>>24089645
When last we left our intrepid heroes, we were deciding where to go next after visiting the Paladin. We just got permission to visit the Bear Shrine. Other options:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/24080955/#p24085546

First order of business: Lea needs to become a Kamen Rider. Not gonna give this one up.

Seriously though, I say we spend a bit more time in town and then go to the Bear Shrine at around sunset to introduce ourselves, look around, etc. followed by pulling an all-nighter digging through the library at the bear shrine in search of answers to our myriad questions.

Your visit to Bronze Peak has been fruitful so far. The dwarf smith Quentin, despite his disgusting habit of spitting tobacco, is a decent man who had traveled with your father. He agreed to enhance your shield and ranseur, even working in the quicksilver and runes that made up Father's sword, which you learned was named Beacon. A name that will pass to your new spear as well.

You also got some disturbing clues to the nature of Sandover and his connection to the Dramatae and why Citadel's Blessing seems to be so strong here. It has something to do with Quentin's sister, Rachel, and the perfectly beautiful porcelain masks that she makes. Apparently she got into a fight with Sandover over something and suffered an 'accident.' She's in the hospital now, perfectly happy and content.

You also learned a little about Peri and Mari's condition. Turns out that eventually their personalities will merge which might drive them insane, it certainly puts a dampener on their immortality scheme, but they are undaunted. You also got a new name to follow up on, apparently the person who's been suppressing all the news and information regarding Lady Glenn, Mari's grandmother who was responsible for Peri/Mari's condition, is a man named Lord Holting a Grain Baron in Citadel.

Lord Holting also apparently has connections to Jeremy Sandover. The Dramatae's masks are starting to crack...maybe..

Either way you have a dragon horde to find, and an old library to poke around in. Thankfully Paladin Balles (Pronounced BAIL-S) maybe be an overly precise control freak, but he's efficient and gave you permission to enter the Bear Shrine library, the oldest library in the Citadel Kingdom and (you pray to His Light) untouched by its corruptive influence.

>>24089852
- - - To Cups Guild House to see Rachel of the Masks, Quentin's sister.

- - - Go to Sandover's House (Now with theme song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71K9-1Jwxfk )

- - - Go talk to Crazy Ted

- - - Go find Tallow

- - - See what it takes to go to the Bear Shrine

- - - Anything else.

First to four votes. There's no time sensitive items, however, going to the Bear Shrine is a full day event. Also it's currently just entering mid-day according to the clocks kept in Balles office.

>>24089878
I'd vote for either the Bear Shrine, or if others want to defer that until later, the Conclave and its library.

>>24089901
(Sorry, this is me.)

>>24089878
Bear Shrine will be for tomorrow then. Let's hold off on finding Tallow, if he was worthy of travelling with Dad and our meeting goes sour, we want to be armed. Same goes for Sandover's place. Let's see what it takes to go tto the Shrine so we can prepare over the rest of today if need be. If time is left, go to see Ted.

>>24089901
Scratch the last thing I said in >>24089936. Let's inquire as to the Shrine trip prep then spend the rest of our time today, if any, at the conclave library.

Is it just me, or are we meeting a suspicious number of our father's former friends and associates?

>>24089984
We're walking his path and fighting his battle. Not suspicious at all.

>>24089953
Agreed

We're going see Tallow. Tomorrow, we go to the Bear Shrine and even better, the GOAT TOWER!

>>24090063
I had forgotten about the goat tower, We need to see this!

>>24090063
GOAT TOWER HOLDS THE SECRETS!

>>24089953
Alright, there's two groups that head out to the Bear Shrine regularly. The Conclave takes small groups of students up to look at the carvings and take a few rubbings. It travels a well known path, and has a small cabin to sleep in. The security is present, and things are very pleasant. Even the weather agrees with the Conclave trips.

Then there's Crazy Ted's tour. The only thing similar is that Ted also provides snacks. Also he has a tent. Other than that, his path is considered by most to be suicidal, the weather's always nasty to horrid, and of course the man is out of his mind, according to everyone you talk to. That said he boasts the most 'unparalleled views' of the Peaks and that he can get you to the Shrine and back in just a day, rather than the longer two day trek that the Conclave offers.

>>24090176
And Crazy Ted's trip does include a stop at the Goat Sanctuary...apparently he's a 'known figure' there. Although details are not given as to what that means.

>>24089878

We have:
>>24089901
>>24089936
>>24089953
>>24090007

four people interested in making preparations to visit the Bear Shrine, and willing to defer the actual visit until tomorrow.

Can we have a look at the permit we got from Paladin Balles? And, we know how far away the Bear Shrine is; what do we know about the path between here and there? Well-trodden path or out of the way?

>>24090176
Crazy Ted's Tour!

>>24090176
Oh, just getting *to* the Bear Shrine is normally an all-day event, without a trip back?

As much as I'd like to agree with the Crazy Ted tour, we'd hoped to research dragons (among other things) at the Shrine, and the hypothesis that Crazy Ted might *be* the dragon is rather plausible; perhaps we should get more information before visiting him? (Plus, we'd have a good reason to visit the Conclave.)

How far out of the way is the Goat Shrine, if we wanted to go there on our own?

And, as another alternative, how long would it take us to get to the Bear Shrine on Lightmare?

Yeah, let's talk to Ted about when the next trip to the Shrine and Goat Tower is.

>>24090196
Balles' permit is pretty straightforward. Under his authority as Lord Paladin Commander of Bronze Peak, Lady Paladin Ssen Patrick is allowed entry to the lower levels of the Bear Shrine and the library within. You can look at material, but not allowed to take anything out of the library due to the fragility and age of the materials.

Well the Conclave trail is like any well used trail in a park, as for Ted's trail...well...Ted knows it there, and apparently that's enough for him.

Rolled 73

>>24090280
> Lady Paladin Ssen Patrick
just us? Our friends have to wait outside, then?

>>24090239
>Oh, just getting *to* the Bear Shrine is normally an all-day event, without a trip back?

Unless you take Ted's tour which leaves in the morning and gets you back to the city by late evening, yes.

>As much as I'd like to agree with the Crazy Ted tour, we'd hoped to research dragons (among other things) at the Shrine, and the hypothesis that Crazy Ted might *be* the dragon is rather plausible; perhaps we should get more information before visiting him? (Plus, we'd have a good reason to visit the Conclave.)

Getting info on Ted will take a roll, or you can just go meet the man in person.

>How far out of the way is the Goat Shrine, if we wanted to go there on our own?

By the Conclave trail, if you left now you could get there, spend a few hours there, and return to the City close to midnight. It's a half-day trip. Less if you take Ted's route, but that's not something you can solo.

>And, as another alternative, how long would it take us to get to the Bear Shrine on Lightmare?

Too rocky, steep, or narrow in places for a horse, even the Conclave trail doesn't recommend animals.

>>24090337
> Getting info on Ted will take a roll, or you can just go meet the man in person.

Didn't know that was an option; I actually meant researching dragons and their history in Bronze Peak at the Bear Shrine (and possibly the Conclave Library) before seeing him, not trying to gather info on Ted; that seems like a good idea too, though.

> By the Conclave trail, if you left now you could get there, spend a few hours there, and return to the City close to midnight. It's a half-day trip. Less if you take Ted's route, but that's not something you can solo.

Sorry, I meant how far out of the way is the Goat Sanctuary once we're at the Bear Shrine by way of the Conclave trail (which doesn't stop there).

>>24090280
Does it specify that only Ssen is permitted entry? Or, from the tone of it, do we gather it'll take some cajoling to allow Mari and Mage?

Crazy Ted tours are best tours.

>>24090412
>Does it specify that only Ssen is permitted entry? Or, from the tone of it, do we gather it'll take some cajoling to allow Mari and Mage?

It's not out of the question for a Paladin's retinue to follow them. Also, you're a Paladin, the people guarding the Library are rookie Occuli who haven't even been gemmed yet. They aren't going to give you grief if you force the matter.

>>24090366
>Sorry, I meant how far out of the way is the Goat Sanctuary once we're at the Bear Shrine by way of the Conclave trail (which doesn't stop there).

About a quarter of a day. So if you got to the Shrine, and then went from there to the sanctuary, and then back to the city, you'd get back after midnight.

>>24090412
Additional thought, we REALLY need to look into a thought-sending spell, preferably in enchantment form. Because we'd be able to keep one end of a line with Ambrose in the tower and keep our end with us like a motherfucking Pokedex.

>>24090485
OK, proposal:

Whichever tour we take, we want enough time to actually do detailed research on several different topics, plus a visit to the Goat Sanctuary. So, if we go today we should not plan on coming back today, or if we do want to make a day trip with Ted we should start early in the morning and return very late in the evening.

Let's go to the Conclave, talk to them, find out about when their next trip there is, and use their library while we're there. Even if we end up going via Ted's tour instead, we might as well take the opportunity to visit the Conclave library while we're here.

>>24090553
Ssen = Paladin,
Paladin = Valorous,
Discretion > (1/2)Valor,
QED. Ssen must be primarily discrete, therefore we shall take the Conclave tour.

>>24090635
Screw you, goat tower. We go with Crazy Ted.

>>24090674
The two are not mutually exclusive. I suggest we go on the conclave route our first time up the mountain to get ourselves acclimated to the area and spend some time generally investigating Ted before we go with him on his tour at a later time.

Ah, lamiathon is back. Weird to have it right after I wake up, but hey, I'm not complaining. GMORNIN ECHO

Well I figured that if we have to we can sleep overnight at the Bear Temple. Since there are guards there, there'll be a guard post. And as Echo said, those guard won't give us much grief, so if we do stay overnight, it'll be a break in thier boredom.

>>24090674
>>24090693
Either way, we go no further than the bear shrine.

If we go off to the dragon zone, we can NOT come back to the city for a good long time. I am entirely certain we will be trapped in there for a bit.

>>24090723
Yeah, we were explicitly told that:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/24080955/#p24086133
>The only way to miss a story branch is if you cut it off yourself, or decide to sequence jump and charge straight into the Dark Peaks right now. Which is fine, but I wouldn't reccomend it.

Hmm.. Did we have a timetable on the Shenanigans we're expecting from the Dramatae?

Okay, so I'm getting a consensus for going to the Conclave and checking out when the next tour is and poke through their library on Dragon Lore?

>>24090793
Nope!

I say we visit the conclave library in town, then perhaps the bear shrine library. Though I want to go back into town to visit the sister, see the shop of horrors, meet tallow, etc.

>>24090779
Oh well. Lets save Tedventures for later then. Standard trip to the library it is.

>>24090801
I can agree with this.

>>24090801
Sure. And visit the conclave library.

Which ones were the conclave? Staves are wizards, cups are healers...

>>24090801
Yeah, that sounds fine.

>>24090822
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23894372/#p23895557
The Mage's Guild and the Conclave are both Staves.

>>24090858
Marvelous, I forget these things sometimes. I even forgot about that one lady being a rapist, back in the day.

I would be a very forgetful paladin.

Rolled 2

>>24090822
The Conclave is similar to the others you visited, only without Overseer Trivalon to help with things. So you only see a regular Seer and have to do with whispers and chattering of the students as they make guesses about you and your body.

The library on Dragons isn't as helpful as you'd like. There's a lot on the one that Father killed, it had white scales, breathed fire so hot that it was invisible, and it took twenty men to kill it. There's a lot on the battle, but not much on the actual dragon. And once more, all you get on the Dragon species is that they're big, destructive, very possessive, and don't exist anymore.

As for the next sorjurn to the Bear Shrine.

>>24090978
There's one leaving tomorrow.

>>24090905
Yeah we're going to need to track her down whenever we get back to Stone Hall. That shit has been bugging me terribly ever since y'all let her go.

>>24090978
There are several more things we wanted to research in the Conclave library, including several questions we asked of the Mage Guild for which they said the Conclave library might hold the answers.

Does the library hold any information about:

Whisper Flutes or similar means of long-distance communication?

The Phoenix Empire?

Pre-Citadel history, especially the Dragon and the Lantern?

The Dramatae, or Humors?

Masks, in general, of the style Rachel made?

Magical means of protecting the mind?

>>24091051
Last we saw her, we threw her into an angry mob; we don't know if she's alive.

Of course, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NoOneCouldSurviveThat

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>>24090978
>breathed fire so hot that it was invisible,
Dragon with melta/microwave breath.

>>24090978
Also:

History of Bronze Peak.

Details about the Dark Peaks, in particular.

History of the Caligo Clarus.

>>24090978
>There's a lot on the battle

In that case: who dealt the killing blow, and with what?

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Mapanon here.

How is my map?

>>24090978
ECHO!

See if there's any way to overlook the library.

I remember in our dream the lightbringers fucked up at seeing the overlooking clue, maybe we can find it.

>>24091054
>Whisper Flutes or similar means of long-distance communication?

The only thing you can find on the subject are the discussion on how Whisper Flutes work and that the only ones that are known to exist are in the vaults at the Conclave in Grand Citadel.

>The Phoenix Empire?

It exists. The biggest city that Citadel Kingdom people have been allowed inside is the Caged City, which is NOT the capital. A few mentions of the popular trade goods.

>Pre-Citadel history, especially the Dragon and the Lantern?

There's the legend of the First Lightkeeper that you heard from Ambrose, but that's it.

>The Dramatae, or Humors?

Just in their history as representations of Story Telling and of the Temperaments of the Human condition. No mention at all of an order based around them.

>Masks, in general, of the style Rachel made?

Nothing that you see, Rachel's masks are apparently special and you get the feeling that Sandover has paid money to keep them exclusive to his own business.

>Magical means of protecting the mind?

Again, nothing on record. It's as people people have been deliberately avoiding, or being influenced to avoid, studying those kind of spells.

>History of Bronze Peak.

It was a Dwarven City, lost in the darkness and the silence. Then a group of Dwarves dared to emerge from their caves and saw His Light and made contact with the First Lightbringer in his quest to fight the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow. Then there's that gap in history and we start back up in the middle of the First Age of Citadel and everything's fine.

>Details about the Dark Peaks, in particular.

There's record of a bunch of expeditions and journeys into them. All of them have ended poorly or with question marks. Only Crazy Ted and your Father have gone on record as going out and coming back alive.

>History of the Caligo Clarus.

As before, your order is listed as having existed, and that's it. The Citadel has wiped the history of the group quite well. You're a footnote.

>>24091200
For our purposes? Dead on perfect.

>>24091223
Good thinking! We don't know if that's about the Conclave library, but it seems worth a shot.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23914843/#p23923178
> Is it THAT hard to stand on the balcony and look at the pattern of the red books? Peace asked for Father's forgiveness. How many times would they have to replace the damn things as well?

>>24091245
> The only thing you can find on the subject are the discussion on how Whisper Flutes work and that the only ones that are known to exist are in the vaults at the Conclave in Grand Citadel.

Have Mage look over the information on how they work, with an eye towards creating a similar spell.

>>24091257
hooray, now to get back to paying attention to what is going on. Something about libraries.

>>24091223
Different 'forgotten' library. The Dramatae have 'sets' that they put together to train and guide the Lightbringers. That Library was one of them. Same with the Shrine to the Underwasp Witch, the place was set up to be a stereotypical villain's lair. They don't want them anywhere NEAR a place that could give them a hint to what's actually going on. So they aren't getting to the Bear Shrine Library.

>>24091245
>only ones that are known to exist are in the vaults at the Conclave in Grand Citadel.
Big surprise: Invaluable communications tech which could bring about a cultural revolution is monopolized and hidden from the world by Citadel, the kainatophobic city-mind.

>>24091245
>Just in their history as representations of Story Telling and of the Temperaments of the Human condition. No mention at all of an order based around them.

And just the four, no mention of a Fifth?

>>24091340
>And just the four, no mention of a Fifth?

There's a reference to the idea that The Body Itself should be considered a humor as what the humors are placed within shape them, just as the humors shape their container. An equal concept is that a group of settlers are changed by the land that they live on, just as much as the settlers change what the land is. It's a chicken/egg thing.

>>24091245
Well, we seem to have gotten basically what we need out of this place. Give mage the book on figuring out whisper flutes, if that's allowed, and let's move on.

>>24091245
>>Magical means of protecting the mind?
>Again, nothing on record. It's as people people have been deliberately avoiding, or being influenced to avoid, studying those kind of spells.

This is a very good sign. Had this sort of magic been unattainable by practical means or downright impossible, then Citadel would've allowed the honest proof of its infeasibility to remain as a stronger deterrent than this farce of a cover-up.

>>24091200
>stripper pole nagas
Yesss

>>24091371
The Fifth is Citadel itself, its uncorrupted self, its original self, or a preceding entity which once filled the same role.

>>24091414
They are barely self-aware in the state in which Citadel keeps them. You're considering paying for a severely mentally and emotionally handicapped person to strip for your entertainment. You are not a friend of Justice.

>>24091453
Hey, I enjoy the idea of stripper pole nagas.

They don't HAVE to be brainwashed. Lots of strippers in the modern day aren't. Also I bet lamias would be even better at it, being longer.

>>24091472
We already know that all of Sandover's girls are exceedingly "happy" an that Sandover is as close as a mortal can come to being Citadel given flesh; knowing this, what condition do you think something sexualized and treated like a plaything by Sandover would find itself?

We digress.

>>24091223
This

>>24091511
Look, I never said patronize THESE SPECIFIC STRIPPERS. Just saying, it's something we can look forward to when more lamias are integrated into society post-citadel.

>>24091384
You give mage the book on whisper flutes, it's as simple as invoking your Paladin title and signing a form. Mage dives right into the subject and starts reading on them.

So...we're back to this.

- - - To Cups Guild House to see Rachel of the Masks, Quentin's sister.

- - - Go to Sandover's House (Now with theme song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71K9-1Jwxfk )

- - - Go talk to Crazy Ted

- - - Go find Tallow

- - - Anything else.

First to four, as usual

Why would stripper nagas use poles and not other strippers

>>24091561
Well, we're armed with loaner kit and Tallow is old, plus we have no reason to suspect a meeting with him may turn uncivil, so let's go track him down.

>>24091561
Ah, sorry about that. We got to bickering.

What time is it? Midday?

Well, we want to see sandover's house, but we need to visit quentin's sister first to get her side of the story.

Who wants to visit a blissed out sister in the cups zone? I vote for that.

>>24091561
Tallow, then Crazy Ted.

>>24091561
Hit up Tallow.

>>24091561
Tallow.

>>24091561
Tallow then the girl or relaxing til sleep time.

>>24091561
Tallow.

>>24091561
Tallowman!

>>24091588
Give this man a trophy.

Alternatively: Physics doth not allow it, nagas are HUGE.

With the way we confer in this quest, I imagine Ssen's average facial expression is a hard-as-nails, firey eyed, purposeful glare with an inexplicable deep blush from constantly having cute ideas about Tricia when trying to do work. And occasionally the subtle signs of her fighting back a snicker as she struggles not to think about Naga strippers, chafing, or some other dirty, dirty idea.

We are a lamia beefeater and we are terrible at our job.

>>24091707
Also, awkwardly long pauses.

and a hisssing lisssp I think.

>>24091724
>>24091707
Also: What the fuck's a beefeater? wikipedia says british tour guide? I don't get it.

>>24091735
Wikipedia is wrong, it's the guards who guard the royal palace, who are supposed to not smile or show any emotions whatsoever while on duty.

>>24091774
oh, see, that makes a lot more sense.
And yeah, Ssen is probably terrible at it. We fail sublimely at being the SRS PALADIN. Still a paladin though.

>>24091648
Tallow it is. There's four large blue-smoke parlors, and a bunch of smaller little hole in the walls. Your first attempt to just go into one of the larger ones and ask if anyone knew a man named Tallow didn't go so well. One of the smokers apparently once had a bad experience with a lamia or naga, or maybe was just crazy high. Either way he started shrieking and screaming at your presence until you left. On the plus side, Tallow wasn't in there.

The three big ones are one that offers food, one that specializes in 'flavored' blue-smoke, and a third one that is supported by Cups for its specific 'medicinal' types of blue-smoke moss, and offers things like massage and back-alignment, along with other unconventional therapies.

And of course, there's always those little bookshops, coffee houses, and quiet rooms off the main streets, that sell the stuff cheap.

Your call where to look first.

>>24091804
Find a street urchin.

They will always find the person you need for a coin.

>>24091804
Well, let's go to the foodhouse place first. Get a bite to eat, look for tallow.

Then the coffeehouse, get something to wash it down, look for tallow.

Then the massage parlor, look for tallow. Maybe tailrubs. Maybe.

And, once we've finished the statistically optimal search pattern of visiting all the big places, then I guess we have to look around the little places.

>>24091838
I seriously doubt any of the massage parlors know how to give a decent tailrub. We just need to convince Tricia to get lots of practice until she gets good at it.

>>24091804
Make sure we don't breathe too deeply while in these places.

>>24091834
Bad idea. Citadel has its claws in this place. I'd bet good money that every fucking street urchin is some hard-luck orphan with a heart of gold and a goddamn Aladdin waiting to happen. You can't trust stereotypes, because Citadel loves them.

>>24091804
Hmmm, unfortunate that we didn't ask Ewing *which* blue-smoke parlor was Tallow's, since it seems like he knew.

In the absence of that, let's try the one supported by Cups.

>>24091875
I say we call it "code alladin" and fall back to it once we check the first three big places.

>>24091862
I said maybe. Depending on if everyone else in our group wants to stop for massages.

>>24091804
We should totally go into the back alignment place and ask them to align our back.
All of our back.

>>24091804
Perhaps the one supported by Cups and aiming for "medicinal" uses will have clearer and calmer heads.

>>24091838
>Well, let's go to the foodhouse place first. Get a bite to eat, look for tallow.

I'd be concerned about getting food there; it might just be opportunistically feeding the munchies, but they might decide to spice up their cuisine with a little blue smoke fungus.

>>24091838
>Then the coffeehouse, get something to wash it down, look for tallow.
Likewise.

>>24091962
>>24091903
>>24091910

"I'm not certain about this blue-smoke." Lea says. "One shouldn't indulge in opiates that allow you to hide from reality. It goes a-"

"Against the Light and the Teachings." Peri says. "Yes, we know Lea. Is there any vice that you do approve of? Any little thing that makes you less of a pure paragon of purity that's as pure as your bandages?"

"I enjoy a good flogging every once in a while, as long as it's done properly." Lea says without missing a step.

Peri/Mari freeze dead in their tracks. "It's always the quiet ones..." Mari mutters.

Mage shakes his head. "You travel with dangerous crazy women, oh you're so lucky!" He rolls his eyes. "I'm going to punch the next person who says that to me. Honestly, you girls terrify me."

"You know," Tricia says as you approach the 'Healing Center.' "If you need a back rub, you can always just ask." She smiles at you. "I think I'm starting to get good at it." She rubs your shoulder, and frowns at the way your skin feels loose. "You have to shed again? Can I at least help this time?"

"Can we save the usual mushy stuff until after we're not in a place that's Citadel creepy?" Mage says. "It makes you two act weirder than normal when you start up like that."

You enter the Center, and unlike the other place, there's a reception area with a woman dressed in a Cups Nurse's uniform behind a counter. She smiles at you all. "Hello, and welcome. Are you here to ease your...oh...oh my." She looks flustered when she sees what you are. "Umm, let me see if our specialty therapists are in, and then we'll see if we can see to your...special...needs."

>>24092134
"I appreciate the offer, and might take you up on it later, but we're actually searching for a man named Tallow. Do you know if he's here, or if he runs one of the other blue-smoke parlors?"

>>24092134
"Hm?.. Oh! We're just here to check up on Rachel on behalf of her brother Quinten. Do you happen to know if she's awake?"

>>24092238
Oh, derp. Got ahead of myself a bit. Ignore.

>>24092208
"I appreciate the offer, and might take you up on it later, but we're actually searching for a man named Tallow. Do you know if he's here, or if he runs one of the other blue-smoke parlors?"

"Umm," She fidgets. "I'm not sure if I have to talk about it. I mean, we're supposed to be private, I think. Uhh, how do you know Andrew Tallow?"

>>24092257
"He was a friend and fellow adventurer of my Father, Paladin Liam Patrick."

>>24092257
"He was a friend of my father's. They travelled together."

>>24092290
This.

>>24092257
"You know technically you just told me he's here, right?"

>>24092290
"He was a friend and fellow adventurer of my Father, Paladin Liam Patrick."

"Oh, well I don't...wait...you're THAT Lamia? Oh, oh my...uhh..." She bows. "Greetings Paladin, we are humbled to have you grace our presence, your...presence is a great...presence for this allows you to bring in His Light with your presence." The girl can't seem to get away from that word. "As for the...presence..." She's blushing with humiliation at the fact that she can't stop saying that. "Of Andrew Tallow, he's in one of our therapy pools. He often makes his presence there to deal with his long term trauma issues that refuse to leave his presence. Uhhh, I'm supposed to tell you those things, because you're a Paladin, right? Everything you do is right and lawful and you hurt people who lie to you, right?"

The others all put their hands over their faces or shake their heads groaning.

>>24092257
Also: "We would never ask you to violate the privacy of any patient of your healing center; however, we were given the impression that Tallow owned one of the blue-smoke parlors in town, not just a patron of one of them."

>>24092367
"It is all right, calm down."

"I have absolutely no intention of harming you or anyone else here."

>>24092367
Haha, Ssen has obtained Frightful Presense: Lamia Paladin. "Lighten up, we just came for some harmless questions not an interrogation. Thank you for your time and cooperation however."

>>24092367
>wait...you're THAT Lamia? Oh, oh my...uhh..." She bows. "Greetings Paladin
You'd think the paladin mantle and circlet would give it away.

>>24092367
"Oh, do calm down girl, I don't bite. And you'd have to do a lot more than lie to get a good paladin to hurt you. Last person I hurt had to stab me first."

>>24092488
This. If we can sneak a quick fang show in there somehow do it.

>>24092488
Heh, I like this.

>>24092367
Chuckle a little* "Calm down, girl. You're making me nervous."

>>24092418
"It is all right, calm down. I don't bite. And you'd have to do a lot more than lie to get a good paladin to hurt you. Last person I hurt had to stab me first." You say as you grin and show a little fang.

"So you aren't here to eat the people who have done evil deeds? Because if you need me to inform you who has done bad things here, I'm happy to do so."

"Just please take us to Tallow before we rethink that option." Tricia mutters.

The mousy little nurse leads you through the area, she keeps on trying to hint at the people who have done immoral things to see you dole out righteous wrath.

Finally she opens the door to a tiled room. There's a pool in the floor that seems to have hot water in it. The steam is very calming, as its mixed with the blue smoke that comes from the hookah in the room next to the man that's soaking in the pool.

He's a skinny guy, you can see his ribs, and has hair that slightly reminds you of the male Lightbringer's mop. Only on him it's less stylish and more of an honest expression of a man who has had suffering and has cared less about his hair over the years. He has a little stubble and his eyes have a slight glaze to them. You really hope he's wearing shorts or something under the water, cause he's not wearing a shirt.

"This is Andrew Tallow, your Paladin-ship...are you here to smite him? Can I watch?" The nurse asks.

>>24092588
"No, no smiting. He's a friend of the family and all.

Really, what kind of rumors have you heard about paladins and the like?"

>>24092622
this.

>>24092588
This: >>24092622

>>24092588
"I'm not here to smite him. Please leave us to talk."

>>24092622
"No, no smiting. He's a friend of the family and all.

"Really, what kind of rumors have you heard about paladins and the like?"

Tallow chuckles. "Isn't there occasionally a Paladin in Lightbringer tales with a rod up their ass who smites almost anyone who doesn't fit their ideal of order?"

>>24092671
"I don't know; Lea, have you heard of any such Paladins before?" (trying, and failing, to stifle a chuckle).

>>24092588
I wish we had Beacon right now so we could just brandish it and show her the light rune to satisfy her childlike fascination. Oh well. "Would you mind waiting back at your desk? I'll be sure to call you before any smiting happens so you won't miss anything." give her a moment to leave hearing range. "Sheesh. Paladin Ssen Patrick, mind talking a bit Mr Tallow?

>>24092671
"oooh yeah I forgot about that... guess it's such a narrow and quite frankly stupid view of an *entire* order I forgot about this part of the tales"

>>24092671
"Well we all know lightbringer tales are just little stories for children."

>>24092708
this is perfect, we get to tease Lea and break the ice with Tallow.

>>24092708
>>24092711
These.

>>24092671
"Well, to be honest, the lightbringer stories aren't really my favorites."

To the nurse

"You can leave if you like, we're only going to be talking. No exciting battles of good and evil here."

To tallow again
"Anyway, hello there, Tallow was it? I'm Ssen. Ssen Patrick. These are my friends. I was hoping you wouldn't mind if we talked to you about the caligo clarus a while."

>>24092708
"I don't know; Lea, have you heard of any such Paladins before?"

"Only one, and her argument for her lifestyle was to throw herself out a window." Lea says.

"Would you mind waiting back at your desk? I'll be sure to call you before any smiting happens so you won't miss anything."

She nods. "Oh, please let me come before your fists glow with holy might!" She scampers off.

"Sheesh. Paladin Ssen Patrick, mind talking a bit Mr Tallow? You ask.

Tallow looks at all of you and takes a drag on his pipe. "How long has it been since Patrick died?" He sighed and looks off. "I think I heard about how he settled down next to that jerk Alexander."

"Hey!" Tricia snaps.

"Heh, with that hair? You must be his girl, and that means that you are your father's project." He sighs and splashes water on his face. "He always had a way of making people think they were joining his crusade by their own free will. Guess it's easier when you can indoctrinate them at the very start." He takes another drag on his hookah. "I don't smell the stink of Citadel on any of you." He sighs. "So...why are you here Paladin? Apart from trying to make up for your Father's failures."

"Dad was right," Tricia says. "He does seem like a weaselly untrustworthy jerk."

"Cause I am. Alexander had my number alright." Tallow chuckles. "Anyway, back to my question, lamia. What do you want from me?"

>>24092889
"I heard you had some kind of compass for navigating the Dark Peaks."

>>24092889
"Well, there's the fact that we're heading to the dark peaks at some point, and I want to ask you about how you managed to navigate it in the past.

There's the fact that you were a survivor of our father's group, and how I want to ask you your side of the story.

And... There's the fifth humor. Whatever you know about it.

>>24092889
"We're trying to do something about, as you put it, the stink of Citadel. At the moment, we're planning to head to Dark Peaks, and we heard you might have a map or compass that could help us. We've also been told you were the one in my father's group who found the Lantern coins, and that you spoke with the Fifth Humor. Apart from that, regardless of what we might have been told to think about you, I'd personally welcome the opportunity to talk to any contemporary of my father and the Caligo Clarus."

>>24093056
I like this one a bit better than mine
>>24093030
More conversational.

>>24093056
"We're trying to do something about, as you put it, the stink of Citadel. At the moment, we're planning to head to Dark Peaks, and we heard you might have a map or compass that could help us. We've also been told you were the one in my father's group who found the Lantern coins, and that you spoke with the Fifth Humor. Apart from that, regardless of what we might have been told to think about you, I'd personally welcome the opportunity to talk to any contemporary of my father and the Caligo Clarus."

Tallow smirks. "I sold the map and the compass a long time ago, the coins were crap, and if you're seeing visions of that creep int he mask, then you must be on some stronger stuff than this." He gestures to his pipe. "I certainly was." He sighs and then looks at you. "Shit, you have his gaze you know." He sighs. "He'd always look at me like that when he'd wring a confession out of me. Believe me, I had a lot to confess." He sighed. "I thought I could be better...but we failed. Twelve people are dead, better ones than me, and here I am, stewing in smoke and warm water." He chuckles. "And still you keep giving me his gaze...are you here to take my confession Paladin? It's been a long time since a Patrick told me that my burdens could be shed."

>>24093201
shrug.
"Not the exact reason I came, but it would probably do you some good. Does most people some good. sorry to have you tag along only to shoo you out guys, but you know how it is.

>>24093201
"The Humors are quite real; I was shot by one, and we encountered three of them in an inn just the other day and they could easily have killed us all. Between that and Citadel, we know just how tough that foe is, and that's why we're here gathering information. It's not too late to help with that battle, or would you rather those twelve people died in vain?

If you'd like me to hear your confession, I can do that. Or if you just want to talk, we can do that too."

>>24093201
"That wasn't why I came, but I'll take your confession if you want."

>>24093252
You know, I tend to get chosen for most race-awkward dialogue choices, but story is a good conversationalist.

>>24093252
"The Humors are quite real; I was shot by one, and we encountered three of them in an inn just the other day and they could easily have killed us all. Between that and Citadel, we know just how tough that foe is, and that's why we're here gathering information. It's not too late to help with that battle, or would you rather those twelve people died in vain?

"If you'd like me to hear your confession, I can do that. Or if you just want to talk, we can do that too."

He waves a hand. "It doesn't change. The Patrick always being the unquestioning moral center." He takes a drink from a cup of water. "Fine."

You look at the others. "I'm sorry to keep dragging you along guys but..."

Tricia nods. "We'll go make fun of little miss smiting out there. Come get us when you're done."

They leave.

"I've always been a drug addict." Tallow says. "These days I only poison myself with this stuff, but when I was young I would shove almost anything into me to get high. I think that's why Citadel didn't want me, cause I didn't want to be a part of it...I didn't really wanted to be a part of anything. I still don't, and I still can't tell you why I just hate my own life so fucking much...course, I'm too chicken shit to slit my wrists, though your Father said that was actually because I was too brave." He chuckles and took a long drag. "So, I'm in the gutter, high, weeping, and covered in filth and I look up, and there stands the Fifth. I thought I was just having another bad trip." He sighs. "I've told your Father all of this before, so I'll skip a bit. I was told to find him, your Father, and we had merry adventures and I served as his profit, until I got nearly everyone killed." He sighed. "He even took my confession for that, said that it wasn't all my fault." He smirks. "Your Father was a bastard, but fair...said that I screwed up a few things, but that he screwed up more. The Dramatae...we thought we were so damn clever."

>>24093512
"You say you got people killed; sounds to me like the Dramatae did that. Would you feel better if you'd stayed home and not even tried, knowing what you were allowing to continue?"

>>24093563
Confession rules, remember.

We can motion for him to continue, but only interject if he actively asks us something or makes a very long pause.

>>24093563
Just listen to the story, and all that

>>24093585
Sorry, I took the end of the post as a pause; was just trying to prompt him, leading-question style. Ignore my suggestion if he didn't actually stop there.

>>24093512
"As for my more recent sins...well, sloth obviously. I've also turned a blind eye to Quentin and his sister's suffering. I could have helped more, but I just didn't see the point. Citadel always wins, I just told the old baldy to let his sister give in, so at least she wouldn't get hurt. I've been a creep to some of the nurses, and I haven't followed all of the pool rules." He smirks. "Don't join me, trust me on that."

He takes a long drag. "The Fifth said he could talk to me because my mind was completely free of Citadel's influence, probably the same as you do course your brain isn't human, so you can skip the chemical bath." He sighs. "I just...I don't want to hope any more. It's easier here to just stay and be numb. I got out there, and I end up hating myself, my life, other people...and I can never tell anyone why. Sometimes I would just weep for hours on end," He swallows and takes another drag. "Your Father helped, listening to me, and said that my sorrows weren't just me being...stupid, but something more...I dunno. Now he's gone, and you're here and nothing changed, and I don't want to leave this womb." He hangs his head in shame. "Thus I confess."

>>24093638
(He's done)

>>24093638
Survivor guilt. He's got it *bad*.

"I'm happy to provide you with an ear anytime; I'm sorry you've had to go so long without anyone to speak with.

You spent your life fighting injustices with a Paladin, and you seem to think it a sin against His Light that you didn't succeed. The sin would have been not to try, to let it stand and do nothing. Death is not the worst that can happen, not by a long shot.

As for the rest, His Light has a boundless capacity to forgive. Your indiscretions do not make you an evil person, especially if you recognize them as you have, and learn from them.

That leaves the most important question of all, though: what do you intend to do about it? You know that you'll never feel any better if you go on like this; at best, you can try to numb yourself so you don't feel at all, but I think you've done enough of that to know it doesn't work."

>>24093757
(Appending to the end: "You have the forgiveness of His Light. But I don't think that's the only forgiveness you're seeking. You still don't forgive yourself."

>>24093757
>>24093794
these. worded better then what I was typing.

>>24093757
>>24093794
sounds good.

>>24093638
Okay, NOW we can say things.

"And so confessed, the light will forgive. Whether you or the world forgive, well, that's trickier."

"I don't know what started you down the road of inebriation, but I do know that the knowledge of the citadel, combined with nobody to talk to about it... would drive men to the bottle, at least. Not wanting to go get up and back out is understandable, human even, if you know what I mean. Whether or not you want to stay here is your choice. Though, on the hope front, it might not be up to you. Citadel doesn't have to always win."

>>24093838
>Though, on the hope front, it might not be up to you. Citadel doesn't have to always win.

It does seem like, because he didn't win the war, he's given up the daily battles and the small victories that keep hope alive.

"I'm happy to provide you with an ear anytime; I'm sorry you've had to go so long without anyone to speak with.

"You spent your life fighting injustices with a Paladin, and you seem to think it a sin against His Light that you didn't succeed. The sin would have been not to try, to let it stand and do nothing. Death is not the worst that can happen, not by a long shot.

"As for the rest, His Light has a boundless capacity to forgive. Your indiscretions do not make you an evil person, especially if you recognize them as you have, and learn from them.

"That leaves the most important question of all, though: what do you intend to do about it? You know that you'll never feel any better if you go on like this; at best, you can try to numb yourself so you don't feel at all, but I think you've done enough of that to know it doesn't work."

Tallow shakes his head. "I'm an old ruined drug addict. I can't exactly be an oracle if I don't get any more visions, and like I said. I sold most of the stuff I got from traveling with the Caligo Clarus. Save the medallion." He points at a medallion on a hook. "Your Father gave that to me, had it made and gemmed...it's scrap tin and quartz, not even worth selling." He says. "I'm just sick of always being sad or angry, and I'm too old, and too ruined to fight it on my own any more."

"You have the forgiveness of His Light. But I don't think that's the only forgiveness you're seeking. You still don't forgive yourself."

He nods and wipes away at his eyes. "Damnit Patrick, I hate it when you make me cry and know why." He sighed. "The coins, I know why they don't work. There's something wrong with them. It's a double bluff, they made the First Lantern into the Coins, and then the Dramatae or the last of the Dragon's offspring tainted them somehow. They're corrupted." He nods. "That's the last thing I could puzzle out of the jumbled visions the Fifth gave me...it's nice that he at least apologizes that he can't be clearer, isn't it?"

>>24093889
Pick up the medallion, and drape it over his neck.

"You don't have to fight anymore. You've done more of that in one lifetime than anyone could ever ask of you. But you still have to live, Tallow. Go on living, and winning the little battles that keep hope alive. Leave the war to us.

Not all those who keep fighting do so with a weapon in their hand. After all, every adventuring party needs the crazy old man with his war stories and advice to point them in the right direction, right?"

>>24093972
>You don't have to fight anymore
Should say: "don't have to fight the war anymore", otherwise it doesn't fit.

>>24093972
I was writing something up, but this is pretty much it.

but stick

"And yeah, it's nice when he tells you what he can't tell you. Helps me know where to look."

at the end.

>>24093889
"Corrupted, huh? Very good to know, thank you for that. How would you feel about moving somewhere a bit further away from Citadel? Stone Hall's going through quite a bit of change these days."

>>24093972
You get the Medallion from its hook and drape it over Tallow's neck. He touches it and blinks away more tears.

"You don't have to fight the war anymore. You've done more of that in one lifetime than anyone could ever ask of you. But you still have to live, Tallow. Go on living, and winning the little battles that keep hope alive. Leave the war to us.

"Not all those who keep fighting do so with a weapon in their hand. After all, every adventuring party needs the crazy old man with his war stories and advice to point them in the right direction, right?"

"Pfft, I'm not that old, Miss Patrick." He snorts.

"So the coins are corrupted, huh? Very good to know, thank you for that. How would you feel about moving somewhere a bit further away from Citadel? Stone Hall's going through quite a bit of change these days."

"I don't want to leave without Quentin and Rachel." He says. "I owe them that much. Let me know how to help them, and I'm there." He coughs. "Also, I know where the Compass is. It's made out of the same metal as the coins, that's how it works." He sighed. "I put it up for auction to get the most out of it...guess who had the most money in town to out bid Paladin Balles and the Conclave?"

>>24093812
>>24093997
I love getting support for my suggestions, but please don't delete stuff you've already written up; it's nice when there are lots of dialogue choices for Echo to choose from, and oftentimes the best choice is a combination of several (hence my choice of trip).

>>24093997
I like this. We might also want to tell him about the Dragon's Daughter.

>>24094003
We do seem to be staging a mass immigration, don't we?

>>24094063
Sandover?

>>24094063
>"I don't want to leave without Quentin and Rachel." He says. "I owe them that much. Let me know how to help them, and I'm there." He coughs. "Also, I know where the Compass is. It's made out of the same metal as the coins, that's how it works." He sighed. "I put it up for auction to get the most out of it...guess who had the most money in town to out bid Paladin Balles and the Conclave?"

"Oh, joy. The man with no moral compass now owns a Lantern compass?"

Of course. Sandover. Looks like we have another reason to confront him.

Honestly I do NOT want to fight him now. Hes highly respected and doing so could turn everyone in citadel against us if he survives.

>>24094077
>we do seem to be staging a mass immigration, don't we
We're making our OWN citadel.

Crazy Ted! Everyone knows dragons are the richest things around.

>>24094105
Hopefully we can settle this without a fight, although something tells me it's going to take all of our paladin willpower not to want to cave his skull in within a minute of talking to him.

>>24094120
It's funny because he's probably right. How else would Ted do his tours?

>>24094063
"Crazy Ted? He is the only person to regularly survive the Dark Peaks from what I have heard, it would make sense for him to have the Compass."

"We are working on getting Quentin and Rachel out of town, but Sandover has quite the strong hold over Rachel from what I hear, we will go talk to her soon to learn what we can."

>>24094105
Or if he doesn't, either way. And with the power he has to control people, let's not walk into a repeat of our encounter with Peace just yet.

>>24094125
I'm expecting something worse than that, actually. We're expecting the world's biggest sleaze, but Echo is so good at writing the Citadel-esque disturbing perfection, and Sandover has a reputation for taking care of his employees.

>>24094063
"I don't suppose you know where we could get a current map of Dark Peaks, do you? Very current, since we've been told that maps of that area become useless quickly."

>>24094101
"Oh, joy. The man with no moral compass now owns a Lantern compass?"

"Oh Sandover has one, it's Citadel's." Tallow sighs.

"Do you know anything about the Dragon's Daughter?" You ask.

"Which one?" He asks.

>>24094110
Citadel to the Dragon: "I'm making my own Darkness. With blackjack, and hookers. In fact, forget the Darkness.

>>24094188
>I'm expecting something worse than that, actually. We're expecting the world's biggest sleaze, but Echo is so good at writing the Citadel-esque disturbing perfection, and Sandover has a reputation for taking care of his employees.

But that will only make it worse, when he's explaining to all of our friends how much happier they'd be if he could just... alter them a little, and he's really only looking out for them.

>>24094098
Of course. All roads lead to either Rome or Sandover.

Does anyone else imagine Crazy Ted selling maps that are "only slighy smudged out!" like a certain Camel salesman?

>>24094201
>"Oh Sandover has one, it's Citadel's." Tallow sighs.

"Oh, do you mean he has a different one, not the one you auctioned? So, then, who has yours? Crazy Ted?"

>>24094201
> "Which one?" He asks.

"Well, the Fifth said something about the Human Daughter raised by the Dragon, alluding to my own history; I think he meant the Dragon that Was of Darkness, before Citadel. But if you know of some other daughter, or perhaps an Old One, we'd love to know about that too."

>>24094201
"That kind of summed up my question. I had no idea that there was even more than one."

>>24094219
"I'm cuttin' yer own throat...er, me own throat!"

>>24094201
"The shadowy one. But any info you have on actual dragons would be useful too. Sandover's going to try and kill the Old One and I heard that was a dragon title."

>>24094247
I think he meant that Sandover has the Citadel's moral compass.

Hey guys.

Ssen's a lamia, right?

They live hundreds of years?

Imagine how intimidating 118 year old ssen is to caligo clarus trainees.

>>24094281
This. I was initially screwed up by that as well.

>>24094273
The Dramatae were the ones who threatened to kill the Old One, not Sandover; the Dramatae wanted to recruit him, but he didn't know their plan yet.

>>24094281
Wow, that interpretation didn't even occur to me (totally misread the referent of "has one"), but that makes perfect sense.

>>24094291
It'd be like when we first fought Granny. "Oh, I'm sorry, you were using a weapon?"

>>24094247
"Well, the Fifth said something about the Human Daughter raised by the Dragon, alluding to my own history; I think he meant the Dragon that Was of Darkness, before Citadel. But if you know of some other daughter, or perhaps an Old One, we'd love to know about that too."

"No, no...you're missing a big piece because the Fifth doesn't measure time like we do, since this all happened in the same Age he thinks it happened like yesterday. There used to be a Third Faction. The Dragon's Decedents, spawn of that thing, or spawn of spawn. They were human, or monsters, or whatevers, they had a touch of that thing within them. Their goal was to revive the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow and reinstall the old reign of Fear. They wanted to destroy Citadel too, and the Dramatae opposed them. I'm guessing that since you haven't run into any that those masked fuckers managed to wipe them out." He drinks his water. "Good thing too, those bastards were terrors. They aren't like regular monsters. Smart, strong, nearly immortal, and a host of other things. Not to mention how the people who worshipped them....changed. Your Father killed a good many of them, before we realized we were being played by the Dramatae." He sighs. "As for Old One, that's a Dragon title right? Sorry, only Dragon I ever saw was Whitefire, the one your father killed."

>>24094363
Alternatively, since lamias grow longer instead of stronger, ssen might not be so much of a combatant later in life.

>>24094314
The dramatae want Sandover to kill the Old One. It's his initiation test. He may not know he's going to do it but he will.

>>24094405
They also remain agile and fast, or get more so. I doubt Ssen will be out of the game at that point unless she wants to be.

>>24094390
"Whitefire, a name is more than we had before. Was my father the one who actually killed him? I read of battles involving twenty or more men.

People spoke of Whitefire as the 'last' dragon; do you have any reason to believe that's true, or do you think there any chance that there's still a dragon in the Dark Peaks? Was there ever talk, or rumors, of Whitefire having offspring, or siblings, or relations of any kind?"

>>24094405
Only ones that go bestial get longer. We are just going to be more of a sidewinder than a constrictor.

>>24094390
"Well, that clears things up a bit. Sort of. And I'll follow up with someone else about the dragons."

"On a different topic entirely, do you know anything about the "accident" with sandover and quentin's sister? Or anything that might be important to her? I'm thinking of visiting her next, seeing what can be done."

>>24094390
How did the people who worship them change? so I know if they are still around and are simply in hiding using pawns.

>>24094494
No no, I'm pretty sure they ALL get longer, it's just the ones we have recorded are bestial.

Grandma didn't because she's a naga.

>>24094405
We would get faster.

considering Granny got so tough we could not even harm her, I could see us becoming so fast that most people cannot even see us move when we go full speed.

>>24094510
>"On a different topic entirely, do you know anything about the "accident" with sandover and quentin's sister? Or anything that might be important to her? I'm thinking of visiting her next, seeing what can be done."

Good thinking; he does seem to know more of the story there, since he feels guilty for not helping.

>>24094482
Brb, need to eat and take a little break. I'll be back in at most 2 hours, at least 1 hour. Imagine Ssen or one of the Dawnchasers telling you that we'll be right back, and that you shouldn't sit too close to the screen.

>>24094549
I would imagine we still would get tough, just not to the point of what she did. Or we would have to wait longer to reach that point.

>>24094558
Tricia.

>>24094535
No, Granny said that getting massive is Citadel's reward for them acting their parts as monsters. Hence Granny not being much bigger than us despite being so old.

>>24094590
Granny still got huge in comparison to us, though.

we're still going to get huge. Just not AS huge as the wild ones.

>>24094588
>>24094558
Tricia is the one who tells us we'll be right back, but Ssen is the one who tells us not to sit too close to the screen

>>24094618
But she's not huge in comparison to us.

>>24094641
She totes is, she could make the cavern rumble with a tailstomp. And had a SIGNIFICANTLY larger amount of mass.

Anyway, so what're you guys doing for your commercial break?

Also, what type of shield is clang? Shapewise?

>>24093889
Since we now know that the coins were corrupted somehow, we should ask Quentin about them again when we pick up Beacon and Clang, giving him this information. Seems like if anyone could discern what's wrong with metal, Quentin could. If not him, we might have to wait until we chat with a dragon about them. (Though there's a very obvious danger about talking about coins with a dragon.)

>>24094968
Oh, smart thinking. Also, if the coins USED to be the symbol of the light, and they were corrupted...

Does that mean there's a symbol of citadel floating around out there to purify? Or that we could forge one?

>>24094737
a Large Round shield(viking shield sized) would work well for us, or perhaps kite shield.

>>24095198
I feel like, with Ssen's body length and shape, a sizable kite shield makes more sense than a round one.

One that comes to a point in the upper corners, and is somewhat rounded on the bottom. Smooth face, apart from the emblem and runes we've had put on it.

>>24095198
Would a tower shield work, I wonder? I don't imagine clang as one, but it sort of works with our bodyshape.

I've always imagined clang as a big ol' roundshield.

>>24095240
Clarifying: more of a heater shield than a kite shield.

File: 1365293062805.jpg-(61 KB, 633x800, Heater shield.jpg)

61 KB JPG

>>24095293
You know, they do look pretty darn good. An elongated version, I hope.

File: 1365293401224.png-(204 KB, 350x500, tower shield.png)

204 KB PNG

>>24095316
an elongated version of that is a Tower shield.
pic related, tower shield

actually a tower shield like this would probably be best.

>>24095408
Can Ssen heft these things easily yet? That WOULD be pretty amazing.

>>24095445
I would say yes, we where never some frail waif of a girl, and our journeys have only strengthened us further.

Plus lamia muscles are probably slightly, or even significantly stronger than human muscles per pound, hence why we are so easily capable of crushing people with our tail. breaking bones with pressure takes far more strength then breaking them with a hard strike.

>>24095501
I think that our types of creatures get stronger over time, we're probably just about human strength in our human part. Maybe we should go arm wrestling (real arms) at some point as a gauge.

Either way though, we don't have to deal with concerns of weight making us slow, since we have so much weight compared to a human naturally.

>>24095501
I assumed that Ssen's tail muscles were incredibly strong and optimized for constriction, while her upper body was comparable to a reasonably strong human, before accounting for added leverage from lower body strength.

>>24095408
The size of a moderate tower shield, but with pointed top corners like a heater, rather than a rounded top. Helps if we want to shield-bash.

>>24095603
pointed corners at the top do nothing for a shield bash, and can get caught on things easier.

shield bashes would use the lower edge(where it meets to a point), or the middle of the face of the shield.

>>24095646
OK, I'm convinced. Fairly sharp point at the bottom, rounded top to deflect blows but let them slide off.

>>24095646
>>24095603
I thought the ridges along the top were to catch and twist blades and the like? For a more controlled parry?

>>24095646
>get caught on things easier
Isn't that the point? To catch the opponent's weapon.

>>24095750
Not when the weapon is going over the top of your shield.

One interesting alternative to consider, if we like the tower-style approach:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutum_%28shield%29

>>24095793
Man, now that I'm looking at it with an eye for lamias, all these for-human shields are really squat and wide.

>>24095846
actually, nevermind. I forgot. We don't HAVE to be as tall as we are in combat.

Any degree of crouch works!

>>24095854
Yeah, in combat we can easily roll, block, stab, and pop back up, without ever turning our back to our enemy.

>>24095928
This lends more credence to the roundshield, I think.

Have to leave for a while.

For the next vote on where to go: first to whoever has the compass *as long as it isn't Sandover*, and then to Crazy Ted. For the latter, when we meet him, we should make it very clear that we're not looking to *hunt* a dragon, but *meet* and *talk to* one. Push past any incredulity on his part that anyone would want to do that; after all, we can easily relate to the idea of treating a dragon as a person rather than a monster. See how he reacts to that.

>>24096140
hence my original suggestion, but a Tower shield like the one I posted also lends well to it, and would actually be a bit easier for us to manage I think.

File: 1365296723852.jpg-(465 KB, 877x1200, SsenWIP01.jpg)

465 KB JPG

>>24096222
And of course as he leaves, I come back. Oh, got a lovely new version of Ssen, it's a work in progress but I do like it.

>>24096241
Well, we can work with a wide variety of material. I hope the lil' dwarf surprises us.

>>24096222
We're going to tell him we're just talking to a dragon, but not much incredulity at hunting them. Our family did it, and this guy probably really wants to do it too, if he's not actually a secretdragon.

File: 1365296782709.jpg-(134 KB, 503x800, Medusa reaction.jpg)

134 KB JPG

>Paladin Balles (Pronounced BAIL-ss)
>Paladin Balles (Pronounced BAY-ELS please DON"T mix that up)
>Paladin Balles (Pronounced BAIL-ESS)
>Paladin Balles (Pronounced BAIL-S)

>>24096292
Hot damn where did you get that? It's really good, other than her not being looong enough.

>>24096292
Ooh, very nice. and a good demonstration of how intimidating Ssen can look even without trying

>>24096349
The veins kind of make her look PUMPED.
also ssen's armor covers a lot more than that I thought, but this might be her just wearing the paladin mantle, and not a whole armor setup.

>>24096292
She looks a little thin. That waist gonna snap like a twig with the amount of power she puts through her tail. Why does she even have a waist/hips?
And is Ssen left-handed?
The actual drawing is really good though.

>>24094510
"Well, that clears things up a bit. Sort of. And I'll follow up with someone else about the dragons. People spoke of Whitefire as the 'last' dragon; do you have any reason to believe that's true, or do you think there any chance that there's still a dragon in the Dark Peaks? Was there ever talk, or rumors, of Whitefire having offspring, or siblings, or relations of any kind?"

Tallow shakes his head. "We only saw sign of Whitefire, and that was it. If there are other Dragons out there, and it is likely, Dark Peaks is a maze, so it wouldn't surprise me. But they're probably sleeping or hiding, they aren't stupid creatures. They know that if they emerge, they're going to have to deal with armies, ballistae, and people like your father. People don't fear dragons like they used to, and that takes away one of their oldest weapons."

"On a different topic entirely, do you know anything about the "accident" with sandover and quentin's sister? Or anything that might be important to her? I'm thinking of visiting her next, seeing what can be done."

"It was a 'fluke' accident with a chunk of stone falling straight out of the blue from the top of the cave roof and smashing into her house while she was sleeping inside. Total accident, but Quentin and I knew better." He shakes his head. "If you want to help her, the first thing you can do is jam a blade between Sandover's ribs. He visits her too, regularly."

>>24096410
"Sandover might not be so easy to kill."

>>24096410
"It's going to take quite a lot of willpower not to do just that when I meet him, from what I've heard. My policy on these things is to generally try for some hairbrained redemption scheme or lock them up, which doesn't really apply here. Unless I can drum up some charges. Point is, I try my hardest not to stab people, regardless of how sleazy they are, until I need to."

>>24096410
"I'd honestly love that solution but it sadly might not be that easy. I'll figure something out though."

>>24096410
Unfortunately if he does not attack me first I cannot attack him. As a paladin I must have actualy proof especially with someone of his standing. I wish it was otherwise as I know how evil he is. But I cannot prove it.

>>24096477
"Sandover might not be so easy to kill."

"You'll see when you meet him how true that is." Tallow shakes his head. "Now, do you have any last remaining questions for your defunct Oracle? I'd like to be able to empty my stash and enjoy the last self-pity soak on my own."

>>24096538
"No no, I wouldn't dare keep an old man from his drug soup. I've left my companions waiting, I should attend to them before they tease that nurse into a coma."

>>24096538
"Thanks for all of your help."

>>24096583
"No no, I wouldn't dare keep an old man from his drug soup. I've left my companions waiting, I should attend to them before they tease that nurse into a coma. Thanks for all of your help."

"Anytime, Paladin Patrick." He submerges himself for a moment and then comes back up, with an honest smile on his face.

You come back to the waiting room and find the nurse sitting rapt as the Dawnchasers are making up an exaggerated retelling of the fight against the Ghouls.

"And then Paladin Ssen rose up to her full height, a towering figure looming before the hideous Ghouls and brought her sword down with a mighty SLASH that...oh hey Ssen." Peri/Mari say.

"Are we good?" Lea asks.

>>24096656
we're good. Please go on. I owuldn't want to leave the poor woman hanging.

>>24096656
"Yes, Andrew was most helpful in answering a few of my questions, and I think he may even follow the Light more closely now."

>>24096656
"Yeah, he's settled. Somewhat. He has a long road ahead of him. Oh, and he'd quite like us to help Quentin's sister."

>>24096721
>"Yes, Andrew was most helpful in answering a few of my questions, and I think he may even follow the Light more closely now. Oh, and he'd quite like us to help Quentin's sister."


"Blessings upon him, who has found his way back to the path." Lea says.

"Okay, so we got a damsel to rescue. Nice to have something familiar back on the to-do list." Tricia says.

"Anyway, please go on. I wouldn't want to leave the poor woman hanging." You say with a smile.

"And she came down with a mighty SLASH and cleaved the Fell King in twain, saving the day." Mari says.

"Oh...oh my. How...amazing." The nurse says almost breathless. "You are all so fortunate to be traveling with such a legend!"

>>24096786
I like this new format you have here, with the chopped-up dialogue before the post.

I just noticed you were doing it, and I like that. Some quests don't.

>>24096786
"Don't let them fool you, it's all a group effort. Mage here managed to take out all of the Ghoul raiders with a single spell for example."

>>24096786
"Hah, well, the storytellers might have helped a bit with that. Thanks for being so helpful, I think we're done here. Ladies to help, wrongs to right, books to look at."

>>24096786
"I'm fortunate to be traveling with such legendary heroes myself; whatever tales they might have regaled you with, I'm not the only one behind the deeds we've done. Perhaps next time you should ask for tales of [say this next bit in the most circus-announcer voice you can manage] the amazing Mage Patrick, Tricia and her bugly armies, Mari and Peri of the two minds, and Lea the Paladin of Paladins.

>>24096892
This.

>>24096914
you have made me laugh and clap, good sir. I support your suggestion over my own.

>>24096914
>"I'm fortunate to be traveling with such legendary heroes myself; whatever tales they might have regaled you with, I'm not the only one behind the deeds we've done. Perhaps next time you should ask for tales of the amazing Mage Patrick who takes our armies with a single spell, Tricia and her bugly armies, Mari and Peri of the two minds, and Lea the Paladin of Paladins."

The others look horrified and endlessly amused by your speech. There are looks that promise payback for that.

"But, thanks for being so helpful, I think we're done here. Ladies to help, wrongs to right, books to look at."

"Agreed." The group waves as you all leave.

Roll 2d20

>>24096914
"I should be very upset if in a hundred years the history books talked about the Paladin Serpent and her unnamed friends. I might have to start smiting if that were to happen."

Rolled 7, 15 = 22

>>24097001

>>24097008
This is a good thing to mention to your comrades while travelling.

Before we get attacked by giant burrowing beetle white supremacists.

>>24097017
Your skin is slightly itchy, you're not near to shedding time yet, but it's going to be within the next couple of days.

Also, you're being followed. Two people in dark cloaks that blend in perfectly with the fungal lights and shadows. They've been stalking you since you left Quentin's.

>>24097093
Are there any open air bars or something around?

We should go and sit down, order drinks for everyone plus two extra, then beckon them over.

No intelligence agent worth their salt can resist this chance.

>>24097125
>Are there any open air bars or something around?

Not in this area, you're closer to the Northern Sector with the Therapy House and the Cups Guildhouse where Rachel is being kept. The bard are in the East Sector.

>dwarven city
>no bar every block next to the grocery shops

damn citadel. damn it to hell.

>>24097168
>>24097150
now now, they've been tracking us for like three shops now.

We can do the bar plan, if you guys actually think it's a good idea. Or really, if there are any open air cafes or resturaunts or anything on the way there. It works.

Rolled 7, 18 = 25

>>24097150
Not the original but how about a park or fountain. Intelligence handoff there all noir style.

>>24097199
It wont be that hard to go get some food, plus it is just after mid-day. Your stalkers don't seem to be doing anything other than shadowing you.

>>24097215
Yeah. If we can find some resturaunt with an outdoors area so we can have clear lines of sight with them and vice versa, the plan would work just the same.

Though, it is a bit dumb of a plan, since they could run away instead of coming over, so I hope you other guys vote against or for it.

Peri goes to the ladies room when we're getting something to eat/drink. Then sneaks around behind them.

Tricia could probably send a ladybug or something to tail them.

>>24097240
There's a small place with an outdoor beer garden, you all shuffle in and place orders for various pies that supposedly contain meat, or mushrooms, or something edible that you don't want to look too closely at, and all sit down at a table.

"So, everyone sees them?" Peri says.

There are nods all around. Thankfully everyone's not too bad at looking discreet, the fact that you'd like lunch anyway is an added bonus to that fact.

"So, we letting them continue to scope us, or are we dealing with them now?" Mari asks.

>>24097240
This. Order for seven. Make sure there's a crowd there.


captcha: whereby adeduant

No, captcha, a ded I don't want.

>>24097271
Good idea, this first.

>>24097271
oh yeah, this is the best plan.

"Ah, it will be good to rest after all this. It's terribly itchy work. Especially on the back. On that topic, "

Lean closer to tricia, like you're about to say something lovey dovey about her tail rubs skin shedding talk earlier

"We've been followed by at least two people for a while now. They're all in black. They're roughly that way

-giggle a bit and tilt your head slightly in their direction-

"I need you to bug them as a backup plan. I'm going to try to call them over to us."

>>24097367

Er, referenced the wrong post. This one:>>24097256

>>24097357
They're way too obvious. Clearly they're trying to be obvious so that we deal with them and think the problem's over and aren't on guard for the second sneakier group we didn't see. So what we have to do is pretend not to see them so they think we're completely incompetent and then hopefully the second group will get sloppy and once we've found them we can take both groups out at once.

>>24097357
"We're going to have lunch with them. Tricia, be a dear and see if you can get a friend to watch them, just in case."

Order for 7. Let's have a big pile of poultry for ourselves, and some sandwich-y things for them. Or if sandwiches don't exist yet, stews.

>>24097357
Let them follow for now. We don't want to tip our hand.

>>24097357
"First thing we need to do is bug them, in case they get jumpy and run off, so Tricia, could you get some bug to follow them and let us know where they go?"

>>24097391
"Ah, it will be good to rest after all this. It's terribly itchy work. Especially on the back. On that topic, " You turn and lean back into Tricia who smiles and gently scratches your back. Ohh, right there...yeah. "Think you can bug those two?" You smile at her. "Mmh, that feels good."

She giggles as you use your tail to rub against her leg where you know she's ticklish. "Sure, sure, just ease up okay."

She closes her eyes and starts to concentrate.

"Peri/Mari, go to the bathroom." You say. "Then loop around and make sure that these two don't have more friends."

Peri/Mari drain their glass and nod as they get up and head to the privy.

"So, should I just out and out invite them over?" You ask.

"I don't know, we don't know who they work for." Mage says. "I mean the list of people who might want to follow us is not filled with people who would hire people to just have a pleasant lunch with us."

>>24097542
"True, but if they wanted to attack us they had plenty of opportunities before we became aware of them."

>>24097542
"Odds are they'll run away when we call out to them, and if so, we can track them with your bug, if not, we might be able to get some information out of them."

>>24097542
"Well, if they're more of the mind to not talk, then they'll at least run off to one of their safehouses. We can get some clues or something.

Though, I hope we can all have a nice lunch. I much prefer it when our enemies are reasonable"

Rolled 2

>>24097614
"True, but if they wanted to attack us they had plenty of opportunities before we became aware of them."

"Yes, but we haven't gone down any blind alleys or obvious ambush spots." Lea says.

"Don't stop that..." Tricia says about you rubbing her leg. "It's nice and helps me concentrate."

Rolled 4

>>24097665
"Ah!" Tricia starts. "Too high! Oh, oh damn..."

"Honestly, you two." Mage mutters.

"Let me try again, just one more time." Tricia insists.

>>24097690
>>24097665
"Tricia, are you sure it helps you concentrate?

And doesn't do the exact opposite of that?"

Rolled 11

>>24097690
She shakes her head. "Sorry, the only bugs around are these pesky little moths or fireflies and they're stubborn or loopy thanks to the you-know-what." She brushes your tail away. "Later. I guess we're waiting on Peri then."

>>24097712
"Well, let's give her some time then. I am of the impression being sneaky isn't the fastest of things. Too bad we didn't get her order before she left."

>>24097712
After a bit Peri returns and sits down. "They have a backup follower, dressed in civvies." She says. "They're wearing one of those mine breather masks they use to keep the dust out."

>>24097804
"Well then, we might be ordering for eight. We didn't quite come through on the bug department, so if they sprint, we might have to chase them down. I don't know how well that will work, I'm not the best of sprinters.

Unless you guys think we should try an ambush or something unfriendly like that."

>>24097804
"So what do people think, counter-ambush, or try and call them over?"

>>24097804
Peri knocks out the back up while we invite the two we see for food. That way, if they spook or they take the bait, we still win.

>>24097871
This if the first two aren't immediately put on alert by peri moving off again.

>>24097922
>>24097871
Yeah, we can't really use peri again.

we COULD have mage aim a sleep spell, but eh, he's not the best shot.

I say our vote is for calling them over.

Oh man I have a feeling this one is gonna be a long'un

>>24097939
Okay so I'm seeing three plans.
1) Invite them over
2) Have Peri take them out and you deal with their back up
3) Leave and lead them into a counter ambush.

First to four as usual

>>24098075
>1) Invite them over
We have the internal cahones of a damn t-rex.

>>24098075
Okay, I'm putting my one vote into calling them over. If they all bail, we can ambush next time. We can't send peri again, too suspicious.

1) Invite them over

>>24098075
invite them over.

>>24098075
Let's invite them over, and be ready to pursue if they bolt.

>>24098075
>3) Leave and lead them into a counter ambush
This, but after we've finished so as to keep up the facade.

This way peri can get the d.rop on their backup while we go for the first two

>>24098088
No, of a dragon.

Rolled 5

>>24098088
"Alright, get ready I'm about to do something stupid." You sigh.

"So, standard operation for us." Mage says.

"Hello!" You wave at the pair. "Why don't you two in the hoods come join us for a meat pie, our treat!"

>>24098176
I really hope we get the title of "dragon" at some point.

>>24098183
I love the stupid things we do.

I probably hate the consequences of our actions.

Don't just invite them from a distance. Go over, clap your hands on their shoulders, and ask if they'd like to join you.

>>24098195
Argh, too late.

>>24098183
The pair look at each other and approach you. "You know," One of them says. "You really don't exactly make this spy game very fun." You recognize that voice.

Robin Goodfellow lowers his hood and sits down. "So, what are we having?"

"Sir, you can't just sit down and have lunch with the enemy!"

"Ryan...every day you make me question why I don't kill you." He goans. "Go off with Jessie and try and, I don't know, steal a mine."

"You mean a shipment?"

"No, I mean an entire mine. Impress me." He snaps. "Go!"

The other Fey Court elf scampers off. "Honestly, the hope of our people, that one." He sighs and tries a bite of Mage's pie. He makes a face and then tries Lea's. "Umm, this is good. May I?"

"Help yourself." Lea says sliding the meat pie over to him.

"Thanks, its so hard to get something greasy and bad for you when your on the run, or with the Fey Court at all. They're not big on cooking with lard. Huge mistake in my book."

>>24098253
"Just to make sure, you had a third person with you, right? Hanging back as a backup?"

>>24098288
(I'm assuming that's who "Jessie" is, but I want to make sure we don't have two entirely unrelated tails on us; we have that kind of luck sometimes.)

>>24098253
"You really shouldn't try and sneak up on us, we where considering a more... hostile method of catching whoever was following us."

>>24098288
I'm assuming that's the Jessie he was referring to.

>>24098253
"So were you shadowing us for a reason? Or did you just suddenly get shy?"