Gingerly, you close the door to Kaliel's cabin; She'd passed out- for real, this time- immediately after asking you that. . embarrassing question. Your head is still pleasantly buzzing from the swamp brew, and Belethor is standing there, with what looked like a rapier on his hip.
"I, uh, feel like I intruded." He said, his cheeks awfully pink. "I apologize."

>>20622293
"I- I asked you to come along. It- The spell- To change into the dress- It wasn't meant to do that too."

>>20622293
"It's okay, Belethor. If I had wanted more privacy, I could have simply locked the door. I didn't expect the swamp brew to have such an effect on her. It was just that nothing else could help her sleep." Breathe a sigh of relief. "The underwear was a side effect of that spell I used to change clothing before visiting your parents. Just in case you're wondering." Try to shift the topic. "You know, Aowyn is not entirely disinterested in you, although your frequent escapes seem to have made her give up."

"It's okay, Belethor." You say. "If I had wanted more privacy, I could have simply locked the door. I didn't expect the swamp brew to have such an effect on her. It was just that nothing else could help her sleep."
"I see." He said, treading carefully. He didn't mention anything about what Kaliel had asked, but before you know it, you're making excuses.
"It- The spell-" You say, slightly stammering. "To change into the dress- It wasn't meant to do that too."
"And your spell wasn't focused enough on only one bit of clothing." He said, slowly. "Makes sense, from what Zeke's told me about magic." He shrugged. "If it helps, I think you look very nice in a Sosarian dress. The lilac suits you."

>>20622381
Thank you.
I should go and start the ship moving.

>>20622381
"Thank you. To be honest, I was really tempted to tell your mother about your sleeping talent. I like her, she seems like a wonderful person. Her... condition must have been very hard on her."

"Thank you." You say. "To be honest, I was really tempted to tell your mother about your sleeping talent. I like her- she seems like a wonderful person. Her... condition must have been very hard on her."
"It has been." He said. "She awoke it, to. . save me. Some men intended to hold me ransom, and she just. . pointed at him, and Spoke. Since then, she hasn't been able to talk without using her talent. I can't help to think that's my fault."

>>20622478
Doesn't seem like it was from what you just said. But I understand, I still feel guilty about things like Cassiel's death.

>>20622478
Give him a hug. "You shouldn't think about it like that. Think about how important you must have been to her to awaken her talent."

"You shouldn't think about it like that." You say, clumsily giving him a hug. "Think about how important you must have been to her, to awaken her talent."
He gulped, and nodded. "Yeah, I should think more about that." He said. He pulled himself away, cheeks slightly pink, and the two of you made your way abovedeck.
"It's just. . it has me thinking about my own, sleeping talent. Daeron's talent awoke when he won in a spar against one of the soldiers. His gets stronger with confidence. My mother's awoke when she protected me- and hers gets stronger the more she takes care of us. Thengel had his his entire life, so I can't say anything about his. . but I'm just wondering about my own."

>>20622609
The more different things you do, the more likely it is you'll find the thing that awakens it. Maybe that's why they sent you with me.

>>20622609
Can we scan him to see if we can detect what his talent is?

>>20622609
"I am sure you'll discover it soon enough, and even without it - you still make a much better impression than your brothers."

>>20622657

We already did but couldn't discreen anything concrete. Besides, he siad that he wanted to find it out for himself.

>>20622657
We failed earlier. We may be able to do it if we tried again, but probably not while drunk. And he doesn't want to ruin the surprise anyway.

>>20622609
"Grayson said, something like, it'll wake up when it needs to. Maybe it just doesn't need to yet?"

"I'm sure you'll discover it soon enough." You say. "And even without it, you still mae a much better impression than your brothers."
He grinned. "The minotaurs make a better impression than my brothers."

Ell looked up. "Are we ready to leave, Lady?" He asked, and you nod, still too inebrated to consider controlling Jormungandr yourself. He touches the control crystal, and the airship shudders, already lifting into the air.

You turn to Belethor again. "Grayson said something like 'it'll wake up when it needs to'." You say. "Maybe it just doesn't need to, yet?"
"Maybe." He said. "If it ever does, at least."

>>20622716
Make him need it. Wrap him up in soulfire and whirl him around. Throw him overboard. That sort of thing.

>>20622716
Giggle. "You might be too smart for your own good, then."

>>20622716
Look at our two right hands, "I think I'm gonna go lie down, too. I think I might have had a bit too much of the swamp brew."

>>20622770
Let's not do that. Especially while drunk.

>>20622780
One last drink with Raziel, and then it's off to bed, I'd say.

>>20622770
Haha, no. Besides that it might not even be related to survival. Kristoph's "need" was honor for example.

>>20622788
It's because we're drunk that it's such a great idea.
Or at least seems like it.

>>20622815
She isn't that drunk. And I doubt she'd do it even if she was.

"You might be too smart for your own good, then." You say, and giggle.
"No such thing." He said. "I'd rather have my mind than to be able to shoot lightning from my hands, or something."
You look down at your hands for a moment, and then blink as they go out of focus. "I think I might go lie down, too. I might have . . ."
You trail off, and notice Raziel, walking toward you.
"Hey, Ishelda." She said, jiggling her wrist, where the ogrish bracelet sat. "Look at what Zeke got for me! I love it."

>>20622920
"Oh! Yeah, I got you stuff as well."

>>20622920
Become unsteady on our feet, and cling to Raziel to keep standing.
"Oh! That's great. It looks nice on you, Raz. I got you sumfin' too, it's somewhere. Gotta wrap it first. Can you help me to my bed?"

>>20622920
"You look awesome, Raz! I got something for you as well, but that will have to wait until I'm sober."

>>20622920
"Well, not that I want to show him up or anything, but I think my gift might be way better."

>>20623018
It honestly doesn't read like fifty-something threads if you'd like to go back and read them. Or if you really want, we could give you a synopsis of notable events thusfar.

>>20623020
is this shit meant to be even remotely humorous

>>20623036
It is if you were there at the time. We used a brick to kill said ancient immortal elf king.

"You look awesome, Raz!" You say, and suddenly the swamp brew hits you hard, and you wobble, clinging to her. "I got you stuff too."
You hand her the half-full teamug of swamp brew.
"Erm. . "
"It's somewhere." You say, patting your dress up and down, looking for that. . special mirror thing. "Gotta wrap it first. . . Can you help me to my bed?"
She giggled, and took your hand. "Yeah, I can. Can you walk?"
You nod- you think you can, at least. You take a step forward, and stumble as the world goes topsy turvy.

You and Raziel eventually make your way belowdeck, as you lean into Raziel, hanging onto her wing for support, and eventually you reach your cabin.
"You feeling okay?" She asked, sitting you on your bed. She put the back of her hand against your forehead. Other than your tongue and mouth being fuzzy, and the world buzzing every time you move, you feel perfectly fine.

>>20623036
I'm taking requests if you're too lazy to open up MS Paint.

>>20623051
So yes, these threads are nothing more than circlejerks that just take up space on /tg/

>>20623029
Wasn't Exabyte supposed to write a synopsis like ten threads ago?

>>20623051
i did not mean the stories themselves. i meant slapping shitty cut down versions onto some shitty meme picture. why is that funny?

>>20623072
>I was, and I'm still working on it- I'm writing it as a re-read through the threads, in my free time.

File: 1346959092159.gif-(1 MB, 350x191, Dis gon b gud.gif)

>>20623065
>>20623073
So it begins.

>>20623056
"S'fine occifer. Jus' need sleep."

>>20623056
Hug Raziel, fall back, don't let her go.
"As long as you stay.." Giggle.

>>20623056
"I'm fine. I'm just a little bit drunk. Can you go check on Kali? She's never had anything alcoholic before."

>>20623056
"Mostly, I think. Just a bit fuzzy, and everything's... buzzy. Have I said you're really pretty?"

>>20623073
That is a question I don't have an answer to. And yet they are amusing.

>>20623065
As much as the 40k and D&D and MTG threads are. But this is not the place to discuss that. For that, you should gb2
>>>/q/

>>20623029
>>20623072
I just have time to follow a couple quests- because I was in the first threads. if it was just for me, I'll catch up with every quest running now.
maybe someday

>>20623018
>That feel when been in thread 1 of NFCQ and SORQ.

>>20623073
It's not, it's /b/ shit.

"Mostly, I think." You say, sitting on your bed. "Just a bit fuzzy, and everything's.... buzzy. Have I said you're really pretty?"
"You have said that, Ishelda." She said, and patted on your head. "And thank you, but it's probably best if you get some sleep."
You nod, and lay back in bed. "Can you go check on Kali? She's never had anything alcoholic before."
". . So she didn't sleep last night, she can't control her horrendously alien magic on *good* days. . and you got her drunk on swamp brew." She said, and put her palm on her forehead. "I'd, uh, best go check on her. Will you be fine?"
"S'fine." You say. "Jus' need sleep."
"Then sleep." She said, and patted your head again, before rushing out of the room. Groggily, you peel off your dress, and climb into bed.

You snap awake, and your head is pounding, with what feels like enormous, rusted iron spikes peircing in through your eyes- and they aren't even open yet. You squeeze your eyes open, and surprisingly, the light doesn't make anything more painful. Sitting up, you drink some water, examining the silver lines on your arms. Suddenly, you're rather jealous of Kaliel- she had much less swamp brew than you did. Your head pounds again, but the feeling slowly fades, much more quickly than you'd thought it would. With a quick glance out of the porthole, you determine that it's late, late night, and your stomach growls, angry at skipping dinner.

>>20623260
Go eat something and see who's around at this ungodly hour.

>>20623260
Time to go get some food!

rolled 59 = 59

>>20623260
Cast Dispel (Hangover). Then get dressed and look for food.

>>20623282
I bet there is an actual wizard spell for that. We should ask Zeke. Seems like one of those things people would try to figure out as soon as they learned they were magical.

>>20623282
>Getting dressed
>Not wandering around in the lacy nightwear and not realising it until somebody sees you

>>20623073
>>20623197
It's referencing previous events that are in of themselves humorous, both in order to remind people that suggesting certain actions that have repeatedly failed is silly, and to entice anons like >>20623018 into reading the threads.

>>20623304
This anon raises a good point. Lacy nightwear ho!

>>20623304
That's exactly the thing we want to avoid, yes.

>>20623304
Tempting, very tempting. But no. We've had enough of that kind of shenanigan recently.

>>20623304
Nope. I'd rather not do that.

>>20623260
Examine the gear again in the starlight, and get a basic, uncooked meal of iron rations. We've got iron rations on board, right? Don't want to wake anyone up, in any case.

>>20623260
Let's go find some gentle food.

Your head pounds again. You remember Marigold using her healing to help Kristoph and Zeke recover from a particularly bad hangover. . so you focus your magic, and funnel the spell into your own head. The ache slowly disappears, and you feel only slightly more tired than you were before. Must not be an expensive spell.
You yawn, get up, and stretch, making your way to the door-
And then freeze, as you look down at what little you're wearing. Blushing furiously, you slip on some clothes clothing, and put a warm frock on over that, glad you'd cured your headache. If you hadn't. . you wouldn't have even noticed.
You creep through belowdeck, careful not to wake anyone up, and eventually get to the cargo room-turned dining room. . and you suddenly smell oats. Kaliel's hunched over at the table, with a bowl full of sgragol oats, pouring copious amounts of sugar and warm water into it.
"Mgmgmhm." She mumbled, looking up at you. She looks as worse-off as you felt, when you had woken up.

>>20623305
>referencing previous events that are in of themselves humorous
The more you repeat something, the less funny it becomes
>in order to remind people that suggesting certain actions that have repeatedly failed is silly
Noone was doing this right now, and you don't need an image to remind them.
>and to entice anons like >>20623018 into reading the threads
I don't want more /b/ kids to join the threads.

rolled 34 = 34

>>20623361
"Oh, dear. Are you alright?"

Once more, Dispel (Hangover) this time on Kaliel.

>>20623361
CURSES! If only I hadn't rolled for that spell...

>>20623361
"Hey."
Lets help with her hangover, too.

rolled 14 = 14

>>20623389
Oh yeah, I got your hangover cure hangin' low... yummy down on this bitch.

rolled 28 = 28

>>20623402
Aand dice to go with

rolled 93 = 93

>>20623389
>>20623404
>>20623417
/tg/ dice are back. Spells over.

rolled 19 = 19

>>20623389
>>20623404
lets try this again.

>>20623389
>>20623404
>>20623417
Looks like she's just going to have to live with it. It's all part of the alcohol learning experience.

>>20623424
What did I say? /tg/ dice.

The dice wish for Kal to have a hangover, let it be so.

rolled 21 = 21

>>20623389
>>20623404
>>20623417
Man, we are terrible at helping our girlfriend.

"Oh, dear. Are you alright?"
Her frustrated mumbling informs you, wordlessly, that no, she's not alright.
You put your hands on her temples, and focus your magic, trying to cure her own headache, but the spell falls flat, draining your power.
"Thanks for trying." She mumbled, and stirred at her oats some more.
In response, you put your hands to her temples again, and focus . .

White light streams from the lines in your arms, drifting off, identically to how Marigold's healing magic looked, and without using almost any magic, the spell goes through.
Kaliel closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
"Thank you." She said. "Want some? I slept through dinner, and I thought nobody would mind. . ."

rolled 61 = 61

i think she just "blew her oats"

rolling for puke

>>20623457
"Oats? Well, okay I guess. Are they good with sugar?"

>>20623451
Average is 35. Without the 93 it would have been 23. The dice don't want this.

>>20623457
"Yes. Definitely." as our tummy grumbles loudly

>>20623466
Puke would be a very effective spell. It could be a touch attack, and would completely incapacitate an enemy for the period in which he violently empties his stomach.

>>20623457
Yes, I slept through dinner too.

"Oats? Well, okay, I guess. Are they good with sugar?"
"Nope." She responded, and with a simple charm, started heating more water, sliding her untouched bowl over to you. "This kinda stuff is only something sgragol and starving people would eat."
"Definitely." You say. "I slept through dinner too."

You stir, and the sugar crunches against the bowl, and you take spoonful. Other than the cloying sweetness and strange, gloppy texture, it's entirely bland.
"I'm. . not going to be drinking swamp brew everyday." She said. "Even if I can't sleep. Waking up is too. . unpleasant."

>>20623524
"Swamp brew hadn't hit me this hard in... Ever, I don't think. I'm not touching the stuff. If we drink again, we're breaking out that Ogrish honeyed mead. It can't be that strong, right?"

>>20623524
"We'll stick to softer liquors. Like pure grain alcohol, and scotch."

>>20623524
"Hmmm. Wanna help me wrap Raz's gift once we're done eating?"

>>20623524
Of course you should only drink it occasionally. Didn't you see what Raziel was like when she drunk it all the time?

"Swamp brew hadn't hit me this hard in... ever, I don't think." You say. "I'm not touching the stuff. If we drink again, we're breaking out that ogrish honeyed mead. It can't be that strong, right?"
"Maybe. There's also the sosarian wine." She said. "Belethor's family also sent us some wine, while we were at their palace, apparently. An archer told me about it." Kaliel said, motioning her head toward a rack where long, glass bottles sat, corked. "Apparently it's for the Arcturian nobility and royalty only, so the soldiers haven't touched it."

>>20623593
"I.... think it can wait a bit."

>>20623593
"Bah. There's hardly such a thing as Arcturian nobility; while I suppose there's some small noble houses moving in, it's largely been meritocratic in the infancy of its governments. As soon as we get home, we're breaking it out for a party! No, a festival!"

>>20623619
There is Arcturian nobility, we gave all our friends noble titles. But Kaliel wasn't around then so she hasn't got one and can't drink the wine.

"Hmm? I suppose if you wanted, I could count you as a royal consort..."

>>20623645
add to this, "or would you prefer the title of mistress?"

"There's hardly such a thing as Arcturian nobility." You say.
"There's Raziel. She's a vizier." Kaliel said. "Kris and Grayson are knights of New Arcturus. . And then there's you, of course, and you sister, Marigold. I thought you gave Zeke a title, too, but I forgot what it is."
"I.... think it can wait a bit." You say.
"I don't know much about wine." She said, and shrugged. Silently, she went back to her oatmeal.

>>20623659
"Mar's my cousin. That's what makes the kissing less scandalous."

>>20623659
Eat more oats. Prepare to do squats.

>>20623639
It's their actions that matter, which earned them the titles. The titles themselves are merely pretty adornments and formalities. I believe it fitting for Ishelda to be flippant about exacting definitions of political nobility in the absence of moralistic nobility alongside it.

>>20623659
"Are you alright, Kaliel? Something seems to be bothering you, and since I cured the hangover..."

"Mar's my cousin." You say.
"Really? You and her act a lot more like close sisters than cousins. . " She said. "I was mistaken, I guess."
"Are you alright, Kaliel? Something seems to be bothering you, and since I cured the hangover. . ."
"Just thinking about Fenrir." She said. "And all of the nameless, formless things I had to kill."

>>20623737
"Quite understandable. She's the only family from Arcturus I have left."

>>20623737
Create names and have funerals, I would suggest. They were each special in their own way, even if only in teaching you about life.

>>20623737
"I wouldn't worry about any of the ones without minds or souls. They were just so much flesh and life magic, machines. And the ones with minds... It's a shame. But weren't most of the 'formless things' completely mad, like the... Flesh-thing that stopped the Minotaurs? 'Twas a mercy killing, putting it down. Unless... Unless you think you can shepherd them. Teach them. Grant them asylum, in more ways than one. You tell me that they're 'not ready' and let them slink back into the primordial dark of unconsciousness, the flesh returned to dust, and yet I wonder if we could try and help them."

>>20623756
since she's the only family we have left, does that technically make her ishelda's heir?

>>20623796
Yes, she's heir. We make sure things like this were sorted out before we left to go on dangerous adventures, you know.

>>20623818
oh yeah, seems i forgot about that...

did we ever decide on a family/dynasty name for ishelda? if not, i think "arcturion" would be a good one for obvious reasons.

"Mar's the only family I have from Arcturus I have left." You say, and she nods, and puts a hand on your shoulder, finishing up her oatmeal.
"Well. . if you need to talk, I'm here." She said. "I mean, I'm not good with people and I never have been... but I can listen."

>>20623757
She's already rejected that.

>>20623864
Hug. "Alright. Thanks." Pause, "Wanna go look at some stars?"

>>20623864
"Thank you, Kaliel, but I'm fine. No need to fret about ancient history. I'm more worried about you at the moment. And Grayson, too. And New Arcturus, and the Gearworks business, and- oh, bother, there's too many things to worry about, and too little time."

>>20623864
"Thanks, but I've made my peace with the situation. It can't be helped, right now."

rolled 95 = 95

>>20623915
Make time.
>[S] Ishelda: Be the Muse of Time

>>20623925
No.

>>20623897
Stars sounds good.

>>20623936
Maybe we can even get an hour or so of handholding done with Kal.

>>20623925
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfOKIREJX8

>>20623949
At least link to a decent song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzcWwmwChVE

"Thank you, Kaliel, but I'm fine. No need to fret about ancient history." You say, and give her a hug. "I've made my peace with the situation."
"Yeah, I just thought- thought I'd offer." She said.
". . Wanna go look at some stars?" You ask, and she nods.

The two of you end up lying on your back, staring up at the stars, the Galadriel's Light softly glowing in the darkness, absorbing the light of the stars, your hand clasped with hers.
"It's pretty." She said, as you look up to the sky. You haven't watched the stars like this in years. . and they're all different, so different than what you remember. Suddenly, she turned to you.
"Want to go Kalak and fly?"

>>20624031
Remember what happened last time we flew off by ourselves?

>>20624031
"Yeah, sure. We should tell somebody where we are, though. They might get worried, otherwise."

>>20624031
"We are flying, that's what the ship does, it lets you fly. I kinda just want to stay here." Squeeze her hand gently.

rolled 66 = 66

Yes, and afterwords maybe we can.... preen?

rolled 7 = 7

>>20624031
Sniffle a little, a tear in the eye, say softly, "I need to learn the constellations, still."

Then brighten up, "Sure. That sounds nice."

I prolly shouldn't roll for this, knowing how my rolls tend to go.

Never stops me, of course.

"I need to learn the constellations, still." You say softly, tearing up. In the dark, she doesn't seem to notice. "That sounds nice. We should probably tell somebody where we are, though. They might get worried, otherwise."
Kaliel sat up, and squeezed your hand. . and then nudged Grayson. The bear opened an eye.
"We're going off of the ship for a bit." She told the bear. Something passed between them, but you're not sure what. .
Grayson harrumphed, and nodded, before closing his eye again. Kaliel shimmered, and then was suddenly a Kalak, her wingtips brown, and the rest of her plumage red. You bring your magic forth as well, feeling your bones twist, and suddenly your talons are holding hers, instead of human hands.
"There's. . actually something I want to show you, below." She said, and nudged your beak with hers. "We should be in the right spot by now."

She leaned over the balcony, and looked down, and then back to you.

>>20624274
Look over, "What is it?"

rolled 81 = 81

>>20624274
Below the ship? Aren't we over the sea?

Cast reverse gravity!

>>20624274
Jump!

rolled 78 = 78

>>20624299
... No

>>20624299
There's no reason to do that. The whole reason we went kalak was so we could fly down there.

>>20624299
Why? I don't have the slighest clue what you're trying to do.

>>20624274
"Okay, I'll simply follow you."

And we need to see what's up with Grayson. He's been acting weird.

"Aren't we over the sea?" You ask, looking over. "What is it?"

She grinned at you, and dove off of the edge, wings folded. You follow, and suddenly the two of you are falling, toward the deep, dark water, getting closer, and closer. Kaliel's wings spread, and she pulls sharply upwards, out of the dive. You copy her manuvuer, and the two of you are soaring a scant few feet above the water, wings thudding.

The water ripples. . and something bursts free, sending water into the air, as it croons to the sky. A long, sinuous snake-like creature. . almost a dozen times the size of Jormungandr. Kaliel spreads her wings again, pulling further upward, and slowing- she looks over to you, as the sea serpent slowly descends back toward the water.
A second serpent bursts free. . and then a third, and a fourth, the sea serpents tearing through the air for a moment, before descending back down into the murky depths.

>>20624340
>And we need to see what's up with Grayson. He's been acting weird.
He's caught a case of introspection from his time as a human. That's at least part of it.

rolled 71 = 71

>>20624412
What, wow, how did you know they'd be here? Ther're HUGE!

>>20624412
Kalak are boring, we've done kalak before. Transform into a sea serpent.

>>20624489
That sounds like fun, we can follow them and see what's down in the depths. Perhaps bring something interesting back up for Kaliel.

>>20624412
"Amazing." Be careful not to forget flapping your wings, young queen.

>>20624489
I think transforming into something 12 times the size of the Jormungandr, might be a bit too much, even for Ishelda.

>>20624586
Cassiel transformed into a sea serpent. And he was just a normal wizard with a tiny mana pool.

rolled 18 = 18

>>20624586
Not when we shift into MAXIMUM OVER-DRIVE

>>20624612
I think he wasn't that big.

"What, wow, how did you know they'd be here? They're *huge*!" You cry, making sure to keep your wings going. "It's amazing."
She twisted, rolling toward you, close enough to speak.
"Cassiel took me, years ago." She said. "Back when I was still struggling with healing magic and couldn't sleep."
Another serpent burst out of the water, tearing into the sky. A few droplets of water landed on you, and you shivered.
"Nobody knows why they climb out of the water like this." She said, watching the serpent descend back into the water. "They don't need to breathe, so they're not like whales. . "

She rolled again, even closer to you, and you can see her crest flared, and eyes creased into a kalak grin.
"I think it's the same reason there's the flower island, above orcish lands. Wrought by magic."

>>20624622
Well, we can be a small one too then.

>>20624627
"Hm, of course. Magic."

>>20624627
Has anyone tried asking them?

>>20624627
"Maybe they just like to show off their hugeness?"

rolled 7 = 7

>>20624627
Check for magic.

Then let's go serpent and dive with them!

>>20624661
Could you please stop rolling for idiocy while Ishelda's airborne?

"Has anyone tried asking them?"
"They don't have minds- not like people do. They just know that they have to, for whatever reason."
She turned back, to look back at the ship, and her entire body turned sharply, pointing at the ship. You do as well, and you feel the chill from the seawater spray start to set in.
"We'd best catch up with Jormungandr again." Kaliel said. "Don't want to get left behind and have to swim to the provinces, after all."

As the two of you tear back through the sky, Kaliel's robe flapping wildly through the air, she looks back down to the last serpent. . which is staring up at her, head poking out of the water. Kaliel says something, very quietly, but your deadened kalak hearing makes it impossible to tell what. The serpent goes underwater, and the ocean is once again still.

Finally, very slightly damp, the two of you land back on the deck. You shiver from the cold, and worriedly, Kaliel strips her robe and gives it to you.

>>20624678
Could you please stop being so serious when people are trying to have fun?

>>20624743
Surely the water is hitting out feathers, not our skin...

And why do kalak, who have the best and most elaborate voices, suck at hearing?

Cuddle with Kaliel in Grayson's warm fuzz.

>>20624743
"Th-thanks." Take the the robe, then get a towel to dry off.

rolled 84 = 84

>>20624743
Wrap up in the robe, cuddle with Kaliel, cast warming spell, ask if there's a wizardly form.

Unrelated, but Kaliel's insistance on using her 'true form' when human seems like something that Grayson would be happy about. Using the magic as it's meant to be used, and all. I'm surprised they don't get on better.

>>20624860
By which I mean, a wizardry powered warming spell.

>>20624892
He doesn't seem to have a problem with shapeshifting itself. He's never said anything against it, at least.

Kaliel's... specialty is something else entirely.

"Th-thanks." You say, taking the robe. You take a towel, and start to dry yourself. You accidentally rub upwards, against the grain of your feathers, and it's an incredibly uncomfortable and disconcerting sensation- You twitch, involuntarily. It's not painful. . but it might as well be. You wrap up in the robe, your wings stretching through the holes cut in the back, and you crouch down into the grass again, cuddling with Kaliel.
"I probably should have conjured one for you." She said, leaning into you, her wings wrapped around you. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking."
You close your eyes for a moment, and focus on a small spell. The strange, white lines on your talons swirl, and glow a violent yellow, filling your body with heat. Kaliel curls closer to you, and closes her eyes.
"You're really warm." She mumbled. . and then, slowly, started nipping at the feathers in the crook of your neck. It's a luxurious feeling, one that reminds you both of a massage, and of someone scratching your back, somehow.
"Is there a wizard version of a heat spell?" You ask.
"More than one." She responded, reluctantly pulling away from your feathers. "An evocation one creates heat, and an abjuration one can contain heat. They have the same effect."

>>20624934
"Less talky, more preeny, that feels so good!"

>>20624923
I didn't mean the shapeshifting itself so much as the mentality behind it. She cares about being true to magic, which seems to be Grayson's gripe with her eldrich abominations. Mayhaps the monsters are a different type of true, one which Grayson can't see?

>>20624934
Preen her neck.

>>20624934
"I should have known. Sounds like they'd work best together."
Assuming the robe is one that opens at the front, wrap it around Kaliel too, and preen her back, if somewhat awkwardly.

>>20624934
"So, now that you're preening me, it's probably Zeke's turn to stumble upon us, right?"

"Hnnng, that feels...surprisingly good."

"I should have known." You say. "Sounds like they'd work best together."
"Together is how you cook food." She mumbled, as you poked your beak into the crook of her neck. "They'd exponentially heat, and ... nnnn." She said, trailing off as you awkwardly started nibbling at her feathers. You feel her entire body tense for a moment and relax into you, her eyes half-lidded, and she went back to your neck. You feel your skin shiver pleasantly, and the two of you curl there, in the grass, for quite some time. Eventually. . Kaliel fell asleep, wings still wrapped around you- it felt similar to the time she clung to you, after your concussion.

>>20625086
Let her sleep.

>>20625086
As nice as it is to sleep here in the open, we should probably return her to her bed.

>>20625086
Let's see what this obsession with nesting is all about, try to make one for us to sleep in.

And hopefully we won't get found in the morning by too many people.

>>20625086
Gently shift to a more comfortable position if need be, and join her in sleep.

rolled 88 = 88

>>20625112
Cast a shrouding spell, so nobody can find us.

>>20625086
Pick her up gently, carry her to bed and go to sleep with her.

If she starts stirring or talking in her sleep neck her a bit more to get her back to sleep.

>>20625086
It's tempting to stay here so everybody can share in awkward discovery in the morning, but I'd rather avoid that. Move to some location that affords some privacy.

>>20625112
I think that might be a Kalak marriage proposal or something. Let's just take her to her bed of pillows and sleep there ourselves.

>>20625112
It'd probably Leon, at dawn.

>>20625125
You mean so only Kris can find us.

Gently, you pick her up, surprised at how light she is- she's just as light as she is in human form, although much taller. She mumbles something, and you gently neck her until she stops stirring. You make your way back to her room, and set her down in the pile of pillows that served as her bed. Blearily, you start to make your way to your own room, but Kaliel grips your wrist. Silently, you look down at her, and curl up in the pile of pillows, closing your eyes.

You wake up to Kaliel stirring in your arms, your wings stiff- no wonder kalak can't sleep in normal beds- either the beak or the wings would get in the way. Gently, you feel something scratching up one of your talons, and you open your eyes- Kaliel's beak, nibbling her way up your arm. Seeing your eyes opened, she grinned.
"Morning." She said.

>>20625207
Grin back.
"I figured out how to cure your insomnia."

>>20625207
"Morning. It's unusual for you to wake up early."

>>20625207
"Morning, Kal. Slept well, I assume?"

>>20625207
See? YOu sleep much better when I'm there

>>20625232
Hah, yes.

>>20625232
This.

"See?" You ask. "You sleep much better when I'm there."
"Oh well, I suppose you'll need to sleep here from now on, then." She said, still grinning. "Unless we're human- then I'll need to sleep in your room."
She stretched, and peeked out of the window, looking down.
"We're over land." She said. "Can't see where at from here, though, and we're still moving."

>>20625275
"Okay, I'll get myself ready for the day."
Return to our own cabin, turn human again and prepare for the day ahead of us.
And get Raziel's gift done.

>>20625275
"Over Sirius, or maybe Ursae, I'd guess. Let's go find out."

>>20625275
Transform and roll out!

Ring up Marigold and tell her we're back at the right continent, and Lewin to see if he's in range.

>>20625275
"That's good. We should be getting home soon.

I should probably get up and take care of my various queenly duties my dear. And breakfast, we need breakfast."

Affectionately neck Kaliel a bit more, get up, transform to human, get dressed.

...am I the only one that doesn't really care for Kaliel?

"Okay, I'll get myself ready for the day." You say. She nods, and gives you a hug. You affectionately nibble at her neck a bit more, and then transform to human. She rolls her shoulders, wings stretching, and does so too, appearing in nothing but nightclothes. She slips on her living armor, her tail already whipping about, as if it had waited for her.

You look down. . and see you're still wearing the robe. You pull the hood over your eyes, and Kaliel starts giggling. "You look cool, like that." She said. You examine the mirror in Kaliel's room-

And in the mirror, you're staring at Dras'lea.
In a red robe.

Something inside your mind clicks. You're not sure what.
". . Ishelda?" She asked, peeking under the hood to look at you. "Are you okay?"

>>20625351
but madscience magic couple!

but yes, I kinda agree.

>>20625351
I don't think she was the best waifu candidate but she's still a great character. I don't see how you could just not care about her.

>>20625362
"I just figured out who Dras'lea is."

rolled 95 = 95

>>20625362
could we dive into our own conscious to see whats up in there? If so warn kaliel about it and then go mind exploring

>>20625362
This is the first time we've realised Dres'lea looks like us?

Panic! Run through every miscast we can remember, is there anything that could have created an evil copy of ourselves?

>>20625351
Getting Jeanne would be rather complicated, so I'm okay with her. Still better than most other options.

>>20625362
"I-I think I realised something.. or maybe not. Just had a strange hunch."
No use dwelling upon it, get going - we've got stuff to do.

>>20625381
>GLORIOUS MIND EXPLORING HOO!

>>20625351
I think she's fucking great and I'm really glad we went for her. She's my favorite waifu candidate by far.

>>20625362
"Not... entirely." Explain

>>20625374
It's a turn of phrase

>>20625362
"I... I don't know."

>>20625362
I was totally expecting >End of thread.

>>20625362
"No, not particularly.

You know that I am quite possibly the most emotionally repressed person on the ship. Seriously just look at the fact that my world burned in front of me and they sacrificed themselves to let me escape and I called it 'ancient history'. I keep a lot of my emotions under very rigid control. Well I know exactly where Dras'Lea and the Void Queen come from, she's me, she's a version of me where I broke under the strain or just decided it was better to kill those emotions instead of burying them."

>>20625388
I suppose I'm just still harboring anti-waifu sentiments in general.

>>20625374
This is what I've been trying to tell these guys for several threads now.

>>20625419
I'm not sure that Ishelda actually knows all of that.

>>20625431
Completely understandable. Everybody usually turns into even more of a retard when they're available.

>>20625414
It's very early for that. Especially with how late Exabyte's been running recently.

>>20625431
Understandable. Just think of it less like full body pillow, elder scrolls modded, feeds her digital image cake sort of waifu -
and more like the character Ishelda needs to unload all of her affections and worries on so that she can grow as a character in a believable way that doesn't involve deep meditation and chakras.

>>20625457
Well, he mentioned in the IRC that he ran yesterday's twice as long as he meant to.

>>20625451
She doesn't. For all she knows she's unleashing hordes of minotaurs in her sleep. Not that that really makes sense but she'll still freak out.

>>20625457
He said he'd want to run 5 hours, at least on his twitter. I think he managed that twice, or so.

"Not... entirely." You say. "I-I think I realized something. Or maybe not. I... I don't know."
Quickly, you run through your memories, going back to every miscast you've made- The mind ward, from earlier, but that was *after* she opened the portal. There was the light spell, in the Sosarian dining hall, but that was after, as well...

The red furred minotaur called her the queen of the void.
And. . Gareth. The Wanderer... He mentioned the Void Queen.
He mentioned that he loved her. That he was willing to conquer the world for her.
Enchantment magic coils up through the lines in your arms, bursting free from your will, swirling around your body, as you stare vacantly at the reflection in the mirror.
>Find the gearworks
>The bitch lied to me. The void queen. . she lied to me
>Go ahead, Queen of the Void, tear my people's home from us! I dare you!
You feel something deep, deep within you. A strange memory. . a crux, from two years ago . . A time when *** sp**t. . . ***
"Ishelda!" Kristoph said, shaking you. You were sitting on Kaliel's bed, the robe gone, and you feel your magic bound within you, the spell broken, as his antimagic pins down your sorcery. "Wake up, lady." He said.

>>20625528
Good morning Kristoph. Sorry about all the fuss but I worked something rather unpleasant. What happened exactly?

>>20625528
"W-what just happened?"

>>20625528
Wha- what happened? How long was I out? Did I say anything? THIS IS IMPORTANT!

>>20625528
It was just getting to the good part, Kristoph!

>>20625528
"Huh? What's happening?"

"W-what just happened?" You asked. "How long was I out? Did I say anything?"
"Well. . " Kaliel said. "You froze, staring at the mirror, and then magic started swirling from your arms. You just stood there, silent... and you didn't react, so I got Kristoph. You were out. . two minutes? Maybe three, and you didn't say anything. You just. . stood there."

>>20625528
<Diety> damnit Kristoph! You came too soon!

>>20625567
Tone of Command
"Remove your antimagic, Kristoph."

>>20625567
I think... I think I made the Void Queen, somehow.

>>20625599
this.

"I'm responsible, at least."

>>20625567
You ruined my 95!

>>20625567
"I am... fine. I had a vision, which Kristoph interrupted at a crucial point. Don't worry Kris, you couldn't know. I would have done the same for my friends, if I had your talent."

>>20625567
I'm perfectly alright, you can remove the antimagic.

I just worked out where the Void Queen and Dras'Lea came from, they're the same person. I made them, somehow.

>>20625567
"I'm doing it again, although I think the moment has passed. Give ten minutes or so."
Try again.

>>20625575
*snicker*

>>20625614
This.

"I am... fine." You say. "I had a vision, which Kristoph interrupted at a crucial point. Don't worry, Kris, you couldn't know. I would have done the same for my friends, if I had your talent."
"I'm sorry." He said, and you feel the pressure on your magic lessen. "At least I figured out how to turn off my resistance on the way here."
"Yeah, uh, sorry about that, Kris. I. . kind of panicked." Kaliel said.

>>20625664
Oh? What happened?

>>20625664
Give Kris a hug.
"Huh? What exactly happened while I was out?"

>>20625664
That's fine, you did well.

But all I found out is that I am somehow responsible for Dres'lea, The Void Queen.

>>20625664
"Well it's good that you're acquiring a greater degree of control over your talent.

What happened?"

>>20625686
No, no we didn't. We found out we're somehow connected to her, but that's it.
Unless I missed a sentence, or something else. In that case, my apologies.

>>20625699
Yeah, but Ishelda's like to take personal responsibility for it anyway because she's kinda fucked up like that.

"It's fine, you did well." You say, and give Kris a hug. "What exactly happened while I was out?"
"I used phasing." Kaliel said. "It's a tough spell to get working. . but I didn't have enough time to fuss with doors."
"She came in through the wall, like a ghost, shook me awake, and then tugged me into the wall until I was able to turn off my resistance, before she pulled me back here." He said.
"What was the vision?" Kaliel asked.
". . All I found out is that I am somehow responsible for Dras'lea. The Void Queen."
"Dras'lea is the one who. . opened the minotaur portal, right?" Kaliel asked. "Is she part of the Game or something?"

>>20625716
"I don't think so. But Gareth knew her, he said he loved her. He also mistook me for her, breifly, just as the Minotaur did. And she was involved with Ragnarock somehow as well."

Anything else I've forgotten?

>>20625712
Doesnt mean we can't tell them about it. We should tell them, in fact. Not quite sure just what or how just now, but we should.

>>20625716
"Kind of? Gary wanted to conquer the world to win her love. I don't think she's directly part of it though."

>>20625716
"I think so, but...not in the same way. Gareth said that he was in love with her, and that was his motivation for doing what he did...but I don't know what she wants. Just that...just that she looks exactly like me. I couldn't tell until I saw myself in the robe, but I'm sure of it."

>>20625716
"I don't have the slightest clue."

>>20625716
Not as far as I know. The only one left alive who played the Game is Tyr, at least the only one the other players knew about.

Gareth loved her, she's evil, she opened the portal for some reason and the Gearworks are involved somehow.

I'm sure that Dras'lea is somehow a part of me, or we're the same person in different circumstances or something like that.

Dras'lea did have tea with us in the mindscape dream thingy, didn't she? Someone who appreciates tea can't be entirely evil.

>>20625802
We offered, but she didn't partake.

"I don't think so." You say. "But Gareth knew her, and he said he loved her. He also mistook me for her, briefly, just as the minotaur did. And she was involved with Ragnarok, somehow, as well. The Wanderer wanted to conquer the world to win her love. . but I don't know what she wants. Just that. . Just that she looks exactly like me. I couldn't tell until I saw myself in the robe... but I'm sure of it." You say.

"Your mother." Kristoph said, definitively. "After you did that ritual. . you were upset because she was connected to the demons. . Maybe you have a sister. Or a twin. Perhaps she's a demon."
". . or it's someone shapeshifted to look like you." Kaliel said. "But if Gareth wanted to conquer the world for her. . then she was here. . long, long before you were. Before you were born, even. She can't have been your fault, Ishelda."

>>20625811
The feind! There shall be no redemption for her!

>>20625819
"She doesn't even drink tea!"

"She's visited me a few times now, in visions and dreams. She left that gear on my desk the other day."

She also seems to be working against herself, since she told me to get tho the gearworks before she did.

>>20625819
"No, I know it was. Something... two years ago...
This would be a lot easier if you hadn't interrupted the vision."

>>20625819
"I don't know. Sorcery can do a lot, and the void between worlds has infinite power, which could let someone who taps it the ability to do anything.

>>20625819
There was a crux two years ago, her involvement or existence has to do with that.

Kaliel, just because something came into existence two years ago doesn't mean that it won't affect some from before them. If anyone could do the things she's done, it'd be me with the infinite power source of the magic in the void between worlds. If I wanted to I could do everything she has done so far, open portals, screw with memories, even mess with time if I got lucky or had a source of magic to draw off of.

>>20625819
>>"she can't have been your fault, Ishelda."... Unless Ishelda is a timelord! >>20623925

>>20625892
Ishelda can't be a timelord, she gets decent writing.

"Kaliel, just because something came into existence two years ago, doesn't mean that it won't effect someone from before then. If anyone could do the things she's done. . it'd be me, with the infinite power source of the magic in the void between worlds."
"You're talking. . time travel?" Kaliel asked.
"If you're right, we need to talk to Gehenna about this." Kristoph said. "He said that time travel, no matter how much power you had, still had limits."
He rubbed at his eyes. "But lady, I'd best go don my armor. I'll be right back."
Kristoph left the room, and Kaliel spared you a worried glance. "If this void queen has sorcery. . but with more power than you. . . What can we do?"

>>20625941
"I don't even know!"

"I just have to find the gearworks, and hope things work out from there."

>>20625941
"Show her the power of love!"

>>20625941
"Get the Gearworks, that ought to solve the power problem. Also I have some things she doesn't. I have a retinue, she probably doesn't have soulfire, and let's face it I'm the hero, and heroes are supposed to win. "

>>20625941
"No matter how much power I have, my spells can still fail. For example, I cannot into divination, at least most of the time. And she doesn't have either you, or the rest of my friends. I'm sure we'll manage somehow. And if she turns out to be really nasty, I'll just have to hope there's a brick nearby."

>>20625941
The Gearworks can apparently give me the power of the void too...

>>20625941
"I- We need to find the Gearworks."

>>20625351
>>20625365
you are not the only ones, we voiced this three threads ago, but it seems in the last two threads people have rushed into it, therefore committing Ishelda really. At this point, we can't really drop her for someone else. Not the best outcome, but oh well.

>>20626083
Well, I wasn't pushing for Kaliel specifically, but she's on my ideal list. Along with Grayson, Raziel, and Belethor.

>>20626083
>implying we can only have one love interest ever

>>20626095
Well, you probably have to choose between Kali and Grayson, as Grayson does NOT care for Kali's magic, what with it breaking the cycle, and what not.

"I don't even know!" You say. "I- We- just have to find the gearworks. I have you, and the rest of my friends, she probably doesn't have soulfire... and let's face it. I'm the hero, and heroes are supposed to win."
"If it even comes to a fight." Kaliel said, and took your hand. She gave it a squeeze. "And if it does, you'll have my passion. The magical kind, too." She added, with a smile.

The two of you make your way abovedeck, where Ell is lounging back near the control crystal.
"Ishelda." He said. "We're almost there."

As you peek over the balcony, Jormungandr descends through the clouds.
New Arcturus- and Triune's Gift stares up at you, and you smile. You see Marigold's form kneeling over, near her garden, with Kell standing guard next to her. It's only been a week and a half, maybe two weeks, but . .
You're home.

>End of thread!
>Sticking around to answer questions!
>Also, twitter is at @futureexabyte

>>20626107
That list is "any combination (Including just one) of these is fine" not "all or nothing."

>>20626129
Fair enough. Just saying.

>>20626107
I'm sure we could convince Grayson somehow, but I think we should focus on whatever is bugging him first.
I really like the big hunk of bear.

>>20626146
He's my least favorite waifu candidate, even behind Zeke, and miles behind the VQ. He's just so much more awesome as a big brother/father figure.

>From the IRC:
> [16:32] <hats> the thread really needs some reunion piano music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB4fO-f33K0

>>20626107
I'm not implying that, I was just going with what I figured Exabyte was comfortable with. I know Exabyte allowed Dave to have wife/mistress end. I'm just not sure how comfortable Exa is with writing multi-species-bisexual-harem end.

>>20626174
I think he would be a good match for Marigold, to be honest.

>>20626201
Kinda, but I'm trying to ship Marigold and Belethor.

>>20626114
>Sticking around to answer questions!
Can we get a bit of castle/nation management? Something like the quests for the castle the PC could own in Baldur's Gate 2.

>>20626213
I'm personally aiming Belethor/Raziel and Marigold/Leon. I think Marigold would appreciate the classic courtly romance that Leon would go for and I think Raziel and Belethor would get along well given how much they both appreciate intelligence and drive.

>>20626213
I'd ship Leon/Marigold, since he seems to be the type she'd go for, and Belethor/Raziel, since he seems like the type of guy who'd appreciate her intelligence and personality over her appearance (And he's already said he'd be willing to shift forms, so that's doubly not a problem.)

>>20626214
>Yep! You guys can stay at New Arcturus for some time. Mostly, Gehenna, as steward, deals with that sort of thing, but you can talk to him about your ideas for ports, or additions to the city, or any old thing that you can't or don't want to do personally. You'll get quite some time before going east.

>>20626213
I think Belethor is too cerebral for her. So I am not really a fan of that combination. But we'll have to see how Exabyte will make the characters interact.

>>20626230
Raz is Ishelda territory. Sorry.

>>20626235
Neat! Thank you.

>>20626235
yes! regenting subquest! we shall optimise all the economies!

>>20626230
>>20626234
Belethor seems a bit young for Raz, and he's already said he's not into birds.

Leon isn't a bad choice for Mar though.

>>20626241
>Raz is Ishelda territory. Sorry.
This guy knows what's up.

>>20626266
Well Raz and Belethor should at least get along really well as friends anyways. They share some interests (Or at least they'd be willing to learn about whatever academics the other one knows about.)

For non-canon, I personally find the idea of Belethor/Leon hate-boner homolust hilarious.

For actual canon, I'd say I'd enjoy Raz getting in on Ishy/Kal the same way Lucca did for Dave/Amy in NFCQ.
Belethor seems like he might make a good balance to Marigold. He'd be able to let loose with the speculative thinking a bit more if he had someone like Marigold to properly ground him. And Marigold really deserves a proper prince.
I suspect Leon might go well with the new girl Lewin's bringing back, assuming Ishy doesn't want to poach her too.
Zeke I still kinda want to see with Raz in some way, though I don't expect that to actually happen.

>>20626235
'm so gonna turn this into an RTS world building quest.

>>20626399
Are you thinking magically powered monorail? Because that's what I'm thinking.

>>20626399
>>20626417
Welp, I'd better get some shitty paint doodles of Triune's Gift ready.

>>20626417
Heck yes! We can set that to run from our port to our town to our magcal boat-lift.

>>20626439
Yay!

I'm thinking the easiest way to get the travel system up is to make our own mini-weave, then automated Jormungandr knock-offs designed only to travel between two preset points. That should impact the economy in the same way trains did, but without actually having to make or maintain tracks.