> an updated map from the previous adventure.

>recent picture of our hero. He now has armor. I need to get around to drawing one with him his new armor.

>>17757543

Greet her warmly, but reserved. And then gently question her as to what the rumors are about our disappearance. Better to play it safe and get the information first.

"where I've been? that's a really, really long story... wait, the old man left me things in his will!?! how come i didn't know this?"

You greet here warmly with a small hug. “Where have I been?” the corners of your mouth pull a charming smile. “Well, that is a really, really long story.” You take a seat back at your table and invite her to sit with you. She follows your lead. “Now what's this? The Baron left me something in his will? Well, maybe more of an immediate concern... what were the rumors of my disappearance?”

She takes your ale and pulls a long drink that would make most men your fall out of their chairs. “Well,” she wipes her mouth, most unladylike, with her forearm. “There were over a dozen ideas. That you were sent to kill some enemy of his, and died doing so. That you had escaped, and he drank himself into a depression. They even said you killed him and ran away into the night! All of us slaves were released though, despite some complains from his family, the will was very specific.” She leans in close to you, “but you were granted his villa on the great lake, which you helped him build. It is a beautiful place. You just need to go to the city barrister and claim it.”

What do you do?

(What's her name??)

Make a mental note to ask Jaynce, Chroi, and Sayrala about this barrister and what might be expected of him tomorrow. If conditions seem favorable, we can visit him and claim the contents of the will.

Meanwhile, spend the night with the bar wench-drinking, talking, and whatever else might come of it. It's been awhile since we left and it would be useful to know what has changed, stayed the same, etc.

You make a mental note to ask your friends about the Barrister in the morning. You have a day to spare after all. In the meanwhile, you decide to enjoy the evening and order a few more pints of bitter. Your mind reaches but fails to grasp this woman's name. “You know Jamithan,” she slurs after a few more drinks. “I had quite the fancy for you. I was hoping, though we were slaves, that we could have a future together.” You slide your finger around the mouth of your mug in an awkward moment.

“Oh,” you reply.

She slides her chair closer to yours and begins to paw at your impressive frame. “You know, we could make up for a lot of lost time?”

You stare down at your drink, noticing that it seems to take a lot more ale to affect you than it does most people. Hmmm... As if a book fell off the shelf and opened to the right page before your feet, the name Fayla flies out of your memory. Yes, Fayla.

What do you do?

Grab the wench and head back to the room. What the hell- there's a free night to spend and an available woman. Might as well make the most of the situation

You pay the barman a few coin for the drinks and a room and scamper off with your old co-worker. She grabs your hand and pulls you back into your room and makes up for three years of pining for you. The next day, the two of you wake up, and leave the room together. She's adjusting her dress and you close the door behind you. In the tavern doorway you see Sayrala looking at you flatly. Your friend, the whore, kisses you on the cheek and scurries away; you are still standing there holding the door. A few moments pass, and she turns and walks out the door back into the street. The bar is mostly empty, and your coin had bought you a small breakfast if you want to take it.

What do you do?

Buy some sort of portable breakfast and follow Sayrala out to meet up with the rest of the gang to find out about the barrister.

Dammit, Sayrala can't be mad. She had her chance and stood us up-multiple times. But she is our teacher and there is a spark between the us that can't be denied. Plus, adventuring to be done.!

>>17758276
>>17758414

What do we do if we claim the villa?
Heck, it was said that the city is petty, they will no doubt try to screw us over AND will question where we had been all the time. We need a plausible story.

>>17758464
> Invent a plausible story.

>>17758477
Okay. Hmm.

Did our Master have friends in other cities?
How about we were send to help construct and design a mansion for one of his friends (for a price of course, our master was greed), while working there the friend got the message that the master is dead. We became good friends with master's friend (he wasn't such an ass) so we decided to stay longer and help him more. After a while we thought it was time to move on and joined this band of adventurers to get back home and see what's up. And here we are.

Does this work?

You go by the bar man and take a few strips of dried meat and bread and move out into the street. The street is fairly busy, with a wagon caravan moving though. You see Sayrala is nowhere to be seen. You're supposed to meet up here at this tavern the following day. You trot down the street, and the familiarity of this place becomes all to striking. You remember every alley, every hiding place, and even the men who would pull look-out for you, if the coin was right. Twenty minutes later you make it over to the city barrister. There is not much exciting activity going on in here. The court is not in session in the public forum across the bazaar, so there are only a few working officials here.

“What do you need,” a drousy looking needle faced little man inquires from behind a desk.

“My name is Jamithan, I was the property of a Baron Hulovic, and he died three years ago, releasing his slaves. I understand something was left in his will for me?”

“A slave,” he arches an eyebrow and draws his words out skeptically, “is freed, then granted items from his dead master's will? Oh, that doesn't sound suspicious. Jaroic! Here!” a door opens from the opposite side of the room and a city watch guard comes in. “Could you explain this further?”

“I was my masters attendant in all of his engineering and construction duties. He sent me to work for his friend and sometimes partner the Count of South Bhueter, where I worked on a few arch-ways and a bridge. I learned that my master had died, and I was freed, so I stayed working there, helping construct a reservoir. I've traveled a bit since, and came back to the city. Now what is owed to me?

Seemingly convinced, the official looks through some old scrolls for about ten minutes. He finds what he is looking for, pulls it out, examines it and states that you are to inherit a lake villa near Lija. He drafts up a deed, and presents it for you to sign, accepting ownership of it.

What do you do?

>>17758619
Thank the barrister.

Did we have any friends in this city? Or at least people who we could trust? Those could even be other slaves.

Instead of having the villa sit there empty for years (I assume we wont be back in Lija for a long time) it would be better if someone took care of it, had a good place to live, etc.
Maybe we can search for all the freed slaves, see how they are doing and if they want to, they can move to the villa, live and work there. We will put the smartest and most trustworthy slave as our deputy who will oversee the whole thing.
We will also ask him to make the place profitable. I'm not sure how. Maybe he could start a winery or something. He will have to find out when he gets there what the most profitable endeavor would be. (or maybe we know, we lived there for a year after all).
We will give them money for the safe trip and to set up the business.

Of course, make sure to write very good legal documents and contracts. We want this to be extremely legitimate and that no one can screw us over (even our trusty slave friends). We will make a copy for ourself and another copy which will be safely stored in whatever government body that oversees these things in this city.

You spend the rest of the day seeking out other freed slaves of your former master. Some ran off, some took up local jobs as butchers or other trades, some couldn't handle the concept of freedom and took a sum of money to enter servitude for some other lord, and some just plain drank themselves to death. All told you round up eight of your old peers. One of them, your master's chamberlain, currently works as an assistant to a money lender. You work out a deal with him, he was always good to you, where he would manage your villa, and try to turn a profit with it, employing the rest of your old co-workers. You give him sixty of your eighty talents, and the two hundred you inherited from the Baron to start with, more than enough. You return to the barrister and work up very detailed contracts yourself, and the old chamberlain thanks you warmly, shakes your hand and goes off to rally the others. Your not sure when you'll see him again, but it warms your heart that some tangible good came out of the murder you committed. You wander back out into the street, take a moment to watch the bustling city life and reflect upon all that you've done in the last three years, and all that lay ahead of you.

What do you do now?

>>17758769
>Helping our old slave friends
Feels goodman.

>What do you do now?
How long are we to stay here? Lets meet up with our party. I'm sure Sayrala doesn't appreciate that we slept with our old acquaintance for some reason (shouldn't have ran of Sayrala, maybe then we wouldn't have become a drunken PLAYA) but I want that arcane tutelage from her!

>>17758769
Not sure what else we can do here than continue our journey with the party.

Or could we try to talk with Sayrala? Not sure what to say though....

Just caught up, damn guys.

Rogue doesn't seem to really fit us. We're a warrior, mage, architect, we love in a manner only comparable to Captain Kirk, and we've shown that we dislike general religion (whats the word on that? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a manhunt for us) and now we're reaching noble levels.

Perhaps we should take an apprentice? Someone we can begin teaching architecture too, so they one day reinvent Lija and other cities while we're busy being the World Constructor (Still haven't given up on that name. It sounds cool.)

Also have we continued to look for ways of communticating with the demon queen without alerting every holy seer? Is reviving Eleive, Nythiemee, and Laeylyea still a driving force for us?

>>17758928
>Rogue doesn't seem to really fit us
I agree.... but, uhhh, that came to me as surprise as well. Especially since I was there when it happened. I mean, we took one job to get some money so that we can continue living there and BAM! Suddenly we are a top-tier gangsta!

I blame the hormones and sudden wealth. Our char is just a teen.

>>17758808
> Howdy, sorry for the short delay there. I'm at work, and work happened.

You poke around and employ your practiced roguish abilities and search for your party. You find the two men, Jaynce and Chroi working with a blacksmith having nails made, their weapons sharpened, and armor repaired. Taking Sayrala is a little harder. But after an hour, you seeing her walk out of a temple of Angcalon the god of rebirth, fate, and in some cultures, fertility, passion, spring, and harvest.
She walks out of the temple and pulls up a tight fitting white hood over her head. You follow her for a while, and she makes her way in to the crowd. After tailing her for a while you find her standing alone, again, leaning on a rail over looking the harbor and the sea beyond it.

What do you do?

>>17758943
>>17758928

>Hey gentlemen, I appreciate you taking the time to read that mountain of text that was yesterday's post. Thank you again guys, I'll be here for... probably 10 hours. I look forward to our adventure!

>>17758943
Oh and we're also considered a barbarian (we did keep he bear pelt with our armor right?) Referred to as a son of a whore (whose betting we one day meet with our mother and she turns out to be awesome. We had to get our magic somewhere right? Then again, through magical means, the World Conqueror could have been our dad. Hell we probably had escapist fantasies during the days we we're beaten that he was.)

Oh and I've been meaning to ask, do surnames not exist in this world?

As for what we do, I suggest checking the merchants and their like. Maybe we'll find something we can use? Or for you're companions.

>>17758951
> Howdy, sorry for the short delay there. I'm at work, and work happened.
Dammit! How do they dare make you work at your work!?

>What do you do?
Damn, this is awkward. Do we approach her? Do we not?
Really, there is no reason for us to be guilty if you think about it. We never had relationship with Sayrala and she DID leave us standing on that date and disappeared for a year.
Anyway, pretend that we just happen to run into her. Look over harbor with her. Ask her what we are doing next.

>>17758951
"I never figured you for the religious type." We ease in with a smile, standing next to her and stare out at the sea. "You know I grew up here and I would often stare at the sea. Many times, I would dream of sneaking on a pirate's ship and becoming apart of their crew. Heh, more than likely they would have made me jump into the ocean to be eaten by sharks, but a boy can dream. What dreams did you have as a child?"

"I never figured you for the religious type." You ease in with a smile, standing next to her and stare out at the sea. "You know I grew up here and I would often stare at the sea. Many times, I would dream of sneaking on a pirate's ship and becoming apart of their crew,” you laugh. She ignores you, and continues to gaze out over the sea. “More than likely they would have made me jump into the ocean to be eaten by sharks, but a boy can dream.” You wait, not sure if to get closer to her or keep a distance. “What were your dreams?”

A long quiet moment goes by. You see many ships in the harbor. Merchant ships going out, carrying ore, or wood. Some coming in, undoubtedly carrying slaves to the trading block. You even spot a low hovering airship, cruising a few feet above the mild sea. A gust of wind blows catches your hair and throws it into a tussle.

“My sister is a temple servant back in the province of Adannes. I doubt you know what that means, but you'd know easily enough. She's a whore, for a god that doesn't love us.”

A few awkward silent minutes pass.

She continues, “When I was a child, I grew up reading the stories of Atreal. What you don't get from his more popular chronicles, is that he wasn't at war to unite humanity, he was at war to break the chains of religion, and grant humanity freedom from servitude to indifferent gods. That's what I wanted to be. And now, I'm just a common sell-sword, peddling my magic tricks to whoever will pay enough for me to eat for the next week. I'm no better than a prostitute, or an actor.”
What do you do?

>>17758972

(we did keep he bear pelt with our armor right?
>Yes, you still wear the bear pelt over your armor. Should I draw this?

>World Conqueror could have been our dad...
Atreal conquered most of the world and united the nations of man 3,000 years ago. His empire still exists today, as a dilapidated, shadow of its former vision. Its a loose confederacy of independent kingdoms who pay loose lip service to the imperial crown in Virgilinae, in the west..

>do surnames not exist in this world?
They do, but its by culture and social status. A slave like you? No. A ruffian like Henk? No. Nal Sahlysot? Yes. The deposed prince, whose body you found? Yes. But the sorts you're affiliated with right now, no, not commonly.

>>17759111
"No. I know that part of his story. That is one of the many reasons why I adore him.
I know too well how the chains of indifferent gods can affect us mortals".... then silence for a bit.

>>17759111
"Religion is a crutch. Simply because gods exist, does not mean that they deserve our worship. I hold no love for them or their followers. However in a way it is a necessary evil, it holds structure in this world." We pause giving her a moment to take in these words. "But I am an architect, and the structure for this world is faulty. So it must be torn down before building a new one, or else we would simply building more on top of it, and eventually it will come crumbling down anyway. I wish to reconstruct this world. A world without the need for slavery. A world where a child does not have to be judged for who his parents where, or what race he is. There are things out there far darker and far scarier than any man, woman or child there of. If we spent all our time squabbling at each others, it will eventually consume us." Eye her for a moment, see if she understands us before talking again.

"If you wish, we can get you're sister from her bounds of servitude from this unloving god. I know what it means to live that life. Serving a master who views you nothing more than an insect. If you want me to help you, not even Angcalon would stop me."

>Gah. I know, I get into character too much. But Jamithan seems like the passionate type, who hates slavery in any form.

>>17759172
>>Gah. I know, I get into character too much. But Jamithan seems like the passionate type, who hates slavery in any form.

I like it

"No. I know that part of his story. That is one of the many reasons why I adore him. I know too well how the chains of indifferent gods can affect us mortals,” you pause for a moment. “You may laugh, but I have seen a god. I ran with him through the forest, and for a moment...” you trail off, a little lost in your memories.

You shift your weight, and let the silence sit for a moment. Seeing that she makes no reply, you go forward and lead on the rail next to her.

"Religion. Whatever that the god's may do, or the god's may want, it is not they who spread evil on this land, instead it is their followers, and their always shifting religions. Simply because gods exist, does not mean that they deserve our worship. I hold no love for them or their followers.” You wave your arm out in a sweeping gesture, “However in a way it is a necessary evil, it holds structure in this world." You give pause, providing her a moment to take in these words. "But I am an architect, and the structure for this world is faulty. So it must be torn down before building a new one, or else we would simply building more on top of it, and eventually it will come crumbling down anyway. I wish to reconstruct this world. A world without the need for slavery. A world where a child does not have to be judged for who his parents where, or what race he is. There are things out there far darker and far scarier than any man, woman or child. If we spent all our time squabbling at each others, it will eventually consume us." You eye her for a moment, seeing if she is following along. She offers no reply. Then, you catch her make a quick nodding gesture.

"If you wish, we can get you're sister from her bounds of servitude from this unloving god. I know what it means to live that life. Serving a master who views you nothing more than an insect. If you want me to help you, not even Angcalon would stop me."

She turns to you, closes her eyes, and looks down. After a long silent minute he looks back up and meets your eye. “We should get our things ready. It's going to be a long ship ride,” she gets up off the rail and begins to walk back into the bazaar area. She turns her head and offers up over her shoulder, “Hey thief, see if you can't find us some books and proper ritual chalk. We have a long time before we get to Giangreco, and you need to continue your studies.”

You watch her walk off and back into the crowd, appreciating the beautiful way in which her hips sway with each step.

What do you do?

>>17759293
Since cheese gives us so big posts, I feel we should give him big responses back.

We're creating a story together!

> I know its fairly self serving, sucking your own cockery, and vain... but if you have any more questions about the world, history or whatever, I'd be happy to answer them.

>>17759296
Get the ritual chalk and books.

But also get a maps and books on Giangreco, along with the architectural papers we use. We should begin to prepare rote magic, against any opposition we might come across. Traps, hide-aways, maybe even a distraction or two. We can begin preparing this, so we know the lay-out and work on the rituals.

We're going to be like our idol Bat- er the World Conquerer and be prepared for anything.

>>17759296
This went far better then I thought it would. Great!

>“Hey thief, see if you can't find us some books and proper ritual chalk. We have a long time before we get to Giangreco, and you need to continue your studies.”

Hooray! Arcane studies! We should do as she asks. What kind of books did she mean though? Well, Jamithan should know a thing or two about arcane knowledge do he would be able to choose good ones. Lets search for good books, we do not necessarily have to steal them though, if we find them for sale for good price then we should buy them. If we cannot find any good books, or if they are not for sale, use our Rogue skills to gather info and then steal a couple of tomes (be it from a library or some study).
Buy high quality ritual chalk.

>>17759308

>I definatly appreciate the large posts from you guys. Especially with the text, its a fairly RP like ordeal. So, be as specific as you want.

>>17759344
I try to post as much as possible but most of the time it's just few lines :(

You hurry away down the street, and search for a shop that you know of that might be able to secretly offer items which could aid you in your studies. Being that there isn't the trite 'magic shops', or something of that ilk, you work your way into a seedy shop which deals with exotic spices, … and women, by the harbor. Its been three years since you've talked with Saliem, the hunched over man who runs the shop, but maybe you still have some social capital there. You enter the shop, and it smells of a thousand fragrances. Barrels filled with maps, strange metal trinkets to divine your location, telescopes, old books and so forth. You see Saliem hammering a barrel closed, in this cloistered shop. You mention what you're interested in, and refer to something you worked with him on three years prior. He remembers you, and more importantly remembers your discretion. He rolls out a barrel, that looks like any other from behind a heap of grain bags. He pulls off the lid and produces some items which will be useful for you. High quality ritual chalk, some candles and some scrolls. He doesn't have the sort of resources or interested clients who would need whole books, but you take what he has. You also pick up some blank books, ink, a map of Giangreco the minor mechanical bits for trap making. You place the items in a knapsack and head out of the building back into the harbor area.

What do you do? You have a few hours left in the day, and you leave tomorrow.

>>17759433
We should have asked where we could find the books.
Since we have time left, spend it searching for the books we need. Might want to ask around. If the search proves too long, we should abstain from sleeping and search through the night. We can sleep on the ship.

>why can't i post this fucking map? it just goes to a blank page. wtf?

>>17759486
No idea.
Try to save it as different file type?

>>17759520
Oooh, we're sailing to completely different lands now?

>>17759463

>You are certain that there are no shops in this town, or hidden libraries where this nature of thing exists... you did live here most of your life, and got what you could.

What do you do with your remaining time?

>>17759535
No mages who live here either?

>>17759520
Crap I thought giangreco was a city not a city.

Eh, we should get a good spot on the ship. Somewhere, with enough light to read and write.

If we need to kidnap the sister, I'd say create sinkholes in roads so that after we pass them our pursuers will be caught in it. Or walls growing behind us after we activate them.

We also want to create an illusion of sorts that there are more than four people. Perhaps cross-bows on buildings that can be remotely activated? This will take some time and money but we promised her and we don't know if we may end up facing.

Hell for all we know those damn templars will be there.

>>17759564
>If we need to kidnap the sister

Something tells me that the sister is doing it out of her free will. If we want to "save" her, it will take more than just getting her out of the temple or whatever. We need to convince her and change her mind which is arguably much harder than saving "a damsel in distress"

I like the ideas though. They will be certainly useful.

>>17759564
>Crap I thought giangreco was a city not a country*

Blargh.

>>17759579

Her sister would more than likely convince her. Also we need a priest in the party or our little group isn't complete.

>>17759590
>Also we need a priest in the party or our little group isn't complete.

For healing spells and shit, right?
I bet Jamithan could do it with Rude Magic

You spend all of your day searching, inquiring, investigating, tailing, snooping and even breaking in. Eventually you hear about a Wizard named Oudair. You find him, in the closing hours of sunlight, outside the nicest hotel in the city, tending to a saddle bag, on what you presume is his horse. He is a regally dressed middle aged man with a stately, well trimmed beard with no mustache, which is black and silver. His hair is jet black and his eyes rest far back in his head. He wears many exotic rings on all of his fingers and is escorted by three hired swords who look like they know what they're doing.

“Yes?” he inquires as you approach.
“Good day sir, I am looking for a... practitioner, an artist.”
“Ah, well then. What can I do for you?”
You wait until the crowd thins out and you are alone.
“I understand that you are very skilled, and I'm of need of some elementary study material.”
“Mmhmm. Well. That is interesting. You certainly don't look like a meddling amateur. I think I have something, but it will not come cheap. Ten talents.”
You do not have the time, or inclination to bargain with a powerful user of magic. You give him ten talents, and he hands you a dog eared, well scrawled upon book. He quickly mounts his horse, wishes you a good evening, and rides off.

What do you do?

>>17759600
Great! We got the book.
Had pay out of our ass for it though.

Now do this >>17759564
>Eh, we should get a good spot on the ship. Somewhere, with enough light to read and write.

And then go to sleep. A GRAND ADVENTURE AWAITS US!
During the trip, make sure to spend as much of the time as possible with the arcane studies and practice.

> A map for a small comparison of the world. You can see where Virgilinae is, and that is also where the Imperial Capitol is at.

>>17759599
Well we'd first need to be taught it. And priests in history, also played the roles of doctors/nurses. She would know a bit more than we do now.

>>17759600
Convene with our group, get to the ship and find a nice spot and begin, as dear old Uncle says...RESEEAAARCH!

>>17759648
>and find a nice spot and begin, as dear old Uncle says...RESEEAAARCH!

Hope we don't blow up the ship in mid trip.

>brb, big post. And work shit

>>17759711
alright

You spend the night in the tavern, drinking and enjoying their company. They are a good group, and you seem to be a great fit with them. You share stories of adventure, borrowed stories, stolen stories, and made up stories. The night ends with everyone retiring. The next morning you meet up, sell your horses and make your way to the ship. It is a sizable galleon carrying textiles, and mostly refined metal wears and simple machined goods. You embark that afternoon onto a cold sea. The wind is gentle and the voyage starts off calm and pleasant. You find a little hole, in the hold where no one bothers you. Every day you sit with Sayrala and pour over your materials, scrolls and books. She makes you begin filling out a blank book, with your own spells. You have many discussions, regarding philosophy, justice, magic and society. You joke, and enjoy each others company thoroughly. Occasionally, the ships crew shares their rum ration with your party.

After a week, the sea becomes angry and you weather an awful storm. Rain pelts the shit, waves carry it four score feet high, tides break over the ship and for a small while, you are convinced that the boat will break apart and you'll perish in a watery grave. After three days however, the storm clears and you resume comfortably. Two sailors were washed overboard during the episode.

Three weeks later you make sight of land, a long grey-red strip. Eventually you come to the port of Durah. It lays along a long barren coast, underneath tall, treeless intimidating rocky mountains. The city consists of numerous square red clay buildings, some four or five stories tall. You estimate the population to be over thirty thousand. Below the drab red towers, are vibrantly colored tents, where merchants haggle over the price of goods.

While on the trip, your party reveals that you will be traveling to Mahir, the ancient capitol of a fallen empire, deep in the continent, at the center of an awful desert. You are going to assist a prince with the scouring of an infested cave system which has thus far, has bedeviled all local attempts at clearing.

Your ship pulls up to the harbor, are the boxes and frieght is unloaded. The sea keeps a cool breeze, over this dry and otherwise hot desert wasteland.

What do you do?

>>17759807
We need to prepare for a long trek over the desert, we don't know anything about traveling through the deserts though. We should go out to the city and buy appropriate equipment for self. Ask help from your party, maybe they know better than you.
Also search for any magic related books and materials.

>Was the book we bought worth it? And how did our arcane studies advance?

>>17759807
Giving a slight prayer (out of respect not for religious reasons) for the men who died. In our new world, accidents like that won't happen again.

Get camels for the journey. Any equipment we'll need, including water and camping equipment to shield us from the sun, along with warm equipment for the cold as fuck nights that reign over deserts. Ask more about the job. Who is this prince and all that?

Oh and we should also work on wind and earth magic here, so if we get hit by a sandstorm we can transmute sand into stone and divert the worst of it, during our travel.

>not to surprise anyone, but if you look at the map, there is a river that goes straight there. ... post forthcoming.

>>17759878
Oh alright. That works out better.

You frequent the bazaar, chat with the locals, a dark skinned quiet people, who dress in long white dress like garments. You don't know their tongue, but try to pick up what you can. You stay a night in a local establishment. The women remain covered, in long red dresses which cover most of their faces, but allows their long flowing black hair to be seen. The next day, you mill about and charter a small boat to haul you up river to Mahir. Your party buys some food, boards the boat and sails up river.

You use this time to practice some of your newly learned arts. Sayrala is quiet impressed with your affinity. Although, you have a problem, when you become frustrated with the rote style, and just cheating and invoking rude magic to achieve the same event. You have become much more disciplined in it however. You learn to mend small wounds, and can feel the potential to use magic, from your new spellbook to mend broken bones or cure a burn. The spell book you bought was amazingly useful, but two thirds of it cover concepts which require a great deal more resources and concentration than you could provide on a swaying ship.

The boat ride is uneventful. You pass through a deep cut gorge in the mountain and sail up the wide, calm river which flows from the center of the continent. Two weeks go by, and a regular routine is maintained. You sail for a day, pull up to a small grove in the expansive desert and camp. While camping you continue to share stories and make plans. You notice, that your friends begin deferring to you when telling a story, or laugh a little harder when you tell a joke. But after two weeks you make it to the city of Mahir.

It is a large walled city of orange and brown clay, with vibrant turquoise highlights. Giant statues and temples dominate the skyline across most of the cityscape. A grand palace, maybe the grandest in the world, is the centerpiece of the city. Dusty markets, swamped with dancing girls, this is a city of a bygone empire, a shell of its former glory. You see many robed figures wander the streets, giving you the impression that there are numerous black cults which thrive in this old world.

What do you do?

>>17759945
>require a great deal more resources and concentration than you could provide on a swaying ship.
What kind of resources and concentration?
Can we find them in this city?

>hat there are numerous black cults which thrive in this old world.
This is interesting. Maybe we can find arcane knowledge which is not available in our homelands? Heck, perhaps we can find a lead on how to resurrect people or talk with the deceased spirits?

I say we explore the city for a bit and get the general feel. Then we will set off to do our job.

We're becoming their leader it seems. Maybe we should take a command position?

Also we should learn about these cults, find out why people flock to them? If we figure out that problem, we can divert them away from such fanatical causes....to our fanatical cause.

We should take some time to get to know this place before meeting with the prince. Local legends about weapons or armor that could help our cause. Perhaps hermits or sages who can further our teaching, may as well wring out what we can.

>>17759970
>did you participate in the last thread?

What kind of resources and concentration?
>1) a quiet place where you're not swaying back and forth. 2) regeants, as discussed is important for important rote magic earlier.

Can we find them in this city?
>Yes. you will be able to. The city has three quarters of a million people.


. Maybe we can find arcane knowledge which is not available in our homelands?
> This is entirely likely.

>I'm going to be indisponsed for the next hour with two meetings. Then I have to write an article for a news paper. So, I'll be back, will anyone else?

>>17760014
>did you participate in the last thread?
yes, I was
>1) a quiet place where you're not swaying back and forth. 2) regeants, as discussed is important for important rote magic earlier.
Oh, I forgot about them.

>I'm going to be indisponsed for the next hour with two meetings. Then I have to write an article for a news paper. So, I'll be back, will anyone else?
I think I'll be here.

>>17760033

>thank you very much for your attention good sir. I look forward to resuming when I get back. Thank you again kind sir.

>>17760055
Hey, thank you for running this.

As an army guy, I thrive on after action reviews... what could i add to this to improve this quest?

whats working, what is not?
stats, inventory, etc etc?

>>17760090
An inventory would be nice, but stats feel constricting. Perhaps a spell-book should be made? Along with theoretical spells that we'd need to try, with notes on if they work or not, and research etc. etc.

>What theories works
>What theories doesn't

>Theory spells that we haven't tried out

>>17760055
>>17760061
It's a shame that due to timezones not many people are around to participate. I'm sure there would be more people contributing around 18:00 4chan time.

>>17760090
I'm liking this but I feel there is little NPC character development. For example Hank, there was little to no indication of how close of a friend he was to us, I didn't expect such a dramatic farewell. And even the three lovers, I know that the MC felt/feels deep love and connection to them but personally I didn't. Their death didn't really bring any emotion in me.
I guess it is because of the very high-pace of the quest. We as players don't get to be emotionally attached to others because things go by so fast.

Also, long timeskips. You should warn us about them and give better choice how we spend time.

>>17760105
>>17760116

duly noted. thank you very much

Back, anybody on board?

>>17760380
Here

You suggest to the gang that you spend some time exploring the city. After all, you don't want to heartily agree to something from the Prince of Mahir, then spend a week looking for something. You travel through the bazaar district, and notice that there are numerous shops closed, maybe one out of three. You travel through the slums, where you see many cultists, acting as “healers” to the lepers and the lame. You travel through the industry quarter, where fine rugs and pottery is made, grain is gathered. You travel through the old university, which boasts a large, meticulously cared for grass park. You find some worthy pursuits for magical studies. Ancient seers, cult like healers, crazed invokers and mad arcanists. You discover that there is a massive underground network, an interwoven system of sewers and crypts beneath the city, which have been accessible for dozens and dozens of years, due to the high population of dangerous creatures who now reside there. You look into the cults, and discover that it is the way the majority expresses its religious patronage. The cult of the crane, or the cult of the lake and so on. What others would call a church, they ritualize to a much greater degree, but it seems you can find an analogue for all of the gods you are familiar with here. While this is true throughout, that does not mean all these cults are benign. You discover that there is a snake worshiping cult from the far south western grasslands, which is led by awful sorcerers. There is a cult of dragon worship. There is even a strange cult, which you've heard rumored to exist back in your native area called the cult of the Black Truth. This exotic place truly wows you, with fantastic fruits and spices.

What do you do?

>>17760438
>You discover that there is a snake worshiping cult from the far south western grasslands, which is led by awful sorcerers.

Make a note of that, we'll learn from then/destroy them later. Y'know when we get time.

Check out the weaponry here, they must have some exotic blades and armor, perhaps something that could help us with our quests? Lets see if we can't get anything for our party-members. Maybe something our love int- IMEAN Sayral might like.

We have spent some time with these people, we should know what they would like or need.

>>17760438
Awesome. This place has wealth of arcane knowledge. Are we in extreme hurry to start the mission from the Prince?
If not, can we take Sayrala and go through everything we learned and see which places are the best to pursue magic studies with her?

Back

>>17760105
I will work on this tonight. A refined spell list, so you can have a better idea of what you can cast easily with rote, spell books, traditional magic, and what you'd need to destroy your brain to use with rude.

drafting post.

btw, the best song for this scene local is Waukeen's Promenade from Baulder's Gate II

>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcHnqodZoJM

>snake worshipping cult
>evil sorcerers

BITCHES FOR THULSA!

>>17760570
Were there are types of magic aside from Rote and Rude?

I think a good way to cheat with rote magic, would be designed rituals on our skin (with ink, or tattoos for the particular powerful), then invoking them when we need it. Of course we can use rude magic instead, but hey its last madness inducing.

Also since we can use rude magic so easily, does that hint we're not fully human?

Oh and those spells we learned from the demon queen, such summoning spirits and all that, can we do that?

Being that you have no real time to report to the prince, merely that you just need to be there 'soon', you suggest to the group that you each fan out, and see what you can seen. They agree. You take advantage of this time to explore and examine the local wears. Maybe you can find something more suitable for yourself as a weapon? Maybe a gift? You go from shop to shop to size of the local economy. As you travel, you notice that there are frequently menacing looking men, in black turbans who are watching you. If you had never spent any time in the woods, or any time running from the city watch in Lija, you would have never have caught it, as they are pretty good at looking nonchalant and indifferent, but some sort of organization is defiantly watching you.

You see some exciting weapons, exotic shapes. You try a few out. You see a large, wickedly barbed oversized, two handed falchion that suits your fancy. It is weighted well, and swings with the force of a greataxe. You also find at a different vendor a pair of deliciously curved scimitars that Sayrala may find interesting. You look around for your friends and find Chroi sampling the local alcohol, in plenty, and Jaynce is examining the local exotic rugs and spices. You check a familiar haunt, the harbor, for Sayrala. True to form, there she is, eating a lamb kabob. You approach her, warmly smile, and mention something about how you were expecting she'd be here. The two of you wander through the city, and you find an old warehouse building in the 'industrial' quarter, that is completely abandoned. It has only one way in, and has several rooms for your privacy. Maybe this would be a good place to base operations out of here? She agrees with your suggestion. You find the owner of the building who will rent it to you for twenty gold a week. You haggle with him, and he says for twenty-five gold, he will also give you four camels to rent for a week.

What do you do?

>>17760656
>20g/week
Isn't that ludicrously expensive?
How much is a single Talent anyway?

>>17760656
How much gold do we have? We should really talk to the prince about travel expenses.

Anywho lets pick this guy's brain about the locale, and about those guys in black shrouds. If they're dangerous we should have a rotating guard schedule during the night.

>>17760679
It is expensive, but its a completely different economy. Maybe you're being raped on the price, but you can afford it. A talent is 10g


>>17760670
after your deep donation to your slave friends, you've got 30talents. 300gold.

>>17760707
we don't need to rent it for long, right? A week maybe then we'll start our job?

S'pose we can agree, we won't be here for that long anyway.

As for the blades we get I'd say we try out hands at enchanting them with controlled fire.

>>17760729
Controlled fire meaning, that not only should it release fire, but also absorb it (or atleast heat). In a land of heat like this, creatures made of fire would probably be prevalent.

I'm sure with our ability to summon flame that won't burn us on contact we could be able to do something like this with rote magic. And if not that is one for the 'theories that don't work' pile.

Maybe we should buy a couple of practice swords to enchant..

>>17760729
>>17760745

Is enchanting weapons even possible in this setting without being prohibitively expensive?

>>17760759
Well we could channel fire along our sword, atleast when I asked earlier. Don't know if enchanting them to do that, so everyone can do it is possible..

You round up your gang and bring them by the warehouse. They approve and even pick out their individual rooms. They offer up their share, and the four of you haggle Nassir, the owner down to 15 gold a week, with camels. They move in, unpack their bags and begin settling in. Chroi starts trying to cook some recently butchered lamb, and Jaynce asks if you want to go for a walk. You agree and the two of you pace the town. You meet up with Nassir, who is a friendly old man who wears an eyepatch, a stringy long grey beard and a white turban. You sit down and talk about the local history. He tells you how Mahir once ruled from the great desert, all the way to the ocean. How there were many small kingdoms in the desert that once paid tribute to the might legions of Mahir. But, as all things go, that age has passed and the city survives now independently, and hasn't been swallowed by the desert only because of the hard work the people who live there do.

You inquire about those who study magic and he tells you there is no such thing as 'magic', in Mahir. That magic is a thing of fairy tales and fantasy. But there is such an art called 'Wasta', which is a tribal tradition to their people, going back to when there were just nomads who crossed the desert. Every clan, every tribe, and even every family has some somebody who has studied some degree of Wasta. It allows you to find water, make fire, heal the lame, and some even, allegedly, can glimpse the future. He tells you that it is a very rigorous training, where boys are picked at a very young age to learn these arts, and spend their life studying it, and religion. Because obviously, a gift like this can only be granted by the gods. Different cults, have different practices and initiations, but this the general concept. He serves tea, and you enjoy his company. He speaks a very good Edagin, which is why you were able to talk with him in the first place. He suggests you get an interpreter. You consider this, but also practice some of the local tongue that you learned while on your boat ride, and he salutes your ability to work over some of the more difficult concepts of his language, such as gender and tense.

You go through your notes, and through the book bought by Oudair, and see if you can find anything to improve your weapons with enchantments. Sayrala agrees to help you with this, as she knows a thing or two about it. Studying over Oudair's book, you find an elemental binding spell, but it will require quite a few regeants, based off the element you choose, and quite a bit of study. To find the right 'lay line', as Nal would put it, and how to focus the energy, open the right flood gate and so forth. Its do-able, but it will take some time and energy. You unpack your things and settle into your room in the warehouse.

What do you do now?

>>17760823
>But there is such an art called 'Wasta', which is a tribal tradition to their people, going back to when there were just nomads who crossed the desert. Every clan, every tribe, and even every family has some somebody who has studied some degree of Wasta. It allows you to find water, make fire, heal the lame, and some even, allegedly, can glimpse the future.

Hmm.... Seems they have just unnecessarily crippled themselves with useless rituals and worships. This is probably not a place to learn arcane secrets as their ways are polluted with needless customs. Probably the reason why they can't do proper magic.
Inquire Sayrala about that and see what she thinks.

>Its do-able, but it will take some time and energy.
Do it. And if possible do it for the weapons of our companions.

Also, be wary of the Men in Black (turbans)

>>17760596
>Were there are types of magic aside from Rote and Rude?
Besides Rote and Rude, many consider alchemy to be a form of magic. And there certainly is a nature of enchanting the elements you are mixing. It can be as magical as you want it to be, really.
There is also Divine, which, is fairly complex, but essentially, you're invoking the name of your lord and causing some sort of trouble.

>>17760785
>Well we could channel fire along our sword, atleast when I asked earlier. Don't know if enchanting them to do that, so everyone can do it is possible..

Yes, as you can see its possible, from the last post I threw up. The only thing you want to be careful of, is if you do a easy, or short job, there will be flames every time you pull it out of a scabbard. And.. that... will draw attention. You could also have a sort of command word, to "flame on". I dont mean to be terribly... influential, but 'Jamithan', is partial to lightnight. The idea being, he can hurl his great sword, and stick it in somebody, then repeat a rote, over and over again, using the sword as a conduit, zap zap zap zap zap.

>>17760833
Well I say we prepare for enchanting, until we find the right magical ley line. For now we study and we'll use the blades as they normally are.

The concept of their Wasta is rather interesting. But it would probably be an insult to them if we asked to learn it, and we don't want that.

We should get to know our party member. I mean we're smoozing in on Sayrala, but the others deserve our attention as well.

Maybe a sparring match with them? Uh..whatever the equal thing of poker is maybe or something other game?

One of them is a dwarf right? We should talk to them about that.

I mostly wanna see how they differ from standard dwarven cliches. Not that some cliches are bad, but eh.

>>17760857
Can we enchant armor?

>>17760857
As for activation spells..well I'm a Dresden fan so I suggest these..

>Flickum bicus
To create light, comparable to a lantern, with the same heat out-put.

>Fuego
The sword erupts in flames, this is the activation for the fire, but its controlled to the degree where it remains near the top of the sword rather then the entire body.

>Pyrofuego
When things need to burn, we invoke this. This is the full force of the fire that was enchanted into the sword.

>Just curious gang, why the love and interest in magic?

>>17760905
Because magic is awesome!

>>17760869
>One of them is a dwarf right?
No. They had a half dwarf. In the original thread post, is Chroi to the left, and Jaynce to the right. The halfdwarf died.

>>17760865
>Can we enchant armor?

Of course.

>>17760905
Because magic isn't bound by normal laws of reality. It looks at those laws and says 'fuck you'. And I can see someone like Jamithan wanting to learn it, just to break the bounds of meta-physical boundment.

Plus magic is fucking awesome.

>>17760919
What kind of enchantment can one do on armor?
Making them more protection-y?

>>17760904
This is absolutely possible. Its just a matter of the time and energy you want to invest in the enchanting.

>>17760594
>BITCHES FOR THULSA!
yes.

>>17760934
>Its just a matter of the time and energy you want to invest in the enchanting.

A lot. It will also prove to be a good practice and we will learn loads of things.

>>17760932
I'd say we should turn them into virtual solar panels. They absorb sunlight, and we can take that energy from our armor to fuel us, whether it be ourselves, our magic, etc. etc.

The sun has been a symbol of life in numerous cultures, we could always stumble on this by say..having the armor absorb the heat so we could stay cool, but then find that energy absorbed in the armor can help us.

I'm not trying to meta-play but this is something I've always wanted to try and implement.

>>17760932
>What kind of enchantment can one do on armor. Making them more protection-y?

Whatever you want. You want to make your armor absorb elements? Okay. You want it to make you bouncy to jump and deflect kinetic attacks? okay. You want it to grow wings on a command word and let you fly? okay. You want it to turn invisible? okay. You want it to seduce old men? alright, so be it. Magic can do whatever you want, its just, again, a matter of how much time and energy.

So, I got that want to hang out with our friends and work on enchanting our weapons. Anything else?

>>17760956
Sounds cool.

>>17760958
Can there be different enchantments on one piece of equipment?

>So, I got that want to hang out with our friends and work on enchanting our weapons. Anything else?
Hmm. Nothing else. Enchant our weapon, if we can also the weapons of our companions and then set out to do the job.

>>17760958
Op I love you for letting us be creative with this.

I have a few ideas, that I will be writing up and posting soon, but for now we'll take it easy.

I figure Jamithan will continue to brain storm ideas, perhaps even pick the brains of our allies? What would they find useful enchantment wise, what kind of spells would seem useful to them? They have traveled the world, so they should be experienced with this.

>>17761004
>>17760958
>They have traveled the world, so they should be experienced with this.
I agree with this. They done more traveling, and will have a much better idea of the kinds of enchantments that will be useful.

Also, we've been asking around the city; let's ask about the things that the Prince wants us to clear out. What kind of weaknesses to these things have, what strengths? Any behaviors we can take advantage of?

That evening, you saunter over to Chroi, who seems to know his way around his great ax, and ask if he's interested in practicing. The man, who has literally said nothing to you the entire time you've know him, agrees. You go out into the wide, and open storage area. He throws his ax to you, obviously wishing to trade. You toss him your sword, and you begin a duel. You clang your weapons, block, dodge, deflect, strike, swing. Using an ax is new to you. Chroi stops after a minute. “The purpose of an ax, is to always be swinging,” his Edagnian is not very good, but after a few times of him repeating it, you get a better idea. “Keep swinging. Never stop. Make me think you're going to attack from up high, down low, from the left, from right, from high, from left.” You try again, swinging wildly above your head, in wide arcs from the left and right. He dodges, ventures a stab, its deflected and repeat. You get the idea and soon you are threatening him from all angles. You switch back to your sword, and continue. This time, while he swings his ax, you have a much greater appreciation of the momentum that he is pulling, and where its actually possible for him to attack from. After several bouts, it becomes fairly easy for you to determine his movements and take advantage of it.

>>17761047
Oh right, we should get more information about the things we are going to face. We also need information on the place itself

You ask Jaynce to come and spar. He acts exasperated, and agrees. He wields a common one handed sword. You strike, and he deflects. You stab, and he parries. You swing wide and he dodges. This continues until he starts tapping your blade, capitalizing on the moment of your swing, but forcing it with a strike on the weapon farther or in a direction you don't want. He steps back and smiles, then suddenly you're in a furious exchange. There is no purchase, each of you either counter or dodge each attack. You work up a tremendous sweat. Attack, block. Swing, dodge. You leap some, and do some fancy turns, and even a spin in a wide hay maker of a swing. It seems he is getting tired, and you give even more effort. You get the idea that he can barely counter your attacks, and you advance on him, forcing him back. But as he nears the wall, his blade, it seems, almost bends unnaturally and taps you on the ribs. He smiles. Again. The bout goes for neat twenty minutes. You are exhausted. But again it ends abruptly with a surprise lunch by Jaynce and a sword poking your abdomen. You take a step back, and suck down some hot air. “Well, you have to admit, I came much closer that time. I almost won.”

Jaynce smiles, “Won?”
“Yes. I almost had you there.”
“This is about winning?”
You stare at him. “Of course.”
“Again.”
You lock blades and start up a furious exchange, but as quick as it began, it was over, with his sword at your throat.
“Again,” he demands.
Clang, Clang, Sword tip on your forehead.
“Again.”
Even shorter exchange this time.
“What, what in the lords are you doing?” you frustratedly shout.
“Its not about who wins, its about how well it is fought. The art of it. You have promise, but you need think about this,” Jaynce rests his sword on his shoulder and walks casually strolls back to his room, seemingly unaffected by your recent demanding exercise.

Oh and we should also start mapping leylines over our maps. Unless they move, in which case we should date them accordingly.

Damn no wonder they traveled the world so easily, compared to these guys, we're just greenhorns. But thanks to our thirst for knowledge, we shall incorporate these lessons, and add them to our lives.

Also I think we're much like a ranger or a bard. Hm...we should get a pet.

>>17761115
Well, we have high Rogue stealth skills. Though it seems we are lacking in combat, even Rogue. I can only assume that our stealthy skills very so good that we never had to fight.

You drag your blade, exhausted, back towards your room. You notice Sayrala with her legs folded, sitting and probably meditating. “Sayrala,” you venture. “Can we talk?”
Without moving, or even opening her eyes, she replies, “Sure.”
“Soon?”
“Now?”
“That would be nice.”
She opens her eyes and stands up, “If you insist.”
She follows you down the hallway. You lean against the wall, “I would like to try one of these enchantment spells. We can start with my weapon, and if it works to some benefit, we can enchant everyone's.”
“That's an idea. We will have to gather a great many reagents though. What nature of enchantment were you considering?”
“I'm not sure. I've only lived in the forests and fought that... unsophisticated fare. What would aid us best? You've traveled the world, what do you think?”
She chews a fingernail lightly in thought. “Well... I've seen a lot of things done.” She moves her hands behind her back and rests on them against the wall. “I've seen flaming swords, ice blades. I even once saw a sword that seemed to drink the life out of whoever it cut. But for you?” She pulls her lips across her teeth, back and forth absently in thought. “You need something varied, and utilitarian. I would suggest some sort of multistage enchantment. Something that you can, use to invoke some power for light, something with just a bit of elemental energy at the end for precision work, and something that can deliver a great deal of elemental magic on an attack. Something like fire, or the power of lightning. Also, you're a big hefty guy, so, some sort of way for you be able to throw your sword, then recall it, since you don't seem to like ranged weapons. You know the idea, toss the sword into somebody as you inevitably will mindless charge them, recall it, have it fly back to your hand, with just enough time to cleave it into some other poor soul.”

What do you choose?

>>17761140
We should buy a round of drinks for our companions as a thanks for the good training session.


What do you choose?
I like the idea of recalling our blade.

>>17761128
No, you're awesome in combat. I mean, you cut down an elf who could have been 500 years old. You also, had no problem chopping up Orcs. But you, like most people, use a sword to kill. Jaynce however, it seems, is some sort of sword artisan. He probably has a name for each modified step, turn, lean etc. To him, or so you gather, its not about the attack or the survival, its about mastering a physical dance. So, while you can definitely throw down, Jaynce just has a much deeper and artistic view of it.

>>17761140
Get the lighting enchantment (never know when we'll need light, and it can't be extinguished by water), something that let's us pump lightning through the sword, a fire enchantment along the edge of the blade, and a recall enchantment.
All to be command-activated, so that it will be easier to hide its nature.

>>17761140
"Well this is a bit of a stretch, but perhaps a multi-elemental enchantment capable of firing off a charge? The element changing according to the enemy, or by my command? And the charge could be launched via slash or strike. As for a necessary charge for these, I could absorb the natural elements around me. Dip it in earth, or set it over a flame, that sort of thing. Natural lightning of course would be the hardest."

>Can there be different enchantments on one piece of equipment?

Yes, Thus the idea of a sword you can throw, summon lightning down to shock the shit out of someone, then recall it. Or maybe you toss a sword into someone, and invoke a powerful flame spell, which immolates them. Sort of a "ranged touch attack" in the DnD sense.

>>17761172
That's awesome.

>>17761159
And the boomerang enchantment, yes we want that.

Oh yeah the bear pelt!

We should craft a spell with that.

But what? Perhaps invoking it will give us the powers of a bear?

>>17761224
Oh shit. Make it into a golem which activates on the command.
You thought this was just a pelt on my shoulders?
Nope. It's chewing your innards now.

>>17761243
Ooh and while its on your shoulders, if you ever fight or grapple someone, it can fuck someone up close.

>>17761259
Oh yeah.
Fuck, no one suspect the pelt to spring alive and kill them.
We really need to get this.

>>17761259
>>17761243
Hilarious and useful!
Let's do it.

Alright, whats first?
BTW, I love the creativity you guys have. Its awesome.

Also boomerange enchantment..

-rabble rabble rabble-
I choose you, bear pelt!
-aaaaah-

Great job, return!

>>17761285
We'll do the weapons now. We need more expertise for the the awesome pelt bear

>>17761291
>Throw the sword.
>Have the pelt bear surf it.
>?
>Profit!

>>17761304
...Great you inspired me to draw that and I suck even with paint.

>>17761334
We shall call it...the bear blade maneuver.

“Alright. Let's see if we can get the blade to invoke lightning, and maybe fire if we can swing it. Something to be versatile as you say. Also, the returning part.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Tomorrow, we'll come up with the reagents and ingredients we'll need.”
Though it is late, and you are exhausted from your recent combat foray, you suggest to the gang that they should find a local place that serves hard liquor.
“Yes,” Chroi responds instinctively.
Jaynce smiles, “Alright, sounds like a plan. Say, are you interested?” he offers shorthand to Sayrala.
“Well, somebody needs to keep you out of trouble, its been an Orc's age since you boys got drunk.”
The four of you leave, and wander through the warm night air. Only a block down you find a single story clay hut with a beautiful tapestry hung in the doorway for a door. Beyond it, you see flickering light and hear the sounds of music. You look to the other three who nod approvingly. You dip inside.

The Devil's Den, is venue, with stairs that lead down a story, opening the establishment up quite a bit. There are breezy colorful sheets that hang from the air and catch the warm desert air. Below are thousands of decorative, plush pillows. No chairs or tables. But the air is thick with a reddish smoke. Three dozen people inhabit the place, lounging around on pillows and smoking Hooka pipes. They also are drinking from long, decorated staffs that appear to be native mugs. You pick out a nice pillowed circle and the four of you collapse. Jaynce leans forward and makes preparations for the hooka. A wonderfully olive serving girl comes by and offers a sticky sort of gel tobacco for him. Drinks are brought around in these decorative staffs. You taste the beverage... it is sweet, like an icy honey, and leaves you with a wisp of mint. Every one smiles at the taste. Jaynce sets up the hooka and takes a few puffs. Crimson smoke pours out his nose and his eyes roll back into his head as he falls back into the pillow with a smile on his face. “It's been too long,” he admits.
Chroi takes the pipe hose and takes several deep breaths. His cheeks flush and he catches you watching him. He gives you a wide smile. Sayrala has a few dainty puffs and passes the pipe to you. You take a deep swig of your beverage.

What do you do?

>>17761407
Try it, why not? Also we should try flirting with Sayrala tonight, we won't do anything but if we wish to have some sort of romantic relationship, we first must be sure she's interested.

Also lets try the local food. We must be starving after the sparring.

>>17761414

>What do you do?

Have a nice relaxed evening. Do not drink overly too much.
Just have some good mellow time.

>>17761446
>>17761434
These, but also keep an ear out. Never know what kind of things you can hear from people in a bar. Gossip, happenings, all kinds of stuff.

>>17761304
>>17761334

FLYING FIRE SWORD BEARD PELT ATTACK!

You pull a hesitant taste of the pipe and find it delicious. Its a cool cinnamon mixed with some other savory spices. You take a deep breath of it, which rolls down your throat like a cascade of fresh mountain water, and tingles as you blow it out your nose. You feel like you've just taken a bite of the air before a lightning storm. You try some more. You hand the pipe to Jaynce and it continues. The four of you sit around and chat. You order some kabobs, that come with seasoned peppers and pickles. You are also offered a sort of spiced fried potato. You chat long into the evening with each other, making occasional innuendos to Sayrala. She remains coy. Chroi tells you a story, of his youth and his land, the country of Eland, west of here. He was a young boy, on the open grassland, a son to a tribal king. He played with the Gorm beasts, ran free through the tall grass and was a true son of the fierce wind and open sky. One day, when he was ten, a tribe of Minbofi, from the west, came to his nomadic village, and slaughtered them all. He ran, as fast and as far as his tiny legs could carry him, until they burned like a forge and he collapsed. He looked back and saw a tower of black smoke billowing from his village. He returned later that night, and the entire population was slaughtered. The women were carried off, and the men were gutted and beheaded. He traveled west, until he came to an Imperial colony. There he worked on a boat, and sailed most of the earth. At the age of fifteen he took to a sword and became a sell-sword. “It is my hope, to one day kill the men who did this.” This turns the evening solemn and everyone goes back across the street, and falls sleep.

>>17761510
If that was on a heavy metal cover, I would buy that album so hard, my bank would explode.

The next day, you and Sayrala go over the ingredients that you'll need and you make a list. You venture out into the city alone, as Sayrala says it will be good for you. You stroll through the dusty city streets, through and into the markets. There are handsome sides of meat on display, fruit, vegetables, clothing, weapons, and more. A great bazaar. But again, you see the men watching you. You inquire with some spice traders about your list, and the man's unnatural icy blue eyes light up. You are speaking in what you've learned of his tongue, so you're not sure if you've offended him, or misled him. He pulls you into the building behind his shop display and writes a crude map on a wax tablet and the name “Mansoor” (in your alphabet). He grins widely and holds an open hand. You put a silver coin in his hand, and he points in the direction you must go. You swim through the bazaar, following the directions as best you remember. The turns seem right, a building where there should be and so on. You leave the market area and enter the slums. Two blocks down you find the building that should be your target. A black carpet hangs in the doorway. You peel it aside and step in. There is an old white man in the local dress, lounging on a pillow, bald with a long red beard. You would guess he is an Arrik, the descendants of barbaric mountain people who migrated into the Empire in several violent waves a thousand years ago. He lays across many pillows, examining a book in an ancient language, with many elaborate shapes and intricate designs.
“Yha,” he asks you. With no reply, he tries again in perfect Edagin, “Yes?”
What do you do?

>>17761581
Tell him we were send here when we asked about reagents.

>>17761334
>>17761510

Hilarious. I think its magical, that after almost 400+ posts, and 3 years of adventure, the only thing that inspires a drawfag, is a magic bearblade of fire flying death. haha. Awesome.

>>17761599
Show me a man who cannot be inspired by a magic bearblade of fire flying death and I'll show you a man who is dead inside.

>>17761534
"I require ingrediants for enchantment. I understand these lands do not believe in magic but rather Wasta so I to night offend you."

We may be a barbarian roguish warrior architect, learning the ways of magic and earning the love of women and the respect of man, be we're atleast polite.

Also the next time we talk too Chroi, we should tell him, he has our backing on with the quest of his.

>>17761626
>so I hope not to offend you*

“I was sent here by a spice trader in the market. I am looking for reagents.”
“Oh, I think you're looking for something much more than that.” he closes the book.
“Come, take a seat.”
You take his invitation and sit across from him.
“My name is Nurameik, I've lived in Mahir for forty years. And you, you look like a recent arrival. What can I help you with?”
“My name is Jamithan.”
“Is it? I don't think so. It may be what everyone calls you, and you may even think of yourself as this, but it is not your name. You are too bold of a man to use a name given to you. You will find your name.. someday. What is it that you need today, reagents?”
“I am looking for ingredients for a simple enchantment.”
“Well, if it was simple, you would have gathered them in the bazaar, and we never would have met,” he cocks his head to the side and squints; either trying to focus on you, or focus on his thoughts.
“I have studied Arcanism, and I wish to imbue my sword with elemental properties.”
“Ah, impressive.”
“I understand these lands do not believe in magic, but rather Wasta, so I do not intend to offend you.”
“Oh, these lands know plenty of magic. Some of the most vile sorts.”
“Like, summoning demons?”
“... easily.”

What do you do?

>>17761664
Oh. Sweet. Secret dark arts and shit.
Perhaps we should try to get more information from this guy, about the magic of these lands where and how to learn it.
Ask him if he has any books on arcane arts to sell.

After getting some knowledge from him, buy the reagents (and books if he has) and leave. Be vary of the Black Turbans. In fact, avoid them, our Rogue skills could come in handy here.

>>17761664
>Jamithan is mah slave name

"What do you know of demons? Personally I don't know much besides the propaganda that the church spouted about them. I have no love for the church, but I'm not foolhardy enough to jump into bed with demons either."

Oh the irony of that..but really we didn't know we where meeting a succubus at the time, and the thing is a literal manifestation of sex.

>>17761719
Would probably be less than awesome to just be like "Lol how i summon demon?" Shit could get us in trouble, potentially.

Let's feel him out first and see what HE thinks of the dark arts.

>>17761745
Thats what I ment to imply..

>>17761664

demon summoning? Maybe we could summon that demoness that the 3 witches summoned. Maybe we could get something useful out of a conversation with her.

“What do you know of demons?” you cautiously inquire.
He stares at you from across the room for a long while.
To break the silence, “Personally, I don't much besides the ignorant lies the churches of cowards propagate. I love no love for men of the tabard, but I'm not foolish enough to jump into bed with a demon either.”
“You lie.”
You continue to stare at him awkwardly. “Listen here old man, I will not be calle-”
“Then don't lie,” he interrupts. “Speak only the cosmic truth to me, and I will do the same for you. We're awfully new in our relationship to lie to each other. What is it you seek?” he remains lounging and unflinching.

What do you do?

>>17761797
lol.

How does he know we're lying?

>>17761820
maybe he's just being a dick? They're out there.

...Man, I'm just waiting for someone to handle this situation better than me.

>>17761876
Well, it seems like anon doesn't find my quest very interesting, so you're it. Chat with a crazy old white dude in a desert city, thousands of miles away from "civilization."

>>17761903
Alright, I'll try.
>"What is it you seek?
"I already told you what I need here.... But you're not asking me that, are you?"
Tell him that you are unsure what you 'seek', that you go where the winds take you and do not know how your destiny will play out. Tell him that during these journeys you developed an interest in all that is arcane and wish to learn more. Tell him that traditional means of learning arcane do not suit you, as they are too regulated and do not provide a vast amount of arts.
That is what we seek... for now, if that stays the same in the future, you do not know.

Buy the reagents and books if he has.

>>17761797
"Can't blame me for trying, many people tend to not like the idea of demons or those associating with them. Very well, I have met with the demoness Velinaetyss. She was introduced by three women, three women whom I lost but seek to regain, lords do I miss them. She told me of things, and taught me things. When I said I held no love for the church I was speaking truthfully, for they took those three women away from me."

>>17761797
"I seek what all men seek, in their hearts. To have the world be as they wish it to be, rather than as it is.
"But for now I am looking for more knowledge, proscribed or not, and these reagents."

Hey, folks. I'm from the sup/tg/ IRC; cheeseman was erroneously banned from 4chan for a day by the autobanner telling him he tried to post a banned URL, when the thing he was posting had no URL in it. So unfortunately until it gets sorted the quest is on hold. Cheeseman posted what he had written up in the IRC so I'll put it here in my next post. It might ban me too, but let's find out.

“I already told you what I 'need' here,” you pause and let him reflect this 'truth'. “But that's not what you're asking, is it?” Your hand moves up and gestures while you say, “Ultimately, I am unsure what I see, I go where the winds take me and am not sure where or how my destiny will play out. But I know this. I will tell you that I seek what all men seek in their hearts. To have the world be as they wish it to be, rather than as it is. I've developed an interest in the the arcane, and the domatic way in which it is practiced does not suit me. I am not willing to cripple myself with proscribed lessons. I wish to practice the art, and not the science of magic.” Your furrow your brow and continue. “Many people do not like the idea of demons or those who associate with them. But I will not be hindered by this fear of the dark, like a child. A demon a beast by another form, and my practicality does not allow me to hold them in superstitious regard. I was introduced to a demon once, by three women I lost, but seek to regain. Lords, do I miss them. This demon old me of things, and taught me of things. When I said I held no love of man's fearful religions, and the fools that enforce it by the burning stake, I meant it. So deal with me or not old man. Help me or dismiss me. I am merely a student of the cosmic and seek to learn more, so I can know less.”

>>17762335
This is the second time this happened.

Fucking auto-ban. Moot should fix that shit

>>17762358
I agree. Some of the word combinations that got me auto-banned a few times made no sense.

I guess Anon who was posting for Cheese got banned too.

This sucks.

>>17762414
Yeah, he was

The anon that was going to post for cheeseman AND cheeseman are both currently banned because the following text in this pastebin results in a BANHAMMER claiming to link a 'banned URL' with no URL in written in.

http://pastebin.com/MX3YQpJG

here's hoping i'm not banned as well! SEND MOOT EMAILS DETAILING THIS STRANGE SITUATION. and possibly send him the text in this message so he can figure out what keeps getting people banned.

Banned with "no reason available"? Send an email to mrvacbob@4chan.org, include tcpdumps and/or HTTP response headers (no instructions sorry :( use google). This will not guarantee a fix, we are still gathering bug reports. THANKS!'

>>17762495
thanks bro.

I'm gonna post the suggestion for the next session when OP's ban is lifted.

>What do.
Stash away the scroll. We wont use it now or any time soon. Only when we are ready.
Use the stealth skills we have from our Rogue past to move discreetly back to the ship. Those Black turban wearing dudes unnerve me, no need to let them know we visited this man.
When we get back, use the reagents to enchant our shit.

Make sure that nobody in our party learns of the scroll and book either. While now helpful they may not like the idea of consorting with darker powers

So.... anyone send main to moot complaining about dumb autoban?