Welcome back Echo. Are you feeling any better?

Congratulations, the United Free Kingdoms is now official. Isen is king, trade, food, and economy are marginally stable, and monster integration is going mostly smooth.

Also, as a final bit of positive news, you managed to foil a jailbreak by the Phoenix Empire to rescue Cai Wei Zhu. She now has two more cell mates. Unfortunately the wheelman (or boatman) in this case, has gotten away.

You've been invited to come to First Wood, along with Uncle Julian, to discuss the new treaty, trade agreement, and possible alliance between the UFK and the Fey Court.

The two days off that you got seemed to pass far far too quickly, but were sorely needed. Now, however it's back to work.

>>25645799
All but recovered, thanks for asking.

"We have a problem with the new prisoners." Peri says. "They haven't said anything, and they're going on a hunger strike."

"Well, what do they want? They know we can't just let them go." Lea says.

"Right now, they want to be able to talk to each other. That's their main demand...talk to each other alone. They know that you know Phoenix Song, so they don't want you or Mumei or anyone who knows the song to overhear them."

"That doesn't seem like much." Tricia says. "Dangerous, yes, but we could have Ssen hide somewhere maybe?"

Peri shakes her head. "I don't want to give them anything. They'll push it as far as they can, but I doubt that they'll go so far as being willing to die of hunger." She drums her fingers. "At least, I'm pretty sure."

>>25645907
"Yeah, we don't want them to get the chance to their stories straight. Plus, they seem so confident that their boss is going to bail them out I doubt they'd try to kill themselves. I'm sure that once the Kingfisher finds out his rescue op failed he'll actually bother to talk to us."

>>25645907
"Agreed. I don't them talking to each other until after we got them to talk. Plus, as you said Peri, I doubt they'll actually let themselves die. They put much faith in this Kingfisher to free them for that."

>>25645907
Well, let them then. They want to see what concessions they can get from us. Unfortunately, they are prisoners and don't get any.

We'll heal them up only when they become unconscious or too sick to move."

>>25645975
> I don't them
> I don't want them

>>25645907
"If they die from hunger-strike the Kingfisher can hardly complain, not that I think they'd go that far. I wouldn't give in to their demands here."

>>25645907
"If they have anything to plan, they can do it after their master fetches them. Mumei made it clear that they'll be wanted back so they have nothing to talk to each other about. However we won't allow them to come to harm unless they attempt to escape, even if they intend to harm themselves

>>25645907
How about we ask one of or inventors to cook something up for long-range hearing, then allow it.

damn, 20 minutes later and already that guy mistagged our thread. I've failed!

>>25646047
Recording and play back would be better.

>>25646065
It's amusing.

>>25646065
At least Llama Babby Quest is easily identifiable, unlike some other unfortunate mistagged quests.

>>25646065
Mistagged? Seems pretty fitting to me.


Actually, it's kind of strange that they kept the number accurate.

>>25646107
There are some lines you shouldn't cross

>>25646107
And all the tags before the troll ones. He is a gentleman troll, to say the least.

"Well, we can't force them to eat. Make sure they have food available for if they change their mind.

I wouldn't mind letting them all talk to each other alone after they give their statements, sure, but to let them do it before ruins whatever information they give us."

>>25645907
Uh, no, I think it may be best to care about the Kingfisher's flock, he may turn out to share similar goals. He certainly wont want to Citadel the world.

>>25646119
>>25646125
Or a co conspirator.

>>25646152
>co conspirator.
To what? I don't think theres a conspiracy here.

>>25646107
Well, ERP is an inaccurate tag. The rest seem okay.

>>25646126
huh, I forgot to link this.
>>25645907

So, let me get this straight: They're straight up hunger striking so they can get their stories straight?

What dicks! This is entirely unnecessary! I just want to learn your stupid foreign card games!

>>25646235
We want to learn tiles, but we don't know they exist yet. I think.

But yeah they ain't talking to each other.

>>25646255
What's our plan for when this gets ugly, then? I don't want to have to hook them up to medieval-equivalents of IV drips. I'd much prefer to get their statements, and then treat them as close to guests as you can treat a prisoner.

So they're literally using non violent resistance.

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I'll have a talk with the archive owner. If Echo would just email me with what text he wants it replaced with I'll get it changed within the week.
You know who I am echo.
Please respond.
I'm going insane here. I don't even have the internet to contribute to the thread proper. Let me heeeeelp.

>>25646276
Revok limb privileges using black poison.

>>25646291
Revoke*

>>25646280
yep. I am not sure how to deal with this, other than giving them food every day and asking "Hey, do you feel like telling us how to get in contact with your boss yet?"

Because really, what I want out of them is a goddamn place I can write to to tell their boss we have some dudes of his, stop sending dudes.

>>25646291
>>25646297
I don't see how that would help

>>25646311
Being in jail is boring enough.

Being in jail when you can't move your extremities is worse.

>>25646322
I'm still failing to see how that would actually help get them to talk

>>25646330
It would get them to stop hunger striking.

maybe.

>>25646336
nah, just make them moderately uncomfortable for no real profit.

A classic dick move!

>>25646347
I was thinking more like "they're misbehaving and we can't send them to their rooms because they're already in their rooms so lets make sure they cant' do anything in those rooms until they start agreeing to stop starving themselves"

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>>25646290
And of course I fuck up the email. You know who I am.

>>25646363
nnnah, I don't like it. I still advocate the "give them food and ask them simple, non-mission-based questions daily" category. They don't need to eat the food, or answer the question, but gosh would it be nice of them to.

Also, repeatedly giving them the option to talk to each other while under observation. Or to talk to a lawyer-equivalent on their lonesome without observation.

"Well, we can't force them to eat, and we don't want them to get the chance to their stories straight. Plus, they seem so confident that their boss is going to bail them out I doubt they'd try to kill themselves. I'm sure that once the Kingfisher finds out his rescue op failed he'll actually bother to talk to us.

"Make sure they do have food available for if they change their mind. As you said Peri, I doubt they'll actually let themselves die. They put much faith in this Kingfisher to free them for that.

"I wouldn't mind letting them all talk to each other alone after they give their statements, sure, but to let them do it before ruins whatever information they give us.

"But, if they have anything to plan, they can do it after their master fetches them. Mumei made it clear that they'll be wanted back so they have nothing to talk to each other about. However we won't allow them to come to harm unless they attempt to escape, even if they intend to harm themselves."

Peri nods. "Alright, but be ready for the Empire to spread the world that we starved our prisoners cruelly, like the monsters that we are."

"How long is it going to take for them to capitalize on the whole humans having relations with monsters?" Tricia asks.

"Seeing as it's already happening?" Lea gestures to you two, and you know she's talking about Isen and Tara as well, I would be surprised if they weren't already doing so."

"Alright," Peri says. "So, that's all for the pressing concerns that we HAVE to deal with. Long stack of things we SHOULD deal with, but can ignore for now." She smiles at you. "So, how about some blessedly quiet days on the road before we hit First Wood and deal with more craziness?"

Rolled 4

[x] Give them food every day and ask them simple non-mission related questions.

If they insist on starving themselves, then they insist on starving themselves. We can't let them get their story straight.

>>25646408
>blessedly quiet days

I understand the individual words, but all together they sound like gibberish.

>>25646408
"I would love that more than anything in the world right now, well almost anything"

>>25646438
On second thought, disregard my post bellow his, I like this better.

>>25646408
"Is it sad that traveling on the road is now the better option for 'quiet days' now?"

>>25646322
Wow, I hope we fall or go Blackguard soon, because this is just plain evil.

>>25646408
"Some rest would be nice, if I can stop worrying about things like prisoner treatment. See about having someone try to play, I don't know, cards with them when they offer food. Friendly chat would probably do a world of good here, after a few days."

So here's what we do. We play hardball with these amateurs. Cai seemed to be desperate to keep her fellow Kingfishers alive and hidden, so we use that. Either we threaten the health and safety of two to get the third to crack, or we get one to think that the other two have sold them out.

I like the latter, but the former plays well into our image as being the terrifying snake lady.

>>25646408
Still hoping we Can get something invented and continue the questioning. Probably quote their discussion, try to rattle the one we question

>>25646458
well, yeah. Why do you think I spent like 6 comments arguing against that guy?

Sometimes, people will suggest evil stuff. It's our duty to tell them that's fucking retarded.

>>25646408

I have a thought regarding prisoners.

Howabout a magical AoE device that has the same effect as a Ring of Sustenance?

They won't be able to hunger strike because they won't need to eat!

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Ring_of_Sustenance

>>25646479
You mean like how we spent a whole thread just torturing and executing dudes?

>>25646493
you best be glad I got it argued down to a single papercut and no executions that thread.

The guy I was arguing with wanted to INVENT THE MINDRAPE spell.

>>25646464
We don't have to play hardball. Just hand over supervision to Julian. Sideways knows what he does and her fear will spread.

>>25646517
>no executions
But we did get a guy executed. We totally did. And then we cried about it like a little bitch because we don't have the balls to stomach our own decisions.

>>25646534
It was one guy suggesting we cry like a bitch. I argued against that

>>25646534
yeah, but that was a different thread. With only the DESIRE to cry.

Are you joshing me?

>>25646493
A small percentage of /tg/ will always be good old murderhobos and try and transform any character they play into another murderhobo. That's why the rest of us keep bitchslapping them.

>>25646534
What, exactly, do you propose was the alternative to a pre-industrial society dealing with an admitted, unrepentant racist murderer? He was tried, found guilty, and punished as the law required. Being a paladin requires you to be Lawful as well as Good, you know.

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>>25646534

No. We did that. We archived it. And we're going to do better next time.

This isn't some Citadel-spun fantasy. This is reality. People die. People die POINTLESSLY. And every one of those is a failure on our part.

And we're going to own up to it and keep going. Because that's what a paladin does.

>>25646595
Along with waving our dicks in front of prisoners for damn near three fourths of a thread for little to no good reason.

>>25646530
And we also know what he does.

If you are honestly advocating handing them over to Julian, I'd advise you reconsider in light of our in-character stance on torture.

>>25646626
Well, they're not giving us much choice now, are they? And a paladin only falls when they lose faith. Not when they do what is necessary.

>>25646647
I, too, would prefer to not do julian-style things in our new regime.

I mean, HOW OFTEN do we get the chance to start a new, tortureless regime? Let's do that.

>>25646595
>This is reality
Yes. The reality of a bitch with a snakebutt who french kisses a pile of bugs before she goes and tortures dudes for being racist. Because its totally wrong to harbor ill will about the thing that is currently threatening to take away your fucking limbs.
>>25646623
And threatening to like eat their families and shit.

>>25646656
How long do tortureless regimes last?

>>25646656
In the face of the Phoenix Empire, can we really afford to take these chances? We gotta know. Julian can do it.

>>25646626
Julian is the most experienced paladin in this issue. He doesn't have to torture them. He just has to be their warden. If any information breaks loose, I see it as an unexpected boon.

>>25646680
You're right, its easier to just put them all to the sword. Those who wont contribute to society will serve as an example for it.

>>25646683
The Enron defense, eh? So long as you plead ignorance, you don't have to worry about guilt.

>>25646701
That's not what I meant and you know it.

>>25646713
>>25646701
>>25646683
look dudes just chill

We'll give them some pie and sandwiches every day and send someone in to play some scrabble with them.

That's really all we can do right now.

>>25646701
Well, /tg/'s catalog us that way, then. You can pick the easy way, or the paladin way.

>>25646065
Honestly, I actually find this guy kind of amusing.

As long as the threads are still identifiable and have the proper set of tags in addition to the joke ones, I'm perfectly happy to take these little jabs in stride.

>>25646760
The paladin way meaning the torture way? In what universe is that good?

>>25646766
I really hope that "easy way" was meant to mean the torture/kill-em-all/general murderhobo way that most of us have been arguing down. If not, then >>25646760 is the one who needs to scroll down and click "catalog" instead.

>>25646766
>>25646804
The real question is how we're going to treat prisoners humanely in the future.

We've got Julian over there being an advocate for papercutworks and prisoners over here refusing to eat until they can all get together and, in private, fabricate a story.

>>25646766
Torture is easy, questioning and lambasting them is difficult, sorry about that.

... can Tricia hear through her bugs? We could literally planta bug for as they talk.

"I would love that more than anything in the world right now, well almost anything" You say, and then pause. "Is it sad that traveling on the road is now the better option for 'quiet days' now?"

"No," Mage says. "But it's probably not a good sign."

"We could always just give them to Julian." Peri says. "Or use your black poison to stun them, then put a feeding tube down their throats and pour in mash or something smooth and edible."

Lea blanches at the thought. "I'm...not comfortable about Julian's methods, and as for the tube..." She shifts back and forth. "Last resort. They HAVE to be on death's door. No sooner."

"Lea, you know that Julian does what he thinks is best." Tricia says.

She nods. "I know, and he's not a sadist who takes pleasure in it. He uses a little pain, and a lot of fear. I understand the need for a person like him in society, but I don't have to like it."

>>25646762
Hell, I take it as a badge of honor. Better to be trolled than just ignored entirely. Change it of we can, but other than that, try to be first to archive, and just ignore it.

>>25646837
I wonder if Julian will force them to teach him Origami so he can be creative with his implements.

>>25646865
>... can Tricia hear through her bugs?
A little, it's like hearing a conversation through a wall. She's good at it, but she doesn't know Phoenix Song.

>>25646865
But she won't understand it. And I really doubt she can remember and relay an entire conversation in a language she doesn't know to us.

>>25646873
"I don't know, I doubt his methods. Me and Peri seemed to get way more out of her with a bit of trickery than we did in Julian's interrogation. Could be we just got lucky."

>>25646862
Ok, meant outsmarting, but it's just top bizarre not to leave there.

>>25646894
razzin frazzin

>>25646873
I a little conflicted about Uncle's methods as well. Is it harder to do the right thing whatever the consequences, or to do what must be done even if it's terrible?

>>25646873
"Neither do I. Wish they just speak and be done with it but things like this can never be simple.

"If we had more time before leaving I would suggest going down there with Peri and seeing what we could get. Seemed like we got more info through those methods than anything else.

"Or we got lucky"

>>25646873
"I wouldn't expect any less of you Lea. We can't always have the moral high ground, but we can always climb upwards when we can"

"Neither do I. Wish they just speak and be done with it but things like this can never be simple.

"If we had more time before leaving I would suggest going down there with Peri and seeing what we could get. Seemed like we got more info through those methods than anything else.

"Or we got lucky" You say.

"We got lucky." Peri say. "Sideways is a rookie. These two are highly trained and skilled. They instantly shut up, started a hunger strike, and have done nothing but demand contact." She nods. "These are professionals, with experience and skills."

"Also, a geomancy and summoning elementals aren't simple arcane talents." Mage says. "These are veterans."

"So we just let them starve and wait." Lea says. "Makes we years for a regiment marching towards us, deaths in war are easier for the soul to swallow, then the endless assault on morality in the combat of spies and shadows." Lea sighs and shakes her head. "I'm talking out of my ass."

"Speaking of your ass." Mage grins. "How was your date with Barney yesterday?"

"Ask further and I'll show you how far I can shove my fish into your chest cavity." Lea says. "It was...fine. He's a charming man."

I really do think the
'Have guards try to play scrabble with them every night'

option is the best bet. They refuse to talk and eat, if we offer them plenty of chances to eat and talk without giving away their mission, we can break the strike after a few days.

>>25647094
>lea and barney
I KNEW IT! Ambrose knew it! apparently mage knew it!

>>25647094
"I have to say mage, that was the furthest distance I've seen a conversation shift in one ass joke.

Hey, Mage isn't allowed to ask, but am I?"

>>25647101
We don't have board games, Just card stuff.

Also scrabble means wood bits for shanks.
>>25647094
"Speaking of golems, why don't you look into that Mage? Our group isn't exactly the hardiest band."

>>25647094
"Well, yearn no longer. We do have Phoenix Empire soldiers marching against us. They're just not close enough to be seen.

And what's this about you and Barney. We don't have much cheerful news these days so spill."

"Speaking of golems and constructs, why don't you look into that Mage? Our group isn't exactly the hardiest band."

"There's this guy, Wendell, who's a magic user with Sophie and the others. He's a big artificer. Once's he's done with the Source Apparatus, he's expressed interest in golems. He thinks it's a solution to the True Lady Glenn issue."

>>25647223
"Say that again without the magic babble. In detail"

>>25647223
"Well, if we can't talk about lea's juicy personal life, I suppose magic will have to do.

Do I want to know how that source device works? Are we gonna have to make dozens of them?"

>>25647243
you're just messing with mage, aren't you?

>>25647243
>>25647223
"Also can we meet him? Still got that bet to settle."
>>25647261
of course

>>25647223
We should pass the remains of the terracotta golems we fought to him so he can research them and find things out. A weakness in Pheonix Empire golems is as good as something that can get Lady Glenn mobility.

>>25647223
"So you're thinking of giving her a golem body, huh? Clever."

>>25647094
>Makes we years for a regiment marching towards us
Makes me wish for a regiment?

>I'll show you how far I can shove my fish into your chest cavity.
This one is easier.

>>25647223
So build a golem/construct similar to the ones we saw and put the soul into it instead?
How safe would that be? For her I mean, I imagine it'd be somewhat breakable. Then again I suppose most people are when you come down to it.

>>25647307
"me yearn", probably.

Do we know anyone who knows phoenix tongue who they don't know knows phoenix tongue?

Perhaps paladin Balles, he DID visit the place. Or one of our harpy friends.

>>25647435
Probably not.

They might not know that Mari know it.

>>25647502
peri WAS pretty damn good at holding her cards to her chest about knowing that. I mean we were acting as interpereter, weren't we?

Too bad they've not gotten the mari-switch down yet, we could have her listen in. oh well.

>>25647502
It's a fair notion. After all, they should have no idea Mari even exists if she doesn't say anything.

It's simple.

We assign peri as one of the guards guarding their meeting. She's our "head spy", so she will be on hand to make sure they don't try anything funny to escape while together.

>>25647769
Well do our guards have face obscuring helmets?

>>25647787
Do paladins have to follow the supervillain safety checklist?

>>25647803
We should anyways

>>25647371
Yeah that makes more sense.

>>25647803
Not that anon, she could just borrow a helmet to blend in.

Echo you still alive?

"Well, if we can't talk about Lea's juicy personal life, I suppose magic will have to do.

"Do I want to know how that source device works? Are we gonna have to make dozens of them?"

"Not unless you want a long magic-babble explanation, and no. One big one should be good for our purposes...for now."

"So you're thinking of giving her a golem body, huh? Clever. Also can we meet him? Still got that bet to settle." You say.

"You're never going to admit that I'm right, are you?" Tricia says.

"So, are we going to try and spy on our spies, or head to First Wood?" Peri asks. "I vote First Wood, if we can get Jesse-May Prosper here, she'll be VERY useful."

"You keep hyping her up." Mage says. "She better be as good as you think she is."

>>25647866
Echo's probably been eating popcorn.

>>25647878
Let's go check on Jesse-May Prosper first. I'm curious as to what the hell this lady did to become known as the top spy of a race of natural spies.

>>25647878
"Well, we could definitely use someone who can help with the Phoenix Empire's spies sooner rather than later. I suppose we can go find her."

>>25647878
"Well, we could get Jessie may, sure. We probably will wind up having to. Tell me though- couldn't we just have you listen in to their meeting, Peri? They know I was interpreting for you, and that you're something of a spymaster for us. You guarding them while they're all together would be a pretty solid cover, I think.

If you don't think that would work though, then I suppose we'll have to get your expert's input."

>>25647878
I agree with Peri.

>>25647878
First Wood and Jesse-May. We've already shown we don't really have the mentality to deal with spies.

>>25647878
"Not without the opinions of several specialist mages indicating your side is the most correct. I might forget after a few decades or if a better bet comes along"

>>25647878
First Wood.

Leave instructions to make sure the spies don't starve themselves to death. Worst case scenario, knock them out for a few hours and put a ring of sustenance on them.

Couldn't we just use Mage's language spell on the guards?

>>25648003
We probably dont' have one

>>25647878
We can't get to First Wood, get Ms. Prosper, then get back before they're dying, can we?

>>25648036
He'd have to update the spell again for PE tongue

>>25648055
we should probably have him do that soon anyway-allegedly being at war and all

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>>25647923

If she's not wearing an eyepatch, I'll be very dissapointed.

If she's THE spy, she wears an eyepatch. There can be no argument.

>>25648084
Maybe some one-way options. Or a purposeful scramble we can use on enemies.

>>25648003
>>25648037
let's just slip some honey into their water so they last long enough for us to get back with our new spy lady and a translation spell.

"To First Wood then."

The ride to First Wood is uneventful, you and Tricia consider stopping by home for a moment, but you haven't got time to burn good daylight.

Also, things are a little...weird at White Tree. They're expanding their walls and building new houses for one, which is good, it'll take some of the refugee pressure off of you. They're also sporting a weird new Black and White color scheme. Also, they're collecting tolls on the roads through their territory. The guard, dressed in a new black and white cloth covered armor is your favorite White Tree civil servant.

"Hello, and welcome to the wonderful roads of White Tree, made safe and sound by donations from travelers like yourself. Mandatory voluntary donation is five gold or their equivalent in Script, the new currency of White Tree. Easy and portable, wouldn't YOU like paper money today? We are happy to accept the currency of the United Free Kingdoms, but regret that fue to their lack of value in metal or trade worth, it is seven coins for passage. We apologize for the inconvience and suggest you take it up with the United Free Kingdom. Thank you and have a good day, open palm until the travelers give you money or draw weapons, then blow whistle." He says.

He pauses.

"Would you like to hear it again?"

>>25648645
"Yes please. Maybe a bit slower and louder, my brother here is hard of hearing."

>>25648645
"Voluntary mandatory?"

"What happens if I pay, say, eight coins for passage? Or three coins and two scripts?"

>>25648645
>open palm until the travelers give you money or draw weapons, then blow whistle." He says


"As a paladin and her retinue, you can send the bill to the Church. They should be well able to pay with all this toll money."

Rolled 3

>>25648645
[x] "Mandatory voluntary donation? That's some doublespeak." Pay the tax.

I suppose this is technically within their rights, as we are no longer maintaining their roads for them.

>>25648645
I am a paladin and his occuli. Her Illuminated Self will pay for us. Please ask her for the script.

>>25648716
This is a fair point. The Church can foot the bill. Question is will they aspect that?

>>25648724
We'd better investigate to make sure they're actually spending the funds on road maintenance.

>>25648645
Oh man, why are all the welcoming comittes always the dim ones?

>>25648645
>open palm until the travelers give you money or draw weapons, then blow whistle
I don't think you were supposed to tell us that last bit.

>lack of value in metal or trade worth
We'll have to organize a trade summit to get an exchange rate hammered down.

>>25648716
See if we can pull this. I very much doubt it will work but it would be nice to try.

Otherwise I dont suppose there's a year long pass people could buy?

>>25648645
"So, you're supposed to just keep your hand open until we draw weapons or pay you? What happens if we just set up camp here, will you have to wait there with your palm open all night?

Man, that's a tough job."

>>25648645
"i would maybe not to perhaps not hear it.

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>>25648752

Also, pay the tax. We don't have to like it, but this is their territory, so they're within their rights to levy a toll.

>>25648645
"Wait, you blow the whistle whether we give you the money or not?"

Also, >>25648748

>>25648800
Intended to second
>>25648801

>>25648645
"Not particularly. As for payment, have you ever considered that script has, in effect, even less intrinsic value than UFK coins of equivalent theoretical value?"

"Think about it. Isn't that a bit of a double standard?"

eh, we don't have to buck the cost to HIS, that would just make her a bit grumpy at us. I mean, we have no moral problem with paying a levy. though I do want to mess with the guard some- what happens if we just ride the wagon OFF of the road?

>>25648835
She already doesn't like us. Might as well attempt to stick the bill with her.

"It says to blow the whistle after we give money or draw weapons. Does that mean blow the whistle in both cases? What if we just keep going? What if we don't have the money? What if we are traveling overland? Do large groups AND solitary travelers all pay 5 gold? That hardly seems fair. What if I am in pursuit of a criminal? What if I need to deliver urgent news? What if..."

>>25648845
Also, she's a Citadel-coddled bitch who never actually had to do anything in her life until we crash-landed into it.

Fuck her.

>>25648860
that basically sums up our response to this.

>>25648869
woah, chill down a notch, forgiveness and all that. It's not like she's eaten any roasted babies.

>>25648884
Thirded

>>25648910
Fourthing Leviathan brain ridiculousness until Tricia and or Lea smacks us upside the head

A fee for paying roads? fine.

specific instructions? Millions of questions.

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>>25648860

Do this. PLEASE do this!

>>25649295
It's just our built-in instincts to pick apart any complex situation until we understand it better. Unfortunately for anyone around us, this involves a barrage of strange hypothetical questions until they finally break down screaming "I don't know! We didn't think it through that much! Please stop asking questions!"

>>25648860
So yeah we're doing this it seems

I'm down

>>25648692
"Voluntary mandatory?" You ask the others.

The Dawnchasers all shrug.

"So, you're supposed to just keep your hand open until we draw weapons or pay you?

"What happens if we just set up camp here, will you have to wait there with your palm open all night?

What happens if I pay, say, eight coins for passage? Or three coins and two scripts? Not to mention that script has, in effect, even less intrinsic value than UFK coins of equivalent theoretical value?

"Also, it says to blow the whistle after we give money or draw weapons. Does that mean blow the whistle in both cases? What if we just keep going? What if we don't have the money? What if we are traveling overland? Do large groups AND solitary travelers all pay 5 gold? That hardly seems fair. What if I am in pursuit of a criminal? What if I need to deliver urgent news?"

Lea and Tricia both dumb whap you on both sides of the head.

Frederick, however seems to be quietly computing the questions in your head. "Umm...yes. And that'll be the 5 gold toll please."

Once more, the density of the simple human has defeated the Leviathan illogical logic.

You sigh. "As a paladin and her retinue, you can send the bill to the Church. They should be well able to pay with all this toll money."

He nods. "Okay." He goes to the side and turns the crank that moves the large log out of your way. "Have a nice day, Lady Paladin Patrick." He says with a smile.

"How exactly does he keep getting those jobs?" Tricia asks.

"I think they said he was related to the mayor or something." Mage sighs. "Well, a lot of the unhappy people will be content to know that they can move to here if they don't want to stay with us."

"Eh, some people will stay and bitch anyway." Peri says.

"What if we offered them money to leave?" Mage suggests.

"They'd bitch worse." Mari says. "Even I know that."

>>25649387
Damn, Frederick has defeated us once again. He is truly our greatest nemesis.

>>25649387
>list of complicated Leviathan questions
>"Umm... yes."
Never change, Frederick. Never change.

>>25649387
>Ssen: swear vengeance for against Frederick and his descendants for using his impressive density to thwart all your questions that you really wanted answered

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>>25649387

That's it. Frederick is clearly played/voiced by Stephan Merchant.

>>25649458
>Wheatley[1].png
Beat me to it.

>>25649387
"Well, where will we find this miracle-worker exactly?"

>>25649387
"We'll just have to get a complaint box, then. That way, they can complain about how the complaint box is full."

"Now, any sights we wanted to see while we're here, other than some warm beds? We could always visit Her Illuminated Self. Or try to go birdwatching."

>>25649493
in first wood, we're passing through white tree land right now.

That's why I took so long with a response, I was a bit discombobulated too.

>>25649532
oh

why the fuck are we giving this place pagetime then? Just rush hrough ti already

>>25649616
yeah, we might stay the night, but we'll keep on.

My questions about visiting her illuminated self or going birdwatching might not be the wisest, since we don't really want to do either of those- the first one because we've no diplomatic reason, and the second one because we've not got our spy yet.

>>25649616
because Fredrick is always funny to run into

>>25649387
"I bet he gets the jobs on his winning personality. Real go-getter that one."

keep on rollin'. White tree's nice, but our only business here is what basically amounts to a witchhunt to catch a spy, and fuck that noise, we'll do it on the way back if we have to.

"I bet he gets the jobs on his winning personality. Real go-getter that one." You say. "And as for the dissatisfied, we'll just have to get a complaint box, then. That way, they can complain about how the complaint box is full."

You decide to keep on going. White Tree wants nothing to do with you, so you might as well return the favor...that is until...

"Hold up fuckers!" You all turn. You see Paladin Toll riding up to you. "Hey, so you guys are going to see those bitches down in First Wood, right?" She looks around. "Where's Julian? I thought he was supposed to be coming with you, and that fuck owes me money."

"He's riding up after us, to make sure this isn't a trap." Lea says. "How'd you know all of this?" She asks as Toll keeps pace with a slowed down Lightmare.

"I have my sources too, I'm not some total dumb fuck." She says. "Anyway, I'm coming with, and then I'm going back to the coast with you, and there's not a fucking thing you shits can say to me to change my mind. Do I make myself fucking clear?"

>>25649935
"They could use you there still. I shudder to think what they will become without any influence to mitigate their racism."

>>25649935
"Actually, I'm entirely confused on whether you're angry at us or not, but I suppose another person to travel with wouldn't go amiss.

So, how has white tree been?"

>>25649935
"Crystal clear until we reach the isle of the reason of why you are coming with us. At that point we run aground in a murky swamp of mud and mountable solids."

>>25649935
"Finally had enough of Her Illuminated Self, or is there something else?"

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>>25649935
Oh Toll, how we missed you!

>>25649935

>HOLD UP, FUCKERS

Oh, Toll. Never change.

Rolled 15

>>25649935
[x] "Wait, if HIS doesn't have any paladins, and none of the paladins have HIS, then how are we going to get more paladins? Is this a schism?"

>>25649935
"Fuck yeah."

>>25649935
Wouldn't dream of trying. Just wondering though, why leave now? What happened?

"Actually, I'm entirely confused on whether you're angry at us or not, but I suppose another person to travel with wouldn't go amiss.

So, how has White Tree been?"

"Are you filled with arrows?" Toll asks.

"No." Mage says.

"Then I'm not fucking angry with you." She says. "And as for White Tree, man fuck those people, and Her Illuminated Shit-head." She shakes her head.

"If it's that bad, then they could use you there still. I shudder to think what they will become without any influence to mitigate their racism." You say.

"Nah, nah." She shakes her head. "It isn't like that. if they just fucking hated me, that'd be one thing. But you see that Billings shit, he says that to hate and be violent against non-humans is evil. That they need to love, tolerate, and all that other shit that makes me want to vomit on the next person I see and aim for their mouth." She sneers. "Then he says that since humans are the 'Instruments of His Light' its their job to SHOW everyone else His Light and how to be an 'Enlightened Human' and strive for that goal." She shudders. "Fuck that. I'm a fucking Paladin, His Light and I are so tight that we may as well be performing oral on each other, daily." She nods. "I ever tell you of the Desert Tribe slavers I caught and fucked with arrows, twenty seven crotch shots, twenty nine-head shots...three women." She nods. "I am all about His Light and the Journey and all that Shit. Fuck the Elders and that Summerland shit, nope. That's for pussies and fucks who don't have the stones to take on a challenge. So fuck that, fuck the idea that I'm some proto-human, and fuck all that shit about Billings trying to shout louder than Her Illuminated Self about everyone being fucking nice all the damn fucking time." She sniffs.

"Besides, I always wanted to see the Ocean, hope it isn't as shit as I fear that it is."

Lea just stares in open mouthed horror.

>>25650391
*THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE*

Oh Toll never, EVER change.

>>25650391
"You are amazing."

>>25650391
"...we need to get you drunk someday, Toll."

>>25650391
"That was quite lewd and nearly as heretical as our entire adventure's total accumulated heresy"
*slow clap*

>>25650391
"You know, I think you and I are going to become fast friends. I simply must introduce you to the sailors!"

We will combine the cursing of the fields with the cursing of the sea.

>>25650391
Billings has his heart in the right place. It's his head that's the problem.

Still, when we have the chance we are having pints together.

>>25650391
"Oh my."

>>25650391
>His Light and I are so tight that we may as well be performing oral on each other, daily.

WELL THEN.

>>25650391
"So wait, did you shoot them in the crotch before you shot them in the head, or was it a mix of both?"

Is toll like, part elf? I am confused.

>>25649935
"Do you praise the Light with that mouth?"

>>25650583
Daily

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>>25650615

dammit billings,

Rolled 2

>>25650391
dammit billings.

"Oh my." You say. Then you give her a slow clap. "You are amazing...we need to get you drunk someday, Toll. I think you and I are going to become fast friends. I simply must introduce you to the sailors!"

She shrugs. "Whatever. I know that freaky horse of yours can go fucking fast, so I'll hang back and catch up with Paladin Graves, and shoot the shit with him. Don't go fucking any elves with your spear until I get there, okay?"

She rides off.

"Please, in the name of His Light, let her not be attracted to me." Mage mumbles.

Lea shakes her head. "How. Just...how..."

Peri taps her forehead. "I think she might have been a PR move. You know, an elf that rejected the Summerlands and went to His Light. It turned out she was good in a fight and willing to follow orders, then...yeah making her a Paladin would be a natural move."

"But why HER!?" Lea says.

"His Light enjoys a joke? Look at us." Tricia says.

Lea just leans back in her seat in Wagon and whimpers, shaking her head in disbelief.

The road moves on, and after a quick camp and a too early morning, you arrive at the entrance to First Wood.

The elves have been busy. They've set up a wooden palisade wall, and you can see sniper platforms in the trees.

The gates open and three Fey Court soldiers come out. "Paladin Serpent..." He looks around. "I thought we requested Graves-maker to come with you as well."

>>25650654
>>25650634
well, we can't stop him from being stupid, can we?

>>25650682
Wait Toll IS an elf? I thought her father was a brewer in White Tree.

>>25650682
shrug and point to the light mare, then say "we have a faster horse"

>>25650682
"I don't think he liked the horse. He'll be along in his own time."

>>25650682
"He's just being slow. You know how humans are sometimes. At least the ones that don't have magical horses."
(God*dammit* I need to remember to turn that thing off.)

>>25650682
"Lightmare is a fast steed, my uncle's is not."

>>25650391
I'm confused. Twenty nine-head shots plus twenty-seven crotch shots is two hundred and seven raiders (which is even more bad-ass than twenty-nine head shots -- mis-hyphenation is funny). Unless she's saying she put 56 shots into three women? Or did she do all that to rescue three women?

>>25650682
"Funny. I requested not needing to drag over a thousand refugees across the continent. I guess making a request doesn't mean people have to agree to them."

Pause.

"Uncle Julian will arrive with Paladin Toll."

>>25650751
No.

>>25650682
"I'm afraid my uncle isn't the fastest thing around, nor is his horse."

>>25650682
"He'll be here when he's sure you're not going to try and put him in HIS grave, if you catch my meaning. So we came on ahead a little."

>>25650718
Half-elf?

>>25650682
"It's nice to see you folks too. How's things been?"

>>25650762
We can start being pleasant to the people in first wood when they stop acting like assbandits. Not a moment sooner.

>>25650682

>Graves-maker

hue

>>25650854
Shit how did we not notice that joke.

We need to smile at it and try not to laugh

>>25650802
Different guy, but I'd prefer stiff neutrality to open hostility.

"I'm afraid my uncle isn't the fastest thing around, nor is his horse. You know how humans are sometimes. At least the ones that don't have magical horses."

"Horses that once belonged to us." The soldier growls.

"Paladin Julian will arrive with Paladin Toll." You say.

"The Heretic is coming too?" He snorts. "We requested you and he...alone."

"Funny. I requested not needing to drag over a thousand refugees across the continent. I guess making a request doesn't mean people have to agree to them." You say. "They'll be here when I'm sure you're not going to try and put them in THEIR graves, if you catch my meaning."

"Very well." The soldier says. "You may enter. I swear upon the names of my elders, that your horse shall not come to harm, and will be returned to you when you leave. Also you are under the protection and honor of hospitality. This we swear, and treat this promise as if you were elves."

It's obvious he doesn't want to say that last part, Maxine must have given strict orders.

>>25650854
>>25650903
I have to admit, I missed it until it was pointed out.

>>25650934
"And I swear by the honor of my father that we shall not attack any within your borders without provocation and that we shall honor your Traditions and Laws as best we can despite our not being elves

>>25650934
"Thank you. And during this visit we promise not to completely dismantle your entire society."

>>25651041
"again"

>>25650934
"Oh sure, oaths and promises, how nice. Do be careful with ol' lightmare, it's been known to bite.
Now, are we going to see Mab right away, or are you going to have us wander about seeing the sights?"

>>25651031
This.

>>25650934
"Thank you. Will the Queen wish to speak with us now or will have a bit time to rest before then?

"Also, where will be staying during our visit?"

>>25651041
"Well... try"

>>25650934
"All those in my company are to be recipients of the same hospitality. Furthermore, I swear upon the honor of my Order that I shall do no harm while I am here so long as you hold to your word."

ah, several contradictory dialogue options.
Echo's choice!

>>25651474
They're not so much contradictory as just a spectrum of tones: from light and almost irreverent to serious untrusting.

>>25651511
well, whichever. You get what I mean.

"All those in my company are to be recipients of the same hospitality. And I swear by the honor of my father, and my Order, that we shall not attack any within your borders without provocation and that we shall honor your Traditions and Laws as best we can despite our not being elves.

"Will the Queen wish to speak with us now or will have a bit time to rest before then?

"Also, where will be staying during our visit?" You ask.

"The Queen will decide that." He says. "Come. These men will stable your horse."

"Be careful." You say. "He bites."

You enter First Wood. The elves have done a number on the place in the past few months. Most of the buildings have either been torn down or re-structured. Gone are the square buildings and neat corners and angles. Now things swoop and curl in arcs with decorative spirals. Houses are built around threes, and the buildings that were high in the branches are now less curiosities, but now actual mass living apartments, stringing from one great tree to another with bridges, looking like you're walking under a massive glittering spider-web.

You're lead to an open amphitheater. In the center, you see the familiar looking throne. Around you, on top of pillars and on stairs are an assortment of archers, all with arrows ready, but bows not drawn.

Mab is sitting upon the throne. Next to her is a tall half-elf. She's got short bristly hair, a pair of spectacles on her nose, and she's got a hand-rolled cigarette in her mouth.

"We welcome you, Paladin Serpent." Queen Mab says. She looks around. "We expected the Gravemaker to be with you."

"He's hanging back, slower horse, and for safety reasons." Peri says. "We've been led into ambushes by elves before under the pretense of 'just wanting to talk.' So, you understand our caution."

The smoking half-elf smirks and nods. She whispers something to Mab.

"As you can see, we are cautious as well, but we mean it when we are here to seek an alliance with your United Free Kingdoms."

>>25651666
>smoking and wearing spectacles
5 gold says that's our spy

>>25651666
As long as all are open, straightforward, and honest, all should be well.

>>25651666
"Before we get started, perhaps it would be appropriate for introductions to be made?"

>>25651666
Tobacco is a thing? I'm not sure we've ever seen a smoker before.

>>25651666
Echo, is this half-elf scarred up around the face at all?

>>25651666
"If there are no more surprises, then I'm sure we can work something out. Trade agreements at the least. An alliance will require a good deal more dickering about with details, but hey, I'm an optimist."

>>25651666
"That is good to hear. I take it you have the usual plethora of demands to read out?"

I look forward to hearing mab's terms.Or should we be the ones delivering terms?

I think we're actually BOTH delivering terms now that I think about it. What would we want out of alliance?

>>25651666
"A day will come when we come and visit First Wood without all this 'caution', I look forward to that day."

Magic Snake eyes, Look at everything around the room. Especially smoker Elf.

>>25651666
"Mab, it's been far too long, we really should keep in touch. Dagda's missed you so! "

Might as well toss mage into the mix.

The smoker elf is actually a distraction set in place by the real spy to take our eyes off where they MIGHT be.

>>25651933
probably, but they're the only other person here, and Max is way too smart and powerful to have been replaced

>>25651933
The smoker is Prosper.

>>25652031
Which is exactly what the bastards WANT us to think.

>>25652031
prosper... or FAKE prosper? Or just a completely unrelated elf? Master of aqueduct affairs or something.

>>25651912
I like this.

>>25652046
Or maybe THAT is what they want us to think, and she's really Prosper.

Either way, the greeting "I've heard so little about you" would be appropriate for a master spy.

Rolled 10

>>25651721
>>>25651666
>>25651740

Shouldn't negotiations wait until Graves and Toll gets here?

"Mab, it's been far too long, we really should keep in touch. Dagda's missed you so!" You say.

Mage shoots you a glare of hate.

"And I him, I cannot wait until the day he sheds his human form and we can be together once more, until then, I respect his wish to learn more of your world and endorse his wanderings." She winks at Mage. "But he is always welcome back at his true home."

Mage whimpers a little.

"Before we get started, perhaps it would be appropriate for introductions to be made?" You say.

There's magic pretty much everywhere, such a low level concentration that most everything glows. Mab herself as well. You can't get an accurate reading.

"Jesse-May Prosper." She exhales a plume of smoke.

"You went back to Prosper?" A voice says.

You turn and see Julian and Toll approaching.

Prosper grins and walks up to Julian. She holds out her cigarette and Toll takes it, a little confused.

Then Prosper grabs Julian's hair and pulls him down so she can give him one of the most passionate kisses you've seen in your life. Then she lets go and pushes him back, taking her smoke from Toll.

"You still taste like blood." She says, her back to Julian.

"And you still taste like ash." He says. "Paladin Ssen Patrick, I'd like you to meet Jesse-May Prosper. Your aunt."

"Ex-aunt." Prosper says.

"You're shitting me." Toll and Peri say at the same time.

"Nope." Prosper says.

"It's...a complicated story." Julian says with a sigh. He looks at you. "Your father was the one who married us."

"And divorced us." Prosper says. "I liked Liam. Calm man, just smiled at us and asked us when we wanted the ceremony. Both times."

>>25652486
yeah. we're basically saying "Hello" and "We're looking forward to dealing with you without being backstabbed"

>>25652505
"At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if you told me Julian was from the Moon."

"We can talk about that later, if either of you feels like it. I love crazy stories. But for now, it's good to know that we're in the presence of family."

>>25652505
Pfffffffffffhahaha
Well, once we recover from laughing, we should REALLY say something.

"An aunt? Why Julian, you sly dog, I never knew! I should have met her long ago."

>>25652505
"Okay..."

I'm kinda.... just what....

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>>25652505
Wait what

>>25652505
well, now that that the war's over, here's hoping that the pair of you can grow back together

>>25652505
"My, what a coincidence! It's a big old family reunion here, eh Dagda?"

>>25652505
"He was a good man. Left some awful hard to fill shoes at that."

There's a snake tail joke in there. Built right on.

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I could never have anticipated this contingency.

Does this actually effect anything?

>>25652646
IT CHANGES EVERYTHING

Nah not really

>>25652505
"Ah, so much the pity! Well, I feel that we will have much to discuss on our way back to Stone Hall. But, of more immediate import is we have been collecting a sizable aviary what with all of the birds circling our kingdom, have you found something similar."

>>25652505
"Nice to meet you, auntie."

>>25652646
makes negotiation a whole lot easier, and might make Julian a bit happier

>>25652659
I think we can wait to talk about that in private.

Nepotism:

Cropping up all over the place. Who knew we were brothers with an elven prince, nieces of a paladin AND a spymaster, and light knows what else?

>>25652681
>>25652659
the established code term is "going birdwatching"

We should ask her about a birdwatching trip.

>>25652646
Not really. So Julian is like an actual human with complicated interracial marriages and conflicts with his official duty.

It happens.

>>25652505
AUNT MAY!

hugs

>>25652763
seconding, but only if we drag Julian into it too

>>25652763
We've just discovered the reason why we never met auntie may. The same reason Lea would rather talk to adahn than visit the little ones.
>>25652505
"Why, that's beautiful. Star crossed lovers on opposite sides of a war now at peace- I think I read a story about that once."

>>25652763
>>25652790
are you going to do that thing julian did where you lift them up and spin 'em around?

>>25652810
absolutely

You stare for a moment at the pair, and then you laugh. "An aunt? Why Julian, you sly dog, I never knew! I should have met her long ago.
It's just a big old family reunion here, eh Dagda? We can talk about that later, if either of you feels like it. I love crazy stories. But for now, it's good to know that we're in the presence of family.

"But, of more immediate import is we have been collecting a sizable aviary what with all of the birds circling our kingdom, have you found something similar."

Prosper nods and she motions for you to follow her.

"Oh, you HAVE to at least give us SOMETHING." Tricia says to Julian.

"Like I said, it's complicated...the details are at least." Julian says. "It was before I was assigned to the Fey Court exclusively. We met, we didn't know each other. We had a thing. It ended. That's all." He says.

"We also had a son." Prosper says.

Julian sighs. "Yes." He looks at you sadly. "Not every being caught between two worlds finds it as easy as you do, Ssen."

"It's in the past." Prosper says.

"It's in the past." Julian says, nodding in agreement.

Prosper leads you to a basement entrance and she opens it up to reveal a long set of stone stairs.

"You look well." Julian says as you descend.

"You as well." Propser says.

There's nothing but the sounds of steps going down for a while.

"How have you been?" Julian asks.

"Well, I just got done with my latest orgy. I try to have about three a week, but a girl gets busy. You know." She says.

"You're not as funny as you think." Julian says.

"And you're just as much a stick in the mud." She says and then sighs. "It's mostly been work. Especially now. How are things with you?"

"Same." He says.

Tricia nudges your shoulder and cocks her head at Julian and then at Jesse-May and she gives you a conspiratory wink.

>>25652866
smirk, nod, widen your slither juust enough to force Julian and Prosper a little closer together but not enough to be noticeable

>>25652866
"You know, with all but a few Paladins trapped in Citadel, we could always recruit Aunt May."

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>>25652866
Stifle the shit out of that giggle. And then do something. I have no idea what tricia is trying to get us to do here, but I know it's probably funny and I want to do it.

>>25652898
>subtle hissing
>>25652921
>full-body lamia tackle

>>25652922
i think what she wants us to do is add Interspecies Matchmaker to our list of titles

>>25652866
"You know, seeing as how we're all on the same case now, two very busy people such as yourselves will probably be getting a lot of time together."

I call this the mage/sophie gambit. It is a technique by which I make someone work with their EX for reasons I am unsure of.

>>25652932
i think one can lead into the next depending on if the reaction is favorale

>>25652898
You smirk, nod, and widen your slither juust enough to force Julian and Prosper a little closer together but not enough to be noticeable.

"So, this isn't the same as those Kingfisher people you caught." Jesse-May says.

"How do you know about them?" Lea asks.

"I told you, I have contacts." She says. "You need to pick up the pace kiddo, if you want to be in the nation business. Even if we sign this alliance, that doesn't make us friends. Nations don't HAVE friends." She says.

Julian grins. "I WILL dump water on you if you give them the 'honor' speech." He point a finger at her while looking at you. "This woman can out speech you, Ssen. She could talk the ears off of a statue."

"Why don't I tell them some of your poetry then?" Jesse-May chuckles.

"You still remember those?" Julian says.

"Course," She taps her head. "Your Uncle is quite lyrical, specially when he was talking about my-"

"How'd you catch these spies?" Julian interrupts.

"They tried to creep through the woods and into the wastelands. They didn't know we have patrols there." She says. "They're scouts, but they don't speak any Citadel or Elvish."

"Heh, they should be a LOT more talkative when they see Ssen." Tricia says. "Lamias are nightmares incarnate to them."

"So I've heard." Jesse-May says. "Then how do you want to handle this 'dear niece?' Since you've done this the most."

>>25653067
"Well, they seem to think we're ALL borderline feral, so I've played that up in the past. Alternating with extreme generosity, of course, to keep them off guard. I also happen to speak their own tongue, with what I've been told is an intimidating high-born manner. I'd rather keep that under wraps for the time."

>>25653067
see if mage can put a quick and dirty translation spell for Phoenix Tongue on May and Julian, so we can just be there for shock factor and they can double team a captive. If that fails, we use them as interrogation advisors

>>25653067
"If they're just scouts, I might try just talking to them. I've not got much of a head for the spy game, but I find talking to someone who's afraid of me will generally either get them to talk to me, or go grab the pitchforks. They don't have any of those, right?"

I bet if we just sit in there without saying anything for a while, they'll pipe up.

>>25653103
it's more "because we don't want to treat prisoners so badly" than "to keep them off guard".

At least, that's how I see it.

>>25653067
"Lets start by getting me in earshot, but out of eyesight. I know how to speak their tongue, and want to hear what they say when they think noone can understand them."

>>25653150
Let's go with this.

>>25653150
we should start out of earshot listening, then go in there and just... coil there in the corner a while and listen to them.

Imagine it: You're a prisoner, tied up or something. A velociraptor comes into the room, wearing a coat and hat, and just sits in the corner.

It is impossible to not react to that.

>>25653150
Seconding this.

>>25653141
It's a little of both. The mindgames help us get information without physically harming them.

>>25653067
"Why, I'll listen to them of course. If they don't know me already, they really should start saying something when they see me."

>>25653238
See, here's the thing. Cai already knew OF us, she just didn't know much ABOUT us. Depending on when the spy here was captured, they might not have the same reaction.

"Lets start by getting me in earshot, but out of eyesight. I know how to speak their tongue, and want to hear what they say when they think noone can understand them." You say.

Jesse-May nods. "We're just about to feed them. You can listen from here. I'll go."

She motions for you to stop and you all pause as the food for the prisoners is prepared. They must be around the corner in a cell.

"So...where did you and Jess-"

"Stop right there Tricia." Julian says. "Jesse-May and I are in the past. I know you think it's cute or funny, but please. Let us be the ones to decide things." He adjusts his shoulders. "We've said things to each other that you can't ever take back. We're both at a better place than we were, and it's better this way."

Tricia scowls and shakes her head. Oh dear, sounds like you aren't going to hear the last of this.

"Food. You. Eat." You hear Jesse-May say and the sound of a plate being slid across the floor. "Talk? You Talk, You Go Free!" A pause. "Bah! Ignorant cretins!" The sound of footsteps going away.

{What was she saying this time?} You hear a voice say in a low tone.

{Same thing as always, talk and we go free.} The other says.

There's a mass chuckle. {Tree Monkeys. How they came to talk I will never know.} The first voice.

{We have their kind back home. They're diligent and hard workers. These are just feral beasts.} A third voice says.

{How long must we wait here? I cannot stand the dust, and this slop they give us is revolting.} The second voice says.

{We will wait until the third moon, which is approaching, and then we will see what our fate is.} The first voice says.

{As if there is any doubt. We have failed in our mission, they will not send help. There is only one way.} He says. {You have your small blades?}

{Yes.} {Of course.}

{Then on the third moon we shall rejoin the Great Flock as one. Which one of you will return me?}

{I will.}

{Then I will return you Jun-Ae.}

{T-thank you. It's...it's an honor.}

(cont)

>>25653597
yeah, but see, we can take our circlet off and put it on our belt* for a time.

(*Where do we store things?)

>>25653639
this is some vital insight into our own prisoners. They're most likely serious about that food strike.

>>25653639
I suppose suicide takes you out of reincarnation, which is why the spies back at Stone Hall want to speak in private. They want to assist each other in sudoku.

Useful.

>>25653639
>>25653672
That's great knowledge actually. Now we know to keep each PE prisoner separate from the rest.

>>25653639
{You sound unsure. Are you afraid? Do you think you will be unable to do so? You know that there is no rebirth for one who is too cowardly to aid his fellow to the Flames.} The first voice says.

{No...no. I am ready. I will do as you ask, Master Raptor.} The third voice, Jun-Ae, says.

{Excellent.}

{I...I heard that the Kingfisher's men are still out and about in this land. Do you think that they may save us?} Jun-Ae says.

{I doubt it. Kingfisher never does anything that he is not ordered to, or benefits himself. The snake.} The second voice says.

{Being sent to the flames is preferable than to owe that...person...a favor. I'm upset that you'd even consider speaking of him. He lies with men, he teaches our secrets to that false masked foreigner, and he has not a shred of honor. Death first, before having to touch his filthy wings.} The Raptor says.

They return to silence and chewing.

>>25653661
Cai, interestingly, has done nothing similar. So either >>25653672 is right and going without food counts as suicide, and the other three are bluffing, or it doesn't count as suicide and they're trying to off themselves.

>>25653693
More interesting talk. There seems to be dissent in the ranks, as well as talk of a "masked" foreigner. Which could be a literal mask or a metaphorical mask. Knowing the PE, it's likely the latter.

>>25653693
{You know, information on that hated Kingfisher could be your ticket out of here}

>>25653693
Sounds like these people aren't the Kingfisher's spies.

Interesting...

>>25653693
well. That was useful.

Do we want to show ourselves now? They DON'T know we speak phoenix tongue. Cai didn't know, the spies didn't know. not until we told them.

>>25653734
no no no do NOT reveal we know their language yet.

>>25653734
We shouldn't play our hand this early

We should discuss what we've learned first before being hasty.

>>25653693
{Ssspeak of sssnakes and one may appear.}

{Jun-Ae, was it? You ssspeak of Kingfisher's little birds as if they were a different flock. Your sssecrets are your own, but HIS are the ones I am interested in. Sssspeak further and we may ssstrike a bargain, ssssavvy?}

>>25653804
look, we should just go in quietly and listen. THEN we can start asking all sorts of phoenix tongue questions, if you really want.

>>25653693
I think it would be time to interrupt soon, but we shouldn't reveal we can speak their tongue yet, that's our best card here.

Eventually we're going to want to split them up and deprive them of their hidden weapons.

When that time comes, I vote we send the prisoners to a lamia with a bit of Black to end them (temporarily). Then queue the asking of questions.

That should up the terror factor.

>>25653804
No.

We tell the others what we learned first.

>>25653816
yeah, let's talk to them in citadel tongue, if at all.