>>18149459
>Now, I want you to come up with some sort of plan

First, we should probably scout the outside of the manour to find a good point of entry.

We must backstab him.
Nobody scams us.

Look around, see if we can detect any traps or barriers with our magic eyes. What are our options against fighting undead with magic? Can we wave our hands and just cause the magic that keeps them together to unravel?

>>18149553
You certainty haven't read the previous threads. Do not make suggestions if you don't know what is happening.

>>18149459
Start looking at the terrain. So this person is hiding in the forest? Thread lightly towards the target while using your eyes to detect magic traps and enemies. Best strategy would be to be stealthy.

We arrive at the manor. It is in really bad shape and looks quite spooky during the night.

The terrain is good for sneaking around. We'll sneak around and see if there are any traps/entrances.

>>18150363
I think we could see any magic traps with our eyes but do not be too sure about that. Besides, mundane traps wouldn't register.
Anyway, be extra careful when approaching.

Okay. We found three entrances. The front door is not locked, but I am pretty sure it is somewhat heavily trapped/has guards waiting.
There's a hole in the wall, but is way above us. It is also small, so only I could get inside ( well, I am pretty sure Nxisa has something to bust the old wall, but that would be noisy ).
Then there's this hatch. It leads to basement, but I can already see one trap. Probably some sort of lightning-trap. I am pretty sure we can disable it, but there might be more in the basement. And, well, the basement smells bit weird.

>>18150400
TO THE BASEMENT!

If we're lucky, we'll find the necromancer down there doing his nefarious rituals or something and kill him before the guards show up. If not, then we walk into his undead storage room.

>>18150400
Ask for Nxisa's opinion. She's more experienced in these matters than we are.

rolled 84 = 84

>>18150400
I suggest going to the basement.

We'll take the basement first. It's dark and the smell is much worse now. Nxisa says it's smell of rotting flesh.
Traps are quite easy to disable. They have been made quite hastily I guess, as they lack safeguards and other things ( which makes safe to just use Disrupt-spell on them ). I guess he did not expect mages or counter-mages to come around.

>>18151168
investigate further. Search for the necromancer

I think I found the source of that damn smell. There are undead in the basement. It seems that we have managed to stir some of them. Fighting them might alert the necromancer too. However, we might get to upstairs unnoticed if we are really careful. There might be something important here tho...

>>18151293
I say we go around sneakily without alerting the necromancer. After we deal with him, we can go back and check what important things are stored here.

Found stairs and got upstairs. I think all the undead beasts are awake downstairs. Hope they don't know how to use stairs.
And found another trap. It's more powerful and disrupting might be dangerous. I warn Nxisa and I'll leave it there.

Now, let's get searching.

>>18151526
Alright. Be slow and quiet. No need to make any mistakes here and alert everyone.
First, locate bedchambers and investigate there.

[ Sorry for my slowass update-pace. Constantly getting interrupted by stuff. ]

>>18151590
Is okay.

>>18151526
Be ready for non-magical traps too. They wont be glowing like these ones.

Yes, I'll keep an eye.
We have searched the first floor now. Empty. There are no beast, but as we expected, front door was loaded with powerful traps, even non-magical ones. He could be outside I guess. Would explain things. Oh well, off to check second floor.

>>18151775
Get on the second floor and explore furher.

>He could be outside I guess. Would explain things.

Well, when on the second floor, look out of the window.

>but as we expected, front door was loaded with powerful traps, even non-magical ones.
do we have skills to turn them against the necromancer? If he's outside, then when coming back in, he would be blown by his own traps!

>CREAK!
Goddamnit, that was loud. I bet everyone heard that.

... Yeah, he heard that. He is coming down.

>>18151834
Hide!
PREPARE AMBUSH!

>God damn stairs

>>18151834
Okay. We can prepare a trap for him before he gets down.

We prepare an ambush. The moment he emerges, Nxisa will take him down. I will assist with counter-magic if he tries something funny.

He stopped. I think he caught our plan.

back away from the entrance slowly if nothing happens in the next couple seconds. He might try to blast you guys or something.

>>18152006
Shit. If he has noticed us then he'll probably call his undead. We can't just wait for him to make a move....
But then again, we shouldn't charge up the stairs either.

See if Nxisa has any ideas, if not, then... well.. dunno, prepare counter-magic.

>"... Intruders. Take this!"

A magical lightning bolt strikes the floor, but I manage to avoid it.

>"Zombies, get 'em!"

Rogue necromancer retreats upstairs.
Nxisa tells me she will take care of the undead beasts and I probably should try to stop the necromancer.

>>18152561
"As you wish boss."
Time to do our job, I guess.

>>18152561
Follow the necromancer!

After him! But watch out for danger, and keep our sword close by.

I found him. He has an undead minion by his side and has lightning spell ready.

>"Hah, a kid? I thought I got fearsome assassins after my life, not a kid and... some other!"

It seems that he doesn't know that we are counter-mages. Great.

>>18152729
Can we use Anti-Magic to stop the spell it seems he's casting in his hand?

Let's stop him from doing that, whatever it is.

>>18152729

Counter that shit! It's waht we do afterall. Hopefull it will give us an opening to exploit.

>>18152729
Counter-magic is go!

Also, throw a holy potion at the undead

I disrupt his spell just before he can launch it. He certainly did not expect that!
>"A counter-mage?!"
Undead minion tries to act, but I manage to hit it with one of the bottles of holy water.
The holy water dissolves the circle necromancer used on the minion, causing it to rapidly decompose.

Necromancer seems confused.

>>18152960
Strike now, no mercy. Jump the Necromancer and slice his head off. We can't hesitate. Not now, not in the middle of the field. We have to prove we can be a Counter-Mage.

>>18152960
Let's see if we can incapacitate that guy. He had to learn his magic somewhere and we need to find out who taught him.

>>18152960
Nows our opening! Charge him and close the gap so he can't cast as easy and we can bring out sword into play. We may not be that good with it but having a sword is better than his no sword at all and no armor....

>>18152960
EXPLOIT THE ADVANTAGE! ATTACK NOW!

BUM RUSH THE NECROMANCER!

Try not to kill him if it can be avoided.

Remember we have to know who teached & send him!
Hit him with the flat side of your sword!

Now it is the time for one-line!
"Your time is up!"
>"No, fuck you, your buddy and the guild!"

In panic, he jumps out of the window.

>>18153124
>>18153094
>>18152992

This. Also be prepared for if he turns to that window right behind him.

Look before we leap. If it's not dangerous, leap!

"He's escaping through a window! [Direction] side!"
Does it look safe enough to follow?

>>18153334
We're only one floor high. We can manage that.
Go after him!

>>18153334
Out the window after him, youth roll! Yell to our teacher that we are doing so.

>"Augh, god fucking damn it."
I guess I can take bit of my time. Leap down safely and all. I need to incapacitate him, but I am not sure how. I don't have any rope with me.

>>18153449

Oh shit dude, jump and land like, RIGHT ON HIM.

Alternatively let the goat lady take the jump because her legs should be able to handle it better than ours.

>>18153449
Pick up the table he was hiding behind and throw it down at him, then get down there safely and quickly.

>>18153449
Any old curtain from mansion nearby? We could use that detain him.

Um, we could simply lower ourselves from the window.
Careful with the broken glass.

>>18153449
He looks like he incapacitated himself. If he does still run, he'd probably be slowed by his injury.

We still shouldn't use the front door, there are still a lot of traps on it.

>>18153449

Tch, see this is why you always bring rope.

>>18153449
Throw a fucking holy potion on him!

>>18153725
What would this accomplish besides humiliat--never mind you should do this.

Dropped down through window and tied him up with curtains I ripped from one of the bedrooms ( his room in particular. )

Now, we just need to interrogate him.
... Oh yeah, I think Nxisa might need help with the undead.

[ Continuing tomorrow, same thread if possible. Thanks for playing. ]

>>18153742
Let's go through the cellar, that way we can probably attack the undead fighting Nxisa from the back.

Or simply tell him to dismiss his zombies, if that's possible.

>>18153778
Dunno, the necromance might escape while we go all the way there. I think Boss should be fine on her own.

>>18154316
He's subdued and has at least sprained something. I'd like to think he would not get very far.

>>18154347
Agreed, and I rather not risk Nxisa getting hurt. She's been nice to us for a year now, and maybe if we go help her she'll give us a bonus from the bounty.

>>18154347
>>18154410
well, I must be the only one paranoid to think that the necromancer will get escape the bindings and flee.

>>18154459
I'm still worried over that, but he broke his leg from the jump. Our teacher comes first, but maybe we should still kick the guy in the face or something, knock him out before we go help.

Necrobumping time.

Bump

Friendly Bump.

>>18156090
>>18157341
>>18158225
>>18159127
Christ, if you're going to bump a thread, at least do it with some modicum of content. For example:
"Will bindings suffice or will we need to knock him out to secure him?"

Nxisa did fine. She managed to fight off all the undead by herself.
>Nxisa: "Seriously Daniel, you did pretty damn great. You have earned your bonus."
"Cool."
>Nxisa: "Guild pays bit more for returning alive rogue mages. But now, we'll have to interrogate this guy for a bit. What you say necromancer? Who was your tutor?"
>Necromancer: "I say fuck you. I am not betraying him."
>"Oh well, this will get pretty nasty. Daniel, you can go search the manor for things if you want. Disable traps, search his items and so forth. Or you can help me. It would prepare you for things to come I guess."

>>18160008
"Will we have time to loot the place later if I stay here with you? If not, I'll go pick the place apart now. If so, well, I guess I've got to learn this stuff sometime."

>>18160008
"Yeeeeaaaaah. Um... I don't know if I'm okay with you torturing this dude!"

>>18160017
Seconding this.

>>18160008
Take Nxisa aside and whisper this to her:

"Do we really need to hurt him? I could look around in the mansion for some alcohol. If we get him drunk and appeal to his ego, he might tell us everything we need to know. If it doesn't work, we can still resort to... other means."

>>18160425
This sounds good.

"Do we really need to hurt him? I could look around in the mansion for some alcohol. If we get him drunk and appeal to his ego, he might tell us everything we need to know."
>Nxise: "... That's actually smart. Caowe are very fond of alcohol, bit like dwarves. I wouldn't be surprised if he had alcohol stashed in the manor."
Hehe, this is gonna be great.
---
I found plenty of booze. He is much happier now and doesn't complain about his leg anymore.
>Nx: "Okay. So, what's your name?"
>Nm: "Haw! Still trying to- hih- interrogate me? Suure. I cannot really l- lose anything right now anyway and you are being awfully nice. Ouki of- of- Rognar. Teror of Rognar taught me. Yeah!"
>Nx: "He taught you forbidden necromancy?"
>Nm: "Everyone says it's like a bad thing- Just putting souls back to corpses, that's all. But naw, I found some books."
>Nx: "Hm. You have caused few deaths around here."
>Nm: "Oh, those guyys. I swear that beast of mine is such ahah, killing machine. It was an accident. And I needed corpses, for... experiments, yeah. Kinda succesful. I also have been, uh, translating and prying information from the dead."
>Nx: "Information? And what have you been translating?"
>Nm: "Few Zeze-era books. Got 'em from a dude. I heard that archmage was offering 4000 pien for information about uh, location of Xhaal."
>Nx: "You are not talking about Archmage Bao?"
>Nm: "No, uh, Ingram."
>Nx: "Dark Archmage... Why would he want to know where Xhaal is?"
>Nm: "Dunno. I he heh couldn't find exact location tho."
>Nx: "Check his memos. I think this is enough so far."
I guess I could ask something. Or loot his shit and get back to Joros.

Ask him what Xhaal is?

>>18161027
We should loot his mansion. Surely he has some cash/valuable stashed away somewhere.

Try to find out where these books of forbidden necromancy are, then get to lootan

"What is this 'Xhaal'"
>Nxisa: "It's an island appearing in legends."
>Necromancer: "Xhaal? Hih- It's Xha- Xha- Xjaal you dumb fuck. And it is not an island! And might exist! It is referred as a palace, fortress, airship, island, garden and a labyrinth! And the presumed locations vary a lot! Many times it is mentioned to be in desert of Zjewea. Sometimes the sea besides Zjewea, sometimes much more south, over the jungles."
"So, it moves?"
>Necromancer: "Hic. Maybe, I did not find anything that would imply it actually moving."
"Why would Dark Archmage want to know where it is?"
>Necromancer: "No idea... at all. He did not say. I guess he just wants to find it for sake of finding it. Now can we go now, I am tired...."

Hm. I guess we should go. But first, looting!

Okay, back at home! We found lots of cool stuff, like some books on forbidden necromancy and his research on necromancy ( which Nxisa packed and sent to guild already ). We also found his memos and some of his translated stuff. I read through them, it did not reveal much about Xjaal. Basically what he told us.

Anyway, we found some of his valuables! He had 330 pien and somewhat valuable ingredients. He won't be needing them, he will be executed in two weeks I heard.
The ingredients were sold to academy ( 80 pien ).
In the end I got total of 140 pien for good performance.

Now I have some free time before we start training again. Where should I spend this money, or should I just save it?
Also, Nxisa said that she wants my opinion on training. Should it be more magic-focused or more combat-focused?

As combat is our weakness, I'd lean towards that. Unless focusing on magic could make up for it.

I mean sure, this time the rogue mage incapacitated himself for us, but we can't expect them all to.

>>18161790
So, this is a place mentioned by a man who healed our eyes. Who would have guessed?

find out if we will ever personally be able to heal our friends after training under Nxisa. If not, find out how much such healing would cost.

>>18161887
Also, this time our teacher took care of undead, but we might not be so lucky next time.
Sword fighting.

>>18161833
Maybe it's time to visit a high-class courtesan?

>>18161990
Why exactly high-class courtesan?
You want to talk about poetry or something?

>>18162053
because I don't want a two-dollar crack-whore.

maybe I used the wrong words

>>18162053
>>18161990
>>18162125
In other words we go look for nice female company?
Let's not freak her with our eyes.

>>18162326
Maybe. I was kinds joking though because that suggestion was one of the most prevalent ones in the first thread.
Although, finding a female friend who is not a working woman might be a great idea.

>>18161887
I agree with this.

Maybe there are some female wizard students in town?
We are going on adventures and all, so we have some stories to impress magic using ladies.
And ladies in general.

It was amazing.

>>18162498
"I can break your magic, if you know what I mean"

>executed
I don't feel like he was that bad a dude. We should find a way to get him off and learn necromancy from him.

>>18162705
Hell yeah!
We deserved that!

The rest of the money we should conserve

>>18162720
He killed like 6 people man.

>>18162727
Yeah, exactly, so he's probably pretty good at it. Good teacher!

>>18162705
I think we should restrict sex for Daniel.
Just look at him.

>>18162705
Awesome. Let's see how much it would cost to hook our sword up with some kind of enchantments. If it isn't a preposterously high number, we might want to start saving towards that.

The next two months go past quite well. I am getting much better with the sword, but I am still not that good.
I also learned a magic-burning spell. Will come handy I guess. Nxisa is impressed with my speed. She says if I keep up this pace the academy will stop funding my living in year or two.
Yeah, we have been doing some mage-chasing. Some elementalist had scorched someone's butt and we had to detain him. Then there was that illusionist who had murdered his neighbor. Both were no problem. We also did some miscellaneous jobs. This all netted me 200 pien. So now I have total of 316 pien. Which is quite nice.

>>18163218
Oh man. We're rich now.
...
Wonder how our friends at orphanage are doing...

>>18163218
We ever look into getting our sword enchanted?

>"Hey, did I already mention that we are going to foreign lands for a while?"
"What? Uh."
>"Well, now you know. Get packing. We are leaving in two days."
"Wait wait wait, where, why?"
>"As you might have guessed, we are running out of jobs here. So, I thought it would be nice to visit my homeland after all these years. Daciht. It's south, quite rocky and dry region. The travel will take quite a bit. Weeks. We are going on an airship."
"Why didn't you-"
>"Shut up now. Counter-Mages are more common there. We can train you plenty there."

Well, I guess I should be happy! Going to see the world!
I need to pack! And maybe buy things while I have a chance.

>>18163325
>And maybe buy things while I have a chance.

Can't really think of what to buy. We bought everything we needed I think.
Though, maybe some adventuring gear? Like rope, shovel etc?

>>18163325
How much older is our master than us? Also, if we're buying things, I would like to know this:
>>18163243

Maybe some magic amulet?
There are many mages here, someone has to do stuff like this.
Enchanting sword would be nice, too.

My master said that she is 46 years old. But she's one of those goat-people, so in human years it would be about 40? They usually live to 75 years old, while humans live 65 years old. Caowe live to 90, elves live to 130, dwarves to 75 and Ongigil live to 50.

I did not enchant my sword, but it might be a good time to. I am not sure if there are as skilled/cheap enchanters where we are going.
The prices range from 100 to 2000 pien. It depends on the enchantment and the potency of it. There are quite bit of possible enchantments. What sort of enchantment should I take and how much will I pay for it?

>>18163597
Something that we can't do with our own magic - we've got dispelling and mana-draining down, so, I dunno, something that cuts through armor super-well? Or something that makes it really sharp? Are there any enchantments that make it so the sword won't rust, chip, or dull? Something that automatically keeps it in perfect condition.

>>18163325
Could we send some of our money to the guys we left behind at the orphanage?

>>18163597
How about something that disables our enemies without killing them?

>>18163634
Like a tazer pommel or something? That said, I really like the sound of a blade that automatically keeps itself perfectly maintained. That sounds like it would be a great base enchantment before we get others laid on top.

>>18163645
Yeah, something like the stuff you suggested or perhaps putting a sleep enchantment on it.

>>18163597
how about an enchantment that makes us better at sword fighting?

>>18163597

Some sort of inherent magic-disrupting or absorbing aura would be nifty.

(If you've ever played FFVI, I was thinking something along the lines of Celes' Runic ability)

How much money do we have? We can probably just go with a simpler, cheaper enchantment for now, I don't want to burn ALL our money on this one thing.

>>18163663
>How much money do we have?
316 monies.

>>18163663
I would rather not get a magic disrupting/absorbing effect on it simply because we already have those particular spells in our arsenal. If we're getting it enchanted, I would rather have it be something we can't already do or something that makes the sword itself inherently better.

>>18163597
Well, if enchantment can cost so much, maybe we should save a bit and get something really good.
We should send some money to orphanage. Or buy something useful and send it.

>>18163675
316 penis.

>>18163645
>That said, I really like the sound of a blade that automatically keeps itself perfectly maintained.

A sword that never dulls or breaks? That'd be awesome! I second this.

>>18163717
Yeah, even the best blades are ruined after a while, especially if they get used reliably. That sounds like a perfect base enchantment. After all, you don't want your badass mana-draining/fire-spitting sword to get nicks and rusty, do you?

>>18163717
Throw some rustproofing on there too.

>>18163750
Yeah, just a general suite of 'I never need to maintain this blade, it just stays in perfect repair,' right?

>>18163762
Yup.

>>18163782
I hope that's an enchantment at the 100 penis end of the spectrum.

>>18163730
Actually it occurs to me, do we want to upgrade to a better quality sword before this enchantment?

I mean, assuming we can afford both. If you're going to enchant a weapon, it should at least be the best one we can get.
Unless we've formed an emotional attachment to this blade or something.

>>18163841
>penis
This isn't Orc Stain.

Okay, I am going to visit the John's enchantment sto- NOPE.
>"Ah! H e y k i d ! You still hang aroound? I heart that you got into counter-dounter-mage business! Good job! So, are you here for an enchantment or to get that job... dealing with corpses?"
"...Since when have you been the enchanter in here?"
>"Ah, didn't you know? I assist John on some days! You don't become a great necromancer just by playing with corpses, he he!"
"..."
I tell him my request.
>"Hm, that's a cool one! That should take few hours and will cost ya about 270 pien minimum."

270 pien!

>"No worries chum! It's a good choice. Keeping blade in good order is always a terrific idea! The blade will be much resistant to breaking and shall sharpen itself! Remember, you need to recharge the enchantment from time to time!"

>>18163950
>270 pien!

That's a bit beyond our means (totally not lying). Try to haggle a bit.

>>18163858
Penises aren't unique to Orc Stain. In fact, some say they even exist in real life, although of course discovering them below the waves of flesh is difficult for the average layperson.

>>18163967

Yeah, try to see if we can haggle him down a bit.

>>18163999
No, but as far as I'm aware, penises as currency is unique to Orc Stain.

>>18163999
Ah yes, "penises" or "penes".

>>18164102
>>18164124
>>18164129
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you:

That guy.

>>18164149
Sounds okay. As long as delivering the letter or the content isn't illegal.

"How about little less?"
>"He he. I like you kid! That's why I am giving you a special bargain. 250 pien!"
I think that is way too much.
"200?"
>"Hmm, maybe. If you are willing to do an itty bitty favour. Nothing bad. It doesn't even have to do anything with... corpses."
"Say it."
>"Word gets around quickly. I want you to bring a letter to my cousin who happens to live in Daciht. Herman of Daiba. Haven't talked with him in years... Remember, no peeking! I. Will. Know."
Well, I guess I can. How about that?

>>18164163
"Promise me that it isn't anything illegal and you have yourself a deal."

>>18164173

Seconding this.

Well, "not illegal" and "not going to get us killed".

>>18164204
If it's going to get us killed, it's very likely illegal.

"It's nothing illegal, is it?"
>"Heh, you are a funny guy! Of course not! I have not done anything illegal in decades! I am perfectly legal person!"
"Ha... Well, I guess I will take your offer!"
>"Magnificent! I shall be a fine enchantment! Come back in two hours, I should be done by then! Oh, and here's... the letter."

He hands me a letter. It has a seal, and the seal has a magical circle on it.

Well, I guess I can now go home and just pack...

>>18164329

What about that enchantment? When will our sword be ready?

>>18164329
Put the letter in a small wooden case or messenger tube. Just in case. Wouldn't want it to open by mistake or something.

>>18164329
Will the blade also be immune to rusting? Just wondering.

>>18164345
in two hours.
You really need to read the entire update before posting.

>>18164329
"Thank you."

Yeah, I guess we should start packing.

Did we remember to write to the guys at our old orphanage?

>>18164163
Ask if it may be a risky delivery, as we don't want to end in hot waters with anyone yet. If it is the case proceed to ask from whom we might take cautious actions and for a phisical description of this individual, aswell as one from this "Herman" person we will be delivering a letter to.

>>18164385

Derp, sorry.

>>18164163
How far away is Dacihit? Will we even have time to deliver this letter before we're due to leave on our trip?

>>18164432
Dacihit is the destination we're planning to travel to.

>>18164514
Convenient!

Supposedly Herman is a sorcerer, but not a necromancer like he is. "Not dangerous at all", "wouldn't hurt a fly"
And yes, the sword will be immune to rusting. As long as the enchantment is charged.
I thank him for information and the bargain I got.

-----------

I packed everything important. My robes, armor, sword, rope, dagger, money etc.
Man, everything is so tiny! Houses, trees...
So cool!

So damn cool!

[ Thank you all for playing, continuing later. ]

>>18164612
Is recharging the sword something that we would have to pay to have done, or can we just pump some of our raw mana into it to do that?

>>18164633
thanks for the game