You awake with a start, as Kaliel clings closer to you, as she murmurs something, her head lain across your chest. You start to try to extricate yourself from her, but then she opens her eyes.
"Morning, Cain." She said, blearily. "I forgot to turn you back. Sorry."

She closed her eyes for a moment, and her heartbeat starts thumping, and once again you're Ishelda. She gave you a kiss on the cheek, and closed her eyes again, before going back to sleep. Once again, you try to extricate yourself, and you slip out from under Kaliel, and get dressed. You notice that the constant hammering coming from Redglare's smithy have stopped, for once.

>>21014401
"Morning Kal"
<It's awfully quiet, mr. Redglare. What do you have to say for yourself? >

"Morning, Kal." You say, and she snuggles deeper into the bed, blinking repeatedly- until she closed her eyes, and they stayed that way. You continue cleaning up, and then contact Redglare on the rings.
<It's awfully quiet, Mr. Redglare. What do you have to say for yourself?>
<It's done.> He responded. <Come down here.>

>>21014523
Do as he says.

Go down there.

Making your way out of your bedroom, you notice that the castle is already rather awake, and it's late in the morning, unlike how early you usually awoke. You find your way downstairs, and out of the keep proper, out to Redglare's smithy. You walk in, and see Treechild sleeping on a bench, covered with a simple blanket, and black dust as a layer over everything.
Redglare turned to you, and you can tell that he's exhausted.
"It's right there." He said, motioning his head toward a pile of blue-white armor, sheening unnaturally. "Curiass, sabatons, pauldrons, bracers, and the rest is banded mail."

You take a closer look at the armor, and it seems to get lighter as you look at it from a different angle of light. You sense a simple hum of magic coming from the armor.

>>21014603
Try it on

Rolled 34

>>21014603
Identify that magic. What's it do, where'd it come from?
He can't have enchanted it. It hasn't been through any legendary defining events like the Ankh. I still don't see how it can be an artefact.

>>21014659
I'd guess that Treechild did it. She enchanted Lewin's bow way back when. I'm pretty sure that's her Talent, to enchant things she has a part in creating.

How do you have the stamina to run these threads so frequently?

Also, inspect armor.

>>21014685
Possibly. He said it was going to be an artefact before he asked for her help though.

Under Redglare's guidance, you slowly learn how to put it on, piece by piece- it's nowhere as simple as the armor you'd used before, which was a simple brigandine before it was enchanted into a different shape, but the metal is almost lighter than the brigandine. You close your eyes for a moment, and try to discern what kind of magic it is- but it's too uncontrolled, too ephemeral. It's just energy, you can tell, not a particular enchantment of any kind.

"There." He said. "Try moving."
You take a few steps here and there- with the armor, you less flexible, but the armor isn't quite as heavy as you'd thought.

>>21014730
We need to try fighting in it. Who can we beat up? Redglare's exhausted, we did father yesterday, Belethor and Leon are gone... Kristoph?

>>21014781
We could try Raz. She wanted to get some practice in anyways.

You thank Redglare, and make your way out of the smithy. You hear him mention something about getting some sleep, and, exhausted, he left the smithy as well, heading back toward his quarters.

You find Kristoph standing in place, his sword in hand, as Raziel dives forward, shooting her wings backward as she thrusts the butt end of the spear at him. He knocks it out of the way, and tries to approach, but she skips back again, hopping on her feet like she was running in place. Kristoph sighed, and then *growled* as he charged further, leaning forward. There was a crack as the spear slammed into the back of Kristoph's leg, as she twirled out of his way, and the knight fell.

"Thank you, Kristoph." She said, and pulled him to his feet.
"No problem." He said, just a little upset.

>>21014730
We should try and enchant it with force spells for flight in the boots and force spells on the hands so we can blast things away from us.

>>21014864
<Incoming> to Raz
"My turn. " and charge.

>>21014864
"Good morning, you two. I just got my new armor from Redglare. Would either of you care to spar?"

>>21014864
"So who wants to help me test my new armour?"

"Good morning, you two."
"Ishelda." Raziel said, grinning.
"Good morning, lady." Kristoph said.
"I just got my new armor from Redglare. Would either of you care to spar and help me test it?"
"I may as well." Kristoph said, and chuckled. He drew his sword, again, and held in both hands, ready.

Rolled 40

>>21014925
Attack, blindside him.

Rolled 54

>>21014925
Charge!

You charge, drawing Rikar, leaning forward as you did so. He was perfectly prepared, however, and parried your blow with his longsword. The two of you started trading blows, your own artifact blade able to handle near any blow, while his own was long and heavy enough to block your own blows without jarring his hands too badly. He takes a step back, and makes a swift sweeping attack, on the side of your offhand- you try to lean out of the way, but your knees and thighs don't bend as swiftly as you had hoped, and the blow rocks against your shoulder, sending forth sparks- and the tip of Kristoph's blade deflects away from you, the blow having jarred him. You follow up with your own few strikes, but he's already recovered by that point, blocking your attacks as he slowly steps out of your range. Gritting your teeth, you charge again, and he simply sidesteps it, jamming his sword underneat your feet. You trip, and go falling down into the soft dirt and grass.
"Are you okay?" Raziel asked, and pulled you to your feet. You notice that the tips of the feathers on her wings were pale white, and there were strange, blue streaks in her hair, now.

>>21015017
"I'm fine, just not used to this. What have you done with your hair?"

>>21015017
"You look weird, lady."

"I'm fine, just not used to this." You say. "What have you done with your hair?"
"Technically, it was Kaliel's chimera form that did this." Raziel said. "But I'm stronger, and faster, and my eyesight is kalak now, so I'm not complaining."
She winked, and you could see that her eyes were kalak, based on the way her irises almost seemed to glow.
"I'm really happy with it." She said, smiling.

>>21015074
"Have you shown it to my father yet? I'm sure he'd enjoy it"

Rolled 64

>>21015074
"I'm glad."
Attack again. We have to train until we are used to it so we don't die horribly in the actual battle.

Rolled 36

Ishelda needs more oatz n squatz.

"I'm glad." You say, and give her a smile, before charging Kristoph again.

The sun was high in the sky by the time you and Kristoph were exhausted, sitting down, back to back, weapons over your knees, laughing. Your arms and legs burn, but you think you're quite used to the armor, after nearly an hour of fighting with Kristoph, with neither of you gaining more ground than the other.

"How are you two, now?" Your father asked, chuckling.
"Tired." Kristoph said, and started laughing again.

>>21015149
"Do you like my new armor?"

"Do you like my new armor?" You ask him.
"Well, from what I saw, it looks like it's been well made." Abel said, and pulled you to your feet. "And when you wear it, you look just like one would imagine when they hear that a queen is going to war."

Approaching the three of you, Ell shrugged. "Well, since the armor is done, and Jormungandr is reworked... what else is there before we go?"

>>21015306
"Nothing that I can remember. We should start loading Jormungandr now, actually."

>>21015306
"Well, Kaliel has to finish her... thing"

>>21015306
"Redglare needs to rest and Kal needs to make more of those things she was working on. I think we should be able to leave tomorrow."

>>21015338
Her project. Not thing.

"Redglare needs to rest, and Kal needs to make more of those things she was working on." You say. "I think we should be able to leave tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, then." Raziel said. "We'll be ready."
"Yep." Kristoph said. "I'll go brief the orcish knights. If you need me, just call me."

Kristoph and Raziel left their own ways, leaving you, Ell, and your father.
"Zeke spent all last night and finally got those charms to work." Ell said. "Apparently, from the control crystal you can ask it to shoot fire, or astral flame, or Force."

>>21015396
"Shoot force? How does that work? More importantly, what are the results?"

>>21015408
We've done it before. It shoots pure kinetic energy. Quite powerful, with high stopping power and a tendency to send whatever it hits flying.

>>21015396
"That sounds useful. Which one do you think will be best against dwarves?"
What did they shoot before? I don't even remember.

>>21015428
Actually, I don't know if we've used the force cannons, but I distinctly remember Zeke using it in combat before.

"Shoot force? How does that work? More importantly, what are the results?"
"Force is a certain kind of spell, if I recall correctly." Ell said. "Evocation, and it's simply raw energy, made to knock things back, but apparently Zeke came up with a charm for a version of his own force spell- A sphere of force that bursts outward when it hits something. Cracked the stone we tested it on."
"That sounds useful." You say. "Which one do you think will be best against dwarves?"
"Force, I suppose." He said. "And if that's not useful, then fire. I don't know much about dwarves."

Rolled 31

>>21015396
rolling to enchant armor gloves with force beams

Rolled 17

>>21015466
Let me help you out with that one.

>>21015463
"Neither do I. I suppose we'll find out."

Rolled 79

>>21015466
okay last try

>>21015466
>>21015477
>>21015490
Stop trying to enchant the armor before we even know what it does. It already has magic on it and if it's an artifact it can't be enchanted.

>>21015490
>>21015477
>>21015466
Don't fiddle with enchantments on it yet. We have no idea what it's supposed to do, you don't fuck around with Artifacts if you don't know what you're doing.

>>21015490
Don't do it.

"Neither do I." You say. "I suppose we'll find out."
"Right." He said, and nodded.

From above, you see something high in the sky, crowing happily, and then it folds it's wings and dives, quickly to the ground, before spreading his oversized wings at the last moment, screeching downward before bracing his legs, and landing on the soft ground, before standing once again.
"There's... something up there." Dariel said. "Something full of energy."

>>21015531
"You mean that big magic line thing?"

>>21015531
"Do you have any more information on it? Size, origin, intelligence, whether it's dangerous or not?"

>>21015531
For all we know it could be something related to Tyrs magitermination plams

>>21015531
"We saw it last night. It seems to be a natural weave."

"You mean that big magic line thing?"
"I don't know if it's a line, but it's something." He said.
"Do you have any more information on it? Size, origin, intelligence, whether it's dangerous or not?"
"Not really, I'm afraid." Dariel said. "It doesn't seem dangerous, because I just flew through it, and it doesn't seem intelligent because it's not a spell."
"We saw it last night." You say. "It seems to be a natural weave."
"Natural?" He asked. "That's interesting. Maybe we could build a tower up there, or a prism to channel it."

>>21015589
"What would we need to build to do something like that?"

>>21015589
"I was thinking of moving it down. It's a bit high to build a tower."

>>21015589
"New Arcturus could always use another source of magic, for reasons.

A Tower doesn't seem like a good idea, its rather high up. Building a floating thing that sustains its flight using the weave and channels it down to us could work."

>>21015589
"Maybe, but we don't even know if this is going to stick around or not. It might only last for a few days before moving elsewhere or dissipating or something."

"What would we need to build to do something like that?"
"I dunno." Dariel said, shrugging. "It was just an idea."
"I was thinking of moving it down." You say. "It's a bit high to build a tower."
"But if it's natural like you say, then it's there because of the currents of magic in the world.." He said. "If we move it down, then another one will just appear."
"Maybe, but we don't even know if this is going to stick around or not." You say. "It might only last for a few days before moving elsewhere or dissipating or something."
"Good point." He said, and shrugged. "But anyway, my break is over. Good day, Ishelda."
He bowed deeply to you, his wings spreading to their full width again.

>>21015589
"Shall we take the Jormungandr up to it?"

>>21015654
"Good day, Dariel."

To dad once he's gone: "He was one of the people who arrived yesterday. Now all the kalak live here."

"Good day, Dariel." You say, and he shot off into the air with a single, powerful burst of energy. It was strange- he seemed to take to the air easier than any other kalak you'd ever seen.
"He was one of the people who arrived yesterday." You say. "Now all the kalak live here."
"He was the fluffy one, right?" He asked, and you nod. "He doesn't... look very fluffy, right now. He looks very... what's the word... predatory."

>>21015752
"That seems a good word. Two years ago, he wanted to be a fighter, and develop a chimaeric form to facilitate that. Now he's decided to tackle everything.

>>21015733
Not quite all, Vithriel doesn't for example.

>>21015752
"He molted, he grew up. So he's no longer fluffy but all things must come to an end."

>>21015752
"He moulted. And he does have a very hawkish look to him now, doesn't he?"

>>21015752
"He molted last week. On the one hand, I'm happy to see him growing up. On the other, I'm sad he's not fluffy anymore."

>>21015752
"He moulted, he's not a child any more. Now there won't be any fluffy kalak chicks until Neiriel's egg hatches"

"He moulted." You say. "He's no longer fluffy, but all things must come to an end. And he does have a very hawkish look to him now, doesn't he?"
"He does." Your father said, and chuckled.
"Now there won't be any fluffy kalak chicks until Neiriel's egg hatches." You say, pouting.
"You could just ask Fellwind if he'd be fine with being fluffy and tiny again." Jeanne asked, grinning.

>>21015813
"Are you going to come with us when we venture to the dwarven lands, father?"

>>21015813
"You think he'd agree? He didn't seem to enjoy it much last time."

>>21015821
He already said he would. And then we used that to persuade Raz to come.

>>21015813
"It's not quite the same.

So, Jeanne, do you have any preparations to take care of before we leave on a marvelous adventure?"

"Are you going to come with us when we venture to the dwarven lands, father?"
"I am." He said. "I may be getting old, but that doesn't mean I'm good with a blade. I fought that demon to a standstill, two years ago."
Grayson harrumphed, and climbed to his feet, huffing as he approached.

"You think he'd agree?" You ask Jeanne. "He didn't seem to enjoy it much, last time."
"Well, I made it up to him last time." Jeanne said. "I think he'll be more agreeable towards the idea, I'm sure."

>>21015862
>Doesn't mean I'm not good

>>21015862
"I'm not going to ask for any more details Jeanne.

Besides, I already have the best fluffy in the shape of Grayson. A girl couldn't ask for a better companion."

Scratch Grayson behind the ears and ask if there's anything he needs to take care of before we leave.

>>21015862
<We're setting out tomorrow, Kaliel. Is there anything you need help with before we leave?>

"I'm not going to ask for any more details, Jeanne." You say. "Do you have any preparations to take care of before we leave on a marvelous adventure?"
"Not really, I don't think." She said. "I already sent the letter to Jupiter Province declining my nomination, so everything is set."
You scratch Grayson behind the ears. "Is there anything you need to take care of before we leave?"
"Need to talk to Quaz." The bear responded. "Otherwise, no."

You nod, and then look down to your ring.
<We're setting out tomorrow, Kaliel. Is there anything you need help with before we leave?>
<Sardriel is helping me now, so I think I'm good.> She said. <Once I get this guy's mind set up, I can carve him into a crystal.>

>>21015966
<Carve him into a crystal?>

>>21015966
"Do you want my presence for that conversation Grayson?"

<Carve him into the crystal?>
<One of these things won't do much.> She said. <So I need a quick and easy way to make more than one.>

"Do you want my presence for that conversation, Grayson?"
"Will be fine with and without." He said. "She may want us to bring a message to her home. That is what I meet her for."

>>21016033
"I think I'll join you in that case, there's not much else to be done at the moment."

>>21016033
"Well in that case I think I'll come along, if you don't mind."

>>21016033
"Oh, good thinking."

"I think I'll join you in that case." You say. "There's not much else to be done at the moment."
Grayson nodded, and the two of you tromped down to the city. You find Bob sleeping on a post sticking out of the ground, and when he saw you, her ran inside, and started yapping. Qu'az came out of the building, holding Bob in her arms.
"Morning, morning!" She said, grinning in that peculiar, many-teethed way.

>>21016096
"Hello Qu'az. How have you been lately?

We're planning on visiting the eastern continent as were wondering if there are any messages you'd like to pass on."

>>21016096
"Hello, Qu'az! How are you today? How are you getting on with the wines?"

"We're leaving to the eastern land tomorrow, is there any messages you'd like us to pass on?"

>>21016096
"Hi Quaz! How's it going?"
"It looks like we're travelling to the eastern continent soon and Grayson wondered if there were any messages you'd like delivered or anything."

"Hi, Quaz! How's it going?"
"It's going well!" She said, giving you and Grayson a hug, by wrapping both of you in her coils. "In a few days, things should be ready."
"We're leaving to the eastern land tomorrow." You say. "Is there any messages you'd like us to pass on?"
Qu'azlith froze for a moment.

"I... I... Yes." She said. "Yes yes yes. Can I have some paper? Do you have paper?"
Bob squirmed out of her arms, and the tendrils on his back picked up a long pen and a scrap of paper, and she started scribbling.
"I want... I want this to get to Velk'lea. She can tell my sisters for me and I trust her."
She said, giving you the scrap of paper. It looked like it was written in another tongue, with a lot of apostrophes.

>>21016205
"Of course, is there anything else you want me to give them?"

Rolled 85

>>21016205
Motherfucking Speak Language

>>21016232
When we are away from her. It'll be obvious if we start reading it in front of her.

>>21016205
"Of course. Where would I find Velk'lea?"
"Is there anything I should be aware of when meeting Children?"
You know, cultural shit. No handshakes probably if they don't like physical contact. No shapeshifting into dragons. That sort of stuff.

>>21016232
Dude we don't need to read her private letters to her family. That's just bad.

>>21016232
Let's not, that's pretty rude.

"Of course." You say. "Where would I find Velk'lea?"
"You can just ask anybody." She said. "Just ask for the Priestess Velk'lea and they'll point you to her."
"Is there anything I should be aware of when meeting Children?"
"Um. Try not to look like food, or elves." She said. "And it helps if you're polite, but if you aren't then they won't attack you, the'll just think less of you. Oh! And no touching! Don't touch people unless they're okay with it! I got bit once."
"Is there anything else you want me to give them?"
"Well, um, I don't have any gifts for them..." She said. "So can you give them a hug for me? If you say it's from me they'll let you because they love me."

>>21016324
>Dropped my trip!

>>21016339
>Put it back on!
>A terrible slip,
>But now it's done!

>>21016263
>>21016312
Might be rude but I agree with the idea for reasons. Caution mostly.

Mostly worried about her saying something along the lines of "Hey they think dragons are our Great Wyvern" or whatever it was. Might make things a little awkward when we give the letter don't you think? But really it's a mute point now.

I think we should do it, but not to actually read the letter. If we can cast a spell that lets us read it, we'll be able to read things once we get there, which could be really helpful.
Maybe we should just ask her to write the alphabet of that language or something so we can learn it with magic.

>>21016324
>Don't touch people.
>Touchiest person we know.
No wonder she was ostracized.

>>21016324
"I can do that for you Qu'az, it won't be any trouble at all.

So, is there anything else about your culture I should be aware of before I visit them? I would hate to make a faux pas.

>>21016324
"I'll do that."

>>21016387
Should be fine even if it does say something like that. Quaz trusts this girl, and she won't have Gary screaming in her head. She should understand.

>>21016426
Not that helpful, we're only going to deliver a letter. Dwarvish would be far more useful.

"I can do that for you, Qu'az, it won't be any trouble at all." You say. "So, is there anything else about your culture I should be aware of before I visit them? I would hate to make a faux pas."
"Well, everyone is super serious in public so don't make eye contact unless it's a friend or a guard." She said. "Because it's uncomfortable to talk to new people. And we can all see heat and not having that ability makes you lesser, and, um, eating plants will probably make them call you a daryeh or cattle or a scavenger, so just pretend to be a meat eater instead of an everything eater. And avoid the handmaidens! The handmaidens will be mean and make the Great Wyrm smell you and he always roars at outsiders and then the handmaidens will try to feed your entrails to him. You should talk to a priestess first and hope they're one of the nice ones. And if they're one of the mean ones then, um... try and give them something they want to keep you away from the handmaidens."

>>21016511
"What sort of thing would the priestesses want? I would hope to deal with this situation peaceably, if they decided to try to feed my entrails to someone I would be unhappy, they would be unhappy, everyone would be unhappy about how that turned out."

>>21016511
"Ok, thank you. I wouldn't want to have my entrails eaten."

Rolled 14

>>21016511
Experimental roll to make ourselves and Grayson scentless.

>>21016469
>Should be fine even if it does say something like that. Quaz trusts this girl, and she won't have Gary screaming in her head. She should understand.

I prefer not to operate under the idea of assumptions and 'should be' is all. That tends to bite people in the ass.

>Not that helpful, we're only going to deliver a letter. Dwarvish would be far more useful.

How is that not helpful? After all someone over there wanted our blood. That's something that needs to looked into more. Along with the dwarvish 'kill all magic.' I can't see us just going over there dropping the letter off and be like bye!

>>21016511
"What kind of 'gifts' would the priestess want? Or does it change from priestess to priestess."

>>21016571
Or we could just cast calm animal so he doesn't roar at us. Maybe if they see he likes us we get free stuff.

"What sort of thing would the priestesses want?" You ask.
Quaz looked around to make sure nobody was listening.
"They want *magic*." She whispered, leaning close to you. You see that strange, predatory look in her eyes, identically to the same way she was giving Marigold the same look. "Everybody wants magic, but the handmaidens... their worst punishment are for priestesses who have magic tools. You'll be fine because you're an outsider, but any Children with magic are to be executed. The priestesses, the most evil, cruel ones, want nothing but magic. If you give them some, they'll put their lives on the line for you- for the chance for more. When you give them magic, pretend I had never said this."

>>21016609
So that makes two societies lead by crazy power-hungry wizards on that continent. Fun.

>>21016609
Nod solemnly. "Right, I didn't hear this from you."

"Would just giving them a spark of energy be enough? Or should I give them an enchanted item?"

>>21016609
Would an enchanted item work?

>>21016609
Well...that makes that easy. Considering our standard gift to people we like is a magical communication ring.

>>21016609
"Magic items? Of any type or something more specific.

And if I may. Why would the Handmaidens punish those with magic?"

>>21016595
Or, y'know, they find another pretense to execute us on.

>>21016672
Probably.
But let's see them try to execute us when we're riding their god and he's pissed at them.
Actually let's try and avoid handmaidens so it never comes to that.

You nod. "Right, I didn't hear this from you. Would just giving them a spark of energy be enough? Or should I give them an enchanted item?"
"We cannot cast spells." She said, still in that hyper-threatening mood. "Sparks would be known as an insult. Bragging. An item is preferred."
"And if I may, why would the Handmaidens punish those with magic?"
"Nobody knows." She said. "Only that is illegal, and has been for all of time. They *flay* the ones who break this law alive, peeling layers of muscle and tail away... before they feed the corpse and the items to the Great Wyrm."

>>21016719
"Ouch."
We want magic items so we kill all the people who can make them! And then we throw away the magic items they made! We're so smart!

"Ouch." You say.
"Ouch." She responds. "But be careful, tell my sisters I love them, and do not spend overlong in the city. They tolerate outsiders, but... not much."

>>21016795
"Ok, thank you for the advice."

>>21016795
Thank you for the advice Qu'az, I'll be sure to make some magic items beforehand. I doubt they would like me just poofing them out of thin air."

>>21016795
"I see. Thank you for the warnings. We'll be sure to get the letter to Velk'lea without incident."

I'm thinking maybe we should modify some of the rings to be apart of another 'network' as it were. It might be more appealing to them than a global ones.

These magic items should be things that they can't turn against us.
A good one would be something that stops heat vision from working on whoever is using it. Useful in Children society, but has no application against Ishelda and co.

'best' gift would be an elvish bracer, I think.

>>21016894
Don't those need to be charged from the Weave? They don't have a weave.

"Thank you for the advice, Qu'az. I'll be sure to make some magic items beforehand. We'll be sure to get the letter to Velk'lea without incident." You say.
She bows at the hips, the tip of her tail twitching, and then she gave you another hug.
"Thank you." she said, finally. "Thank you. They're no doubt worrying about me, ever since I've been taken for being a whelp."

>>21016879
Or just heaters. Little magic radiators. They're cold-blooded, they'd love them.

>>21016939
That's a good one

>>21016939
This is a brilliant idea.

Rolled 84

>>21016926
Rolling to make a spell crystal that projects heat.

>>21016926
"It's a shame I can't give them a communication ring so you can talk to them."

Rolled 9

>>21016926
Collect a bunch of rings and other jewelery and mass-enchant it to enhance endurance, pain tolerance, reflexes, that sort of thing.

>>21016926
"Do you think some of them would want to come and live here, Qu'az?"

>>21016990
We don't want to give them anything that could be used against us.

"Do you think some of them would want to come and live here, Qu'az?"

Her eyes suddenly locked onto yours, and she backed away.
"Well... Uhm..."

She looked from side to side. "You will need to talk to Velk'lea about that. Do not speak to anybody else, but... I think she will bring her entire clan here, if you offered."

For a moment, you close your fist, and bring forth your magic. You feel it building in your palm, whirling... and when you're done, a small crystal sat in your palm, slowly emanating heat.

>>21017037
"Do you think this would make a good gift?"
If yes then,
"Here, you can have this one."

>>21016926
Thankyou for thinking of this Grayson, I would have gotten in trouble if we went east uninformed. And I didn't realise quaz wanted to talk to her kind.

>>21017037
"Would this be a good gift, Qu'az?"

>>21017037
"The whole clan? Wow. Well we're always open to new people."
"Do you think something like this would make a good gift?"

"Do you think this would make a good gift?" You asked, and held out the crystal in your palm. She looks at it closely, and then takes ahold of it, and nods.
"It would." She said. "This is... most likely one of the more powerful gifts one could give." She said, eyes locking onto yours. "Whoever you give this to would be smart. All the time, no matter how cold it is."

We probably don't want an entire clan of Nagas here. We don't really have the agriculture to feed an entire population of exclusive carnivores.

>>21017085
"You can keep it if you want. I can just make more if I need to."

>>21017085
"Good. Feel free to keep it then."

>>21017085
"It's yours, Qu'az, I can make more as gifts later."

>>21017085
"It must be inconvenient being so dependant on the weather. You can keep that one if you like."

>>21017103
Well hopefully they bring their livestock if they're moving. There's plenty of grazing pasture now that Marigold's talent has changed.

"It must be inconvenient, being so dependant on the weather. You can keep that one if you like."
"Thank you." She said, tying twine around the crystal. "Do you have any other questions?"

>>21017176
"I don't think so."
Does she have a ring? If not give her a ring so we can get her advice if we come across something over there.

>>21017176
"I think that's it for now. I'll be sure to let you know how the meeting gets on when we arrive."

I would suggest that the next heated gem we make like that not quite as powerful. One that only works intermittently.
Else whoever we give it to will be able to completely dominate their society and completely change the balance of power.

"I think that's it for now." You say, and hand her one of your communication rings. "I'll be sure to let you know how the meeting gets on when we arrive."
"Okay." She said, staring down at the ring as she put it on. She slipped the crystal around her neck as well. "Again, thank you. I should have some vineapple cider done when you get back. It's working faster than I thought it would."

>>21017247
We should talk to ell or kiyara, they can make crystals on demand, being elves.

>>21017247
Unless... we give them to everyone!
And when you give magic items to the priestesses, they become loyal to the point of putting their lives on the line for you in the hope of more. And when all the leaders of the country are loyal to you, you've just got a free country for like 5 minutes work.

Rolled 26

Rolling to make a large, campfire sized heating crystal, that plays thinking music.

>>21017282
"I'll look forward to it."

>>21017294
That's not how it works.

>>21017405
Shh, it is now. We are the fire goddess Ishelda. Follow us and we will keep you warm through all your days. Abandon that puny wyrm who does nothing but roar and eat.

"I'll look forward to it." You say, and she gives you another hug. You nod to her, and thank Grayson for the idea, as the two of you trudge back out of her house.
Grayson was silent again, almost... introspective.

>>21017451
"What's on your mind fuzz?"

>>21017451
"Are you wondering what it's like to have a family?"

>>21017451
"Penny for your thoughts?"

>>21017451
"What's up, Grayson?"

"What's on your mind, fuzz?" You ask. "Are you wondering what it's like to have a family?"
"Of course not." He said. "you are my family."
He continued trudging on.
"I'm thinking that... this form is disposable." He said. "That if we are ever in danger, I will... discard it, if I need to, to save somebody else."

>>21017483
but but but but butbut

YOU MIGHT NOT BE FUZZY!

>>21017483
"That's noble of you.

I admit that I've gotten rather used to you being a giant bear, but so long as you come back to me I can't object to sacrificing yourself for a good cause. Whatever form or skin you wear you'll still be my Grayson."

>>21017483
I though Grayson wanted to talk to Quaz

>>21017483
"Disposable? I don't exactly come across forms that fluffy every day, you know. Although I suppose whatever you become I could just shapeshift you back into a bear."

>>21017483
Do we know that for certain? You might not come back for a long time, or at all. And you might not remember.

>>21017534
He just wanted to see if she had a message for home, which we did. He's a thoughtful bear. Or Exabyte was thinking 'seriously, why haven't you guys thought of this yet?'

"Do we know that for certain?" You ask. "You might not come back for a long time, or at all. And you might not remember."
"I will come back, eventually." He said. "It is part of what I am. As for everything else... it does not matter, as long as someone is saved where they would die."
"That's noble of you." You say. "I admit that I've gotten rather used to you being a giant bear, but so long as you come back to me, I can't object to sacrificing yourself for a good cause." You say. "Whatever form or skin you wear you'll still be my Grayson."
"I'll try to choose a fuzzy form." He said, and chuckled. "If I *can* choose."
"I don't come across forms that fluffy every day, you know. although I suppose whatever you become, I could just shapeshift you back into a bear."
"Possibly." He said.

>>21017569
hug the fluffy, while it still is.

>>21017569
"If Tyr is throwing around some kind of anti-spell, wizardry killing stuff, will you come back at all?"

"If Tyr is throwing around some kind of anti-spell, wizardry killing stuff, will you come back at all?"
"Not if he hits me with it." He said. "But I will not get hit."
There's a moment of silence, and then you hug him.
"Climb on." He said, finally, as you scratch him behind the ears.

You ride back into the castle on top of a bear, as they open the gates for you. The sun is just starting to end it's arc across the sky. Other than nahzit making sure the runners are able to run in formation, and Kristoph speaking to the orcish knights, it seems there is nobody in the courtyard.

Rolled 21

>>21017715
We've got spare magic power, right? Summon some stone blocks.

>>21017715
There weren't any gaps in the narrative, how did talking to Dariel and Quaz take ~6 hours? Also we apparently haven't eaten since yesterday, go get some dinner.

>>21017769
What are we going to do with the stone blocks?

>>21017789
>You wandered through the city a bit, enjoying the day.

With your urging, you and Grayson make your way to the dining hall. It's actually quite early for a proper dinner, but you skipped lunch fighting with Kristoph, and you slept past breakfast... so you ask the cooks to make you and Grayson some food. You immediately make up some tea, and take a seat, while Grayson nudges a chair aside so he can sit on his haunches and still be as tall as you are, sitting.

"Ishelda. Grayson." Fellwind said, approaching. "Do you mind if I join you?"

>>21017871
"Not at all."

>>21017871
"Not at all, we were about to enjoy an early repast should you care for some food."

Rolled 37

>>21017871
Any time, fellwind. Exept perhaps if i'm getting my leg gnawn off by a demon.

Although now I think about it, you'd especially useful then.

"Not at all." You say. "We were about to enjoy an early repast, should you care for some food."
"I may as well." He said, taking a seat. "I just wanted to ask how you've been doing lately. With the Arcturians, and your father, and the demons."

>>21017934
Things are happening very fast.

>>21017934
"How I'm doing? I thought my father was dead and now I get to see him again. It's fantastic."

>>21017934
"Busy, but happy, absurdly happy.

I never thought I'd see him again, I focused myself entirely on building something to replace what I had lost, on trying not to dream of the demons and what I thought to be his last stand.

But now I have my father back, I was able to save a little bit of Arcturus and bring it home with me."

"Busy." You say. "But happy, absurdly happy. I never thought I'd see him again. I focused myself entirely on building something to replace what I had lost, on not trying to dream of the demons and what I thought to be his last stand."
You give him a smile.
"But now I have my father back. I was able to save a little bit of Arcturus and bring it home with me."
"I'm glad to hear that." Fellwind said, and grinned. "I've been spending a lot of time with the arcturian civilians, lately- none of them came out of things intact, but I've been helping where I could. They've decided your assistance was an act of the Knight, and they're eternally greatful. I just... thought I'd tell you that."

>>21018083
"That's...good to know. Thank you, Fellwind."

What are the cooks making for us?

>>21018083
"They did most of it themselves. They held out for two years against hordes of demons, more than you could count in a lifetime, and they stayed strong. I'm just glad I was able to take them home, they deserve much more than I can give them."

>>21018083
A knight, not The Knight. He had a name.

>>21018083
"It wasn't an act of the Knight, it was an act of me and the people who helped me. The gods just left our world to die."

"A knight, not The Knight. He had a name." You say. "The gods just left our world to die, but Franklin..."

"But Ser Franklin did everything in his power to help, if I remember properly." Fellwind said. "But I was just telling you what these people believe."

>>21018210
Then I think some sort of memorial is in order.

>>21018210
"I know. I'm just a bit bitter on the subject of deities or anything that would claim that title. Especially when men and women risked themselves and in some cases sacrificed their very lives.

We ought to have a memorial, a monument to Ser Franklin and all from New Arcturus who died holding the line so the civilians could escape. Thankfully that number is rather low, but they all ought to be remembered."

"I know." You say. "I'm just a bit bitter on the subject of deities or anything that would claim that title. Especially when men and women risked themselves, and in some cases, sacrificed their very lives."
He nodded. "Marigold has been the same way, lately."
"We ought to have a memorial." You say. "A monument to Ser Frankling, and all from New Arcturus who died holding the line, so the civilians could escape."
He thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"If I may, Ishelda... I think you should make it. With your sorcery." He said. "I think... I think that would mean more, to everyone out there."

>>21018314
"I think I will. After dinner, I'm starving."

Rolled 27

>>21018314
rolling to monument the hell out of the empty square

>>21018314
"That was the plan. I just don't know how I want it to look.

I suppose a glowing sign that says 'The Knight didn't do this, these men did' would be considered tacky."

Rolled 57

>>21018336
Come on, you got to do better the that.

Rolled 15

>>21018336
You've got to be kidding me, we can do better than that.

Rolled 4

Find a nice place for it first.

Rolled 21

>>21018314
"I'd need to think of something grand enough."

Like a giant floaty rock.

File: 1349567261654.png-(25 KB, 299x368, 1338416175106.png)

Rolled 79

>>21018369
>>21018364
>>21018336
These fucking rolls.

>>21018369
>>21018364
>>21018336
Stop rolling until we know where we want it and what we want it to look like.

The dice gods do not look kindly upon rolling before it is time.

Rolled 17

>>21018343
>>21018364
>>21018369
>>21018375
>>21018336
Looks like we're in the bad rolling time. Why anyone would use the timestamp seed to generate the roll is beyond me.

Rolled 50

I can't possibly bring the average any lower, right?
I like to jinx myself sometimes

this is horrible, we should be ashamed

Rolled 56

>>21018381
THAT"S NOT THE SORT OF MONUMENT WE WANT ANON.

Rolled 21

Honestly, the best thing for this would be simply a memorial wall. List the names of those that had died. Nothing fancy. Nothing 'OH LOOK HOW SHINY.' Just simple thanks to those that gave their lives so that other may live.

My thoughts at least.

"I think I will." You say, and take another bite. "After dinner, I'm starving. And I need to think of something grand enough."
"Perhaps you could ask your father." Fellwind said. "I don't know enough about monuments, to be honest."
Grayson harrumphed, to get everyone's attention. You both looked at him.
"Give them a knight." Grayson. "A statue. Of Franklin."

Rolled 58

>>21018442
a statue of him with glowy eyes, burining in the colours of astral fire, but they won't irradiate things.

Rolled 100

>>21018442
Seems like a good idea.
Let's make a nice, somber statue.

Rolled 39

>>21018442
Here's a random thought...why not talk to Raz and see if we can somehow incorporate his totem into the statue?

File: 1349567675968.png-(91 KB, 200x200, 1348501957326.png)

>>21018467
>MFW natural 100s

>>21018442
"That should work. A proud knight, tired but strong standing atop a pedestal.

And underneath him it is written 'so that their sacrifice may never be forgotten' followed by a listing of all those who died to hold the line, who gave up their lives to save men, women and children from another world."

>>21018467
Yeah, I'd like to just add this idea to that.

>>21018467
That's a swell statue, anon. Don't forget to carve the names of everyone who died in the base. And a nice little inscription about what it's for.

"That... seems like a good idea." You say. You finish up your meal, and then get to your feet. Grayson eats your leftovers real quick, and the two of them follow you as you walk out of the castle, down to a perfectly-shaped fork in the road- one of the more popular roads in usage, the strange, empty spot. You kneel down, as civilians and citizens watch you, with your shining blue-white armor, and you kneel, close your eyes.... and you bring forth your magic.

Slowly, but surely, something starts poking out from the ground, pale white stone, sticking out of the ground. First, a head... and then shoulders, holding a blade, point-down, up to his chest, clasped in both hands. Heavy armor lay on the statue's body, and the face was Franklin's. A calm, tranquil face, weathered by age and stress and exhaustion, but still ever-determined to continue fighting. Your armor makes a strange noise, and you feel the wild magic within it lock into place, and then vanish from your awareness. Finally, past the heavy boots, a large, square pedestal appeared beneath him, with the following words beneath it, in both Common, Arcturian, and Old Ogrish, for it was the orcish knights who died saving the refugees.

"So that their sacrifice may never be forgotten." It said, and below lay a list of merely a dozen names. As you focus on each name... it sparks, with necromantic energy.
You look up... and Franklin's statue seems to wink.

And then the statue was still.

>End of thread!

>>21018659
We should leave a single rose, or whatever Franklin's favorite flower was, at the base of the statue.

Rolled 41

>>21018709
yes, go beyond thread end.

Who's up for some afterthread?

>>21019072
I'm up for it.

>>21019072
I'm down for some afterthread. Need to get some food first though.

Rolled 81

>>21019072
Sounds good.

>>21019072
I'm ready.

In the last thread, Gehenna greed to be the Magistrate for a trial.

Mae'gosh and the prosecution accused Blueshard the defendant of berserking and murdering Rae'gosh's wife Ma'thol. Mae'gosh admitted that Ma'thol was bigoted against orcs. You sent for Raziel to come examine the murder weapon, and hopefully to scry where it has been.

The runner you sent to fetch Raziel just returned. "Magisters, Miss Raziel bid me inform you that she will be along shortly."

You probably have time to ask a question or two before she gets there if you like.

>>21019243
Mae'gosh, you mentioned that Ma'thol did not like Blueshard. Before this did she ever show undue animosity towards other orcs? In addition, this sword, could you give me a brief summary of its history?

>>21019243
Has blueshard been known to beserk frequently?

>>21019354
>>21019363
Weren't both of these answered in the last thread? Ma'thol was racist and Blueshard claims to have not berserked since he was a kid.

>>21019397
It was mentioned she was racist, but I was inquiring into how visible the racism was in her daily life.

>>21019363
Blueshard claimed that he has not lost control of himself since his adolescence.

>>21019354
"Before this did Ma'thol ever show any undue animosity towards other orcs?" you ask Mae'gosh. "Not that I know of, though as I said, she disliked them on the whole." he replies.

>>21019432
Let's wait for Raz now.

A few moments later, Raziel enters the room. It appears she's altered her chimeric form slightly since you last saw her, and in your peripheral you can't help but notice Abel's eyes widen, and you can tell that he very nearly gapes before clenching his jaw.
You realize suddenly that it's probably because of the fairly revealing dress that she's wearing, one that bares her shoulders and parts of her hips.
You never really had much of a thing for skin yourself. You guess it's alright though.

"Vizier Raziel, the court requests your assistance as a Necromancer. Please, join us." you say, inclining your head in respect.
She takes the seat in the center of the room, and you motion for the guard baring the murder weapon to her.
"We would ask that you would please scry this weapon, to see whom it killed last." says Marigold. You're a little surprised how formal and stately she sounds. Raziel unwraps the sword from the cloth holding it, and asks, "Is this blood the victim's? I could use it to summon the spirit of whoever it belonged to, if you prefer. I'd need their name though."

Do you ask Raziel to scry the blade's past? Or to attempt to summon Ma'thol?

>>21019615
Scry first. Ma'thol could lie.

scrying the blade

>>21019615
Scry the blade's past.

"For now just the scrying, please." you say.
"Very well." she takes the mirror from around her neck and holds it up, viewing the sword through it for several tense moments.

"It's fuzzy for some reason." she says, "I can make out that there were two people who held it, but not who they were exactly. I suspect one of them must have held some sort of charm against being scryed or otherwise viewed. I can tell that one of them was an ogre, and that was the one who was stabbed. I can also tell that the murderer didn't seem to notice that they took the sword until they had already left."
She lowers the mirror. "That's all that I'm able to see, unfortunately."

>>21019826
What do you do now?
[ ] Ask her more questions
[ ] Ask her to attempt to summon Ma'thol
[ ] Thank and dismiss her
[ ] Other?

>>21019938
Ask both the prosecution and the defense if they were aware of any magical scrying protections either party possessed?

>>21019938
[x] Send her out back with Abel for some private time

I suppose we should get dead bitch's testimony first. Just ask her what happened, don't give her any clues as to what her husband's story is.

>>21019963
"Is either party aware of any magical scrying protections you possess?" you ask.

"I have no such thing. I did not even know it was possible." answers Blueshard.
Rae'gosh whispers something to his legal counsel, Verana.
"My client is unaware of possessing any such item, but I insist that a thorough search of the defendant's house be carried out to find such an item. Clearly he has every reason to be lying, as having one would cement his guilt."

>>21020006
>[x] Send her out back with Abel for some private time
For a moment you wonder what a step-sibling to the Queen who was born after the former King abdicated the throne would have as an official title. Then you remember you're supposed to be concentrating and that everyone is looking at you expectantly.

"Vizier Raziel, would you please call forth the spirit of Ma'thol the ogre?" you say. Before Raziel can respond though, a ringing cry echos out in the court.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0e3Q8RpiY
"OBJECTION!" yells Verana Valient. "The prosecution doesn't wish for the spirit of his wife to be disturbed."
Raziel protests, "She wouldn't be forced to come! A spirit has to be willing."

What do you say to that?

>>21020124
"The choice shall be left to the spirit in question."

>>21020124
How suspicious. I'm going to allow this.

>>21020124
If she wants to testify against her killer I don't see why she shouldn't be allowed.

>>21020124
"Miss Valient, the Court finds your objection highly suspicious, and overrules it."

"Magistrates, those in favor of summoning the spirit of Ma'thol?" You say, raising your own hand.
Abel raises his, and after a brief moment of hesitation, so does Marigold. "Very well then." you continue, "The objection is overruled. Vizier Raziel will attempt to summon the spirit to testify, if she be able and the spirit willing."

Raziel nods, and begins to chant softly while slowly moving her hand along the length of the blade. At first you think that the sword itself is glowing, but then realize that it's the dried blood itself. It peels off of the metal of the blade, and seems to form a sort of mist that disappears into the air.
Raziel ceases the chanting as the light fades, and stands from the chair. In her place is a translucent ogrish woman. "Why am I here?" she asks.

>End Session

>>21020281
>End Session
That was short.

>>21020310
I'm running a game in half an hour.

>>21020354
Fair enough.