.”

Grimacing, Lady Griselda begins scooping the thick, muddy blood from the ground and forcing it into her mouth. She shudders as she gulps it down, her body shaking violently. After a moment, she retches, vomiting up the filthy mixture of blood and dirt, her body rejecting it with force.

Finally, she steadies herself, her breathing ragged but stronger. “I think I’m alright now... but... so you say I need to drink dragon blood to stay alive?” she asks, her voice still wavering, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.

> Invite Lady Griselda to your party: Perhaps you can keep her alive by feeding her Nabi's blood periodically. She may prove useful, and having someone from the past could give you valuable insight.
> Leave her behind: You're not responsible for this strange undead woman. You didn’t ask to revive her, and it’s too much of a burden to care for her.
> Demand payment for dragon blood: Tell Lady Griselda that if she wants dragon blood to survive, she’ll have to offer something valuable in return. You’re not running a charity.
> Kill her: It’s the only merciful thing to do. She wasn’t meant to live again, and dragging her along would only prolong her suffering.
> Write in

>>6126391
> Invite Lady Griselda to your party: Perhaps you can keep her alive by feeding her Nabi's blood periodically. She may prove useful, and having someone from the past could give you valuable insight.

How gross. I wonder if we will have to make her chew on Nabi's bandages. Odd that she manifests with a crown too. Maybe thats worth a look.

> Write in
Try some low witchy magic? Her grave must be here somewhere, if we can gather some grave dirt, something of her remains and belongings, maybe she will be a bit more stable and not have to drink as much blood. Throw some of Nabi's discarded scales in there. Ghosts have some lingering attachment to the world, maybe acknowledging some goal or unfinished business helps too.

>>6126391
> Demand payment for dragon blood: Tell Lady Griselda that if she wants dragon blood to survive, she’ll have to offer something valuable in return. You’re not running a charity.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6126491
>>6126496


1 - invite
2 - demand payment

>>6126491
>>6126496
>>6126543


You decide to invite Lady Griselda to join your group, though her sudden return to life presents a challenge. "Drinking Nabi’s blood all the time isn’t a solution," you say, frowning. "We’ll need to find a way to keep you alive without constantly relying on dragon blood. There has to be something else."

Lady Griselda, still a bit dazed by her revival, nods slowly. “Perhaps... perhaps my tomb holds some answers, though I haven’t seen it in... well, thousands of years.”

"Do you remember where it is?" you ask.

She gestures toward a towering, ancient mausoleum in the distance. "That massive structure over there. My resting place.”

Your group makes its way to the crumbling mausoleum, the stone steps leading up to its entrance worn and cracked by time. The once grand structure has been thoroughly ransacked over the centuries. Dust coats everything, and the air feels heavy with the weight of forgotten history. In the center of the mausoleum stands a single, empty tomb, surrounded by spiderwebs. Beside it lies a broken stone lid carved with an eerily accurate statue of Lady Griselda, though the nose of the statue has been broken off, making her likeness slightly haunting.

Griselda gazes down at the empty tomb. “It was once filled with treasures, offerings to guide me in the afterlife. I suppose after so long, nothing remains...”

Caleb eyes the ransacked mausoleum, his face unreadable. "I wonder why you manifested with a crown," you say, noticing the gleaming silver band upon her head.

Griselda touches it, surprised as if only now aware of its presence. “Ah! This crown... yes, I am the princess of Erisia. All this land was once my father’s domain. It stands to reason I would manifest with it, bearing my kingdom’s insignia—the two unicorns.”

"Erisia? Never heard of it," Caleb says, scratching his head. You nod in agreement. The name stirs no memories.

Griselda's face falls. “So... the kingdom has fallen long ago. Well then,” her expression brightens, “it is my sacred duty to restart the dynasty! One of you must help me with that!” Her eyes glint with determination as she looks between Caleb and Nabi.

“Hold on,” you say, raising a hand in confusion. “You want to do what with Nabi?”

>>6126563
“I’m nearly forty,” she replies matter-of-factly. “I’ve no time to waste. I need to start producing heirs immediately.”

You blink. “And what does Nabi have to do with that?”

Griselda tilts her head as though the answer is obvious. “Well, he’s male, isn’t he?”

"He’s a *dragon!*" you blurt, disbelief in your voice.

“So?” she shrugs. “In my time, we mated with all kinds of creatures. My grandfather had a child with a fairy, and I had an aunt who mated with a dragon. This is not unusual.”

“Wait,” Caleb cuts in. “You’re fairykin?”

“Fairykin?” she echoes, looking puzzled.

"Descended from fairies," Caleb clarifies.

“Oh, yes, among other magical creatures," she says proudly.

"Shouldn’t that give you some powers?" Caleb asks, intrigued.

Griselda’s lips curl into a smile. “Who says I don’t have them? My gift is telekinesis, though it’s a bit weak due to my diluted bloodline. But observe.” Her eyes gleam, and with a flick of her gaze, several small stones lift from the ground, hovering in the air before dropping. She wipes a bit of sweat from her brow, clearly tired from the effort.

"That’s impressive," you admit, your tone shifting to a more respectful one.

"Indeed,” Caleb agrees. “Only seen the Dark Lord’s apprentices do magic like that."

“Tell me more about this Dark Lord,” Lady Griselda says, her curiosity piqued.

"He’s the ruler enslaving everyone in this region," Caleb explains, his voice low. "Obsessed with becoming immortal. I used to work for him."

A thoughtful look crosses Griselda’s face. “Hmmm... I wonder if he’d be interested in helping me. Do you think he still has functioning... genitalia? These dark wizards tend to take extreme measures with their bodies.”

Caleb’s face twists in exasperation. "How should I know?!"

“Well," Griselda says, undeterred, "I can’t waste any more time. Dragon!” she turns to Nabi, “if you put a baby in me, I’ll... I’ll teach you fairy language! Do we have a deal?”

You gape in disbelief. "Hold on a second..."

Griselda waves a hand dismissively. "Look, I might be able to find hidden treasure vaults, but I can’t promise that because they’ve probably all been looted. What I can promise is that right now, I need this dragon’s seed to continue my royal line!"

> Nabi accepts and puts a baby in Lady Griselda: Despite the absurdity, maybe having a half-dragon princess in the party will lead to unexpected advantages.
> Nabi does not accept, and you suggest Caleb instead: Point out that if she’s so keen on restarting her bloodline, Caleb seems like a much better option.
> You refuse her outright, outraged at the suggestion: There’s no way you’re letting her mate with your dragon. This is absurd.
> You calmly dismiss the idea and promise to help her find another solution: Tell Lady Griselda you’ll help her find a suitable mate elsewhere, but mating with a dragon is out of the question.

>>6126564
> You refuse her outright, outraged at the suggestion: There’s no way you’re letting her mate with your dragon. This is absurd.
This lady is super dangerous and also can't read a room to save her life.

>>6126564
> Nabi accepts and puts a baby in Lady Griselda: Despite the absurdity, maybe having a half-dragon princess in the party will lead to unexpected advantages.

Unless there's a clear downside of doing this I don't see why we shouldn't just let her do it.

>>6126599
She's already showing a willingness to immediately ally with our enemies (at least we're so far treating the Dark Lord as an enemy), and also Nabi is OUR dragon.

>>6126564
I'm thinkin about it. I find the unhinged royal princess character type pretty amusing so I do want to keep her.

White women. Maybe dragons kidnapping princesses wasnt so onesided after all. I wonder why their royal line died out with such paragons of unhinged imagination at the helm. I suppose if any of these options work we might not need to bleed Nabi to keep a new party member who has some interesting powers and knowledge.

>>6126629
I mean The Dark Lord is an enemy because he wants to enslave whatever he can and so on and so forth, its not like he killed our Witch's mother, but trying to approach someone like that without also being an extremely powerful being is just asking to be enslaved or killed. At our powerlevel its like treating a natural disaster as an enemy.

Shes just an unhinged royal princess thats rather disconnected from reality, and being/been some kind of ghost probably doesn't help that. Perhaps a small dose of reality along with whatever option wins.

Something like 'If the Dark Lord wants to be immortal he won't need a bloodline to begin with, and his kind don't usually want anyone who could inherit their power and immortality that could oppose him.'

>>6126564
>>6126640
Agreed - going by medieval politics (read: realpolitik's) it's only natural for the nobility to seek alliance through marriage - and it's not as if she'd know much about the Dark Lord given her death probably predates his(?) birth by a few centuries at least so it's reasonable to assume she's not exactly knowledgeable about the Dark Lord's many atrocities.
Giving her a quick update on the current world might be helpful.

>>6126840
Considering how down she was to immediately fuck and breed with anything powerful in the area, I doubt she'll care about his morality.

>>6126889
Once again, medieval politics. Bloodlines - especially that of a magical nature - are highly valued and bring tangible political influence.

Plus, she still requires OUR dragon's blood to live, doesn't she?

>>6126564
> Nabi accepts and puts a baby in Lady Griselda: Despite the absurdity, maybe having a half-dragon princess in the party will lead to unexpected advantages.

>>6126584
>>6126599
>>6126629
>>6126640
>>6126840
>>6126889
>>6126897
>>6126950


You shake your head, frowning as you look at Lady Griselda. "You don’t understand how evil the Dark Lord really is."

Caleb steps up, his face darkening with old memories. “The Dark Lord isn’t just some ambitious ruler. He enslaves entire towns, turns people into mindless thralls, and sacrifices thousands to fuel his magic. There are children in his dungeons, used for experiments—sick, twisted experiments that leave them as hollow husks.”

You nod in agreement, adding your own thoughts. “If the Dark Lord wants to be immortal, he won’t need a bloodline to begin with. He’s obsessed with controlling every form of life and magic. And his kind... they don’t usually want heirs who could inherit their power and immortality, anyone who might one day challenge or oppose them.”

Griselda listens, her brow furrowing as the weight of your words sinks in. “Hmm,” she muses, “so the Dark Lord is out of the picture. Oh well, that leaves the dragon. What will it be... Nabi?”

Much to your surprise, Nabi steps forward and starts sniffing Griselda. You watch in astonishment as the dragon licks her cheek, his rough tongue leaving a shiny streak across her skin. Though Nabi can’t speak human language, you’re quite certain he understands every word.

Griselda smiles seductively, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “You three, get out. Can’t a new couple have a little privacy? And you,” she says, beckoning to Nabi, “come here, big boy...”

Awkwardly, you and Caleb exchange uneasy glances, but you all leave the mausoleum, stepping out into the cold cemetery air. The moments that follow are deeply uncomfortable. For the next couple of hours, you and Caleb try not to make eye contact as the sounds from inside the mausoleum grow louder, the princess saying all kinds of improprieties to Nabi, followed by intense moaning that echoes through the tombstones.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Griselda steps out, her dress slightly wrinkled and her hair in disarray. “It is done,” she says with a satisfied grin, adjusting her dress as she walks toward you. “Now, let’s move on. This cemetery is dangerous. I know of a secret passage into an ancient vault not too far from here. We could use it as a hideout. The passphrase is something only I know.”

You raise an eyebrow, still processing the awkwardness of what just happened, but before you can say anything, Caleb squints at the wall of the mausoleum. “Hey, what’s that on the wall?”

Griselda glances back, slightly disinterested. “Oh, we tried not to make too much of a mess but—”

>>6127105


“No, look!” Caleb points. “It looks like engravings.”

Griselda’s eyes widen slightly as she turns back. “Oh, that. Yeah, it tells the story of my life, from birth to... well, death. Though it’s not all that interesting, at least to me. I know every detail by heart.” She shrugs. “But, I do know a coven of witches nearby. They used to summon me all the time, trying to get my advice. Nice girls, really. We could stop by and get some potions or information from them.”

You glance at the engravings, your curiosity piqued. Caleb looks torn, still staring at the intricate stonework that tells a tale long forgotten. Meanwhile, Griselda seems eager to move on and is already talking about potential allies and hideouts.

Griselda smiles with a shrug, her silver crown glinting in the fading light. "It’s up to you, Dragon Lady. I’m merely a companion in dire need of some dragon blood now and then. I’ll go wherever you choose to lead us."

> Read Griselda's life story: Take the time to explore the engravings on the mausoleum. There may be valuable information about her past, or even hidden secrets about the kingdom of Erisia.
> Go talk to the witch coven nearby: The witches could be useful allies, offering potions or spells to aid your journey.
> Go find the hideout Griselda spoke about: Head straight to the vault she mentioned, securing a safe place to rest and strategize.
> We are headed south, no time for more distractions: Focus on the original mission and continue south toward your destination, ignoring further distractions.
> Write in

>>6127106
> Read Griselda's life story: Take the time to explore the engravings on the mausoleum. There may be valuable information about her past, or even hidden secrets about the kingdom of Erisia.
then
> Go talk to the witch coven nearby: The witches could be useful allies, offering potions or spells to aid your journey.

Our mom is a witch, so make use of that connection.

Also, can we ask Gris to make good on her promise of teaching Nabi to talk?

>>6127106
> Read Griselda's life story: Take the time to explore the engravings on the mausoleum. There may be valuable information about her past, or even hidden secrets about the kingdom of Erisia.

It would be nice to see the witches, but I Nabi could do with some rest. Plus if the vault has anything left in it that would be nice. First things first a bit of reading.

>>6127106
>>6127120
Backing this, and also we should sit in on those lessons

>>6127106
> Read Griselda's life story: Take the time to explore the engravings on the mausoleum. There may be valuable information about her past, or even hidden secrets about the kingdom of Erisia.
Is the coven likely to even still be there, a thousand years after the fact?

+1 to getting Griselda to teach Nabi how to talk, though, assuming the murals don't reveal that she's evil and that keeping her alive and helping her sire a dynasty was a mistake.

>>6127375
I think she meant that the witches would summon her ghost to ask her questions, but that would be really funny if she meant there was a coven a thousand years ago was calling this royal princess over to chat for tea and cookies and potions.

Also the place we plan to go to was described as 'To the south there is the Ice Kingdom. The place is full of evil magicians. Your mother came from there.' Presumably that was our own mother's description of it too lol. I doubt we, a witch, can go anywhere thats not atleast a little evil with a dragon.

Meanwhile we can't throw a stick without hitting a monster, a camp of evil molester soldiers, or a hostile environment. So I'll take the funny unhinged white woman half-dragon princess if it means another body in the party who has some lore and some neat skills. Atleast she needs us to survive and shows some ability to listen to reason.

>>6127375
How evil are we talking about here? If she's the Dark Lord sort of evil then ofc it'd be a problem, but as long as she wasn't a sociopath it should be fine. Plus, at least she does seem to understand that her home country had ceased to exist a long time ago so she probably isn't THAT out of touch with reality, and her actions can be easily explained as her falling back to the ideals and social norms of her era.

>>6127120
>>6127215
>>6127358
>>6127375
>>6127386
>>6127391


You start reading the murals that adorn the mausoleum walls, eyes wide with amazement. "Holy shit, look at that!" you exclaim, pointing to a depiction of Princess Griselda holding a gleaming sword, standing triumphantly over a huge green monster.

Griselda steps beside you, gazing at the mural with a half-smile. "Ah, that was the battle of Kirugaton."

"What was that?" you ask, stunned.

"That was when I defeated a troll and liberated a village. I was about fourteen at the time," she replies nonchalantly.

"What? How?" you press, still trying to wrap your mind around it.

"We have a custom of training the royal family for warfare from early childhood. By the time we’re twelve, we’re allowed to roam the land, killing monsters. There were many back then. The wilderness was teeming with creatures. Only big walled cities were safe." She shrugs. "I didn’t like traveling alone, so I made lots of companions. In that battle, I had about six or seven with me. Most of them died. The biographers like to make it look like I defeated the troll singlehandedly. I wasn’t even that strong. My older sister could easily beat me in spars." She points to another mural with a small smile. "My real talent was more embroidery. Look there!"

You follow her gesture and see a depiction of the princess flying on what seems to be a magic carpet.

"It wasn’t a carpet," she chuckles. "Just something I embroidered. The royal wizard enchanted it for a while. We flew around town, scaring the citizens. Fun times."

You move along the wall and come to a striking scene—Griselda slaying a demon. She pauses, her expression darkening. "That one was... awkward. I was in a cave with two girls. When I woke up, one was dead, and the other was being... well, raped by a demon. I killed the demon, but got possessed in the process and... I accidentally killed the other girl. She was my best friend at the time. I cried for weeks. The high priest performed an exorcism to get the demon out of me. They kept it in the dungeon for questioning, and when the mages were done, I killed it with a blade specifically made for that purpose."

Your throat tightens, unsure what to say. You glance at another mural, trying to shift the mood. "What about this one?" It shows her raising someone from the dead.

"Ah, that." Griselda seems almost amused. "Some dignitaries gifted me a Phoenix feather once. During a parade, a noble kid suddenly dropped dead. I used the feather to revive him after he was pronounced gone. Everyone was so impressed, they started believing I could raise the dead at will. The priests spun some story about how only the worthy could be revived."

You turn to her. "Then why didn’t they raise you from the dead if your people had the knowledge?"

>>6127618

She sighs. "A good question. Back then, all the methods we knew only worked if someone had died very recently. I suppose no one found my body in time. It was a stormy night, and the thunder masked the sound of me falling from the balcony. I used to watch the lightning a lot... and that night, the balcony broke, and I plummeted to my death."

As you continue along the mural, the rest of the depictions seem less impressive, full of embellishments, and praise that Griselda seems to shrug off as exaggerated hero worship.

"Are you satisfied now?" she asks, giving a light laugh. "Can we go somewhere else?" But before you can respond, her eyes narrow. "Oh no, we have company."

A pale young girl, eerily beautiful, steps into the mausoleum. "Good night. What brings you here?" Her voice is soft, but there’s a cold, ancient power behind it.

Griselda straightens, eyes sharp. "She’s a vampire."

The girl’s lips curl in a faint smile. "Huh... that aura... you people revived the Ghost with a Crown? What for?"

"It was an accident," Caleb interjects quickly.

"Ah, dragon blood, I see." The vampire’s gaze flickers to Nabi, and her eyes darken with reverence. "Black dragons are sacred to the goddess of death. In deference to this magnificent creature, I will allow you to leave my cemetery unharmed. Just this once."

Her offer, despite coming from such a small, plain figure in a simple black dress, doesn’t seem like something to dismiss lightly. If she’s truly a vampire, the choice is clear.

"Let’s go," Griselda says with urgency, already moving toward the exit.

> Go look for the witches. Maybe they have potions or knowledge that could help you.
> Go look for the hideout. Griselda mentioned a secret passage to an ancient vault that could be a safe place.
> Ask the vampire something. Perhaps she knows more about this region and its dangers.
> Head south to the Ice Kingdom. You can’t afford any more delays. Your journey must continue.
> Write in

>>6127619
> Ask the vampire something. Perhaps she knows more about this region and its dangers.
Ask about the local politics (who of which species controls what, nearest neutral settlements, etc.)
then
> Go look for the witches. Maybe they have potions or knowledge that could help you.
If possible, learn as many spells and rituals as we can.

The vault may be secure.... but it's too close to the masoleum and it's security would mean jackshit if there's an enemy squad right in our front door. The demon bat (read: magical recon drone) meant the Dark Lord's army might patrol this area in a few days, and Nabi snacking on a Dark Apprentice might've pissed him off a bit.

Stay on the move, and shoot (or melt, or chomp) anything that even remotely resembles a bat out of the sky.

Also, ask Gris to make good on her promise of language lessons for both us and Nabi. Better communication with out only aerial asset (whom we may or may not treat like a younger sibling) is definitely a plus.

>>6127644
Addendum: asking the vampire about the local geography would also help.

>>6127644
Sure, +1

>>6127619

>>6127619
> Go look for the hideout. Griselda mentioned a secret passage to an ancient vault that could be a safe place.

I do wanna check out that secret passage vault and see if we can find anything useful, if any of those items like the notmagic carpet or the demon killing blade were left there it could be handy.

That said I don't mind asking the vampire for the region info, it'll be handy atleast. Just be polite lol

>>6127695
Supporting. Going there for a quick sightsee (and resupply) is good. Staying there for any extended period of time notsomuch.

>>6127644
>>6127647
>>6127665
>>6127695
>>6127700


You pause before leaving the mausoleum, your curiosity outweighing the urgency to get away from these eerie grounds. Turning to the vampire who had appeared before you, you ask, “Wait, before we go… could you tell us about who controls the land around here? We're looking for somewhere to stay and don't want to wander into a bad situation.”

The pale girl tilts her head slightly, a wry smile forming on her lips. “You’re testing your luck, human,” she says, her voice soft yet laced with amusement. “But I’ll indulge you. The underground is claimed by us vampires. We hunt at night—not out of need, mind you, but out of sport. Curiosity, really. You don’t stay inside all day just because you’ve got food at home, do you?”

She folds her arms and continues, her eyes glinting in the dim light. “We’re loosely connected to the Dark Lord—everyone this side of the Tera River is, in one way or another. His influence stretches over a third of the continent. He rules through demon bats and mercenaries, making sure his grip is felt in every dark corner. Anyone foolish enough to hide in caves to escape the bats? We catch them. It’s a good system, I suppose. Most folks here pay tithe to him, one way or another.”

Samantha’s smile fades, her tone growing darker. “But not us. The Dark Lord knows better than to charge us vampires. We’re known for starting wars that last centuries. He doesn’t want that trouble.”

Before you can respond, another voice cuts through the air. “Who you talking to, Samantha?”

A tall, voluptuous vampire with flowing dark hair emerges from the shadows, her presence commanding. Her eyes narrow on the group as she walks closer, her lips curling into a smile as she spots Griselda. “Oh my, visitors… but wait, what is that aura? Crowny, is that you?”

Griselda’s posture stiffens as she recognizes the new arrival. “Trixie. We were just about to leave.”

Trixie’s grin widens, showing her sharp fangs. “Leave? Oh, Samantha, where are your manners? Why didn’t you invite our guests for dinner?”

Samantha rolls her eyes. “I was letting them go. They seem to be in a hurry.”

Trixie pouts mockingly. “Letting them go? You know once they leave the cemetery, they’re not on hallowed ground anymore, right?”

“Hallowed?” Caleb asks, confused.

>>6127710


Samantha groans. “Damn it, Trixie! You ruin everything. You don't know how to hunt, and you won’t let anyone else do it either! Go back to your cave and stuff your face with those... things you eat.”

Trixie waves off the insult, her eyes lingering on Caleb for a moment before she turns back to Samantha. “Ignore her. Just because we found Samantha here and the boss liked her enough to turn her doesn’t mean this cemetery belongs to her. It’s a special place—enchanted, you see. Spirits can’t leave, creatures can’t enter, and anyone inside can understand each other perfectly. The ideal necropolis… except that Dark Lord keeps threatening to charge us if we build anything above ground.”

Griselda furrows her brow. “Wait, are you saying I won’t be able to leave? And that people won’t understand me outside this place?”

Trixie eyes her up and down with a smirk. “You were brought back with dragon blood, weren’t you? Yeah, good luck leaving. You’ll probably explode into a puddle of goo if you step beyond the cemetery gates. Crowny, you’re stuck here with us.”

Griselda sneers. “Why don’t I believe you?”

Trixie shrugs nonchalantly. “Try it, if you want. But if you die for good, don’t come crying to me. In the meantime…” she suddenly lunges toward Caleb, sinking her teeth into his neck before anyone can react.

“Caleb!” you shout, but it’s too late. Blood sprays from the wound as Trixie pulls away, her mouth stained red. Caleb collapses to the ground, gasping, clutching his neck in agony.

“Fuck, Trixie! That was uncalled for!” Griselda screams, grabbing a spear and driving it into Trixie’s side before kicking her away from Caleb. Trixie stumbles back, laughing as she pulls the spear out with ease.

“Lucky for you, Crowny, you didn’t ruin my dress,” Trixie says with a wicked smile. “Here’s the deal—for old times’ sake—I’ll let the rest of you go if you leave one of your own behind. I’m hungry, and that little bite wasn’t enough.”

Samantha lets out a frustrated groan. “Aaaahhh, damn it, Trixie! You’ve broken my human! I wasn’t going to eat him yet, and now he’s bleeding everywhere! You… you rat!”

“Oh, you called me what?” Trixie snarls, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

Without warning, the two vampires begin slapping and clawing at each other, calling each other insults that would seem ridiculous if the situation weren’t so deadly.

You know you need to act quickly before things spiral even further out of control. Caleb is bleeding out, and the two vampires are distracted, locked in their petty squabble.

What will you do?

> Attack Trixie
> Attack Samantha
> Attack both vampires
> Take the opportunity and run away
> Write in

>>6127700
Addendum: ask Gris what's likely to be inside the vault. If it's empty then there's no need to overstay our welcome. Also ask her if the vault have exits OUTSIDE the cemetery.

if I don't update in 2-3 hours from now I'll probably resume updating once a day

>>6127713
Do we know anything about vampires, what they're weak to (say, wooden stakes or dragons), etc? And more importantly, do we have any of those on us?
Also, if we have to ditch someone it'd be Gris. A direction to the coven would still be appreciated though.

>>6127713
> Take the opportunity and run away
Have Nabi carry Caleb. Throw the kobold to them if they get too close, as a diversion.

>>6127713
> Take the opportunity and run away
Fine time to leave this ridiculous insanity. Can't sit anywhere without a mess I swear. I doubt killing either one will really improve our situation anyways lol.

Hopefully Caleb doesn't turn from just one bite, or if its where they also need to drink blood the vampire gives to turn them he should be fine. Hopefully the witches will be helpful or the vault is nearby.

>>6127785
Nabi isn't large enough for that.

Shit, forgot the kobold.

>>6127781
Talking about overstaying our welcome! Ditch the kobold if necessary and grab Gris, even if she died trying to leave the perimeter it's still better than her starving to death in the cemetery. (aka Caleb and the kobold would be eaten, while Gris/Crowny would still die from not having access to dragonblood, plus the whole having a physical body issue)

Also, can we stabilize Caleb in the meantime?

Hmmm.... if the cemetery had a secret path leading to the vault, and the vault had an exit outside the cemetery, would it still count as leaving the hallowed ground?

... and remember to chastise Gris for forgetting to mention this place was overrun with vampires.

>>6127713
> Take the opportunity and run away

Attacking either is just asking for more vampires to converge on us.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

alright, so you run away

let's see if Gris dies horribly right now or not

1 - dies
2 - don't die

>>6128290
Whoo!

Captcha: T0SSYR
Serves ya right ya bloodsucking tossers!

>>6128290


You and the group make a desperate escape from the chaos of the cemetery. The air is thick with tension as the eerie glow of the moon casts long shadows across the gravestones. Behind you, the faint sounds of Samantha and Trixie's bickering fade into the distance, but your heart still pounds in your chest.

As you reach the cemetery's edge, Griselda stops abruptly, standing just at the boundary between the cursed grounds and the wilderness beyond. She turns to you, her face pale but determined.

"Now is the hour of truth," she says, taking a deep breath before stepping across the threshold.

For a moment, it seems like she’s fine. She takes a few confident steps forward, even offering a small grin. "Look, I’m just—oh goddess, no I’m not..."

Before you can react, she doubles over, her face turning a sickly shade of white. She vomits violently, her body trembling. Then, without warning, she collapses, convulsing on the ground. Her limbs thrash as foam gathers at the corners of her mouth.

"We have to do something!" you shout, feeling utterly powerless as you watch her writhing.

For a moment, the group is frozen in shock, unsure of what to do. Caleb, who should have been weak from his neck wound, suddenly steps forward with surprising strength.

"Grab her! We need to carry her out of here," he commands, his voice steady despite the panic in the air.

"Wait, weren’t you bleeding out just a moment ago?" you ask, baffled by his sudden burst of energy.

"The bleeding stopped," Caleb replies, his tone oddly casual. Without further explanation, he scoops Griselda up with an ease that seems almost supernatural, her limp form draped in his arms like she weighs nothing.

You don’t question it. Instead, you all take off into the night, pushing your exhausted bodies as far as they can go, the cold air biting at your skin as you sprint through the dark forest. The trees seem to close in around you, branches clawing at your clothes as you race deeper into the wilderness.

"C’mon, we can’t stop now," Caleb urges, his voice calm yet insistent. "We have to keep running!"

>>6128311

You pant heavily, your legs screaming in protest, each step feeling like it might be your last. "Hold on, Caleb! We can’t keep running like this forever. We need to rest, just for a moment," you plead, gasping for breath.

At last, you come to a stop. Everyone collapses onto the damp forest floor, desperately gulping down the cold air. It’s only then that Griselda begins to stir, her eyes fluttering open as she groggily lifts her head.

"Wher-where are we?" she asks, her voice weak, her body still trembling from the aftershocks of her convulsions.

"We ran. We got out of the cemetery," you explain, leaning closer to check on her condition.

Griselda slowly sits up, her hand reaching out to steady herself as she catches her breath. Her gaze flickers over to Caleb, who’s standing nearby. She inhales sharply, her nostrils flaring as she sniffs the air around him.

"Ghoul," she mutters, her eyes narrowing.

Caleb blinks, confused. "What? No, I’m perfectly fine."

Griselda shakes her head, her face grim. "No, Caleb, you’re a ghoul. It’ll last a few days."

You feel a cold pit form in your stomach as you turn to her, dread creeping into your voice. "What does that mean, Gris?"

She sighs, brushing a hand through her disheveled hair. "It means he’s stronger, faster... but any vampire can control him just by locking eyes with him. It's too dangerous for him to go without protection. He should wear a blindfold for now."

Caleb nods, already fumbling with some fabric to cover his eyes. "Got it. I’ll carry Eve, and the dragon can take the kobold. Let’s keep moving. Gris, can you run?"

Griselda groans, rising to her feet slowly. "What is it with everyone calling me ‘Gris’? I suppose it’s easier than the whole thing... Yeah, I can run. We’ve got to cross the river. The vampires won’t chase us beyond that. C’mon."

You press onward, following a narrow, twisting trail through the dense woods. The darkness is oppressive, the sounds of night creatures whispering in the distance. Time passes in a blur of exhaustion and adrenaline as you run, pushing your bodies to the limit. Finally, just as the first light of dawn begins to touch the sky, you reach the river crossing.

But before you can even think of resting, three shadows emerge from the trees. It’s Samantha, Trixie, and a third vampire—a blonde girl with short, wickedly glowing red eyes.

>>6128312

"Told you," Samantha says smugly, crossing her arms. "They’d head for the river."

"You know crossing water won’t save you, right?" Trixie taunts, stepping forward. "We can cross running water just fine."

The blonde vampire’s gaze locks onto Caleb. Her lips curl into a cruel smile. "Oh, a ghoul. Take that blindfold off, ghoul."

Caleb’s body jerks violently as he falls to his knees, his hands clutching at his head. "NO!" he screams, his voice filled with pain. Blood starts to trickle from his eyes as he convulses on the ground, writhing in agony.

"AARGH! MY HEAD!" he cries out, before collapsing into unconsciousness.

The blonde vampire tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Alright. The ghoul is already ours. But we want one more to let the rest of you cross unharmed. Who will it be?"

Griselda steps forward, her voice cold and resigned. "Fine, I’ll stay. But you have to let them go, and you have to give them the ghoul back. He’ll revert in a few days."

The vampires exchange whispers, their red eyes glowing faintly in the early light. Finally, the blonde vampire nods. "Fine. You can keep the ghoul. But the princess comes with us. The rest of you... may go."

Griselda turns to you, her face unreadable. "Go. Get across the river."

The group stands frozen, unsure of how to move forward, as the vampires watch, their hunger barely contained.

> Cross the river and move on
> Tell Nabi to attack the vampires
> Sink your sword into Trixie
> Sink your sword into Samantha
> Sink your sword into the blonde vampire
> Write in

>>6128314
Jesus Christ fuck off...These vampires keep lying so I wouldn't be surprised if this bitch lied again about being able to cross water.

> Write in
Buy time until the sun rises
So their red eyes are glowing faintly in the early light, maybe if we can get them to argue with each other about something until the sun rises we can all get away together. Or challenge them to some kind of game that will take enough time, and wager ourselves to tempt them into it.

At the least it might give Caleb some time to recover, then if we use that magic to silence an area they won't be able to give him verbal commands as well. Hopefully he can fight with other ghoul senses if need be.

>>6128314
> Cross the river and move on
Byeeee! never liked or trusted her anyway.

>>6128335
But you believe the vampires would let us go when the first one planned on hunting us down after she pretended to let us go?

>>6128367
I believe we've hit an actual barrier if it's stymied Gris.

>>6128368
Are you saying Gris is working for the vampires (either willingly or unwittingly), or.....

>>6128368
We got past the barrier that knocked her down when we left the graveyard. She seems fine now.

>>6128314
>> Write in
Give our sword to Gris and have her decapitate the blonde vampire first.

She's a better fighter than we are. Our blade is sharp, but we lack meaningful combat experience, not even sparring. Vampires may not be vulnerable against stabbing/piercing but against dismembering by a magical blade it might be something else. It may not kill them, but as long as it buys all of us enough time to ford the river we'd be fine.

>>6128335
Quick question: what, exactly, is your beef with Gris? Yes, she's a spoiled princess, but I've yet to see anything about her that says she's bad news.

>>6128326
>>6128335
>>6128666

“Fine, we’ll go,” you say, casting a weary glance at Caleb, his body limp and slumped over. “But let me wake Caleb up first.”

Before you can take a step toward him, the blonde vampire rolls her eyes and speaks with a commanding tone. “That’s easy. *GET UP, GHOUL!*”

At the sound of her voice, Caleb lets out a blood-curdling screech, his body jolting unnaturally as he springs to his feet with a feral, jerking movement. His face contorts in pain, hands flying to his blindfolded eyes, which still ooze with blood.

“AHHH, my head...” he groans, the sound of his voice thick with agony.

Griselda starts walking toward the vampires, her footsteps firm but measured. Samantha narrows her eyes, her voice a warning. “Don’t you cause us any trouble, Crowny.”

With everyone seemingly moving toward the water’s edge, you suddenly feel a surge of resolve. Without another thought, you unsheathe your sword in one swift motion, feeling the weight of it in your hands. In a fluid, precise move, you hurl the blade through the air, aiming it straight at Griselda.

Gris, her back turned to you, senses the weapon before it strikes. With inhuman reflexes, she snatches the sword out of the air, spinning around gracefully. In the same movement, she swings the blade, the silver flashing in the pale moonlight as it cleaves through the neck of the blonde vampire. The vampire’s head is severed cleanly from her body, and before the corpse can even crumple, Griselda uses her telekinesis to send the decapitated head soaring into the river with a splash.

“FUCK YOU, CROWNY! That was uncalled for!” Trixie shrieks, her eyes blazing with fury, face twisting into something monstrous as she stares at Griselda.

Gris wipes a bead of sweat from her forehead, glaring at the vampires with cold defiance. “Consider it repayment for turning our friend into a ghoul.”

Trixie stares at the river, her fists clenched. “How the hell are we supposed to fish her head out of the river now?” Her voice drips with venomous frustration. “We don’t have time for this shit. Let’s just—”

Samantha, preparing to lunge forward, is stopped mid-step when Griselda raises the glowing sword before her, its light flickering menacingly. “Back off, both of you!” Gris shouts, her voice hard and unyielding. “See this glow? It’s a magic blade. One more step toward us, and it’ll be *your* heads rolling into that river next.”

The two vampires hesitate, their bodies tense. Then, without a word, they leap away in opposite directions, their movements a blur of shadow. Griselda stands there, her back to the river, watching the two vampires with unwavering intensity until everyone else has crossed the water. Only then does she step into the river herself, swimming swiftly to the other side, the sword’s glow fading as she reaches the shore.

>>6128722

Trixie remains on the far bank, trembling with rage. For a moment, her face contorts, her human guise slipping as her features twist into a grotesque, monstrous form. But then she regains her composure, her expression flattening into one of cold calculation.

“Come on, Trixie,” Samantha calls from behind, her voice calm but insistent. “It’s almost dawn. We’ll come back tomorrow to fish your girlfriend’s head out of the river.”

“She’s gonna *die* with the sun, Samantha!” Trixie snaps, her voice breaking with anger. “It’s a horrible death!”

Samantha shrugs, her voice flat and indifferent. “Yeah, well, the boss can do something about it if we bring back her skull tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’ll fix this. For now, let’s get the hell out of here.”

Without another word, the two vampires disappear into the shadows of the forest, their movements swift and soundless as they flee before the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon.

As the tension slowly fades, you let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. Griselda, standing next to you, wipes a few drops of blood from her cheek. “Guess they took it in good sport,” she mutters. “Didn’t even vow eternal revenge or anything.”

“Here is your sword back.”, says Gris, returning it to you.

“We probably shouldn’t come back here anytime soon,” you say, your eyes scanning the horizon as you sheath your blade.

Caleb takes out his blindfold, his eyes scarlet like the vampire's, but no longer bleeding. He looks around for awhile, then points toward a distant smudge of smoke rising into the sky. “I see smoke... looks like there’s a city nearby!”

You follow his gaze, and sure enough, a plume of smoke signals the presence of civilization not too far off.

What do you do next?

> Move away toward the south
> Move toward the nearby city
> Look for a hideout that can fit Nabi
> Fish the vampire’s head out of the river
> Write in

>>6128724
> Fish the vampire’s head out of the river
Lmao take it with us
Good luck reviving her now

>>6128724
Damn Griselda sure can tango, that was a solid idea by anon to give her the sword.

>>6128734
As funny as disembodies head characters are I don't think having that head would be anything but trouble. She might be able to give Caleb orders just by talking like the other one right? Though maybe she isn't strong enough or doesn't have that power, but that is a bit of a risk. Plus they might come after the head lol.

Thought. I suppose if Caleb really wanted to become a vampire he could drink blood from the blonde vampire's headless body? Probably more trouble then its worth tho to only travel at night and need to feed him.

Any thoughts on the city? Maybe we could pose as adventurers who have a dragon, with Griselda being the royal face maybe we could actually talk our way through problems lol. Or try to cover him up and act like hes a big pack lizard who likes his blanket.

>>6128724
Such ferocity, and she's supposed to be the less combat-capable one in her family? I knew Gris's experienced in combat given her backstory, her nonchalance/humility when it comes to her story, plus that she immediately retaliated when Caleb's attacked, but one-shotting a vampire leader (notice the blonde is the one calling the shots among the three, plus brighter-glowing eyes) is something else. I'd say she earned a permanent spot in our group just for this, and I'll have no objections of her carrying Nabi's brood.

> Write-in:
> Bring the blonde's head with us so she dies in the sun.
> Go towards the city. (IIRC the Dark Lord's sphere of influence was on the vampires' side of the river)
> Ask about the location of the vault and the coven, and whether if any of those are on our side of the river.
> Ask about the language lesson
> Have Nabi out to hunt when we enter the city

>>6128759
Addendum:
Ask Gris and Caleb for sparring and pointers on CQC. We (singular) have good foundations when it comes to sword fighting, but zero combat experience.

>>6128666
>what, exactly, is your beef with Gris? Yes, she's a spoiled princess, but I've yet to see anything about her that says she's bad news.
I don't trust anyone who wakes up after a thousand years and immediately starts trying to get pregnant by any powerful monster in her line of sight. Simpel as. Also:
>"He’s the ruler enslaving everyone in this region," Caleb explains, his voice low. "Obsessed with becoming immortal. I used to work for him."
>A thoughtful look crosses Griselda’s face. “Hmmm... I wonder if he’d be interested in helping me. Do you think he still has functioning... genitalia?"
We said why the guy was sinister and implied he was our enemy, and she still immediately started planning to team up with him.

>>6128722
This ingratiated me to her a bit, but she might be helping Caleb solely for the sake of provoking such gratitude. She seems obviously evil to me, or at least amoral and oblivious to social cues

>>6128759
I'll support this, essentially.

>>6128724
>go towards the city
>don't enter yet
>bring the head, if we can find it
>ask about witches, language lessons

>>6128884
> I don't trust anyone who wakes up after a thousand years and immediately starts trying to get pregnant by any powerful monster in her line of sight. Simple as.
Ghosts tend to have lingering regrets and be hyperfocused on fulfilling those no matter what, which in her case it's probably not having an heir.

> We said why the guy was sinister and implied he was our enemy, and she still immediately started planning to team up with him.
It probably explained why she was single despite being a royal princess, on a second thought..... Also, if slavery was commonly practiced back in her days (e.g. Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, antebellum American South, etc.) then of course she wouldn't be disgusted by the Dark Lord owning slaves - it would just be the traditional way of life in her point of view.

> She seems obviously evil to me, or at least amoral and oblivious to social cues
Amoral and oblivious? Most definitely, and in spades. Evil? I guess it depends on the definition, but she doesn't seem to be the malevolent type to enjoy the suffering of others, nor does she seem to be the entitled type to see herself as the center of the universe, so she'd get a pass in my book.
TL;DR: she's most definitely not a shiny beacon of justice, but she isn't an asshole either. Plus, she's a good fighter and she's on our side, what more can we ask for?

>>6128743
The sun's about to be up, so we should be fine. For extra added security Caleb shouldn't be carrying the head - let Gris, the kolbold, us, or even Nabi carry it. If we can find someone capable of purification or exorcism, do it. If not.... ditch it in a forest, bury it in a hole, burn it to a crisp, or the like..... Wait, Nabi! Either chomp it or dissolve it into a puddle of goo and we can call it a day.

>>6128724
> Have Nabi destroy the vampire's head (not sure if Nabi can actually eat it but if yes then all the better)
> Ask about the vault, the coven, language lessons, sparring, etc.
> If the coven is closer then go to the coven, if not (or if it's in vampire/dark lord domain) then the city
> Have Nabi out to hunt for himself if we go towards the city
> Ask the coven about the amulet and scrolls if we go towards the coven

A long, (somewhat) peaceful walk sounds like a perfect place for chatting.

All of us have combat training (perhaps sans the 'bold?), so I don't think we'll be in too much trouble if we're to encounter criminals in the city.

Right... do we have money on ourselves? If not then we might need to think about finding some odd jobs for money if we're to enter the city.... If we can get to the coven our scrolls (and dragon) might earn us a few night's rest, but even then it's not guaranteed.

now that's a lot of write-ins

hold on, give me some time to read all these suggestions and come up with something good

I think the general idea here is to fish the head from the river, destroy it, then head to the city, all the while talking to Gris.

okay, I will start writing, but it will probably be a big update so might take awhile

With dawn’s first light casting a pale glow over the river, you begin searching for the vampire’s severed head. The cold water laps around your feet as you wade in and probe with a spear, but after several long, frustrating minutes, you come up empty-handed. The water glistens around you, silent except for the occasional ripple that breaks the surface.

Then, as the sun peeks over the horizon, something strange stirs just beneath the river’s surface—a faint, unnatural shimmer. You squint, following the glint as it moves with an unnatural rhythm. You adjust your grip on the spear, muscles tensing, and thrust it toward the gleam.

With a sickening scrape, the spear strikes something solid. Slowly, you pull it up, and sure enough, a pale, ghastly face breaks through the water—a vampire’s head, its dead eyes glazed and hollow. The instant the head meets the sun’s rays, it begins to sizzle, the charred flesh smoking and giving off an acrid stench. The mouth opens in a silent scream, a faint echo of the horrors it inflicted in life.

By the time you drag it to shore, the head has reduced to a sun-bleached skull, its horrific features now nothing more than blackened bone. The skull lies there, still, and somehow ominous in the morning light.

"Let's destroy it!" you exclaim, raising your spear, your voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction at the thought of dealing a final blow to the creature.

Griselda rests a hand on your shoulder, looking thoughtful. "Are you sure that’s a good idea? They were angry enough with us as it was, but destroying the remains completely... we’d be making them true enemies. There’s no going back after that."

You hesitate, glancing at the silent skull. Griselda tilts her head, studying it. "On the other hand... if you’re looking to make a statement, tossing the skull back to the other side of the river might just do the trick," she suggests with a small, wry smile.

Caleb gives her a questioning look. "Why would we go through all this effort just to give it back?"

Griselda chuckles softly. "If they’d taken my head, I’d appreciate a gesture of respect. Call it honor among… the undead." She shrugs. "But the call is yours, Eve."

You consider the options before you:

> Toss the vampire skull to the other side of the river as a token of goodwill
> Have Nabi use acid breath to destroy the vampire skull
> Bring the vampire skull with you

>>6129259

After settling the issue with the skull, you decide it’s best to start moving toward the nearest city—somewhere that promises safety, a warm bed, and perhaps a moment to catch your breath. The early morning sun stretches over the trees, casting the forest in a misty light as your group trudges southward, following a winding, overgrown trail.

As you walk, you turn to Griselda, hoping for more information on the witches. "So, what can you tell me about these witches? Are they close by?"

Gris squints ahead, as though seeing into the distance. "Well, I can’t say for certain where we are now, but I know they live further south, possibly nearer to the marshlands. One of them—she’s old, very powerful, and commands even some of the Dark Lord’s grudging respect. The other two are her apprentices, capable but nowhere near her strength."

Nabi slinks at your side, his keen eyes scanning the forest for any movement. You give him a nod, silently dispatching him to hunt and scout ahead, his form disappearing silently into the underbrush. As the crunch of leaves fades, you turn to Caleb.

“By the way, do you have any money on you?” you ask, half-expecting him to shrug.

But Caleb surprises you, pulling out a small, tattered leather pouch. “I looted this from my late commander’s belongings. It’s not much—just a handful of silver coins,” he says, dropping the pouch into your hand. The metal clinks with a promising heft, and you quickly estimate whether it’ll be enough for food and lodging.

"Hopefully, it’ll get us by for a few days," you say thoughtfully, "but we may need to pick up some work if we’re going to afford any longer stay."

The idea of a city—a real one with streets, markets, and the simple relief of a bed—brings a sense of relief and anticipation. You exchange glances with Griselda and Caleb, noting the same weariness in their eyes. Both nod in agreement.

“Yes, a city sounds good. Besides, I’ll need a few days to shake off this… ghoul status,” Caleb says with a tired sigh, rubbing his temples.

With a renewed sense of purpose, you set off, moving steadily southward. The forest begins to thin as you follow the road, your journey illuminated by the morning sun. The promise of rest and relative safety keeps you going as you march forward, thoughts already drifting to the city’s gates and the fresh start awaiting you there.

>>6129261

As you walk, curiosity gets the better of you. "Gris, could you tell me more about these fairy language lessons?" you ask, intrigued by the mysterious, melodic way of speaking you’ve only heard snippets of so far.

Gris nods, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “The fairies speak in songs. Their language isn’t like ours at all—each word is an entire melody, like a little song all its own. When they talk, they string these word-songs together, and they’ll usually sing at least three syllables of each one. But beginners tend to sing more, sometimes several lines, until they get a feel for it.”

She hums a few snippets, the notes lilting and strange. "And their language… it’s not straightforward. Words are long, winding, and often filled with sounds that roll in rough, almost jarring ways, especially when they talk about inanimate things. But when it’s something gentle or alive, they pick sounds that flow like water. They like things to roll off the tongue if it’s about anything alive or in motion.”

She sees the puzzled look on your face and chuckles. “Here, let me show you,” she says. She clears her throat and begins to sing softly. Her voice is soft and warm, each note drifting effortlessly into the next as though woven from moonlight itself.

“Under moonlight, soft and bright,
Fairy wings take flight tonight.
With a hug and whispered tune,
Sleep, my darlings, ’neath the moon.”

>>6129263

She smiles as she finishes, “That song is how you’d say ‘Mother.’” She explains how different parts of the song represent concepts: “undermoon,” “takefli,” “hugandwhis,” and “neaththemooon.” are all the same concept, though they might mean something slightly different. If you sing even fragments of these in the right tones, the fairies will know you’re talking about ‘Mother.’”

You nod slowly, trying to wrap your head around it. “So, it’s not really about the words as much as it’s about the sounds?”

“Exactly,” Gris nods. “They have a thousand songs I know of—about a thousand words—and that’s the basic language. But the fairies say the true version doesn’t use any words at all. You hum and flow with the rhythm, like an instrument blending with the music. That’s how they communicate purely. Nabi will actually learn this version, since he can hum but not form words like we do. For him, it’ll just be tones.”

Caleb frowns, scratching his head. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch any of that,” he says bluntly.

You can’t help but agree. “This language sounds fascinating, but… it also sounds like it would take forever to learn.”

Gris laughs. “Not as long as you think. The fairies told me the real way to learn is to spend an entire day singing and dancing to each song, one by one. They repeat old songs from time to time until you can recognize any bit of it in any tune. You’ll learn to hum, to feel the melodies, and soon enough, to sing the words.”

Your head spins just imagining it, but the thought of learning an entire language through song is oddly captivating.

>>6129264

As you approach the looming walls of Teraburg, you notice the kobold beside you beginning to shift nervously, his eyes darting from the walls to the shadows. He tugs at your sleeve, gesturing anxiously toward the sparse woods nearby, and with a few signs and nods, he makes it clear he plans to wait outside the city. His reluctance is plain. With a quick glance back, he slinks away, vanishing into the underbrush, the faint rustling marking his path until even that fades.

You turn back to the city, the gates wide open as peasants and traders weave in and out, burdened with baskets, tools, and bags of grain. Outside the walls, squalid huts form a small outer settlement where villagers tend fields and small markets. But inside, the city itself stands imposing. You make out two sets of walls: a high inner wall encircling a castle at the heart of Teraburg, and a shorter, outer wall that protects the wealthier districts of the town.

As you reach the gate, a guard steps forward, his spear held loosely at his side but his eyes keen. “Halt,” he says, his voice firm. “What business have you in Teraburg?”

“We’re travelers,” Gris replies smoothly. “Adventurers looking for a place to rest for the night.”

The guard’s gaze sharpens as he takes in Caleb’s tattered uniform. “Why does your friend wear the garb of the Dark Lord’s forces?”

Caleb meets the guard’s gaze steadily. “I defected, sir. Escaped his clutches and ran.”

The guard narrows his eyes, doubtful. “The Dark Lord doesn’t forgive betrayal. Wait… your eyes…” He lifts his spear, his expression hardening in alarm. “Ghoul!” he calls, raising the alarm. More guards rush forward, drawn by his shout.

>>6129265


Gris lifts her hands, calming yet assertive. “It’s a misunderstanding, I assure you,” she says. “He isn’t dangerous.”

“There’s no mistake here,” another guard hisses, gripping his weapon tightly. “Ghouls are killers.”

Gris sighs. “No, no—he’s not fully turned. We were attacked by vampires, and one bit him, but he’s not like them. This is temporary.”

The guards exchange glances before the lead guard narrows his eyes and asks, “Just a bite? The vampire didn’t give him its own blood?”

Gris shakes her head emphatically. “No such thing happened.”

The guards visibly relax, though only slightly. “If that’s the case, he might recover,” the lead guard mutters. “But until then, we’ll take him to the dungeons for safekeeping. You two may enter.”

They clap manacles on Caleb’s wrists and fasten a neck chain, leading him away. Caleb manages a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, Eve. Once this clears, I’ll be free to go.”

“Stay out of trouble, Caleb,” you call after him, watching him disappear into the depths of the city’s stronghold.

Gris sighs, nudging you forward as you step through the gates. “What now?” she asks, her eyes scanning the bustling city streets.

You consider your options:

> Find an Inn: Rest sounds more tempting than anything after your grueling journey. A night in an actual bed would help you recover your strength.
> Explore the Markets: The lively market stalls promise a wealth of goods and perhaps some useful supplies, not to mention a chance to trade.
> Seek Out Work in a Tavern: Many of the city’s taverns are hubs for adventurers seeking odd jobs, a chance to earn some coin.
> Visit the Local Nobles: If you’re looking for more substantial work, or to establish connections, seeking out an audience with the city’s ruling class could lead to interesting opportunities.
> Write in

>>6129267
> Have Nabi use acid breath to destroy the vampire skull
I can understand where Gris is coming from (social protocols between nobility and whatnot), but among the three only Samantha was worthy of any respect. Trixie is an opportunist in every sense of the word, while the blond is simply malicious and cruel.

>>6129267
> Seek Out Work in a Tavern: Many of the city’s taverns are hubs for adventurers seeking odd jobs, a chance to earn some coin.
then
> Find an Inn: Rest sounds more tempting than anything after your grueling journey. A night in an actual bed would help you recover your strength.

We need funds for food, lodging, provisions, equipment, supplies, and the whole nine yards. Also, if there are subjugation quests we'd gain more combat experience that way. Still, I don't think those to choices are mutually exclusive.

Right, what *is* Griselda's current species again? She used to be a ghost for a long while, but what, exactly, is she now after being brought back by Nabi's blood?

>>6129259
> Toss the vampire skull to the other side of the river as a token of goodwill
Sure, if we're teusting Gris and she says it'll work.

>>6129267
> Find an Inn
And in the morning we can
> Explore the Markets

>>6129267
>> Toss the vampire skull to the other side of the river as a token of goodwill
I believe in Gris, and I don't want to deal with more of these chuckfucks
> Seek Out Work in a Tavern: Many of the city’s taverns are hubs for adventurers seeking odd jobs, a chance to earn some coin.

>>6129276
Changing my vote from >>6129276 to
> Toss the vampire skull to the other side of the river as a token of goodwill

Loathe am I to spare a vermin like the blonde vampire, being on their hit list is probably worse.

>>6129267
>>6129354
Backing
Yeah vampires make formidable enemies

>>6129276
>>6129345
>>6129354
>>6129374
>>6129715

You ultimately decide not to destroy the vampire’s skull, instead tossing it to the other side of the river, feeling that it’s not worth making even more enemies here. With a final glance at the riverbank where the vampires disappeared, you exhale slowly. “We really don’t need a couple of vengeful vampires on our trail. Let’s just go now.”

+++

Once you reach Teraburg, you’re in need of work and a place to lie low. After some deliberation, you head straight for a tavern on the outskirts, nestled within the protective outer walls but still seedy enough to be affordable. You pass a sign etched with bold, almost boastful lettering: *The Sheathed Dagger*.

Inside, the air is thick with the smell of stale ale, pipe smoke, and faint perfume. A bard, a handsome young man with tousled hair, is strumming a lyre with practiced grace, his voice unexpectedly rich and smooth. His music drifts through the room, a blend of old songs you recognize and new tunes, laced with improvised flirtations that make a few patrons chuckle or blush. Between verses, he recounts tales of adventurers he’s encountered, exchanging songs for news. You get the feeling he knows as much about the region’s happenings as any town crier, and perhaps more.

Around the tavern, patrons sit relaxed and flushed with the pleasant company of both male and female entertainers. Shortly after you enter, an elven man dressed in fine, if slightly faded, attire strides up to you, bowing with an almost theatrical flourish.

“Welcome to the Sheathed Dagger, the finest questionable establishment in town,” he says with a wry smile. “May I arrange some company for you? Male or female?”

Before you can respond, Gris jumps in with a smirk. “Female. And make it two, thanks.”

The elf nods, gesturing for you to follow. He leads you to a corner table and soon sends over two wenches and a third server for your drinks. Gris grins, clearly relishing the company. She leans back with a roguish smirk, eying one of the wenches.

“Whew, this is a fine establishment you’ve got here,” she purrs, giving a wink. “So, what’s your name, gorgeous?”

The woman smiles, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m Pryscilla,” she says, glancing at the crown on Gris’s head. “Interesting crown you have there. Are you nobility?”

Gris laughs, waving a dismissive hand. “Oh, it’s a wild tale, trust me. What about your friend?”

“Name’s Zara,” the other wench chimes in, her eyes bright green, giving Gris an amused look.

“Well, Pryscilla, Zara, how about you help me wash off the road grime? A nice bath sounds delightful after all that vampire nonsense.”

With a raised brow and a smile, Pryscilla gestures to a staircase leading upstairs. “Come along, then.”

“Catch you later, Eve,” Gris calls back to you, striding away with a wench on each arm.

>>6129850

Left alone, you sit back and let the noise and warmth of the tavern wash over you. A mug of ale arrives at your table, the cool drink a welcome relief. Just as you’re settling in, a figure slips into the seat across from you, his face shadowed by a cloak.

“Mind if I have that drink?” he rasps, his voice low.

You slide the mug toward him. “Go ahead.”

The stranger takes a long swig, spilling a bit down the front of his cloak. “Thanks. I was parched. Just came back from an expedition. Haunted place. Everyone else didn’t make it,” he says, words tumbling out rapidly.

Before you can respond, the elf from earlier hurries over, eyebrows raised in question. “Is this fellow bothering you?”

You shake your head. “No, we’re just talking.” The elf nods and returns to his duties.

You turn back to the stranger, intrigued. “So, what were you doing in this haunted place?”

He shrugs, running a finger along the edge of the mug. “Looking for an artifact. Hired by some wizard with more coin than sense. We actually found the damn thing, but the group’s thief got greedy on our way out, decided to grab a sack of treasure. That’s when the ghosts turned nasty, and it became a fight for our lives. Those coins… never seen any like them. Old, strange engravings.”

“Interesting,” you say, leaning forward. “I know someone who’s rather knowledgeable about ancient things. Maybe she could help you.”

The stranger looks around as if expecting someone else to join. “And where is this friend of yours?”

>>6129851

“Taking a bath at the moment,” you say dryly. “What happened to the artifact?”

“I’m going back for it. Lost the last team, but I’ll get a new one together tonight and head out at first light. Wizard’s paying well, and there’s no shortage of treasure.”

You study him with narrowed eyes. “Lost your whole group and you’re going right back?”

“Adventuring’s a fast life, lady,” he says, shrugging. “Besides, I’m a cleric. If I can retrieve any remains, I may be able to revive one or two of them. Every hour I waste here is another hour the undead are likely gnawing on what’s left.”

You raise an eyebrow. “You’re a cleric, and you left them?”

He leans back, his gaze steady. “I didn’t abandon them until the last one fell. I’m no martyr. Cast a protection spell, jumped through a window, and ran. Sometimes that’s the only way.”

He fishes a gold coin from his cloak, setting it on the table. “Consider it thanks for the drink. Show it to your historian friend. If you want in, meet me by the city gates at sunset.”

You inspect the coin. It’s unlike any you’ve seen, one side engraved with two horses—one skeletal, the other a majestic unicorn. The reverse side bears a crown with crossed swords.

Before you can reply, the music shifts as a new bard—a woman this time—takes over. The male bard, who has been watching your conversation with open interest, walks over, a curious smile on his face.

“Quite the story you seem to have there,” he says, inclining his head. “Care to share a few tales with me?”

> Tell the bard about the strange proposal
> Tell the bard about the vampires
> Tell the bard about the dragon
> Tell the bard about Gris
> Don’t tell the bard anything
> Write in

>>6129852
> Tell the bard about Gris
Only her history, no recent events. OpSec must be maintained in case the Dark Lord have feelers in this region.

>>6129852
> Tell the bard about the strange proposal
Maybe he knows some good adventurers that would be down to join the delve

>>6129852
Hmmm they were attacked by ghosts. I wonder if this will take us back across the river. Or if this is some con he runs on behalf of this ancient wizard for bodies.

"Once we caught a swamp fish thiiiiiiiiiiiis big."

> Tell the bard about the strange proposal
> Tell the bard about Gris
A tale about an ancient warrior princess's history seems like a pretty good one.

Ya know, Gris had a nice singing voice maybe that's how we can get some cash. Though we could try the mystery mission against more ghosts, but then idk if we would want to bring Nabi and the kobold along, plus Caleb will be in the dungeon lol

>>6129850
>Gris is a big pimpin omnisexual
Kek. I still don't trust her, but she's amusing.

>>6129852
> Tell the bard about the vampires
and
> Tell the bard about the strange proposal
ask his opinion.

>>6129852
> Tell the bard about the vampires
> Tell the bard about Gris
Don't go too specific, and either leave out or intentionally take artistic license and falsify the important details.

Also, Gris, jus' 'cause Nabi's out hunting doesn't mean you get to cheat on him! >_<
> Write-in: When we're alone with Gris jokingly chastise her for not staying faithful to Nabi.

>>6130389
I trust her not to betray us and I trust her not to be a psychopath, but I don't quite trust her judgement unless she objectively knows more than we do on a certain subject.

>>6129852
QM?

>>6129852
You good my dude?

>>6131455
>>6131570


sorry, having a very busy week

I will try to update tonight or tomorrow

>>6132122
Sounds good. Thanks for the update!

>>6129852
>>6130506
+1, and
> Tell the bard about the strange proposal
Not as in having him write it into a song, but more on asking if the quest sounds suspicious or not.

>>6132122
Understandable, good to see you're still alive. Thanks for the update and keep up the good work!

>>6132122
Solid, take care of yourself.

>>6129904
>>6130129
>>6130161
>>6130389
>>6130506
>>6132162


gris 4
strange proposal 4
vampires 3

alright, so we will tell the bard about Gris and the strange proposal

writing...

You recount the strange encounter to the bard, leaning forward as you describe the cloaked man who slipped into your booth, his voice low and weary. His tale had an odd ring to it—a cleric, he claimed, the lone survivor of an ill-fated expedition, hired by a wizard to retrieve some ancient artifact from a haunted mansion. “They’d nearly secured the item,” you explain, your voice laced with intrigue, “but their thief got greedy, grabbed a sack of treasure, and suddenly the undead were swarming them. He fought as long as he could, he said, until he was the last one standing. That’s when he took a leap out the window, healed himself, and ran all the way back to civilization.”

The bard nods, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. “Strange story indeed. But I haven’t heard that one around here yet. If it’s a con, it’s certainly a new one.” His fingers drum lightly against the table. “So… are you thinking about joining him?”

“I still need to ask my friend,” you answer, glancing toward the staircase where Gris disappeared.

The bard chuckles, eyes twinkling. “Ah, you mean the white-haired lady who went upstairs?” He catches your raised brow and laughs. “Apologies, I assumed she was older—just a glimpse of her white hair before she headed off. I meant no disrespect!”

You laugh as well, shaking your head. “She wouldn’t be too pleased to hear that, but no harm done. Actually, she’s not old at all. You’d hardly believe it, but Gris was once a princess from an ancient kingdom. She met an unfortunate end and was revived recently—by rather unconventional means. She’s a fierce warrior and has accomplished things that make her seem larger than life.”

The bard leans in closer, interest sparking in his eyes. “Now that sounds like a tale worth hearing. So, this friend of yours—what feats has she accomplished?”

You grin. “Where to begin? She defeated a troll while still in her teens, took down a demon, somehow revived an unfortunate soul, and even flew on a magic carpet at one point. She’s seen more in her lifetime than most heroes see in three.”

The bard lets out a low whistle, eyes widening. “Well, I’ll certainly be telling her tales for a good while. She sounds like a legend in her own right. As for your venture into that haunted mansion… I know a few adventurers who might be willing to join if you need some extra muscle.”

“Really?” You raise an eyebrow, curious. “I’d be interested in hearing about them.”

>>6132417

The bard nods, counting on his fingers as he lists them. “First, there’s Mangoroo, a monk who lives alone in a cabin in the forest. He’s… unconventional, to say the least—a weremoose with a bit of a reputation for being overly friendly with young women, but it’s harmless enough. He’s immensely strong, though, and can take a hit like few others.”

You chuckle, but the bard continues. “Then there’s Kriegsman. A former general who lives just outside the walls. Convincing him to join might be a feat in itself—he’s been retired for some time, and it’d take something extraordinary to get him to don his armor again.”

The bard’s eyes take on a gleam of amusement as he mentions the next name. “There’s Zarduk, the noble court wizard. He’s stationed at the castle and could certainly be tempted by the promise of old magic or rare artifacts. But Zarduk doesn’t come cheap—he’ll ask for a significant share of the spoils.”

He pauses, then lowers his voice. “And if you’re up for a little more… shadowy help, there’s Furlong. A thief and ratman who hides in the city’s sewers. You’d have to go to *The Scalped Cat Inn* and speak with the innkeeper to get a meeting with him, but he’s well-versed in subtlety and survival.”

The bard finishes his list and smiles slyly. “So, which of those fine fellows do you think might be worth tracking down?”

> Seek out Mangoroo
> Seek out Kriegsman
> Seek out Zarduk
> Seek out Furlong
> Decline all of them—this job is better done without such eccentric company
> Write in

>>6132418
Think Gris would be willing to at least humor Mangoroo to get the manmoose on our side? I sure don't want to. But on that basis...
> Seek out Mangoroo
> Seek out Furlong
A ranger and a tank would be helpful. We can hopefully handle magic ourselves.

>>6132418
> Write in
Ask the Bard if he'd be interested in coming along. He might get a few more songs.

I feel like Caleb could use a cool mentor. Though I suppose Gris can show him some moves and useful knowledge as well. Kriegsman might also be good for that.

>>6132517
I'll add a +1 to inviting the bard, too.

>>6132418
>>6132434

>>6132418
> Seek out Kriegsman
> Seek out Zarduk

>>6132418
> Seek out Mangoroo
> Seek out Zarduk

>>6132434
>>6132518
>>6132733
>>6132752


Mangoroo 3
Furlong 2
Kriegsman 2
Bard 2
Zarduk 2

Alright, so we go seek Mangoroo!

writing...

You decide to track down Mangoroo, hoping that the fabled weremoose monk might offer the strength and eccentric flair you need for this journey. Turning to the bard, you ask if he’d like to join in. His eyes brighten with intrigue. "Sure thing," he says, grinning. "This sounds like the start of a tale worth singing."

With the bard in tow, your group leaves the warm glow of the town’s lamps and plunges into the dark, sprawling forest. The night stretches on, shadows deepening around you as branches claw at the sky. You hike tirelessly, eyes peeled for any sign of Mangoroo’s cabin. After what feels like hours, faint sounds drift through the trees—a melodic chanting, mingled with laughter, and something like soft, distant music.

Drawn by the haunting sounds, you veer off the path, moving quietly until the trees thin and the moonlight breaks through. In a small clearing, you catch sight of a group of women, their skin gleaming in the moonlight as they sway in mesmerizing, fluid movements. They are strikingly beautiful, their forms silhouetted against the glow of the night as they dance freely, their rhythmic movements growing increasingly entrancing.

A thin, scruffy man in rags materializes beside you, seemingly from nowhere, his face lit by a strange, knowing smile. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he whispers. "These are witches, dancing naked to draw power from the moon. Don’t startle them—just watch."

Mesmerized, you let your gaze linger on the dancers, drawn in by the strange, almost hypnotic sway of their bodies. The air thickens with a heady, electric tension as the dance grows more sensual, every movement growing bolder, inviting, seductive.

> Stay hidden and continue watching
> Partake in the witches' ritual
> Speak with the guy in rags
> Slip away silently, not wishing to disturb the scene
> Interrupt the ritual and confront the witches
> Write in

>>6133580
>Partake in the witches' ritual
I'm something of a ̶s̶c̶i̶e̶n̶t̶i̶s̶t̶ witch myself!

>>6133580
> Stay hidden and continue watching
If we manage to learn something that's good, but somehow joining a ritual we know nothing about sounds a bit hasty. I bet they are about to transform into sailor scouts, or furries. Hard call. Also this must be the weremoose guy.