>Why wouldn't they care? How is this Ruler's objective not going to harm their followers and practitioners?

>>31914084
Then what has he promised them? How would he lose his leadership?

>>31914084
So why are the rest of the gods not doing anything? They just lazy?

"Why don't they care? Why don't they do anything?"

//Demons are... We're a sort of manifestation of the laws of the world. We're part of the life cycle of souls. Sometimes, gods may intervene, but... The lord of lord's actions, for the most part, are only the concern of Law. And Law can only benefit from what the Lord of Lords is after.//

"Which is...?"

The skeleton sighs.
//I'm not certain. That Law never intervened during the Great Breaking shows what I speak.//

You groan, placing your head against the table you've been sitting at. //I suggest you sleep, Annelin. Rest. Perhaps we can speak with Harumda?//

>No, I've more questions!
>No, I'd rather check out the nightlife here.
>No, I need to do something else... (writein)
>Yeah, sure.

>No, I've more questions!

"One more. Does this newfound partnership of ours allow the other gods to see the dangers of what this Ruler-Lord is up to?"

THEN

>No, I'd rather check out the nightlife here.

>>31914552
>Yeah, sure.

>>31914552
>Yeah, sure.
Sleep is good.

>>31914552
>>Yeah, sure.
We can wait for the nightlife to sleep drunk in the sidewalk of victory.

>>31914588
>>31914596
>>31914643
You rise, moving to bed and slipping in.

====

"Ah."

You're in a binding circle. Ja'al peers at you, as you look down. "Well, this is interesting..." Ja'al states.

>Yes, it's also a total wash.
>Ja'al? So you summoned him like I asked.
>Oh for Raeve's sake.
>...Can I see Micheal?

...What? Is this still Annelin's perspective? What's going on?

>>31915089
>Can I see Micheal

>>31915119
You're possessing Garibaldi, like the last time you fell into him in a dream.

>>31915178
Man, that's unclear.


>>31915089
"Fantastic. Am I interrupting anything?"
>>31915165
We're forbidden from doing so.

>>31915089
>>Ja'al? So you summoned him like I asked.
Were soul-bridging.

Also, does this mean Garibaldi is constantly open to us, did he eat our arm or something?

"What is going on?"

"Seems that your souls are... somewhat linked." Ja'al says, scribbling on a notepad. "You've fallen... erm, into him in the past. So it's easier for you to continue to do so."

"A-ah. Can I see Micheal?"

Ja'al chuckles.
"Sorry. King's orders - not until the duel. But he is growing stronger. He took down... Oh, what was his name. The man from the arena, not his trainer. A solid ten minute fight, but the prince overcame him eventually. It was quite a stupendous unarmored and unarmed fight."

Unarmored? Unarmed? Hm. "At any rate, things are going well here. We've more information regarding the Lord of Lords. No fix on his identity, though we've a solid suspect."

"You know him as the Old King." Garibaldi states evenly. "Though he might be someone else, really."

Garibaldi grasps his own unnaturally long chin in thought. It's pointed, sharp - like a speartip. "Lady Annelin... You found Yorick?"

>Writein

>>31915585
>"Nearly got me killed, but yes. The Lord had him replaced with some jerk. He says that only two of the seven Tribes are still opposing him openly."

>>31915585
Yes, anything he's useful for?

>>31915585
Sure did, any way we can get him his lordship back?

>>31915585
"Yeah, I did. You know him?"

>>31915716
>>31915685
>>31915636
>>31915615
"I did, though he damn near killed me. Why do you ask?"

"Yorick is the second oldest among the Lords. He is practically unkillable. I believe he's survived at least seven assassination attempts. No one's sure how, in at least one case I personally shattered his soulstone. He was back the next year. Same individual, same memories. No one is really even sure what he is. If we can somehow restore his lordship, likely by slaying the current Undead Lord..."

"We'll have an ally against the Lord of Lords, along with the Undead." you say.

"Yes." Garibaldi. "The Hunters and the Warriors and the Undead - against the unholy, Seducers, and Beasts. At the least, we'll be able to delay the Lord of Lords." Garibaldi states. "A fantastic discovery!"

>Yes, well, there's still the matter of slaying him.
>Can't we simply depose him? Yorick deserves lordship. Apparently.
>Yes, let us find a mighty leader of a pack of dead bodies and slay him! Wonderful plan.
>Writein.

>>31915843
>>Yes, well, there's still the matter of slaying him.
We dont even know where he is.

>>31915843
>>Can't we simply depose him? Yorick deserves lordship. Apparently.
We know not Undead politics. We should know more Undead politics.

>Then how, pray tell, was he defeated this time? And why do his former servants seem unwilling to get him back now that he IS back? And why did people not know this on their own?

>>31915843
>Yes, well, there's still the matter of slaying him.

"I don't know anything about politics or where he might be - and how did he even get defeated, then?"

"He wasn't killed, he was replaced. Possibly by a pretender - We've not been able to contact the Lord of Undead for some time, and he generally sequestered himself in any case. It was not difficult to replace him, in that case, yes?" Garibaldi explains. "Perhaps..."

"Perhaps I could talk to Monica." Ja'al states. "With my knowledge of demons and hers of politics and the like..."

The demon scoffs.
"The spoiled noble you have been speaking of?"

>Writein

Just stay silent. Our input isn't necessary here.

>>31916096
Seconding

Also, couldn't we just ask Yorick how to bag the usurper?

>>31915948
Good questions

>>31916077
"She has strength of her own, do not look down upon her."

>>31916096
I agree. Ja'al should do most of the talking here. We're the dumb muscle.

>>31916363
Don't forget we have to look pretty

>>31916077
She's been through a lot.

Also, ask Ja'al if he's had.any luck determining where Monica's leg-ghost went.

Ja'al flushes and rushs to clarify, but Garibaldi cuts him off.
"Regardless. You and Monica shall discuss this matter. Leave me and Annelin."

Ja'al looks at him, and Gari stares back. Ja'al leaves, and Garibaldi visibly relaxes.
"That boy has some pressure from his soul for someone so small." the demon states. "We've found the location of Monica's leg. Or rather, what used to be her leg."

"...What do you mean?"

"The soul shape is different. More masculine. Larger. And demonic. We found it among the Unholy, guarded by the Seducers, and worked upon by someone we've never seen before - someone who isn't in any clan."

"What-"

====

You awaken, nearly flying out of bed in a shocked roll, catching yourself in the last moment as you gasp in breaths. What is even going on?

You struggle to your feet, groggy. The familiar feeling of the protective magic is like a soft breeze as you dress yourself.

//I have an idea.//

>Writein

>>31916528
"were you listening to us?"

>>31916528
"I'm listening. Wouldn't peg you for a man of action in your state, anyway"

Who's talking? Ja'al or the girl?

>>31916581
Monica has the ++, doesn't she?

>>31916581
it should be Yorick

>>31916564
>>31916553
"Were you listening?"

//To a load of snoring. Now, uh, can you place me on the back of your mechanical hand?//

You pick up the soulstone, a shimmering thing.

"Why?"

//It's dead metal, innit? I mean, you can control it, but... Maybe I can too?//

>What good would that do?
>This is something perverted, isn't it?
>No.
>Sure.

>>31916932
>This is something perverted, isn't it?
jokingly

>>31916932
>>What good would that do?
Having a hand just running around?

>>31916932
>>31916932
"If you attempt to cop a feel, I'm feeding you to an Acid Bull."

>>31916932
>This is something perverted, isn't it?

"This is something perverted, isn't it?"

//No, no. I don't have it in me to be so, anymore!// he laughs. //I think I can lend you some of my power while I'm in there. Not sure what, though. Something related to deadfire, maybe...//

"Deadfire?"

//The form a soul takes as it pushes out of the body, when it becomes too grand for the body it's in. You saw me in the dream, right? All that was deadfire - and it can burn whatever you like, turning it into ashes. Doesn't spread, though. What do you say? Wanna try it?//

>Writein

>>31917445
"Might as well give it a shot."

>>31917445
"In some place more open, sure"

>>31917445
"that sounds good"

>>31917510
>>31917518
>>31917582

You place Yorick's stone on the back of your hand, and watch in awe as it simply sinks in. The back of the metal fist rises, an embossing taking place before your eyes as the skull shape appears there. The fingers become more bone-like, though not entirely so. And then the eye sockets of the skull light up with blue fire - candle flames without wicks, which don't go out even if you wave your hand about. You hold up a shot glass to the flame and watch in awe as it simply turns to ash whenever touched by it.

"Aaaah." the skull speaks. "Much better. And I'm sure you can think of a million uses for a flame like this, yeah? I know it ain't much, but hey, it can get bigger. If you want. If you feed me."

>Feed you?
>That sounds evil.
>This stuff seems dangerous.
>Writein

>>31917604
Feed you what? Souls? Doesn't that take them out of rotation forever?

>>31917604
>This stuff seems dangerous.
Think if we accidentally bumb into someone

>>31917604
>Feed you?
You seemed to do okay with only a pile of bones last time.

>>31917653
Yeah, if he just needs to nibble on the bones of whatever meal we finish eating I'm cool with feeding him but if its something like soulstones or the flesh of the innocent, he might just have to go hungry.

Firepunch is gonna be pretty sweet, though. Especially since we can now do electrofire punch, which is one of my favorite elemental combos.

>>31917902
>>31917653
>>31917634
"Doesn't eating souls remove them from the world?"

"Well... Not exactly. They're taken into me, then eventually we pull apart. I've never been sure of the purpose. But I can eat bones, too - there's bits of soul in all flesh. But you won't see great returns, you get? Besides... Do you really want some people to be reincarnated?"

You scoff as you extinguish the flame for now, rising from your seat and heading to the main hall of the Embassy. A Tou, male and adult, rests in a chair there, flanked by powerful-looking guards.

"Lady Annelin!" he says, a smile on his face. "I have been waiting for you to awaken. Please. Sit with me." he says, offering a cup of tea. "I am the leader of the Tou people. You can call me Tou'Ra. In our language it means 'Freedom for the chained'."

"So... Rakshasa means..."

"In our language, 'One who builds chains'."

You sit down and pick up the tea. "I must thank you personally for your courage and strength, since I was not present at the celebrations. Thanks to you, my daughter and my people may still dance."

>Writein

>>31918831
"Thanks to your caretakers, I remain in good health after the ordeal"

>>31918831
"Thanks for keeping me stitched together, I guess."

>>31918831
"It was nice to fight something other than shapeshifting demon for once."

>>31918831

You're too kind, Sire. It's only thanks to your healers that I can say the same. And a purring juvenile.

AG did you get banned again?

>>31920940
I'm starting to think EGO's internet depends on the orbit of one specific satellite and it falls outside service as it moves through time zones.

>>31921318
Maybe Decu is fucking with it from his moonbase.

>>31921371
Are you saying Decu is...

#MoonBased

?

Note to self: Do not fucking trust any food that's not from an actual grocery store. Quest continues, now that I am not literally passed the fuck out.

>>31924626
fuck did you eat?

>>31924658
Some gummy worms, chips, grape-ade (Two cans) and some popcorn, along with a convenience store sandwich, in one sitting. Don't ask how that KO'd my capabilities for consciousness, I was simply overcome with massive fatigue.

"My good sir, your caretakers and medics saw to my immediate health and were as much a part of my victory as my abilities." you say, smiling. "Besides, it was refreshing to fight something... solid for once."

"I had heard of your exploits against the Demons, which is why I asked for your assistance here in terms of security and help. I fear for my daughter every day." he says, laying back. That beautiful woman is this man's daughter? You suppose you can see it in his eyes, his mannerisms, hair and general manner - but Tou always throw you for a loop like this. It feels like you're dealing with two species. "In any case, I invite you to the palace once more while things calm themselves, where you may speak with my arch-militant and arch-magus."

>Writein

>>31924818
Thank him, I guess?

>>31924818
"I presume they are the leaders of your military and magic forces? I gratefully accept your invitation."
can we check up on Monica and Melodi before heading off to the palace? unless they are at the palace already

>>31924818
"thanks, i guess"

>>31924881
What else do you thing arch-militant and arch-magus could mean? Come on.

Apologies for the lackluster thread - I think I need a better run at it from a full night's sleep and some solid food. I'm going to get some rest, and post again in ~8 hoursish. Apologies again, I just feel very tired.

>>31925437
I think you need medical attention, actually.

>>31925437
S'all good AG, take care, if you want we can keep the thread alive for you.

Thanks for the thread so far.

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"Thank you, sir." you nod your head. "Since I got here, I've been wondering about the core of the problem myself and Monica were summoned for."

"Indeed. We will discuss it there." he rises, floating on the air - you notice magic wreath his legs in dancing color. Either he's very powerful and strong-willed, or he's incredibly skilled and studious to manipulate the air.

After some stretching, you follow him to the palace, frowning at the appearance of a prison. At least it's big...

"First... Ah, let's see to the archmagus."

He leads you into a library, where a Tou male is practicing script magic - that is, magic born from and affecting words. Now that you think about it, the racial power of the Tou has a lot to do with that breed of magic. He's taller than most males, a big grin on his face as his fingers dance around the page and it is lit up by blue power. "I'll be outside." the leader says, happily taking his leave.

"I see you have arrived to speak with me but I am afraid that presently I am unavailable for discourse so please return at another time for I am studying presently and cannot entertain young ladies even those as interesting and pleasing to the eyes as you maybe in an hour but this passage is so very interesting and really I would adore focusing on one thing rather than trying to split myself between the beauty inherent in the workings of magic and the beauty of a strong and noble woman." he says, somehow in a single breath.

>Writein

>>31932557
"How about you take a breath and put the book down, it will still be here when I'm not."

>>31932557
"Isn't the protection of your nation more important than a book?"

>>31932854 here

where'd the anons from before all go?

>>31932979
probably to sleep or work/school
>>31932975
seconding this

>>31932557
If he is so interested in it why the fuck does he talk so much?
Say "good bye then" and leave.

>>31933077
well I'm glad to see more anons filter in, its getting late here and I won't be able to stick around much longer

>>31933160
kind of counter-intuitive anon, lets not be petty and vindictive

>>31933220
I would say let's not be the nicest person ever to every weirdo we come across but i know it would be in vain. So i will just keep making my suggestions.

>>31933253
well seeing as he's the dude in charge of magic in this kingdom, and we've been sent to help them out with something, we can afford to be polite to this 'weirdo'

you say it like he's just some random street vagrant and not one of the most important people in the country we're here to help...

>>31932975
"Isn't the protection of your nation more important than a book?"

"Ah, but the contents of this book are quite-" you walk up, snapping the book shut for him.

"I'm sent by Tou'Ra." you growl. "And I don't like being ignored."

"Ah." he manages, "You should have said such to begin with." he says, walking over to his shelves. "It appears we've been beset by demons of a sort. Within our sewers and graveyards, sitting among our holy pews in the churches of Nyamo and Myana. We are uncertain how to suss them out without harming our people, you see. For we are a free people, and we would like to stay that way and not build our own chains as spoken of in prohpecy, yes?"

>Prophecy?
>How do you know they are there?
>Isn't the barrier supposed to stop such things?
>Writein

Expect another delay, I have been summoned.

>>31933363
Well seeing as they are the ones who are "asking" for help, they should have their magus be polite to the person who came to help them. He just treated her like some common whore, i am just suggesting to treat him like a normal person.

>>31933513
>Prophecy?
>How do you know they are there?

>Expect another delay, I have been summoned.
S'all good, I've gotta get some sleep now so I shall take my leave, fellow anons, do try to not break everything.

>>31933513
>Prophecy?
Other questions sound dumb. We all know they are there, why wouldn't he? And it is obvious that the barrier is failing, hence why we have been asked to help them.

>>31933513
>>Prophecy?

>>31933624
well they ain't that dumb, they give us specifics, and thats mainly OOC info your using to make that judgment
asking them will probably get us some context and specifics to quantify things IC and give us leads or info to use

>>31933683
>OOC info your using to make that judgment
No it is not. Show me one thing in that sentence that Annelin doesn't know. She knows the demons are there. She knows the barrier is not enough. That's litereally the reason she is here.

>>31933719
>She knows the barrier is not enough.
wut? the barrier went back up after the party/celebration, we woke up feeling its magic back in effect

Asleep anon here, probably just my paranoia playing up but I feel that we should probably be using our Eye more often, if there are demon infiltrators inside the barrier, we don't want to be completely oblivious to them and get caught out like we have been previously.

And back to sleep for me.

>>31933642
>>31933624

"Prophecy?"

"It was told that we would end up binding ourselves, for the Tou are destined for slavery." he says, "Total flippance, really. We determine our fate, not any petty manuscript. I believe in it only so far as to avoid it." he smirks, pulling out several books. "Rakshasa have made much study on demons. Each tribe is based upon a desire made in life. Undead want to live. Unholy wish to know."

"Know what?"

"Anything." the Tou states, "Though it varies by demon. You've met the Undead. The Unholy are... different. They appear like us, like a Tou. But... How do I put this..." he sighs. "They blind the Gods. Where an Unholy walks, lives, and acts, the gods cannot. So you see the issues here. The undead hide within our graves, and the Unholy among our people. What we ask of you... Is how to stop them without destroying our own freedom."

>Writein

>>31935100
I have no idea. It's a type of problem that has no one solution.

>>31935100
Theres really no right way to go about it. The only thing I can suggest if he studies our Coyo Eye and can devise some way to mass produce its effects. We might also ring Jaal and see if he has any ideas, seeing as he is the demonology expert.

>>31936397
see that's the problem, we can't be sure our eye will work because it's from a divine source

>>31936431
True. We would need an Unholy to test it on first. Or ask Jaal.
He might be an Unholy
Its Seducers all over again, but now maybe with no eye
Though it might work anyways since all he said is that gods cannot act there, not that their blessings suddenly fail. Actually, the failure itself might work as an indicator. If we suddenly go blind in our Coyo Eye/lose the ability to Eye things, we know an Unholy is about. Its wont find their exact location, but at least we would know when they're nearby. Then we are just right back to the issue of can our eye be reproduced by magic alone.

>>31936397
"I have a special Eye that can see through things, gifted by a god. Do you think the Unholy can affect that?"

"...No, I don't think so. Your Eye is powered by yourself, ultimately. But divine miracles and the like cannot occur near them."

+Ja'al. Can you ask Garibaldi about Unholy?+

+Will do. I'll return any findings momentarily.+

The Tou sighs.
"We've been trying to ask Nyamo for help, but he's been characteristically unhelpful. Myana is... Well, Myana." he says, "Unwilling to fight or cause fighting." he scratches his head.

>Writein

I'll log the suggestions posted, but I'm calling it here this week.

>>31937617
Like I said before, let him inspect our eye to see if he cant figure out how it works. Since that will likely be too convenient, we could get together with the catgirl orincess and Monica to pray to either see why/how Nyamo has been silenced or try to convince Myana that helping us in this endeavor will actually cut down on fighting in the long run. We may have to take a pilgrimage to find somewhere devoid of Unholy to reach either of them, though.

If all else fails, we can always pray to Raev for guidance.

>>31937617
Ask the Warriors or Yorick what makes their souls different. If demonologists can lock onto specific demons, perhaps there is something that will mark a specific Tribe.