The member of the Dramatae known as Tragedy is dead. Done in by your hand. Their army of Corrupted Monsters has been broken, and with a little help from Queen Mab (aka Maxine) you were able to escape the Grove of Joy and return to the hidden lair of the Fey Court.

Of course, the universe can never let anything be that simple. When you returned, you found that the place was the victim of a slaughter. Comedy and the revenants had executed nearly every member of the Fey Court that was there. The vaults have been broken into, and many things have been destroyed or stolen. Not to mention the psycho-bitch left a cheerfully threatening note for you, saying that the remaining two Dramatae had their eyes on Stone Hall.

Huzzah! Lamia Quest.

Time for more getting fucked over by dramatae. It's pretty much a slugfest so far, and at this point I'm thinking the reason why this last plan didn't have any huge negative consequences for our party is that they've already lost so much that keeping up the same pace throughout would leave nothing at stake remaining for the grand finale (I've got 2 - 1 odds on it being the kids). Let's endeavor to ruin their plans a bit earlier this time!

>>25183910

Not to mention that Tragedy was aiming to kill the Dawnchasers with little regard to "narrative", and apparently things were getting so desperate that Citadel attempted to corrupt Ssen with a bargain. If this goes on, it may only be a matter of time before Comedy and Peace attempt to finish the job personally so that they can put Citadel on emergency life support.

I guess we head for stone hall, unless Mab has any suggestions.

Lea and Tricia are dealing with the dead bodies. Right now, the plan is to just gather them up, catalogue who's dead, and then decide on pyre or mass grave. There's really not enough people or time for a case-by-case solution.

Peri/Mari and Mage have been searching the Court's hideout, looking for any survivors.

Maxine is trying to contact the other Fey Court cells that are out in the field.

You are wolfing down your third rabbit. You haven't eaten in a while, save for that slightly stomach churning apple, and some lovely season rabbit, with sweet marrow in their bones is just what the Cups Healer ordered.

Mage and Peri/Mari come into the dining hall. Mage has a book he's flipping through, and Peri has an armful of dull, dark brown, semi-clear stones. She dumps them on the table.

"Behold, the amber memories, once a collection of the great chronicles and legends of Elven Culture that were preserved by the Fey Court." Peri says. "Now a collection of amber lumps that are probably worth about 10 gold all together." She points at Mage. "Mage found a book on elven lore and stories."

"Elves aren't the greatest storytellers," Your brother says. "They take three paragraphs to describe how beautiful a sword made by elves is, but do an entire sword fight in a single sentence." He says. "Everything about their culture, even before they 'discovered' humans, is about proving that they're the best." He chuckles. "But, there's some interesting stuff here about the nature of the Tradition Magic...I need to check a few more things, but I think I figured something important about Citadel." He looks at your meal and points at an orange that's still on the table. "You eating that?"

>>25184188

Shake our head, mouth's too full of tasty obligate carnivore sustenance. Gesture for Mage to have at the orange, and attempt to gesture for him to continue with his exposition.

>>25184188
"Nope." and hand him the orange.

We actually have 3 options.

1) Head to Bronze Peak, gather what forces we can. Forced march to aid Stone Hall.
2) Head to Stone Hall. Warn everyone. Prepare for battle.
3) Head to Citadel. Head for the Heart. End this, now. We'll be facing both Peace and Comedy however that might be the case for any step we take.

Personally I like 3. We ask Mab to send word to both Stone Hall and Bronze Peak then head on to Citadel ourselves.

>>25184188
"Go ahead. These rabbits were very filling."

>>25184188
"Just take it, I have meat."

>>25184258
The problem with 3 is that if we're not ready to deal with Citadel yet, it goes from the best to worst choice.

>>25184188
give him a look of "I have meat, do you think I'm going to each a fucking orange?"

>>25184258
We'll do the things we have do here in first Wood like Robin's grave thing and picking up the special wood. Then yeah, Citadel.

Also, do you think we need to have private talk because of Citadel mindfuckery like the one we had after we fought Dragon of Shadows

>>25184242
"Npe." You saw with a mouth full of flesh and toss him the orange. He sits dow and peels it as he continues to flip through the pages, and pulls out some other notes from his pack. "Of course, no one's denying that a lot of elven items ARE better in quality than the stuff that humans make." He shrugs and pops a slice into his mouth.

"Alright." Maxine says as she enters the room. "There's four cells of six that were still out and active. I've called for a full retreat. They'll all be here by the end of tomorrow. The first should be late tonight."

"How'd you contact them?" Mari asks as she starts into a bunch of grapes.

"I have a wind flute." Max says. She frowns at the look in your group's eyes. "It's MINE. You want it, we talk price."

"Could you at least show us to where the Blue Apple Oaks are?" Mage asks.

"That's cheaper, but still costs you." She says. "What are those?" She points at the pile of amber.

"The amber memories." Peri sighs. "Comedy got to them."

"Shit." Maxine says. "She get to the Secret Ones as well?"

>>25184341
"Secret Ones?"

Oh boy more quest. Hope the delay wasn't unpleasant for you, echo.

>>25184341

"Secret Ones?"

>>25184359
"Secret Ones?"

"Yeah." Maxine says. "The First Queen Mab hid a bunch of the Amber Memories back when Thistleblossom first vanished."

"Well where are they?" Peri asks.

Maxine shrugs. "I don't know. Apparently that knowledge is supposed to pass from Mab to Mab. I faked knowing where they were and forbid anyone from seeing them for it was 'far far too dangerous, and some secrets should remain hidden...oh...would that I could destroy them...but I dare not.' People went with it." Maxine says, getting back into character. "All I know is that they're supposedly 'Our greatest treasure of knowledge that I've hid beneath where my own greatest treasure dwells.' And I have no idea what that could be."

>>25184341
"Phow uld ee know?"
Swallow.

"We aren't privy to your secrets"

>>25184439
"Well, let's try beneath Thistleblossom's room. The more poetic meaning of "greatest treasure" and all that."

>>25184439
The obvious solution is that Thistleblossom is Mab's greatest treasure and the secret memories are hidden below her daughters room.

>>25184439
Under Thistleblossom's room? I mean nobody loves her now but the meaning is clear.

>>25184439
"Then no, I don't think they've gotten to them. Wherever they might be. What's most valuable to an elf? I don't think you can bury things under your pride, so other than that."

Where did we even get these rabbits? Did we go out and hunt?

Either way, maybe one for the road after the conversation.

>>25184439

Well, we're all smart people here, we can figure this out. Assuming that Thistleblossom didn't beat us to the punch and dug up her own room... it seems that tradition is real important to the elves, for both their own pride and magical power. Is there a place or a monument that represents something very important to the elves?

>>25184439
Other than room, if we can't find anything there, some Mab might have built a statue of Thistleblossom or similar we can search as well.

>>25184544
Are there any candy-cane-sword bakeries around here? We could look under those.

>>25184516
Yeah, but Comedy hates everything to do with Mab and the elves, so she's probably dumb enough not to check.

>>25184052
Agreed, once we've finished salvaging what we can here we should head back to Stone Hall, make sure we're ready for an invasion, ask Dana for help making more mind protection potions (I'd prefer it if each Dawnchaser had at least 2 on hand), and see what equipment or training we can acquire to power up the Dawnchasers before we head out and face any more Dramatae.

If we can fulfill any of Robin, Jessi, or Ryan's last requests while we're at it all the better, but freeing their souls from Citadel, unmasking Trevor, and defeating the remaining Dramatae takes priority.

Suppose it's too much to ask for Comedy to have her teleport hub somewhere around here and for it to be intact...

If elves think they are better than anyone else, would the queen think she is better than regular elves, so her greatest treasure is herself? That would mean going graverobbing.

>>25184052
>>25184592
so, we're not stopping at citadel to give the warning/rally some paladins?

Also we need to stop at bronze peak to get ryan's manifesto. Also where do we get black roses and white oaks?

OH!

We are still at first wood!

We need to go to the cemetary for robin's last request!

>>25184619
We need to ensure stone hall is protected. We've got way too much important plot shit to let lay around

>>25184439
The other possibility besides Thistleblossom is the original Dagda.

>>25184483
"Well, let's try beneath Thistleblossom's room. The more poetic meaning of "greatest treasure" and all that." You say.

Mab just stares at you for a moment, then smacks her face. "Moron!" She shouts at herself.

The four of you go to Thisleblossom's room. "How did I not think of this place?" She asks.

Peri and Mage start to push around furniture. They get to the bed, and with a little effort, push it out of the way. There's a large amount of dust, and a stone with a hook and ring bolted to it.

"Ha ha!" Mage says as he grabs the ring.

"Mage, wai-!" Peri starts, but she's too late.

There's a flash of green and he jumps back. "Ah! Damn!" He waves his fingers.

"Careful," Peri says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It might be trapped."

"I can see that." Mage says. "I thought I was Dagda now."

"You are," Maxine says as she pulls on the ring, slowly lifting the stone up. "That's why you aren't dead."

The stone is pulled away with a grunt, and the four of you look down. There's four lumps of amber in the hole. All of them glow slightly with different colors. Green, gold, blue, and white.

"Okay," Peri says. "This is promising."

>>25184649
No shit Peri.

>>25184649
"So, do we need to do anything crazy to read these? I don't want to have to dunk my head again."

>>25184649
"I hope I don't have to stick my head in another tub of water to read these ones."

>>25184649
And Comedy was SLEEPING on top of this.

No time to feel smug, we need to get to work doing-

What, exactly? How do they work?

>>25184619
I think we need to go to Grand Citadel, warn/rally paladins, and free Trevor; but I think we're likely to cross paths with Dramatae that way, plus there's the risks associated with entering the seat of Citadel's power and influence. Thus I want to return to Stone Hall and prepare first.

>>25184188
>"Behold, the amber memories, once a collection of the great chronicles and legends of Elven Culture that were preserved by the Fey Court." Peri says. "Now a collection of amber lumps that are probably worth about 10 gold all together."

Any gems around suitable for Mari and Peri's purposes?

>>25184649
"Promising indeed. Any idea what the different colors mean, Maxine?

And I assume this is a sufficient trade for the Blue Apple Oak locations, if not the flute itself?"

Did I miss something? Who is Trevor?

"So how do these things work anyway?"

>>25184706
Obviously they need to be worn on knife-ears to be read.

also, Ssen: Continue eating, your meal was totally interrupted and you're not above taking some with you

Captcha: Immediately lickin'
It knows.

>>25184706
>And Comedy was SLEEPING on top of this.
>No time to feel smug, we need to get to work doing-

True, but we can tell Maxine, and she can feel better about not being as much of a moron as Comedy.

>>25184649

Assuming that Comedy is half as smart as we think she is, we may want to scry these Amber memories for any traps. Or anything that the first Mab set to foil any lucky treasure hunters or political revolutionaries.

>>25184649
>"I can see that." Mage says. "I thought I was Dagda now."

"Getting into character, are we?"

>>25184691
"So, do we need to do anything crazy to read these? I don't want to have to dunk my head again." You ask.

"Huh?" Max asks.

"Long story." Peri says. "No, you need the viewer though." She gathers them up. "It's in the library. Come on."

Lee and Tricia are in the hall. They follow you to the library. In one corner, there's a glass sphere set into a pedestal with a small hole in the top and a lever on the side.

"Pretty simple," Max says. "Drop it in and pull the lever. So, which one are we watching?"

>>25184742
The old "paladin" who appointed himself king of the Mer. I believe Jessi's note said the Dramatae slapped an Agony mask on him.

>>25184788
"Any of the colors associated with Thistleblossom?"

>>25184788
>"Pretty simple," Max says. "Drop it in and pull the lever. So, which one are we watching?"

"Any idea what the different colors mean?"

If not, and we're guessing randomly: blue, white, or green, not gold first. But we're going to watch them all eventually unless something goes horribly wrong.

Yes we can go to Stone Hall. It would mean facing whatever army Peace has convinced to follow her. Most likely Citadel's itself. She'll have convinced the others. However with Leviathan Stone Hall will have the advantage of artillery and walls. However we would still need to find Peace and Comedy even if we win that battle.

Another option it to gather reinforcements from Bronze Peak. More men, the harpies for air support and whatever goodies Sandover has tucked away. It probably would give us a better chance at winning the Stone Hall battle. That still leaves Comedy and Peace running amok to try again.

The third option is to ignore Comedy's taunts... and attack the Heart. We would definately draw out Comedy and Peace... but we would be facing two very strong foes. Personally I'm leaning towards this route as its the most likely to stop the battle before it actually starts.

>>25184852
>Another option it to gather reinforcements from Bronze Peak. More men, the harpies for air support and whatever goodies Sandover has tucked away. It probably would give us a better chance at winning the Stone Hall battle. That still leaves Comedy and Peace running amok to try again.

Don't forget Old One, after we show him Tragedy's head and he learns of the betrayal of Lord Holting.

>>25184818
"Any idea what the different colors mean?" You ask. "Any of the colors associated with Thistleblossom?"

Maxine shrugs. "I have no idea."

Mage looks at the stones, he shrugs. "Okay...these things are pretty old. Did Mab make them?"

"No, we liberated them from the Citadel Traitor Elves." Maxine says.

"Alright," Mage says. "The gold and white are the oldest ones...and the green is the newest. That's about all I can tell you."

>>25184901
"Well, we're hoping to learn of the Grand Seal. Let's try the oldest ones first and work our way forward. White, then."

>>25184901
"Might as well start at the beginning, let's try White."

Ssen: Invent popcorn chicken so you can enjoy movie night.

I mean elf scroll night.

>>25184901
Man, our life is just full of "it's a long story"s, isn't it?

>>25184918
"Well, we're hoping to learn of the Grand Seal. Let's try the oldest ones first and work our way forward. White, then."

Peri drops in the chunk of Amber and pulls the lever. There's a flare of Magic Not-Violet light, and the stone is now hovering in the center of the sphere, spinning. A voice plays.

"Living creatures cannot be trusted to their own devices. Dragons, Dwarves, Mer, and especially elves and humans." A voice says.

"That's the first Dagda." Mab says.

"The first generation creates something golden, they hold it true to their ideals, and then they die. The second generation holds the values of the first, as they were taught by the First, but there's always a little slipping. The third generation slips even more, and even if they hold the dominant position by the Fourth, the creation is unrecognizable and tainted. Art, law, civilization, it is all the same.

"Even if they're long lived, then it's the opposite, the creation becomes stagnant, and refuses to change when it must, as the world refuses to stop. Eventually, the golden creation becomes a shackle, and the so-called 'immortal' guardians become the anchors that weigh the world down.

"The fault lies in many many things, sadly the same things that often allow the creation of these Golden Ages. Free will, rebellion, curiosity, honor, love. It's nothing but the same stories told over and over again. We accomplish nothing as sentient beings, but repetition of the same things over and over again, with the barest differences."

"This must be near the end of his life." Max said. "He sounds older than in the other amber memories that were public."

(cont)

>>25185147
This is eerily similar to what tragedy said.

hmm.

>>25185147
That sounds like what Tragedy was saying.

>>25185147
We need to make up a name for this Not-Violet color of magic.
My vote is for Octarine.

>>25185207
I wonder if we're the only ones seeing the not-violet.

I mean, we've got magic eyes. Is it just invisible to humans and elves? Other than mage?

>>25185147

I must strongly disagree with the idea that living creatures can't be left to their own devices.

It's basically a call for the Citadel.

>>25185236
obviously we disagree with Dagda and Tragedy.

>>25185247
>>25185236
We disagree, but we aren't going to leave living creatures to their own devices either.

We're going to give law and education and advancement to them.

>>25185270
The civilized monsters burden.

>>25185236
see, the problem is this:

Left to their own devices, living creatures will MAKE a citadel. They did it with the shadow dragon, then with citadel, and MAYBE with the 5th. I'm not sure if the 5th was made or happened naturally.

>>25185346
In all three of those cases, the entity was there to begin with. We need to cast it out. There's a limit to how much living creatures can create such a situation on their own; they can't as easily oppress the whole world and prevent change.

>>25185336
this is gonna get good.

>>25185346
So we forever destroy the means by which mortals may create a scapegoat-god to which they could surrender the responsibility of living their own lives. With nowhere left to turn but inward, there will never be another Citadel.

>>25185399
Yup. Free will isn't the problem here, it's the solution.

>>25185371
>>25185346
>>25185270
>>25185229
LET HIM FINISH.
decide whether he's dick after he's done talking

>>25185399
>>25185412

I don't know about forever destroying methods, that sounds irrevocable and could damage future technologies in unforseen ways.

Though, we COULD create a counteracting force to these spirits. It's pretty clear that one crazy snake lady and her also crazy friends can kill one. It's probably way easier to kill a young one. A constant-vigilance order could perhaps deal with it.

>>25185427
we're just discussing the latest post while Echo finishes up. We aren't really making any decisions we haven't made before.

>>25185427
yeah okay fine.

>>25185440
Actually what I mean is annihilating the means by which these monsters like Citadel and The Dragon are created. We eradicate these Gods and leave the people with only themselves. That would -catalyze- technological advancement.

>>25185440
>Crazy snake lady and her also crazy friends
>Last sane snake-woman and her loyal band of truthsayers.
ftfy

File: 1370140558296.gif-(1.19 MB, 276x210, Observing.gif)

1.19 MB GIF

>>25185480
yeah, but what if later we want to create god-engines and can't because we tore a hole in the god-sphere?

>>25185427
Yeah okay, I'll simmer down.

>>25185509
>Last sane snake-woman and her loyal band of truthsayers.
>Last sane snake-woman

"No. There is another."

>>25185515
>>25185509
honestly, granny is probably the only sane one.

We regularly do things like jump in front of arrows, start explosions at point blank range, draw explosions onto unknown magical devices because "it might do something", talk back to dragons, and punning in the face of insurmountable tragedy.

>>25185553
>Insurmountable Tragedy

>Insurmountable COMEDY
FTFY

>>25185236
>Even if they're long lived, then it's the opposite, the creation becomes stagnant, and refuses to change when it must, as the world refuses to stop. Eventually, the golden creation becomes a shackle, and the so-called 'immortal' guardians become the anchors that weigh the world down.
Doesn't this sound like Citadel? I don't think he likes that either.

>>25185711
a-oh.

Yeah, that totally does. I thought he was talking about dragons and folk like us, but we aren't really immortal, are we? Probably clock out after a few thousand years.

>>25185719
>a few thousand years.
yeah, we aren't immortal we just live as long as ALL OF RECORDED HUMAN HISTORY

>>25185741
yeah!

Hardly enough time for a single bit of mountain bonsai.

>>25185741
>old-as-dirt snakes
>anywhere near as bad as Maximum Citadel literally overtaking the entire universe

>>25185719
It probably applies to them as well. Like the Old One, completely refuses change, thinks dragons are still the most important thing in the world, etc.
We could get like that too if we're not careful.

>>25185147
Did you die Echo?

>>25186003
He's deader than a dodo.

>>25186000
Perhaps, though I think it's more we'll just retire.

>>25186003
Well, cougars ARE a problem in the pacific northwest.

I rewrote this so many times...ugh.

>>25185147
"So, what can we do?" Dagda says. "Resolve ourselves to an eternity of endless decay and momentary glory? No. We are better than that, we MUST be better than that.

"The idea proposed by the wizards, from here, the north, south, and across the seas is one that can work. Careful preparation must be made, and the installation must be done properly. The Land Spirit is cruel and uncaring. It demands so much, and gives nothing. I think it despises sentience. It wishes a land of simple feral creatures, easy to predict, and slow in progress, if at all.

"I remember this small island I would sail to with my father during the summer once every decade or so. There were these little creatures. They had bills and fur, webbed feet and were very playful. They had no fear of me, so they'd come up and let me feed them.

Over centuries, I watched them. They lived, and changed as creatures that breed quickly and live briefly do. Then, I arrived and saw that one of them built a shelter...and when I returned many decades later, I saw one of them use a stick for hunting.

I was amazed, and returned...only to find that the entire island had sank. The entire species had been drowned.

I used ancient spells of our Tradition and scried the island back through time. Asking how. I just wanted to know if there was a cause that could be predicted or countered, so that the next time something like this happened, tragedy could be prevented.

The answer I got horrified me. Those easy creatures had the most miserable existence known to any. They suffered disease, predators that directly targeted them, bad weather, lack of food, and on and on and on. My small glimpses of them were snapshots of a struggle for survival...and they did. These brave little ones triumphed and survived...and then...they sank.

(cont)

>>25186182

The Fifth can go fuck himself.

>>25186182
and this is why we can't let the Fifth return.

>>25186182
>intelligent platypus
awwww
>the fifth is dick
I mean really a dick. Glad we didn't make deal

>Dagda created the Dragon who was a Shadow
road to hell, good intentions etc.

>>25186182
The Fifth wiped out sapient platypuses? Man, he really is a monster.

>>25186241

I was hoping that the Fifth would be less of a sapient-hating being and more of an uncaring one. Kind of like how nature just goes on with its own thing, obeying the laws of the universe and really gives zero fucks.

>>25186182
Well, let's see where things go from there.

>>25186266
Yeah, the 5th is gonna have to explain this one.

I could see it, KINDA, as a "tough love" kind of deal, trying to make tougher life. But that's not really our style.

>>25186266
nope, we knew he hated sapients before. all 'monsters' would be sapient if not for him or citadel.

>>25186182
This was the Land Spirit's doing. It will claim that it is nature, and that it is savage, and that it is uncaring...but I know what it is.

It is a spoiled child. It doesn't like to lose. It WANTED those small creatures to die. It prefers humans to be industrious and plentiful, dwarves to live underground, and elves to be obsessed with our own image. It is treating the world the way young girls play with dolls. Creating a world that it sees as proper, and if anyone says different, then it wipes them out.

"Thus I have agreed to dispel it with the Grand Seal, and place something new in its place. Something that will not see the world as something it owns. It will view all creatures equally, and push us, challenge us, but not hate us. It will make us greater, for every generation will have to deal with it. Every generation will face the same challenges and the same trials as this land spirit will be there as an eternal rival and ally. Thus we will remain great, and continue to build upon greatness.

"We Shall Not Be As Gods...We Shall Be Greater."

>>25186325
jeesh, I wonder what went wrong.

>>25186325
That worked out well.

>>25186325
>but not hate us
yeah, don't think that worked out so well.
You took a prejudice dick, replaced it with a biggered but less prejudice dick, which then got replaced with a dick which smelled better but was still a massive dick.

>>25186325
So this land spirit turned out to be Citadel, so who is the Fifth?

>>25186325
>>25186409
They set one of the variables wrong probably.

I think this is where the dragon of shadow was made, so it was either the hostility variable or the level-of-preference for races was set wrong so the hostility was piled on some and not others.

>>25186490
nah that land spirit was the Dragon Who Was of Shadows.

>>25186325
Best. Plan. Ever.

What could possibly go wrong.

>>25186325
The image fades and the stone drops to the bottom of the sphere.

"And that's actually the last thing I needed to know." Mage says. "I know how to find Citadel's heart." He waves his hand. "Long magic-babble explanation, I'll get to it later. Pick another one." He gestures to the Amber Memories.

>>25186490
the 5th is the one who sunk the rabbits.

The land spirit he is talking about is the dragon of shadows.

>>25186517
Might as well do them in order. Lets see the next one.

>>25186517
Gold

>>25186517
"The next one in sequence, of course. I want to hear how it all goes wrong.

Also, do write that theory of yours down, I don't want you dying dramatically right before the big reveal."

>>25186490
No, if I read that corectly the spirit he's talking about Is fifth, the one they created was The Dragon Who Was of Shadow.

>>25186517

Okay

One day, echo, you will learn to type out exposition books ahead of time.

>>25186552
"The next one in sequence, of course. I want to hear how it all goes wrong." You say as you toss Peri the gold one. "Also, do write that theory of yours down, I don't want you dying dramatically right before the big reveal."

Mage nods and goes to a desk in the library and starts to write things down.

Peri pulls the lever and you hear Dagda's voice again.

"We've had a problem. A Dragon opposed us. The one who insisted on calling itself 'The Dragon Who's Name Is Dragon For She IS what a Dragon IS.' Ugh...such an ego." He chuckles. "But what can you expect from those things? The strange thing is that she was all for our plan, helping us with the Grand Seal. Then she was consulted on the replacement, and she has become a problem.

Well, beCAME a problem. Dragons aren't that difficult to slay if you know what you're doing." He chuckles. "She just wanted to expel the spirit and leave us alone. Can you imagine it? I explained to her about how it was needed. How being alone in the world would be just as bad, or worse, as the current spirit.

Dragons will never understand. They are too proud, and too long lived. They cannot change. They could survive in the screaming darkness and emptiness, why can't others?

She spoke of how she had seen humans in the far north and past the desert live, she claimed they spoke to the sun. That they gained comfort from that...ridiculous. They're talking to themselves, a mass delusion. It's not even worth my time.

Either way, the seal is to be completed in a few years. I have enclosed a copy of it here, as a backup, should there be an error or one of the plates is accidentally misaligned. It should be easy enough to replicate.

Best of luck to us all. I cannot wait to see this new world of endless champions that we create. We Shall Not Be As Gods, We Shall Be Greater."

There's a flare of light, and a design is displayed on the wall. Six double rings, arranged in a hexagon, with two more rings within the center of the circle.

>>25186890
Haha, yeah since there isn't much reacting to do we can't even discuss much, while Echo has to write more per section than usual as well. I bet he regrets making it 4 stones by now (or the last 3 will mysteriously be super-short)

>>25186890
And one day, you guys will not cause my expy blocks to need to be be rewritten with every other post.

>>25186949
Well. We have the Seal now.

>>25186949
and now we have the Grand Seal.

>>25186949
Huh, now that's more informative. A nice background on miss dragon daughter and her disposition at the time.

>>25186973
One day? Echo, do you even GM?

>>25186504
no they just didn't understand what they were doing. it was hostile to everything in equal measure, it just did't see working together in units larger than a pack as fair.
that's why the world was better for monsters and other creatures who were strong on an individual basis, it cared for personal strength and nothing else.

the dragons had a rough time of it because they actually fought the damn thing.

>>25186949
"Tell me you're getting this." Tricia says.

"I'm on it, I'm on it." Mage says.

"Me too." Mari says. "Never hurts to have a backup."

"So," Lea says. "They created a spirit that would constantly challenge the sentient races, but that would show compassion to the simpler creatures and monsters of the world."

"Which gave them the Dragon Who Was Of Shadow." Tricia says. "And then the Lightbringer came, and dispelled that. Then Peace led the Newgates to wipe out the Lightbringer and the Caligo Clarus, and installed Citadel."

"And she did that using a combination of Monster Knowledge that she got from Holting, and Elven Tradition Magic that she got from Thistleblossom." Mage says. "Then they picked up Rage later, because he was the one who could orchestrate the Lightbringer Stories."

"And then you fucked it all up." Maxine says.

"Hold up." Mari says. "So, does that mean that even if we get rid of Citadel, something else could pop up in it's place later?"

>>25187055
>GM=10% running fights+ 90%making up a endless stream of exposition on the fly

>>25187331
"Why, of course. It's almost inevitable, if the 5th happened naturally. We'll have to look into that."

>>25187331
"The Light has existed before this, and through it all. I'm not so sure a Land Spirit was ever a good idea..."

>>25187331
Assuming we don't put something in the Citadel's place, maybe.

>>25186949
>>25187331
>humans to the north and south are sun worshipers
Fuck, I think we just found where the light comes from.

>>25187331
"Its possible. We have no idea how the Fifth got to be the Land Spirit in the first place. He could be something elses creation to weed out the threats to say humans or elves. Or developed over time. Both could be likely."

>>25187331
Despite what Dagda thinks, it seems perfectly possible to live without a Land Spirit.

>>25187452

>inb4 the final boss is the Light

>>25187331
"Yep! But hopefully we can put measures in place to try and stop that."

>>25187475
The light is a MASTER of xanatos gambits. One lightning bolt in one tower at the right time, and citadel dies 19 years later.

I don't look forward to going against that.

>>25187432
"Why, of course. It's almost inevitable, if the 5th happened naturally. We'll have to look into that." You say. "We have no idea how the Fifth got to be the Land Spirit in the first place. He could be something elses creation to weed out the threats to say humans or elves. Or developed over time. Both could be likely."

"So," Lea says. "That will be the duty of the Caligo Clarus? Guarding the land from any forces that would try for the power of godhood?" She smiles and nods. "I can live with that."

"Then we should end things with stuff like: 'Men never will, never shall, be as Gods?" Mage says in a 'serious' voice.

"Ugh, spare me." Tricia says.

"Alright," Mage says. "Finished."

"Here too." Mari says. "Are we good, or do we need to see the other two memories?"

>>25187685
yes

>>25187501
the Light's plan: Good people will do the right thing if you give them a chance.

Even if we didn't bring down the citadel, even if we just stayed home. it'd would have made one good man have something to live for and be proud of after trying his best to do the right thing and failing despite that.

>>25187685
"Let's not risk missing important information. It's unlikely spending a few minutes checking the last two will cause harm. Let's try blue now."

>>25187685

Let's see what's in the other two. Who knows what else Dagda discovered?

>>25187685
I think we should see the others. If they were in the hands of Citadel they might reveal more.

>>25187685
"It might very well wind up being our duty to do just that, Lea. Not the worst of retirements.

And as for the recordings, I'd like to see them all right, I just hope we have the time. Mab, how long did you say it would take for your other cells to get back?"

Poor echo. I in-character, of course, want to hear the rest.

Out of character I wish to spare you the writing.

Exposition exposition get it out a-s-ap

>>25187714
"Yes." You say.

"Alright," Peri takes the gold out and puts the Green one in. She pulls the lever.

"So, Dad's dead." A voice you recognize says. "Good."

"That's Comedy!" Tricia says.

"Mom's gone even farther off the deep end." She sighs. "And I just get to sit back and watch as the world goes to shit. It's not fair, you know. I didn't even get a chance to meet the guy I was supposed to marry, and now he's dead and I'm expected to die alone...or find some way to get a dead man who I never met's permission to move on."

"Ugh, that stupid law?" Maxine shakes her head.

"So, we're probably going to go to war with the humans. Fuck if I care." She sighs. "You know people keep complaining about how bad things have gotten, but they don't understand what it's like to be ME!"

"Can we skip ahead?" Peri asks. "I think we all went through this phase of our lives."

"And apparently she never left it." Lea says.

The memory continues on, it's pretty much an unhappy moody teenage girl complaining about her life, how she's unhappy, and how she's 'trapped' in her misery which is worse than anyone else's.

It does seem pretty lousy. Every so often you hear about how her life's been upset by her mother losing her grip on reality since the death of her husband, or how she's entrapped by stupid elven laws. But then it goes back to wallowing in self-pity.

Finally, mercifully, it ends.

"Well, that was certainly helpful." Tricia says.

>>25188076
"If it's any help it only makes me want to kill her more."

>>25188076
"Well, I think the rest is comedy then. The last one will probably be the story of how she betrayed the elves for peace, but we got most of that already. Mab, do you need proof on that one, or do you believe us by this point?"

>>25188076

If anything, Comedy's pettiness is worse than Tragedy's cowardice. I can only hope that Peace has better reasons for supporting Citadel.

>>25188076
"For somebody who chose to be called Comedy she's not very funny."

>>25188176
>Because daddy didn't love me enough...

>>25188170
She obviously believes us. But we're going to look at it anyway. There might be something useful.

>>25188076
"I sure hope blue has something useful."

>>25188076
Well, at least I can understand this being under Comedy's bed."

>>25188176
peace legitimately believes it is the right thing to do, and values happiness over self determination.

Calling it now.

>>25188076
"You know, I should have asked at the start- is there any kind of table of contents?"

>>25188303

Which would mean she's also LG, and our counterpart.

Isn't it just so fun to have to fight and kill ultimately good people?

>>25188189
"If it's any help it only makes me want to kill her more. For somebody who chose to be called Comedy she's not very funny." You say.

"Not like we were much better at that age." Tricia says.

"Same." Peri says.

"Yeah." Lea says.

"I...might have been headed in that direction." Mari says. "And unlike the rest of you, I didn't have a legitimate reason to be like that. I was rich."

"The last one will probably be the story of how she betrayed the elves for Peace, but we got most of that already. Mab, do you need proof on that one, or do you believe us by this point?" You ask.

"Nah," She shakes her head. "I believe you, and yeah...I was kind of a brat at that age too."

"I need to find more guy friends." Mage says.

"The only men you know regularly are Gregory, who hates you for dumping his sister; Ambrose, who's made of book dust and ink; Barney, Julian, Avery, and Balles, who are constantly working; Ted, who's a jerk; and Isen...who's Isen." Tricia says.

"I need BETTER male friends." Mage says.

Peri rolls her eyes and puts in the blue memory and pulls the handle.

"So, Mom...this is goodbye. I'd tell you that I'll miss you but that'd be a lie, wouldn't it?" She sighs. "Oh, and don't worry. I'm not running off with some boy. You don't have THAT nightmare coming true...she's not a boy!"

"You called it, Ssen." Tricia says.

The next ten minutes are her ranting at her mother about various slights and grievances. Then about how wonderful her new life is going to be and how she and Peace are going to be together forever, and even fix her Father's mistake.

At then end.

"My Gloriana and I will be sipping sweet rosewater as we watch our creation swallow up everything you created! Good bye mother, I'll leave a rose on your grave."

"Wait..." Mage says. "At the end. Was that what I think it was?"

>>25188357
Helen's confession mentioned "the Dramatae" at one of Comedy's party's. Not just "Comedy". Which implies that Peace has attended Comedies parties and eaten human flesh.

>>25188546

Point there, but Peace isn't human.

I take back the LG comment, though. CG or LN at best, if the nine-point morality system can even be applied to a Daughter.

>>25188543
"Think we got a name."

>>25188543

...Peace and Comedy rabu?

No wonder Peace wanted us to spare her.

>>25188543
If what you think it was is maybe Peace's actual name, which could let you reverse her magic when she tries attacking us, I hope so

>>25188543
"Peace's true name? Oh. This is just going to be delicious."

>>25188581
Neither are we but we'd have a hard time calling ourselves good if we had an innocent human butchered in front of us and then ate some of him.

>>25188543
>>25188632
>implying we didn't already know

I called this THREADS ago.

>>25188543

There are some fucking eerie parallels between us and Peace.

We're both monstergirls. We both have legendary blades. We both serve a powerful spirit. We value opposite sides of the coin: self-sufficiency vs. security.

We're both lesbians.

>>25188603
"Think we got a name."

"More than that." Mage says. "I've seen that name before, so have you Ssen. The translations of the Iron Books. I swear I've seen that name 'Gloriana' before."

"Can you use it to reverse her magic, then?" You ask.

"Maybe." Mage says. "If that is her real name. Like I said, I saw it before, so there's a chance it's a fake."

"No reason she'd give Comedy a fake name." Lea says.

"No reason not to." Tricia counters.

"Well, either way." Mari says. "We need to get back to Stone Hall and get the Lantern Mirrors inscribed with this." She waves the copy of the Grand Seal.

>>25188543
>stupid elf bitch leaves us alive
>leaves us a cache of intel, including her boss' true name
>the cache was under her own bedroom floor
Now THAT'S comedy.

>>25188750
We're not so different, you and I. Except... we really are. And that's the tragedy.

>>25188758
Everyone gets a drawn copy of the seal.

>>25188758

"Yeah, we should really get to Stone Hall post-haste. Think we should tell citadel proper about how the monster army thing is mostly done with in this area? Might be able to get a few of them to come up and help us out in stone hall that way, if we give them a warning of the trouble. "

>>25188764
the dramatae had exactly one truly competent member, and he betrayed them. tragedy was kinda an idiot, comedy is a spoiled teenager and peace has admitted she lack originality so she is presumably terrible at coming up with her own ideas.

this is the reason we are still alive, if they were competent we would not stand a chance.

>>25188758
>I've seen that name before, so have you Ssen. The translations of the Iron Books. I swear I've seen that name 'Gloriana' before.
http://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/text/Gloriana/username/EchoGarrote/
Not on screen we haven't. Enlighten us, Mage.

>>25188758
"You make a good point, though I'm not eager to let the Dramatae go through with their plans in Citadel so peacefully..."

>>25188758
"We still have at least one thing to do here, but stone hall right away, I agree.

Mab, sorry we can't conclude the deals and get you your land right away, we've got some emergency priorities coming up. And a trip to a graveyard."

>>25189042
"You make a good point, though I'm not eager to let the Dramatae go through with their plans in Citadel so peacefully.

"Think we should tell citadel proper about how the monster army thing is mostly done with in this area? Might be able to get a few of them to come up and help us out in stone hall that way, if we give them a warning of the trouble."

"I'm sick of playing clean-up or defense." Tricia says. "We have something to hurt them, lets go make them hurt."

"We still have at least one thing to do here." You say. "Mab, sorry we can't conclude the deals and get you your land right away, we've got some emergency priorities coming up. And a trip to a graveyard."

Mab nods. "Yeah, I don't think you should be here anyway when the other cells come back." She sighs. "It's going to be a complicated conversation, and the last thing they need is someone to blame, and stab, in person."

>>25189285
"Sounds...tough. We'll try to get out of your hair as quickly as possible now then. Anyone think of something more we need to do here?"

>>25189285
"Yeah, it would be best if we cleared out. Sorry for all the mess, this went... a bit worse than usual."

"Mage, do you understand those seal runes at all, by the way? I'm greatly looking forward to them sealing citadel, and not, I don't know, creating a fourth land spirit on top of it."

Were there any survivors among the piles of dead elves? Or no?

>>25189417
>something more we need to do here

Graveyard. Flowers. Robin's last wish.

Gotime.

>>25189018
I'm not finding it either; I'd like to hear Mage's explanation as well.

>>25189285
"Lea, remember when you said we shouldn't end up like Lightbringers, having to keep fighting for eternity? I'm all for eternal vigilance, but I don't think the Caligo Clarus should have to stand guard against genius loci for the rest of eternity just in case someone else is as crazy as Dagda or Peace to think there's such a thing as a good one. We're going to cast Citadel out, and not let anyone else in, but I'd like to find a way to destroy whatever thing it is that they're given power over so nobody can ever take it again. The Fifth said something about the magic returning to the land, though now I want to take all his words with a boulder of salt. But could something like that prevent another one from arising?"

>>25189469
Yeah, we did promise. Time to do that.

Oh, and this explains why "Mab" sent them after us, too; she wanted help with her "daughter".

>>25189490
the grave is "Hermia Bottom" we are to tell it that "Lysander" Didn't die in a ditch. He died like a fucking hero.

Obviously robin's real name, and someone close to him.

>>25189533
Yup. And we should invite Maxine along. She should know what happened to the three of them.

>>25189450
"Yeah, it would be best if we cleared out. Sorry for all the mess, this went... a bit worse than usual." You say.

Mab nods. "Still alive though, that counts for something I suppose. Go in Pea...Good Luck, Paladin Serpent."

You leave the Fey Court's hide out, and make your way out of the gorge and back to First Wood. "Mage, do you understand those seal runes at all, by the way? I'm greatly looking forward to them sealing Citadel, and not, I don't know, creating a fourth land spirit on top of it."

Mage frowns as he looks over his notes. "I recognize two circles, here and here, and a few runes. Some of this is whatever the Ghouls stole to use on their magic, probably Dragon I suppose." He shrugs. "The rest is far more complicated. Though, I get how it works as a whole." He looks at you all. "Skipping the Magi-babble...it's a modified summoning circle. You're just summoning whatever is the focus of the circle to someplace else, and locking it there."

"That's how the Dragon Who Was of Shadow got stuck in Dark Peaks." Tricia says. "Was that intentional?"

"Probably." Mage says. "There's a range on this thing. The site of the first Grand Seal must have been closer to...White Tree I suppose. They just forced is to as remote a place as possible."

"And Citadel?" Peri asks.

"A bit of luck for us, I can drop the Heart into the ocean, as deep as it can go." Mage says.

(cont)

>>25189533
It's his mother, isn't it?
Robin is Lysander Bottom.

>>25189756
"Lea, remember when you said we shouldn't end up like Lightbringers, having to keep fighting for eternity? I'm all for eternal vigilance, but I don't think the Caligo Clarus should have to stand guard against genius loci for the rest of eternity just in case someone else is as crazy as Dagda or Peace to think there's such a thing as a good one.

"We're going to cast Citadel out, and not let anyone else in, but I'd like to find a way to destroy whatever thing it is that they're given power over so nobody can ever take it again.

"The Fifth said something about the magic returning to the land, though now I want to take all his words with a boulder of salt. But could something like that prevent another one from arising?"

Lea shrugs. "Could we put something in its place? Something inert?" She looks at Mage.

Mage shakes his head. "It's not like throwing a stone in a water pipe." He looks at the Grand Seal. "Yeah, this is way too complex to just monkey around with it." He sighs. "I have to see the Heart...or the hole that we rip open in...I have no idea."

You finally return to First Wood...and find the soldiers all packing up to leave. A good chunk of the regulars have already started to march off.

You still get a salute from the soldiers who are on watch. So, apparently the 'Traitor Paladin' news died along with Comedy's dupes.

>>25189908
Find the leader. Ask where they are marching to.

>>25189908
>>25189934
Warm smiles for the saluters. It feels good.

Also, I agree on finding the leader and getting a rundown on where they're going. Could be important.

>>25189908
"I don't know mage, giving it control of the vast unknown things at the bottom of the ocean seems like it might blow up in our face. How about a nice, boring plain somewhere?"

>>25189908
perhaps see if we can redirect them somewhere harmless, or co-opt them for our purposes

Hey, we DIDN'T abandon lightmare this time! High five!

>>25189908
Didn't we say we were going to send some reinforcements for Julian?
We probably have the authority to commandeer a few of them, although they won't be happy about it.

>>25190074
How about that pocket dimension where the Fifth is, minus the thing that lets them see the past and future?

>>25190044
>>25189934
>>25190074
You salute the soldiers back and give them a warm smile.

You go through town, looking for the commander. "I don't know Mage, giving it control of the vast unknown things at the bottom of the ocean seems like it might blow up in our face. How about a nice, boring plain somewhere?"

"I could chuck it up in the tundra I suppose." Mage says. "Unless you're worried about overly content moose."

You don't locate the commander, but you do find someone else in the center of down. Two someones. Rogers the Blacksmith, and Reggie Trust, the Rag Man. They're talking to each other, but stop when they see your group.

"Peri!" Reggie says. "You're not dead...and Dagda's still wearing the yellow boots."

"I've decided that I like them." Mage says.

Peri hugs Rogers. "Good to see you."

"Good to be here." The Blacksmith says. "And glad to see you smiling."

"What's going on?" Tricia asks.

Reggie shrugs. "Dunno. I was asking Rog."

"The troops have been recalled to Citadel." Rogers says. "Apparently they need help, what with the fires and the collapses, and the riot."

"Wait, riot?" Reggie asks. "I didn't hear about a riot!"

"In the Paper Lantern district." Rogers says. "Don't know what the fight was about, three different fights maybe, either way, place ended up a giant brawl and then a fire."

"Shit." Reggie says.

"Yeah, but there's also some rumblings about another reason the army's moving." Rogers says. He looks from side to side, to make sure no one else is listening. "They say a Lost Paladin has returned, he claims to be a Prophet of the Light...and a Messenger came with him."

"Oh, bull-shit!" Reggie says. "Next you'll tell me it's going to rain wine."

Rogers shrugs. "People talk when they drink and I don't."

>>25190356
yeah, but they'd have to go through elf lands to get there.

And we don't even know how to get them into the portals reliably.

>>25190395
welp, theres the Citadel Army thats gonna march on poor Stone Hall.

>>25190395
>"Yeah, but there's also some rumblings about another reason the army's moving." Rogers says. He looks from side to side, to make sure no one else is listening. "They say a Lost Paladin has returned, he claims to be a Prophet of the Light...and a Messenger came with him."

Oh, hell. This is going to suck.

>>25190395
"so THAAAATS what happened to him!

Well, I guess I don't have to worry so bad now. Though, let me guess- messenger had white wings? Peaceful visage?"

>>25190395
>They say a Lost Paladin has returned, he claims to be a Prophet of the Light...and a Messenger came with him.
Is it that merfolk dude and Peace? I bet it is.

>>25190449
Yeah. It's good old Trevor.

His name was Trevor, right?

>>25190395
"Oh great."

>>25190466
Does seem plausible, except that he seemed so adamantly anti-Citadel. So either Peace corrupted him, Peace sold him on some other cover story, or it's someone else.

>>25190495
He was easily taken in by them last time, and he's pretty unhappy with us. Peace would have had no trouble getting a mask on him.

>>25190395
Oh fuck Odette has been resurected

>>25190525
>he claims to be a prophet
>he

>>25190521
He's rabidly opposed to Citadel, though, so she'd have had to come up with a convincing lie.

>>25190572
Not really. Once the mask's on, he's fucked.
"I'm a messenger of the Light! Help me depose the Paladin Serpent!" would do it.

>>25190601
I'm not so sure about that. Passions seem to have free will, and Adahn and Tragedy did too.

>>25190626
Robin & Co. certainly didn't.
And Adahn's mask did keep trying to control him, and he kept going "no, I'll kill her myself".

>>25190669
I agree, but he'd have to have a seductive argument, not just a quick corruption.

>>25190470
"Oh great." You say. Let me guess- messenger had white wings? Peaceful visage?

Rogers blinks at you. "How'd you know? Apparently, this Paladin guy that everyone wrote off as dead years ago comes into Citadel, straight into the Grand Chapel during Grand Mass, and places Her Illuminated Self under arrest, and says that one of the Newgates is guilty of High Treason.

"He goes on this tangent on how they've allowed Citadel to become corrupt and that's whats been causing all this misery. Then, according to the drunks, the Messenger appeared before the audience in a flare of light." Rogers says.

"Oh, this gets better and better." Tricia says.

>>25190742
>Rogers blinks at you. "How'd you know? Apparently, this Paladin guy that everyone wrote off as dead years ago comes into Citadel, straight into the Grand Chapel during Grand Mass, and places Her Illuminated Self under arrest, and says that one of the Newgates is guilty of High Treason.

Well, that would do it. Yeah, it's probably Trevor. He'd do that, and then he'd be entirely for the Messenger's message of rooting out corruption.

>>25190742
"So, what justification did he use for arresting Her Illuminated Self?"

>>25190786
Being part of the corruption, probably, but yeah, let's hear the trumped up charges. We might need to go on a rescue mission.

>>25190742
They're blaming Isen. Hes the corrupted one. Thats why they are marching on Stone Hall.

I think we need to stop this army before it marches.

>>25190742
"He ARRESTED Her Illuminated Self? What for? With what authority?"

>>25190828
Citadel usurped the authority of the Blue Occuli, who would otherwise be the ones who could do such a thing.

>>25190742
"Oh, yeah, it's Trevor, a pal of ours. That messenger's a longtime enemy by the name of peace.

She... has a flair for the dramatic. This seems about like what she'd do. She's got the wings for it, too, I'm told. I suppose her illuminated self will be needing a rescuing? She's still arrested, yes?"

And no one thought that the messenger might be fake? Teleportation and a light show can be done very easily.

>>25190849
Citadel citizens? Exercising critical judgment?

Yeah...no.

>>25190841
Purple.
But that doesn't mean every paladin can just go around arresting other paladins. Trevor was presumed dead as well, so he can't have got any power.

>>25190902
Right, sorry; the Blue are the guardians of Citadel's royalty. The Purple are Paladin Internal Affairs.

>>25190828
"He ARRESTED Her Illuminated Self? What for? With what authority?" You ask.

Rogers shrugs. "You now know all I know from that wonderful, and unerringly accurate, source of information known as the 'Drunk in the bar.' Personally, I think it's all bullshit."

"Sounds like it." Reggie says, but the look he gives you says otherwise. "Well, I have to get back to the rag shop. Rog, Peri, Lady Paladin." He heads off.

"Swing by the shop next time you're in town hon." Rogers says with another hug to Peri. "I'm swamped with orders now, but I'd love to see if I could make you something nice."

"I'll take you up on that." She says.

The blacksmith goes off.

"Why arrest Her Illuminated Self?" Tricia asks. "That makes NO sense."

"No. It does." Lea says. "Her Illuminated Self is a conduit of His Light, Peace doesn't want to risk anything...and if she's going to march on Stone Hall." She takes a deep breath. "Citadel gives people what they want. People like their religious figures, the top public ones, to be beacons of purity and goodness, kind and charitable, and ones with a deep spiritual connect." She shrugs. "At least, that's what I'D want...but you don't WANT one of those if you're going to war."

>>25190395
"Well, what actually happened is a false prophet and a traitorous Paladin who wanted to play at royalty are using the unrest in Citadel to stage a coup. I have proof, a signed confession from one of their conspirators that their next move will be an attack on Stone Hall to remove any political opposition."

"If you could see to it that this information starts to spread by way of rumor you would be doing the whole world a favor."

>>25191026
So... rescue mission?

I'm sure it'll give the Citadel pause to attack if they see HIS in Stone Hall. At the very least it would provide a morale boost for our side.

>>25191042
Seconded, though it isn't as much of a smoking gun as we'd like. But two can play the rumor game.

>>25191026
"So she simply gets her arrested or discredited somehow, and no more roadblock to open warfare."

>>25191058
>So... rescue mission?

They wouldn't dare kill her right away, but we might want to consider it anyway if we think we can spare the time and not lose Stone Hall. I don't know that we can, though.

>>25191026
So. Anyone up for a rescue mission in the belly of the beast?

I'm afraid thats a tad more literal then I really want to go for but it'd stop this plan of theirs in its track.

And maybe we can get Mage his look at the Heart while we are there.

>>25191026
"Well, it looks like we've got to stop citadel from going to war. Sssssomehow. Discrediting peace would be the most direct way, but it would also be the most suicidal if anything went wrong."

>>25191087
>I'm afraid thats a tad more literal then I really want to go for
Nah, we've just come from the belly. HIS is in the heart.

>>25191087
>>25191058
We need to secure Stone Hall and route the Citadel army first. Too much plot shit we need in that city

>>25191140
Yeah, I think you're right. Let's hope HIS survives.

>>25191140
The army is IN citadel right now.

>>25191026
Random question: How are Her Illuminated Selves chosen? Presumably they were ordinary Paladins once?

>>25191171
And they are headed for Stone Hall.

>>25191042
>>25191065
Chug chug my rumor mill!

Display that there are many stories!

>>25191087
it might stop or delay the attack if we rescue HIS.

>>25191205
no, they're still in citadel.

In fact, they've not even gotten to citadel yet. We could beat them there, discredit peace, THEN move on to stone hall before they even get marching orders.

>>25191205
not yet, they are still assembling.

We can't leave HIS in Citadel. She's one of our few confirmed allies.

my vote is rescue mission, we discredit Peace and the "Messenger of Light" and save one of our confirmed allies.

>>25191283
Do you think we have time? Can we try to find out what the timeline for attacking Stone Hall is?

I'm entirely in favor of the rescue mission if it won't mean abandoning Stone Hall to the attacking army.

>>25191303
It's already been explicitly mentioned. They're still trying to assemble their army, which hasn't even left Citadel yet. Do yo know how hard it is to move hundreds of thousands of people?

>>25191235
Except that'd mean going right into citadel with only one mind protection potion between all of us.

>>25191073
"So she simply gets her arrested or discredited somehow, and no more roadblock to open warfare." You say. "Well, it looks like we've got to stop citadel from going to war. Sssssomehow. Discrediting peace would be the most direct way, but it would also be the most suicidal if anything went wrong."

"Create another miracle?" Tricia says.

"You mean help His Light WITH a miracle." Lea says.

Tricia rolls her eyes.

"They wouldn't dare kill her right away." You say.

"We can't leave her there." Lea says.

"Yeah, but we don't have the mirrors!" Mage says.

"Fat lot of good those'll do us if we beat the heart, but have Stone Hall be in ruins." Peri says.

"We can beat the majority of the army that's here their with Lightmare," Lea says. "And it'll take weeks to mobilize the entire host, even if they've already started."

"So, what?" Mage asks. "We go into Citadel, a place that actively hates us, break out Her Illuminated Self out from under Peace's very nose, prop her up in front of an army that's at LEAST a million men strong, do another one of our 'miracles' and pray that she can tell them to stand down long enough for us to go to Stone Hall, come back with the prepared mirrors, and blow up the Heart of Citadel?"

>>25191303
We certainly have time to travel there. It's on the way to Stone Hall anyway, Comedy asked Tragedy to meet her in Citadel, and these guys who are a lot slower than us are probably going to be part of the army. Whether we'll be successful before we have to leave again, we'll see.

>>25191357
Nicely summed up. Sounds like a plan.

>>25191354
>>25191363
Rescue mission it is then.

>>25191357
>"So, what?" Mage asks. "We go into Citadel, a place that actively hates us, break out Her Illuminated Self out from under Peace's very nose, prop her up in front of an army that's at LEAST a million men strong, do another one of our 'miracles' and pray that she can tell them to stand down long enough for us to go to Stone Hall, come back with the prepared mirrors, and blow up the Heart of Citadel?"

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Mage. The Dawnchasers are going to war."

>>25189756
If we use the Grand Seal to drop the Heart of Citadel into the ocean or some other desolate place, will that actually free all the souls it's taken?

>>25191357
"Sounds like a Dawnchaser plan!"

I wonder if we can persuade Citadel. It was getting pretty desperate trying to get us on its side. If it really really doesn't want to die and can see Peace is losing it might even help us to try and get us to go with Father's free Citadel plan instead of killing it. Remember it is basically just a spoilt child. Screw it corrupting us, we can corrupt it!

>>25191476
>I wonder if we can persuade Citadel. It was getting pretty desperate trying to get us on its side. If it really really doesn't want to die and can see Peace is losing it might even help us to try and get us to go with Father's free Citadel plan instead of killing it. Remember it is basically just a spoilt child. Screw it corrupting us, we can corrupt it!

If that helps us ensure a smooth transition, fine, but it's still not staying in power, and I don't think it'll go quietly no matter what we do.

There is a difference between dawnchaser plan and suicide you twits. Her Illuminated self is pretty much the pope, important as fuck but not worth risking the super plot device items and our own lives over at this stage.

>>25191518
Yeah, that's the problem with dad's plan. We don't really know what freeing Citadel actually DOES.

>>25191357
Looks like we don't have time to stop by Stone Hall before going to Citadel to deal with with. Where are the Salt Queens right now? Could we convince some of them to help us prepare more mind protection potions before we head to Citadel?

>>25191357
"Mage, you are a genius."

>>25191422
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Mage. The Dawnchasers are going to war." You say.

"TOWARDS a war." Tricia clarifies.

"Our best Dawnchaser Plan yet!" Mari says.

"First, we have a grave to find." Lea says.

The First Wood Cemetery is nice. Neat grass, not too moldy gravestones, and memorial walls for those who aren't buried. You all search, but Tricia is the first to find what you're looking for.

"Found them! Heh, these are great." She says with a smile.

"What?" Lea asks.

She points to a small plaque on the remembrance wall.

Thad Bottom,
Champion Rustler,
Killed By A Cow
Gored In The Ass
Last Word Was OW!

Kylie Bottom
Fencer Supreme
Lived by the Blade
Died With a Scream

Ralphie Bottom
Bootlegger and Crook
Died By Poison
A Bottle Mistook

"And here's the one we're looking for."

Hermia Bottom
Assassin
Held Death in Her Quiver
Quite a Damn Shame
She Died Of A Shiver.

>>25191568
so you propose we stop citadel's army with... stone hall's?

>>25191596
It sounds like he had a lively family.

Lysander Bottom.
Lived by stealth and wealth.
Did not die in a ditch.
Instead was killed by a bitch.

>>25191596
"Wow, robin had a cool family. Guess they're all gone now."

Then place the bouquet down on the appropriate grave, and say something like this.

Lysander Bottom
He didn't die in a gutter
He lived a robbing hero
And died without a mutter.

>>25191597
I was hoping for more of a ride out to challenge the leader to a duel and pop a beacon flare to both kill the leader who would probably be comedy and turn the troops over to our side.

>>25191660
But he was killed by Tragedy. The bitches wanted them alive because they were useful.

>>25191694
well, we easily have enough time to do that if our plan to stop them here fails.

Onwards!~

>>25191596
Looks like we'll be adding to the memorial wall.

Lysander Bottom
Scoundrel with taste.
An honorable death
That will not go to waste.

>>25191706
just because Tragedy was male doesn't mean he was any less a bitch.

>>25191596
Let's follow his wishes before we start getting poetic.

>>25191719
Maybe we'll make that the actual engraving. Still need to tell the mother he died well, and in a not-gutter.

>>25191706
Truthfully, Tragedy was more of a bitch than either Peace or Comedy

>>25191737
>Peace and Comedy's faces when we infiltrate Citadel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuhMEnX-EkM

>>25191660

Here's another one:

Lysander Bottom
With his crew did he stealthily breach
Though their loyalty was for hire
To heroic heights they did reach

>>25191765
>>25191719
>>25191682
>>25191660
Ssen totally would start belting these out, the rhymes would tickle her fancy like no other.

Lysander Bottom
Thief for hire
Died a hero's death
That we can all admire

>>25191765

Lysander Bottom
Led a group that did cost gold
Silent, swift and stealthy
The greatest stories never told

>>25191596
Lysander Bottom
Roguish hero to the end
Now in lands without Autumn.
Rest well, dear friend.

some of these the others will pitch in I have no doubt.

Ssen: Acquire undying love of limerick and puns from this adventure that is touching at first but will grow annoying to all our friends.

>>25191706
The dude scream like a bitch every time we even bit him.

He was the biggest bitch in the group.

>>25191660
You laugh too. This just tickles the lyrical loopy literate Leviathan part of your mind.

"Lysander Bottom.
Lived by stealth and wealth.
Did not die in a ditch.
Instead was killed by a bitch."

"Eh." Tricia says.

Lea looks at you very disapprovingly as she readies a wreath of flowers.

"He didn't die in a gutter
He lived a robbing hero
And died without a mutter."

"You can do better." Mari says.

"Scoundrel with taste.
An honorable death
That will not go to waste."

"Better..." Mage says.

>>25191765
"With his crew did he stealthily breach
Though their loyalty was for hire
To heroic heights they did reach"

Peri shakes her head.

"Thief for hire
Died a hero's death
That we can all admire"

"I like that one." Lea says, coming back with a wreath.

"Fits the format of the others." Mari says. "Plus it's suitably embarrassing."

"I like it too." Peri says.

>>25191951
I maintain that you don't have to be a bitch to scream like a bitch when bitten by a poison bitch

also Ssen got some mad poison blueballs from those 5 non-poison bites I bet.

>>25191951
I would scream like a bitch if I was bitten by massive crazy snake lady with horrible bone-melting venom.

>>25191971
Yeah, I think that was the best choice. I'm sad we even said the first one aloud, though; haven't we learned our lesson from the last eulogy we delivered, for the two lamia at Bright Tower?

>>25191994
>>25191980
He could have at least waited until he actually started melting...

Or maybe grew some balls to not scream every time he blinked out of the bites..

Alright. Then thats the one we shall inscribe. Now to assure Hermia.

He didn't die in a ditch or a gutter. He died defying Citadel.

>>25192032
And bravely so; he was the one who explicitly told us not to give the mask back, when we told him of Rage's words about what Citadel would become.

>>25191971
Ssen's friends:

Use Ssen as a limerick generation device

>>25191971
"Then that's what we'll use."

put the flowers on the grave zone

"Lysander didn't die in a ditch Hermia. He was a champion to the end."

>>25191971
Might I suggest we add a Caligo Clarus emblem on the plaque to go with the inscription? He deserves it.

>>25192228
yes, good idea.

>>25192228
Sorry, this is me.

You take the time to etch Lysander 'Robin Goodfellow' Bottom's epitaph along with the rest of his scoundrel family.

"Hermia, Lysander didn't die in a ditch or a gutter. He died defying Citadel." You say. "And bravely so; he was the one who explicitly told us not to give the mask back, when we told him of Rage's words about what Citadel would become."

"We're glad to have known him, and wish we could have known him better." Peri says.

"I also thought he was very cute." Mari says.

"His soul will join yours in the peace of the Summerlands, there shall he rest, until the Great Hunt calls for you all and you are taken forth on the ride." Lea says.

"Lea...you know about that?" Peri says. She rolls her eyes. "Of course you do."

"And may we see you at the Final Sunset, and may you join us at the Second Dawn. His Light watch over you all, amen." Lea finishes.

"Amen." You all say.

"Alright, the manifesto and the Coral Gate White Oak Tree with Black Roses..." Tricia says. "Where can we get black roses?"

"They sell them in the Stone Hall market for funerals, and to girls that dress like Jessi did." Mage says.

>>25192228
>>25192245
I wonder if that will give him more points or hurt his chances in the summerland.

I don't know how that works. I hope he gets benefits for a witty tombstone.

>>25192264
"One last thing," You say. You carve the Nine-Pointed Star and put a blank circle in the center.

"Nice." Tricia says.

"We'll add him and his crew to the ledger." Lea says.

>>25192293
"Well, that about settles things. We'll have to dump this gold off on the next orphans we see, but other than that, we're set to go on a rescue mission. Suicide mission. One of the two."

>>25192314
Way too callous. Don't say "dumping", and don't say this settles things.

>>25192336
yeah okay, nevermind. Feel free to suggest otherwise.

>>25192293
"Well then. Time to head to Citadel and rescue Her Illuminated Self. Let's hope nobody composes our epitaph anytime soon. And nobody take that as a challenge, please; even Dawnchasers shouldn't taunt the darkness that much."

>>25192008
Agreed. Next time we we do a eulogy lets try to remember that it is about honoring the fallen it is not the place for getting in a jab at our enemies.

We've made the same mistake twice. A third time would be absolutely inexcusable.

>>25192411
At least this time it was a joke in a spirit that "Robin" would have enjoyed, and not a serious suggestion. We're getting better. But yeah, never again.

>>25192371
"Well then. Time to head to Citadel and rescue Her Illuminated Self. Let's hope nobody composes our epitaph anytime soon. And nobody take that as a challenge, please; even Dawnchasers shouldn't taunt the darkness that much." You say.

"Here lies Ssen, Paladin Lamia,
She'd talk you to death
The moment she'd see ya." Mage says.

"Here lies Ssen,
A Paladin without Fail
Just don't ask
About the size of her tail." Peri says.

"Ssen Patrick, Lamia
And a Paladin at her root
Now she makes
A rather fetching boot." Tricia says.

This continues for far FAR too long. Up to the point where you finally get on the road with Lightmare and the Wagon.

Lea shakes her head. "You are all horrible people." She says, but you can tell by her eyes that she's smiling as she says it.

Realize this about 15 minutes after the grave thing:

Lea wasn't dissaproving because of the quality of your limericks.

She just thought that wasn't the best for a funeral.

How strange.

>>25192460
"Well, you know what they say, the blind leading the blind and all that. "
Then give lightmare a pat on the fire, because he's a good devil horse and we missed him.

>>25192460
This isn't right at all, Ssen isn't supposed to be the one having limericks made about her! She's supposed to be dishing them out!

Obviously we're a bad influence on our friends.

>>25192460
Oh, fine then; if they're going to taunt us, we shall have to retaliate.

"Mage Patrick
killed before kissed.
The Light still has work for you,
best start a list."

>>25192460
>>25192546
Lea Ughruda,
now dwells beneath sod.
May His Light yet remove
that immovable rod.

>>25192546
>>25192576
Now I can't come up with any, great.

>>25192460
>>25192546
>>25192576
"Mari and Peri,
and others beside,
Here lies a body,
in others they ride."