"Uh... well, Zeke, uhm. . " Cassiel's spectre said. "I'm, uh, sorry to say that I don't feel that-"
"Oh man oh god I did *not* mean to do that." Zeke said, taking three steps backward, where he tripped over the edge of the circle. "It's all Ishelda's fault! She's always ruffling people's hair!"
There was a long delay while Kaliel bit her lip, and Raziel tried not to laugh, but then Raziel burst into giggles. Ashamed, Zeke covered his face.

>>20685359
Help Zeke up.
"I did the same thing before I knew what preening implied."

This fucking thread pisses me off so goddamn much. It's ALWAYS on the front page. It doesn't matter when I browse, it's always there!

>>20685380
Try browsing at a different time. Exabyte only runs between 2:00 and 8:00 board time.

>>20685359
Hug Zeke.
"I'm sorry for corrupting you."

>>20685380
>It starts the same time every day. You could just hide it and move on. Or you could catch up and participate, if you wanted.

You pull Zeke to his feet.
"I did the same thing before I knew what preening implied." You say, and give him a hug. "Sorry for corrupting you."
"That's different." Zeke said. "It doesn't exactly count as much when one form isn't kalak."
Kaliel turned red. "She wasn't always in human form." She mumbled.
"Oh. Oh!" Zeke said.

Cassiel looked from person to person, still standing there silently.

>>20685407
Clear our throat
"Yes, well, I believe there was a plan to get Cassiel back to life. How're we doing with that?"

>>20685407
"Human or Kalak, I'm still the same person.... anyway, Cassiel, we had a certain idea concerning your presence."
Let Raz and Kal explain it to him.

You clear your throat.
"Human or Kalak, I'm still the same person.... anyway, Cassiel, we had a certain idea concerning your presence."
"Oh?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
"The plan is to bring you back to True Life." Raziel said. "Did a lot of research on it."
"Back to life?" Cassiel asked. "Most of the time, such a thing takes a blood sacrifice, of sorts."
"Yep." Raziel responded. "Stronger if it's the blood of family members."
"But I don't believe we're related by blood, sadly." Cassiel said.
"But you're wrong." Raziel said. "That sort of thing doesn't matter. It may with hereditary power, or the color of someone's plumage... but blood relation doesn't matter. We're still a family, and the ritual will understand that."
"Right." he said. "So, uh, how exactly are we going to be doing this? I'm still, erm, rather lost as to what's going on or what had happened while I was dead."
"First, we need part of your body." Raziel said, motioning to the delicious-yet-horrendous smelling sea serpent flesh in the circle. "Which we have. Next, we need the blood of your family, or a willing participant. Or willing family members. Which we have. Finally, we need two other things. A body for you, which Kaliel will handle, and something a lot harder to get."
"Oh? And what is that?"
"Power." She said. "The totem is to call your spirit, and the blood will help your spirit bind to your form, but you'll just be possessing an empty shell, unless. . unless we get enough power to bring you to True Life."

>>20685380
So... filter it?

>>20685527
"Is that where I come in? How much power are we talking?"

>>20685527
"How much power? I have quite a lot you know."

>>20685527
"Oooh, that's my part, right? I'd love to help."

"How much power? I have quite a lot, you know. Is that where I come in?"
"I'm not sure." Raziel said. "You're powerful, but, well, it isn't all that reliable. If it goes wrong, then he'll end up consigned to a body that eventually rots away, and his soul will rot away with it. False Life isn't a good thing, and can't be reversed. We can do it any time. . .but be *sure* that you're ready, and if we can find more people to help, that'd be good."

>>20685604
>If I remember correctly, we can't fail at Control Magic as long as we are touching the target.
"Well, I can get a lot of crystals here, and if I can physically touch the body during the ritual it's a much more stable power flow."

>>20685604
"Clearly, we need to prepare a battery of magic to store the necessary power for channeling, check and double-check it for faults, and make sure that there is an excess of power in both the battery and participants of the ritual in the unlikely case of a mishap. It might be wise to call on Azariel for assistance as well."

>>20685604
"If that's the case, we should definitely try to get more help. Just to be sure. I don't want to be responsible for the destruction of a soul. Perhaps Zeke can teach me how to transfer some of my power via wizardry, it seems to be more reliable than my sorcery." Cringe and hug Raziel.

>>20685604
If I just feed you like when Kal made her armor I can give you loads of power, no problem. I can even grab the Jormungandr's power crystals as extra. If I actually have to cast myself, we'll have to find another way. Sometimes I just use all my energy on one simple light spell and I don't think there's a way to avoid that. I heard the Gearworks can bring people back from the dead and we are looking for that anyway.

"If that's the case, we should definitely try to get more help." You say. "Just to be sure. I don't want to be responsible for the destruction of a soul." You say, cringing. "Perhaps Zeke can teach me how to transfer some of my own power via wizardry. It seems to be more reliable than my sorcery."
"That's a rather good idea." Raziel said. "Because when you were helping me make my armor, the power you gave me. . fluctuated."
"It would be wise to call on Azariel for assistance, as well, and prepare a battery of magic." You say.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Raziel said. "I'll need to talk to Gehenna about this to be sure, but this sort of ritual doesn't handle. . implements very well. It's all based around life and living things, and to keep tools or undead nearby- even to use them- doesn't sound like a good idea."
"If it's based around life and living things. . ." Zeke said. "We ask Marigold for help."
"... I don't know who that is." Cassiel said. "And Gehenna? You guys are actually talking to him and Ragnarok? I mean, I kept saying we should all make amends, but. . ."
"His brother's dead. Wanderer killed him." Zeke responded.
"Oh. And you didn't bring him back because..."
"Because his spirit was pulled away from us and bound somewhere." Raziel responded. "Probably another necromancer."
"Right."

Oh dear. I hope that 'other necormancer' isn't who I think it is. What he said before he was bound makes me think it is though.

>>20685695
"Marigold is very good at controlling her Talent. Maybe I can channel power into her as she channels it into the body. That should give a consistent flow of powerful life magic."

>>20685695
"I think we definitely need to get you up to speed first, Cassiel."

>>20685717
There is no other necromancer, that's just what Raziel thinks. The Void Queen destroyed his soul.

>>20685695
"Well, in the meantime I'd love to catch you up on what's been happening in the world."

Exa, this is the perfect place to post that full summary of the entire plot you were planning to do, right?

"Marigold is very good at controlling her Talent. Maybe I can channel power into her as she channels it into the body. That should give a consistent flow of powerful life magic." You say.
"Unless you burn her with too much magic power." Kaliel said. "Like what happened to your hands. Training would be best."
"I think we definitely need to get you up to speed first, Cassiel." You say.
"I'd like that, very much." Cassiel responded.
"I can probably start." Zeke said, scratching the back of his head. "And then once we get to where Raz arrived, she can continue from there while I train Ishelda more on wizardry."
He shrugged, and then started.
"So, after you died, I went down to the ship itself, ready to start flinging around fire. . and then a bear got ahold of me."
"A bear?"
"A really, really big bear." Zeke said. "You'll meet him, he's cool. But he tore me apart, and I had to have Azariel put me back together. But anyway, I still thought that Ishelda over here was Uriel..."
He started telling Cassiel everything that had happened, slowly and calmly, about the group as they made their way from the orcish lands, through the elven lands, and all the way south to the lizardman lands.
"... And there, we spoke with Vithriel, and. . Raz showed up, apparently incredibly, incredibly drunk on swamp brew. And here's where I think I can leave off."

>>20685764
I suppose now would be the time to start learning wizardry with Zeke, so let's do that.

>>20685757
>I don't have that summary quite done yet.

"Right." Raziel said, turning to you. "You two have fun while we get him caught up more."
"We will." Zeke said, and the two of you made your way out of the room. "Well, you know that wizardry has multiple schools. But some spells, like the Light spell I taught you, don't exactly fit in any one group. Transferring power is similar to that. It doesn't fit any particular school, and it doesn't have it's own inclinations, like most spells do. Although we should be finding out which schools you're suited for, we can also just teach you a few universal spells and see how you deal with those. It's really up to you."

>>20685764
"I don't think she'll remember much of that. You'll have to get to the point where she's concious again before she can take over."

>>20685825
"Let's continue with practicing the light spell, and more general stuff."

rolled 97 = 97

>>20685825
"For now, let's just see if I can do the transfer spell."

>>20685825
"Well, since there's a need for it at the moment, I'd like to learn the transfer spell."

"For now, let's just see if I can do the transfer spell."
"Right. That was kind of a given, actually." He said, flipping open his book. "Here's the somatic component- it's pretty simple, and you're only supposed to do it with one hand, pushing your other palm against whoever you want to channel magic to, and here's the words of power.." He says, and you examine the rune that signifies what you're supposed to say, and how to move your hand, as he drones on about control. Finally, you think you understand the concept well enough.

"Now try it on me." He said. "Keep it small, because you have much more stamina than anyone else I can think of, and too much raw magic can cause nasty burns."

You nod, twist your hand into something like a fist with the first two fingers crossed, and touch Zeke with your fingertips.

You bring your magic forth, and speak the word. Your energy, steadily, perfectly controlled with raw force of will, courses down your arm and through your fingertips, pouring into Zeke.

He smiled. "Good, good. Try it again."
You continue to practice the spell, swapping your own magic back and forth between you and Zeke as you play 'pass the spark'. Each and every time you exercise perfect control, until finally Zeke chuckles, and passes your magic back to you.
"You've taken to this like a fish to water. I'm sure you can use it without somatic components or even vocal ones, once you learn how to do that." He said, chuckling.

>>20685938
"Great!" Hug the bird.

"Great!" You say, and give Zeke another hug.
"Well, now. . I have to admit. . I'm curious." He said, quickly flipping through the pages of his book. He opened it, and showed you a strange rune- it looked like the somatic component included covering and closing your eyes, and the vocal component was a singly syllable.
"Try this spell." He said. "While you're on a roll, at least. Even if it goes wrong, it shouldn't hurt anyone."

rolled 47 = 47

>>20686072
Rock and Roll

rolled 47 = 47

>>20686072
"O-okay."

rolled 92 = 92

>>20686072
"Like this?"

rolled 11 = 11

>>20686072

>>20686093
Yeah, like that.

You close your eyes, cover them, and then whisper the word, bringing your magic forth. .

And then there was a flash of light. You opened your eyes again. . and there was a strange field of light covering everything. You close your eyes, just to check. . and you can still see the strange fields, with a ton of. . dark, cold magic emanating from the cistern. You sense that it's necromantic, strangely.
" . . Wow." Zeke said. "I'm surprised. You just casted your first divination spell, and with it.. you can now see magic itself. Like Ell, I suppose, but ell's sight is a lot sharper than anything a spell can emulate. How old were you again?"

>>20686072
use magic hands to ensure the spell

>>20686141
"Sixteen years." Give him a smile.

>>20686141
"Sixteen, now." With a grin.

>>20686141
16

>>20686141
>16 right?
"I'm 16. But I know why I can use divination. It's because I managed to... intimately understand some of the earliest history in the Orcish tower."

>>20686141
"Sixteen... The Void Queen did say she was gifted with divination..."

>>20686204
Huh? Must have missed that.

>>20686227
>http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/20469225/#20469701
>Divination magic is some of the strangest, and the most powerful. Magic has many sides- many instincts, and tendencies. It is a madman with a hundred personalities. If you are lucky, the most wild of those beasts- divination- will obey you, as it did for me.

"Sixteen, now." you say.
"And you can accomplish divination magic." He said. "I'm impressed. Divination is the sort that, as long as you know the somatic and vocal components, you don't need any sort of control with the more basic spells. I wonder why you can even do it..."
He bent back down to the book, and flipped a few more pages.
"But I know why I can use divination. It's because I managed to... intimately understand some of the earliest history in the Orcish tower." You say.
"With sorcery?" He asked, and you nod. "So you experienced hundreds of years, I suppose. Or perhaps you're gifted with divination. Or, perhaps, you've had more experiences, good and bad, than most do."
He shrugged, and flipped the page once more. He tilted his head and listened to the other room, but Raziel was still talking. "Let's move on, then, while they're getting him caught up. This is a basic evocation spell. The hand shape doesn't exactly matter, but your position does. Move your arms like. . .this." He said, and you imitated his shape. "Twist your hand into a claw, and invoke the spell."

rolled 63 = 63

>>20686260
Let's try not to blow ourself up.

rolled 43 = 43

Les' GO!

You look down at the paper, and the large, sprawling rune, and then focus your magic into the palm of your hand. You focus. . .and a few sparks burst into being, perfectly suspended in your palm. . and then it winked out.
"Try and put more power into it." He said. "Evocation is the most powerhungry of all schools, for the most part. Abjuration can take as much, but not if you're clever. Anyway, more power."

You twist your arm into that position, and say the word again, putting more force into the spell. A small, levitating orb of fire bursts into being, simmering softly, and perfectly smokeless.
"Throw it, now, at that wall."
You lob it softly. . and it falls immediately to the ground, winking out after a flash of flame.

"You just need a bit more practice." He said.

A few minutes later, you had a perfectly spherical orb in your hand, slowly vibrating.
"Now. Throw it softly, like you did that first time." He said.

You slowly lob the spell-

And it tears out of your palm, increasing as it flies, and slams into the wall, bursting into flame. With a start, you realize- you'd seen this spell before, when Kaliel was using it against the minotaur.
Zeke chuckled. "I probably should have started with basic force spells, because those don't set things aflame or explode... but you can't go wrong with fire."

>>20686343
Giggle. "I guess you're right about that."

>>20686343
"I don't need to cast to get fire."
Poke him with the soulfire.

>>20686343
"Is there any other divination spells I can try?"

rolled 43 = 43

>>20686343
"Darn it, that was graceless! Slothful! I need to try harder..."
Try throwing it with a wee bit more force. Like a baseball pitcher.

>>20686388
Lets not poke someone with a weaponized portion of our soul.

>>20686459
But it's not weaponised unless we want it to be. We've done stuff like that before.

"I guess you're right about that." You say, and giggle. "I don't need to cast to get fire." You say, and uncoil the soulfire from your arm, where it wiggles through the air, and then pokes him in the shoulder.
"Obviously." He said. "But evocation likes fire, in a way. Fire spells are the easiest. You do need to have a lot of magic to use it, and you can't put too much or too little into it, but if you get that right, it's a lot easier to cast and manipulate the spell."
He put his hand under his beak, thinking. "What else should we do. . "
"Is there any other divination spells I can try?"
"Well, there's the most basic form of scrying." He said. "One second."

Quickly, he ran off. . and then came back, with a small rock clod- it looked like it had been mud, dried and compressed with magic.
He flipped through the pages.
"This one requires a tool, or a focus. Most don't, and a focus is optional, but for this one it's all but required. With that small bit of dirt, you should be able to scry on the area the dirt came from. It has to be somewhere you've seen, too."

You take a look at the rune he's showed you, and the somatic component includes closing your eyes, and putting the focus in both hands. Strange, how most divination spells seem to require closed eyes. Ironic, you suppose.

>>20686459
It's only weaponized if we want it to be. It can also simply be warm, or be used as an extra limb (Which would be the case with poking someone).

rolled 46 = 46

>>20686473

rolled 48 = 48

>>20686473
Well, let's see how this goes.

rolled 40 = 40

>>20686473

You close your eyes, and say the word. .

And nothing happens.

"Hmm. . You have seen marigold's flower garden, right?" He asked, and you nod. ". . Try it again?"

Focusing on that memory, you try it again. . and your arms grow warm, and you feel your magic leaking from them- small amounts, though, like you were only casting a rather minor spell.
"Your silver arm things are sending beams of light to the dirt." Zeke said. "But don't open your eyes, just continue on."

Suddenly. . you can See. Marigold's, looking this way and that in the flower field. You see something move, slightly- and you see that a rather large patch of flowers wasn't flowers at all, but Kell, using the flowers on his back as camoflauge. Marigold bumps into him, and mouths something- you can't seem to hear anything from your vision, but you see Kell get up, give Marigold a hug, and pat her on the head when he sets her back down. The vision fades.

"How was that?" He asked.

>>20686544
ADORABLE

>>20686544
"So... so adorable."

"So... so adorable." You say. Zeke chuckled.
"They've been playing hide and seek for the past half hour." Zeke said. "But I don't know if the other divination spells are safe, so you should practice on the two you know now, for now. What other school can you think of. . Alchemy, maybe? No, we should probably get Abjuration, healing, and Enchantment out of the way first. Alchemy is some of the hardest to control."
He flipped backwards through the book, before showing you a. . very, very strange rune. It looked like a circle, with a few curved lines. It didn't show any symbols for somatic components, and it didn't have any words of power.
"This one's a bit different." He said. "Most of the time, enchantment doesn't have any components at all. What you need to do is manipulate your inner magic. . ." He said, and started rambling on about what the curved lines on the rune meant. Finally, he shrugged. "... and then you just enforce your will on the concept." He said. From what you can tell of the rune, it's some kind of communication spell.
"Just try it on me." He said.

rolled 47 = 47

>>20686622

rolled 45 = 45

>>20686622
"I am inside your head."

rolled 29 = 29

>>20686622

You close your eyes, and impress your mind on the ideas those runes signify- that of movement, and thought, focusing on Zeke.

You feel your arms grow warm, and the world slowly starts to swim and your muscles start to ache. . but you feel a Presence in your mind. Or are you the Presence in his?
<I am inside your head.> You say.
<You are.> He thinks back. <This spell is called a Sending, although once the link is established, it goes both ways. There are more powerful versions that let you send memories, or even steal them unwillingly. .. but as it is, this is basically what your rings do.>

He mentally shoved you out, breaking the connection, and then he grinned. "Everyone has trouble with that sort of thing." He says. "Except for Kaliel. She's somewhat of a savant when it comes to not using vocal or somatic components."

>>20686691
"Abjuration next?"

>>20686691
"I think I can do one more, safely."

"Abjuration next?" You ask, and he nods.
"If you want. . .but this one will be a little fun."

He slid the book toward you, open on a page. The somatic component to the spell was similar to the way one used a shield- blocking with your forearm, with the requisite twisted fingers. You mimic it, and mouth the word, but you don't cast it yet.
"Just invoke the spell." He said. . and then small wisps of flame burst into his hands. "You have five seconds. Go."

And then he readied to throw them at you.

>Roll 1d100
>Taking only the first two rolls!

rolled 4 = 4

>>20686733
Well....

rolled 58 = 58

>>20686733

rolled 25 = 25

>>20686733

Quickly, you brought up your arm, and invoked the spell. A flickering, stuttering shield of light appeared, and then Zeke wound back- And the shield went out. Panicked, you cast the spell again, while Zeke's spell was in the air. You didn't even have time to examine the shield before the first firebolt slammed into it, bursting into flame.

The second firebolt slammed against the shield, recoil pushing you back slightly. The third one hit it, and the shield cracked, small sparks of light falling from the crack- the spell was starting to fail. The fourth hit, and shattered the shield. The spell fell apart, into sparks.

"Well." He said, wiping his brow. "Did you get burned?"
You shake your head.
"Then you're better than I am at abjuration. If you want to get better at it, talk to Cassiel about it, after he's revived. I'm . . really bad at it."

>>20686795
"I think I'll have to practice this one. I can't count the times a magical shield would have been useful."

>>20686795
"I think this was enough for me for today, sorry, but the last two spells were really exhausting."

>>20686795
"So, Alchemy?"

Really bad huh? Let's practice!

Then we use our evil grin and start charging a fireball.

"I think I'll have to practice this one." You say. "I can't count the times a magical shield would have been useful."
"Well, if you ever need someone to throw things at you, I'm sure you can ask your loyal citizens." He said, and chuckled. "Nobody *ever* gets to throw rocks at a queen without the risk of losing their heads. They'd jump at the chance."

For a few more minutes, you practiced with the shield spell- not fighting against Zeke's thrown spells, no, but by trying to widen the shield, and make it more solid, before you think you can cast it reliably.
"I think this was enough for me today, sorry." You say. "The last two spells were really exhausting."
"Don't worry about it." He said. "That's why. . I purloined this from Ell." He said, pulling up a strange, crystal sphere. "Actually, I just plain asked him for it, but saying 'purloined' is more fun. Anyway, it's the magic battery from his armor. Try and absorb it with the mana transfer spell I taught you."
You put your hand on it, close your eyes, and say the word, surprised you remember it so readily, and magic power pours back into you- almost too quickly, actually, and the raw magic zaps your hand painfully, making you pull it back, and examine the scorch mark there. You hiss, looking at it.

"Well." He said. "This is a good chance to try healing."
He slid the book in front of you- it was similar to the Light spell, in a way, except you had to focus on a general area- your palm, to be exact.

>We're almost done here, bear with me.

>>20686925
"Mar makes it look rather easy..."

rolled 39 = 39

>>20686949
Derp

rolled 78 = 78

>>20686925

Hovering your hand over your palm, you close your eyes, twist your fingers, and start the chant. It was longer than most, and you had to twist your fingers into a different shape halfway through... but you feel life magic suffuse your palm, the mildly burned flesh slowly returning to a normal, healthy color, as rings of golden light circle your hand.
Zeke chuckled.
"Mar makes it look rather easy." You say.
"She does." He says. "Like Ell makes that magic detection spell look easy. . and the way *you* make everything look easy." He said, as you clench your hand. It's slightly stiff, but it doesn't hurt anymore. Almost as good as Fellwind's casting.

"And now, Alchemy." He said, closing the book and putting it away. "When I was first learning, Azariel had me turn some stone into dirt, and back into stone when I was learning. . but there are a few spells from Leon's spellbook I was examining, and they all check out- they're temporary shapeshift forms, and perfectly safe." He said, pulling out a scrap of paper. "The runes all have an extra somatic component for the pinkies, unlike kalak casting, but they should work. Just choose one, and cast."

You eye them, but you can't tell which is which. Instead, you choose a random one- the one with the least complicated somatic component- and get ready to cast.

rolled 92 = 92

>>20687025
Rolling for genderswap

rolled 23 = 23

>>20687025
A bunny!

rolled 1 = 1

>>20687025
Welp, what are we going to turn into?

>>20687044
YOU LIED ZEKE. THOSE SPELLS AREN'T SAFE AT ALL.

>>20687044
Good thing it's first two rolls, huh?

>>20687053
That was only for abjuration because there was a time limit.

>>20687060
Then we should only be using the first roll anyways.

Guess we'll keep to sorcery when it comes to transforming things...

>>20687069
No, it's pretty clear Exabyte's been using rolls other than the first for this exercise.

>>20687091
It's pretty clear he's been taking them in order and just keeping practising until we get it, so succeeding the first time should make the other rolls irrelevant. He's totally going to use it though.

>First two rolls were just for the time-sensitive spell.

Raziel walks out of the cistern, into the room.
"Kaliel's explaining what she's been doing for the past two years, and then we'll be done." She said. "What's Ishelda casting now?"
"No clue." Zeke said, and showed her the paper. "This one."
Raziel started giggling as she saw the rune. Not letting her screw up your concentration, you twist your hands, invoke the words, unused to using your pinkies for the spell, and cross your arms, and invoke the spell. Magic rushes through your body. . and then there's a flash of light, and you feel your form twist, ever so subtly, and your hair pulls back into your head. . and Zeke starts laughing.

"So." Raziel said, grinning. She opened up the mirror she was going to use for Sker, and showed you yourself. In it... you see your father.. but younger, much younger. You reach up and touch your face- and the reflection in the mirror does the same.

>>20687116
"This is definitely not what I expected." Giggle. "But I have to show Marigold."

>>20687116
"Wha- but- how-... Why does Leon have that spell? Wait, did it..."
Time to check down our pants.

>>20687116
"Wha-
But-
How long does this last?"

>>20687151
Later. A Queen does not stick her hands down her pants in public. Even if she's a King.

>>20687116
"So, Raz, how do I look?"

>>20687165
Not sticking our hand down there. We probably don't want to be wearing a dress in this form, if you get my drift.

"I think...I think maybe I want to go put some pants on.
Let me know when Kal's done so I can surprise her with this."

>Pants
You mean trousers, laddie.

Fuck I just can't take Scottish Ishelda seriously.

>>20687224
Scottish accent, not vocabulary.

>>20687224
Mostly it just means she doesn't pronounce hard consonants in the middle of a word and draws out the vowels a little.

>>20687232
Oh? And why should she use American vocabulary?

Because if she didn't Exabyte would keep slipping up and using it anyway. But apart from that.

"Wha-but-how-" You say, your voice coming out deep, and clear- You'd think it an attractive voice, suited for calling out orders on a battlefield if it wasn't *yours*. "...Why does Leon have that spell? H-how long does this last?"
Zeke shrugged. "Matters on how much power you put into the spell." He said. "With your amount of power. . it could be days." He shrugged.
"Or you could just ask Zeke to get rid of it." Raziel added.
You take a deep breath. "So, Raz, how do I look?"
"You're still wearing a petticoat. and a dress." She said. "But you're slightly taller, more masculine. . but not very masculine, strangely. No facial hair. Pretty handsome, though." She said, grinning.
"I think..." You say. "I think maybe I want to go put some pants on. Let me know when Kal's done so I can surprise her with this."
"Will do." Zeke said.
You make your way out of the room, up to yours. . and while undressing, you see some things that you should *not* have, and you blush, quickly putting on some trousers, glad that they fit for the most part, and doubly-glad that you thought to purchase more than just dresses and frocks- a warrior queen like yourself needs adventuring clothes, after all. Warrior king, instead, you correct yourself mentally.
You take a deep breath, rub your hand across your face, and examine yourself in the mirror a bit more.

>The world is your oyster, king of new arcturus? Wat Do?

>>20687261
Troll Marigold.

>>20687261
I think our dearest cousin might be interested in this development.

>>20687261
>By "Or you could just ask Zeke to get rid of it."
>I meant "Or you could just ask Kris to get rid of it."

>>20687261
First we need a new name.
Maybe one of Ishelda's male ancestors can lend us his name temporarily.
>What are some ancestor names, Exabyte?

>>20687261
Go surprise Marigold, then Kaliel, then get them both in on tricking Belethor to convince him we're Ishelda's brother.
Possibly by having Kaliel shapeshift into looking like Ishelda normally does and walking by.

>>20687287
Well, I think one of our ancesters was named Some-King. Can't exactly remember the chart.

>>20687261
Go walk. Find people.

First, you think, Marigold would be interested in this development, and you consider teasing her. . .
But first, you need a name. Perhaps one of your ancestors can lend you some names. You don't remember many of them, but you have a long line nobility in your blood. There's Abel, your father, Shem, your grandfather, Cain, your great-grandfather. . and finally, the first king of New Arcturus. King David.

Dave, for short.

>>20687319
Let's go with Cain. Just to break the pattern, if only once.

>>20687319
>New Arcturus
>I meant Arcturus. the old one. Whoops.

>>20687319
Dave for sure.

>>20687319
>Abel, Cain, David
But it's the Kalak who have biblical names.

>>20687338
Kalak have angelic names. Anyone can have biblical names.

>>20687319
I'm fine with everything as long as we avoid Dave

>>20687338
-el at the end of the name is hebrew for 'of god', and is applied to just about every angel there is. Kalak have angelic names, but not all biblical names are angelic.

>>20687319
Voting for Cain. I think we look like a Cain.

Voting for Cain.

>>20687298
do this

Something about the name Dave sets you off. You don't feel like choosing it, strangely- it seems... too common, too normal.
You shrug, give your mirror a smirk to see the way it looks. You were a kalak, and even a wyvern, in the past. Being a man is nothing special.

You, as Cain, stroll out of the room. You're still not quite sure how to walk more properly, as your hips feel much differently shaped- it makes your walk seem more like sauntering, you suppose, and you make your way out of the castle, out to the flower field. Marigold is hiding behind a bush, while Kell is peeking behind the other bushes, as Marigold giggles. She didn't seem to hear you approach behind her.

>>20687388
We look like our father, right? What would he say?

>>20687388
"Excuse me, young lady?"

>>20687388
"Good morning Princess Marigold."

>>20687388
"You there, young lady! I've been told your kisses are lucky, and I'm in need of some luck."

>>20687399
Or evening or whatever is most appropriate.

"Good afternoon, Princess Marigold." You say, and Mar jumps, slightly, befire turning around.
"Oh, good afternoon!" She said, after a slight double-take. She curtseyed to you, and bowed low, giving you a demure smile. "I don't believe I've seen you in the castle before, sir. Are you a visitor? A knight, perhaps?"

>>20687424
"I am a visitor, yes. I've only arrived a few minutes ago, your highness."

>>20687424
"I am indeed a knight, Sir Cain, from Cerulean Province."

>>20687424
Bow in return, "Oh? I don't look familiar to you?" and try to flash her the most panty-soaking smile we can.

>>20687424
"I AM KING CAIN, RULER OF THESE LANDS."

>>20687405
I'm a traveller, and I have come from far away because...

>>20687424
"Not a knight. More of an adventurer, really."

>>20687440
This

You bow in return. "Oh? I don't look familiar to you?" You ask, giving her the most handsome smile you can. She giggles, and her cheeks go red. "I am not a knight, I'm afraid to say. More of an adventurer, really."
<Ishelda! There's someone else here from Arcturus.> Your ring suddenly claimed, connecting with Marigold's. <He has the accent, and he's calling himself 'Cain'. He knew my name. Something's fishy, and he's obviously trying to seduce me.>
"Oh, really? Have you come with the Guild?" She asked, the smile and faded blush on her face telling you nothing about what your ring just said.

>>20687462
>"More of an adventurer, really. My name is Cain."

rolled 52 = 52

>>20687462
<Really? Well, I've never heard of him. Curious.>

"Indeed, I've been a member for a short while. A freelancer, before then."

>>20687462
Fucking accent. Always gives us away.

<Is he succeeding?>

>>20687462
>If we can use our regular voice over the ring then
<Oh? Are you sure he's from Arcturus? Keep him busy, I'll see what I can find out.>
regardless
" I'm not officially a member, but I was talking with Grandmaster Lewin earlier. I've been travelling for quite some time."

<Oh? Are you sure he's from Arcturus? Keep him busy, I'll see what I can find out.> You respond, using your normal voice. <. . Is he succeeding?>
"Indeed, I've been a member for a short while." You say, softening your accent. Hopefully she'd think it was a trick of her mind. "A freelancer, before then."
<I'm not. . .completely sure. . and, well, maybe a little. Hurry up.>
"A freelancer? Please, I bid you, tell me of your adventures." She said, her eyes widening slightly, as if she was enamored with the idea of learning more about you.

>>20687462
"I'd be happy to." motion her over to a table or bench or something, "I've heard a lot of rumors about a beautiful, mysterious girl who grows flowers I'd love to hear more about too."

>>20687509
"Well, I've slain a few *glance at Kell* regular trolls, but so have almost all of the adventurers. I spent some time exploring the northern islands. I found one in particular that was strangely warm, and it had these strange, flightless birds on it."

>>20687509
"I would love to, your highness. Do you perhaps know a place where we might sit?"

Hm, we don't have Rikar on us, do we? 'cause otherwise the jig is already up, most likely.

>>20687509
I've travelled far across the lands, but I always seem to be in the shadow of someone great. I went to the Orcish lands, but their trolls had been burned already, I went east, to the Elves, but they didn't like visitors. Then I went to talk to the lizardmen. They have some fine women down there.

Regale our own adventures!

>>20687509
"Well I had a bit of an adventure just now, actually. This strange bird gave me a spell to try and it turned me into a man."
<Haha, sorry, I couldn't resist.>

>>20687565
We don't want to seem like a braggart in front of Marigold.

>>20687577
Let's not give it up just yet.

>>20687564
>Nope. You left it with your dress, since you were going incognito.

"I'd love to, your highness." You say, motioning her over to a conveniently placed bench. "I've slain a few. . regular trolls, but so have almost all of the adventurers. I've traveled far across the lands. I spent some time exploring the northern islands. I one found one in particular that was.. strangely warm, and it had these strange, flightless birds on it."
"Really?" She asked, and brushed her hair behind her head. "I've heard of that island, as well. I was told it was beautiful. Can you tell me more about it?"

>>20687598
"It is a wonderous place, and nothing could compare to it. At least until I came to New Arcturus."

>>20687598
Tell her the general description of the island then
"I've heard that you were somewhat of an adventurer yourself, before Her Majesty took the throne."

>>20687591
There is a point where it goes from funny to cruel, and I just want to make sure we don't get near it. There are plenty of other people to do afterwards.

>>20687598
>I've heard of that island, as well. I was told it was beautiful
I swear we went back to that island specifically to show her.

>>20687598
"Well I had thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever see...until I came here. It really is an amazing city."

>>20687619
We did. She's testing us.

>>20687619
She's pretending not to know about it to stall "Cain"

>>20687626
Just checking I wasn't misremembering.

>>20687598
It was one of the most beautiful places I've been, second only to here. Your handiwork is lovely.

"It is a wonderous place, covered in flowers, with brown, cheeping birds, hopping around the island." You say. "I had thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever see...until I came here."
"Oh?" She said, giggling. Under her breath, you hear her say the word 'gareth'. . but she relaxes when nothing seems to happen.
"It really is an amazing city." You say.
"At first I thought you were going to compliment me, not the city. I have to admit, Cain, I'm rather disappointed." She said, her cheeks still pink.

>>20687698
No compliment I could offer so casually would do you justice!

>>20687698
"Now, wouldn it not be unbecoming to try and flatter the princess of New Arcturus just a few minutes after meeting her?"

>>20687698
Grin, "Disappointed?" lean in close to her, to whisper into her ear, mimicking her accent and tone, "But we're cousins, and girls, and it's just wrong!"

>>20687698
"Well, jumping straight to that might be considered rude, and..."
This part is both out loud and over the ring
"<Pfffffhahahaha... Marigold, it's me, Ishelda.>"

>>20687698
"Ah! How rude of me."

>>20687723
Pfahahahaha

>>20687698
"Why would you think that, you ugly bitch?"

>>20687723
... This. HOW DO YOU LIKE IT NOW, MARIGOLD? HOWSABOUT A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE?

>>20687723
This.

>>20687723
>We're cousins, and despite that, we're too young, and both girls. It's wrong!

Let's take the original line she used.

>>20687723
It's forbidden love!

Actually, we should copy exactly what she said when she was teasing us.

>>20687744
Yes, this. I couldn't remember it specifically enough.

>>20687744
>>20687745
We should.

"No compliment I could offer so casually would do you justice!" You say, and lean closer to her. "We're cousins, and despite that, we're too young, and both girls. It's wrong!"

"Wh. . . what?" She asked, rather dazed. "What?"
"<Pfhahahahaha... Marigold, it's me, Ishelda!>" You say, and send through the ring at the same time, and start giggling. The giggling doesn't suit your voice, but you giggle nonetheless
"I. . I uh. . ."

Marigold sighed, and covered her face.
"I should have known!" She wailed into her hands.

>>20687776
Shapeshifting trolling is the best kind of trolling.
Now change go get Kris so we can actually get Cassiel resurrected.

>>20687776
"I'm sort of surprised you didn't. I look just like my dad."

>>20687776
Oh dear, I think we upset her. She probably really wants some romance.

Grab her by the arm and drag her back to the castle. Have you met Belethor and Leon yet? Met them Properly? We shall have some tea!

>>20687790
We need to fuck with Belethor first.

>>20687776
Oh god this is hilarious. Belethor next.

>>20687776
Time to give our cousin a hug.
"I was just too tempted. If you want, I can give you a kiss. Would that make it alright?"

>>20687790
Not enough preparation for that. Seriously, it's like you want to get Cassiel killed/annihilated/whatever.

>>20687812
Yes! Give her a kiss and a hug, just like we always do, no subtext at all!

>>20687776
"Sorry, Mar. It was just too funny."

>>20687776
"I'm sorry, Mar." Chaste kiss on the cheek.

>>20687776
"I'm sorry, Marigold. 'Zeke and I were practicing wizardry, and he'd borrowed some spells from Leon. It was a shapeshifting spell, we had no idea what it did, and, well... I accidentally changed genders when I tried it. It seemed a prime opportunity to play a little game! Don't tell anyone, I might be able to get a little more mileage from this form."

>>20687827
Eh, why not. She's on the list, anyway.

So why does Leon have a shapeshifting spell to make someone into a man. Maybe he is actually a girl. Maybe he likes men and he also likes girls who are turned into men.

We should go mess with him later.

>>20687776
Time to show Kaliel.

>>20687776
"So, now that you're in on this, want to go help me mess with other people?"

>>20687858
Or maybe it's just a gender swap spell and he likes being the little girl when nobody is looking.

>>20687819
>Unmade. The word is Unmade. Like Uriel after the Ankh was torn from his body.

"I'm sort of surprised you didn't." You say. "I look just like my dad."
"I was *terrified* of your dad, remember?" She asked, frowning. "I never saw him up close if I could help it."
"Sorry, Mar, it was just too funny." You say, and give her a hug, and a kiss on the cheek. She goes bright red.
"D-don't do that." She said. "It's too weird!"
"I'm sorry, Marigold. 'Zeke and I were practicing wizardry, and he'd borrowed some spells from Leon. It was a shapeshifting spell, we had no idea what it did, and, well... I accidentally changed genders when I tried it. It seemed a prime opportunity to play a little game! Don't tell anyone, I might be able to get a little more mileage from this form."
"Well. . " She said, frowning. "You should let me help."

>>20687873
"Of course! I had hoped you would ask." Give her another kiss. "I'll pay you in kisses."

>>20687873
"You want to be a man too? I think I can do that."

>>20687873
Of course! I'm saving Kaliel for last. Do you think we should go after Belethor or Leon next?

>>20687884
Not this. I doubt she would appreciate it even in jest.

rolled 19 = 19

>>20687888
Yes! Rolling.

She's already given consent.

>>20687895
We were going to use Kaliel to help. She can shapeshift into a form that looks like Ishelda, which will remove suspicion from us.

>>20687888
Not this.

rolled 51 = 51

>>20687873
turn her into a boy too. see kaliel. also fuck with belethor afterwards. see if grayson can still recognize us. ask leon why he has a sex change spell.

>If it turns out he is a she he moves way up my list for potential waifus
>He also gets into my "preferred harem for Ishelda"

>>20687912
It's a joke, she's not going to say yes. Probably.

>>20687912
I think we should ask before we shapeshift someone, especially if it's a cousin that /tg/ seems intent on sleeping with.

>>20687912
No. Definitely not.

"Of course!" You say. "You want to be a man too? I think I can do that."
"But- that's not what I meant." She said, covering her face. You giggle.
"I'm saving Kaliel for last. Do you think we should go after Leon or Belethor next?"
"Belethor." She said. "How are you going to mess with him?"

rolled 17 = 17

>>20687912
let me help you with that.

>>20687945
"Hmm, well I've tried this sort of trick on him once before with my Kalak form. He'll need to see some sort of evidence that I'm not me.
What if I put an illusion spell on you to make you look like Queen Ishelda? Think you can do my accent?"

>>20687945
"There's the trouble. He's just... He's too perceptive. I think it's his Talent; learning and seeing, more than any human being should be capable of. Plus, I've already pulled it once on him in my Kalak form. Any ideas?"

>>20687945
I could challenge him to a duel, for some trivial reason.

rolled 71 = 71

>>20687945
"Hmm... You can pretend to be me, right? I'll cast an illusion on you, then we'll go mess with him."

>>20687972
It's not his talent, we checked that his talent hadn't awakened.

rolled 71 = 71

>>20687979
Tell him that we challenge him for the right to the Queen's hand. loser must forfeit any right to the queen's hand.

rolled 25 = 25

>>20687979
Tell him that we challenge him for the right to the Queen's hand. loser must forfeit any right to the queen's hand.

>Fucking flood detector.

"There's the trouble." you say. "He's just... he's too perceptive. And I've already pulled it once on him in my kalak form. Any ideas?"
"Well... I could be you, maybe." She said.
"Or I could challenge him to a duel. . for the right to the Queen's hand." You say. "Loser must forfeit any right to the queen's hand."
". . And if he wins?" She asked. "Then can't marry yourself."

>>20688025
"Well I don't really fancy the Void Queen that much anyway, so I don't think it's an issue.

>>20688025
"Oh my, that would be terrible. I'd have to marry the princess, in that case."

>>20688016
The flood detector that was trying to stop you double-posting like that?

>>20688025
"Good point, that would be bad. Let's go with your plan."

>>20688025
Well that's out the window then... Hahaha. Kidding. Duel idea is best idea.

File: 1347403208601.png-(158 KB, 412x500, Illya unhappy.png)

>>20688044
>Not liking the best waifu

>>20688025
"True. I don't want to risk it. Maybe I'll just challenge him to a duel instead... I know! I'll pretend to be the queen's brother. We won't specify older or younger. We'll just say that they never heard of me because I don't like being in the spotlight."

>>20688054
Yep. Also fuck the extensions that tell me my post was unsuccessful. And captcha for rejecting my correct input.

"Oh my, that would be terrible." You say. "I know! I'll pretend to be the queen's brother. we won't specify older or younger, and say that they never heard of me because I don't like being in the spotlight."
"That should work!" She said, giving you a grin. "Then you can duel him under the idea that you're 'protecting your sister'. And, we, uh, should probably change me somewhere else. My dress is too large in the. . chest area."

File: 1347403357024.jpg-(88 KB, 600x1399, ishelda3.jpg)

>>20688069
At least use one of the photoshopped versions.

>>20688100
But that one doesn't have soulless black eyes and a cape of stars.

>>20688094
"Let's go to my room. The good thing about that is that my clothes will fit perfectly, so you can wear whatever you want."

>>20688094
"Right. Let's go to my room, you can borrow one of my dresses."

>>20688100
She's not looking disapproving, is she? And it still doesn't look like the Void Queen anyway.

>>20688126
>>20688108
Oh I thought he was trying to post one of Ishelda, not VQ.

>>20688094
Nuh-uh, vetoing the brother charade. Instead we'll just say we're one of the knights who first found Ishelda and helped to teach her swordsmanship, which is also why we fight with a short sword.

Saying we're the queen's brother is incredibly weak especially against Belethor.

"Right." You say. "Let's go to my room. The good thing about that is that my clothes will fit perfectly, so you can wear whatever you want."
"Okay." She said. The two of you make your way up to your bedroom, and Zeke catches your eye as you take Marigold to your bedroom. He raises his eyebrows. . and you have a feeling that you *really* don't want to dwell on that.
"I think I can emulate the way you talk. . but I'm not sure about the way you move." Marigold said, once the door was closed. "You're very. . . graceful."

>>20688177
It would be incredibly weak, but with what appears to be Ishelda right there, he'll have doubts about the whole thing, but won't be able to accurately draw a conclusion.

rolled 91 = 91

>>20688190
"I think the magic can help with that."

rolled 56 = 56

>>20688190
"It'll probably come with the form. If not, you can practice for a bit."

>>20688210
Yep, it helps.

>>20688177
Actually, this guy makes a good point. Belethor is extremely perceptive. He would wonder why the fuck we didn't come along to the western continent and why nobody else has ever mentioned us. It really doesn't make sense.

Saying we're a knight who would like to duel him to assess western fighting styles makes a lot more sense.

>>20688210
huzzah!

File: 1347404005214.png-(195 KB, 381x445, Illya superior.png)

>>20688143
It was just a reaction image really, and I decided to pick one that was slightly related. Ideally it would have been VQ because that's who we were talking about.

>>20688190
"Grayson is really graceful because of Dire Magic, maybe we could use that somehow."

>>20688177
>>20688230
How we are a knight who quite fancys ishelda, but she left him behind because danger.

>>20688230
The explanation is that Cain is reclusive. We can probably bullshit something about having been busy doing important research as well. Nobody ever told him about us because it never came up.

>>20688258
Do you want him to think that Cain is such a wimp that he had to be left behind due to "danger"?

File: 1347404196940.png-(185 KB, 381x445, ishelda.png)

>>20688247
There's also this one.

"I think the magic can help with that." You say. She nods.
"With sorcery, right? I remember someone talking about that... but I've never been changed by magic before." She said. "So, uh, do it."

You put your hand on her shoulder, and then bring forth your sorcery. The silver lines on your arms burst into existence, and start blazing with color of all sorts, and reach toward Marigold, where the flashes of light make you squint. By the time it's over, you've hardly expended any energy. When you open your eyes again, A woman exactly like you was standing there, embarrassingly holding up the front of her dress, which was too short for her, and the front was almost falling off.

Something. . .happens, with your new... acquisitions, very suddenly. It's... unnatural, and your heart starts beating quickly.

rolled 50 = 50

>>20688190
Also: "I'm really sorry, Mar, I thought you thought it was me in disguise already."

>>20688298
Marigold... I...

>Kiss the girl

>>20688298
...This is getting kind of creepy now, Exabyte.

>>20688298
"Well... Let's get you undressed then. How's your voice?"

For clarification, was this an illusion or a shapeshit?

>>20688298
Turn around.
"I probably don't need to turn around, since that's my body, but..."

>>20688298
... Did we just pop a boner at our cousin shapeshifted to look like our non shapeshifted form?

>>20688346
Shapeshift, I think. Otherwise we could have just illusioned the dress as well.

File: 1347404418147.gif-(474 KB, 196x181, 1336807416986.gif)

>>20688298
I don't like where this is going...

"Amazing, a perfect copy! You're in my likeness down to the last, miniscule detail."

>>20688298
"Now let's change your dress, this one just doesn't fit at all. I'll help, we're all girls here, kinda.

I never realized how pretty I was.

I think the story is brother, we keep details vague, we keep you nearby to eliminate the possibility of it being me from his mind, I didn't come along to the west with Ishelda because there were 'incidents' that needed to be 'taken care' of. Make it look secretive so it makes sense that it wasn't mentioned."

>>20688362
Totally.

... Would that count as incest or masturbation?

>>20688343
Come on, where's the fun in genderswitching magic if you don't have a few boner jokes?

rolled 84 = 84

>>20688362
I think so.

>>20688298
"I, uh" turn around, blushing, "I'm not sure what's going on suddenly."

>>20688362
It's not masturbation if it's somebody else, even if the somebody else is you. And it's not exactly you this time either. Definitely incest.

>>20688298
Sit down, tell it to go away.

>>20688407
We look like our dad and we'd be sleeping with our cousin who currently looks like us.

I think it's double wincest.

>>20688298
Incest is best.

>>20688407
Ah, the semantics of shapeshifting and fucking are so wonderful, aren't they?

This is getting really fucking weird.

>>20688433
>Wincest is best
FTFY
>>20688434
>This is getting really fucking awesome.
FTFY

>>20688434
There'd better be fapfiction so that we didn't work all this out for nothing.

"I uh.." You say, turning promptly around. "I'm not sure what's going on suddenly."
". . .Right. I, uh, forgot you were a man. It's... probably that." She said, in your voice. She'd thickened her accent to sound exactly like you. "Well. . I'll find something. Ooh, I've never seen you in this dress... but it's too fancy to wear while walking around."
For a few very embarrasing moments, you sit down at the foot of your bed, staring resolutely at the wall as you wait for things to return to their natural form, and as Marigold gets dressed.

". . Okay." She said, and you turn around- You- or she, rather- is wearing a forest green tunic with long brown gloves going up her arms, baring her shoulders. "The . .silver lines didn't look right, so I hid them."

>>20688505
"You look good. Let's go find Belethor, Ishelda."

>>20688505
I'm impressed, You looks quite fancy.

>>20688505
"Don't hide them. I show them openly, and Belethor will notice if they're suddenly hidden."

>>20688505
"Hmm... this is better than any mirror. Let's go find Belethor."

>>20688505
"Understandable. You look wonderful because I usually look wonderful.

Let's go get Belethor, remember if he calls you on the ring to act natural and not let it show on your face. The one problem I can see is if he calls Ishelda. If he does route it to me and I'll respond while you act like you're responding.

Do men have to deal with this sort of thing all the time?"

>>20688537
but STYLE!

>>20688537
They're our clothes, so we probably wear them sometimes. It's not like we go out of our way to show off the lines.

>>20688482
I seem to be doing this, for some damn reason. I make no promises to quality.

>>20688537
Magical mishap while training with Zeke. Too much use makes them look... weird.

>>20688298
How short is Mar, actually? Dwarf territroy?

"Hmm... this is better than any mirror." You say.
"Except I'm prettier." She said, and stuck out her tongue, and giggled. Then she took a deep breath. "Okay. So. I'm Ishelda. Seriously powerful sorceress queen of New Arcturus, Jewel of Triune's Gift, holder of an artifact sword. . "
She gulped, and opened her eyes. "Speaking of the sword?" She asked, in your voice. "Where *is* Rikar?"
She looks this way and that, and then found and grabbed the sword. . and couldn't lift it.

>>20688628
"Come on Rikar, play nice."
Take it and strap it around her waist ourselves. She probably won't need to draw it.

>>20688628
"Hmm... I don't carry it *everywhere*, so it shouldn't really be a problem.It does what it's wielder wants, so I wonder if it will look different for my disguise."

>>20688628
"Strange. Rikar must not care for you, but why?"

>>20688650
Which is to say, pick it up and see if it looks different.

>>20688614
Seeing as dwarves are around 8 feet tall, no.

And we are going with the knight story though, right? That means we should try and copy Kristoph's accent.

>>20688669
We should just stick with brother. At the very least, we should pretend to be a knight from Old Arcturus, to explain the accent.