>>25615270
Can we see where the runner are and intercept them?

>>25615270
That's a lot of 20s. I hope they're ours.

Rolled 18

>>25615270
Oh boy, here we go. Did you mean Lea for the first Peri?

>>25615270
If we can't capture them, just kill them and be done with it.

There you go, all archived, be sure to burn this thread into the ground so as to deserve that archival

>>25615270
From the sounds of smashing crockery and spilling sand it sounds like the pair are doing quite well.

You see two people running across the courtyard. It's Cai and another person dressed like the other guy. The other girl looks like she's half burnt and half sliced up. Peri and Mage did pretty well.

You see Peri and Mage on their heels. Peri's got blood running down her arm and a shard of something stuck into her arm.

Mage is yelling and pointing at the pair. He's shouting loudly, but no sound is coming out. He's also limping slightly and blood is down his leg.

>>25615270
Intercept the runner! Use your magic eyes to identify them! prisonersmell will probably baffle your sniffer!

>>25615362
quickquick to the runners. We've got prisoners to recover.

>>25615362
how far are they? Can we hit a moving target with our bow at this distance?

A black-arrow in one of the prisoners is certain to slow them a bit, but we might not hit.

>>25615372
hell yes. but how do we stop the runners? i'm gonna say clear/white (the bone melting, agonizing one) it'll definitely stop them and we'll get them an antivenom quickly.

>>25615314
Yes, my bad, sorry.

>>25615388
>how far are they?
Under 50 feet away.

>Can we hit a moving target with our bow at this distance?
Yes

>>25615411
nnnnnah. Way, way too risky.

Rolled 4

>>25615362
[x] quickquick to the runners

Good plan is good

>>25615388
Take the shot at Cai. If she dies good, the Phoenix hasn't discovered more than general details.

>>25615424
nowhere near as risky as letting them go.

Besides, worst case scenario, Kingfisher learns just how -we- react when he welshes on a deal.

>>25615440
What deal?

>>25615440
There was a deal?

>>25615440
it's like 10 times riskier than black with barely any enhanced effectiveness.

>>25615456
The implied deal that he would pay the ransom for their safe return. This fucker decided he wanted to get them back the cheap way. I say we show him that his greed killed one of his flock.

I agree, black arrow time

Rolled 7

>>25615437
Hi, you must be new here. We usually to to keep people alive, with exceptions for foes like the Dramatae.

Cai and friends are not on the same level of "needs to die" as the Dramatae

I'm all for going lethal force at this point, subduing is holding us back and starting to risk too much.

Besides, we got the other spy.

>>25615520
Subduing force only got us fucked because the dice gods decided we couldn't achieve shit for half the combat with the first one

>>25615420
well, I say we go in for the quickquick. I wish we could take a bow shot while running.(slithering?)

>>25615573
Quick-quick into a tail sweep maybe?

Guys, you realize we need very much to throw the Kingfisher off balance. He has this whole conflict between us planned out for months to come. We have to strike back instead of just taking it like we have been. He needs a taste of what Leviathan brain does, if just to make him question his other plans.

>>25615597
the way to do that is by capturing all of the spies.

>>25615597
If we thwart this rescue attempt, he'll have to negotiate

Rolled 19

>>25615610
what he said

>>25615610
I doubt he didn't consider it a possibility, but yes it's our best chance to unsettle him. I suppose trying to tranq them all right now is a perfectly unrealistic Dawnchaser plan.

>>25615573
>>25615588
>>25615428

Quick-quick to intercept it is.

You can get there no problem. The issue is getting there AND being able to be up on the draw. You really maybe want to avoid getting there, only for Cai and her friend to get the jump on you.

>>25615666
Tail sweep with spikes after the quick quick?

Cai can't be in that good of condition after being imprisoned for ages

>>25615666
alright, thats an acceptable risk.

>>25615597
Reply with a letter. We keep finding all these spies wherever we go and since he's the best spymaster (or so we are told) we would very much like his advice on these matters, since as a paladin we're crap at espionage.

>>25615666
we're going for distracting them until mage/peri arrive.

if we can get them to EVEN SLOW, it will be worth it.

(in b4 they run faster because "oh god lamia chasing us")

>>25615573
>>25615588
>>25615428

Quick-quick to intercept it is.

You can get there no problem. The issue is getting there AND being able to be up on the draw. You really maybe want to avoid getting there, only for Cai and her friend to get the jump on you.

Roll 3d20 to hit target. It's low. There's grass, the pair aren't looking at you, and you doubt that the new girl will react well to 20ft of lamia barbed night-terror appearing in front of her.

Rolled 19, 4, 17 = 40

>>25615720

Rolled 18

>>25615720
Motherfucking charge

Rolled 10, 11, 5 = 26

>>25615736
fuck ignore that

>>25615720
also our claws are out.

so claws, barbs, and in the dark.

Rolled 16, 19, 12 = 47

>>25615720
Sure why not

Rolled 7, 11, 15 = 33

>>25615720

CHAERG

Rolled 4, 7, 1 = 12

>>25615720
I so bad at rolling

so now we get the good rolls.

>>25615753
That looks good enough

>>25615762
thank fuck you are

Rolled 4, 2, 6, 8 = 20

>>25615753
Okay! That's more than enough. You Quick-quick across the field and slide right in front of them.

{SNAKES AND VERMIN!} The new girl says. You see now that she's got a staff of her own. It's a long piece of wood that's got an assortment of what looks like black glass or crystals embedded into it.

Cai's also got a new dagger. {Not YOU again!} She screams.

Roll for new intiative.

Rolled 6

>>25615874
{Yes me}

Rolled 8

>>25615874

Rolled 8

>>25615874
"Sideways! Where you going?"

Rolled 6

>>25615874
"More prisoners! Wonderful!"

Rolled 4

>>25615874

Rolled 5

>>25615889
>>25615898
>>25615899
>>25615904
The dice gods have a sense of humor

>>25615874
{Yes, you haven't heard any of my jokes yet. You can't leave now.}

>>25615889
>>25615898
>>25615899
>>25615904
>>25615905
FUCK

>>25615874
{YOU DIDN'T FILL OUT THE PROPER PAPERWORK FOR A PRISONER TRANSFER}

{I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY FORMS AND FILE THEM WITH THE HEAD OF SECURITY}

{THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY}

>>25615928
Everything depends on who that last 8 is.

Rolled 3

>>25615928
only one of them gets to attack before us

Rolled 5

>>25615874
{Ahh more little song birds for the cage.}

>>25615874
We go after the wounded or the mage. If we get the wounded, then they have to slow down to help her. The magicuser, well geek the magic user is an official policy is it not.

Rolled 3

>>25615874
{The King Serpent is fishing for Kingfishers.}

>>25615874
Oh shit long stick with black glass in it...

THAT BITCH GON' HIT US WIT A MACUAHUITL LOOK THE FUCK OUT, Y'ALL!

we are wearing armor you know.

>>25615971
I think it'll be best to keep barbs out, might help stop the obsidian shards from cutting us too badly

Rolled 3, 9, 9, 3 = 24

>>25615899
{Sideways! Where you going?} You ask. {You haven't heard any of my jokes yet!} You turn to the other. {And YOU, YOU DIDN'T FILL OUT THE PROPER PAPERWORK FOR A PRISONER TRANSFER.} You shout.

{I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK YOU TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY FORMS AND FILE THEM WITH THE HEAD OF SECURITY.}

The magic user looks at Cai. Cai shakes her head. "Don't...don't ask. Ever."

You go first.

>>25616007
Tail whip with a helping of black poison spines

Rolled 7, 17, 7, 16, 6 = 53

>>25616007
Stupid, forgot to change it to a 20.

>>25616007
barbed tail sweep.

>>25616027
You hear the smashing of broken pottery and you see a bunch of sand blow by in the wind from the upper wall. Okay, Tricia and Lea are good. Even better.

>>25616024
>>25616031
I see no reason not to engage in this plan, as long as it slows them down.

>>25616036
Tell them to find the boat

>>25616007
Can we hit two targets? If we can we tail whip the magic user and claw Cai. If not just double it on the magic user.

Hopefully, they'll try to attack us.

We haven't had a good chance to quickquick dodge in a while, that last guy sort of was trying to eat potions and use pokeballs the whole match.

>>25616057
oh god those things were totally pokeballs

>>25616057
a good dodge will let us take out either of them nonlethally

>>25616007
{IF SHE DOESNT ASK, HOW WILL SHE KNOW WHERE TO GET THE FORMS? SEE THIS KIND OF THINKING IS HOW YOU GOT CAPTURED}

{YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN UNCONSCIOUS. ANYTHING YOU GROAN CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A COURT OF LAW. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO A PALADIN.}

>>25616054
You can try to tail whip & claw/claw, but it'll take some concentration, so smaller bonuses.

I'm assuming you still have your barbs out?

>>25616171
Of course.

Lets go for it.

>>25616144
>>25616149
Are we going to nonsense Cai to tears? Because I like that plan

>>25616171
Yeah, barbs out. We are trying to delay the escaping spies so anything that would hurt them will force them to be more careful and that buys our friends time to get here.

>>25616203
>Don't ask. Ever.
We're already an unspeakable event in Cai's mind.

And she really hasn't heard all our jokes.

Are we just gonna gangbang them with everyone or should we send tricia and lea after boatguy

>>25616217
We let one escape to tell the next village of the horrors regarding our sense of humor

>>25616149
{Actually, now that I think about it, I'M a Paladin, so you have the right to speak to me if you'd like.}

{I understand that my Father taught me never to play with my food, but when two little birds are foolish enough to fly straight into my den, how can I resist? Foolish, silly, arrogant little birds who fancy themselves hunters."

>>25616239
No no no, no food jokes. I think they've figured out by now that we don't eat people

>>25616208
>>25616180

You lunge forward at Cai, claws out with Black dripping, and your barbed tail swings towards the other girl with your usual horrific speed.

Roll 3d20 +1 to all three

>>25616239
Not silly enough

Rolled 3, 11, 12 = 26

>>25616248
ssen chop!

>>25616248
Tis a dark night for the little birds

Rolled 3, 1, 5 = 9

>>25616248

Rolled 9, 7, 4 = 20

>>25616248

Rolled 18, 16, 2 = 36

>>25616248
rollan!

Rolled 19, 17, 16 + 1 = 53

>>25616261
>>25616248
fuck

{Sideways you have violated at least fifteen different rules of the prison code, so as a paladin I sentence you to death by puns! You have not put the period at the end of your name when you signed your prison waver to end your sentence!}

Rolled 17, 18, 6 = 41

>>25616248
{IF SHE DOESN'T ASK, HOW WILL SHE KNOW WHERE TO GET THE FORMS? SEE THIS KIND OF THINKING IS HOW YOU GOT CAPTURED. ALSO IS A BALL OF CORPSES CONSIDERED A MONSTER?}

>>25616271
GODFUCKING DAMMIT

FUCKING HATE THE DICE COMMANDS SOMETIMES

>>25616203
THESE ARE NOT NONSENSE. THESE ARE YOUR LAMIA RIGHTS.

Rolled 1, 9, 12, 4 = 26

>>25616258
Cai dodges you easily, but your tail flies through the air and slams into the woman, the bards don't slice her up too much, but her armors pretty much ripped to shreds now.

Cai has a new dagger and tries to gut you with it.

The magic user points her staff at you and a flurry of crystal flechettes hurls towards you.

Mage shoots a fireball at the magic user.

Peri jumps in with her sword dance against Cai.

>>25616248

>>25616394
mage got a hit in and cai critfailed

>>25616394
heh. crit fail. she must be distraught

>>25616394

Cai pokes herself. LOVELY!

Continue to focus on the woman.

>>25616394
>attempt to stab lamia
>the lamia has your knife

>>25616394
Cai lunges for you, but stumbles and trips into the dirt.

You dodge the slightly off center magic assault,
and mage's fireball impacts in the side of her head. She goes down and her staff goes skittering away.

Peri misses.

Your turn.

You can see Tricia and Lea running up as well.

>>25616394
can we quickquick behind the magic user for the next attack?

>>25616449
Wrap cai when she attempts to get up?

>>25616394
{WEAPONS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE CARRIED BY NON-PERSONNEL INSIDE THE WALLS}

{I MUSK ASK YOU TO RELINQUISH YOUR WEAPONS TO THE ARMIGER. THEY WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU UPON YOUR DEPARTURE.}

{YOU HAVE FIFTEEN SECONDS TO COMPLY.}

>>25616394
"King Fritter, King Fubble, King Furry, King Fugly. Which is it, Sideways. Which is it?"

Claws and tail again

>>25616449
>>25616460
Why wait? Do it while she's on the ground.

"You guys got that other one secured?"

>>25616470
nah, that bit is old, weary, tired and beaten.

we're onto LAMIALAWS now.

>>25616449
A little wrap, a little black barb, and Cai gets a nice nap. Speaking of which, is the black affecting the magic user, since we hit her with our barbs?

>>25616475
Actually we could just sit on them both, they can't move 800lbs of lamia

>>25616470
after him trying to take back his hostages without paying, he's the Kingfilcher as far as I'm concerned.

>>25616449
{YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO REMAIN UNCONSCIOUS. ANYTHING YOU GROAN CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A COURT OF LAW. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEAK TO A PALADIN. LIKE ME. I AM A PALADIN, DESPITE MY PROPENSITY TO SPOUT NONSENSE. I DON'T KNOW WHY I DO IT. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY I AM YELLING ALL THIS, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE STARTED I FEEL THE NEED TO CONTINUE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT I AM RELATIVELY UNSURE WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE THIS IN. WE SHALL HAVE TEA LATER AND I SHALL TELL YOU JOKES FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THREE HOURS}

>>25616466
And now the Robocop theme is screaming through my head combined with a mental image of Ssen wearing Murphy-style armor and helmet...it's gorgeous.

>>25616460
>>25616475

"You guys got that other one secured?" You ask as you lunge with your tail at Cai.

"Tied up like a hog, and for good measure, Lea gave him one of her knockout drops when it looked like he was waking up." Lea says.

Roll 1d20

Rolled 9

>>25616528
Securing the prisoner

Rolled 16

>>25616528

Rolled 20

>>25616528

Rolled 5

>>25616528

>>25616550
prisoner secured.

>>25616543
>>25616545
>>25616550
woo!

>>25616550
Lea is going to teach us some of this rope magic

>>25616528
>>25616550
read 'em their rights>>25616518

File: 1372057073713.jpg-(159 KB, 588x588, robocop3.jpg)

159 KB JPG

>>25616550
>>25616522
Welp, looks like we're robocop now.
>>25616487
I meant the one on the wall.

>>25616573
And then we teach it to Tricia?

>>25616573
But we've got a snake tail. that makes us like, a rope elemental

>>25616587
Dead or Alive, you're punning with me.

New thing for Mage's to-do list: figure out the golems

Dude needs some more utility

>>25616550
You slide around Cai perfectly. and she literally cannot move so much as an inch, without getting cut by your barbs.

"Still alive." Mage says, checking on the pulse of the other magic user. "But don't touch her staff."

"Was our hospitality really THAT bad?" Mari says. "We're going to charge you for that wall that your friend crystalized and smashed."

Cai looks at you. "Phoenix Rules of war state that you cannot punish a prisoner for attempting to escape." She says. "Of course, we are a more enlightened people."

She swallows as she flinches away from one of your barbs. "Please...please don't hurt them. I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"She's lying." Peri says.

File: 1372057269113.png-(153 KB, 500x353, 1360010869494.png)

153 KB PNG

>>25616573
I have diagrams, if you want.

>>25616633
Well, of course she's lying. Perhaps uncle Julian can help us make an honest woman out of her?

>>25616633
Flex one of the barbs so it just touches her
"You should rethink your position little bird.:

>>25616633
"Don't worry, I don't need much more out of you. Now that I have three of you as bait, oodles more spies will be coming in.

"Tricia, Peri, be dears and see if that boat is anywhere around still. Mage, fetch the one on the wall. Lea, secure Cai's friend, then help me with Cai. I'll be here, coming up with jokes."

>>25616659
nah, what information does she even have that's useful to us any more?

MONTHS out of date by now. she's a political piece now, not a source of info.

>>25616633
Kingdom Rule of POWs: You try to escape, we try to kill you. You surrender, you go back to your cell unharmed. We keep it simple.

>>25616673
Her actual spy work was never important. What was important is what she knew about the PE and the Kingfisher, and that is all still relevant and good.

>>25616673
Oh, it's not an issue of her telling us the truth. I just don't want her lying anymore. Besides, she'll be a nice warmup for uncle dearest before he talks to the two new prisoners.

>>25616633
we are not punishing your for attempting to escape. We are punishing you for failing, wasting resources, and getting your compatriots captured as well. Speaking of which, we need to stop that boat, who wants to organize a mer-led blockade?

>>25616633
I really REALLY want to be nice to you.

Don't you want me to be nice to you?

Let's sit together and be friends.

>>25616633
{Hush little serpent, don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a little bird. And if that little bird won't sing, mama's gonna let her feel the paper's sting...}

>>25616726
Fuck. This. You creepy sumbitch.

>>25616726
I wish to buy you a beer and invite you to an evil campaign.

>>25616633
"Anything? Then tell me how to get in contact with the Kingfisher so he can stop wasting resources and you can stop wasting my time."

>>25616726
>>25616735
I don't really like it. We got WAY more info out of her when we tricked her than when we physically interrogated her.

trickstering is my preference.

>>25616726
Only of we retract the spines and squeeze a little tighter as we sing.

>>25616758
oh, this. Second this a lot.

>>25616762
Well, we have two new people to trick, and we're very upset. Plus, that's too damn good NOT to use.

>>25616633
"We aren't at war."

>>25616777
I'm not actually that upset, I fully expected and planned on this happening to net us more spies.

I'm thrilled in fact, this was justasplanned.

>>25616762
It's not meant to get anything out of her. It's to make her afraid of us again, to remind her why it's foolish to escape, and hopefully to make her pass out.

>>25616781
This man has a fair point.

>>25616782
I meant we as in the dawnchasers. We've been yanked away from the first party in forever that we wouldn't have been poisoned at because the PE is a bunch of jerks.

>>25616787
I'd much prefer something like the "ask how to contact kingfisher" suggestion

>>25616633
>Phoenix Rules of war

"Wait, we're at war? Because there is a HUGE difference between catching a spy, and catching a spy from an enemy at war..."

>>25616781
yeah, something like this.

>>25616633
"I really don't trust a damn thing you say. And frankly, I'm rather hurt on a personal level that it has come to this. But you leave me no choice. I'm going to lock you back up, deal with the boat, get some sleep, and when I come back I am going to have you tied up, and I will spout puns at you until I fall asleep again."

>>25616633
Don't get distracted responding to her, keep her restrained and get the other Dawnchasers restraining the mage and going after the boat.

>>25616812
good catch.

>>25616812
This means we're gonna need to find Isen and Mumei

>>25616833
puns are a FAR worse threat than papercuts.

I suggest puns.

>>25616882
> for a special torture session they get a Live Private Comedy Show with Ssen

"Don't worry, I don't need much more out of you. Now that I have three of you as bait, oodles more spies will be coming in.

"Tricia, be a dear and see if that boat is anywhere around, with your friend. Peri, go contact Dana and see if she can get a posse. Mage, fetch the one on the wall. Lea, secure Cai's friend, then help me with Cai. I'll be here, coming up with jokes." You grin at Cai.

Cai whimpers in pain. The only thing more frightening than a giant snake, made of blades and poison that can speak the tongue of the nobles...is one that tells horrific jokes.

Twenty minutes later, the three empire agents are back in separate, very secure cells, with round the clock minotaur guards.

They speak this language you aren't totally familiar with, but they know Citadel well enough, and Tara gave them explicit instructions to not listen to them, not to talk to them, and if they knocked on the wall to remember it and what they did.

Tara nods as you and her wait at the shoreside for news from the mer. "Like, we used to, umm, do that. The tap code. At night in the infirmary, we were umm, not supposed to talk or converse with other fighters cause, like they didn't want us cheating or stuff. I dunno. But, we like, um...made up a tapping code. Or someone did, and they made it up in jail, so...you know. And minotaurs, I know we come off as ummm, bad at talking and junk, but...uhhh....well, you know how the troll book worked and umm...hang on..." She raps out a rather complex little rhythm on the wall.

"That was, umm, one of your jokes, in uhhh...I guess you could call it Minotaur code tap special language." She says. She shrugs. "I dunno, can I go peel Isen off Granny? He's been flirting with her and the Harpy Queen back and forth again." She shakes her head and sighs.

Dana jumps out of the water. She shakes her head. "The boat made it to the rapids, and was swept up in the currents. We found the boat, smashed to pieces, but no body."

"So, she's dead?" Tara asks.

>>25617023
I doubt it. But good job guys. We'll see if we're at war with the Empire in the morning.

>>25617023
"Nah, got away clean to tell the world what they saw. We did well enough though, we have our prize.

As for codes and tapping and all that, I'm glad you're keeping up on it, I wouldn't have even considered such things. You're free to go, Isen probably needs some friendly company what with all this kingly pressure he's under."

>>25617023
"If there's no body, there's nobody dead."

"One messenger gets away, though. Maybe they'll wise up and quit bothering. Probably not, though."

>>25617023
"If life was that simple I would be able to enjoy a few more days. Sadly, it isn't Tara. Our third spy most likely got away. Thank you, Dana, it was worth the try at least.

"Also, Tara... you have to teach me that tap code stuff. You never know when might come in handy..."

>>25617023
Minotaurs developed Morse Code?

tell me us more.

she should teach the skill to isen

also the boat could have been a decoy.

>>25617023
"nope, she got away, but unless Peri or Tricia can get a trail she got away clean. While we wait, do you mind grabbing Isen so the pair of you can help me take all the stuff we found on the spies to the Inventor's Guild?" wink

>>25617023
"Hah! Good work everyone, we've really earned our party.

Which is probably over."

this is going to be the MOST EMBARRASSING story for Cai to tell.

"First, she gave me a papercut. Then, then... she told bad jokes!"

>>25617366
We didn't even give her the papercut. That was Julian.

>>25617366
She'll be having 'Nam flashbacks.

"The puns... You weren't there, man! You weren't there!"

>>25617023
"Peri, if you were fleeing from this sort of scene like that last infiltrater was, what would you be doing? Where would you go?"

(long post coming, hence the pause)

>>25617503
I figured. Don't mind waiting though, it's usually good.

"Nah, got away clean to tell the world what they saw. We did well enough though, we have our prize. Thank you, Dana, it was worth the try at least.

"As for codes and tapping and all that, I'm glad you're keeping up on it, I wouldn't have even considered such things. You should teach me it one day.

"Anyway, you're free to go, Isen probably needs some friendly company what with all this kingly pressure he's under."

"Thanks." Tara says. "You should all, like, umm...go to the party now. Isen says he's planning on having it last at least another day or two. Also, I mean, you guys need to take SOME time off, right?" She smiles at you.

"Somedays, my love, I could honestly just cry." Tricia says.

"And most days," Mage says. "I do."

- - - Elsewhere - - -
"Hyun Dae-Sun, and Chin Oko Mae. Both captured." The Kingfisher says into the pool of water. "How did you escape?"

"I pushed off the moment I heard combat." The voice says. "I went down the coast to extraction site b, and then followed orders."

"Your location?"

"Secure."

"Identity?"

"Unsure."

"Schedule a minor reconstructive surgery and then go into the festival. You are NOT an active. I want passive reconnaissance, list of probable assets, and other information. Do it for four months, then leave. You'll return to offer ransom for our people." He sighs. "How were you discovered?"

"Unknown, followed all instructions, no light source, approached at proper vector, and took in all known light sources. Maybe they have magical guards? That or dumb luck is my only assumption."

"Reasonable." The Kingfisher says. "Very well, bad winds can ruffle even the Phoenix's feathers, as they say. Stay safe."

"Thank you, master." The voice from the pool ends.

(cont)

>>25617684
Shinsotsu enters the room. "His Perfection is making his demonstration to the Emperor and his son now."

"Were we invited?" Kingfisher asks.

"No." The girl smiles. "Would you like to listen from the roof or within the wall."

Kingfisher pats his stomach. "Too many good dinners from the wife. Ceiling will have to do."

"As you wish, my master."

To present things to the Emperor, even to ones living in this land, is a slightly more complicated process than one might thing. Oh the mystics make it LOOK simple, but that's their job. Really it's a pain in the ass to stop the Blood of the Emperor's heart so that His True Perfection can reside within His Flesh, and not ruin the vessel and to be able to revive the vessel.

"Sky Lord Cheng Ika Rinu Xing Ji-Haou, Lord of the New Skies, Master of the Dust Winds, Tamer of the Two Headed Brutes, Wings of Brass and Steel, Part of my First Flock, Ones Who Tame Arcane Winds, Those With Sight Clear Into Dawn. You are before his most Perfect Being, He Who Is Law incarnate, High Lord Emperor of the Heavens, He Who Is As The Sky, The One Who Soars With The Phoenix, May We Always Be Within His Wings, Emperor of the Phoenix Empire, The One Endless Civilization." The Mystic says.

The little brat's eyes are bloodshot and blood trickles from his nose, but he nods and the voice of the Lord of True Order comes from his throat. "Speak."

(cont)

>>25617691
"Your Perfection." Sky Lord Cheng says. "I am here to demonstrate why I have come to this land, and what it has to offer. Normally, we have left it be. For it had no purpose. The people were savage, and their...city...was of no use to any, and a foul wind for any that came here. Now, I have a purpose for its power. Especially now, that it is ripe for the taking.

"With this power, you will finally have perfect order in all things, the Silks, these savages and the beasts, all will obey you."

"Magic has been attempted to do this before." The Emperor says. "It has ended poorly, or the Source was faulty."

"Yes, because the design was in error, my lord." Sky Lord Cheng says. "One should not force man, to tell them what they desire. Fighting free will is a pointless and endlessly self-destructive endeavor. People will be people, and there is little we can do to stop them." He takes a deep breath. "But, with control over Citadel as it is now, and the power we have within...we can simply change what KIND of free will people have."

"Explain." The Emperor says.

(cont)

>>25617699
"I will not bore you with the basic talk of the mystics, and the details that matter not, but...I can reshape a man's soul." He says. "A man who desires white rice can wake up and then crave nothing but brown for the rest of his days. Those who enjoy silk, will crave the touch of cotton. The male deviants who feel sexual attraction to men will awake desiring women. And all will have the unquestioning desire to follow and obey you my lord. No one will question. No one will disagree. No one will think differently."

"This is true?"

"I have done it on a single person, multiple times, the magic is sound, and irreversible, save another reshaping of the soul." Sky Lord Cheng nods. "Securing Citadel will allow me to do this on a scale that would cover the globe."

"Cost?" The Emperor asks.

"The Citadel itself would be reduced to ash. All the treasure and wealth within, would be gone." He says. "But in exchange, a world that obeys, because it's what they want...and it gives them happiness to do so."

"Is he truthful?"

"We have seen his work." The High Mystic says. "He is not lying. We are unsure of the total scale...perhaps not the entire world, but all of our lands and this land as well. So certainly the half that matters."

"Very well. This is what Will Be. I have spoken. Well done, Sky Lord. That is all." The body slumps, and the mystics go to work reviving the young boy.

Kingfisher and Shinsotsu re-enter the Kingfisher's work room. "Get me all the information on Cheng, everything down to what kind of reed he wipes his ass with. I also need to see those experiments yesterday." He says calmly. "The whole flock is to be recalled and be put on a boat to get here, now."

"He is a Sky Lord, who hired us to aid him." Shinsotsu says.

"Yes, he is." The Kingfisher sits down in his cheap but comfortable little chair and strokes his beard. "And now I have to think about what to do about that." He smiles. "Citadel indeed can solve every problem we've ever had."

Well fuck.

>>25617707
aaaAAAAAHHHHH

>>25617707
>mfw this is part of the Light's long con to topple the PE.

>>25617738
basically this entire quest has been light's long con.

ONE lightning bolt in ONE tower.

>>25617738
I'm almost beginning to feel sorry for everyone who comes up with these huge schemes

>>25617754
too bad we don't know about it yet.

Heck, the spymaster JUST found out about it.

Is it too much to ask for just once having an enemy whose end goal isn't mind-doodling us?

>>25617773
wait, nevermind, I forgot the ghouls main goal was to eat us.

... so to stop this scheme all we have to do is finish Citadel.

>>25617707
Oh Christ

Somehow, I don't think kingfisher is going to want this to happen. I suspect that we may end up as allies, eventually.

>>25617760
The good news is that they still have no idea how they were detected and we might just get another chance at nabbing our little bird if perception checks hold out

>>25617787
>implying we weren't always going to be allies

Why do you think I've been pushing so hard for humane prisoner care?

>>25617751
Really? Just a lightning bolt?

The array giving the Fifth slightly off kilter images to the point where he sends you not where It WANTED you to go but THOUGHT you should go.

Donovan's words echoing louder than normal pissing off the other Fey Court.

Mage not being killed or instantly eaten because he showed very VERY early that he had the gift.

One lucky arrow

How only a Lamia could knock both Lea AND Jeremy out of the way.

Not to mention has the reaction time to take a hit for Isen.

A well timed firework that showed something that no one else could see in any other way?

Of course, ALL of those things have perfectly rational explanations and perfectly terrestrial causes. Hell, the Bright Tower WAS the highest semi-metallic point in the area, of COURSE it would be hit by lighting.

Of course to quote another source: "If you do things Right, people wont be sure you've done anything at all."

>>25617808
You magnificent bastard.

>>25617787
When all is perfect and all think the same, who has ambition and the need of a spymaster?

Do try and be very careful with those prisoners.

>>25617808
Okay, fine, we've been surrounded by little miracles the whole way.

Don't forget the latch to the attic in the paladin statuary closing on its own so we can overhear odette.

Anyway, so I guess we're doing a whole day and a half of partying now.

>>25617833
We did tell Cia we wanted to meet the guy. We never said we would kill him.

I rather like him, he reminds me of Rage.

>>25617787
Naturally. If everyone is obedient, he's out of a job.

>>25617808
Are you guys conscious enough for another chunk, with the Fey Court and meeting the elusive Jesse-May Prosper, or are you all willing to let it go for Tuesday?

>>25617851
he seems like a reasonable guy. I literally meant "I want to meet him" when I said I wanted to meet him.

I want to learn that old woman's tile game.

Rolled 6, 18, 8 = 32

>>25617819
Remember he IS the fucking GM, whose job it is to give us these 'LULZ RANDUM" coincidences that have allowed the story to progress. SRSLY if the thing of the way the universe had been set up was allowed to run its course we would have died in Purple Sands trying to kill the Wasp Queen.
A rule of RPGs of ANY variety, bullshit (Both the good and bad varieties) ALWAYS follows the party around.

>>25617855
I'm conscious, sure. Though, I fear you may exhaust yourself. If you're up for it, I am too.

>>25617808
Well, if The Light has been playing the strings, then it seems at least somewhat benevolent and intends to allow free will, so I'd say we're okay with it.

For now.

>>25617855
I'll take Tuesday for 1000, personally.

>>25617855
It's a quarter till two in the blessed AM, Echo.

Fey court can happen Tuesday.

>>25617855
I'm game.
>>25617859
I want for our brain to be good at tiles, it sounds like fun.

>>25617855
Keep going i wanna finish as much as possible. You said we would not take 12 threads to do the "timeskip". We are currently on thread 5 of the "timeskip".

>>25617855
Are you?

I don't sleep, so I'll be fine, but don't push yourself too hard Echo.

>>25617855
nearly 5am here, tuesday would be good.

>>25617861
Keep going im WIDE awake.

>>25617863
>>25617870
Yeah, I'm kinda burning out...So!

THat will be it for this evening. Next session will have a couple of weeks skip ahead in game time as you FINALLY GET YOUR DAY OFF! Then later travel to First Wood to deal with the treaty and meet Jesse-May Prosper.

In real time that'll be Tuesday, June 25th, 4-6pm PST.

May his light be with you.

>>25617855
If you think you can give it another go, I'm game. But don't wear yourself out or anything, man.

>>25617893
Guess I got an excuse to sleep then

>>25617893
Marvelous threads tonight, see you on Tuesday.

We tripled our prisoner investment! Hah!

>>25617906
I give it a week before we have half the Empire.

Echo may SAY we're getting a day off, but I don't believe that one bit.

We're probably getting ambushed. By SPIDERS.

>>25617893
Thank you, Echo. Have a good one.

>>25617906
Speaking of investments, we should figure out what we want in ransom. Such as a meeting with the Kingfisher or at least the information about the Sky Lord.

>>25617926
eh, given shipping times, it'll take a lot longer.

I wonder how many prisoners we have to trade for tile-game lessons.

Say, have we ever just full-on tackled anyone? We're half a ton of angry snake lady, I don't imagine it'd take much to bring someone down like that

>>25617941
what I -want- to do is trade the prisoners for a writ of service from the kingfisher.

What I'll settle for is whatever information I can squeeze out of him. And I guess some worthless gold or something.

>>25617947
Not sure.

I'm wondering if Uncle an even lift us anymore, considering he managed it 200 pounds ago.
>>25617953
Or random npcs

>>25617947
I think we did that to the guy up on the wall.

Also, now that the thread's done- we're GETTING A WHOLE ORDER! Scholars and military and all!

How the hell should we arrange them, what do we want them doing? I used to fantasize about sending groups out to educate feral monsters, but are there really many of those left any more?

>>25617960
I suggest we try to get uncle to lift us repeatedly as we get older, to test just exactly HOW MUCH he can lift

>>25617927
>We're probably getting ambushed. By SPIDERS.
Please, I'd like to think I can be a bit more creative than that.

>>25617972
Poor uncle, still got to admire a guy who can lift and twirl around 600 pounds of snake lady
>>25617982
Quick question: how the hell did uncle lift us in the early part of the quest and can he still do it?

>>25617989
he lifted us the same way liam managed to have us on his arm for hours without it falling off.
MAD paladin strength.
>>25617982
See? he ADMITS IT!

This "day off" is no day off at all!

>>25617965
Scholar order should also be a cover for spying and intelligence work.

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>>25617995
I love you. That is the best idea.

>>25617982
So no spiders at all ever? Because I have mixed feelings on no spiders at all ever.

>>25617982
Do driver exist in this setting?

Some kinda obscure descendant of Trolls?

>>25618004
tricia has spiders in her hat, I believe.

>>25617994
When are we gonna get that strength?

I want to be able to lift all our friends

>>25618012
they probably exist in the underdark.

Which we will not visit for some 500 years until our deep-core mines punch through.

>>25618018
we can already carry all of our friends simultaneously on our back.

>>25618029
I meant upper body strength, Lower body is pretty much entirely muscle and probably upwards of 7/8th of our total weight

>>25618013
Well, yeah, but not giant fantasyland spiders. Unless she has a really big hat.

>>25618039
I think our upper body might actually have some strength penalties. We have weird spindly claw-storing fingers that can't punch well, most of our vigorous force comes from tail-work...

We've been able to avoid all legit-arm wrestling by using our tail as a substitute.

>>25617989
>how the hell did uncle lift us in the early part of the quest and can he still do it?
He lifted you from under the arms and then spun you around. He didn't really do a dead lift of 200 pounds but used centrifugal forces and other physics stuff that I'm saying in the hope that it makes sense and none of you are physics experts who can call me on my bullshit.

>>25618065
Ah the powers of handwavium.

I'll accept it.

>>25618065
no, he pretty much straight up lifted 600 pounds and then exerted much greater forces than that.

Julian is a FUCKING TITAN of a man who can lift boulders. canon.

>>25618065
Some dude a few threads ago recognised Euler's Formula when I was throwing random equations together.

No such luck, I'm afraid.

>>25618060
Isn't she using one of her dad's old big hats?

I wonder how many generations that hat has been down. Just like I wonder how many generations our circlet-gem has been down.

>>25618065
Or we can go with, you also helped him in 'lifting' you up with a little push on your tail, as when someone pulls you up, you tend to try and have your body go with it.

But, yeah, mostly it was because I thought the image of a gruff badass hard-as-nails Paladin smiling and twirling a lamia around like a favorite niece was too cute not to use.

>>25618100
It's easier to imagine that Julian is just that badass.

>>25618100
look, it's adorable and all, but I -choose to believe- that Julian is also stupid strong.

>>25618100
It's fine. Rules of Funny, Cool, and Cute override all forms of logic.

We should throw Lea more often.

>>25618116
He is a red. They probably get stupid amounts of bonus str.

>>25617982
Ok instead we will get ambushed by driders and drow coming to kidnap/rape Jessi whose plans we foil.

>>25618129
>>25618122
>>25618116
in fact, regardless of how actually strong julian is, from now on I will claim that he is strong enough to lift literal TONS of lamia. That is how I will tell the story too.

Like how paul took an entire batallion of archer's arrows to the face and heart without stopping his rampage one bit.

>>25618100
Nope.

Julian is Mr. Olympia

It's canon

>>25618127
We really should. she wouldn't appreciate it.

Speaking of Lea, I want to have her take some time training our military folk. We should spend some time doing that too, along with julian.

Between the three of us, they had damn well BETTER get good at fighting.

>>25618140
You mean a million arrows.

He took a full million arrows to the face.

>>25618143
100% canon.

>>25618143
>>25618140
>>25618122
>>25618116
So it's time again to overrule Echo on what is and isn't canon?

>>25618146
It's the dwarf tossing rule, Lea just happens to be the closest thing we got to a dwarf. Everyone else is either some sort of squishy or us.

>>25618153
It's always that time.

>>25618153
to be fair, we may just be deciding what Ssen believes to be true.

OBVIOUSLY her uncle is the strongest man in the world bar none. Save maaaaybe her dad, but he's dead.

>>25618153
I think they're just being cheeky

no rules not having a fanon tjheory for a physics plot hole [probably not the best word..] anyway

>>25618161
we've actually got a really squishy party. Lea's an agility-type tank, not the meat type.

We're, really, the only ones who can take much of a hit. and WE'RE agility fighters even.

everyone in our party is agility fighters and casters I realize. No wonder Julian is so strong, he's the only example we've seen yet of a STR build in action.

>>25618146
Lea can, Julian can't. It's Occuli interference.

However, if HIS Occuli training grounds happen at the same time the Arma Nitor are there, and they copy Julian's instructions...well...then that's just coincidence.

>>25618188
There was that molester warrior we killed in the old one's house.

>>25618189
Huzzah, loopholes!

>>25618205
>>25618189
loopholes: The only way you can be a good cop in this dirty city.

>>25618161
Wouldn't Trish count as medium armor with carapace up?

but yeah our main party is like:
Hero [We're not really an archetypal Pali even with Beacon's Light..]
Mage [hue]
Druid [Wasp Witch, close enough]
Ninja/Ranger/Some Sort of Tactican? [Depends on whose Active]
Monk [Full Lea, she might have a sub as a bard too but she's all fists in fighting]

The only Armored Person we got is Ssen..

>>25618202
I keep forgetting about her. Clang was basically her bane, wasn't it?

>>25618228
Pretty much.
>>25618220
Sounds about right.

>>25618220
mage has taken ranks in GRAND SORCERER, don't forget. Also I am pretty sure wasp witch MUST be an alternate druid package.

Well, I look forward to julian's occuli drills. Because fuck if we know mass fighting, other than maybe what dear old pop taught us.

Allright, super tired, one last thing before hitting the hay so I don't forget: black powder weapon production might be under way soon. I bet we could fit a pistol slot into our weapon loadout without giving up anything.

>>25618065
>>25618089
LamiaandSnake image dumper here, I've got a bachelors in physics actually but I'll let it, and the horrible mess that was the quadratic eulers formula mashup, pass. Just wish I had proper internet to participate in the meat of the threads. Echo please respond I'm dying without contact at this point. even IRC is fucking blocked at this library. Being EST is suffering.

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>>25619744
You're the guy who was posting all the snake gifs?

They always make me happy.

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>>25619854
Yeah, and the original Arbok Lamia that gets circulated every time someone brings up tongues among others.
I may or may not have been responsible for shadow company as well, though it was more framework, echo came up with the specifics. I grinned like an idiot when I saw them show up. Then you buggers killed peace.

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>>25619893
God that is beautiful

>>25619854
did this nigger just yawn...

I DEMAND MORE SNAKES, especially HD please.

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>>25620008
I've got to work in a few, which cuts into the little time I do get for proper internet but I do have a few on hand.
All my good lamia pics are on my desktop which will be off the grid for at least 5 more months if not more.

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I think I have one more after this.

>>25619744
> Being EST is suffering.
Ahahahaha. Try being on GMT. Next thread is starting somewhere between midnight and 2am, and probably going on until 6 or 7am. My sleep cycle is totally fucked at this point...

>>25620049
damn, oh well i won't take your time, go to work faget.

have a good day.

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Yeah, this is the last one I got.
>>25620078
I don't even participate son. I just read in the archives since... I think since thread 40. Other than popping in with a few things a few times. I was actually a part of the original thread that this spawned off of but I hate sounding like a preening faget so I usually shut up about it. Especially in archived works.
>>25620088
Thankfully I have a bit of leeway and not too many pictures here.

>>25620078
A fellow britfag?

All my favourite quests start at midnight. I understand your suffering.

>>25620078
>and probably going on until 6 or 7am
They go on until around 9 or 10am usually.

>>25621227
Fair enough. 6 or 7 is usually the point at which I'm finally overcome by sleep.

>>25617023
>The only thing more frightening than a giant snake, made of blades and poison that can speak the tongue of the nobles...is one that tells horrific jokes.
Hey Sideways, when is a kingfisher not a kingfisher? When it's a jailbird!

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>>25620049
>All my good lamia pics are on my desktop
Did someone say Lamia pics?

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>>25625212
Because I think someone said lamia pics.

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>>25625238

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>>25625261

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>Lets throw the Earth Elemental into the water instead
>I'm sure we'll be fine with all this fire

I'm glad we tossed the fire elemental.

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>>25625306
The fire elemental would certainly have been trickier for Lea to punch.

>>25625212
>>25625238
>>25625261
>I'm off work now and wish I could get access to the images from that VN she was in. Long tongues abound.