You took the plunge and dived into the pool of bigotry and hate known as First Stone Hall, a shantytown filled with the people who hated the new changes a Citadel-Free world inflicted upon them.

You marched an army of Occuli to their front door, and followed their 'spiritual leader,' Father Billings to the center of the town. The 'town' was in very bad shape, disease was rampant, housing was ramshackle at best, and everyone was on the brink of starvation. You discovered that BIllings actually did care for the people under his watch, but was enamored with his own glory and growing flock, so he preached the words of justified hate because that's what the First Stone people wanted to hear.

At the town 'square' you faced down Lord Gammar, who was out for your blood, blaming the death of Paladin Bobbi Odette, a relative of his, on you. He ordered a duel of honor, with Sally Allbread, the sociopathic trainer of the Purist raider forces, being his champion.

You used the duel to buy time, in order for Peri/Mari to pull off their plan. Tricia had discovered that Gammar had been hoarding food, and the location of the stash as well. With the use of a well placed blast stone, the food stash was exposed for all of the starving residents to see. A riot broke out almost instantly as people scrambled for the precious food. It only seemed to grow and grow, with fires starting as First Stone Hall pulled itself apart. You ordered the Occuli forces inside to quell the riot and evacuate people from the inferno. You rescued Father Billings personally, who was shocked to have his life saved by a monster. Apparently it caused a spiritual awakening in the man, because he gave a sermon to his flock, recanting the message of hate and urging his people to accept the new world that they now faced.

Paladin Avery, with a little help from the naga Scheherazade, aka Granny, managed to convince Isen the Audacious, aka Prince Itzak, to stay and help stabilize Stone Hall.

You had another dream of the Dramatae and their efforts. The Lightbringers seem to have, once more, failed to live up to their expectations. Also, that they are looking for someone to fill the vacancy in their group, the one who wears the Rage mask. You got a name and a location out of them, Jeremy Sandover a man who lives in Stone Hall. Apparently he has an 'audition' coming up, and one of the tasks may be to eliminate some complications to the Dramatae's efforts...and nothing's been more complicated than you.

Also, Stone Hall has two more leads you need to follow up on. The Fifth Humor showed you a vision of a huge pile of Lantern Coins, the scattered remains of the First Lantern. The legendary 'weapon' that defeated the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow. Also, there's an old comrade of your Father's, someone named Tallow, who was supposedly also in contact with the Fifth.

However, with Stone Hall back on more stable footing, and Robin Goodfellow's return of your Nightmare, Stone Hall is only a brief trip away, so you might have a day or two to enjoy Stone Hall.

Good to be back!

Right if I remember correctly we were planning a day on the beach and then leaving afterwords. Someone mentioned a joke that since Isen will be busy with his duties he could always send Tara in his stead.

We should also warn Granny that the Dramatae have assigned a prospective member to destroy the horde of the Old One. As she is the oldest one we know she might be a target. Personally I think its the dragon of Bronze Peak though. Horde is a very dragony word.

First things first though, see how Mage is doing on that translation spell. We want it to be complete before we leave as one of the big problems with cohabitation between Lizards and Humies are the fact aht most can't talk to one another.

>>24017272
>Stone Hall is only a brief trip away, so you might have a day or two to enjoy Stone Hall.

Right, anyways.

Day at the beach with side order of poking fun at Isen for not being able to come. I would like to speak with bird lady before we go anywhere. Also, waiting on Mage finish that translator spell.

Ha-ha! YES! And it's almost midnight. Time for Paladin Lamia adventures.

>>24017272
>Jeremy Sandover a man who lives in Stone Hall.

>>Stone Hall is only a brief trip away, so you might have a day or two to enjoy Stone Hall.

Right sorry, dumbass moment 1 of the day. BRONZE PEAK is where Sandover lives and is 1 day away.

>>24017307
Mage is down with Granny in the undercity, he's got something that looks like a tall tripod of metal sticks, supporting a clear glass sphere.

"Hey Seen, so I think I got it." Mage says. "You want the long technical explanation, or the short version that's a little inaccurate?"

>>24017307
>Personally I think its the dragon of Bronze Peak though

I agree with this actually. Though speaking with Granny about what we saw should at help clear up anything we might be misunderstanding. There is possibly that 'Old One' might refer to something we haven't heard of or seen yet.

>>24017435
I probably won't understand the technical version... but give it to me anyway.

>>24017435
"I'll take a guess as to what the short one is; It's magic. I don't got explain shit.

"Hit me with the technical version."

>>24017435
If you want to geek out, don't let me stop you.

(setting details ahoy!)

>>24017450
"I probably won't understand the technical version...but give it to me anyway." You say.

"Alright, the Empire Babble spell is projected as an auditory/luminous field from the sphere. This normally scrambles the language centers of the brain just a little and alters the eardrums slightly. It makes it sound that people are talking nonsense to each other. The rods, however are Ghoul Horns, they cast a slight form of fleshshaping magic, more specifically, the magic that returns an altered Ghoul's body to a more stable state. So what happens is that the language centers in the brain and their ears, all get reset, and then reconfigured back into the same uniform standard. This circumvents both the domination effects of the Empire magic and the flesh rending/need for flesh of the Ghoul magic, because I'm only using half of each spell.

"We set a few of these things up in the city, and boom, everyone will be able to understand each other. Now, it wont change the lizard people's tongue, but it'll let humans learn it, and how to speak it, and visa versa."

"The boy's no fool." Granny says. "We tested it on some of my people, and Mage as well. It seems to work...although Mage's magic may have altered the study, so you never know how standard humans may react."

"I'm pretty sure that it'll go perfectly." Mage says with that 'This should work...or melt people's heads' smile.

Oh man, lamia quest is back before schedule. My snacks are still cooking, but WELCOME BACK ECHO!

>>24017604
Right, we need a test group of people first before we spread these around the entire city. I wonder if the good father and some his flock is willing to volunteer? It woudl be a good gesture that they are willing to work past their hates. Otherwise just ask around the city for 'em

>>24017640
>>24016922
Yes, Echobro. We missed you.

>>24017604
"Maybe would should increase the pool of test subjects before doing the whole town. I'm sure Avery and myself can find some volunteers or ... well maybe in Avery case /volunteers/.

"Good work thus far Mage.

"And Granny can we speak private for a bit?"

It IS nice to have Echo back. Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.

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>>24016922
I KNOW YOU SAID NOT TO WORRY, THAT YOU WERE AT A CON

BUT I WAS SO SCARED YOU WEREN'T COMING BACK!

Thankyou for not disapointing me Echo, fucking love the quest so far

>>24017604
>>24017706
>>24017719
Yep. increase the test group, work on how we will distribute these once they are ready.

Oh and don't forget to tell Mage and Granny they did an excellent job.

>>24017706
"Well, we need to test it with humans of course." You say. "You think we should get Billings or some of his flock down here?"

"Who?" Mage asks. He has been out of the loop about the situation topside. "Eh, well if you can talk him into coming down, or anyone else, we'll see."

Billings is uneasy, but he views this as the 'saved my life' favor. He's not too pleased to be in the tunnels or the undercity, and he views the device with distrust, but stands there frowning. (Granny has hidden away from Billings.)

"Okay, let's do this." Mage says. "Uhh...don't look directly at the apparatus."

The device glows, the sphere glows white and the poles glow yellow, there's a deep THRUMMMM...and Billings winces and puts his hands over his ears. The lights fade andBIllings shakes his head.

"Makes my ears pop." He mutters.

"Hello." The "Elder" Lizard Person says. "You speak with me now?" He asks.

Bliings blinks. "Yes...by His Light...yes I can."

The Lizard Person flicks his tongue in approval. "I have been taught your tongue, but need much help. Same with people. Can you help?"

Billings pauses and then nods. "Yes...yes, I have much to atone for. This is suitable penance."

You and Mage roll your eyes. The man's ego hasn't changed much, now he's trying to all noble about how he takes on his new hair shirt.

Still it's a start.

"Okay, so I can have the Conclave and the Mages build these." Mage says. "Now we just need a name...like Mage's Amazing Tongue Twister." He smiles at you and then frowns. "Too Isen?"

>>24017956
"Mage, it's your first commercially deployed magical device.

You are allowed to be as Isen as you want."

>>24017956
Call her Rosetta

>>24017956
>Oh god naming things again

Its a bit Isen. But you have the right to be proud.

>>24017989
I like it. Probably going to be lost on lots of people but I like it. Rosetta Stones. Made by Mage Patrick.

>>24017956
Mage Patrick's Portable Parley Prototipe

>>24017956

How about "Mage's Multilingual Mnemonic Modeler?"

It's a bit of a mouthful, but I think that covers all of the bases. And it has alliteration!

>>24017986
"Mage, it's your first commercially deployed magical device.

"You are allowed to be as Isen as you want." You say. "Although, maybe you should use a less...complicated name. Why not the name of the Paladin who first travelled to the Desert Tribes and translated the dialects, Rosetta?"

"The Rosetta...I like it." Mage says.

"Rosetta Device...made by Mage Patrick."

Mage then goes through he steps of disassembling the device to take it to the Staves Guild members, using Billing's help. You slide over to Granny's dwelling.

"Did the man's head melt?" Granny asks.

>>24018084
"Fortunately not. I've had enough of cleaning up his messes for one lifetime."

>>24018084
No, the device worked. And he agreed to help the Elder with learning common. I think he deserves a chance to make up for his mistakes and doing so will let him see Lizards as people as well.

>>24018084
"He seems fine. Maybe a bit bigheaded, in fact, but not molten."

What did we want to talk to granny about anyway?

Also, echo, when was the last time we shed? Do our companions know about it? Are we going to have an embarrassing/hilarious shedding break while traveling later on?

>>24018084
>>24018084
"I wish it had melted his ego! But no, he's fine."

>>24018084
"No, though it might have done his ego some good if it had"

"But regardless, we now have a functioning method of communication"

>>24018149
>What did we want to talk to granny about anyway?

Dream, Old Ones hoard, maybe ask if she knows a Jeremy Sandover (doubt it but wroth a shot). I think that's what we wanted to talk about at least.

>>24018194
>hoard
>horde

>>24018194
fair enough.

Oh, what do you think of my crazy theory:

The first lantern brought the dragon down to the level of the people, right?

And the modern day dragon is, we think, the fifth humor and is in human form, right?

What if the coins are formed into a body that we seal citadel in?

>>24018149
"He seems fine. Maybe a bit bigheaded, in fact, but not molten. At least he agreed to help the Elder with learning common. I think he deserves a chance to make up for his mistakes and doing so will let him see Lizards as people as well."

"A Paladin to the end...tell me Worm, when you say those things, is it because you want to ape your Father, you really believe in this, or do you just want no one to even question that you can be anything else than a Paladin?"

"Scheherazade, have you ever heard of someone named Jeremy Sandover?"

"Sorry, don't get out much." She shrugs.

"Someone known as the Old One, or a big horde of lantern coins?"

Granny sighed. "Old One's a Dragon Title, I tend to stay away from those things. They get...possessive. Worse if they think you're related to them. We are their distant kin after all, and Dragons love pretty things that belong to them."

>>24018149
>Also, echo, when was the last time we shed? Do our companions know about it?

You did it durning the caravan trip. The others know about it, but you find it hideously embarrassing (you have to strip) ...despite that it feels very nice both during and after.

>>24018259
My only problem is Granny has said every time those coins showed it only lead to failure (Spear/Bell/Sword). Part of me thinks those things are just a trap that wont work against the Humors or Citadel no matter what shape they're in.

>>24018259
>releasing the coins into the populace and spreading it over such a wide area is in fact a necessity for a country wide ritual, there is nowhere that they cannot touch

>>24018358

We could try reforming it into a lantern. It was very potent in its first form for whatever reason. Perhaps it wasn't meant to be a weapon or disrupting device at all, but a beacon or some sort of tool to help people.

>>24018355
"I hope you're not speaking from experience."

>>24018355
>"A Paladin to the end...tell me Worm, when you say those things, is it because you want to ape your Father, you really believe in this, or do you just want no one to even question that you can be anything else than a Paladin?"

"Because I was given a chance once and I wish to give everyone I meet same.

"Think that 'Old One' would be willing to listen if I said its horde was in danger?"

>>24018425
Maybe. But I think it would be prudent to look for another way of beating them that doesn't involve those coins.

>>24018449
"I hope you're not speaking from experience."

"My advice is to make the thing think that there's something better that it should have, or that you aren't worth being part of it's collection...and NEVER steal from a Dragon. They don't mind bargains though."

>>24018494
"And I'm a Paladin, because I was given a chance once and I wish to give everyone I meet same.

"Think that 'Old One' would be willing to listen if I said its horde was in danger?"

"No question." Granny nods. "But again, don't place all your faith in those coins. No one's been able to get them to work to their advantage." She sighed.

>>24018509
>Officially holding off on fixing our appearance until after dealing with the Dragon.

>>24018555
I think we got most of it fixed though.

>>24018355
>"A Paladin to the end...

"I may sound more like a paladin about this issue than others. I have strong feelings on the topic of redemption is all."

>>24018509
>>24018555
>>24018566
Screw that. Let's bring the dragon a gift.

What are dragons when they wake up? Hungry and greedy. We don't have enough money to satisfy a dragon's greed, but do you think an entire herd of cattle, prepared and roasted in spices, will be enough for a dragon's hunger?

>>24018614
Bring it porn, wine, fireworks and steak.

>>24018614
Let's not. The exchange of info tends to be a powerful one and telling him that there is a threat to its horde from the humors would carry a lot of weight on its own.

>>24018540
Ask Granny if she has any ideas or old leads she couldn't acted on how to stop the humors if the coins are not the way to do it.

>>24018540
"No one's tried to make them what they are."
"It's a lantern, not a sword, and not a bell."

>>24018655
What's the lantern metaphorical thing?

>>24018566
we are, but we still need its blood to fix Mari's body.

>>24018540
"Be cautious Scheherazade, the Humors are getting increasingly aggressive."

>>24018667
Wasn't not What's. Good lord I cannot type today.

>>24018667
This is what my brain remembers about the coins, that they are the pieces of a lantern, this may or may not be complete bullshit, as my memory is shit.

You know, i can't recall granny ever actually using our name

>>24018728
I think we gave it to her, but whatever.

>>24018709
I just remember us talking to someone about the 'First Lantern' and how it wasn't really lantern but more metaphors and such. It was with the guy that was coughing and wheezing every time he spoke. I might be getting things crossed in my memory, wouldn't be the first and won't be the last.

>>24018728
Have we ever called anything but Granny?

>>24018762
On occasion, as we do know her name, or at least, the one she gave us to use.

>>24018762
Yeah, but he's like, a dude, and thats what the coins are supposed to be, pieces of the lantern right? So why would the lantern be metaphorical if the coins that were made from it aren't?

>>24018798
Because legends and myths get things wrong a lot of the times?

>>24018824
You've let Citadels influence blind you to the truth, Boy-o.

>>24018655
"No one's tried to make them what they should be. I think it's supposed to be a lantern, not a sword, and not a bell."

Granny shrugs. "Perhaps."

"The Humors are also getting increasingly aggressive." You say.

"Well, I think we know who's responsible for THAT now, don't we, Little Worm?" She chuckles. "I don't know about the other three...but do not try to fight the one who wears Peace." She sighs. "I don't think that one's completely human."

She shakes her head. "Enough of dark talk and dragons. You should be up there enjoying your youth and victory. Shoo, Little Worm."

>>24018867
Not really, just questioning everything. One thing, to me, that's been proven is no one source of information has been 100% right or wrong. Somewhere between each one has hint at the truth which we need to dig out. I just don't want to run with one idea and only that idea when it could very well be wrong.

goodbye Scheherazade, stay safe.

>>24018889
Now on to that beach party of sorts. Because now it's day off time. Well kinda. Never really a day off for Paladin but goddam we can try.

>>24018889
"Too bad you can't join me up there. Times seem to be changing!"


oh, I just thought of something.
Hey, do you guys remember those old lightbringer songs?

The ones lea told us that were about the lightbringers fighting a giant naga?

Remember how granny told us she used her coins to make a spear?

Remember how the 5th told us that granny took her spear to fight the lightbringers of her time?

We have a song we can hear at any time that details granny's fight, if we care to hear it.

>>24018889
Hug the naga.

>>24018889

One last question: if we should encounter the chosen Lightbringers in our travels, should we attempt to interact with them? Or would the Humours not take too kindly to that?

>>24019023
hugs:

Ssens way of adapting lamia tendencies to human culture.

>>24018949
"Goodbye Scheherazade, stay safe."

"Same to you, Little Worm." She says.

You head back up. You reach the sunlight and instantly have a basket shoved into your arms.

"Come on, we're going on a picnic." Tricia says. She's dressed in a sundress and has on an even bigger hat.

Peri's in a decidedly revealing, low cut white dress, and Lea's got on a loose hooded robed, but she's not wearing her facial bandages. Tara's there she's carrying a giant umbrella, a few folding chairs, and another basket. She's dressed in her skimpy pit fighter 'uniform.'

"We've got our own little chunk of beach to ourselves behind the Lighthouse." Tricia says. "We're going to test it out."

>>24019112
You all read my mind. Lets go.

Enjoy ourselves. Swim a bit. relax in the sun.

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>>24019112
>Beach episode

>>24019112
"A picnic? I had almost given up on that. What would I do without your surprises?"

>>24019112
Time for boob envy.

>>24019194
One of the points of this is to taunt isen with our beach celibrations.

is there some way we could get a beach that Isen can see from a window?

>>24019209
but no one can match the length of our tail!

>>24019209
>boob envy
B-b-but we have such a tight waist!

God damn it I really want to say this needs to stop because we are a Paladin and cadre embroiled in a battle against en eldritch entity of pure oppression, not some over-sexualized gaggle of vapid hens.

But I can't, because fuck the haters, we do good work and could use a little break to enjoy what we fight for.

>>24019218
and we end up getting Tricia to spread the sunscreen-analogue on us while we sunbathe.

>>24019268
Look, our STATED GOAL was to go on vacation for a week here before we figured out all this shit was happening.

On account of needing a break from citadel's bullshit.

>>24019200
"A picnic? I had almost given up on that. What would I do without your surprises?"

"Go nuts and eat people." Tricia says.

The beach is nice, a little less sand and a little more pebble perhaps, but nice. Lea spends a lot of the time in the water, she's doing her usual katas, but it's nice to know that she isn't as self-concious about her body around the group as she used to be.

Tricia and Peri are playing some kind of game with a ball, you aren't sure if there are any real rules apart from hitting the ball at each other, but they seem to be having fun.

Tara is sunbathing. You're a little jealous at the horned girl's figure...but the knowledge that most of it is fake is helpful.

"So, where are you guys, like, going next?" Tara asks. "Cause, you know, we can always use the help to fix things and stuff here."

>>24019337
Bronze Peak needs us next. There is a dragon we must talk too and a man we must stop.

>>24019337
"Sorry, we'd love to stay longer, but we have business to take care of in Bronze Peak. Hopefully it won't end up a smoking crater after we're done with it."

>>24019337
"Love to stay longer and help but we'll be heading to Bronze Peak soonish. Few things we need to investigate there."

>>24019375
>"Sorry, we'd love to stay longer, but we have business to take care of in Bronze Peak. There is a dragon we must talk too and a man we must stop. Hopefully it won't end up a smoking crater after we're done with it."

"Yeah, that would kinda be bad, wouldn't it? Although isn't Bronze Peak mostly inside a mountain, so wouldn't it, like, be more of a volcano, than a crater? I think."

>>24019337
"Well, we're probably going to be off to Bronze peak soon. I would love to stay and help, but, well, I've told you how pressing our business is. It's one of the main reasons we wanted you and Isen to handle this one for us. You've certainly shown yourselves to be able enough."

>>24019406
"I think that would depend on how angry the dragon got, wouldn't it?"

>>24019406
"Either way, it'd be nice to actually visit a city for once that doesn't go to hell when we step foot in it. But we can dream, right?"

>>24019442
"Either way, it'd be nice to actually visit a city for once that doesn't go to hell when we step foot in it. But we can dream, right?"

Tara laughs. Then she waves. You turn to look. It's Mage, Sophie, Gregory, and Barney heading down the steps to the beach that lead to the lighthouse.

Gregory is carrying a box, and glaring at Mage and Sophie who are walking hand in hand and chatting. Barney's got one of his contraptions.

"Ladies." Barney says. "May we join you? I think I have something that will fill your lives with wonder and delight!"

>>24019506
"Of course and what could be this time?"

>>24019506
>barney has a box
Oh boy oh boy

"I'm glad you brought some friends, the more the merrier. And is it any more delightful than this sun I'm enjoying?"

>>24019564
I hope my assumption that ssen would immediately sun herself at a beach is correct.

>>24019506
"Sure, wonder and delight are always welcome."

>>24019583
"Sure, wonder and delight are always welcome. What could be this time?" You say. You adjust yourself slightly so the warm sun evenly beams down on your body.

"This is something I bought from a guy along with a half-dozen other things...only thing that worked in Citadel, but I couldn't make enough to sell regularly. Give me a bit to set it up." He takes the box Gregory has and starts setting together something that involves two buckets, one inside the other, a lot of ice, cream, sugar, honey, a few drops of a brown liquid, a crank, and a lot of twisting and swearing as he spins the handle over the buckets. "This should be ready in about ten minutes or so...trust me, you'll love it!"

>>24019750
>trust me, you'll love it
And here is where we find out if lamia tastebuds enjoy dairy, sweet things, and icecream.

>>24019750
An ice cream machine?

>>24019816
the description fits.

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>>24019750
This is the best thing.

>>24019750
"It looks like it has the makings of being good. Will there be enough for everyone?"

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>>24019750
>>24019506
>>24019337
beach episode

>>24019844
"It looks like it has the makings of being good. Will there be enough for everyone?"

"Hopefully. I'll need to make maybe a batch or two, but no seconds." Barney says.

"Oi!" Gregory snaps. "Stay where I can see you!"

"Brother, I WILL turn you into a frog." Sophie snaps. You kind of feel envious a little, Sophie's got a lower body that rivals Tara's.

Of course, Mage's face is one of mixed excitement, and pure nervous terror as the other magic user leads him around a clump of rocks.

Gregory swears and mutters under his breath. "If he does anything to her...I swear..."

"So, who's this guy you gotta stop?" Tara asks. "Another guy like those losers in that crap hole you burnt to the ground?"

Someone who wishes to keep the status quo forever. Someone dangerous.

>>24019952
>You kind of feel envious a little, Sophie's got a lower body that rivals Tara's.
On second thought; fuck it, Tricia likes our tail. :3

Snap out of it, "Infinitely more dangerous."

>>24019952
>crap hole you burnt to the ground
Tara, honey, you might have to be more specific

>>24019952
No, some people far more powerful and dangerous. Honestly, they make what happen over there look like child's play.

>>24019952
"Someone exceedingly dangerous, considering he is tasked with destroying a Dragon's hoard. Alone."

>>24019950
We should, ideally, shoot for one beach episode every few saved cities.

To keep ourselves from going crazy and eating people.

>>24020060
"Someone exceedingly dangerous, considering he is tasked with destroying a Dragon's hoard. Alone."

"Eww." Barney says. "Okay," He gets a small bowl and a wooden spoon. He opens the lid and scoops something solid and white into the bowl and hands it to you. "You eat this...go ahead. Try it!"

>>24020119
taste the ice cream. devour it if good.

>>24020119
cautiously take a small bite

>>24020119
Cautiously test it with a flick of our tongue. Monge it if tasty

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>>24020130
>>24020119
Llamias!

Predators with only a hint of omnivore capability!

Do they like ICECREAM? herbivores love the stuff. Whatever the answer, I am writing notes furiously in my research journal.

>>24020119
>>24020164
Are lamias lactose intolerant?

>>24020130
>>24020133

You take an experimental lick. By His Light and all that it Illuminates, this is one of the greatest things you've ever tried. Cold, sweet, and your tongue gets to experience every lovely little nuance, the honey, the vanilla, and the silky smooth taste of heaven.

By the time you return from your confectionary bliss, the bowl is empty and you're licking your face clean.

"So...uhhh...you liked it. I guess." Barney says, a little stunned at your reaction.

>>24020155
Obviously we flick the tongue and lick the icecream. Obviously.

Yes, very much. If anyone wants to trade their portion I will do anything.

>>24020194
Okay yell for everyone to get there butts over here and try and some.

>>24020194
"Barney, you truly are a GENIUS."

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>>24020194
Uh oh. We just engaged our level 5 lamia tongue, didn't we?

How -embarrassing-, they didn't need to know how long it was.

so long

>>24020194
engage embarrassment at our loss of control.
"I think liked is a bit mild to describe this bliss-in-a-bowl, what do you call this amazing substance?"

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>>24020241

>>24020194
"I... guess I did? So tell me, why can't you make big batches of the stuff?"

>>24020194
And then the brain-freeze happened.

>>24020276
>slight involuntary tail-tip wagging

>>24020223
>>24020215
"Barney, you truly are a GENIUS." You say. "Everyone! Come over here and try this. NOW!"

The group hurries over and Barney doles out as much as he can so that everyone gets a little taste. Then he goes back to making more before the rest of the ice melts.

"Yeah, I so wish I could take credit for this one." Barney says. "But no, I feel really lucky that I managed to snag this one along with a bunch of others. There's this asshole, Sandover, tried to buy this out from under me. Thankfully, I got it in a package deal from this guy, he had these wild ideas about how to use ice and snow."

"Don't talk about him." Gregory says. "Ruins my appetite." He says as he starts into his picnic lunch, trying his hardest to ignore the rumpledness of Sophie and Mage's clothes.

>>24020276
"So tell me, why can't you make big batches of the stuff?"

"Bigger batches mean bigger buckets. Get the bucket too big, can't turn the crank. Also, ice isn't cheap, even in CItadel."

>>24020304
"Sandover? I've heard the name before. Just who exactly is he?"

>>24020292
Stop it, my heart cannot contain the amount of HNNNG this episode is giving me

>>24020304
Srsbsniss time. "Tell me everything you know about this Sandover asshole."

>>24020324
what about adapting the gear things on those wheeled devices so you can pedal it? Or use waterpower.

>>24020324
"I would have imagine you would have found a way to have the crank turn itself. Huh."

>>24020324
"Why not attach that 'bicycle' thing to it to turn the bucket?"

"Wait, Sandover... Jeremy Sandover?"

>>24020459
You fool, you just created the first icecream shop! seconded

>>24020459
>jeremy sandover
oh shit I JUST REMEMBERED

Drill this barney punk for information! Who is Jeremy Sandover? Where did he get his information? What inspired him to make this wonderful machine!

>>24020498
No refrigeration, no icecream.

>>24020507
Sandover didn't make it, Sandover tried to buy it out from under him.

>>24020544
but we can sic Mage on a constant cooling spell enchantment, bwahaha!

>>24020544
We just have to move to the Phoenix Empire. Their Mount Fuji analogue will do nicely.

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>>24020574
Obviously we need someone to create a semi-permanent ice/cold enchantment on a storage area.

>>24020374
"I would have imagine you would have found a way to have the crank turn itself. Huh."

"I tried, even tried to use my pride and joy person mover by hooking it up to the crank with the chain...but it kept on breaking. And again, that much ice or snow would mean I'd have to charge people an insane amount for even this little bit."

"Ah, pity, but about this Sandover asshole? I've heard the name before. Just who exactly is he?"

The two men look at each other and shake their heads. "He's a prick," Barney says. "He's the last guy I made cards for."

"He was part of Cups, but he left when he got rich enough." Gregory says.

"Doing what?" Tricia asks.

"He developed the technique for that." He gestures to Tara's face. "The guy would go on and on about the merits of beauty and how people who were pretty, or smarter, or 'better' deserved to have the world give them things on that virtue alone." Barney shook his head. "Asshole thought that I was using some of my inventions wrong. Jerk."

"He kept trying to talk me into acting...you know...and told Sophie to dress like a tramp." Gregory shakes his head. "I never liked him, and the way he talked about Citadel was creepy. Like he fetishized it."

"Oh no, he did." Barney says as he cranks the ice cream maker. "I saw him actually tongue kiss one of the statues and whisper to it once." He shook his head. "He wanted me to make stuff that was just...dumb or dangerous. He was REALLY interested in the you-know-what." Barney mimes the pistol. "Said that if we 'fit' as part of 'his beautiful vision' that our lives would be better. I told him to go fuck himself."

"Same here." Gregory says. "I also made his shirts a third of an inch too tight."

>>24020642
>Yeah, this Sandover sounds like fine outstanding person. Not a creep at all. Nope.

"You know, I'm kinda not surprised by that in the least bit.

"Either of you know why he would be up at Bronze Peak?"

>>24020730
>"You know, I'm kinda not surprised by that in the least bit.

By that I mean about the things they've said about Sandover just to be clear.

>>24020642
Welp, I guess now we know why the Dramatae or so interested in him now.

>>24020642
>I wonder if making out with a Citadel statue is one of the entry requirements for the Dramatae

>>24020730
"You know, I'm kinda not surprised by that in the least bit.

"Either of you know why he would be up at Bronze Peak?" You said.

"He's at Bronze Peak?" Barney asks. "Well, it can't be good."

"Probably there to bother the artificers or sneer at the dwarves who aren't drunk or in the mine." Gregory said. "Guy was the weirdest speciest I ever saw. He didn't hate other species, just got weird if they weren't stereotypes." He shrugs. "Well, he can stay inside that mountain for as long as he wants, as far as I'm concerned."

>>24020860
>He's Citadel's shitty self-insert DMPC

>>24020860
"Thanks for the info. Anyways, keep up the good work, Barney. I'm sure your inventions will be received better here than at Citadel."

>>24020898
agreed, add in he might want to look into all those failures had before because of accidents like things breaking. Perhaps they won't happen again... as often anyway. Science can be hazardous.

>>24020860
>weird if they weren't stereotypes
Hey guys, I came up with our bad end +:

We fail against citadel, but convince it that the stereotype for lamia is "righteous, honorable, tends to be paladin"

>>24020898
"Thanks for the info. Anyways, keep up the good work, Barney. I'm sure your inventions will be received better here than at Citadel."

"Here's hoping, and as long as you guys are letting me stay under your roof, a part of my proceeds will go to the Claigo Clarus."

"And I'll have your new tabards and uniforms ready by tomorrow." Gregory says.

"Okay," Tricia says. "Enough work, come on Ssen. I wanna swim!"

Of course, 'swimming' with Tricia means that she clings to you as your tail does the majority of the work, still, she makes sure that things don't get too boring.

The day passes and the sun sets. A fire is built and warmer clothes are put on as you all cook a little dinner.

Isen shows up just in time to be utterly heart broken that he missed seeing everyone in their beach clothes and that he doesn't get any ic cream ever. Tara hands him a roasted piece of chicken and whispers something in his ear, that seems to cheer him up, but he does grumble about work as he sits there and chews.

"Ugh, Dad makes this crap look so easy." Isen massages his head. "I KNEW I didn't want to do this. You have it so easy Sexy Scales, all you have to do is show up and stab things."

>>24021012
"now now, my job also involves hearing the life story of the things I am about to stab."

>>24021012
"And get stabbed, hacked to bits, forced to throw myself in front of poisoned crossbow bolts so save ungrateful royals..."

>>24021050
*"to save..." fucking shitty fat fingers.

>>24021042
>>24021050
"Oh, and once I had to stop a riot".

>>24021042
"Now now, my job also involves hearing the life story of the things I am about to stab, getting stabbed, hacked to bits, forced to throw myself in front of poisoned crossbow bolts so save ungrateful royals."

"Hey, I've been nothing but thankful for that." Isen says. "Is it too much to ask to see some beautiful women in small dressed covered in water on a gorgeous day?"

>>24021127
Goddamnit, stupid cut/paste.

>>24021127
>women
>plural

Throw a 'fucking seriously?' glance at Tara looking like a fucking horned Beyonce then back to Isen and then dead serious face at him, "Yes."

>>24021127
"Well, it is a shame you got to miss the swimming. Perhaps, by the time we get back, things will have settled down here. We'd almost certainly take the chance to use the beach next time we are here."

>>24021181
You give Tara a 'really?' look. She sighs and shrugs. "He makes me laugh. Also, after we're married if he cheats on me, I'll, like, pull it off." Tara whispers to you.

"Well, it is a shame you got to miss the swimming. Perhaps, by the time we get back, things will have settled down here. We'd almost certainly take the chance to use the beach next time we are here."

"I'm going to hold you to that promise." Isen says.

>>24021176
Eh, Isen's lecherousness is growing on me.

But Isen needs to romance Tricia if he wants to get to us.

>>24021243
>"-get to us."
>"-get buried."
Ftfy

>>24021260
I'm just saying that Isen's maximum chance angle of attack is to romance tricia and us in a simultaneous manner.

>>24021266
That will end badly and you know it.

>>24021266
Citadel Approves

>>24021274
I am not going to confirm or deny whether or not I choose entertainment value over practicality in my suggested actions.

>>24021241
>hold you to that promise
"Well, assuming it's not winter or a roiling storm or something of course."

>>24021266
Can't we just stick with one person and not do /that/ whole thing.

Anyways.

>>24021241
"Sure, sure. Know anything about Bronze Peak? Maybe some stories to share if you've been there. Trying to get as much info as I can before we head that way."

>>24021310
>not do /that/ whole thing.
What, are you trying to make citadel angry?

Now wear this skimpy dress.

>>24021310
"Sure, sure. Know anything about Bronze Peak? Maybe some stories to share if you've been there. Trying to get as much info as I can before we head that way."

Isen shrugs. "I went there with the guys that I hired to be my entourage once. It's like every other town, guilds, a Travelers, and a Conclave. I didn't check out the Artificer's workshop though, and I didn't wanna see the mines. There's supposed to be this mountain path to a goat sanctuary or something like that. Also there's a temple way way up there, but that was a hike so I didn't bother."

"It's a Temple to the Great Bear." Lea says. "It and all the other totems that the Third Age people who lived in those mountains worshipped before they became part of Citadel.

"My father went there to study in the old library that's there. It's where he learned a lot of the moves that I know." She takes a drink. "It's a beautiful place, very spiritual. It shows how people always know of His Light, even if they use the wrong name for Him."

>>24021398
I wonder how pissed lea would be by our somewhat polytheistic worldview. What with multiple land spirits, of which the light may be one and all.

Of course, the light is the best one.

>>24021398
"Sounds like a place to go but ... snow ... cold ..."

>part cold-blooded animal actually liking the idea of going anywhere near snow

I think we should play up that part. It be fun, to me at least.

>>24021398
"Well, I think I'll certainly visit the temple, in addition to the artificers.

What happened to the other totems?"

>>24021499
>play up that part
Oh, we will. But, see, the thing is, we are in the stage where we don't realize how bad it will be.

it will be so bad

>>24021398
>mountain path to a goat sanctuary
THE GOAT TOWER HOLDS ALL THE SECRETS TO DEFEATING CITADEL
WE MUST VISIT AND DRINK DEEP OF ITS KNOWLEDGE.

>>24021499
Tricia will keep us warm.

>>24021425
More henotheistic than polytheistic. After all, the Light is older and more powerful than them all.

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>>24021537
Secretly, we desperately want to visit the goat sanctuary.

Double secretly, we want to eat a goat.

>>24021554
>more powerful
Uh... it's pretty plainly less powerful than some. Our goals include making it more powerful with a magical lantern artifact.

>>24021537
YES, THE GOATS ARE THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF HIS LIGHT! THEY SHALL BE THE RUIN CITADEL AND SHALL SET US FREE!

And know I remember about the goats from Papa N's quest Z&W

>>24021589
Why'd you have to remind me about Z & W Quest... God I miss it.

>>24021499
"Sounds like a place to go but ... snow ... cold ..." You shudder.

"I'll make some inner lining to your armor and a decent shawl." Gregory says. "Wont take me half a day, really."

"Alright, what happened to the other totems?" You ask Lea.

Lea shrugs. "Abandoned in favor of His Light, I won't lie, there's been record of a few more violent 'conversions' but once Bronze Peak became part of Citadel Kingdom, people just naturally abandoned the totems on their own." She frowns. "That was probably not because of inner enlightenment, though, was it?" She sighs. "Horrid thing."

>>24021603
I'm sorry. I miss it too ;_;

>>24021579
The Light doesn't need power. Just intelligence and careful use.

>>24021618
"Some, maybe. Others, not likely.

"But people should have the right to choose what they believe in and not have it forced upon them. We can only show the way should they choose to follow."

>>24021730
"Some, maybe. Others, not likely.

"But people should have the right to choose what they believe in and not have it forced upon them. We can only show the way should they choose to follow." You say.

Lea nods. She gets up from her seat and brushes herself off. "Good night everyone." She says.

This seems to signal the end of the evening. The others all make their way back to the Lighthouse, and Tara throws Isen over her shoulder and takes him back to the manor, a big grin on his face.

Tricia puts out the fire and sits down next to you in the dark, watching the waves for a while. "Why do you love me?" She asks.

>>24021828
"Do you even have to ask?"

>>24021639
still, it's not the most powerful godspiritthing. It could be more powerful.

>>24021828
Oh man that's a tough one. I don't think we even know.

Probably because of all those hugs. And the way she blushes.

>>24021854
"Do you even have to ask?"
She shrugs. "I dunno, aren't couples supposed to say this kind of stuff to each other at times like this?" She sighs. "I'm afraid that once our lives turn...boring...that we'll find that there's nothing there. I mean, kids usually mean home and meals and school, not riots and dragons." She leans up against you. "I want to make sure that we're...you know...together, not just a couple." She sighs. "I'm babbling again, but I mean it...why me?"

>>24021924
(meaningful stuff about how she's a great person etc)... and you're so damn sexy

>>24021924
"Well, because we've been friends or enemies for nearly my whole life. Because you blushed just so when Isen first taunted you in the bar. Because of the kisses, practice and non, and time we've spent together. For a great many reasons, like most things. Especially precious things.

>>24021828
>>24021924

"Remember when we where kids, many kept their distance from me, at least for a while."

"You didnt Tricia, you accepted me as a person from the beginning."

>>24021979
That is a pretty good one, but I am not sure if it is true since we are not privy to childhood memories.

>>24021979
"Even if you were constantly making fun of me..."

>>24021924
"Please, we never used to have all this excitement when we were little, and we still spent all our time together, why should it be any harder when it's all over."

Then grin, "there's a lot more things we can do to pass the time now that we're grown up..."

>>24021924
"Because you ask these kings of questions. You think about more then just out next destination."

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>>24021996
How lewd

>>24022039
Just our*
Really need to get another computer.

>>24021989
considering we where the first sapient "monster" most of them would have ever met, its not that hard to extrapolate.

consider the reaction from the blacksmith and his son from the early threads, but the entire town until they realized we could actually think and had feelings.

>>24022099
yes, but we're not sure tricia didn't ALSO act this way.

Soooo, in short, this one is up to the author. Like how we flicked our tongue when we were practicing.

>>24022124
good point

Echo is usually quite accommodating, especially if it helps build background of a relationship/character though.

>>24021979
"Remember when we where kids, many kept their distance from me, at least for a while.

"You didnt Tricia, you accepted me as a person from the beginning. Even if you were constantly making fun of me...and because you ask these kings of questions. You think about more then just out next destination."

"Anyway, we never used to have all this excitement when we were little, and we still spent all our time together, why should it be any harder when it's all over?" You grin, "there's a lot more things we can do to pass the time now that we're grown up..."

Tricia punches you in the shoulder as she blushes. "You always know what to say." She kisses you on the neck.

You don't know if it's just your senses, or a biological advantage that lamias developed to snare food better. But Tricia always says that you have a faint taste of sweet nectar, and Tricia of course, has a lingering tang of honey to her own self.

After a big the two of you got back up to sleep. The morning comes and you all go through the motions of getting the wagon and the Nightmare ready for travel. Gregory's winter clothes are lovely and very warm and fit perfectly under your armor.

Mage is reluctant to try the haste spell on the Nightmare. "It's already a jacked up creature that's got magic pumping through it." He says as the wagon thunders along down the road. "I don't want to risk it."

"Also," Lea says over her shoulder as she guides the beast. "I doubt the wagon could withstand any more strain."

"This thing has been through a lot." Mari says.

"Yeah, we better not risk it though." Peri says.

"We never really named the NIghtmare, did we?" Tricia asked.

"We don't really have a good track record with names, though." Mage says.

>>24022260
"Our track record with names is awful. That's half the reason we're such good friends with Isen. Don't enchant that horse."

"Have you all said your goodbyes and such?"

Have we said goodbye to avery and granny? And Isen and Tara?

Also, how is that racism going.

>>24022260
Flaming horse? Moves fast?

Kill him Bernie.

>>24022260
"Just keep it ready in case we have to outrun something that can keep pace with a Nightmare..as unbelievable as it sounds."

>>24022308
>Also, how is that racism going.
Man it's been like two days. It's going to take years for that shit to get stomped out. Even then it will be there at some level.

>>24022260
Grumble about naming things. Make sure we've said all our goodbyes and well wishes and such before we hit the road. Maybe we should see if Avery has anything needs to be reported to Bronze Peak. It will only take us a day or two to get there. Far faster than anything he has access to most likely.

>>24022365
Yeah, but did our efforts help it on the way to get better?

Or are they currently rioting due to our actions?

>>24022308
"Our track record with names is awful. That's half the reason we're such good friends with Isen. Don't enchant that horse.

"Have you all said your goodbyes and such?"

There's a chorus of agreement.

>Have we said goodbye to avery and granny? And Isen and Tara?

Yeah, they gave their fond farewells, and they still have their own plates filled with a lot of work.

>Also, how is that racism going.
Better, Billings is preaching tolerance and shouting down other people who are being stubborn. It's lost a lot of the power that it had thanks to the fall of First Stone and Billings' change of message, but it's going to be a while before there's widespread acceptance. However, it seems to be more of a 'When' than an 'If' for now.

brb, have to step out for a bit

>>24022376
Allright, echo is out. That means it is time for CRAZY THEORIES AND OREGON TRAIL JOKES.

Also thoughts about cutesy chilled lamias and the hot cocoa or body contact that will ensue.

>>24022360
or a Nightmare named Dreams

>>24022365
>Grumble about naming things. Make sure we've said all our goodbyes and well wishes and such before we hit the road. Maybe we should see if Avery has anything needs to be reported to Bronze Peak. It will only take us a day or two to get there. Far faster than anything he has access to most likely.

This. We can't take a caravan along, because they couldn't keep up with the Nightmare, but we can certainly ferry a few letters if Avery has some, and that'll also give us an excuse to introduce ourselves to whoever he might be corresponding with in Bronze Peak.

>>24022428
Daydream?

>>24022421
>Also thoughts about cutesy chilled lamias and the hot cocoa or body contact that will ensue.
is there a word that means 'yes' only more so?

>>24022612
I've been using HNNNG, due to my heart pains.

>>24022428
>>24022514
Shadow Chaser?

>>24022791
Dream-catcher?

>>24022791
>>24022824
Dawnbreaker?

We could play off the "Beautiful Nightmares", and call it "Beauty".

There's also a family of names playing off of the Caligo Clarus motto, such as "Darkness". Or "Nightlight".

>>24022912
Or "Lightmare", for that matter.

>>24022912
>>24022924
Sorry, lost my Name field for some reason; these are me.

I am not sure if I appreciate the PALADIN! or the cutesyness more in this quest.

I came for one, and am staying for the other. I don't know which is which.

>>24022824
I went with shadow chaser since he's covered in flames and hence would be unable to catch them.
That's why they're so goddamned fast, they're pissed off they cant catch shadows.

>>24022924
>Lightmare
HAHAHA! Oh wow!

I like Lightmare.

Another classic is "Firebrand"

>>24023025
I think we should call it Bob. Or Dave.

You know /tg/ classics.

>>24022924
>Lightmare
my sides

>>24022951
I was playing for the irony angle.

and it kind of fits our groups inability to name things, and played for laughs later when anyone asks its name.

>>24023039
Or Frank!

>>24023039.
>>24023049

/tg/ is usually very good at naming things though...

we just had a low participation when Mage joined us, it was only me(as anon) and ~3-4 other anons.

>>24023087
Honestly, I suggested Frank back then too.

>>24023087
Yeah but whenever asked to name something /tg/ always, always suggested those type names at first. Even if they don't get used, they're there. Plus it's funny when something does get named like that.

>>24022924
"What about Lightmare?" Mage says.

There's a moment, then all the girls burst out laughing.

"Hey! It's a cool name!" Mage protests.

The wagon is still filled with laughter as the road rolls along.

Eventually you pass an inn 'The Slanted End' The sun is setting, and you can rest here for the night and arrive at Bronze Peak a little before mid-day.

You hitch up the Nightmare, and go inside. It looks like a regular inn. There's a few people at the tables, sounds of life from the upper floors, and a man pouring drinks at the bar.

There's a few glances in your direction, but then they look back to what they were doing before. The others are standing in front of you, so they don't instantly notice what you are.

Roll 1d20

I am abnormally interested in whether Tricia helped us shed or not back on the road.

Mostly because that's super adorable to me.

Rolled 3

>>24023211
Awwww shit.

>>24023232
>nobody noticed you were a lamia
>Later on in the night, someone stabs your tail because they thought there was a snake loose in here

>>24023225
Why do I see Ssen begging her not to help for some reason. Why.

>>24023225
as it was said, I think we shed alone so far.

but when Tricia does see us shed..

I always imagine it as she accidentally walks in on us shedding and we get all flustered, then she shyly offers to help.

Yes I thought of this far too much

>>24023232
You've killed us anon.

>>24023232
you better hope this was one of the times where low rolls are good

>>24023278
>>24023295
>"N-no, I got it"
>"Oh come on, you'll never get it off on your own, you need some help"
>"Ah, Triciaaaaa"
>mage sulks outside the cart

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>>24023295

>>24023295
no, you have not thought about this enough.

>>24023295
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XCVnV5CGh0

>>24023232
Huh, well the place seems nice enough. The others get seats at a table and you get comfortable. You scratch your shoulder and feel that the skin is slightly loose. Damnit, again? Salt water is apparently not good for your skin, looks like you'll be shedding before the end of the month, again.

"Welcome to Slanted End, how can I-ayayaugh!" The waitress screams as she sees you and realizes what you are.

"Monster!" She shrieks.

The other men jump up m their card game, but one, dressed in priest robes holds up his hand. "Hold!"

He walks up to you and looks at your circlet and mantle. "This is...oh my...this is the Paladin Serpent. The talking, intelligent lamia that became a Paladin." He bows. "We are honored by your presence."

The waitress just scowls and heads back to the kitchen. The other men slowly sit back intot heir seats and try to restart their card game, they are Not-Looking at you very intently. The bartender glares daggers at you.

"Friendly place." Peri mutters.

Roll 1d20 again

Rolled 11

>>24023419

Rolled 12

>>24023419
!

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>>24023398

>>24023419
Wave at the men that came by. Good of them to greet you.

Ignore interminable itching until later.

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>>24023295

>>24023419
"Ah, always good to be on the road ... meeting new people, hearing new ways of screaming about I'm monster, being evil, and such. Good times."

>>24023462
yes, exactly like that.

>>24023467
this would be great.

>>24023462
Is that still getting updated?

>>24023419
"Awww. I wanted to act shocked and shout 'where?"

>>24023467
> "Too bad they figured out it was me before I could act shout and shout "WHERE?"
>>24023531
> "Awww. I wanted to act shocked and shout 'where?"

This, definitely. (Not sure why the first post got deleted, but this seems like the perfect response.)

>>24023426
There's a spot on the wall where something used to hang, you can see the discoloration in the wood. Apparently it was there for a while, and now its gone. It was about as big as a loaf of bread, vertically positioned, and rectangular.

"You staying the entire night, or just here for a brief moment?" The Bartender asks when he approaches your table. He takes a position as far from you as possible.

>>24023551
"We'll be staying the night, if you have the rooms and are willing. it gets awful cold out there, I hear."

>>24023551
> "You staying the entire night, or just here for a brief moment?" The Bartender asks when he approaches your table. He takes a position as far from you as possible.

"We had hoped to stay the night, but apparently there are monsters about, so I'm not sure if we should take our chances. But I suppose we can help guard against whatever monsters might come by."

>>24023551
"The night and hopefully leaving at first light as well."

>>24023551
"..What used to hang on the wall over there?"

>>24023551
>There's a spot on the wall where something used to hang, you can see the discoloration in the wood. Apparently it was there for a while, and now its gone. It was about as big as a loaf of bread, vertically positioned, and rectangular.

Hmmm. Too small for a shield, too broad for a sword or similar weapon; bit small for a painting but perhaps a small picture. What's the shape? (I'd kinda like to look at it for a moment and try to guess from its shape before we just directly ask the bartender.)

>>24023551
20 gold it used to be a lamia head.

>>24023515
Yes. http://monstermusume.blisswater.info/

>>24023640
a lantern I would bet.

>>24023646
>updated my bookmarks

>>24023645
But wouldn't that look like a fairly normal woman's head?

I mean..unless the Mouth was kept open and you could see the fangs and tongue.

>>24023590
"We had hoped to stay the night, but apparently there are monsters about, so I'm not sure if we should take our chances. But I suppose we can help guard against whatever monsters might come by."

"Funny." He says. "50 gold for a room, and we only have one."

"What?" Mari says. "That's 5 times the usual price!"

"For a Traveler's piece of crap sure, but I run a nicer establishment...and..." He pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head. "Ughh...so, like I said. 10 gold."

"What?" Peri looks at Lea.

"What used to hang on the wall over there?" You ask as you point.

"What?" The man turns and looks. "Ummm, I don't...the clock. I had a cuckoo clock there...why'd I take it down?" He turns back to the group. "Like I said. 50 gold. Take it or leave it, sleeping in the stable's free if you can take the cold."

>>24023744
"Are you alright?"

>>24023744
wait, did he change the price twice or was that typo?

>>24023774
That was NOT a typo

>>24023774
It changed twice. It's a Citadel thing.

>>24023744
Ask the rest of the group. Up to them if they want help pay for this overpriced room or just stay outside in the stable. Hell maybe we can ride out bit and camp once more.

>>24023744
Something is very wrong here. Sigh, we can't even stop at an inn without having some wrong to set right.

>>24023770
This seems reasonable to start with.

>>24023744
sounds like Citadel is messing with his mind to make things difficult for us.

someone got those prayers to the Light handy?

>>24023862
>someone got those prayers to the Light handy?
Oh, right!
"May the Light blind the eyes of malice, and may its ears hear only his Teachings."

That assumes this is Citadel and not something else, though. The "clock" makes me think it might be something else.

>>24023836
thought I'd check, because I typo all the damn time.

how to fight citadel on this?
I vote, just not care. to paraphrase ME2 "I will pay them the greatest insult, to be ignored"

>>24023896
Citadel was anti clock as well.

>>24023896
Grand Citadel had a noticeable lack of Clocks anywhere.

>>24023916
>>24023920
Good point. Odd to see such strong Citadel influence this far away, though. But yeah, sounds like the prayer might be in order.

>>24023862
>>24023896
Kinda don't want to pull that pray out every time we have an issue with Citadel. It would get old pretty fast.

>>24023949
>>24023955
>>24023896

Think it might be a better idea to get back on the wagon and try to find another place? If this town's chock-full of Citadel's magic, then choosing to rest here might have less than ideal results.

>>24023955
True; I just meant "might be", as in let's talk to the bartender and see what's wrong, and get a little more information before we start invoking protection in a crowded bar.

>>24023955
good point, and that prayer does not even fit the situation, we need the ones we used when our companions where trapped, not the one to shield us from citadel.

ask the bartender if he is alright, and why did he take the clock down.

>>24023992
Stone Hall was immune; we'd better get used to the rest of the world not being so sheltered. Since when do we turn away from a problem?

Perhaps Citadel is getting stronger because the Lightbringers are making progress, or because they passed through here?

"By any chance, did a pair of young travelers pass through here recently, on their way to Bronze Peak? We were told we might meet them along the way."

>>24023770
"Are you alright?"

"Yeah...sorry." He says.

"Hello!" A voice says. "Did I hear someone come in?" A woman's voice says as she comes down from the floor above. She's...well...you spot the telltale scars of someone who's gone through the same procedure as Tara did, only this lady...wow...how the hell does she not have crippling back pain? Not to mention that the table, with its napkins and dining mats has more fabric on it than she does. The worst thing is that you think this stuff is supposed to be armor. But there's no way in His Light that that could block anything other than a very specific arrow shot to a very specific spot.

She also has ridiculously long hair that's dyed blue. Yeah, you and Lea have long hair, but there's a reason you tie it up out of the way. That's just asking for a snag or a pull or something bad.

She's got on a pair of gauntlets that you've never seen before either. They've studded with gemstones and covered with runes. Again, completely impractical, especially if they're magic based, who would be fool enough to generate magic focused around their own hands, even Ghouls aren't that suicidal.

Roll 1d20

Rolled 10

>>24023992
Eh, I would like to try and work through it. But if becomes butting heads against a brick wall ... might just come down to that.

>>24024062

>>24024078
You swear this girl is familiar...no idea how.

"Hello, and welcome to the Slanted End, it's 10 gold a night if you'd like to rest." The waitress says to the girl as she walks by.

>>24024078
>>24024122
You know I just noticed I rolled a d10 not a d20 ... Hey oops. Your call chief.

>>24024185
Null sweat, go again.

>>24024062
>who would be fool enough to generate magic focused around their own hands

INCOMING HIGH WIZARD

>>24024191
I'll let someone else roll since I fucked up.

Rolled 13

>>24024191

so, wait

I am confused

Is it really 50 gold or 10 gold?

Which is the tavern keeper and which is citadel?

>>24024232
It's 10 gold but Citadel's trying to charge us more.

>>24024250
are you sure he's not a racist charging 50 gold and the citadel influence is making him tamp it down to 10 like everyone else?

Citadel's not always bad, just pushy to the point of evil.

>>24024232
tavern keeper would charge us 10, but Citadel is trying to make him charge us 50, saying he has only 1 room, and probably amplifying his hate for nonhumans.

>>24024272
Citadel is probably pretty angry with us now after it realised what we did.

>>24024276
I was under the impression that citadel did the exact opposite of that.

AND liked us at the moment., due to our sneakiness.

>>24024288
Is it? I thought we got away with the execution scott free.

So whos willing to bet that Sandover is staying in this town right now? Citadel is clearly WAY too focused on a small town inn for this to be a coincidence.

>>24024232
To be honest we're not 100% sure about it but best guess is >>24024276

It's one of the reason why we want to work through this 'problem' and find out where Citadel standing is with us.

>>24024220
You've seen this girl before...in a dream.

The girl walks up to Lea and taps her on the shoulder. She waits. Lea stares at her. The girl stares back.

"What?" Lea asks.

The girl blinks and steps back. "Umm...hello?"

"Hello." Lea says.

"Can we help you?" Tricia asks.

"Maybe into some actual clothes." Peri mutters.

"Ummm, I...ummm..." She looks around. She taps Lea on the shoulder again.

"Please stop doing that." Lea says pushing her hand off.

The girl just turns around and heads back towards the stairs, she walks by the waitress again. "Hello, and welcome to the Slanted End, it's 10 gold a night if you'd like to rest." She says again.

"Ssen," Mage says. "I think we should have been running away about ten minutes ago."

The innkeeper stops staring out into space and looks back at you. "Anyway, it's 50 gold for a night, it's the same for everyone, and I have to make a living you know. Travelers are putting everyone out of business, but I assure you that it's work the cost."

Rolled 17

>>24024122
Does she, by any chance, remind us of the female Lightbringer we've seen in our dreams?

>>24024046
We didn't have a specific prayer for most of them. For Lea we just said "Light guide Lea in her time of need.", which cleared her head a bit but not permanently; she and the others mostly snapped her out of it when we showed them that we were alive.

>>24024232
Citadel hates us at the moment; I'd guess it's the one making the bartender dislike us and want to charge us more.

>>24024272
I'd be inclined to believe this a while back when we played along with Citadel and it kinda liked us.

>>24024300
Nah, Citadel liked us OK at first when we accepted its horrific painting of the liberation of Stone Hall, but it has consistently hated us ever since the ball when we kissed Tricia. When we thwarted its execution, it quieted down, but more in the "simmering and pressing the reset button on the day" sense than the "maybe you're alright after all" sense.

>>24024310
It made Odette try to kill us for that.