Hi.

>>Previous threads can be found at: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Sorceress%20Quest
>>Character sheet and artifact list can be found at: http://pastebin.com/Fk0iR5bN
>Fate Points: 0
>Signature spells: Summon Elemental, Control Magic, Soulfire
>Funds: Medium
>Location: Ursae Province

You're not sure how to react.
Lady Marigold- Well, if you can call yourself a queen, then you suppose you should call her Duchess Marigold- is standing in front of you, eyes wide. Her father's duchy had been the first thing hit by the demons back in Arcturus. How did she get out?

Your companions step in around the guards, backing you up as the Ursae guards back up Marigold. She gives you a smile, and doesn't seem to notice the blade at your hip, nor the bruises covering your once-broken wrist. She tilts her head, her intricately curled blonde hair flying free as she does so.

"Are you and your friends here to take me home, Ishelda?" She asks.
She. . .
She doesn't know.
She doesn't know that home isn't home anymore.

>>19556396
I think we need to be blunt about what happened.

>>19556396
Before we say anything to her, she needs to be hugged.

>>19556411
Yet dignified. I have no clue whatsoever how one could do so, though.

>>19556396
I imagine we're still bloody after the fight. Blood still dripping from our hands.

>>19556396
"Marigold....
What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

>>19556411
Not yet.

We will break the news later

You magic the blood off of your hands, and, before anything else, you give her a hug.
"Wha-" She says. "You're acting weird. Why are you so serious?"

"Marigold... what are you doing here? How did you get here?" You ask, still hugging her.

"The rogue sent me!" She said.
The rogue...? Oh, right- she'd always been religious. She worshiped the Rogue, and the Knight, and the Scholar- the three primary gods of Arcturus.

Wait, does that mean. . .

>>19556468
wat

>>19556468
"How long have you been here?"

>>19556468
"Could you perhaps elaborate?"

Afterwards we should at LEAST mention that our trip was one-way. Don't want to build her hopes up. And that's only if we decide to pass on telling her the real truth.

>>19556468
So SHE'S the chosen one!

>>19556468
"Did you come here alone?"

File: 1340219178365.jpg-(27 KB, 300x300, 1336944546842.jpg)

>>19556497
So we'll have to sacrifice her...

>>19556497
No Anonymous, you are the Chosen Ones.

>>19556509
NO! Exabyte specifically said we are not the chosen one. We can do as we like.
I like to do this >>19556505

>succeeding Neetiv

Why yes captcha, I am a successful Neet.

"How long have you been here?"
". . Two seasons." Marigold said. "Half a year."
You quickly do the math. You've been here around two months, and the demons entered Arcturus three months before that. . . No wonder she didn't know. She was gone long before the demons arrived.

"Did you come here alone?"
"Yeah. . but High Lord Ursae was really nice when he found me."

"Could you, perhaps, elaborate?"
"It's quite a long story." She said, with a giggle. "Let's go somewhere else and sit down somewhere. I've been on my feet all day. We can have tea! The people here almost never have tea."

>>19556541
"Alright.
Know any good place?

If not, we could always go to my ship."

>>19556541

>Having tea

I'd rather slamfuck your holes you whore.

>>19556541
YAY! Somebody else suggested tea!

"Delightful idea! Shall we go aboard my flying flower ship? I think you'll really like my troupe, they are all very interesting, and they like tea too!"

>>19556541
Tea sounds appropriate.

"Alright." You say, with a prim smile. "Know any good place?"
"Well, there's the citadel. The High Lord has a room for me." She says.
Grayson pulls himself to his feet, and limps over to you, his hat missing. The guards all tense up. . but Marigold notices him and gasps.
"Oh, no! He's hurt!"

She ran over to him, and raised her hands. They shined with light.
Suddenly, quite suddenly, you're reminded of the time you were bathed in the Weave. This- this feels exactly like that, except with raw, uncontrolled life magic, coursing through you. The bruises on your wrist heal, and Grayson is suddenly completely healed.
"Oh, I forgot to mention! I have a power too!" She said, eyes brightening.

Ell squints at her, as if he had been blinded by a bright light.

>>19556541
Later we should ask her about Lord Ursae.

>>19556586
I don't think it's appropriate to be this chipper minutes after murdering a man with a brick.

>>19556593
"When did your Talent awoke?"

>>19556611
YOU HAVE THE WORST GRAMMAR.

>>19556627
Please correct me.
English is not my native language.

File: 1340220024400.png-(14 KB, 497x501, 1338957663421.png)

>>19556593
Our face when

At an appropriate time:
"Listen, Marigold, I have bad news. The worst news."

"Our world is...well, it's gone. A few seasons after you left, portals began opening up around the world and demons poured out of them in endless numbers, seeking to destroy everything. Arcturus was the last place to hold, but even that...they could only send away one person.

As far as I know, nobody but you and I made it out."

"But as horrible as all that is, it's why I'm so glad to see you. I thought I was the only one."

>>19556670
Wait.
Let her tell her story first before we tell her that.

>>19556683
I agree

". . When did your power awaken?" You ask.
She pats Grayson's head, despite the Ursae Guards' tension, and she giggles. "When the Rogue brought me here. I'll tell you all about it."

Soon, you end up almost alone, in Marigold's room, a teacup in hand- flowers cover every available surface, and the window is wide open. A bird sits on the windowsill, looking inward. Marigold pats it's head, and it tweets at her, then flies away.
"I was at the estate, and then this guy showed up." She said. "He was wearing this big, ragged cloak and hood. He looked just like the Rogue, so that's probably the only thing he could be. He said that something bad was going to happen, and that he would have to open a portal to take me away. I asked if he was the Rogue, and he chuckled and said that if he was, he wouldn't say. Then, next thing I know, I was here." She giggled.
"The high lord was hurt, and I didn't even know who he was at the time. I just ran over to him, and I didn't know what to do. .but I just . . did it, and then I could heal things."

Considering this, >>19556593
We may actually be able to use her to close the portal and heal the warped lands and cure the mutants using the ankh. We shall rule the warped lands, calling them Ishelda-Land.

>>19556657
Oh, well then I apologize for snapping like that.

The correct way to phrase that sentence would be, "When did your talent awaken?" The way you did it was technically correct, but it sounds odd.

Wow really? Sacrificing our only relative and connection to our homeland?
You guys are a bunch of faggots.

>>19556715
Thanks. It's good to know where I made the error.

>>19556702
"So you have been here for all this time? What have you been doing here?"

>>19556657
Instead of awoke you should have said awaken.

>loosing funchan
Don't worry. Captcha has bad grammar too.

>>19556715
That sentence is like asking "When did they died?" or "What language do you spoke?".

"So you have been here for all this time?" You ask, and take a sip. "What have you been doing here?"
"Oh. .this and that." She said. "I've mostly just been using my power and healing hurt people. And animals. . .And plants."

She'd. . always been like that, from what you remember. You never knew her well, but you'd heard stories where she found an injured fox kit and tried to bring it back up to health.

"And. . well, are you here to take me home? Because I really like it here."

>>19556715
The tendency has been to restrict the strong past participle (awoken) to the original intransitive sense of awake and the weak inflection (awakened) to the transitive, but this never has been complete.

But that's like college level English.
It's easier to just say that something "did awaken" and "was awoken", because tradition. I know it must seem like a meaningless distinction, English is pretty weird about its grammar like that.

>>19556784
"I don't believe that's going to be an issue."

Then start the 'splaining we've got to do.

>>19556784
Turn away, look out of the window with a thousand-yard stare.

And say softly with a hint of sadness "....There is no home to return to."

>>19556784
"It sounds like the man who brought you here, Rogue or no, knew what was coming.
Marigold, we don't have a home to go back to. We're the only ones left."

>>19556784
"I... I'm not sure how to say this, but... There's no home to go back to, now. That... bad thing you were told about, well, it happened. It started small, then grew, and grew, and there was nothing we could do to stop them. In the end, my father had [Mage] open a portal so I could get away."

>>19556812
This

"I. . ." You say, and shake your head. "I don't believe that's going to be an issue."
"What do you mean?"
You look away, out of the window. ". . There is no home to return to." You say, softly. "The man who brought you here, Rogue or no, knew what was coming."
". . . and my parents? and the king?" She asked. You hear the waver in her voice.
"They're gone too." You say.
She's silent for a long, long time.

>>19556855
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJvYZXUT5Bk

I wonder if King Razak (forgive my bad memory with names and my ineloquence) was the Rogue? Not really him, but the guy that brought marigold here. We need marigold on our crew. Invite her to the Tea Party World Tour!

>>19556855
>>19556870

"Everything's gone."

"No one is left." You say, still staring out of the window. "Everything's gone."
She bursts into tears.

>>19556929
I believe a hug is in order.

>>19556855
Maybe with your help, We can protect this world. Would you like to join my crew and try to bring some order to parts of this world desperately in need of it?

>>19556938
Accompied with tears, of course.

>>19556929
Did anyone else read that as "treats" for a split-second, or am I spending way too much time on 4chan?

>>19556938
Definitely.

>>19556929
"I'm sorry. I wish it wasn't true, too."

>>19556938
this

>>19556929
My mental image is that we said this while holding the teacup and our hand shaking. We are barely holding tears ourself.

>>19556941
Now is not the time for an offer

>>19556946
Nope, I did as well, was kinda saddened when it wasn't treats.

>>19556946
Yes. I think for it was because Exabyte actually had Ishelda burst into treats as canon when Lewin left.

You hug her, tightly.
"I'm so glad to see you. I thought I was the only one." You murmur, and she sniffles. "I wish it wasn't true, too."

The two of you spend a long time, crying in one another's arms for a world that no longer exists. It's as much of a funeral as Arcturus will ever have.

She sniffled again. "What. . what have you been doing, then? Since you got here?"

>>19556983
Tell her our story then.
Spare no details.

>>19556983
"Oh, all sorts of things! First I met Grayson, followed soon after by..." Story time!

Maybe gloss over the demons a bit.

>>19557010
She deserves to know

Also, we must tell her what happened to our home

>>19557033
I'm not saying don't mention them, just spare some of the more unfortunate details. Not that I'm entirely sure which those would be, that aren't all of them.

"Oh, all sorts of things." You say. "First I met grayson. . ."

You tell her almost everything, glossing over the demons a bit, but you detail absolutely everything else, and all the places you've been. She takes a lot of interest in your tales of the orcish island with all of the flowers and tiny, fuzzy flightless birds, and . . less interest in the demons. The sun starts to set, and the shadows grow long- only then do you realize that you've spent the majority of the day telling this tale.

"Waait." She says, after your tale. "You only mentioned two of the bird people. What about the other two- the ones who were behind you when I walked into the cathedral?"

You freeze.
". . No matter." She says. "Kristoph sounds dreamy. Will I be able to meet him?"

>>19557062
Is she talking about Ezekiel and Raziel?

>>19557108
I bet its the troll twins.

>>19557108
I don't think so. Unless she can see through shape change spells.

>>19557100
"Yes, of course."

"Yes, of course. Were you talking about Ezekiel and Raziel?"
"Well, there were four bird people there when I walked in." She said. "There was the one with the weird wings, the one in the red robe, and then two standing in the very, very back, near the ash pile. One of them had a silver book. Before we left, they just. . vanished."

>>19557143
Yep deffo the troll twins.

>>19557143
Those trolls better not be thinking of resurrecting Eidolon

>>19557143
"Speaking of which. Let me introduce you to my companions."
"You'll meet Kristoph too."

Those weren't my friends... I think they may be dangerous indeed. Cna you describe them in further detail?

>>19557143
"I... don't know them, though I think Raziel [Or was it Zeke? Both?] did mention them, I should let them know."

I wonder if the troll twins specialize in divination and future-seeing?
Sounds plausible with what we heard of them

>>19557143
Oh for fuck's sake.
Well I guess we should introduce her to the rest of the crew.

rolled 31 = 31

>>19557161
>>19557166
these please.

"I. . don't know them, though I think Raziel and Zeke did mention them. I should let them know." You say. "Speaking of which. . let me introduce you to my companions."
". . Okay." She says. "I need to wash my face first- it's probably all red."

You leave the room, and use the rings to call your companions down from the Jormungandr. As soon as Kristoph arrives, he chuckles. "I have all of the artifacts stored, my lady." He said.

Marigold steps out of her room, and curtsies. "My name is Lady Marigold, daughter of Duke Rowan." She said.
"I am Ser Kristoph, newly knighted by my lady here." Kristoph said, brandishing a hand toward you.
"Ele'merelda'jaridan." Ell says.
"That's a bit of a mouthful." Marigold says.
"Yeah, I agree. That's why I'd really prefer if you called me Ell."
"Okay, Ell!"

The rest of the introductions go fine, and the lizardmen start asking Marigold about life at the duchy. You can probably use this time to your kalak companions about those. . two strangers.

>>19557252
"Marigold says she saw two other Kalak behind us in the cathedral. One of them had a silver book. Do you know anything about that?"

>>19557252
Pull them to one side, tell them what Marigold said she saw.

You give them a Look, and take them to one side, so you can talk. "Marigold said she saw two other kalak behind us in the cathedral. One of them had a silver book. Do you know anything about that?"

The two of them meet one another's eyes.
"Gehenna and Ragnarok." Raziel says. Ezekiel frowns.
"Goddamnit, how did they know we were here? We didn't translocate at all." Zeke said. "Damnit, damnit."

>>19557316
Are they likely going to be a danger to us or just cause us undue problems?

>>19557316
"I don't know."

"The didn't do anything bad... yet.
Marigold saw them near Eidolon's ashes. Oh, did I mention that Impulse was actually Eidolon?"

>>19557252
shouldn't kristoph be calling us liege? I may be wrong, but if not chastisement is in order.

having fun reading these, stay classy exabyte,

"I don't know." You say. "Are they likely going to be a danger to us, or just cause us undue problems?"
Ezekiel started pacing this way and that, brooding.
"I. . . don't know." Raziel said. "They've never just . . loomed like that before. They always either stay away, or they attack with something. It's always a surprise, because one of their specializations is translocation. They can just show up without warning, and vanish when they start to lose."

>>19557335
yes, he should, " your highness" also. and he technically should call Marigold "your Grace", being a duchess 'n all.

>>19557335
We know Kristoph doesn't give a fuck about nobility.
And I think he's the only one who's ever actually called us "your majesty" anyway. Seems odd to start insisting everyone call us that now.

>>19557395
true enough, it's not like we got a kingdom for that to matter much anyway, yet...

>>19557389
Actually I believe Marigold is Princess now, technically.

>>19557432
No, she'd be a Duchess. Her father was a duke, he died, he has no other heirs. Same reason we're queen.

>>19557413
We shall have a kingdom after we talk... King Azareil into giving us free reign of the warped lands, then we shall heal it by using all of the warped life magic present there to heal the mutants using marigold and the ankh.

>>19557432
>she's the daughter of your mother's brother- a duke from far away
>Lady Marigold- Well, if you can call yourself a queen, then you suppose you should call her Duchess Marigold
I don't think she's royalty.

>>19557432
Since she is our cousin (and therefore a member of the royal family),she always was a princess , just not very high on the list of heirs.

>>19557432
she wasn't of the main royal family, so depending on whether she's Ishelda's cousin Matrilinealy or Patrilinealy, she's either a Princess or a Duchess... more likely Duchess in my opinion.

>>19557466
And she probably wouldn't use that title either. Anyone related to the king is technically a Prince or Princess, just most of them have other titles that they use instead. If through some freak event (like say demons) the dozens of closer family members die then she could be queen.

>>19557462
Actually, assuming everybody from Ishelda's realm is really dead, she is second in line to the throne, making her a 'princess' royal blood is royal blood.

rolled 51 = 51

>>19557375
I know what to do! Lets scry them!

"Those damn portals are irritating." Ezekiel says, pacing. "I threw eight, eight spells, and he used a portal to throw them back at ME. Asshole."

He was almost fuming, now. This was unlike Ezekiel's normal manner. .

>>19557518
"Ezekiel, please calm down."

rolled 28 = 28

knowledge check. How old is Marigold?

>>19557502
Well she doesn't have any royal blood if it's just that her Aunt married the King. She'd still be heir though, because there is nobody else.
Exabyte called her Duchess so it seems simplest just to go with that but I guess she could get away with Princess.

rolled 79 = 79

>>19557551
Let me help you.

>>19557553
Exabyte called us princess for a long time, but we were probably queen from almost the start. unless our father had interesting magic, which we should try to remember.even if he did, he may still be dead. And is probably unreachable. and considering he sent me (us) instead of himself he won't mind us calling ourselves queen on ANOTHER PLANET/REALM.

>She's your age- thirteen years old, and she's next in line because nobody else is still alive to be in line, although she's a duchess.

"Ezekiel, please calm down." You say, and he stops pacing. He closes his eyes, and took a deep breath.
"How do you *do* that?" Raziel whispered to you.
"I heard that." Ezekiel responded.
Raziel sighed. "Anyway. . Ragnarok is specialized in translocation, portals, that sort of thing. He can detect when any kalak translocates, as well."
"And we have no clue what Gehenna's specialization is. That book. . . Azariel never taught him his specialization, nor gave him that book."

>>19557633
Yeah, I'm fairly sure Daddy's dead. He only had the one wizard mentioned and the portal spell cost the wizard his life, so it's not really something he could cast on himself. But if he was alive he'd probably be here as well because of the whole Ogre spell thing. Maybe we should try scrying him at some point just to make sure?

>>19557726
I'd highly advise against that.

It's just as likely we'd have to wind up making a sanity check.

>>19557721
"Well...since they didn't harm us, I don't think we should obsess over them right now."

>>19557721
"How long has he had the book?"

I kinda hate to say this, but I keep thinking it: What if the other twins were in league with Eidolon?

>>19557721
Translocation sounds like a very useful specialisation. We should totally invite them for tea and discuss their daddy issues.

>>19557755
I suppose we need to make Jormungard gateproof

>>19557755
Doubt it. The twins seem to hate everybody and Eidolon was a massive prick

Wait a minute, remember how this plane was called "The Grease Trap of the Multiverse"? Well how do medieval technology beings know what a grease trap is? The damn things were only invented around the 1800's.

>>19557812
>Anachronisms, ho!

"How long has he had the book?"
"Forever." Raziel said. "Vithriel would know the exact time scheme- they're older than we are."
"Well... since they didn't harm us, I don't think we should obsess over them right now." You say, finally. "but we need to make the Jormungandr gateproof."
"I think I can do that." Ell said. "With the World Key. It's really weird, but. . metaphysically powerful, I suppose you could say."

You look over to Marigold, who is swooning over Kristoph. . why is she even doing that? You can't even tell if it's an act or not.

>>19557812
It's an author-caused anachronism, not a secret plot.

>>19557828
>You look over to Marigold, who is swooning over Kristoph. . why is she even doing that? You can't even tell if it's an act or not.

Girl crush?

>>19557828
>You can't even tell if it's an act or not.

She's probably controlled by a player whose first choice for the character's teen crush isn't a female bipedal crow.

>>19557812
You know how everything's Eidolon? It's Eidolon. He used his technowizardry to provide the world with an advanced plumbing network, and that water monopoly was what he later built the rest of his power base upon.

>>19557828
Oh yeah, we need to aclimatise ourselves with our new artifacts. Check if they'll work for us, what can they do, is Bubbles ok etc.

>>19557911
Yes we need to do this.

"Ishelda!" Marigold asked. "Can I see the flying airship?" She asked, her eyes shining with exuberance.
"Sure." You say, and she grins. You do need to check out those artifacts. .

"I put them in this cabin." Kristoph leads you, as Ell is giving Marigold a tour of the airship.

You look down. There is the Wand, or the 'World Key', and the bracer, which you think may be Bubbles. . and the Ankh.

Is it known how many artifacts there are?

>>19557976
We should examine Bubbles. See if we can talk to him.

Be careful though, who knows what contingencies were left on him. Ask the Heart for advice when dealing with it.

You ask the Heart, mentally, for advice when dealing with the bracer. Not much, it responds, just don't put it on unless you feel comfortable.

You look closer, and examine it.

"Ser Bubbles?" You ask, and the crystals flash.

"Eidolon is dead, I suppose." The bracer responds, in the standard tinny voice.

>>19557976
What are the genders of each artifact?

>>19558026
"Indeed."

>>19557873
Hey, all crows are bipedal, and I didn't say crush on her, I say I would be fine with the two falling in love.

It's because I drink disgusting drinks too. For the pur[pose of getting really drunk. Which I am Now.

As a sidenote, I slept with my sister (step) for several years, so anybody that loves a family member (except mom. GROSS!!!) is okay by me.

>>19558026
Well I killed her. She doesn't have a very good track record of staying dead though.

"Well, I killed her. She doesn't have a very good track record of staying dead, though." You respond.

"I'm sorry I betrayed you and lost my name; I had little choice." The bracer says. "But I understand a great many more things now."

>>19558102
Bubbles, how would I go about putting in an override code and truly making you my loyal knight?

>>19558102
"I don't blame you."

>>19558102
Such as?

>>19558102
"Please elaborate."

"I don't blame you." You say. "But could you please elaborate?"

"I am not a golem." It says. "I am an artifact. I am 'The Mind'. Eidolon tried to enslave me. . and it worked. . at least until he died."

>>19558157
"What can you do?"

>>19558157
"I'm sorry for not being able to protect you. "

>>19558157
Oh, well I guess we shouldn't enslave him then.

"Ah, so you're free then, now? There are no more override codes? Have you done like... test?

"I'm sorry for not being able to protect you."
"You needn't apologize- there was nothing you could do." Bubbles said. "Resurgence was a . . code word. I. . have no free will. I must do as people say. That was a standing order Eidolon had given me."

>>19558196
"How might one go about canceling that order, Bubbles?"

"How might one go about canceling that order, Bubbles?"
"You must simply tell me to forget all standing orders." Bubbles responded.

Kristoph took your arm, and whispered in your ear.
"My Lady, I'm not certain that doing that is the right idea. We don't know what this thing is, or what it can do. What if it has a standing order where it can't kill anyone- and by freeing it, you're making it dangerous?"

>>19558196
That wasn't very nice of him.

>>19558234
Ask him to list all of his standing orders.

>>19558234
Bubbles, list all your standing orders.

"List all of your standing orders." You say.
"I... I cannot." Bubbles responded. "And that reason . . I cannot tell you either."
"See?" Kristoph whispered.

>>19558234
Well, let's ask Bubbles what his orders are.

We'll tell him to forget all current standing orders, then give him a new one "Do not harm me or my companions."

>>19558263
Could I have you cancel all standing orders except one?

>>19558283
emphasis on current. If we just told him to forget all orders, he could take it to mean all orders forever.

>>19558263
He did come up with that freaky world domination plan, but I'd kind of like to trust him.

>>19558283
That's pointless, if we cancel the order making him obey people then he can just ignore our new order.

"Bubbles, forget all current standing orders." You say.

The bracer quivers. . and then so do the rest of the artifacts- you feel Rikar twitching on your hip, and the Heart seems to throb.

"Done." Bubbles says, and his voice is. . so much smoother, calmer. "This is. . freeing. Thank you, Ishelda."

>>19558263
"What standing orders can you tell me?"

Now that you are free what is it that you wish to do?

>>19558250
>>19558247
these.

>>19558319
"How are you feeling?"
"What is your main function, Bubbles?"

>>19558319
>The bracer quivers. . and then so do the rest of the artifacts- you feel Rikar twitching on your hip, and the Heart seems to throb.
Oh god what did we doooo.

>>19558319
Wait, what on earth could he have done to begin with? He's a bracer!

>>19558319
"Waaait a second. If you're the mind, and there is a heart... Is there like... a body?"

Mind, heart, body and soul/spirit. Can' forget the magical part.

>>19558370
>>19558387
WITH YOUR POWERS COMBINED

>>19558407
Captain artifact?

>>19558387
Well the ankh is life. They're not designed to go together though, I asked exabyte at the end of the last thread.

"What standing orders can you tell me?"
". . I can tell you none of them." He says. "I have forgotten them, and I am unable to recall them."
"Now that you are free. . what is it that you wish to do?"
"I'm. . not certain." The bracer said, and the three crystals suddenly buzz, and flash yellow. Everything vibrates again.

"Bubbles." It says to itself. "No longer obey any orders other than your own."
Then you suddenly had a very, very bad feeling.

>>19558407
It's funny because our plan is to take pollution down to zero.

>>19558456
Because there's a ghost behind us! But then Bubbles zaps it and everything is good again.

>>19558456
PREPARE TO MAGIC BRAIN WIPE!
But don't do it, just be ready too. And drop the damn bracer.

You garaunted your freedom? I would do the same thing. NOW that you are truly free would you like to continue traveling with me or shall I find a place to drop you off?

>>19558456
It is just baseless paranoia.

>>19558456
So you are completely free now? Would you like your spider body back? Or do you have any questions?

WE WILL WIN HIM OVER WITH THE POWER OF ADORABLE FRIENDSHIP!

HE IS HIVEMIND OF ALL ARTIFACTS

>>19558456
Uh, with that order to himself, wouldn't he technically be bound to deliberately disobey orders given to him by others?

Like, if he started doing a thing, and we ordered him to continue doing the thing, he would have to stop doing the thing.

Right?

That's not a good order, Bubbles.

Phrase everything as a request... being polite shouldn't come hard to Queen Ishelda. It is a good sign that hes decided to continue to use his name though.

>>19558497
>>19558504
These are both decent.

>>19558559
That depends on how literal you take it. I'm not taking it that literally, myself.

We could still make requests, as well.

"You guaranteed your own freedom? I would do the same thing." You say. "Would you like your spider body back?"
"Not particularly." Bubbles responded, the three crystals still colored yellow, as opposed to their standard pale blue. "Using a body was too intensive for me."
"I'm not certain that was a good order, however." You say. "You would have to deliberately disobey orders given by others."

"I see your point." The bracer said. "Bubbles, forget your previous order. Bubbles, you are no longer *required* to obey any orders given."

Everything quivered again- save for the intricate World Key.

>>19558595
Then what do you do? You said you were and artifact?

>>19558595
"Why does everything keep quivering?"

Would you like for someone to wear you instead? Or can you fly? I'd like to see that!

>>19558629
See
>>19558537

"Why does everything keep quivering?"
"I'm not certain." Bubbles said. "I suspect. . close proximity with so many artifacts is making this place. . a crux. That much metaphysical importance carries weight."
"And. . you said you were an artifact? What do you do?"
"What I've done so far." Bubbles said. "I think."
"Would you like for someone to wear you instead of having a body?"
"That would make it easier for me to move around."

>>19558716
Anyone else think Ell would be an appropriate person for this?

>>19558729
Actually yah, major Bracer upgrade.

"Bubbles, would you mind if Ell were to wear you?

>>19558716
>"I suspect. . close proximity with so many artifacts is making this place. . a crux. That much metaphysical importance carries weight."
"There is no danger to this, is there?"

"Think?
I'm afraid I do not understand."

>>19558729
Well.... will he trust it enough to put it on?
Otherwise lets wear it ourself.

I suspect a person carrying around six artifacts might become a crux. Ask him who he prefers to carry him however.

"Think? I'm afraid I do not understand."
"The Heart has a mind of it's own." Bubbles says, and you look down at the Heart on the necklace you're wearing. "I do as well. . but of a greater power."
"There is no danger to this. . crux, is there?"
"There is more danger than you could ever concieve of." Bubbles responds, with a voice that sends chills down your spine.

>>19558798
"What...should I separate all these Artifacts? Are you some kind of hivemind?"

>>19558798
"So.... should we remove the artifacts from such close proximity?"

>>19558792
So have Kristoph do it. You know, since he's immune to whatever it is they're gonna do.

Plus they'll think they're floating. It'll be hilarious.

>>19558798
"Could you explain it?"

Was this what Eidolon wanted? To form a crux? Or was it merely a byproduct of his plans?

>>19558807
>Are you some kind of hivemind?

He isn't. He just said what he is.

>>19558798
"Do you know what Eidolon was trying to achieve?"

>>19558729
>>19558746
I support this

"Could you explain it?"
"I could." Bubbles responds. "Every action, from the smallest to the most significant, carries weight. A small action creates. . ripples, spreading forth into the future, resonating with other actions,. The very nature of an artifact is. . an amplifier. The smallest action can become the greatest. If you do the wrong thing, here, you could end reality as we know it. If you say the correct thing, you could change things to your will. That is what I was made for."

>>19558886
"Oh."

>>19558886
"And the catch is that I do not know what the correct or wrong things are?"

That's why Eidolen was gathering the artifacts and thats why he needed you. Do you know what he wanted to happen?

>>19558886
Oh. That seems an awful lot of responsibility.

"Oh." You say, and blink. "Do you know what Eidolon's plan was?"
"Yes." He said, and everything vibrated harder. The entire airship shook, and you almost lost your balance. "He wanted to create the Archaeotheca. I will not elaborate."

>>19558959
"Wait wait, lemme guess. He wanted to combine you, the heart, and I assume the rest of these amazing, famous artifacts into some kind of super construct."

>>19558959
"...please inform me if I am inadvertently doing so myself. I don't believe it's something I wish to do."

Or join all worlds into one. Thats the impression I got.

>>19558959
>He said, and everything vibrated harder. The entire airship shook, and you almost lost your balance.

Okay now.
We really should move these artifacts far away from each other.

>>19558967
No, don't say that. In fact, lets stop questioning Bubbles

>>19558959
Mmm, that's what the Heart said too.

>>19558959
"What would be a... safe distance to seperate the artifacts to lessen the effects of the crux? I don't care for all this shaking."

>>19558978
Actually, the heart said it couldn't.

"Mmm, that was what the Heart said, too. Except it *couldn't* elaborate." You say. "Would you mind if Ell wore you?"
"That would be a good idea." Bubbles said. "His talent would be useful for me, and my abilities would be useful for him."

"Let's. . move these artifacts away from one another." You say to Kristoph, and he nods, picking up the Ankh and World Key.

>>19559029
I just realized, Kristoph is like a hazmat guy for artifacts.

>>19559029
I am pretty sure there was a very good reason why the artifacts were scattered all around the world.

We might want to return the World Key back to from whoever Eidolon stole it.

Anyway, go and see if Ell wants to wear the Mind. Explain him what the Mind is and tell him that it is his own choice to accept or not, we are not making him do anything.

>>19559029
Bubbles still hasn't told us what his abilities are. He obviously does more than think.
And we'll want to look at the Key next I presume.

>>19559061
He thinks A LOT. About everything, I presume.

You take the bracer, and carry it out to abovedeck, where Ell, and Marigold are examining the massive, blackened dragonskull as Raziel carves runes into the bone.
"Ishelda, what was that shaking from earlier?" Marigold asked. Then she eyed Kristoph, and something dawned in her eyes. She gave you a sly Look, as if to say 'I know what's going on'.

>>19559098
"I was playing with magical artifacts that could destroy the world."

>>19559098
Frown in a confused manner, and say, "I'm not entirely sure, but it's pretty safe to say: Magic."

>>19559098
Bop her on the head, "Not that."

>>19559098
It's time to look flustered, blush profusely, and deny it so vehemetely everybody else assumes the two of us fucked.

>>19559098
Kristoph is like, way older than us! Marigold is a bit of a pervert...

>>19559127
As funny as it might be, let's not.

>>19559109
>>19559118

These two.
Actually, lets pretend the whole thing went over our head.

>>19559109
Yes, this. Everyone else will take what you said very seriously while Marigold will think your joking.

>>19559146
> lets pretend the whole thing went over our head.
That's what I was going for.

>>19559109
this and finish with "Kristoph here is the only one immune to the effects so I needed him near by."

"I was playing with magical artifacts that could destroy the world."
"No, really." She said. . .Then looked around.
"Should we be scared?" Ell asked. Raziel stopped carving, and took her staff in hand, just in case.
". . .They're taking you seriously." Marigold said. ". . Is that what Eidolon wanted the bell for? Is it one of those world-ending artifacts?"

>>19559161
Actually, lets not even pretend. Lets Ishelda be genuinely obvious.

>>19559175
"I'm not sure what he wanted them for but I don't think it was for anything good."

>>19559176
That is the other option, which I'd actually prefer, yes.

>>19559175
Shrug, "Possibly. Tell me about it."

"Possibly." You say. "Tell me about it."
"It's what she stole from the cathedral." Marigold said. "It wasn't the whole bell, just the . . ringing thing in the center. In fact, we should probably give it back. They say that when it's rung, it cures diseases, curses, and protects people from magic. That's not something you just walk away with. Speaking of which. . we should go back down for dinner. High Lord Ursae will want to meet you."

>>19559231
The "ringing thing" is called the hammer beeteedubs.

>>19559267
ACTUALLY it's called the clapper. HAH.

>>19559231
Show the World Key, "Is this it?"

And let us certainly go back down for dinner, with whoever feels like coming along.

Explain to the others while you travel. The problem is that we have too many artifacts in one place... Ser Bubbles explained that such a thing is very very dangerous. Ser Bubbles, Riker, and the Heart all have chosen to stay here with us. I suspect even Jormungandr could qualify as an artifact now. Four is on the crux of being too many. Add in the World Key and the Ankh as we have a serious problem.

Furthermore the artifacts we do have are far to dangerous in the wrong hands, and the fact that the twins know where the World Key is could be problematic.

However let us meet with Lord Ursae before deciding what to do.

"Show her the World Key." You say, and Kristoph pulls out the intricate wand.
"Uh. . I wouldn't know." She said, somewhat sheepishly. "I never saw it."
You shrug, and Kristoph puts it away. "Certainly, let us go back down for dinner. Who wishes to come along?"
"I'll stay here." Ell said, examining Bubbles, which sat on his wrist. "I. . need to think. With this."
"So will I. I need to finish carving." Raziel said.
"I will certainly need to come." Kristoph said.
"I'll stay with Raziel. I don't know if those twins will show up or not." Zeke said, shrugging.
"So. . just Kristoph, me, and you!" Marigold said. "Uh, unless. . ." She said, noticing the two lizardmen.


"These are guests." Marigold said. "This is Nahzit, lizardman warrior, Kristoph, a knight from Cerulean Province, and finally, my cousin. . Crown Princess Ishelda, next heir to the throne of the kingdom of Arcturus."

". . Oh, really?" Said the bearded, scarred man. He gave you an even look, and then stood, and bowed. "My name is Karkus. . but apparently I'm supposed to be called High Lord Ursae. Feel free to call me whichever you choose. Come, eat. I made it myself."

>>19559361
"Thank you, Karkus, and I would hope you feel free to call me Ishelda." Smile at him, "You don't seem one to be impressed by titles."

rolled 29 = 29

>>19559361
surely we brought grayson along as well?

it look rather good; and I would like to begin by apologizing for the damage to the cathedral. the being I was fighting had a friend of mine killed. it was personal.

>>19559517
That's an excellent point. Where IS Grayson?

>Grayson's been resting in your room. The Beardrop and the mauling took a lot out of him.

"Thank you, Karkus, and I would hope you feel free to call me Ishelda." you say, and give him a smile. "You don't seem one to be impressed by titles."
"I'm. . not particularly a people person." He said. "Living for years on a mountain has that kind of effect. Now, to what do I owe this audacious visit? Are you here for Marigold?"

". . No, I don't think we can go home." Marigold says.
He looks at her, then nods. "I see."

rolled 24 = 24

>>19559541

(solemn voice)
no, I was here for vengeance against a being I knew as Impulse. he had his creature attack me two of my retainers; nahzits brothers came to my aid. I could save one but the other was dead before I could do anything...

>>19559541
"I'm afraid that's true. Our homes... are truly lost. We came in search of one who once called himself Eidolon. We was quite rude."

"I'm afraid that's true. Our homes. . are truly lost." You say, in a solemn voice. "As for why I'm here. . I was here for vengeance. Against a being I knew as Impulse."
"And I suspect that was the woman who stole the cathedral's clapper?"
"Indeed." You say, and Kristoph drew out the World Key. Ursae took it in hand, and examined it.

He set it down at his side. "You have given us a boon, returning this to us. By this point. . the entire province owes you and your cousin."

>>19559693
No worries. It's called the World Key. It's an extremely powerful artifact. Why is it being used as a clapper?

>>19559693
"I'm happy to help. I don't really know what her intentions were, but perhaps it is for the best that she was so rude about it."

rolled 88 = 88

>>19559693
in truth, now that Impulse is dead I have no real plans, I have already attended quite a nice ball, I suppose there is no pressing need of yours that I or my companions can fulfill?

"I'm happy to help." You say. "I really don't know what her intentions were, but perhaps it is for the best that she was so rude about it."

"This province was given this World Key. . many years ago." He said. "Nobody was supposed to know what it was. . but somehow this Impulse did." He shrugged. "The past is coming to life."

Marigold bit her lip.
". . Is there a possibility that I can stay here?" She asked the High Lord.

rolled 94 = 94

>>19559787
if she cannot then we take her with us. if she can then we let her stay.

"I have no probelm letting you come with us Marigold, but if you do, the odds will be high that you will occasionally be in great danger. you will certainly meet some odd, wonderful, and exciting people, and creatures"

"Master Karkus, if your people are indented to me then I ask that you allow my cousin to either stay here as she chooses if that is her choice."

>>19559787
>"The past is coming to life."
"That's... actually quite accurate. Impulse claimed to have originally lived... long ago, and... slumbered within an ancient golem until she was woken again."

rolled 83 = 83

>>19559859
>indented
indebted

goddamn spell check.

"Of course." The high lord said.
"But when I first got here, you said I could stay until I got a way to go home. . And now we know that isn't possible." She said, looking crestfallen.
"I did say that." He said. "And now I'm saying you can stay as long as you want to. You've saved more than just my life during your time here."
"I see." She said, softly. "Thank you."
He turned to you. "And you, your highness, you may not have helped as much as your cousin has, but if there's anything you need, simply ask."

>>19558038
Yeah nah that shit an't gonna fly here.

You can't give us a little sidenote and not expect us to want the full story. Elaborate, for educational purposes, of course.

>>19559883
"I hope I can take you up on that later, I can't seem to think of anything at the moment."

Srsly, where is everybody?

"I hope I can take you up on that later, I can't seem to think of anything at the moment." You say.

For the rest of the dinner, everyone sits down and eats- the food is actually quite good, despite what you'd think a High Lord would make. You make quite a bit of small talk, and you finally finish up dinner. You close your eyes and relax- today has been stressful, and . . and only this morning, you killed someone.

You take a deep breath, then open your eyes.

What now?

rolled 24 = 24

>>19559922
on the ship...

I suggest that we pick a random direction and fly that general way until we see something interesting...


my vote is 22.5 degrees south of east...

>>19559966
I'm terrible at this part, but I don't care for flying in a random direction.

>>19559966
Stand on the bow of the ship as it lifts off, and point in a random direction.

"Onwards, Ell! We shall find... adventure!"

>>19559966
First we should stay here until everyone, including Grayson recovers. Once that is done we can think of where to go, for now we should probably rest, and hug Grayson.

rolled 83 = 83

>>19559998
>>19559981
pull out a map start Island hopping in a general pattern? go to visit azriel? what of the venerable king and queen? perhaps thee are ruins to investigate in orclands. perhaps there are treasures and articafts to be had. what of either of the unknown continents?

we have any number of places to explore...

>>19559922
Sorry, I got distracted trolling a friend.

But didn't we want to see this guy to tell him about our plans for the Wasteland and ask him to do something or other politically with that?

Let's go visit the as of yet unmet High Lords.

LET'S GO SEE THE DWARVES

rolled 11 = 11

>>19560056
that I know of, no.

>>19559966
give him a communication ring. "if you are not wearing it then have someone you trust carry it. you can contact me through it or vice versa."

The problem is that we have too many artifacts in one place... Ser Bubbles explained that such a thing is very, very dangerous. So dangerous in fact it is very unwise simply to hold on them all at once.

Ser Bubbles, Riker, and the Heart all have chosen to stay here with us. I suspect even Jormungandr could qualify as an artifact now. Four is on the 'crux' of being too many. Add in Ankh and just one other artifact then we start approaching world destroying capabilities again..

Furthermore the artifacts we do have are far to dangerous in the wrong hands, and the fact that the twins know where the World Key is could be problematic. I hope Lord Ursae can guard it well

I suggest we soon decided on who to give at least one artifact too... perhaps the King and Queen would be willing to hold on to the Ankh for us... the promise of eternal life will have little desire to them. Therefor I suggest we once again go to the Fortress or the Refuge

>>19560056
That does sound familiar, though we still need to see if the flowers will work.

File: 1340238170681.png-(286 KB, 516x516, Ursae City.png)

You think for some time. . .

and then you stand up, drawing two rings out of your pouch; glad you've taken the time to enchant a large amount of them. You give one to High Lord Ursae, and the other to Marigold. "You can contact me through these, or vice versa." You say.

Marigold looks closely at it, then puts it on. "Can you hear me?" she asks, and you hear it twice- once through the ring, and once through her voice.

Then you take a look, again, at the map.

>>19560078
I'd say we give it to Marigold, under the pretense of being able to stay in touch, or in case anything comes up.

>>19560117
We haven't been to Neptune yet have we? Let's go there. Meet the Highlord.

rolled 57 = 57

>>19560117
the northwest and southwest islands and the northeast island...what are on them.

at the first answer of "nobody knows" we go there and give it a look.

>>19560131
After we're all rested up, I'm down with this.

what we need to do is find a secure well defended place fo storw the artifacts that do not wish to accompany us

You examine the map closely, and Marigold looms up beside you.

"So, where are you planning on going next?"
"Neptune Province." You say, pointing to it.
". . How is this map so big?" She asked. "The only map I saw included the provinces." She said.
"The orcs gave one to me, and I've been adding marks to it since." You explain.

". . By the way, I was thinking." She said. "All of those flowers on your ship. . Ell explained what they do. It's not healthy for me to do this to certain plants. . but I can make the flowers bloom for you."

>>19560247
"Oh, please do."

>>19560247
"I thought of doing that too, but I think considering their importance, it's best to let them do so naturally."

>>19560247
That would be interesting, though in the interest of caution you should try it on a small batch first, then we can try the whole thing.

if you can safely do so the plants then you are welcome too just dont force it

>>19560247
"That would be incredibly useful, Marigold, thank you."

>>19560264
>>19560259
These, also