One moment, you were riding on the Sgragol's back, which you were thinking of naming Sir Davidson, or Comrade Fluffypaws, with Kaliel clinging rather closely to you. Your magic was drained, for the most part.
The next, a much larger, angrier Sgragorl had torn a chunk out of your mount, and you were falling. Quickly, you drew all of the energy out of your armor to make sure you had enough.
Kaliel cried something, but through the rustle of leaves and the crashing of snapping branches, you couldn't hear. Your connection with the sgragol cried 'pain, hurt, fear', and it roiled up inside of you-
And then something cracked, and you couldn't hear anything but high pitched keening, and your vision was completely white. Your mind was fogged, and it was difficult to even think. You noted your connection with the sgragol was changing. From fear, it turned to exhaustion. and from exhaustion, it turned into something. . something darker, something worse- and then it broke.
Dumbly, you realize that you just felt the sgragol die.
Two hands place themselves on your cheeks, and suddenly your hearing and sight returns to you. Kaliel's leg was covered in blood, and you were in a jungle, with muck covering the ground, and the body of the sgragol not far from you. There was no evidence of either the dire sgragol or the minotaur, strangely, as you blinked around and tried to get your eyes to focus properly- they refused to.
"-can't fix much more than that." Kaliel was saying, but it sounds. . muffled, somehow. You were sitting up on a fallen log, apparently dragged there by Kaliel. "I'm not a healer. You hit your head on something. Can you hear me?"

>>20531569
"Sort of. My ears are messed up I think."
Try and stand up.

>>20531569
"Yes, I can. Don't worry, I already feel a bit better. Thank you."
Try to contact our friends with our ring.

rolled 53 = 53

>>20531569
Try and heal ourselves with that energy we took from the crystals.

"Sort of." You say. "I already feel a bit better. Thank you."
You try to reach into your inner magic . . but it seems much, much too far away. . So instead, you try to activate the ring but the all-pervading fog in your head makes it impossible. You stand, and everything spins- you lean on Kaliel, who keeps you standing.
"Shit, okay." She said, holding you up with impressive strength. "They killed the sgragol, and the other one died in the fall. I don't know where the 'taur went."
She looked this way and that, but didn't seem to see anything.
"How are you on magic? Can we contact the ship?" She asked, and took a step, limping slightly- she didn't seem to notice.

"I'm okay... I think. What about you? You're bleeding."

>>20531662
That seems a bit railroad-y but okay.
"I can't focus enough to contact the ship, and my magic is completely drained."

>>20531662
Can't...
You try using the ring.
Are you ok?

>>20531662
"Not right now. I can't seem to reach my magic. Are you okay? You're limping.

>>20531662
"I think my head still hasn't recovered, I doubt I'll be able to cast anything."
>I probably wasted a lot of my power on some idiotic idea that wouldn't work on anything other than a nat 100.
"I still have the ring, but can't use it. Could you try?"
Hand Kal the ring.

>>20531682
We've never tried to use magic with a concussion. It would be railroady if there was a precedent of sorcery working with concusions, but there isn't.

If our head is to fuzzy to focus give her our magic ring so she can use it. We need to call for help.

>>20531662
"Kal, you're limping. Are your legs okay?"

"What about you? Kal, you're limping."
"Right." She said. She touched her leg, and hissed loudly. Dimly, as if from far away, you sense that strange, corrupted life magic. Her entire body wracked with pain, and she tensed up for a moment. "Broken bone. Fixed it."
"I can't focus enough to contact the ship, and I can't. . reach my magic." You say. "Could you try?"
You hand her the ring. She slips it on, and focuses.
"They're coming." She said. "If they can even find us. They know the general area, but-"
Suddenly, there was a loud bellowing from the jungle in the distance- the telltale sound of a very angry minotaur. It stomped out toward you, maul in hand. Kaliel hissed a spell, and flung a sphere of fire at the minotaur. The explosion didn't even rock it back, simply singing the fur. It tried to hack through the brush to get to you, but the axe got stuck in one of the trees. The minotaur roared again, and started to wrestle with the uncooperative weapon.

>>20531758
>Specifying- it's an axe, not a maul. Whoops.

>>20531758
We can't really run or use magic, so...
Get Rikar out. There's only one and we should be able to block his attacks and survive for a while.

>>20531758
If we're too concussed to fight, then throw Rikar to Kaliel. Otherwise charge that cow fucker while he can't fight back.

>>20531758
Magic doesn't work, concussion, possible injuries, hurt friend.
Time to run into the densest part of the jungle, hoping that its size will slow the minotaur down.
Oh, and grab Kaliel's hand so we don't get seperated.
"Run."

>>20531758
Stab it with Rikar. It's using a long weapon, so if we can get close we render it ineffective.

>>20531758
Look at our hand. How many fingers do we have?
If the answer's anything but five, run.

rolled 38 = 38

ttry atlest to summon wrath elemtal for the pain the taur brought upon a killed friend

We WILL protect Kali!

Try soulfire. Try rage elementals.

We will slow it down with our own corpse if we have to, it will not get her!

rolled 46 = 46

>>20531835

rolled 42 = 42

>>20531835

Try again with dice.

rolled 36 = 36

>>20531835
How about adding a roll

You quickly draw Rikar, and it gleams, the amethyst blade perfectly normal. When you have it in hand, you feel. . more together, so to speak, and your eyes focus once again. You reach for your magic, experimentally, but it's still beyond your grasp, but you once again have full grasp of movement.
Kaliel fires two more bolts of flame, but they slam into the minotaur ineffectually. She throws a different spell, one that leaves frost in its wake, and it's just as inneffectual as the flame.
You examine your spare hand, and your five fingers are perfectly in focus. Rikar must be helping you, somehow.
You stop hanging onto Kaliel.
"Can you fight?" She asked.
In response, out of your spare hand, the soulflame serpent uncoils itself. You can't use your sorcery. . but for some reason, the soulflame is working.

>[] Attack
>[] Other
>[] Item
>[] Run

rolled 8 = 8

Burn it with fire!

rolled 94 = 94

>>20531870
[other] Sunder the axe.

rolled 52 = 52

>>20531870
Use Soulfire to distract 'taur and get in close with Rikar for stabbings.

rolled 32 = 32

>[] Attack

We didn't spend two years training with Redglare for nothing.

Fire and sword!

rolled 25 = 25

>>20531870
Soulflame is a different talent from our normal sorcery, right? Use it in combination with Rikar.

>>20531887
Fuck that axe.

rolled 96 = 96

>>20531887

THANK YOU!

You may have just saved us.

>>20531910
>>20531887
The dice gods are displeased with the axe.

>>20531870
>>[] Other
Look at our surroundings. Anything we could use to our advantage?

You step back, and then charge. With your empty hand, you direct the soulflame first at the axe, boring through the handle. The minotaur tugs at the same time, and the axe cracks, the handle coming off of the axe. Next, you slam the soulflame serpent at the minotaur itself. The beast screams in agony as the serpent swells, growing dark, and entangles the beast's neck, scalding away what it can.
Dire magic fills the beast, and thick layers of fat start growing up around it's neck. It turns to you, maddened-

And you skid right past the minotaur, rikar slashing through it's leg in your wake, The minotaur falls to it's remaining knee, and then it roared.

What responded were more roars. More minotaurs.
"They can't find us!" Kaliel called. "They're above, but they can't see us through the foliage."

The injured, legless minotaur started crawling, trying to turn around to get at you.

>>20531921

Indeed. The axe will trouble us no longer.

Fear and respect the wrath of the dice gods.

rolled 68 = 68

>>20531949
Slash his arm.

>"They're above, but they can't see us through the foliage."

Send up a flair with soulfire.

>>20531949
Time to start moving. We really do need to waste any more time on this minotaur.
"Kaliel, warn the others that there are more flying minotaurs in the area."

>>20531949
Fucking finish him. He killed General Davepaws.

>>20531949
We're in touch range. Use is magic for a signal flare.

>>20531968
The only thing better than this would be to use the light spell Zeke taught us. Chekhov's Classroom indeed.

>>20531949
Wow that thing really is tenacious. Could we try to knock him out and magic some sense into him afterwards?

You quickly slash the minotaur's arm, and it falls off as well. The downed minotaur snarls, and starts sparking with dire magic. You touch it, and try to drain it- but the ability to control magic, like you discovered in the weave, is far beyond your grasp- almost harder than sorcery, it feels like. You shove the sharp end of Rikar into the base of it's skull, and the minotaur collapses, dead.

You make your way back to Kaliel. "Kali, warn the others that there are more flying minotaurs in the area." You say, and she nods. You twist your hands into the position Zeke had taught you, and whisper the spell.

Your magic bursts free, wild, completely uncontrollable, sending sparks up against the trees. You can cast it, but it's impossible to control the spell like this, with your mind still fogged.
"They saw something." Kaliel said. "Was that a light spell? Let me try." She said. She twisted her hands, and shoved a blinding, pure red beam straight up into the sky- an obvious beacon.

One of the nearby trees started cracking as minotaurs tried to shove their way through. They had stopped using weapons entirely, having used dire magic to turn their hands into talons.
"We. . We don't have time." Kaliel said. She clenched her fist, tightly. "Please. . please don't- don't think less of me. I'm going to. . let it free."

>>20532060
I won't think less of you for saving my life, silly.

>>20532060
Lightly put our hand on her shoulder, then step back.

>>20532060
"Just make sure you'll be alright Kal. I'll be at your side."
Time to put Rikar to more use.

rolled 71 = 71

>"Please. . please don't- don't think less of me. I'm going to. . let it free."

"Don't, just stay behind me, you'll be okay.

I don't want you to risk yourself like that. That is a last resort only."

C'mon soulfire dice.

>>20532060
"I can hold them off until the other get here."
Soulfire. Rikar. Burn. Slash. Stab.

You put your hand on her shoulder, and she takes a deep breath as you step back.
The tree cracked, and a minotaur burst out, roaring angrily-
And it started to snarl.
"The general's been looking for y-" It snarled-

And then Kaliel touched the minotaur's leg.

It screamed, and the minotaur's ribcage exploded outwards, the bones sharpening into points as the beast's internal organs seemed to . .grow, and swell, red vine-like tendrils bursting through the minotaur's body. It started gagging, and dry heaving, falling to it's knees. Out of the minotaur's back, three pseudopods burst out, and . . opened, showing off half a dozen differently-sized eyes.
The. . thing, swelled again, the minotaur fur splitting apart.

Kaliel was perfectly silent, the storm of red, coiling growths coiling around her, leaving her a bubble of open space.

One of the other minotaurs burst through the trees, and the . . thing exploded, an uncountable number of jawbones bursting free and snatching the minotaur, entangling it, and. . chewing at it, all in visible view. The tendrils burst into the second 'taur, and it screamed, recoiling away. there was a savage crunch, and you couldn't see the second minotaur anymore. the . .'thing' swelled again. . a pseudopod slamming into a third minotaur, and then wrapping around it's leg and tugging it backward, into the thing's. . horrible maw. It screamed.
>field too long

The roaring stopped.
A minotaur looked through the trees. .
And turned around.
And ran.

One of the pseudopods slid down to you, the eight unblinking eyes staring at you-
and then one blinked, and it moved on. One of the tendrils grabbed a tree, and uprooted it, as the thing's maw started chowing down on it.
"No." Kaliel said. The massive beast stopped swelling. It only pulsed, once or twice- the sight almost seems to claw at your sanity, for a moment.
"Sleep." She said, and the beast set down the tree.
"D-die." She said, a third time, her voice cracking halfway through.
The beast started burbling, and melting away.
Kaliel sniffed.
"The ship will be here soon." She said, and wiped at her eyes.

>>20532190
hug time. Don't put Rikar away though.

>>20532190
Hugs for our brave hero.

>>20532190
"Wow"
Initiate comforting huggles.

>>20532190
"that was fucking awesome! You controlled a shoggoth!"

>>20532200
>>20532208
>>20532219
Motion to hug sustained.

Hug her.

"Thank you Kali, you saved us."

Kiss on the cheek.

>>20532226
Which started brutally consuming everything. And then she had to kill the thing she created while still connected to its mind. It was awesome, but we definitely shouldn't be so enthusiastic about it.

>>20532226
I think hugs paired with silence are the best thing to do right now.

>A minotaur looked through the trees. .
>And turned around.
>And ran.

Kali just earned major hero points for saving her love and MASSIVE bad-ass points!

She made a shoggoth!

Casting my vote in the waifu wars.

[x] Kaliel

You give her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, Kali. You saved us."
"N-not all of us." She said, looking at the rapidly boiling and dissolving monster she'd made. "They aren't- they aren't ready for living here. And we aren't. . we aren't ready for things like them."
Kali just tightened her arms around you.

One of Jormungandr's spellcannons blasted away at the remainder of the massive, swollen monster, the tendrils boiling away and charring, as Jormungandr set down. A spell suddenly grips you, and slowly levitates you and Kali onto the ship, Zeke's hand twisted into the spell as he levitates you and her onto the ship.
"Are you okay?" Leon asked.

>>20532294
Please be so kind and keep the blatant waifu crap to the after-thread party.

>>20532296
Don't let go of Kaliel.
"We're fine, thanks to Kali."

>>20532294
fuck off dumb cunt

>>20532296
"No. Not really. We're both hurt, and I… I… I can't…" trail off.

>>20532296
"Mostly. I think it couldn't hurt to have Fellwind take of us, though."

"We'll be okay but they killed the sgragol.

Before it dies one of the 'taurs said its leader was looking for me.

They know about us, we have to assume they know we plan to close the portal and stop them.

No more distractions. Cloak the ship, ascent above the clouds and set course for the portal.

We close it before they have the chance to send anything else to stop us."

*Just keep holding Kaliel for a while.*

>>20532325

Great social skill. I bet you have LOADS of friends.

>>20532376
Well, let's hope this concussion can be cleared up in time to be able to do that.

"No. Not really. We're both hurt, and I… I… I can't…We're alive, thanks to Kali."
"Get Fellwind." Kaliel said. "Ishelda hit her head, and I was able to put part of it back together, but. . she still has some kind of concussion. She can't reach her magic."
"No more distractions." You say. "Cloak the ship, ascend above the clouds, and set course for the portal."
The next few minutes are a blur. During the point, you let go of Rikar, and the sword took that moment to stop assisting you, and once again, your vision refused to focus, and your balance was unsteadied again. You end up in your cabin, with Fellwind's dry, soft hands pressed against your head.
"Don't try to use your magic." He said, in a low, soft voice. Grayson was napping in the corner of the cabin, mouth gaping as he snored quietly. "I don't know how similar it is to wizardry, but if you reach for it, it might make things harder for you. I've healed most of it, but you need to rest for the next few hours, and your magic should return to you."

>>20532308
This quest has a romance sub-plot. What's the point of leaving plot development until after the thread is over?

Kaliek likes Ishelda. This just impressed the crap out of me so I cast my vote.

>>20532418
"Alright. How's Kali?"

>>20532418
"Thanks Fellwind."

rolled 70 = 70

>>20532396
Me thinks he just doesn't want this to turn into msq, which is apparently plaugued with waifu stuff. Let's keep romantic interests on the side rather than making it the focus of discussion, hell we've been courting kal (somewhat) for two threads now, and still made progress, let's keep it that way.

>>20532418
"Fellwind? Thank you. Kal's okay, right?"

>>20532462
I think they might also want to meet the last waifu before choosing.
Which at this point would feel rather artificial and meta if you ask me.
Now let's stop discussing it before a waifu border skirmish happens.

"Thanks, Fellwind." You say. He nods.
"It's why I came here." He said. "To make up for thinking a little girl to be something evil. You're welcome to ask me to do anything."
"How's Kali?" You ask.
"Kali? She said she'd be fine. Her leg was covered in blood, but I didn't see any cuts." He said. "Want me to get her?"

>>20532490
"Please do."

rolled 63 = 63

>>20532484
Agreed

Thank Felwind ask if they had trouble with the flying minotaur, and then ask if kals alright.

"Please do." You say.
He nods. "If you need anything, just throw something at the bear over there and ask him- he was very determined to watch over you."
Fellwind got up and left the cabin. You hear him say something to Jeanne, and then a few minutes later, Kaliel came in, hood down on her robe. She was playing with your communication ring, which was still in her hands, and she set down the sheathed Rikar on one of the chairs.
"Fellwind said you wanted to see me." She said, somewhat awkwardly.

>>20532462

Agreed. Just to be clear. NOT suggesting suddenly going OOC and jumping her bones.

That would be dumb and wouldn't fit the character at all.

Just placing my vote for future plot development.

And now back to out regularly scheduled quest threat.

>>20532537
That was AMAZING.

Terrifying, but AMAZING.

rolled 78 = 78

>>20532537
Just wanted to make sure you're okay, and to ask you on what you think about the.manotaur that spoke.

>>20532537
"Would you like to have one of these rings?"
Then motion for her to sit on our bed.
"I just wanted to make sure you don't think I like you any less than before you showed me your talent. I know what it feels like when you think other people consider you weird, an abomination, or even a monster.
And let me assure you, you're none of these."
Another hug.

>>20532571
this

"Are you all right? My head's a bit fuzzy, did I thank you for saving me?

That was incredibly brave Kali, thank you."

*Once she's gone climb out of bed and curl up on Grayson.*

Sleep off injuries and prepare to wake up feeling like we drank a barrel of swamp brew the night before.

"Are you alright?" You ask, and she nods. "My head's a bit fuzzy. Did I thank you for saving me?"
"Y-yeah, you did." She said. You motion for her to sit on your bed, and she does.
"That was incredibly brave, Kali." You say, and hug her. "I just wanted to make sure you don't think I like you any less than before you showed me your talent. I know what it feels like when you think other people consider you weird, an abomination, or even a monster. And let me assure you, you're none of these."
She returned your hug.
"Thank you." She said, and looked at the ring for a moment. "Marigold called you, while you were. . hurt. She said that Lewin contacted her, and that the five of them are on their way back to new Arcturus." She said. "Do you want me to tell her anything?"

Stick your tongue in her butt.

>>20532632
"Did you tell her that I was hurt?"

>>20532632
"Of course. I always tell Mar everything. Well, almost everything. Oh, and tell her how we did Raziel's hair. I'm sure she'll love it."

>>20532637

Sorry but someone rolled a 1 for that in the last thread.

It will NEVER happen.

rolled 1 = 1

>>20532655
Noko dice, genius. Rolling for you not being a newfag.

"Did you tell her that I was hurt?"
"I did, and she got worried and was about to prepare coming here herself." She said. "So I told her that we had an Ursae healer onboard, and she calmed down."
"I always tell Mar everything." You say. "Well, almost everything. Oh, and tell her how we did Raziel's hair. I'm sure she'll love it."
"I will." She said. "And, well, did you see Raziel? She has wings, now. I don't know how she made a chimeric form without asking me for help. . but she did."

Should probably check in with them, make sure they're not being mind controlled, but I think it be nap time.

>>20532691
"Wha- but that means she saw..." blush "nevermind."

"Raz has wings? You don't mean she turned back to her Kalak form do you.

What do they look like?

>>20532691
"That means Zeke must have shown her his picture. Can you ask her to come here? I must see."

rolled 92 = 92

>>20532666
>>20532655
Well. It looks like you'll be a newfag forever. Maybe if I get 100 you'll get some experience.

"Raz has wings?" You ask. "You don't mean she turned back to her Kalak, form do you."
"Her form is mostly human, but she has kalak wings." She said. "It's strange, but she should be able to fly."
"That means Zeke must have shown her his picture." You say. "Can you ask her to come here? I must see."
"Okay." she said- she took your hand and gave it a squeeze, and made her way out of the room. Grayson chuckled, and you see that he's awake- he must have been acting the entire time.
"She smells of something new." He said, and tapped his thick boot against the ground. "Like the ankh."

rolled 1 = 1

>>20532735
Sorry, but you had to beat a 100.
I'll try one more time.

>>20532743
"I think it's her passion magic. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried, but she can control it, so..."

rolled 1 = 1

>>20532755
Definitely rolling 1d100.

>Roling for no more newfagginess.

rolled 51 = 51

I'd post buit I'm quite too drunk to post anything focehrwetent so let' sayt drolling for a new talent "Water Control" like out magi control but water.

>>20532743
She turned a minitaur into something strange, which proceeded to eat the other, she saved us both.

>tapped his thick boot against the ground

Oh, right. He's still in human form, guess we can't curl up in his fur after all.... We need to do something about this!

"Yes, I saw her talent. It was very impressive, but.... Wrong somehow.

Not wrong meaning bad. She said it just wasn't meant for this world."

>>20532743
"I think it's what her passion draws out, or… something like that. I think she used it to force heal her leg in the jungle. She was using I before, as well."

"Yes, I saw her talent. It was very impressive, but.... Wrong somehow. Not wrong meaning bad. She said it just wasn't meant for this world."
"It isn't meant for this world." He said. "She made it. Evocation made itself. Divination made itself. Transmutation made itself. Whatever she made, she built it, out of the cast-offs of transmutation, healing, and enchantment. It doesn't know what it is. It smells. . insane."
He shrugged, and then layed back in his chair, closing his eyes again.

Raziel and Kaliel stepped in, Raziel's wings sticking out of her back- it was similar to ezekiel's picture- in fact, as you examine it more closely, you see that it's exactly like zeke's picture.
"How are you doing?" She asked.

>>20532867
"I'm doing okay. So I assume Zeke showed you that picture?"

>>20532867
"Iamfine,butohmygoodness-these are so awesome. Isn't it great how your brother can draw things just from his imagination ? He has that one picture of m... never mind. Can I have a pair of those once I'm healed?"

"I'll be fine. More importantly, tell me about yourself.

You have wings! They're beautiful. Can you fly yet? How did you get them? Is that a chimaera form, how did you make it?"

*Our best friend (except Grayson) just walked through the door with big angel wings. Questions. All the questions.*

>>20532867
Blush as Ishelda realized implicated implied implications.

"I-I've been b-better. I l-like your wings. Kali, can you give me a moment alone with Raziel?"

After Kali leaves, "S-so... Did you see all of his p-pictures? I swear I didn't model for him..."

rolled 1 = 1

>>20532929
Rolling for you to stay here forever and not be a newfag.

>>20532943
You have to leave forever and be a perma newfag elsewhere.

>>20532943
Dude. The joke has run its course. Let the poor guy be.

rolled 1 = 1

>>20532929
Rolling for your tongue to avoid your butt.

>>20532967
Whoops. Looks like you tongued your own butt. Entirely unavoidable. The dice gods have spoken.

>>20532967
OH GOD! IT'S ON A COLLISION COURSE!

>>20532949
>>20532961

Guys, don't feed the trolls.

He's just flogging a dead horse trying to get a reaction.

>>20532986
Is that a reaction I see?

How does your butt feel?
Did it taste good?

>>20532867
"You, umm, didn't see the one of me did you?"

"Iamfine,butohmygoodness-" You say, grinning. "You have wings! They're beautiful. Can you fly yet? How did you get them? Is that a chimera form? How did you make it?
She laughed, and sat at the foot of your bed.
"I can't fly yet, and I made it just by. . I don't know. Whim, I suppose."
"It should have killed you, Raz." Kaliel said, and took your hand again.
"So. . I assume zeke showed you that picture?"
"He showed me a lot of his paintings." She said- and suddenly you recall the one of yourself, and start blushing.
"I-I swear I didn't model for him..." You say, your cheeks burning. Raziel laughs again.
"I know you didn't." She said.
Kaliel looked rather confused. . and then sat up.
"I will be back." She said, with a sudden grin. "I'm going to go talk to Zeke."

>>20532935
This.

>>20533005
"B-but... *sigh* oh fine. If Raziel has seen it, I suppose you can too."

>>20533005
"OhgodwhathaveIdone"

>>20533005
Hug Raziel.
"I am so glad you're feeling better. It might not be fitting for a necromancer, but I really prefer to see you happy. And can you use your ring to tell Zeke not to show it to her?"

>>20533005
"NO! As your queen, I command it! You are forbidden!" Maximum blush.

>>20533005
Grin, "Noooo, don't do it. I forbid you, Kali." Obviously joking. "I guess it can't hurt... But it's so embarrassing."

*Blush so hard all the blood rushing to our head causes us to faint.*

*Come around to grinning faces of Kali and Raz.*

"You've seen the picture too now haven't you?"

>>20533005
I am autismal and what is this.

"B-but. . ." You say, trailing off, and then you sigh, ignoring the heat in your cheeks "I guess it can't hurt... but it's so embarrassing."
"Embarrassing?" Kali asked, and grinned, and then sat back down at the foot of the bed. "I wouldn't want to embarrass you, so. . "
She shrugged.
"I'm so glad you're feeling better, Raziel." You say, and hug her. "It might not be fitting for a necromancer, but I really prefer to see you happy."
"Maybe I should wear a black cloak and be all mopey." She said, and grinned. "Maybe one that covers my eyes or something. I'm glad you're okay."
Her grin fell, and she turned from Kaliel back to you.
"If you don't mind can you tell me what happened? All we saw was a sgragol collide with yours, and heard a bunch of minotaurs roaring, and saw. .S-something on the ground. Kaliel. . refused to explain to us, and said she wanted you to say anything, if at all."

>>20533129
Put an arm around Kaliel.
"It was Kaliel's passion. She turned one of the minotaurs into a... I don't think there's a name for it. She saved us with it though."

>>20533129
"Kaliel, I won't tell anything you don't want me to."
Depending on her answer, give Raz at least the basics.
Minotaur on corrupted sgragol attacked us, newly befriended sgragol died, terrible experience because of the spell connecting our minds, we fought more minotaurs, then you guys rescued us."

>>20533129
"Yes, definitely. And black wings as well."
Giggle. "Oh Raz, I love your wings." Touch azure wing.

"A minotaur riding a mutated sgragol attacked us.
One of them said their leader's been looking for me.
That must have been a search party sent out to find us.

The 'creature' you saw was one of Kaliels creations. She made it to defend us."

Kaliel saved us.

>>20533129
"I don't really think that would entirely fit you, Raz."
"I'm... not sure what to say. We fell, the- the sgragol died, Kali healed me as much as she could, then the minotaur showed up. I killed him, holding Rikar helped a lot with the concussion. Another got through the trees, and said their general had been looking for me. Then... " Squeeze Kaliel's hand, "Then Kaliel... changed him. It was amazing, but... I'm not sure I have the right words, but if she hadn't, I'm not sure we would have lasted long enough for the rest of you to arrive."

>>20533222
and thats really all there is to say on the matter

"Kaliel, I won't tell anything you don't want me to." You say.
"Go ahead." She said. "Tell her what you want."
"Okay. . A minotaur, riding a mutated sgragol attacked us. We fell, the- the sgragol died." You say, shuddering at the memory of feeling it's death. "Kali healed me as much as she could, then the minotaur showed up. I killed him, holding Rikar helped a lot with the concussion. Another got through the trees, and said their general had been looking for me. Then... " You squeeze Kaliel's hand. "Then Kaliel... changed him. It was amazing, but... I'm not sure I have the right words. But if she hadn't, I'm not sure we would have lasted long enough for the rest of you to arrive. Kaliel. . saved us."
"It spoke?" Kaliel asked. "I wasn't. . in a state to hear, right then. I was. . elsewhere."
Her eyes flashed a shimmered for a moment- if you'd blinked, you would have missed it.
"They were looking for you?" Raziel asked, and sighed. "This is ... problematic." She said. "How would they know we're here, and that we intend on closing the portal? Nobody escaped from the bastion."

>>20533307
"I... I don't know. Perhaps Dras'lea informed them, if she's still here?"

>>20533307
"The lady who brough them here could have told them. She might have predicted our intervention."
Take a deep breath.
"Could the two of you stay for a bit? I don't really want to be on my own after feeling our friend's demise."

>>20533327
Here, there, whichever.

>"How would they know we're here, and that we intend on closing the portal?

All the 'taurs we've seen have dier magic, maybe that's not all they have. Perhaps their general has the power of vision or has some access to visions.

Perhaps there's a third party involved. We know that mysterious woman has been influencing events. She could have warned them."

"I... I don't know." You say. "Perhaps. . Dras'lea informed them. She might have predicted our intervention."
You close your eyes for a moment, and your head starts pounding.
"Could the two of you stay here for a bit? I don't want to be on my own after. . feeling our friend's demise."
"You. . felt it?" Raziel asked. "Oh, Ishelda, I'm so sorry." She said, smoothing your hair.
"I'll stay as long as you want me to." Kaliel said.
In response, you pet Raziel's wing. "Oh Raz, I love your wings." You say.

As the three of you talk, eventually drowsiness overtakes you, and you fall asleep.
When you wake up, the dim lights in the room are almost blinding, and your head feels like it's exploding. You don't see anyone but Grayson in the room, and you're quite warm, your thick blanket covering everything but your head. Fellwind walked into the room. "It's been about eight hours, and the sun's set." He said. "Do you mind if I check up on your head?" He asked, and without waiting for an answer, chanted a spell, and put his palms on your temple again. "It seems. . well, the healing magic took. You should be fine to cast, if you need to." He said. "Of course, you should probably get some sleep, but you're no longer hurt."

>>20533451
"Even more sleep? Can I at least have some tea?"

>Wake up with head trauma hangover.

"I need some tea."

>>20533451
Sleepily
"That's good."

>>20533451
"Thanks Fellwind. Would you mind if we talked a bit? We didn't really have the chance for that until now."

>>20533451
Tell him about the head pain. ask for aspirin.
-

>>20533451
"But Fellwiind, I just woke up. Can't I at least have some tea and a biscuit first?"

>>20533451
>inb4 a soldier says she just needs some aspirin and then everydoby ingores him.
-

"Even more sleep?" You ask.
"Really, you don't need to sleep." He said. "It's just, as an educated healer, sleep isn't usually a bad thing to recommend."
"Can I at least have some tea?"
"If you want." He said. "You're no longer on bed rest."
Experimentally, you reach for your magic, and it seems to burst free, wildly, as if it had missed you. You have. . much more than you normally would, even at maximum. . Strange.
You squirm- and you notice an arm hanging around your hip for the first time. Peeking under the blanket, you find Kaliel nuzzling into your side, snoring.
"I have a headache." You say, sighing.
"That should pass in time." He said. "Even if you do go back to sleep, you might want to get up and get your bearings."
"Thanks, Fellwind. Would you mind if we talked a bit? We didn't really have the chance for that until now."
"Of course." He said, taking a seat. the 'sleeping' Grayson growled at him, and Fellwind twitched. As Fellwind turned back to you, you see the corner of Grayson's mouth pull up into a grin. "What did you want to talk about?" He asked.

>>20533576
"I never really got to know you last time. So anything you'd like to tell me about yourself would be fine."
Do we have our ring back?
"Hey Raz, I already miss you."

>>20533600
>"Hey Raz, I already miss you."
I dunno. Maybe "I wanted to let you know I'm awake again."

>Fun fact- Arcturian accents are audibly identical to scottish accents. Ishelda's voice sounds like a little girl version of Billy Connolly.
>You're *welcome*.

"I never really got to know you last time." You say. "So anything you'd like to tell me about yourself would be fine."
"Well. . " He sighed, and rubbed at his chin. "I was born in Ursae province- in one of the villages off near the coast. A small, farming village. More like a hamlet. It was. . boring, and young Rikar had one real dream- to become a soldier. And so I went to Ursae, spoke to the high lord, and he said there were no positions for someone so young. So I ran away. Went down to Venus- he took everyone, regardless of age or gender." He shrugged. "I became a soldier there. Learned to fight on a ship, to use a shortsword, all of that. I had a few battles, but nothing notable. . got my scar there. . And then I met Jeanne when she came to help build ships. Knew her less than a week, and then Lewin arrived on one of his 'adventures', and we became friends. Well. . rivals, in a way. Friendly rivals. It was complicated."

>>20533665
Sly look.
"Rivals for Jeanne?"

>>20533665
"When is it not. Say, when did you discover your talent?"

>>20533665
"Go on..."

>we became friends. Well. . rivals, in a way. Friendly rivals. It was complicated.

"It seems to be a pattern. I wonder if all the best friendships start out complicated.

Look at how I first met all the Kalak. Our beginning was certainly 'complicated' too.

I'm glad it worked out and we're real friends now. Life is so much better when you have friends and family to share it with."

You give him a sly look. "Rivals for Jeanne?"
"Exactly." He said.
"Go on...
He sighed. "And then the raid came. The hobgoblins arrived, taking the ship workers. All of them. I was posted as a guard, and Lewin was sleeping in some tavern, and I was one of the only ones not caught sleeping. I fought... and my blade broke. That was when my talent awoke. I . .don't remember much else about that night, but I remember Lewin carrying me away, as I was choking on sea-water. Later, he told me that I tried swimming to the hobgoblin ship to tear more of them apart. I. . I left that night. Left Venus' army, changed my name.. and followed Lewin as he tried to find lizardman ruins to loot. A few years later, I ended up seeing a massive bear walking toward a white-haired girl."

>>20533737
"And then our great adventures began." Pat his hand, "Don't worry about it, though."

>>20533737
"That must have been a few very boring years."
Grin at him.
"I'm glad we met, even if you were distant back then, you really helped me to get used to this world."

File: 1346362408487.jpg-(32 KB, 554x426, who-is-awesome.jpg)

>Ishelda's voice sounds like a little girl version of Billy Connolly

No words can fully express how awesome this is.

>>20533737
And she was the prettiest girl you'd ever seen?

>>20533791
I thing the phrase would be 'The bonniest lass you'd ever seen.'

"And she was the prettiest girl you'd ever seen?"
"Well, the bear *was* pretty attractive, but I didn't know if it was a girl or not." He said, and grinned.
"That must have been a few very boring years." You say, and grin at him.
"They weren't boring, they were just. . uneventful. Found a troll, killed it by shoving it into our campfire. . we met High Lord Sirius, and Lewin already seemed to know him. Met Lewin's sister... but it was uneventful, other than that."
You pat his hand.
"I'm glad we met, even if you were distant back then. You really helped me get used to this world."
"I'm sorry I was distant." He asid. "I was still. . I wasn't. . alive, at the time. Not really. I was just. . going through the motions."

>>20533815
I'm happy you found a purpose to your life. And one useful to me to boot!

Now help me extract myself from this fangirl so I can get some tea. Then I think I'll nap some more.

Slow the ship down a bit as well, I want time to recover before I have to fight again.

>>20533815
"I'd hug you, but I'm being held back a little."
indicate Kali.

>>20533815
"All you thought you had left was Lewin, and I got him hurt. I undestand your reaction."

>I wasn't. . alive, at the time. Not really. I was just. . going through the motions

"Sometimes it takes time for us to find ourselves again after loss. I know the feeling well.

Lewin has a sister? I think this is the first I've heard of her. What's she like?"

Exabyte. If Ishelda did meet the sister in an old thread then disregard.

>>20533815
In addition to whatever else, <Hey Raz. Wanted to let you know I'm awake again. Could, could you bring me some tea? Kali's preventing me from getting it myself.>

"All you thought you had left was Lewin, and I got him hurt." You say. "I understand your reaction. I'd hug you, but I'm being held back a little."
"Oh?" He asked, rather confused.
You pull back the blanket, where Kaliel's still snoring there.
". . Oh." He said. "That explains why there are all these papers over here." He said, motioning his hand over your table, which was covered with the runes Kaliel had been using to design her 'living armor'. You hadn't noticed those before.
"Lewin has a sister? I think this is the first I've heard of her. What's she like?"
"She's from a small town in Sirius. She's a barmaid, last I heard, and just a few years older than you." He said. "She was . . rather impressed by me, for whatever reason, and I ended up being . . rather cruel to her, to keep her from chasing after me. Her name was. . Selene, I think."
Gently, you take the ring from Kaliel's finger and slip it on. <Hey Raz. Wanted to let you know I'm awake again. Could- could you bring me some tea? Kaliel's preventing me from getting it myself.>
<. . I'm sure I don't want to ask.> Raziel said. <But I will. Do you want Galadriel's Light or the normal stuff?>

>>20533950
<Normal, please.>
"Do you think we should visit her, when we're home again?`"

>>20533950
<If I could splutter through the ring, I would. The normal stuff please. My magic feels great for some reason.>

>>20533950
<Normal stuff, thanks.>

>>20533950
<Delicious Tea!>

"I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you could make amends somehow."

Also, call Marigold to say we're still alive.

>>20533950
<Normal tea, served by a winged beauty, if you please.>

"<Can you bring me that relaxing herbal blend I like?>"

I KNOW Ishelda has a selection of different teas and we're full of magic right now.

"Once we get back I'll have to meet her. I bet 'the great master adventurer' will have some good childhood stories. A few embarrassing ones should be fun"

*Evil grin.*

<If I could splutter through the ring, I would.> You say. <Normal tea, served by a winged beauty, if you please.>
<Well, I'm afraid you're already in there, and you're in human form.> She said, and you can hear her grin through the connection. <I'll be there in a bit.> She said.
"Do you think we should visit her, when we're home again?"
"I'm thinking about it." He said. "At the very least, I should apologize. . but I'll just wait until Lewin gets back and visit her with him. I'm sure you could come along, if you wanted."

<Marigold.> You say, and call your cousin.
<Ishelda!> She responded, instantly. <Thisgirlcalledkalielansweredonyourringandshetoldmeyouwerehurtandcouldn'tusemagicandsheaskedlotso
fquestionsaboutyouaboutwhatsortofthingsyoulikeand->
<Marigold, I'm fine.> You say. The ring buzzes as she takes a deep breath.
<Are you okay? What happened?> She asked.

>>20534062
Time to tell the tale of our battle with the minotaurs in the jungle one more time.
Then ask Mar how she's doing. We're messing her, a lot.

>>20534062
<I'm okay. I was attacked by minotaurs. Kaliel saved me actually. What did you tell her anyways?>

>>20534062
<Concussion from crashing out of the sky, I'm healed now don't worry. Kaliel's a Kalak girl who I'm fairly certain fancies me. Raziel's become a hybrid human/kalak and it works REALLY well for her.
And...umm...well I wouldn't be just telling anyone else this, but since it's you, Zeke painted a picture of me nude. It's tasteful and doesn't show anything too bad, but it's still pretty embarrassing.>

>>20534062
"If heard Lewin has returned to new Arcturus. If you want, I can lend you my ring so you can speak to him."
Didn't we already make a few more of these communication rings? If so, hand him two. One for him, one for Jeanne.

>>20534106
>If
I've
I have

Derp. Getting some coffee.

>>20534062
Give her the gist of our latest adventure, grin through the ring, "She asked a bunch of questions, huh?"

>>20534062
"I found this HUGE FLUFFY winged beast thing, it was sooooooo adorable! So I made friends with it with some mind magic so I could talk to it, and Kaliel went for a ride on it's back with me, but then we go attacked!

This Minotaur on top of an Evil Corrupted version of the Fluffy thing, called Sgragols, bit the sgragol and knocked me off. Then I felt it die through the connection we had.

I fell down and hit my head but Kaliel and Fellwind patched me up. Kaliel saved me from the minotaur with a strange otherworldly creature.

And now I can't get her to let go of me."

"I heard Lewin has returned to new arcturus. If you want, I could make you a ring so you could speak to him."
"Really?" He asked. "That'd be wonderful."
You open one of the drawers in arm's reach, which conveniently had a bunch of rings, and you expended a minute amount of your bursting arcane power to enchant it, before handing it to him. He slipped it on.
<I'm okay. I got a concussion from crashing out of the sky, but I'm healed now, so don't worry.>
<Crashing out of the sky?> Marigold asked.
You quickly explain the latest adventure- about the sgragol, about the minotaurs, and finally the minotaur's sgragol, and the battle after you'd crashed.
<And then Kaliel saved me from the minotaur with a strange, otherworldly creature. .and now I can't get her to let go of me. She asked a bunch of questions, huh?>
<She did. About old princes in Arcturus, or if you'd courted anyone back home. . I'm certain she fancies you.> Marigold asked, and giggled. <It sounds like you have the pick of the litter.>

>>20534184
<She... she actually told me she does. She's really nice, and I really mind the idea...>

>>20534184
"It's just not the same adventuring without you Mar. I miss you."

>>20534216
>*Don't really mind the idea*

>>20534184
<If I count everyone on board who's tried flirting with me, I've got about seven suitors, including her.>

>>20534184
She does, she told me so just the other day.

I'm not sure what to do about it all. I'm just hoping I can stop everyone from fighting until I've fixed this particular crisis.

>>20534184
<She does. I do. I'm not sure how to deal with it.>

<She... She actually told me she does. She's really nice, and I don't really mind the idea... but if I count everyone on board who's tried flirting with me, I've got about seven suitors, including her.> You say, and sigh. <I'm not sure what to do about it all. I'm just hoping I can stop everyone from fighting until I've fixed this particular crisis.>
<I'm sure you can.> Marigold said. <You're really good with people, Ishelda.>
<. . It's just not the same, adventuring without you, Mar. I miss you.>
<I miss you too.> She responded, after a moment. <Kaliel told me you intended on closing the portal bringing in the minotaurs. . After you do that, are you coming back? Because then you'll have some time to relax, and figure out what to do.>

"I can't seem to reach him." Fellwind said, looking down at the ring. "I can reach Sirius, and the elven judicator we saved from behind the Wall, but I can't reach any further." He said.

Raziel entered the room, with a small fire spell heating the tea, her wings twitching as she carried the tray.
"Oh." She said, with a slight grin as she eyed Kaliel's sleeping figure. "She's normally hard to wake up. . but now I'm convinced it'll be impossible."

>>20534318
"I'm not sure even sticking a something wet in her ear would work at this point. Maybe her butt, but I'm not keen to try."

>>20534318
"I gues I'm going to have to get used to it."

"Marigold said Lewin was on his way back, maybe try again in a few days or a week."

<I should be heading back, but I'll have to leave again for the other continent as soon as reasonably possible. Someone over there is making my life difficult.>

>>20534318
<For a few days, I think. We'll see what happens here after I get the portal closed, and there's still something on the eastern continent, I think.>

"Well, I guess I'll just have to figure something out. Thanks, Raz." Sit up, as best we can, for the drinking of tea.

>>20534318
<Yeah, I'm planning to. Say, do you know what's up the Lewin? We have trouble reaching him.>
"It's fine, Fellwind wants me to get some more sleep anyway."
And our other side is unhagged. Ask Raziel if she wishes to rectify that problem.

>>20534393
Yes, a chick under each wing, as it were.

>>20534393
>unhagged
unhugged
Ffs, I really need to read my posts at least once.

<Yeah, I'm planning to. Say, do you know what's up the Lewin? We have trouble reaching him.>
<He sounded like he was in a hurry.> She said. <He said that the five of them were getting out of there, and some people he didn't want seeing them could smell magic, so they couldn't use the ring until they were off the continent.> Marigold responded.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to figure something out." You say, sitting up as best you can. You're able to squirm partially out of Kaliel's grip enough to sit up, where she promptly hugged your lower thigh.
"Marigold said Lewin was on his way back. Maybe try again in a few days or a week." You say.
"I will." Fellwind said. Raziel passed out tea to everyone except for Kaliel and Grayson, and you all started drinking.
Raziel suddenly grinned. "I was very tempted to spike it with swamp brew. . and I would have, except for your injury."

>>20534470
Oh dear. I shudder to think what would have happened.

Actually, that's a great idea, You should go get some.

>>20534470
"Thanks. I'm sure we'll have time for swamp brew once the portal's been closed."
Okay, Kaliel's hugging Ishelda, but Ishelda is hugging nobody. Time to get our arms around Raziel.
"Say, Fellwind, how is Jeanne enjoying herself so far? I rarely get to see her, the two of you are always... busy."

>>20534470
Pat Kali's head, "Maybe later, Raz."

"Thanks." You say. "I'm sure we'll have time for swamp brew once the portal's been closed."
You pat Kali's head.
"You mean when she's awake." Raziel said, giving you a mischevious grin.
"Say, Fellwind, how is Jeanne enjoying herself so far? I rarely get to see her. The two of you are always... busy."
"The, ah, only time we were. . ." He coughed. "Busy, was after little fleshwarper there turned me into a great yellow fuzzy thing. Said she had to, erm, make it up to me. But regardless, she's been having a blast. She started up a brawling ring in the storage room, and she's been duking it out with some of the soldiers. I've only had to heal a few sprained limbs here and there, but they've all been getting quite good at unarmed combat."

>>20534637
"Ooooh, I'll have to try that. Tomorrow, perhaps."

>>20534637
"Underground brawling pits on my boat?

I should join in, rough up a few soldiers, that might be fun."

Every time Jeanne gets mentioned she sounds more awesome.

>>20534670
>"Underground brawling pits on my boat?
Not unless I'm involved!"

>>20534683
We might have to hulk out like Kaliel does if we want to win though.

I guess she'll have to teach us how. With demonstrations, of course.

>>20534637
" I hardly see you all. You're busy all the time.... oooooohh!"

"Underground brawling pits on my ship?" You ask. "Not unless I'm involved."
"Jeanne will be ecstatic to hear that." He said. "That said, though, I should give you fair warning that she's likely going to trounce you."
"You can't say that with any certainty." Raziel said. "She may only be trained with a sword, but under her queenly demeanor lies superhuman strength."

Fellwind's and Raziel's eyes met.
"I bet you ten silver." Fellwind said.
"Fifteen on Ishelda."
"If you're willing to bet fifteen, then you're willing to bet thirty."
"Thirty, then." Raziel responded.
"Deal."
Raziel turned to you and grinned. "You get to win me money, now."

>>20534774
Laugh, "I'll do my best, Raz."

>>20534774
Uh, what are the rules?

>>20534774
Maybe tomorrow, I'm sleepy. Snuggle up with Kal for maximum jealousnessmaking

>>20534774
"And what do I get for risking my health and dignity for your benefit, dearest Raziel..."

Well, not now, obviously, still getting over my concussion hangover. Later.

"Not right now, obviously. Getting punched in the head repeatedly right after recovering from a concussion seems like a bad idea."

Did we ever check Jeanne for a talent?

>>20534898
She can cast fist. What more is there to know?

You laugh. "I'll do my best, Raz." You say. "Not right now, obviously, but what do I get for risking my health and dignity for your benefit, dearest Raziel?"
Her lips quirked. "Well, I'll give you half of what we win." She said.
"You realize she has like, half a million unspent ogrish gold in the arcturian treasury, and an entire kingdom, right?" Fellwind asked.
"And soon she'll have fifteen silver more!" Raziel said, and grinned.
Fellwind chuckled.
"Maybe tomorrow, though." You say. "I'm sleepy."
"Fair enough." Raziel said, and smoothed your hair. "I'll take your saucer." She said, and you put your saucer and teacup onto the tray. You snuggled closer to Kal, and the healer and necromancer left you alone.

Grayson mumbled something, but you were already falling asleep.
You wake up to Kaliel's stirring, and morning light shines in through the ship's window. She ruffles your hair, and then gets up, and you hear a pen scratching against parchment.

>>20534920
Can't hurt to check, can it?

>>20534935
mumble "hey, my job"

>>20534935
Sleep in! We deserve it.

Also, keep an ear out to anything Grayson and Kaliel might say about us.

>>20534935
"...morning."

>>20534935
Pretend to be asleep.

>>20534935
Roll over and mumble "No, pancakes. I'm going to eat you..." continue to sleep.

You two just slept together.
I guess you gotta get married now, right?

>>20535076
We also slept with her sister, and our cousin.
>Implying implications.

>>20535090
And a bear.

>>20535076
>>20535090
>>20535098
What a slut.

>>20535098
Ishelda is just a fountain of decadent sexuality isn't she?

You peek open your eyes, staring out at Kaliel. She's hunched over the table, writing quickly. Her robe was draped over the back of her chair, and she was wearing some kind of long, thin shirt- it was almost more of a dress, or a nightgown, underneath. She had dozens of papers in front of her, covered in black ink.
She promptly turned the paper over, and continued scratching things out. And then just. took a deep breath. . and grinned down at the paper.
"Finish your abomination?" Grayson asked, eyes suddenly completely open.
"Yep." She responded, not skipping a beat. "Why do you ask?"
"Because." He said, leaning forward. "Your magic is Wrong. You know it."
Kaliel gulped, and then shook her head. "No, it's simply new. It's a work in progress, but it's still a work."
"It's against the cycle." He said. "If you don't stop it.. I'm going to have to make you."
"You can't take my choice from me." She said, in a low, cold voice.
"I can kill you." He responded.

>>20535116
Well this isn't ideal.

Keep watching. Grayson probably knows we're awake by now, so he's doing this to get Kaliel to talk where we can listen.

>>20535116
"Don't kill Kaliel, she's my friend."
Just kind of sleepily mumble it.

>>20535116
wait quietly.

>>20535116
Wait, be ready to intercede if it looks like it's going to get particularly bad.

>>20535116
"Grayson, you already used your 1-kill-whithout-a-proper explanation card when you mauled Ragnarok."

Or just watch the conversation unfold.

Wait for Grayson to get to the point.

>>20535116
Keep listening

>>20535116
Neither of you will harm eachother.
Grayson, teach her to make it go with the cycle if it upsets you so much.

"No." She responded. "You can't."
"Are you going to threaten me by saying Ishelda wouldn't like it?" He asked.
"Of course not." She said, her voice disgusted. "I don't use people like that. And your precious *cycle* is more important than her, to you."
"It is."
"Do you even know what it is?"
"It's the same thing that fuels your siblings' passions." He said. "The same thing you keep subverting."
"The status quo of the nature of magic, in other words." She said.
"Yes." He responded.
"Why?"
"I. . I . .don't. . know."
Kaliel stood. "You can make me stop if. And only if. You can explain why you do what you do."
She slid the papers together, put them in her binder. . and then ruffled your hair again, and left.
Grayson huffed, and turned to the window. He didn't seem to realize you were awake, yet.

>>20535269
"I'd appreciate if you didn't kill my friends Grayson." Sleepily.

>>20535215
"Oh Kaliel? She, uh, started turning into Eidolon. Yup."

>>20535269
Sit up.
"Good morning Grayson."

>>20535269
Grayson, you have a choice, you know. You don't have to do what the magic tells you.

>>20535306
>Implying she hasn't been Eidolon all along

>>20535269
Hugs?

"I'd appreciate if you didn't kill my friends, Grayson."
"I. . don't intend to." He said. "I intend to. . learn. About myself. And convince her." He said, looking at his hands. "I'm just a bear. . . aren't I? If I'm not. . what am I?"

>>20535389
"My friend."

Ishelda just keeps having this conversation with everyone, doesn't she?

>>20535389
>End of thread!
>Sorry, but there may be a change of plans. I'm going to start ending threads earlier.
>My twitter is @futureexabyte
>And I'll stick around to answer questions.

>>20535389
"You silly." Giggle. "Of course you're not. Raziel's not just a Kalak, Ell not just an elf, and I'm not just a human. We're all so much more than that. And most importantly, you're my friend."

>>20535389
You're Grayson.

>>20535409
Oh. All right.

See you tomorrow then?

>>20535389
Get out of bed, hug him. "You stopped be just A bear a while ago, Grayson. You're MY bear, and my friend. Sure, you've also got your dire prince thing going on, and I certainly don't know what's going on with that, but hopefully we can figure it out in time."

>>20535409
Why do you need to end it earlier if you're sticking around in the thread anyway?

>>20535432
>Tomorrow I might be taking a day off. This saturday too, perhaps.

>>20535389
Every sentient being goes through an existential crisis Grayson, people are not defined by their species.

>>20535446
>Because when I'm actually questing I have to sit there with only enough time to get up and stretch between posts. And when I'm sticking around in thread, I can step away for an hour or more.

I think being a human is taking it's toll on Grayson. Maybe we should just turn him back.

So.
Let's talk shipping.

>>20535538
Kaliel's probably my number 1, followed by Raz. Mostly because MAD SCIENCE buddies.

>>20535538
1. Kaliel
2. Raziel
3. Ezekiel
4. Grayson
4. Belethor
5. Leon
6 Kristoph
7+ Others

>>20535409
Thanks for the thread Exabyte. When you decide whether or not to run tomorrow and Saturday, could you post it on twitter.

>>20535574
Marigold is definitely on place 4 as well.

Zeke4lyfe because draw Ish like one of your french girls.

>>20535496
I shall have the men change their phazers from "TONGUEINBUTT" to "POOPDICK"

File: 1346371605624.png-(833 KB, 1032x1032, shipping.png)

>>20535538
You're right, we need to found ports. We have all these great trade opportunities being in the centre and we're stuck in one landlocked city.

Position B is probably the most important, allowing us to get goods to the elves and ex-hob islands without having to go through other countries' ports and pay tolls and things.

Position A would let us get goods quicker to the orcs and humans but is a lower priority as we have land connections to them.

Once we have ports we can have a navy, and those long stretches of coast can be guarded from pirates and other nefarious doers.

The problem is people, as we don't even have enough for one city. Ports do grow faster and would also make it easier to get people to Triune's Gift but we'll probably still need some sort of additional incentive to attract immigrants.

>>20535793
We could also either build or magic a canal from point a to point b.

>>20535793
Oh my, those are some mighty fine ideas.

B is alright, but I think we'd get more from trade from A, and so should make that our prioritory.

If we can set up a nexus crystal, we can shortcut trade with the elves through airships, and that means we'd need much less of a port there.

>>20535793
Listen. I like you.

>>20535793
>we'll probably still need some sort of additional incentive to attract immigrants.

We could offer every skilled immigrant X-amount of land as long as he lives. After that, it goes back to Ishelda, though.
(Yes, she's the queen, so technically she still owns the land and only allows somebody to use it.)

>>20535884
With the option of buying it relatively cheap for their children/spouse/whoever.

>>20535884
We don't want to expand our population faster then we can grow food to support it though. Perhaps we could grant leased land to farmers, or similar professions.

>>20535819
That sounds hard and expensive. That's a fairly large chunk of land. What if... we went over instead of through? When we get our own Weave up and running we can hire out the crystal sets for merchants to fly their ships over. They'll be willing to pay as it cuts down journey times massively, and we'll be raking in cash instead of draining it on massive engineering projects.

>There's also the possibility I could continue the thread past that point, but my posting rate would get incredibly unreliable.

Nah, it's fine. To be honest, and selfish, I can't spend so much time in front of my computer. So I'd say do the usual 5-7 hours and that's fine.

>>20535904
Perhaps. Buying is a big no-no, they can lease it. All of New Arcturus is Ishelda's.

>>20535918
Could we set up some sort of ship crane mechanism? a sort of forklift that runs on a mini-weave, so that water ships can be transferred overland?

>>20535948
That's what I meant. I meant keeping it with their family after they individually die.

>>20535954
That's sort of what I meant. They reach a port, they pay the fee, we install crystals on their ship, they fly it over to the other port, we take the crystals back, they sail on.

What if we just made weave-less airships an open technology?

>>20536160
Possible, but ours took a fair amount of effort and attention to get running, requiring ourselves, The redhead elf and Marigold.

Besides, most of the world is water accessible anyway, so we can just fly the ships over the small remaining land bridges.