>>22622994
well we should bring Kale and maybe Leez as well I am sure they would be interested in meeting another fey

so Gareth what can you you tell us about our father he was never much one to talk about his past

>>22622994
"It must get lonely sometimes."

"So, Gareth, what can you tell us about our father? He was never one much one to talk about his past."
"His past... I don't know." She said, shaking her head. "It was so long ago..."
She sighed, and hugged her legs. "The most I can remember was his name, and his cheeky grin..."
"It must get lonely sometimes." You say.
She met your eyes, and slowly nodded.
"It is." She said. "But... I'm used to it. I have lived my hundred years, here, alone, save for a mere handful of visitors. Please... Tell me of the outside world. Of the Order that I've heard of."

>>22623247
"The World? Well, I'm from the North where the Order is most prevalent. My sister could probably tell you more about them than anyone here, she's an initiate, after all."

>>22623247
"Would you want to meet some other Elves? They're travelling with us."

"The world?" You ask. "Well, I'm from the north, where the order is most prevalent. My sister could probably tell you more about them than anyone here. She's an initiate, after all."
"Thank you." She said, and turned to Lyra. "Tell me of what's become of the order."
"The Order of Kristoph is... not what it was, generations ago." Lyra said, quietly. "It's full of thoughtless thugs, of warriors who dream of glory, of those sorts of people, instead of what the Order should be- a place for protectors to live. To protect all people, from undead and monsters."
"... I see." She said.
"Would you want to meet some other Elves? They're traveling with us."
"Other... elves?" Gareth asked, her eyes widening. She looked down to the fire. "I'm... I'm not sure. I've never met another elf. Are they... like me? Do they see beauty in the strangest things?"
She took another deep bite out of her fish, and went silent.
"I'm... I'm scared." She said. "About what they'll say. I don't know how elves act."
"Kale will like you." Tannis said. "He's very kind."
"Veez will probably try to seduce you." Lyra grumbled, frowning.
"... I.. I don't know." She said, ever more quietly, and shivered.

>>22623367
"Don't worry, they are. Kale's told me about how he sees fleeting beauty at the strangest of times."

>>22623367
"They do get caught up in the beauty of things. The exact things they get caught up in is different for every elf, but it happens to all of you, it seems."

>>22623367
"I think you'd like Kale. He's very friendly."

"They do get caught up in the beauty of things." You say. "The exact things they get caught up in is different for every elf, but it happens to all of you, it seems."
"I'm glad." She said, and closed her eyes.
"I think you'd like Kale. He's very friendly."
"... M-maybe I should meet him." She said. "But first... I... I owe you a boon. The entrance to this cave... there is a crescent of metal, there, hidden in the rocks. Take it. I've had it for nearly my entire life. You may find use in it."

>>22623367
Kale tends to find beauty in the simple things. I suspect the two of you would get on well. Veez is...intense, but I think you'd get on with her too.

>>22623453
thank you

we comeback and with more people and talk longer next time

>>22623453
"Are you sure? For a simple visit?"

"Are you sure? For a simple visit?"
"I'm certain." She said, and looked around to everybody.
"I rarely get visitors. I rarely meet friends. I've been given a reprieve from loneliness. For that, a boon. I am obligated. My nature compels me."
She licked her lips, and then turned to the group, and bowed her head.
"Thank you." She said. "From the depths of my heart. for coming here."

>>22623685
Clearly a hug is in order.

"I know that this cave is your home but I don't think you should stay here your entire life. There's an entire world out there, full of beautiful things that you would love. Have you seen the moonlight play off the ocean? A dragon in flight? Your cave is but one part of the world. There's so much more you should see."

>>22623759
Ah, this is nice.

File: 1358365932675.jpg-(1.14 MB, 2016x2723, Abelfull.jpg)

>Exa, here's a rough sketch of Abel.
>thanks for running this

You take a few steps forward, and pull her into another hug.
"I know that this cave is your home, but I don't think you should stay here your entire life. There's an entire world out there, full of beautiful things that you would love. Have you seen the moonlight play on the ocean? A dragon in flight? Your cave is but one part of the world. There's so much more you should see."
"But... outside..." She said, and shivered again, falling into your arms. You hear the clink of a chain, as she hugs your scale armor tightly. "I can... I can try to go out. But- The open-"

>>22623825
"There's beauty in fear and strength in courage. All You need is someone to help you along. To provide a little push. You are fey. You weren't meant to hide from the world.

>>22623825
"There's nothing to be afraid of. We'll help you if you need."

>>22623812
>This is awesome!

"There's beauty in fear and strength in courage. All you need is someone to help you along. To provide a little push. You are fey. You weren't meant to hide from the world."
She closed her eyes, and then with a deep breath, she let go of you and got to her feet, shoulders high and expression confident.
"I can try." She said.
"We'll be here to help if you need us." Tannis said.
"And hey, if that doesn't work, we could drag you out by force." Lyra joked, and Gareth gave her a slight grin. Isavla was quiet, and just got to her feet.

>>22623959
"Do you need help up the ladder?"

>>22623959
"You don't mind spiders, right? I've got a large, mechanical one outside the cave, so don't be frightened by it."

"You don't mind spiders, right? I've got a large, mechanical one outside the cave, so don't be frightened by it."
"I was raised by spiders." She said. "I will be fine."
"Do you need help up the ladder?" You ask.
"I've climbed it before." She said, and with elven grace, made her way up.
You followed, and everyone else started making their way up the ladder behind you, lantern in hand.

She took a step toward the exit to the cave, and then stopped, as if her body locked up. It reminded you of something... and then she turned away.
"... You need your boon." She said, and brandished a hand toward the cave wall. You saw a small shining object there, reflecting light from the lantern- it almost looked like a crescent moon.
"It's yours." She said, quietly, looking forward to the exit of the cave with sweat beading on her forehead. "You may find it useful."

>>22623959
"What was it like last time you left?"

>>22624062
"Thank you very much, Gareth. May I ask what it is?"

>>22624062
Let's grab that thing then head out.

>>22624062
Take that thing, then take her hand and walk out with her

"Thank you very much, Gareth." You say, and grab it- it seemed stuck in the wall for a moment, but with a tug, you pulled it out.
"May I ask what it is?" You ask, and examine it- it had Skiitaran writing engraved into it.

"It is a crescent of cold iron." She said, her voice low and loud as she walked past you. "Fey- elves or fairies- cannot cross them when they are set near an entrance or exit. Until they are removed, that is. Our compulsions make it impossible."
Her stride became stronger, more purposeful, as your allies continued climbing up the ladder.
"That particular crescent... has been enchanted, such that one glamoured by me cannot see it." Gareth said, giving you a smile.

>>22624167
"I see. Again, thank you."

>>22624167
"Ready to go outside?"

>>22624167
"Thank you."
Offer hand for travelling

>>22624167
That is...potentially worrisome. Someone trapped Gareth in the cave. Why do I feel like we've been played?

"I see." You say. "Again, thank you."
"Oh, it's no problem." She said, as the rest of your allies arrived. The five of you made your way closer to the exit, and you felt rather... strange. Your mind was fuzzy, and focusing started to get rather difficult.
"Ready to go outside?" You asked, and held out a hand.
"Certainly." She said, and stepped out into the sunlight. She looked up, and shot the sky a grin.

"Garethiel... is back." She said to herself, and then whirled about. "And now, for all of you... a song."
She parted her lips... and the world melted away.

Without thinking about it, you took a step forward. Your hand clenched against... something. Something. Groggily, you looked down at it- and saw nothing.
"Swear Fealty to me, Abel Byrne." She said, and you were already kneeling. Something screamed at you, and you could, very vaguely, hear Isavla yelling at you. Slowly, you turn back, and see Lyra and Tannis both kneeling as well, heads bowed... and Isavla, furious, roaring at Gareth.

>>22624167
"Who put it there?"

Rolled 54

>>22624362
"Fuck magic."

Shoot her in the brain.

Dammit, I feel like I should have seen this coming.

>>22624323
Well Tanis' dad did say to never come here.

Rolled 35

>>22624362
Smack her with the cold iron. It's still in our hand.

Rolled 65

>>22624362
"No."

Rolled 4

>>22624362
"No."
Then stand up, walk over to her pick her up by the throat and throw her back into the cave, then place the circlet back.

Rolled 97

>>22624442
Seconded, but with a better fucking roll.

Rolled 42

>>22624362
Remember what she told us about the crescent. We can't see it, but that won't keep us from using it to hit her.

Rolling to remember and assault.

>>22624460
I think the vaguer we are with our instructions the worse we come off, so I'll third this plan.

"Of course, my lady." You said, your head bowed low, as certain levels of your mind rebelled against the idea- some crying out to shoot her, some crying out to refuse her... but why would you do that?

You're hers, of course.

Your hand loosened, and something fell out of it, hitting the sand.
Isavla darted past you, and you were... too late to protect your lady.

She picked that... something up, moving quickly, and then your lady screamed, backing away-

And the spell was broken.
Isavla stood there, breathing heavily, the sharp end of the crescent bright red with blood.

"Well, this will be more difficult than I foresaw." Gareth said, her voice lilting and mocking, her arm scratched and bleeding.
You raise your gun, and point it toward her.
"Fuck magic." You say.
"Tell Kalaris I said hello." She said, and vanished from view.

Rolled 57

>>22624362
we could have been friends
(bitch slap back into cave)
then put the crescent back

Rolled 63

>>22624528
Fire at where she just was, she probably hasn't moved.

>>22624528
"Lyra, go throw some aqua sanctis or rosemary around."

Rolled 5

>>22624562
as long as we do it immediately, she'll be moving.

>>22624528
Do we even know a Kalaris?

You pull the trigger, and the world exploded into sound, the gun bucking back as the bullet shot through the air ... and missed.
"Lyra, go throw some aqua sanctis or rosemary around." You say.
"Um, okay." She said, still dazed. She reached into a pouch, and started spreading the rosemary out in a circle, and you saw part of the sand shimmer, a footstep fading into view.
Gareth was gone.

"... What's going on?" Tannis asked, twitching.
"She sang some sort of song." Isavla said. "And you all went... weird. So I stabbed her with this."
She held up the crescent.

Rolled 87

>>22624626
Kale.

Dammit, we had her too. Rolling to find her.

>>22624679
"Probably a smart move. I have the feeling we released something we shouldn't have. I was completely taken by her. Must have all been a part of the spider's web."

"Does anyone know a Kalaris? She said she was Garethiel, so maybe it's another of Kale's names."

>>22624679
good thinking
I think we just released a evil fey
with a queen complex
you know just fucking up again ... :(

>Maybe we ought to go by consensus rather than first come first serve.
>We wouldn't have wasted a bullet otherwise.

>>22624679
How come the song didn't work on you? And why were you so suspicious of her?

"Probably a smart move." You say. "I have a feeling we released something we shouldn't have. I was completely taken by her. Must have all been part of the spider's web."
"... Damn." Tannis said.
"Does anyone know a Kalaris? She said she was Garethiel, so maybe it's another of Kale's names."
"Elves have two names." Lyra said. "A personal name, that they use in casual settings, and a formal name, usually similar to the personal one. Order scholars don't know where elves get their names."
"Damnit, we had her too." You say, and look around, spreading out the rosemary- but eventually, footsteps started appearing on the sand as the glamour wears off, running into the ocean, where they promptly vanished.
"How come the song didn't work on you?" You ask. "And why were you so suspicious of her?"
"I just had a bad feeling about her." She said. "I thought she was lying- especially about knowing our father."
"How would she know his name?" Lyra asked.
"I don't know."

>>22624776
I'm kinda with this Guy. We really didn't resist her much, although the DC to was probably a bit higher than we rolled.

>>22624843
You told her his name.

Well with any luck she'll get caught up with gabriel and we'll take care of her then.

Was kind of fun for a family outing, don't you think? We could keep exploring the cave if you want more adventure.

>>22624843
"We should ask Kale about Garethiel."

"You told her his name." You say.
"No, I..."
"You did." Tannis said.
Lyra held her head. "But I don't... remember..."
"We should ask Kale about her." You say.
"Yeah, we should." Isavla said, unhappily. "I should've spoken up earlier."
She looked down to the crescent.
"But it's getting dark." She said. "I suppose I'll return to Vann'ikal a day later than I intended."

>>22625000
Should we see kale now, or just go back to tannis' house and nail the cresent to the door there?

>>22625000
I say we find Kale as soon as possible.

>>22625193
yeah

"Should we see Kale now, or just go back to Tannis' house and nail the crescent to the door there?"
"My house is a lot closer." Tannis said. "I'm worried- what if she glamours us before we get back to Lys? That's why I think we should go home for the night."
"I think we should get some answers from Kale." Lyra said, upset. Isavla just closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry that my going away picnic was ruined because of megalomaniac fey queens." She said, quietly.
"I say that we find Kale as soon as possible." you say, after a moment.
"Then the vote's settled." Lyra said, and the four of you set off toward the south, back to Lys.

You make your way back into the tattoo shop, and find Leez, Cass, and Kale sitting there, all with meals.
"Hello." Kale said, giving all of you a grin. He had a few scratches on his cheek, and looked rather beat up. "I'm sorry I missed you earlier."
"I was making sure he knew how to fight." Cass said. "He's almost as good as we are."

>>22625248
good he may need it more than we thought

>>22625248

>open thread.
>i had a feeling something like this would happen.
>fucking spiders.

thats great!
so... uh, we may have released a dangerous elf in to the ocean...

>>22625248
We went on a family outing, and unleashed an ancient evil fae queen. I have got to be less trusting.

Thankfully Isalva here stopped us from being slaves for all eternity. You did good, sis.

Don't be too discouraged, trials are half the fun of exploring.

"We went on a family outing, and ... uh, we may have releaced an ancient evil fae queen." You say. "I have got to be less trusting."
"... Evil fae queen?" Leez asked. "That's silly. We don't take up titles of nobility."
Kale took his axe in hand, and stood. He gave you a smile.
"What was her name?"
"Garethiel." Isavla said.
You hear something creak, and slowly start cracking- his grip on his axe was tight, his arm trembling as he clenched it as tightly as possible.
His smile didn't move, plastered onto his face, and he sat down again.
"I see." He said, still smiling. "I don't know her. I suppose we'll need to hope for the best."

>>22625403
"You're not very good at lying, Kale."

>>22625403
"She said to tell Kalaris hi, do either of you know a Kalaris?"

>>22625403
You're a pretty terrible liar. What do we need to know?

>>22625403
Exhale in the way that means that we're going to talk after this.

>>22625403

>fucking spider queens

"what you say and how you act sort of contradict each other."

"we messed up didn't we?"

>>22625403
"How bad did I fuck up, Kal?"

>>22625403
hope for the best that's what we always do ha

don't call him out he probable doesn't talk about it

"She said to tell Kalaris hi. Do either of you know a Kalaris?"
Leez's eyebrows shot up, and she left the room, in a hurry.
Kale set the axe down on the table- you could see the places where his fingers had dug into it, almost crushing the handle, and he gave a neutral, emotionless smile as he leaned forward.
"I may have known him." Kale said.
"You're a pretty terrible liar." You say. "What do we need to know?"
"Her compulsion is not for crafting." Kale said. "Or stories. Or sounds. She is an empath. She finds beauty in emotions. Negative emotions."
"... We messed up, didn't we?"
"She causes her minions and 'friends' pain. So much pain, through glamour, that eventually their minds break and they kill themselves." Kale said. "It's delicious to her. That was done to Kalaris, once."

>>22625526
fuck up this time, Kal?"

>>22625532
"I'm... sorry."

>>22625532
And Kaliel.

>>22625532

>i feel worse about this with every new post
>oh god why is everything blowing up in our face!?

sorry won't cut it this time.

>>22625532
Well, fuck a duck, now we gotta go kill her too.

"I'm... sorry." You say.
"No need to apologize to me." He said. "I never knew her. I'm Kale. Raised by elk and butterfly, born by the morning dew on a flower. Kalaris was someone very, very different."
He looked down to the axe, and back up.

Smiling pleasantly, he hovered his hand over the wood, and repaired it, coaxing more wood out of the places where it had been crushed and splintered.
"If he were here, he would be able to tell you more. He might even try to lead you to find and kill her." His voice lowered, and he started... snarling. "To find and tear her lying heart out with his own bare hands, showing him how an elf raised by *man* deals with his foes."
He took a deep breath, and sighed, going back to grinning.
"But he isn't here. So there's no need to worry about Gareth."

>>22625689
Boop him on the head.

Alright, I get it. If you need anything, you know I'm here.

We should head back to the hut.

>>22625689
"I'm worried about her trying something to do something to us."

>>22625734
I don't really think now is the time to make light of the situation.

>>22625689

place a hand on his shoulder and squeeze firmly
if Kalaris ever comes to me for aid, he'll have it without question.

it feels like i owe him that much.

You put a hand on his shoulder, and give it a squeeze.
"If Kalaris ever comes to me for aid, he'll have it without question." You say. "It feels like I owe him that much."
"Next time I meet him, I will tell him." Kale said, and sighed, closing his eyes.

"I'm worried about her trying something to do something to us."
"Fey have the inborn ability to sense glamour." Kale said. "I will tell you if I sense something, and I may be able to teach Cassandra to do the same."
"What? Me?" Cass asked.
"You're a changeling." Kale said. "You have the inborn ability to sense glamour. Perhaps not as strongly as an elf-blood or a fairy-blood, but enough."
"I do?"
"You do." Kale said. "But that's for another day. It is late. I trust you're all tired. You may stay in Leez's house, I'm certain, if you wish."

>>22625887
Thankyou, Kale. I am honoured to be your guest.

Why is your wife's name sometimes Leez, and sometimes Veez?

>>22625887

well, have we left anything of importance at Tannis's place?
if not then we should stay at Leez's.

>oh god did Gareth push Tannis's mother into suicide by glamoring her after she lost her litters?

>>22625959
Well there was that chest of Tannis' mother's stuff.

You know, we should go and get that. I don't want Garry stealing that.

"Thank you, Kale." You say. "I am honored to be your guest."
"No worries." He responded.
"Um, I have a question." Lyra said. "Where do elves get their names?"
"From the same place witches get their familiars." He said. "Names are important things to us."
"Why is your wife's name sometimes Leez, and sometimes Veez?"
He chuckled. "It is how her names are." He said. "Part of her nature. She responds to both equally."

>>22625977
What's your name, Kale?

>>22625977

how far away do we need to keep that cold iron sickle from Kale/Leez/Cass?

show it to everyone.

"How far away do we need to keep this?" You ask, and set down the crescent on the table? "From you, Leez, and Cass?"
"As long as you don't hang it above or secure it near a doorway, it should be fine." Kale said.
"I'll be fine. I'm not an elf." Cass said. "Just don't cut me with it."
"What's this writing here?" Lyra asked, leaning close. "It's in skiitaran."
"Here is sealed Garethiel, tyrant of the fae." Lyra said. "Do not remove, or you doom us. If all is lost, bring this seal to the skiitaran princeps. This is our only hope."
She set it down, and closed her eyes.
"Signed, Kristoph, founder of the Order." She said.

>>22626114
"Well fuck. This is the exact opposite of good, I thought your kind didn't like titles."

>>22626114
Well balls. I don't suppose we can just kill her? Might be easier then resealing her.

>>22626114
"Well that's not ominous at all."

>>22626114
Well, fuck. I think we have a change of plans, unless you think we can make our stop at the Order stronghold quick, Lyra.

>>22626153
I don't much feel like owning up to setting her free.

>>22626114
Bang head on table.

>>22626114

Kristoph sealed her in that cave with the help of the Skiitaran?

i think we may need to change our plans a bit. Gabriel is a danger to us and anyone close to us, Garethiel is a danger to everyone ever.

next question, is Gareth able to sense bad emotions and track them to their owner?

>>22626189
She spun a good story that we didn't see through until it was too late. That kind of shit is why they sealed her in the first place. It's understandable, and more to the point, we need to get her dead or contained as quickly as feasible.

You bang your head on the table.
"I don't suppose we can just kill her? Might be easier than resealing her." You ask.
"If you can, I trust you will." Kale said, pleasantly. "Though I don't believe she would put herself in harm's way."
"Next question." You ask. "Is gareth able to sense bad emotions and track them to their owner?"
"She cannot track them, only taste them." Kale said. "During the day."
He got to his feet. "I'm going to go join Leez. Please do not disturb us."
He left, and then Lyra sighed. All of you simply sat there, quietly.
"... That means she killed mom, didn't she?" Tannis asked, eyes low.

>>22626290
In a manner of speaking, yeah, I think so.

We never should have gone there.

>>22626290
"That seems likely, Tannis... We'll have to be careful. I'm sure you all realize it, but if you start to feel overwhelmingly negative, find Kale as soon as possible. She doesn't seem to be the type to just let us go."

>>22626290

she definitely had a hand in it, we need to find a way to fix this...

>>22626290
"More likely drove her to suicide, but it's splitting hairs at that point."

"That seems likely, Tannis." You say. "We'll have to be careful. I'm sure you all realize it, but if you start to feel overwhelmingly negative, find Kale as soon as possible. She doesn't seem to be the type to just let us go."
"Well, I'm feeling overwhelmingly negative right now." She said, quietly, and Isavla pulled her into a tight hug. After talking to one another a bit, the two made their way to bed, Tannis purring as Isavla rubbed her ears and belly.
"... So." Lyra said, leaning back. You, Cass, and her all met eyes. "This may call for a change of plans. I could definitely tell Crios what's going on. He'd know how to deal with it. Or we could do as the seal said, and go to skiitara to meet these.. princeps or whatever they're called."

>>22626434
"They might not even exist anymore, or they might have lost the knowledge to deal with her. I think we should stick with the original plan."

>>22626434
I'm inclined to keep the plan to head to Bastion. There's too much I don't know about Skiitara.

But I feel really bad for letting her out. Punch me for that, would you sis?

>>22626434
"I think it might be best if we went to Skittara. Chances are we'd go the warn Crios and he'd just direct us to Skittara anyway."

>>22626434
"Princeps is singular, it generally means roughly the same thing as 'king.' That said, if we can go see Crios without slowing our time to Skiirara too much, we should do that."

>>22626466
I would like to think Skiitarans... Skiitarians... whatever, people from Skiitara would have the forethought when putting in a seal meant to last for an eternity to keep the knowledge handy somewhere. Even if we have to delve ancient archives to find it.

>>22626469
actually, i change my vote to skiitara, i want to learn more about kale and tannis' past

>ex-pugilist Crakau
No, that's a different character, captcha

>>22626500
You'd like to think so, but if they didn't make a big deal of it (and we don't know how much they actually cared at the time) along with a great deal of generations and time passing means they might not even have those records anymore.

>>22626508
>ex-pugilist Crakau
>Crakau
>Krakow
>Second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland.
>Poland used to be a really powerful nation in the early to mid medieval period but has since been torn to bits and reduced to nothing.

"I would like to think Skiitarans would have the forethought when putting a seal meant to last for an eternity to keep the knowledge handy somewhere. Even if we have to delve ancient archives to find it."
Lyra nodded.
"Yeah, that's probably the smarter idea." She said. "I'll need to come with, though, since I don't think you guys speak the language. I never knew Gabriel's teaching me skiitaran would come in handy this much."

>>22626434
"We should go to Bastion first, since we know almost nothing of Skitara right now."

>>22626542
You can teach us some basics on our way there.

I suppose we'll have to catch a boat? How will you tell Ciros where we are?

>>22626542

>voting for Skiitara

funny thought that Gabriel taught you something that will help in his downfall. Or this is all part of an ellaborate plot... i'll shut up now.

Damn, now we aren't going to be able to find out why Crios is researching angels.
y u so flip-floppy, players?

>>22626574
Because new information becomes available/circumstances necessitate it.
And for the love of god never say 'Y u' again.

>>22626590
You're assuming we'll even be able to find Gareth again. She's pretty good at hiding and could go pretty much anywhere in the world.
also, Y U

>>22626604
We don't have to find her, just tell someone who matters that she's out again.

>>22626613
And what's the king of Skiitara going to do, exactly? They aren't exactly friendly with this area, and it's not likely that Gareth is going to Skiitara.
So that means the king will probably charge us with dealing with her, assuming we aren't just chucked in jail or enslaved for freeing her.

"You can teach us some basics on our way there." You say. "It's funny, though, that Gabriel taught you something that will help in his downfall."
"That is funny." She said, and frowned, before rubbing her eyes. "But I'm tired. I'm off to bed."
A few minutes later, she came back, face bright red.
"That was the wrong room." She stammered, and continued on to a different part of the building.
"Today's been a very strange day." Cass said, and lay back, closing her eyes. "G'night, Abel."

>>22626639
We don't have enough information to say what Skiitara is or is not like. They've been made out to be bad guys but a society using slave labor is not inherently full of evil people.

>>22626651
"Whose room did you walk into? Was it Kale and Veez?"

>>22626651

goodnight and hopefully pleasant dreams.

>>22626651
Isalva and... wow.

G'night Cass.

We should sleep outside.

>>22626660
We're not citizens and are completely unaware of customs and laws other than "makes other cultures into slaves."
That means there's high risk in going there without further information.

>>22626651
"Goodnight, Cass. I think I'd best get some sleep too."

>>22626692
Kale, who used to live in Skiitara, said they're more liberal than the Free Cities when it comes to magic. He's also said they don't just enslave people willy nilly.

>>22626692

Kale has the right documents for us to enter and stay there, as long as we're with him

>>22626709
Used to.
Considering that he's an elf, "used to" means many, many years ago.
What he knows of them is outdated at best.

>>22626733
It's still the best information we have on Skiitara until we have a first hand experience.

"Whose room did you walk into?" You ask. "Was it Kale and Veez?"
"No, no it wasn't." Lyra responded. "Does Leez keep alcohol in the house, do you think? I don't want to remember anything from today."
"... Goodnight." You say. "I think I'd best get some sleep too."
You find a place to unroll your bedroll, the beds all taken, and then close your eyes.

Some time later, you awoke, and Veez was sitting nearby with a needle, tattooing her own arm.
"Good morning, Abel." She said. "Lyra's quite hung over, Cass and Kale are training, and Isavla and Tannis left to go somewhere."

>>22626744
I don't know how to feel about Tannis fucking our sister... but... okay.

>>22626744
"Isalva and Tannis... You know what, I'm not going to think about it."

>>22626744
Watcha making?

>>22626744
"So, it's just you...and me?"

>>22626744
Guess we have to do the whole 'protective brother' talk with Tannis at some point in the future then...

>>22626787
>>22626755
Keep in mind it's the sister we only just met a few days ago. Really we should be talking to Isalva about looking after our kitty.

>>22626801
Good point.

>>22626787
>>22626801
I vote we have a talk with each of them without letting the other know.

"So it's just you... and me?"
"It is." She said. "Unless you wish to wake Lyra up, but when I tried, she was quite angry."
"Whatcha making?"
"I'm adding to my tattoo." She said, calmly. "As I do."
She met your eyes.
"What do you know about Kale?" Veez asked, giving you a serious expression.

>>22626874
Not too much. He was born, or spent his early years in Skiitara, with hunters. He travelled after he outlived them and met you and then some time later we met him after he got bored of living in a tree for 20-something years.

>>22626874
"He really hasn't told me much, you probably know more. I mean, you *are* his wife."

>>22626874
He's a great friend, but he, and you, act really strange sometimes.

"Not too much." You say. "He was born, or spent his early years in Skiitara, with hunters. He travelled after he outlived them, and met you, and then some time later we met him after he got bored of living in a tree for 20-something years."
"That's... not quite accurate." She said, looking back to her arm.
"He was born in Skiitara, that was correct." She said. "His name was... Kalaris. He was not raised by an animal. He was raised by the knights who worked and fought there. He became one himself. He became one of the most prestigious knights in Skiitara, even gaining the honor of marrying the emperor's youngest daughter... and then the Forged came. The knights were slain to a man, and... Neras was ransacked. He never found his wife or daughter."
She closed her eyes for a moment. "He told me that he spent several years wandering, before... something happened, and Kalaris was killed. His compulsion was new, and his old one was lost. It was there he started his new life as Kale, taught by the elk and butterflies. But... I never heard how Kalaris was killed. What happened to him."
She met your eyes. "I think it was this Gareth who... hurt him."

>>22627020
"In that case we'll have to deal with her, permanently."

>>22627045
Take the boots to her, hard style.

>>22627020
Sadly she's probably long gone.

So this journey to Skiitara will be hard for him?

"In that case we'll have to deal with her, permanently."
She nodded.
"So this journey to Skiitara will be hard for him?"
"It will." She said. "For an elf to change their name... is unthinkable. Our lives are made up of rules and boons and promises. And our name is a contract with the world around us."
She met your eyes again.
"... I love him." She said, and then laughed to herself. "But of course I do, he's my husband. But... He doesn't think he is going to come back from this. And nor do I. He's forbidden me from coming along, but..."

She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
"A boon is something unique to elves. A gift of power, a promise that must be kept. A wish, full of fantastic power that stretches the bonds of reality. We fey are beings of magic, but that magic comes with contracts, with limits. We all have a source of power hidden deep within us, conjured by our names and our natures and our compulsions."
She opened her eyes again.
"I will give you a boon, if you swear to protect him. A boon like one I've never given. If you swear... Give me your arm."

>>22627153
"No."

"I'm already going to try my hardest to protect everyone, so I don't see the need for a boon."

>>22627153
Leez... I can't promise he will be safe. I can do as much as I can to protect him, but we're fighting and Angel! It's only through good fortune and blatant cheating we haven't all died already.

>>22627153
Damn, the lethality is ramping up every thread now.

>>22627297
What's the bet it's been this lethal the whole time, we've just had hella lucky rolls?

"No." You say. "I'm already going to try my hardest to protect everyone, so I don't see the need for a boon."
"... I see." She said.
"Leez... I can't promise he will be safe. I can do as much as I can to protect him, but we're fighting an angel! It's only through good fortune and blatant cheating we haven't all died already."
"Then accept my boon." She said. "Accept the power I'm offering. Our natures are similar, you and I. I could not give this same gift to Cassandra, or Tannis, or even Kale himself. We're too different. But you and I... You can hold the power I am offering."

>>22627338
The last 'boon' I accepted got me into this mess. I'd like to know what this one does before I commit.

>>22627338
"What's going to happen? I need to know before I accept another boon."

"What's going to happen?" You ask. "I need to know before I accept another boon. The last boon I accepted got me into this mess."
"I will give you knowledge." She said. "Of smithing and making- of everything I have learned from my compulsion. I will keep only the knowledge of tattoo for myself. You will learn to speak with wolves and foxes, as I become unlearned. You will gain the power to see through Glamour, as I lose the ability to use it. You will gain a century of power and knowledge."

>>22627493
I'm not going to take that, Leez. That'd be like taking you. Kale would never forgive me.

Besides, I can learn that stuff anyway, by cheating.

>>22627530
*Taking the you from you

Get it together, anon, you're making yourself look bad.

>>22627493
"That's too much."

"I have knowledge appear in my head as it is, so there's no telling what will happen."

"I'm not going to take that, Leez." You say. "That'd be like taking the you from you. Kale would never forgive me."
She sighed, and went back to her arm.
"Any of those things I can re-learn, and my glamour will return when you die- be it of age, or mortal wounds. My loss will not be permenant. But if Kale dies... his death will be. But I'll not force you into accepting my boon. But if you change your mind..."
Her voice went soft, and her bronze curls hid her eyes from view.
"I'll be here." She said, quietly. "In Vann'ikal."

>End of thread!

>>22627680
Aren't we in Lys? Wasn't Vann'ikal the town we arrived?

Also, thanks for running, Exa!

>>22627680
>>22627699
>Right, in Lys. Whoops!

So wait why did we refuse the boon?

>>22628025
Because nobody in the thread in the last hour wanted it.