The last afternoon and evening have been one of the better ones in your life. A quiet dinner with Granny, Tricia, and the lamia girls. A night of partying with the Dawnchasers, Isen, and Tara. Also, seeing Princess Mumei walk and dance, thanks to a collaboration of all of the healing methods you discovered.

Now, however, the party is over, and you have to return to duty.

Ah, good afternoon echo.

So, what's our priorities today?

1. Introduce granny to avery
2. make sure mage/mumei aren't kidnapped/dead
3. give black-poison-101 to the kids to prevent unfortunate incidents, if possible.
4. ask avery for status update on billing's confessioner.
5. Something with adahn?

And that's all I can think of.

Hey we never got an ending theme for season 2 whats with the opening for season 3 crap?

>>24886751
Lets see that sounds about right. Our next big ticket item would be going to the grove, but thats for later.

>>24886751
oh yeah, and status updates on all the soul crystals. Hopefully mari figured anything out.

>>24886774
we never had ending themes, it was always opening themes you silly.

Also, when did we switch over to season 3? Somewhere around where shit started getting really real, I bet. The music fits pretty good, I like it.

>>24886827
We got an ending theme for season one.
It was Journey of the Sorcerer by Eagles

>>24886628
Oh sweet fuck yes. Lamia Quest: The big Hemicentennial Edition. So stoked.

>>24886628
You know who this is, I am posting from the horribly slow McDonalds Wifi in town just for a chance to be in a live thread again. This hurts me echo.

>>24886957
It's gonna be the start of the terrible, terrible times. I don't know if that's good or bad.
>>24886873
oh yeah, speaking of white tree, we should get YET ANOTHER wagon. Apologize about the last one, we'll get that one back too.

(Assuming nightmare didn't eat the other horse?)

I see no need to change the ending theme. I like it.

You find Mage downstairs in the lighthouse, fixing a pot of tea and some fruit. (Would it kill him to boil and egg or two? He is supposed to be your servant? Ugh...no...those are Dragon Thoughts...eh, forget it, it's too early in the morning to be a Paladin.)

"Morning." He says. "The princess made it home fine." Mage hands you a cup of tea. "Isen's having a big meeting. It's about getting ready to defend the city if that Fey Court monster army marches. He's invited everyone, even Granny." He sips his tea. "He also wants us to talk about of Barney's weapon designs with us. Isen said that we need a new advantage, and that using the Leviathan's cannons on land isn't going to cut it, alone." He shrugs. "I think Barney's still fighting with Isen about it."

"Where are the others?" Tricia yawns as she comes downstairs.

"At the war council...or whatever it was when I left." Mage says.

"And you didn't wake us?" Tricia says.

"The last time someone tried to wake you two up early, Ssen almost bit them and YOU sent a swarm of angry wasps at them!" Mage says. "I also think people wanted to be able to get their stubborn and pig-headedness out of the way first, before you showed up to smack sense into everyone."

"So, this is it..." Tricia says. "Stone Hall is gear up for war?"

"Bronze Peak too." Mage says. "Isen says we're still part the Citadel Kingdom...but we're not going to be answering to Citadel, which means we have to solve our own problems." He shrugs. "He's got farmers and miners and fishermen as well. You know Isen. The only two things he knows how to do is fight and flirt. So he's trying to just turn this thing into a big fight...not sure if it's working."

>>24887007
"Well, nothing wrong with having a bit of a military, in case of dark times. Though, I pray I'll be able to talk Isen out of using it."

>>24887057
"Or, at least, with significant restraint"

We might have to use it.

>>24887007

"I feel we may need to make Barney understand the enormity of things, but I don't blame his reticence."

>>24887200
>**Blame him for -his- reticence.

Okay guys group huddle.

I really want some pistols.

I am not sure if now is the time to introduce them however, since they require some refinement before they're actually better than comparable technologies. Also, the worldy ramifications of firearms, but in our theoretical world someone WILL invent them eventually.

>>24887259
As a /k/ommando, you'se a dildo. I'd wish we'd have something of a longrifle actually. Imagine our army with Sharps Carbines and Remington New Army revolvers.

>>24887317
no, I mean specifically for Ssen I want pistols. Dragoon quick quick up in this bitch.

The longrifle is something else that will, of course, happen. We just get to select NOW or LATER.

>>24887259

>Require refinement
Worth a shot. The only thing which may come in the way of this is some other Barney-tech which could offer us a greater strategic of tactical advantage.

>Ramifications of firearms
Before blades, we had sharpened sticks and primitive bows. And we will always have fists. Killing will takes lives, not the medium by which it is exerted. But let's not get sidetracked into a debate about firearm law and what have you.

>>24887317
A musketoon would be far more helpful and easily adapted into the repertoire of a melee infantry army.

>>24887057
"Well, nothing wrong with having a bit of a military, in case of dark times. Though, I pray I'll be able to talk Isen out of using it."

Mage shrugs. "I don't think Isen wants to use it either...but I doubt that corrupted monsters will just listen to one of your speeches."

"We may also need to make Barney understand the enormity of things, but I don't blame his reticence."

Mag shrugs. "I can shoot lighting. I'm not too concerned about people shooting metal pellets."

Tricia shakes her head. "You need training to shoot a bow, and even to shoot a crossbow takes effort. Barney's weapon can make anyone capable of killing another person from distance."

"Huh." Mage shrugs. "Alright. I get that. So, you coming now, or is there another place in the city we need to hit up first?"

>>24887444
Let's go there now. Is there anything we ought to do that I'm forgetti-

Let's go over our plan to create the Schola Clarus traveling scholars. We've forgotten again and again and we may be facing some very dark times soon. We ought to do this while we can.

>>24887510
Okay, how do we even do that? Wouldn't the best way to do it be bringing it up in the meeting?

Or am I unaware of something?

>>24887444
"Might as well try to get things under control as fast as possible. Though I doubt Isen would let it spiral too far."

>>24887535
Its probably better to have a plan in place to convert those who don't have anything to go back to from soldiers to our army, as opposed to forcing it off on everyone in what can look like exploiting a dire situation.

>>24887535
Well as our archivist, I believe this is right up his alley. Yes we'll bring it up at the meeting but Ambrose can start right now by digging through records in search of any precedence for such an order or for any old oaths/concords/etc. which would bind the red occuli to us as owing some symbolic debt which may be paid in the form of transferred men. Tons of things he could be doing to get this ball rolling. At worst, he'll document our intent and we'll have some hope of getting this done if we find our end before doing it ourselves.

>>24887617
Forgot to mention, I meant to talk to Ambrose about this when I brought it up in >>24887510

I'm a mightily forgetful man.

>>24887617
Again, that just reeks of exploiting a dire situation for our own gain. I think we really should look into not changing paladins too much, since its basically forcibly changing their purpose and what they signed up for. I think it might be better to make it an offer and a contingency after this threat is defeated rather than have anyone paranoid get suspicious of us making a devils deal

>>24887654
True. Then let's just sketch the plan out, document our intent, and leave it for a time of peace.

"Actually," Ambrose says as you bring up the matter. "The exact opposite is true." He says. "The Caligo Clarus are specifically detailed in Citadel Law to not be beholden or to hold any power or debts over other Occuli orders, and the reverse is true as well. We are alone and apart in our duties." He sighs. "I always saw that as a boon. We wouldn't be pulled into the Red's wars or the Blue's protective duties. Now I see it was just a way to get us out of the way...again." He shakes his head. "This Schola Clarus...which is an odd choice of words...doing that would be a violation of our Charter as it is now. You need an edict from His Majesty, King Newgate...not just a prince...or permission from Her Illuminated Self. As it is now, we're already pushing the envelope of our listed duties." He shrugs. "But it's a wonderful idea. I'll start looking up and preparing things...but we need permission first. It gives us credibility, otherwise we're no better than the people screaming as they stand on boxes in the park. Only we'll have the advantage of fame and swords to make people think that we're right, and that's not what you want. Am I correct?"

>>24887778
"Right."

>>24887778
Pretty much what was said here. >>24887654
>>24887590
If only to say we did think about the power plays.
In fact, hell it might be better to see if we can't get mercenaries interested, and offer it as more of a service to the red rather than an order.
But that is neither here nor their and can be taken care of after the threat is over.

>>24887778
"Ah, thank you Ambrose. I'll see about having a chat, or making an appointment, with one of them next time I'm in citadel. Keep up the good work! Oh, and here, Granny gave me this old book on the order for your collection. See if you can get anything useful out of it."

Go archivist, Archive!

>>24887778
"Most assuredly. I think we have the best chance of convincing Her Illuminated Self of the idea. For another time, though. It's becoming dangerous for anyone to travel and I wouldn't want our fledgling knowledge bearers taken by our foes."

A thought occurs to me, aren't we the leader of the Caligo Clarus? Or have we not yet bothered to set up any actual roles in the order aside from one guy claiming archivist and nobody arguing with

Joke: 1+e^(iπ)=0

>>24887889

Is that the punchline to, "Give me a sign!" ?

>>24887899
That's not a joke. That's art.

>>24887914
"Give me a sine!"

>>24887899
Would you call the Mona Lisa "funny"? Euler's identity is a mathematical piece of art.

>>24887930
Euler's identity is funny, because the joke as it were is to the fools who called i imaginary

>>24887899
Heres a question. Where the hell are you people picking the math jokes up from? Are you just making them up?

>>24887930
>>24887915
I love you classy fucks so much, you don't even know. The sum of my love for you is divergent.

>>24887957
We're math nerds.

>>24887957

That's Euler's identity. It is a corollary of "Euler's Formula", re^(iθ)=rcos(θ)+irsin(θ), one of the most important relations in mathematics.

>>24887977
Then could you please explain how these translate out to me? Im kinda lost and it makes me sad.

I still don't get

y= sec(X^2)+ln(cos(x)/cox(x+pi))

Can't find an online graphing calculator that can plot it out

>>24887957
That formula in particular is called Euler's identity. It's a specific case of Euler's formula e^(i*theta) = cos(theta) + i*sin(theta), which happens to be -1 for theta = pi (hence e^(i*pi) + 1 = 0), which allows exponential and trigonometric functions to be transformed into each other (which is good for engineering, physics, and other disciplines). The identity is seen as particularly elegant because it relates five constants of fundamental importance in mathematics: 1, 0, e, pi, and i. (See Wikipedia or take a course in calculus for more details.)

We're proposing mathematical formulas as jokes because, when EchoGarrote was attempting to show how alien the Mer (I think it's the Mer) are, he used a nonsense math formula as an example of their humor. We shared that joke with Dana, who claimed that every Mer knew that one. Later, we shared it with Ssai (who found it hilarious) and Ssah (who didn't get it).

>>24888056
I've got MATLAB, give me a few minutes to plot it.

>>24888006
I couldn't, most of these are things you'll learn in calculus.

>>24888056
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=y%3D+sec%28X%5E2%29%2Bln%28cos%28x%29%2Fcos%28x%2Bpi%29%29
Not sure what's funny about it though. Probably need to be a Leviathan.

>>24887778
ECHO HALP WE'VE GONE FULL LEVIATHAN I'M SO SORRY

How about:

1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1+1-1...=1/2

File: 1368833113063.gif-(8 KB, 420x185, Leviathan Joke.gif)

8 KB GIF

>>24888056
Something like this

>There were two of them, the one Echo came up with and this one. I made up this one on the fly as something with an imaginary component and a crazy real component graph.

>>24887869
"Most assuredly. I think we have the best chance of convincing Her Illuminated Self of the idea. For another time, though. It's becoming dangerous for anyone to travel and I wouldn't want our fledgling knowledge bearers taken by our foes."

Ambrose nods. "Of course. Easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission, yes?" He smiles. "I'll start on this project right away."

>>24888091
I know that im just trying to figure out what they are due to the fact that i feel like im missing out on something and have been for a while now.

>>24888109
Well ill be taking that soon enough, (OH GOD WHY) so i guess ill have to wait then.

>>24888186
I suppose it sort of looks like a forrest of dicks about to collide.

>>24888211
They really arent about to collide. But that is still pretty impressive.

>>24888211
>>24888224
Now I just need to find out how to make the Gaussian distribution into a pun.

>>24888224
Leviathans: math nerds with a dick fixation

You guys don't know what you're doing to me. My Calculus professor was a crazy old cat lady who told Calculus puns. I'm having fond/pained flashbacks.

She also spoke so softly you could hardly hear her, carried all her things in a Nancy Drew bag, and possessed a brutally dry, sarcastic wit. Not to mention, she was such a good teacher, I came to love calculus.

File: 1368833719711.png-(3 KB, 560x304, MerHumor.png)

3 KB PNG

>>24888276
Not sure about the Gaussian distribution, but we might be able to do something with "scale-ene".

>>24888056
>>24888186
I've plotted the function over a slightly larger domain, to make it clear that the asymptotes bunch up as you go further out.

>>24888277
So this website if we were any good at math?

>>24888188
"Very well- Thank you ambrose, We'll continue work on the project after things have calmed down in white tree. One way or the other."

Then let's get off to the meeting!

>>24888346
>>24888343
I hope Comedy doesn't try and use our humor against us.

>>24888454
>Peace walks in on Comedy reading a book
>"Leviathan Humor for dummies"
>Chalk board next to him covered in calculus problems
>Constantly referencing math textbooks
>Peace goes "what.jpg"

>>24888363
"Very well- Thank you Ambrose, We'll continue work on the project after things have calmed down. One way or the other."

You motion for Tricia and Mage to move out.

There's the old joke that people aren't supposed to fight in War Rooms. Well, apparently no one here heard that one.

Everyone's yelling at everyone, you slide up next to Granny. She gives you a nod. "The girls are back in the nest. They're lazy good-for-nothings...we're horrible examples."

"Are they still arguing about which farms get priority?"

"No, now they're arguing about how many watch towers we need to build and where...maybe." She shrugs. "I don't know. The King's mostly been letting people yell, then he asks a few questions, people yell, and then he asks Avery or one of his new council members their opinion. They give it, more yelling, and then he says what's going to happen and then threatens to have me eat people if they don't shut up." She shrugs. "I've seen worse politics."

>>24888499
Dubs have spoken, someone think up a math based one-liner for when we kill his ass.
>>24888528
Sit back and try to absorb what is going on.

Rolled 2

>>24888528
Time for our loudest and most authoritative VOICE OF JUSTICE

*Slams Beacon on the ground*

"QUUUUIIIIEEEEET*

rolling for effectiveness 1d12 Brian Blessed's

>>24888528
"Hmmm...not very efficient, but at least he's asserting authority. Sill, hopefully we can steer things towards things more relevant than the precise placements of garrisons. Oh, have you been introduced to Paladin Avery yet?"

>>24888554
How about the godel number?

http://tachyos.org/godel/Godel_number.html

>>24888570
Is 2 Brian Blessed's loud? Is that good? I really have no metric for this.

>>24888575
That is not a 1 liner

Rolled 1

>>24888603
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7evYu3eE8tM

he was clayton from the disney tarzan movie and boss nass from Ep1

>>24888570
no no, we save that. We SAVE it for when we need it this conversation.

>>24888528
"Well, at least they're making SOME progress. I'm surprised the introductions went over well enough that Isen's able to threaten people with you without an uproar. Let's get in there and start yelling."

So... my idea for the dice issue:

Go back to using first linked roll, lower all DCs by 2 (except the escape DC for our constrict; no need to buff normal attacks and nerf contrict at the same time), and make modifiers on skill checks bigger so they matter more. Also use the second linked roll as a confirm roll for critical failures.

>>24888717
I still advocate a BAB of +5 or +6. It would solve the combat nicely.

"Hmmm...not very efficient, but at least he's asserting authority. Sill, hopefully we can steer things towards things more relevant than the precise placements of garrisons. Oh, have you been introduced to Paladin Avery yet?"

Granny nods. "Yeah. He was a little surprised, but I think he got used to you so seeing another snake-woman didn't rock his world. He was just thankful I came with good information, instead of just self-aggrandizing bias." She gestures to the floor.

You get Isen's eye. He stands up. Thankfully, when the Prince stands up, eventually (But quickly) everyone shuts up.

"We recognize Lady Ssen Patrick, Paladin of the Clear Occuli." He says. "Your input?"

>>24888817
"First I have to figure out what you guys are even arguing about and whether it's absolutely silly or not."

>>24888817
"This bickering is bollocks. Death marches for our doorstep and you lot would do its job for it. Unacceptable."

>>24888817
>>24888878
"How far have we gotten? We're still on local defense, yeah?"

We can bring up the fact that mari is a descendant of the bear tribe, which means we are allowed to copy and print the monstrous books into human languages at some point. There'll be a wealth of information on fighting monsters, along with all the good stuff.

>>24888960
was she? I though Tragedy said she wasn't.

>>24888979
>>24888960
also we need the dragon's permission first, and he isn't likely to want to see us unless we got a head for him, which is likely gonna be Tragedy's

>>24888960
>>24888979
Mari's status as a Bear Tribe descendant is kinda in a weird grey area, considering all the body swapping Tragedy has done.

>>24888979
Tragedy said she was. She wasnt HIS descendant.

>>24889021
Tragedy just stole the body of her biological father who is the descendent.

>"Of course not." A scoff. "I discarded that body at the first chance I got...you're connected to them in so far as when the body that I was within procreated, you were a result. There are many others who can make the same claim, I imagine."
Sounds like a no

>>24888817
Are we going to tell everyone about the dramatae and their plans and citadel at any point?

>>24889243
We are probably going to tell Avery in private. Not now

>>24888817
"Well, for one thing, if we're building watchtowers, we should consider signal towers too. It'd make getting messages around a heck of a lot faster."

>>24889021
The reason the old lady had to use Mari is because she could only use blood relatives for the body swapping. So she must still be a descendant.

File: 1368838629962.gif-(1.3 MB, 500x280, post-17118-Yawning-Snake-(...).gif)

1.3 MB GIF

>Ssen on Bureaucracy.

So, what are our long term plans for this place? We don't really have any, as far as I'm aware, other than "not a terrible ruler, not an entirely stagnant technological scene, and no baby blood orgies"

Like, that's pretty much our qualifications for a government, right?

>>24889499
>Those pits
Holy crap that looks creepy. Never seen a snake like that.

>>24888960
"How far have we gotten? We're still on local defense, yeah?"

Isen shrugs.

>>24888936
"This bickering is bollocks. Death marches for our doorstep and you lot would do its job for it. Unacceptable."

Isen looks to the sky, thankful for the change. "Then please, Paladin Patrick, you have the best knowledge of anyone here about the enemy that we face. Please, your advice would be very welcome...and beyond argument."

>>24889499
That is the cutest snake I've ever seen.

>>24889769
"Our enemy is of a sort most vile. Terrifyingly manipulative and cunning, with a reach and capacity for control unparalleled in this world. You all need to understand that anything other than absolute unity will bring death to us all.

First order of business, we take loose stock of every resource available to us. Every blade, every ration, every coin and every able body. The dispensation of force comes later. And if anyone 'forgets' to mention some valuable resource, some personal guard regimen, some stash of coin, rest assured you'll need it later. And it won't be enough then."

>>24889769
A list of points:
>though Uncle's been masked, Peace seems the type to keep him on a leash
>they'll have lamias and nagas: big ones, too. this means close quarters is a bad idea
>we know the terrain, they don't. this lends itself well to ambushes and encirclements
>Citadel-contolled monsters are hamstrung. they won't fight to their potential, but rather how Citadel determines they should fight.

>>24889769
"Well, I suppose I should start by discussing the nature of the threat. As you all may or may not know, There ARE spells which can overwhelm and control the mind. Our foes are using these magical techniques, along with standard revolutionary riling practices, to assemble an unusual army of numerous races, prominently mermen, elves, and whatever the heck else they could find. This ability to replenish troops through sinister means makes combat with them phyrric at best. Currently we're working on a type of counterspell that's proven to be effective on individuals in the past. If it works, my people and I could neutralize a large portion of the more... monstrous parts of their forces. It's a gamble though, we'll need backup plans in case it fails. What's this about barney's inventions I was hearing earlier? Someone care to explain?"

"Our enemy is of a sort most vile. Terrifyingly manipulative and cunning, with a reach and capacity for control unparalleled in this world. You all need to understand that anything other than absolute unity will bring death to us all.

"First order of business, we take loose stock of every resource available to us. Every blade, every ration, every coin and every able body. The dispensation of force comes later. And if anyone 'forgets' to mention some valuable resource, some personal guard regimen, some stash of coin, rest assured you'll need it later. And it won't be enough then."

The room breaks out into shouting again. The farmhold people are claiming that their counts are right and Mumei's numbers are wrong. The captain of the guard is highly for the mobilization of an armed militia into an army, also that he should be place at its head. The representative of the dockworkers is still screaming about the Leviathan scenario and how it has to be 'dealt with' first.

"ENOUGH!" Isen yells. "I have NOT yielded the floor to ANYONE but her ladyship!"

There's a pause. One of the leaders of the Red Occuli raises a hand. Isen nods towards him.

"Lady Paladin...I'm sorry, but I have my doubts. Yes, the Fey Court has these masked traitors like those on the Leviathan, but we dealt with them. They've been on the fringes for Ages, and now you say that they have this power?" He shakes his head. "We need to be realistic about this. I agree, that this army that they are supposedly amassing is stressful, but we have the Leviathan for the Mer, and any army out of First Wood can and will be met by the Army of Citadel. I know we're trying to be as independent as possible...but aren't you being a bit of an alarmist?" He frowns. "Or are the Fey Court reall y that great of a threat?"

>>24890029
>>24890036
damn my tardiness. Must spend less time rewriting.

>>24890036
The army of Citadel would eventually meet First Wood's forces.

After allowing us to be thoroughly crushed first.

>>24890036
"You've dealt with nothing: the very tip of the monster's tail at best. And you can't count on Citadel's help anymore... when the time comes, make no mistakes. We will be alone. And we need to be ready."

>>24890036
"The fey court alone aren't a true threat, no. Neither, truly, are their unusual auxillaries. The ones I'm worried about are the people instigating this crisis. As you all might know, there are methods of affecting the mind with magic. Our foes use these methods with startling effeciency- I've personally seen before my eyes mermen turn shock white and tear into their former comrades, occuli dancing at the call of vampires, and much more. These are dark times, and I'm deeply concerned."

>>24890036
Citadel won't bother with the army because it isn't a problem for them yet. The army of Citadel can be relied on to defend Citadel, no more, no less. They certainly aren't interested in assisting us if that army comes for us. Which is precisely why we will be that army's first target, we are currently easy pickings by comparison.

>>24890036
I have heard news that the masked traitors have an alarming magic that will gain control of another's mind and turn them into another masked. Indeed, my own uncle Lord Paladin Julian has been captured and turned himself. the worst situation where even the majority of Citadel's troops are turned we will need rely on ourselves for protectiion.

>>24890113
>>24890192
This is kind of believable, given they didn't act to stop stone hall either. Though, the masked men with mind controlling powers conspiracy thing needs to be broached... gently.

>>24890271
>Front page real estate
>At all relevant in the catalog era
>Not just filtering quests on the catalog
It's not hard son, step it up.

>>24890245
>>24890271
You're complaining about a quest in /tg/?

>>24890305
>>24890308
Ignore him.

I think we should focus less on "grand masked conspiracy" and more on "Stone Hall got wrecked by an army of ghouls before, we should strengthen defenses in case we get hit by this new army."

The full extent of the masked conspiracy might be a bit hard to take.

>>24890380
yes. I agree.

>>24890175
"The fey court alone aren't a true threat, no. Neither, truly, are their unusual auxillaries. The ones I'm worried about are the people instigating this crisis. As you all might know, there are methods of affecting the mind with magic. Our foes use these methods with startling effeciency- I've personally seen before my eyes mermen turn shock white and tear into their former comrades, occuli dancing at the call of vampires, and much more. These are dark times, and I'm deeply concerned.

"Also,Citadel won't bother with the army because it isn't a problem for them yet. The army of Citadel can be relied on to defend Citadel, no more, no less.

"They certainly aren't interested in assisting us if that army comes for us. Which is precisely why we will be that army's first target, we are currently easy pickings by comparison."

"But...but..."

"Did the full army of Citadel come when Stone Hall was sacked?" Isen says. "Or were we given a handful of Occuli and then discovered the rest ourselves?"

The room quiets down as everyone thinks about that.

You feel a tap on your shoulder. It's Paladin Avery. He motions for you to follow him. Granny comes as well.

"Thanks for that." The gruff dwarf says. "Isen's not a great ruler, but he's got people who aren't fools running things." He sighs. "They just need to get the right amount of scared." He nods at you. "That did it, I hope." He shrugs. "They'll probably go back to fighting anyway, but that's politics."

"If it gets too deadlocked, I'll eat someone." Granny says.

Avery chuckles. "That's one way to settle it."

You finally get to Avery's office. The place is now dominated by a war table. "Now, I wont bore you with the details...but is there anything specific that I need to know, should this army come and attack us?"

>>24890421
Can we demonstrate the shining ability of the beacon? I don't know how non-combat uses of that work, or if anyone can even do it other than Ssen. Ssen doesn't even really know how to do it, now that I think about it.

>>24890491

Should we mention the possibility of Paladin Graves being conscripted into helping along the army of monsters? Even if he's not directly possessed and at the head of the army, he could still provide (forced) tactical advice and other information for the Dramatae to use.

And seeing as how the army consists of monsters, wasn't there stuff in those iron tomes about Troll/Lamia/Mer biology and other junk? That could come in handy when constructing specialized defenses or countermeasures.

>>24890421
"Well, let's see. Off the top of my head, the walls will probably be outright avoided by use of some kind of trick with harpies, or something else that can fly. Oh, and it will almost certainly be proceeded by masked infiltrators, generally with at least some magical ability. They'll identify the vulnerabilities of your defense, let the enemy in, or who knows what else. They've been known to have some mind altering spells, so be on guard"

There's probably whole piles more we should tell him, but this is off the top of my head.

>>24890548
yes. Yes we should mention the possibility. We're in private and can discuss mind altering psells.

>>24890548
>>24890568
let me give a shot at making some dialogue for that if'n I'm able:

"Some more problems we may face include paladin Julian graves and whomever of his force was captured alongside him- They could very well be made to provide tactical insight or even fight alongside the approaching army. My people are working on countermeasures for such types of control, as it's the same thing that is controlling the monsters. Should worse come to worse however, we have access to specialist information on the biology of many of these races, which could be helpful in the making of traps and defenses."

I'm a bit worried. Julian literally wrote the book on fighting lamias.

"Well, let's see. Off the top of my head, the walls will probably be outright avoided by use of some kind of trick with harpies, or something else that can fly. Oh, and it will almost certainly be proceeded by masked infiltrators, generally with at least some magical ability. They'll identify the vulnerabilities of your defense, let the enemy in, or who knows what else. They've been known to have some mind altering spells, so be on guard"

Avery chuckles. "Oh, is that all then?"

"Paladin Julian Graves was captured, as you know, and might have been compromised." You say. "He could be in the forces, or be giving them tactical advice."

Granny shakes her head. "Alright. That does seem to be everything." She looks at the map. "We don't have the numbers."

"We will if we can make those powder weapons that Mr. Pits has." Avery shakes his head. "But that's going to cause everything to change, won't it?"

Granny nods. "Everything is changing. Isn't that one of your core tenants?"

Avery nods. "Alright...well, good luck, Lady Paladin Ssen Patrick." He nods and looks at you. "I'll ensure that you have a home to return to, when you get back."

>>24890421
>>24890722
"Forces of the Fey and Citadel-corrupted creatures are marshaling at the Grove; we hope to intercept them before they can march on us, and do what we can to reduce or eliminate their forces. The Dawnchasers against an entire army doesn't seem like a fair fight---for them. Granny recently informed me of a way to turn corrupted beings back into their uncorrupted selves, by way of this." [hold up Beacon] "The fewer we have to outright kill, the happier I'll be; plus, it'll strengthen our numbers while weakening theirs."

>>24890764
>"Forces of the Fey and Citadel-corrupted creatures are marshaling at the Grove; we hope to intercept them before they can march on us, and do what we can to reduce or eliminate their forces. The Dawnchasers against an entire army doesn't seem like a fair fight---for them. Granny recently informed me of a way to turn corrupted beings back into their uncorrupted selves, by way of this." You hold up Beacon. "The fewer we have to outright kill, the happier I'll be; plus, it'll strengthen our numbers while weakening theirs."

"May I?" Avery holds out a hand and points at Beacon.

>>24890722
"Thank you, Avery. Sorry I couldn't help more at the meeting, I've never been the best at these kinds of things. It's why I have so many friends, advisors, conspirators, and etcetera."

>>24890806
"Sure, give it your best shot"

I am really interested in what non-clarus folks can do with that thing.

>>24890816
Do not conjoin etcetera with a list.

>>24890806
"Be careful, though. Beacon may not react well to strangers, even if you are a friend."

>>24890806
Inb4 it does nothing

The power was insider us all along

>>24890837
Really?

>>24890859
Yes.

>>24890837
>>24890859

why?

>>24890895
>>24891009
Enough of this foolishness! The real question:

How did avery tap us on the shoulder? He's a dwarf.

>>24890824
"Sure, give it your best shot." You say as you hand it over. "Sorry, I couldn't have been more help at the meeting. Also, be careful. Beacon might not react well to strangers, even if you are a friend."

Avery takes the weapon and looks at it. "Beacon has supposedly been melted down and remade into nearly every weapon known. A mace, a spear, every type of sword, daggers, hammers, and now a ranseur..." He shakes his head. "It's a little hard to believe, if you know the lore...but I saw the hammer that it was, before it became your Father's sword, and I see this...and I know my metal. If you'll excuse the stereotype." The dwarf chuckles. "It's not just quicksilver in this. People add quicksilver to the weapon, and other things...but I still see the original impurities are still in there."

"Eh?" Granny asks.

"You know how quicksilver reacts so strangely in storms? How if you touch it, sometimes you feel a little jolt, or how it makes hair stand on end?" He smiles. "It's one of the minor properties, but well known...Beacon's metal was taken from a vein that had been within stone that was filled with brillitite."

"Again with that stone." Granny says. "Oh...OH!" She slaps her head. "THAT'S what causes it."

(cont)

>>24891048


Avery nods. "People think that brillitite is just a rock that lights up when it is touched by electricity. That's true, but there's more to it. There's a release of magical energy as well. I remember how your father could point this blade at something and blast it with light...and all magic would fail around that person. Healing would revert, shields would fall, and armor would rust." He nods.

"No idea how he used it to conjure that shield he was so famous for, but I understand how this might be able to dispel something like mental corruption." He gives Beacon back to you. "At least, that's a theory. It explains things in the world of the land, but in the world of the Light..." He shrugs. "But I am keeping you from your work. Is there anything you need for me on this quest to take out this Grove?"

>>24891045
You're right, my mistake of phrase. He taps your elbow.

>>24891009
It literally mean, "and so forth". That would result in your entering "and and so forth". That would be silly, and I hope to prevent fellow fa/tg/uys from being unintentionally silly.

>>24891009
I think he means it should be "a, b, c, etc." not "a, b, c, and etc."
"Etcetera" already means "and the rest" so "and and the rest" doesn't make sense.

>>24891064
"Paladin Avery, if you can insure the safety of this city, you will have granted me the greatest favor I could ask for. If I might ask of you one more thing, I would ask that you look after the young ones if I should not return."

>>24891193
Is Granny coming with us?

>>24891219
kind of doubt it, I would feel more safe with her guarding the little ones.

"Paladin Avery, if you can insure the safety of this city, you will have granted me the greatest favor I could ask for. If I might ask of you one more thing, I would ask that you look after the young ones if I should not return."

Granny swats you. "What am I? A ghost?" She smirks. "I've outlasted Dramatae plots before."

Avery nods. "I'll ensure that they're kept safe and untroubled." He smiles. "You have my word."

>>24891242
"Great, now I don't have to worry so much. Oh, I'll also be needing yet another cart. The last one got left behind in all that hullabaloo with the cart. Thanks for the story about the Brillitite, by the way, it explains very many things."

We just discovered why we and tricia are so not-crazy. A tower made of antimagic spells that activate when hit by lightning.

>>24891242
"Far from it, Granny, and I have no doubt they'd be raised right, but they'll need a city left standing to be raised in, and as much confidence as I have in you I don't think you can hold this city single-handedly. Though I have no doubt you'd try, if it came to that."

They need a Paladin Guardian too Granny

>>24891256
>hullabaloo with the cart
TELEPORTER! I mean TELEPORTER.

>>24891258
I bet granny could take out at LEAST a few squads, if not as many as it takes for them to bring a ballistae to bear.

>>24891256

So basically we got hit by concentrated anti-Citadel as a little kid.

>>24891302
Makes me wonder why our Citadel-corrupted parents lived there in the first place.

>>24891256
Guys we need Barney to get on making van de graff generators mad quick. We can put an anti-magic pulse (AMP) tower in the heart of ever free city.

>>24891256
>We just discovered why we and tricia are so not-crazy. A tower made of antimagic spells that activate when hit by lightning.

>>24891302
>So basically we got hit by concentrated anti-Citadel as a little kid.

I don't think we've seen this particular detail, but I now have the distinct impression of it raining and thundering on the night when Liam killed the other lamia in the tower and found Ssen. One timely burst of lighting to the tower, and..."Don't wanna be alone."

>>24891349
That was actually mentioned repeatedly.

>>24891332
its a nice lair, probably far nicer then a cave. Lamia might also be attracted to that particular material, or both that it is usually in nicer lairs, and lamia are drawn to it.

after all the Silver and Gold moved in there too so there must be something attracting them.

>>24891256
I don't remember Tricia getting struck by lightning

or is the fact that she bonded with us mean she's affected by that not-crazy anti-citadel thing

"Far from it, Granny, and I have no doubt they'd be raised right, but they'll need a city left standing to be raised in, and as much confidence as I have in you I don't think you can hold this city single-handedly. Though I have no doubt you'd try, if it came to that.

"Now, thank you, Lord Paladin Avery, now I don't have to worry so much. Oh, I'll also be needing yet another cart. The last one got left behind in all that hullabaloo with teleport spells. Thanks for the story about the Brillitite, by the way, it explains very many things."

"It gives a rational explanation, anyway." Avery says. "But we live in an irrational world." He nods. "I suppose I can spare a wagon."

Granny gives you a hug. "You don't get to die. You have to teach the little ones how to properly ruin the world. Leave me alone with them and they'll probably end up hermits, like me." She takes a deep breath. "Alright, enough with the pointless politics, and sappy goodbyes. Go. Find these fuckers, and make them pay."

>>24891377
no, I'm just theorizing it has a rather large radius, since it's a tower filled with the stuff.

Tricia supposed earlier it was something in the water that gave us the chance- maybe it's something in the architecture.

>>24891383
"Will do. One down, two to go.

Oh, you mentioned something before about being able to kick-start magical ability by eating a magic user? Any particular preparations I might want to take for doing that? Just asking because it might come up in the near future."

>>24891383
Guys, we ought to embed brillitite in our circlet and in Clang's boss.

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>>24891427

>catch lightning bolt
>FWOOOOSH
>no more masks

"Will do. One down, two to go." You say.

"Oh, you mentioned something before about being able to kick-start magical ability by eating a magic user? Any particular preparations I might want to take for doing that? Just asking because it might come up in the near future."

Avery looks appalled, and Granny just laughs. "Oh you really thought I was serious?" She shakes her head. "Little Snake, you are too easy." She sighs. "If you really want to learn magic, I'm happy to teach you and the little ones, but it's something that takes months of meditation and practice, years possibly. Time you don't have."

Rolled 10

>>24891446
but would any lightning that mage created work on beacon?

>>24891489
"Oh. Can I bite Peace's head off anyway?"

>>24891489
"And to think I even had someone in mind..."

>>24891446
We clearly must get mage to pick up weathermancy

I know we told him he can RND whatever the fuck he wants at any time, but we should at least make him aware of this silly property and ask him the options on it

>>24891489
Can I eat peace anyways?

>>24891489
"After that experience with the red moss, I was entirely prepared to believe you if you said we hailed from the elemental plane of Slither. Still think I might see if Comedy tastes funny, though."

>>24891489
"Aww. Tempted to eat her anyway."

>>24891489
"Oh, well, scratch that off the unpleasant things I might have to do list. Still going to stab the dramatae up more than might be necessary."

>>24891542
(And if Avery acts offended at the notion, we should mention to him what goes on at some of Comedy's parties.)

>>24891580
(That doesn't make it better for US to do. I really hope avery just chalks this one up to interspecies-relations faux-faus. Because seriously, isen threatens to have granny eat people all the time.)

But we eat Tricia all the time.

>>24891649
*smacks*
Not at the warmeet

>>24891649
But bugs are really healthy food.
Dramatae are not. They're full of Citadel additives.

"After that experience with the red moss, I was entirely prepared to believe you if you said we hailed from the elemental plane of Slither. Still think I might see if Comedy tastes funny, though."

On that groaner, the other two go off to do more work.

As you and the Dawnchasers hook up a new horse to the wagon, Mage tilts his head back and forth at your tale about Beacon.

"That's a bit of a romanticized idea of what Brillitite is." Mage says. He starts to cast the spell to haste the horse. "I mean. I could hold a chunk of rock that was rich with the stuff and it wouldn't knock me for a loop, even if I charged it with lightning." He pauses. "Although, he's not wrong. It does put off light and just raw generic energy." He points to Beacon. "If Beacon really is that old, then the amount of spells and incantations and Light-knows-what within it would be the bigger culprits. The quicksilver builds up a charge, and the brillitite just puts out an energy that revitalizes all the old enchantments within it." He shrugs as the wagon bumps along the road. "That's my guess at least. Might be that, or Avery's right and it's the brilititie itself, or it may just be the Will of His Light." He shrugs. "These things are hard to prove."

"Just because there's a reason for something," Lea says. "Doesn't mean that His Light had nothing to do with it. I find that the more reasonable and mundane a 'miracle' is, that it's MORE proof of His Light. Not less." She says. "Beacon is a weapon of His Light, has been, and will be. That's A truth, if not THE truth."

"And then there's Lea's opinion on the matter." Mage says. "Pick whatever you want, or make your own, Ssen." He shrugs.

>>24891680
"Divine providence or not, it WOULD explain a good deal. You would say it doesn't harm you too much, then, mage? If not, I think we should probably at least look into getting a big ol' spike of the stuff through our lighthouse at some point. Might be the thing that keeps the city strong through whatever crazy spirits and shadow dragons are out there."

>>24891680
"A bit of both I suspect, brillitite and quicksilver have some very unique properties, perhaps one is a material more strongly influenced by the Light, and just happens to enhance, or be enhanced by the other."

"What matters is that they do work together, so perhaps more could be forged with the right skills and materials."

>>24891680
>>24891748
"Heck, we can even cover the thing in as many enchantments as your wizardly brain can come up with. By the time we're done, we'll at least have one great conversation piece."

>>24891680
"I agree with you both. Whatever allows Beacon to work, and whatever helped me stay free of Citadel's influence as a child, I'll thank the Light for it whether there's a reasonable explanation or not. Just like the miracle we pulled off at the near-execution when we left Citadel. The Light works in mysterious ways, as well as fairly straightforward ones. But if learning how a miracle came about allows us to more effectively serve the Light and be the means by which to repeat such a miracle, let's be all the more thankful that we had the opportunity.

Speaking of pulling off miracles...has anyone noticed that there are six mirrors, and five of us?"

>>24891835
Dana. Or Isen

"A bit of both I suspect, brillitite and quicksilver have some very unique properties, perhaps one is a material more strongly influenced by the Light, and just happens to enhance, or be enhanced by the other. Heck, we can even cover the thing in as many enchantments as your wizardly brain can come up with. By the time we're done, we'll at least have one great conversation piece.

"But, divine providence or not, it WOULD explain a good deal. You would say it doesn't harm you too much, then, Mage? If not, I think we should probably at least look into getting a big ol' spike of the stuff through our lighthouse at some point. Might be the thing that keeps the city strong through whatever crazy spirits and shadow dragons are out there."

"The Peaks have quicksilver, but you never know if a rock has brillitite in it, until it lights up." Mari says. "Do you know where that old ruin that's by your village got its stone from?"

You and Tricia shake your head. Bright Tower predates River's Crossing.

"So, White Tree to get Lightmare, right?" Tricia asks.

>>24891875
Yeah....We have got to stop leaving him places.

>>24891875
And hope we don't have to compensate any parents for a lost child.

>>24891875
"Assuming they've not been attacked yet, and they've not panicked about the flaming horse, yes. We really do have to stop leaving him behind."

>>24891853
Or lightmare. Or our tail. Or clang.

>>24891875
>"So, White Tree to get Lightmare, right?" Tricia asks.

"I'm not sure. Should we make a stop by Bronze Peak while we're this close? It'd be quite a ways out of the way once we're at White Tree, and...well, I'm not sure we'll be back this way before this is all over."

>>24891875
"Yes, We should probably stop leaving him places, else he may really go eat someone."

"i wonder how spooked they will be when we show up at the front gate, having gone into the Conclave building and never exiting."

>>24891939
They need to be at six very specific positions according to a Great Seal that we haven't tracked down yet. It'll need to be six separate people.

>>24891958
Peri and Mari can each hold one.

>>24891958
>not counting clang as a person
He can pull his weight, just you watch.

>>24891972
Same logistical problem as Ssen holding one with her tail: not going to work unless the positions are very close together, and I had the impression they were spread out too much for that. (You're not thinking Mari's going to reinhabit her body before then, are you?)

>>24891995
No, I'm just being difficult at this point. I'd just figured on Isen wanting to hold one, he'd never let us do this without involving him

>>24892011
>>24891995
Honestly, I think Isen AND tara should each be holding one, with Ssen busy dueling peace/citadel.

>>24892052
you mean ssen and granny tag teaming peace

"Yes, We should probably stop leaving him places, else he may really go eat someone.

"I wonder how spooked they will be when we show up at the front gate, having gone into the Conclave building and never exiting."

The travel days pass quietly...once more a fact that's less comforting than you'd like. You talk to people who are traveling the other way. It sounds like things are getting worse, or people are hyping things up to be worse.

People are claiming random attacks of Fey Court with Monsters. A whole block of Citadel that was out over the water sank. First Wood is now back under Citadel control, and is now under strict martial law. Fields of grain are rotting before farmer's eyes. Also, people are claiming to see 'things' in Citadel and on the outskirts. There's not much definition beyond that, but they are responsible for disappearances.

You also hear a lot of stories from people about how they have family that 'Want to leave Citadel, get a change or some country air' but 'they always have some excuse, or something happens, or I even heard of a family that just got all packed up, walked right out of the gates...and then dropped dead on the spot!' Rumors like that are flying.

Frederick the guard stares at you as you enter. "Hey...was there a second lamia made into a paladin?" He looks at you. "Cause I let one into town last week...and neither me nor Rex, on the other gate, saw her leave..." He scratches his head. "You're not an impostor, are you?"

>>24892128
I'm torn between "No, but whoever that other one was must have been!" or something playing off of the revelation that Overseer Trivalon was into unsavory magic.

>>24892128
"I'm not an imposter. I accidentally activated a teleport spell in the conclave."

>>24892128
I'm a doppelganger.

Which incidentally was how the doppelganger legend stared.

>>24892128

No, I'm the necromancy-reanimated corpse of that lamia paladin. Who do you think I am?

>>24892128
"Yes there's and entire order of us now."
*deadpan stare*
"We an unexpectidly hasty exit."

>>24892168
Something tells me we'd be less than welcome in town if we tried to pull that one.

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>>24892167
>>24892172

>stared

>>24892128
"No, it's me again. Weird things in the conclave, believe you me."

We should really consider some equipment upgrades now that we have First Lantern metal. Actually I'm not opposed to making everything we can thing of a getting the whole party completely decked out in the stuff. We can melt down a mirror or two if we need to and remake it later, not like we're actually using them yet. We've kicked around some good ideas about Clang, but we haven't considered upgrades for the other Dawnchasers. I believe Peri's blades are just mundane metal; would be nice to get those replaced.

>>24892305
I'd settle for getting them some quicksilver blades.

(Also wishing we'd taken the time to get in a little practice with Granny.)

"No, I'm just a doppelganger." You say.

"A what?" Frederick says.

You roll your eyes. "No, I'm not an imposter. I accidentally activated a teleport spell in the Conclave."

"Oh...huh?" Frederick says.

"Just let us in, we're just here to get our horse." Peri says.

"Oh. Okay." He steps aside.

Lightmare hasn't caused any trouble...mostly because every other horse, stableboy, and any other sane creature has been keeping away from him. He seems to be content to just sleep, and you see corpses of half-eaten rat, squirrel, and You-Really-Hope-No-One-Owned-Him dog.

He gets up slowly and looks at you with an expression that you just know is a 'Oh...you're back' look.

Lea pets him. "So, now that our seventh party member is back, are we doing business here, or is it off to First Wood?"

>>24892354
Might as well smash the teleport to deny the Dramatae use of it.

>>24892354
"Well, we have the compass we originally came here for. Anyone else have something that needs doing while we're here? If not, we've got some bad apples to deal with in the Grove."

>>24892354
"Nothing too particularly important. We could take in a meal at the inn without losing too much time, I suppose. They DID have a good kitchen here.

Also, we could get something for lightmare there, a sort of 'sorry we abandoned you twice' snack."

>>24892354
Oh, before we leave, can we check around to see if White Tree has any Blue Apple Oak?

>>24892354
On our way to the grove, let's start some fresh batches of antivenom using some of Ssen's venom (not perfectly matched, but good enough to save lives).

>>24892354
"Perhaps we could secure Mari. I mean, nobody's watching her now, we should at least re-lock the door."

>>24892636
You have a point.

"Well, we have the compass we originally came here for. Anyone else have something that needs doing while we're here? If not, we've got some bad apples to deal with in the Grove."

"I want to check on my body." Mari says. She holds up the key to the Conclave.

"Alright." You say. "Then maybe a meal at Travellers' I suppose. Something nice for Lightmare too." You pause. "Do they have Blue Apple Oak here?"

"First Wood." Mari says apologetically.

You all head over to the Conclave and go inside. It's still abandoned, and Mari's body is still where it was before.

"We should find a way to get this some place safer." Mage says as he removes the teleport circle that was on that brick here. "Should we...I dunno...box up the coffin and send you back to Stone Hall?"

Mari shrugs. "Not a bad idea. Ssen?"

>>24892699
"Hey, it's your body. You saw how clear the roads were for us, it could very well be safe.

Or, we could just lock the door again and hope nobody wants to loot the place."

"Hey, it's your body. You saw how clear the roads were for us, it could very well be safe.

"Or, we could just lock the door again and hope nobody wants to loot the place."

Mari shrugs. "It might be safer here actually." She shrugs. "The Dramatae aren't going to wipe White Tree out, if they can help it right? I mean, they're still all Citadel worshippers here, and none too bright ones at that." She shrugs. "The army might not hit this place if we can't stop them from marching."

>>24892781
"You might be right about that one- in which case, we should probably mar or cover that rune brick over there. Don't want them teleporting in to get to your body. Coincidentally, this means we'll have to go through holting's manor if we want back into the teleport ring.

>>24892781
Ugh. The thought just hit me that we're really going to have to undermine a rabid, min-controlled army with just our group of 5.

Maybe this'll help though, the fact that we're confident Comedy is Thistleblossom... We can use that to dispel her magic via truenaming.

>>24892781
What did Ambrose find out from Granny's book on the Beacon un-corrupting spell while we were in Stone Hall, by the way?

>>24892781
"Bronze Peak would probably be the safest place, we have a great many things that are important to us and our goals in Stone Hall, Isen, Mumei, Granny and the lamia children, along with a good portion of our other friends. All of those make it a very high value target for our enemies."

>>24892891
I've been thinking on it a lot.

I hope our beacon-area-thing works to dispel the citadel effect. Otherwise, we'll need a WHOLE lot of enlightenments.

"You might be right about that one- in which case, we should probably mar or cover that rune brick over there. Don't want them teleporting in to get to your body. Coincidentally, this means we'll have to go through Holting's manor if we want back into the teleport ring."

"On it, in fact...alright." Mage says. "That sucker has officially been broken. Anyone who uses that ring will be very unhappy...or just not work."

"No chance they left that thing operational after we showed that we could use it." Lea says. "They're stupid, but they're not THAT stupid."

You leave the basement, and Mari redoes the puzzle lock on the door...this time however she leaves the configuration of the lock in a different way than the one she found it in.

"Let them figure THAT one out." Mari says chuckling.

"You know, eventually people WILL want to try and come in here again." Tricia says.

"And when it's YOUR body in that room, I'll take your feelings into consideration." Mari says.

"Mari." Lea warns.

"Sorry." Mari sighs. "Can we leave this key somewhere that isn't inside of a Lion Statue's mouth?" She holds up the key. "Or do we really have to give it away? Again, I'm kind of concerned about things regarding my body."

>>24892919
"Sure, we can take it with us. Just make sure you don't hide it so securely you can't find it yourself. I hear it's a problem for would-be immortals with multiple personalities."

>>24892919
"Sure, we could probably justify putting a quarantine on the building, seeing as it was connected to Overseer Trivalon and could contain more evidence."

>>24892971
This.

>>24893070
Given how many Paladins aren't on our side right now, I think that'd draw attention to the building that we don't want.

You know I can imagine that in a few hundred years the world will look something like Last Exile. Something similar to 19th century level of culture, but with Magitech airships, and monsters being commonplace. .... of god Imagine citadel being a flying city like Laputa

>>24893164
Wonder what Ssen's up to in those days.

"Sure, we could probably justify putting a quarantine on the building, seeing as it was connected to Overseer Trivalon and could contain more evidence."

Within the hour, you five/six are nailing boards shut across the Conclave front door. The populace are fine with this, since you claimed 'Paladin Business.' Also they're rather relieved at the fact that you've come out of the building as well. Rumors were starting to fly and any place that can 'host' a Paladin for a week, that held a necromancer...well...they're happy to see nailed close.

"Keep the key, too. Just make sure you don't hide it so securely you can't find it yourself. I hear it's a problem for would-be immortals with multiple personalities." You say.

"Har har." Mari says. "Oh, I found out what's the most key element in making sure that those souls in those gems get free." She sighs as you nail the last board shut across the Conclave door. "Holting's not just keeping those souls locked in...he gets power from them too. Much less, now that we've got them, but they're still giving him juice. We smash those gems, the souls just go straight into Holting's mana reserve...or whatever you want to call it." She says stopping Mage before he can interrupt.

"So...kill Holting?" Tricia asks.

"That would be step 1, yes...if we can get him to voluntarily release them, all the better. However, killing him just means that Mage has to work a little harder."

"And THAT'S not a state I'm familiar with." Your brother says in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

You have a dinner at Travellers. Peri draws a map of the First Wood area. "We need to make a call...are we going to try to get to the Grove first, or are we going to see Queen Mab?"

"Do you know where the Grove is?" Mari asks.

"No...but if there's mer there, it has to be along the river, or in this area that's next to the lake." She shrugs. "But I doubt that area, because if they had it for years, then it's buried under Mage's little rockslide."

>>24893268
"We did promise to visit, and perhaps she'll be slightly understanding if we know of Thistleblossom's fate. Hardly seems like a good idea to sneak around in Fae lands without checking in. If we can get them on our side, we can use the help, and if we can't, we've got a serious problem whether we check in or not."

>>24893268
"Okay, we don't know where the grove is. Do we know where Queen Mab is? Where the whole darn fey court is being held? If not, let's start with the grove. If we had to pick one to search blindly for, well, there are far fewer rivers than forests."

>>24893358
>>24893365
I'm just curious how we'll get there. Robin was going to show us the way before... We'll have to get a new elfformant? Maybe peri can narrow the search zone down?

Or should we just go into the forest and play some trumpets for the elves to tell them we've arrived.

>>24893268
"We should speak with Queen Mab first, we promised Robin we would, and perhaps we could get a bit more information about Thistleblossom while we are there.

My vote is mab first if we can.

>>24893385
>Or should we just go into the forest and play some trumpets for the elves to tell them we've arrived.

"Parley?"

>>24893194
Probably the head of some learning institution, either a university, a paladin academy or running the operations of the Caligo Clarus.

>>24893413
yeah, that's what I was going for. We want to see Mab, we don't know where she is, that's the most direct way. Even if it fails, it nets us a team of elven prisoners/soldiers to tell us where mab is.

>>24893268
"Let's go tell Mab about the fate of her loyal crew. I'm sure someone misses them."

"We did promise Robin that we would visit, and perhaps she'll be slightly understanding if we know of Thistleblossom's fate. We also need to tell her about Robin and his crew's fate."

"Did we have a theory on that Thistleblossom thing?" Tricia asks.

"It hardly seems like a good idea to sneak around in Fae lands without checking in, anyway. If we can get them on our side, we can use the help, and if we can't, we've got a serious problem whether we check in or not.

"Do we know where Queen Mab is? Where the whole darn fey court is being held?"

Peri points on a map. "Here."

"There's a gorge there." Mage says. "I'm sure the Occuli have searched it."

"I'm sure they have, what they don't know is HOW to search it." Peri says. "You can't get into the Fey Court from there unless a member of the court willingly takes you inside, with no trace of fear in their heart." She smiles.

"Huh?" Tricia asks.

"Hidden passage behind a magic spell that sniffs out traitors and hostages." Pari says.

"Oh."

"Course, that's the front door. There's plenty of back doors, but they move around and I don't want to deal with talking to those shits." Peri says. "I say we go in the front door and Ssen does her magic on the elves when they point twenty dozen bows at us."

"Provided they don't just shoot us on sight." Lea says.

"Have you ever met an elf that didn't have an overbearing flair for the dramatic that overrode any common sense they had?" Peri asks. "Robin doesn't count. He wasn't Court, not really."

"Well...I don't know any QUARTER elves like that." Lea says sweetly.

Peri flips her off. "Trust me, they'll talk...and talk, and talk and TALK." She smiles at you. "Think your venomous tongue can handle some more elvish egos?"

>>24893640
"Well I did fine with a Dragon and Isen, so probably."

>>24893640

"It's not just venemous, it's acidic. I can handle myself."

>>24893640
I owe a dragon 3 heads and I've kissed Isen twice. I think I'll do just fine.

>>24893640
"Certainly, they can't be worse than a dragon, I don't think. Right?"

>>24893640
>"Did we have a theory on that Thistleblossom thing?" Tricia asks.

"Absent a better theory, it seems fairly likely that Thistleblossom wears a Dramatae mask these days; remember the tale Old One told of the elf who saved Peace from him in the grove? Next most likely is that said elf caused Thistleblossom's disappearance."

>Peri flips her off. "Trust me, they'll talk...and talk, and talk and TALK." She smiles at you. "Think your venomous tongue can handle some more elvish egos?"

"Hard to imagine them being more egotistical, more dangerous, or more culturally alien than a dragon. Let alone Isen."

>>24893640
"Hopefully they're not as bad as Donovan- Only so much appeals to reason can do if they're being unreasonable."

>>24893640
>>24893763
oh, I completely forgot the thistleblossom thing. Good catch.

>>24893793
It's still just a theory, though, at this point. But it's the best one we have.

>>24893840
(And if we're wrong, it's likely to go over very badly, so we should hear all the evidence we can before stating our theory to Mab.)

>>24893852
>>24893840
We've got very little to go on with this. All we really have is that a betrayer-elf saved peace, and that the "heartbreaking betrayal" of her daughter's dissapearance drove mab mad. Could be a coincidence.

>>24893933
We have all the evidence we need: Thistleblossom being Comedy would be the best story.

>>24893933
Citadel loves coincidences, though.

Of course, an alternative theory, given the claim that this Queen Mab is the same as the original Queen Mab: perhaps Queen Mab is Comedy?

>>24894000
In which case, if we go for a visit, we're *really* screwed. Would also explain how they've gotten the Fae riled up so easily...

>>24894000
They're not the same, they just think they are. Almost as if she's stealing the bodies of her descendants. But whoever heard of a Dramatae doing that?

>>24894000
>>24894043
oh god.
i can practically hear Echo rewriting who Comedy is while he is cackling madly at our impending misfortune.

>>24894117
Oh, I give Echo way more credit than that; I'm betting he's known since the single-digit threads.

"Absent a better theory, it seems fairly likely that Thistleblossom wears a Dramatae mask these days; remember the tale Old One told of the elf who saved Peace from him in the grove? Next most likely is that said elf caused Thistleblossom's disappearance."

"Hard to imagine them being more egotistical, more dangerous, or more culturally alien than a dragon. Let alone Isen." You say. "And it's acidic, not venomous."

"It's...how do I put it..." Peri purses her lips.

"Hopefully they're not as bad as Donovan- Only so much appeals to reason can do if they're being unreasonable."

Peri snaps her fingers. "Yeah. That's it. Remember how Donovan was all 'Our way is the True Way' and 'Your morality is not worth our time' yeah...that's a typical Fey Court." She sighs. "They have the egos of a Dragon, but they're internally insecure...and Queen Mab is battier than any mer."

"Yeah, how does that work?" Tricia asks. "The Queen Mab is the same person every generation? Is it like Holting?"

(cont)

>>24894164
"No." Peri sighs as she shakes her head. "Mab is NOT a lich. She just believes that she's the original Queen Mab, reincarnated."

"Oh," Lea shrugs. "That's it? That's not so bad."

Peri groans and puts her head on the table. "Yes. It is." She picks herself up and sighs. "Okay, what I am about to say does NOT leave this table. Ever. Okay?"

"Okay." Mage says.

"Okay...the first living Queen Mab did have a daughter named Thistleblossom and all that stuff...but she wasn't the very first Queen Mab, and the first living Queen Mab thought she was a reincarnation of her."

"Just get to the punchline." Lea says.

"The original Queen Mab? Never existed." Peri groans. "She's a character in a fairy tale."

Every one stares.

"A fairy tale where the hero has a peppermint stick sword."

They continue to stare.

"Yeah. The Queen Mab's have all been convinced that they're the reincarnation of a fictional character."

"And...the Fey Court...follows these people?" Tricia asks.

"It wasn't MY idea, and the Court needed a figurehead, okay!" Tricia snaps. "Also, the last few Queen Mab's don't know about the original's...origin. Few people do, just head cell leaders like Donovan or Robin. Robin Goodfellow's a character from that story by the by." She groans. "Thinking about this, I can actually see why Thistleblossom would go over to the Dramatae if I had THAT for a mother."

>>24894164
>Queen Mab is battier than any mer

"I have not yet begun to Leviathan!"

>"It wasn't MY idea, and the Court needed a figurehead, okay!" Tricia snaps. "Also, the last few Queen Mab's don't know about the original's...origin. Few people do, just head cell leaders like Donovan or Robin. Robin Goodfellow's a character from that story by the by." She groans. "Thinking about this, I can actually see why Thistleblossom would go over to the Dramatae if I had THAT for a mother."

"Wait, if even the Queen doesn't know, how do you? Which of the two of you found the story?

And how, precisely, does the story go? As absurd as it sounds, it could be crucial."

>>24894175
"Huh. I guess Robin Goodfellow does make a good name for a fairy-tale thief."

>>24894175
>"And...the Fey Court...follows these people?" Tricia asks.
>"It wasn't MY idea, and the Court needed a figurehead, okay!" Tricia snaps.
Tricia's talking to herself!

Also we need to get a peppermint stick sword. The last candy-based plan didn't work out so well but nothing can go wrong with a peppermint stick sword.

>>24894139
oh i am sure he had everything planned since early on, the quest is far too smooth for him not to have planned many of these things, but he is great at changing the storyline as he goes.

ie we rescued a number of people who where meant to die, rescuing Jeremy from becoming Rage, etc.

>>24894175
"I think we need to hear this fairy tale before we go any further, who knows, it might become crucial to dealing with Mab."

>>24894175
"That's amazing, Peri. First thing I do next time we go on vacation is getting some peppermint swords commissioned. A whole batch. What a great idea."

>>24894369
#justleviathanthings

So... wait...

Does this mean THISTLEBLOSSOM is fictional?

>>24894396
No.
>the first living Queen Mab did have a daughter named Thistleblossom and all that stuff

"Wait, if even the Queen doesn't know, how do you? Which of the two of you found the story?"

"The guy that trained Donovan knew and he told him, and...pillow talk." Peri blushes.

"And how, precisely, does the story go? As absurd as it sounds, it could be crucial."

"It's...really for little kids." She sighs. "Little kid's mother (You make it boy or girl, or siblings, depending on whom you tell it to) is stolen away by evil shadows. He bakes himself a sword...yes, I KNOW you don't bake peppermint sticks...he goes out and into the woods. He is captured by the elf rogue Robin Goodfellow for trespassing in elf lands. He takes the kid to Queen Mab. She's the most beautiful elf, the wisest elf, the funniest, immortal, blah blah blah. She's perfect. I hated her guts when I was little and heard the story first.

"Anyway, the kid proves himself to the Queen, the Queen sends him on his way. He finds the evil shadows, and almost dies, but is brave and fearless despite it all, then Queen Mab swoops in to save the day. Also it turns out that the kid is Queen Mab's son/daughter and this was just a test by her. Then she takes the kind into her arms, and they go back to the Fey Court where they live happily ever after as a Prince/Princess. The end."

>>24894482
That is terrible, even by citadel standards.

>>24894482
There HAS to be something better behind the elves then this.

>>24894482
>"Which of the two of you found the story?"
>"The guy that trained Donovan knew and he told him, and...pillow talk."
>I hated her guts when I was little and heard the story first
>pillow talk
>when I was little
Aw sheet, and I thought he was an asshole before.

>>24894482
Wait? Robin Goodfellow?

>>24894482
"That's so Citadel it's sickening. Seriously, one of our first tasks after Citadel falls has to be to write some decent stories.

I'm seeing some major parallels between that tale the Lightbringers, the Dragon who Was of Shadow, and Citadel. I take it the mother wasn't really captured, since it turns out it was Queen Mab all along? Or does logic play any part in this story?

Help me get into Mab's head for a moment here. If the long-lost Thistleblossom showed up on her doorstep, could she suddenly get Mab to rally the Fey for war?"

>>24894599
>Wait? Robin Goodfellow?
>>24894175
>Robin Goodfellow's a character from that story by the by.

>>24894482
"That's... an interesting story. Can I ask, perhaps, if it's been retold a few times by the original mabs?"

>>24894584
i guess peri heard the faerie tale when she was little but learned the secret when she was older? i dunno. Echo i think ya dun goofed

>>24894649
>i guess peri heard the faerie tale when she was little but learned the secret when she was older?

We can but hope.

"That is terrible, even by citadel standards." You say. "There HAS to be something better behind the elves then this."

"Oh, there is." Peri sighs in relief. "History and lore, and stories and stupid laws." Peri says through clenched teeth. "But that's...that's the one part that we just kind of ignore." She shrugs. "The titles of Oberon and Titania, which are MUCH more sane...were people on the Council, or on the Pro-Citadel side of the Moonrise war." She sighs. "So, there needed to be someone because there HAS to be someone. Elves can't have a council or be independent, or anything like that. There has to be an unquestioned ruler...and well..." Peri pauses. "You know...the more I talk about it...I'm not sure exactly who put Queen Mab up as the figurehead of the Fey Court really. It's always just been the dirty little secret...I assumed it was an on the spot convenience thing." She taps her fingers. "Now...now I'm not so sure."

(cont)

>>24894802
"You think it was the Dramatae?" Mage says

Peri shrugs. "Maybe. Good way of revenge, if it is Thistleblossom and she hated her mother. Make her a colossal joke for generations after generations. It does seem like a very...old elf thing to do. Sorry if that doesn't make sense, but that's the kind of mentality you're in for. Humiliation is much more severe of a crime as compared to physical pain. Elves forgive a punch quicker than an insult."

"I'm seeing some major parallels between that tale the Lightbringers, the Dragon who Was of Shadow, and Citadel. I take it the mother wasn't really captured, since it turns out it was Queen Mab all along? Or does logic play any part in this story?"

"I think in some the kid was made to forget, and in others the kid was an elf in disguise and just sent to live with humans and the mother was just Mab pretending to be a human. It can vary, but no...no, don't go looking for logic here."

"Help me get into Mab's head for a moment here. If the long-lost Thistleblossom showed up on her doorstep, could she suddenly get Mab to rally the Fey for war?"

"Oh...oh by the Light." She nods. "It would be very easy. Yes. It would be seen as a miracle and a sign, and if little Thistleblossom brought with her some 'playmates' then that would make it all the easier."

>>24894649
Okay, most elves think that Mab now predates the story, instead of visa versa. It's a little kid's tale and most just hear it when they're young like Peri. Then later, Peri learned the truth about the story of 'what came first' from Donovan.

>>24894810
"Well, let's hope that's not exactly what had happened. If comedy really is thistleblossom, she could have the elves in her pocket. Makes sense, in retrospect."

>>24894810
>Okay, most elves think that Mab now predates the story, instead of visa versa. It's a little kid's tale and most just hear it when they're young like Peri. Then later, Peri learned the truth about the story of 'what came first' from Donovan. much clearer now, ty.

>>24894810
"I can't believe I'm asking this, and if I start wearing a porcelain mask please kill me, but with the Elves putting so much stock in stories, is there any part of that or another tale that we could play into to gain their confidence?"

>>24894810
"Sounds like a barrel of laughs. Hopefully Mab will be charmed by our fairytale adventures. Or our bad ideas."

>>24894960
"I can't believe I'm asking this, and if I start wearing a porcelain mask please kill me, but with the Elves putting so much stock in stories, is there any part of that or another tale that we could play into to gain their confidence?"

Peri drums her fingers and then frowns. "Yes...but...well, you might not like it."

"Dawnchaser plan?" Tricia says.

"Yeah, a big one." Peri says. "Because, thankfully, over the years the 'Queen Mab' role has been less about THAT story and more about being the leader of the Court and some NEW stories that ACTUALLY happened to Mab and the Court.

The Thistleblossom thing is...tradition. If Comedy is Thistleblossom, and can prove it, then the Queen is stuck to follow her commands. If she turned her back on Thistleblossom, then she'd lose the court and the elves would fracture and we'd be in an even worse position.

"I know the current Mab. She's nuts like the rest, but she knows we can't fight Citadel head on, no matter what size army. She'll be willing to look for a way out."

"And there's a story that has a way out for her? Or some historical precedent?" Lea says.

"Yes...but we need to convince Queen Mab that Mage here is one of her husbands reincarnated." She says.

Mage chokes on his drink. "WHAT?!"

>>24895279
I like this plan already.

>>24895279
"Mage, you DID just break up with Sophie, yes? It's essential, then, that we get you back on that horse so you can try, try again. Mab's a great prospect- nobility, a good backstory, and heck, she's even nearly as crazy as we are. It's a perfect match!"

>>24895279
oh man i love this plan.

>>24895335
this is perfect.

>>24895279
You rebound like a champ Mage.

(offer hand up for a high five)

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>>24895279
PFFFFAHAHAHAHA

>>24895279
"I won't force you to do this Mage, but we should listen to Peri's plan regardless."

Things Ssen won't lie about:
Hostages
Mind control conspiracies
Life and death situations

Things Ssen will lie about:
Pranks

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Poor Mage.

>>24895335
"Mage, you DID just break up with Sophie, yes? It's essential, then, that we get you back on that horse so you can try, try again. Mab's a great prospect- nobility, a good backstory, and heck, she's even nearly as crazy as we are. It's a perfect match!" You say. "Rebound like a champ!" You hold up your hand for a high-five.

He glares at you. "I will turn you all into frogs. This is not a good plan. This isn't even a Dawnchaser plan! I can't seduce a girl even after I save her LIFE! What hope do I have for an elven queen?"

Lea and Tricia are too busy laughing at the idea to add anything to the conversation.

Mage shakes his head. "No. Absolutely not. We're coming up with another plan. Any plan. I'll even take a plan that has me set on fire! I am NOT okay with this plan!"

Mari looks at you. "We'll need to get him some better clothes. Not human style clothes, but elf stuff. It's okay. I know a guy in First Wood."

"No. No you are NOT 'knowing a guy' to get me dressed up!" He looks at you. "This is a BAD plan. We don't have time to do stuff like this anyway, armies...Dramatae...monsters...and...just...NO!"

>>24895461
"You know mage, you'll still be saying that when we get a suit tailored for you, and when we get you a coach that will teach you to talk like an elf, and when we mold little pointy ears to your head. You'll probably still be saying that at the front door of Mab's castle..."

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>>24895461
Okay. Need to regain my composure long enough to write something. Okay. Pffffch.

"Look, mage, my friend, buddy, brother..."
Put a hand around his shoulder and gesture with your other
"There's a whole wide world of ladies out there. You may have failed with one, but that doesn't mean you can't seduce the pants off of elven nobility. Heck, probably means you're MORE suited. ladies love the heartbreaker type. You're so tall and mysterious too, it will work perfectly."

>>24895574

"Though, if you want to back out, I suppose we could always go with the original plan of going in and getting ourselves caught. Or just jumping into a horde of monsters, that works too!"

>>24895461
Lets not force the guy. Mage always gets the short end of the stick.

"You don't have to do this, but will you at least Listen to peris plan and think about it?"

>>24895677
I don't want to force the guy, but I DO want to give him a thorough ribbing.

It's a very fine line we operate on.

>>24895461
Cmon Mage, you don't want to meet exotic elven women? She is a queen after all, must be so experienced. I hear that some guys have a thing for women like that.
>>24895677
(we're his older sister, we're required to pull this on him)

>>24895707
>older sister
When we find out mage is like, 23, I'm going to laugh.

>>24895725
he acts like we're the older sister.

Also we're bigger, and that's all that matters when it comes to sibling infighting.

>>24895574
"Look, mage, my friend, buddy, brother..." You put a hand on his shoulder and gesture with the other. "There's a whole wide world of ladies out there. You may have failed with one, but that doesn't mean you can't seduce the pants off of elven nobility. Heck, probably means you're MORE suited. ladies love the heartbreaker type. You're so tall and mysterious too, it will work perfectly."

Mage looks at you with a lidded gaze. "No."

Your tail wraps around his chest and you give him a playful squeeze. "You know Mage, you'll still be saying that when we get a suit tailored for you, and when we get you a coach that will teach you to talk like an elf, and when we mold little pointy ears to your head. You'll probably still be saying that at the front door of Mab's castle."

Peri shakes her head. "We don't have to go THAT far." She looks at Mage's robes. "Just some new clothes...the rest...well...depends on how much this Queen Mab wants out, and how much she's willing to be seduced." She laughs. "But there will be trials."

(cont)

>>24895774
"Trials?" Mage says.

"Yeah, don't worry. That's our bit of the heavy lifting." She says. "Ready to cause some quote-unquote miracles? Also we may have to fight a monster or two."

"Do you really think Thistleblossom, Comedy, whomever, is just going to sit by and WATCH as we do this?!" Mage asks.

"She will, because she wont have a choice." Peri says. "Tradition. Now, if you fail...then we're all dead. But...if we win, then boom...the court's back in the hands...of anti-Citadel terrorists." She sighs. "But they wont be marching. That I can tell you for certain."

Mage groans then looks up. "Uhhh...how does Queen Mab look? As pretty as in the fairy tale?"

"Oh, so you'll only do this if she's hot?" Tricia asks, sounding VERY offended (but joking).

"YES!" Mage says. "If it's me that's getting screwed over by this plan!"

"That may be more of an accurate statement than you think." Lea says.

"WHAT?!" Mage says. He looks at Peri. "Please, tell me, what does she look like? Pretty, tall, short, bad teeth? Please tell me she has good teeth."

She shrugs. "Take one for the team, Mage."

You look at him, seriously and with concern, your tail sliding away and an honest hand on his shoulder now. "You don't have to do this, if you truly don't want to."

Mage groans. Then he takes a breath and looks serious. "This plan will work? I mean, we'll be able to stop the army, and odds are we wont end up fighting the entire Fey Court?"

Peri nods. "Bound by tradition."

Mage sighs and looks skyward for a long while. "Alright. I'm in."

>>24895785
NOW go for that high five.

>>24895785
eagerly awaiting finding out what Queen Mab is like in person.

>>24895785
"Marvelous! I knew you were a natural born ladykiller. You'll do perfect, we'll stop the elves, and the world will be saved."

Conspiratorially lean over to peri and whisper
"No for real, she's not THAT bad, right?"

>>24895461
I think we pull the same thing we did with introducing Harpies to Bronze Peak.
ie completely ignore all protests and continue with awesome plan

"I might be interested in just what miracles I have to pull out nothingness, though. Will we be able to champion him for the monsters?"

I like how our world changing plans tend to revolve around things like sugar sticks, getting mage a date, checking a book out at the local library...

>>24895841
"Marvelous! I knew you were a natural born ladykiller. You'll do perfect, we'll stop the elves, and the world will be saved." You give Mage a high five. He returns it, gives you all a glare, and goes to his room for sleep.

You turn to Peri. "For real, she's not THAT bad, right?"

Peri waits until Mage leaves. "She's fine. She's in her mid-40s though. But, I think she got someone to give her a Sandover surgical treatment like Tara did." She grins. "Hope he likes long hair though. Queen Mab's aren't supposed to cut their hair, they let it grow longer and longer and have attendants comb it and wash it and manage it."

"THIS is your leader?" Tricia says.

"It's tradition!" Peri snaps.

"From a fairy tale!" Tricia says.

"Actually, that one's rooted in elf lore. If an elf doesn't cut her hair for a year or longer, she gets power...some ancient pact or something." Peri says.

"Why don't you all do it then?" Lea asks.

"Because, then you have hair that you haven't cut for a year." She touches her bob. "I'm supposed to be climbing in and out of buildings and running and tossing blast stones. I don't have time for long hair."

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>>24895785
our faces when Mab turns out to be such a hottie Mage actually falls head over heals

>>24895903
"I might be interested in just what miracles I have to pull out nothingness, though. Will we be able to champion him for the monsters?" You ask.

"As to the first, it depends really on Mab, and if Thistleblossom is there and is Comedy, and how many people remember that you're the one responsible for capturing Donovan." Peri says. "Cause there's a long list of trial, and they're the ones that pick them. As for the champion thing, yeah...I think we can swing that. Provided that we can swallow our pride and bow to Mage and call him 'master.' Okay...so the plan has SOME drawbacks."

"At least it's not Isen." Lea says.

"Oh, by His Light..." Tricia shakes her head trying to get the image away. "We'd have a war on our hand within the hour."

"Anyway, it's a test of strength, test of will, and a test of love." Peri says. "That's all I can be sure about. The rest is murky, and those three things can be used to justify almost anything."

>>24896028
Does will refer to willpower or magical ability?

>>24896028
"I think I'll be able to deal with the master thing- It's only fair. Well, that's assuming I can keep a straight face."

"Our plan is settled, then? Get mage elfed up in first wood, then march on in the front gates and sweep the queen off her feet?"

>>24896028
Adopt a thousand-yard-stare as we imagine the horror of Isen pretending we and the Dawnchasers are his harem.

>>24896028
>>24896105
"I think I'll be able to deal with the master thing- It's only fair. Well, that's assuming I can keep a straight face."

Tricia and Lea both nod in agreement. Them chuckling too.

"Our plan is settled, then? Get Mage elfed up in first wood, then march on in the front gates and sweep the queen off her feet?" You say.

"To the Greatest Dawnchaser Plan to date!" Tricia says.

"Here here!" Lea says.

You clink glasses and go to bed laughing.

In his room, Mage shudders. He knows not what is to come...and yet he also knows far far too much.

Maybe it's not too late to run away and become a cannibal raider.

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>>24896139
And to think I was wishing Isen was here.