Well. You’re PREPARED. Are you READY? You sure hope so.

Arranged beside you are three of the most badass, frightening, dangerous people you’ve ever met, and you’ve seen someone activate superweapons from thirty feet away. One of those three people beside you is a dark elf named Douthrite, with tattoos covering his entire chest and both arms, made out to look like horrible wounds emerging from his skin. He’s lying prone on the rooftop next to you, staring into the building in which Feathers is hiding. The other two are humans, sisters, Veri and Caitdottir, mages both. They’re crouched behind you, quiet as a sparrow in the sight of a falcon. Both of them are fingering blades, so heavily enchanted that you’re not even entirely sure they’re not mana made manifest: solid magic. If so, they probably cost more than your entire Auxilia brigade.


“She’s not there yet,” Douthrite hisses. If he weren’t tattooed to hell, he’d actually be pretty hot, but as it is…

“Any idea where she is?” you ask softly.

“None.” He looks up at you; you try not to flinch. “What’d Feathers do to you, anyway? I’ve never seen Culler give a kill order like that before. We’re not even getting paid for this.”

“She fell in with the absolute worst crowd,” you say. “The one that killed off that entire Auxilia battalion.” You grip your sling a little tighter. “MY battalion.”

“No shit?” Douthrite ponders that. “Hmm. Guess she has it coming, then. Why do you need all this firepower? She’s only got one partner. He’s not here either.”

Good question. How much do you reveal? You want them to be prepared, but if they know too much, they may wonder why a mere Auxiliary is on the job.


>”It’s better that you not know.”
>”She may have a secret weapon.”
>”She has more partners than you know.”
>writein
As always, bonuses are possible depending on the quality of the writein option.

>>32022741
>”They used something to erase those 800 soldiers. She might be the one who has it."

>>32022846
This, with
>”She (may have) more partners than you know.”

Nobody can simply have that kind of power without strong allies.

>>32022846

>Didn't you listen? She might have a weapon that killed a battalion of soldiers. She might have it all well calculated and actually be prepared that someone will chase her.

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While my pizza happens, enjoy fresh art! I had a friend, Eversor_, sketch up the part where Elsa sees the gem in her forehead for the first time!

>>32023141

Ooooh! And full colour! Plus art kinda straightened how I pictured this crystal, at first I thought it's big-ass violet gem or something like that.

>>32023242
Indeed, it's small enough to hide behind her bangs if she grows her hair out.

Writing!

You balance your words carefully. Brotherhood members who have learned to tap the Well have uncanny senses of honesty. “To be frank, she has allies and powers she hasn’t shown.”

One of the mages, Veri, you think, speaks up. “A Gift?”

“No, sorry, I mean weapons. That weapon that killed my people? She may have it,” you say.

Caitdottir’s eyes narrow. “One weapon got them all? Was it poison gas or something?”

“Or something.” You hesitate, swallowing sudden nerves. Brotherhood members are notoriously temperamental. You don’t want them turning on you. “A Harpy superweapon. Collapse-era.”

All three fall silent, turning to look at you. “Come again?” Veri asks.

“Superweapon. An Orb of the Feathered Demon,” you say. “She’s one of nine people who may have it.”

Douthrite’s eyes turn to little purple slits. “And you tell us now?”

“Culler didn’t know who to trust, so he picked you,” you say sharply. “Do you trust him?”

The dark elf’s face is stony, but he nods. “Fine. For the old man. But we’re getting paid royally if you want us backing you up again, no questions.” He turns back to the building and his eyes flash with Gift-sight. Both mages wince. “She’s still not there.”

“On the apartments over the store,” you say. “I don’t know which is hers.”

“Doesn’t matter, none of them are full of humans,” he says. He blinks the light out of his eyes. “They’re all elves or human men or children. So now what?”


>Hang out here until she shows up
>Do a thing (what?)
>Page Asa and ask for advice (discreetly)
>Leave and do (what)
>writein

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>>32023339

>>32023650

What about the basement? There was a door under it, maybe she's there for some reason. If not...well, it's better to wait. Spy job is for 99% of time waiting for things to happen. We should have brought donuts with us.

>>32023650
>Hang out until she shows up

>>32023777
This, and
>Page Asa

If there's anything we can learn from her that'll make this go faster the better.

Also, we might have blown it with these folks just now. Perhaps we need to consider showing our representation of a higher authority?

>>32023746
No, you need one eye free while the other eye looks through the hair somehow.
>>32023650
Can we do a quick basement check, then head back to the rooftop for WAITING?

“This building does have a basement,” you point out. “Could she be down there?”

Douthrite tsks. “Hadn’t thought of that. Hang on.” His eyes flicker again; again the mages wince. Being around a Gifted person while having magic must be quite annoying, you think to yourself.

“The basement is far enough away that I can’t…really make it out,” he mutters. “This is pretty high a vantage point for that. That cellar is sixty feet down and a hundred feet away.”

“You can make out the sexes of people on the top floor but can’t tell if there’s people in the basement at all?” Veri asks sarcastically. “How useful.”

“Fall of a bridge and die,” Douthrite snarls.

You page Asa while the others are chuckling. Passing along the salient details, you wait for a reply.

[A puzzle, indeed,] she muses. [You’re lucky tonight is so quiet. The ghosts in the south are silent again. I would, were I you, slip my son there into a place from which he could spot the whole building. A closer structure, perhaps. Then, arrange for a signal to be sent from him to you for when contact is made.]

While she speaks, Douthrite blinks the light away and looks up at you, apparently forgoing the council of his snarky peers for your leadership. “So do I try to get closer? Or what?”


>Follow Asa’s advice
>writein

>>32024128
>>Follow Asa’s advice

>>32024128
>follow Ava's advice
she is a god
she probably knows best

>>32024128
>>Follow Asa’s advice

Who we are to question demi-god? Plus she actually has a point. Is water tower closer to this shop? I remember when you described this district it was near the centre of it.

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>>32024306
The Utility tower provides both energy and water to the district, and it's about two miles away on these circuitous streets.

However, you're on the roof of the building across the three-road, six-way intersection. That means there are four buildings closer.

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>>32023946

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Writing!

>>32024597
pic related

>>32024462

Moving to a building next to it seems like safe option.

>>32024597

Hmm...what about making a little braid at the side of a head? Possibilities are endless!

>>32024128
>Follow Asa’s advice
RAMIREZ, USE SMOKE TO COVER YOUR ADVANCE

>>32024597
Getting there. needs an oversized weapon, brooding or possibly belts

“All right, here’s the plan,” you say after quickly looking over the intersection. “Douthrite, you head over to that little tavern down there,” you say, pointing at a dive next to the apartments.

“You’re the best boss ever.”

“The rest of us stay here,” you continue, drawing scoffs from the women. “Give us a signal we can’t mistake when you spot her.”

He looks over at the two mages with a distinct sneer, before slipping his black cloak back on and vanishing into the stairwell with a parting “You’re the boss.”

“Pompous assmunch,” Veri mutters.

“Eh. He has his uses,” Caitdottir says with a shrug. “Get comfy. His signal’s distinct.”

“Oh? What is it?” you ask.

“He turns Gift-sight on us,” Veri says with a resigned grimace. “It’s like biting your tongue.”

“Why wasn’t he wearing his black cloak at night?” you ask.

Veri snorts. “He wanted you to stare at his rippling muscles, girl.”

“Then he shouldn’t have covered them in dismemberment tattoos,” you say flatly. “I’ve seen actual dismemberment in the Auxilia, I don’t want it in a decoration.”

“Yeah, he’s about as full of himself as it’s possible to be,” Veri says. “Anyway. Get comfy. We’ll be here a bit, unless your merc or war criminal or whatever turns in early.”


You sit back against the side of the stairwell on the roof of the apartment building you’re roosting on and close your eyes. The two Mages are peering over the edge with shimmering shields over their heads which, they assure you, will conceal them from passers-by to some extent. Asa’s gentle voice fills your mind as you rest and plan. [What do you wish to do, my daughter?] she asks. [Is it your desire to kill this woman, or simply detain her?]

(con’t)

{If I kill her, her soul will go to Vier, right?}

[Indeed.]

{Wouldn’t Vier pass along any pertinent information?} you inquire. {She stands to lose as much as you if this weapon activates in the middle of the city.}

[Naturally. But I suspect you know my policy on killing,] Asa says. [All the way, or not at all.]

It’s true. Haret and Vier have their temperamental moments to be sure, like the Fire Tornado incident, or the waves of screaming water that drowned the fleet of the pirate king Gideon when he dared to attack the Islands of Passage, where the dead Gods were interred after the Collapse…but Asa generally eschews killing entirely when she can. When she can’t…

[The one time I ever unleashed my true power after the Collapse, a nation died in their beds as I turned the air to vacuum,] Asa says in the most regretful tone you’ve ever heard. [My dearest daughter, remember that. Kill her instantly, or capture her for interrogation. Torturous death is beneath you. Ideally, it would be beneath us all. Were it only so.]

You swallow. {Was that Mai’te’s way too?} you ask.

Asa actually manages a tiny laugh that returns some warmth to your heart. [Oh, yes. I’ve tried so very hard to emulate her.]


Both mages suddenly flinch in unison. “Hey, Sergeant! We’ve got trade!” one of them whispers.

You hurriedly sever your connection with your patroness. “What?” you ask. “Already? It’s not even 1900!”

“A human woman in armor did just enter the basement door of the apartment building,” Veri says darkly. “I just felt Douthrite’s Gift-sight.” She winces. “And now again, because he can, the prick,” she mutters.


GAME TIME!

>Just charge the basement across the intersection!
>Ask the twins for advice.
>Regroup with Douthrite and attempt infiltration
>writein

>>32025098
>Regroup with Douthrite and attempt infiltration
We have yet to blow our cover and start making a scene.

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(world map)

>>32025098

>Regroup with Douthrite and attempt infiltration

Better leave sisters as back-up - casters can be spot from mile distance. Let's try meeting with our little black punk and see why she went for the basement instead straight to her house.

>>32025098
Regroup with Douthrite and attempt infiltration

The more unprepared we can catch her, the better.

>>32025267

The Geography seems kind of weird. Shouldn't there be massive inland deserts because of the sheer size of the Continent and the lack of rainfall far inland?
The Brotherhood Headquarters would be in very arid country.
And of course there would only be two seasons, Dry and Wet, so no Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter.
And what about the massive Hurricanes that would be generated? They'd make life difficult during the Wet Season, but would be the only way any water would reach the arid inland regions. Without them life would be nearly impossible too far from the coast.

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>>32024874
>>32024710

>>32025438
There are several gargantuan alchemic weather machines in the Shrine Sslands. They're mentioned in greater detail in earlier threads, and in my prequel books.

>[Naturally. But I suspect you know my policy on killing,] Asa says. [All the way, or not at all.]

inb4 in 5 minutes we remake fire extinguisher scene from Irreversible

>>32025512

Wouldn't they make it impossible to sustain life? If you're forcing a 4 season climate on a two season continent, it would cause extinctions, and make living there even harder. For example if there are no hurricanes most of the continent would be impossible for humans to live in due to the lack of water and the subsequent disruptions to farming and the like.

Why do people never actually stop and think about the actual mechanics behind a fantasy world?

>>32025572

Man, if you get "weather machines" into equation you can justify it no problemo. I mean, what are winds? Also

>applying real-life logic to fantasy

Why don't you ask Earthdawn creators how retarded their world is.

>>32025572
I did think about it.

This planet was created with four seasons. The world looks as fucked up as it is because that's what thirty nine gods and demigods dying does to a planet.

The world was made - whole - through the power of the Pantheon, and when they started dying off, the machines were created to replace them. Of course it couldn't survive recognizably in its current form if the Pantheon weren't around to keep the machines running. I said as much in the last thread. That's half the reason you're still alive: If Asa tried to fix this with one of her Avatars, and the Orb were to be used on her, there wouldn't be enough divine juice left over to keep the machines running, and the world would fall apart at the seams. She sent you, a mortal, in her stead because she simply can't risk doing this herself.


If you were in a city smaller and less important than the artistic and financial capital of the world, Haret would have nuked it to cinder by now.

If Feathers is in there, she wouldn’t be carrying the Orb out on the streets. She’s in the basement of her apartment building; who knows who else might be with her? It’s time to infiltrate.

“We’re meeting up with Douthrite and sneaking in the basement doors,” you murmur. “Gear up.”

Both mages nod and creep back from the edge of the building before letting their shields disperse. You race down the stairwells and out into the little china shop on the first floor, then slow down and casually walk out into the streets. You’re still in armor, but there are enough Guards around that you don’t draw many stares.

The Brotherhood members, however, pull some attention. More, once Douthrite joins you. Three Brothers in one place can knock over a small town; three in the poor district is pretty damn rare.

“She’s in the basement,” Douthrite says softly. Whatever a jerk he may be, he’s professional when he’s got a target. Good.

“We saw. Got any plans?” you ask. The four of you start moving towards the building as Douthrite takes off at a fair clip.

“Yeah. Bust in the cellar door and slide a sword in her kidneys,” Douthrite says bluntly. “Get this over with.”

“I say we just bop her on the brainpan and drag her off to a military tribunal,” Veri puts in. “Let her rot in a work camp.”

>I agree with Douthrite
>I agree with Veri
>Decide when we get there and see what the hell she’s doing in the cellar when the front door is wide open instead

>>32025979

>I agree with Douthrite

There's little chance that getting dead might be somehow planned (!), but seriously, this option gives most benefits and, surprisingly, is most moral since prevents our mercenary from fate worse than death.

>>32025979
>I agree with Douthrite

Lets not mess about here. We can apparently get the knowledge we need out of her when she's dead anyway.

>>32025979
>douthrite

Writing!

Man, you guys are bloodthirsty.

>>32026453

We just use orange and blue morality scale. Also

DEUS VULT!

It’s not an easy call, but the mission needs to be clear. “Just slot her. Vier will sort her out,” you say. It won’t be any harder than killing bandits in the woods, right?

Douthrite nods once and produces two short swords as you approach the cellar doors. “Consider it done.”

Veri shrugs. “Your call.” Caitdottir says nothing, she just unlimbers that knife. Several passers-by gasp and step back at the sight of Brotherhood members unsheathing weapons, and who can blame them?

The mages take position beside the doors and wrap their hands around the handles to open them up. The distinct smells of soap, bleach, and sweat fill your nose as you approach and draw your own dagger. Its enchantment lights glimmer off of your armor in the dimming light of the evening.

“Pull and slice,” Douthrite says, and the doors nearly fly off the hinges. The two Mages hold out their hands as Douthrite races past them, and a shimmering glow of magic wraps around him like a mist. A heartbeat later, a horrible set of screams – four people at least – fills the air.

You run after Douthrite, into a laundry room full of people. Those people, quite understandably concerned by the magic-shrouded, apparently bloodied, and very armed Brother suddenly appearing in their midst, are screaming their lungs out and dropping their laundry everywhere.

Your trained eyes circle the room – nothing. Feathers isn’t here.

“Upstairs!” Douthrite shouts. Sure enough, a door on the far side seems to lead into another stairwell to the main floor. The two of you sprint through the turmoil and up the stairs. A wooden swing door flies open as you charge out into the little shop you saw before.

The proprietor shrieks and runs at the sight of the ‘mangled’ man with the knives in his store. Douthrite spins on his heel and sweeps the place with his eyes. “Fuck…where did she go? She only had seconds to get away!” he snaps.


(con’t)

At the door, the twins charge in, magic arcing between their hands. “Where is she?” Veri shouts.

“MOM!” a child’s voice screams. You all whip around to see a tiny human boy, no more than four, running for the laundry room as fast as his tiny legs can take him. A hand reaches out of the stairwell and grabs his arm, scooping him off the ground and pulling him into the stairwell.

“There!” Douthrite bellows. He throws himself for the stairwell down and flies down the steps, one elbow out in a block. The whole room fills with screams and clattering as the other three of you race back to the steps, looking at the scene below.

At the bottom of the steps, a woman in armor – one of the people from the woods, for sure – is slumped on the ground in a tangle, clutching feebly at the boy from before. The boy himself is screaming blue bloody murder, which makes sense, since his arm is clearly broken. Douthrite is scrambling to grapple the woman without impaling the child.


>Stab the woman with your spear [guaranteed kill on Feathers, may also kill Douthrite or the child] – 1d100+6
>Join the grapple [may suffer injury, probable capture on Feathers, improbable injury to the others] – 1d100+1
>Stand back and let Douthrite end the fight [no guarantees except that Feathers will die or be captured] 1d100
>writein – improvise [I decide success]

NO MATTER WHAT, YOU MUST ROLL IF YOU VOTE

>>32026994

FFFFFFFFF....Ok, we got this.

>Join the grapple

Rolled 5 + 1

>>32027098

Ah, I fucked up dice.

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>>32027098
>>32027130

Boy, I'll say. Hope you weren't too attached to the kid.

A better roll by somebody else will save him...

Vote remains open for

Rolled 45 + 1

>>32026994
>Join the grapple [may suffer injury, probable capture on Feathers, improbable injury to the others] – 1d100+1

>>32026994
>Use the Spear as a quarterstaff and smack the woman, disorientating her and ensuring Douthrite can subdue her.

Rolled 34 + 1

>>32026994
>Join the grapple
go dice go

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Jesus, the /tg/ dice WANT me to kill an NPC.

Eight more minutes!

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>>32027189

>/tg/ dice

So many years and I still didn't learn that the best move is not to roll...

;_________;

>>32026994
Join the grapple [may suffer injury, probable capture on Feathers, improbable injury to the others] – 1d100+1

Rolled 72 + 1

>>32026994
alright
time to roll a hundred

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It's like watching a motorcycle accident.

Rolled 25 + 1

>>32026994
ok ok
this time a hundred for sure

Rolled 67 + 1

>>32027309

Only one roll per player, of course.

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Voting locked.

>>32027331
>>32027212
Going with this.

If I didn't award bonuses of as much as +10 to all DCs for using the >writein option, you'd have been beyond fucked. Goddamned /tg/ dice.

>>32027425
ok, in that case please take the 72 and not the 25
pls

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Lost in a Roman...wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain, yeah

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xd2cy_the-end-apocalypse-now_music

>>32027505
that is an interesting filename

FUCK.

You swing the haft of your spear as hard as you can, knocking the kid out of the way and glancing his injured arm – a fresh scream –

FUCK!

Douthright gasps in surprise as it glances off of the back of his head and loosens his grip on Feathers –

FUUUUCK

The head catches on the ceiling, driving the bronze butt down into Feathers’ mouth, you hear the crunch of teeth – a huge spurt of blood – more screams!

FFFFFFFFFFF-

Douthrite straightens up and nearly rams his knife straight through Feathers’ chest when an arm reaches out and grabs his – it’s not yours, it’s the kid’s –

“NOOOO!” the boy screams, physically dragging himself onto his mother’s twitching body and pinning himself between Douthrite and Feathers.

Veri catches up to you and grabs Douthrite’s free arm. “Whoa whoa, hang on, target’s down!” she says.

Douthrite snatches his arms free. “I can see that, you idiots,” he barks. He glares up at you. “Watch your aim next time, junior,” he growls.

The kid is still howling, but a muttered spell from Veri and he slumps over, sound asleep. “Poor little fuck,” she mutters. She shoots a quick glare at Douthrite, who’s retrieving his weapons. “Can’t believe you’d stab the kid,” she says nastily.

“Fuck off, Veri, I could have gutted him if I felt like it,” Douthrite shoots back, sending her a glare. Again, he turns to you, pointedly ignoring the blood caking his hand where he grabbed Feathers’ neck. “So now what? How do you want to salvage this mess?”

>There were Guards in the square, call for help
>Take her to the Royal dungeon directly, fuck protocol
>Take her back to the Brotherhood Chapter house
>writein

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An artist's impression of the last few posts.

>>32027841
>Take her to the Royal dungeon directly, fuck protocol

Thank god, a post! I thought the audience had all gone to bed.


I'll wrap up after this one and then go to bed; if the thread is still here tomorrow, I'll resume.

You run a shaky hand over your bandana, trying to focus. The post-fight adrenal rush isn’t pleasant. “Just drag her back to the Royal dungeon, she’s wanted for questioning if we took her alive. I guess Maas wants something from her personally.”

“Then why did you tell me to, and I quote, ‘slot her’?” Douthrite grumps, though he dutifully grabs the woman and slings her effortlessly over his shoulders. You can’t help but wonder how strong he actually is.

“In case we didn’t get a chance to take her alive!” you say hotly, then immediately hold up a hand when he turns to glare. “Sorry, sorry. Let’s just get this over with. Someone have the kid?”

Veri hoists the boy onto her shoulder, where he dangles limply. “Yep.”

You sigh as Caitdottir casts another shield over the six of you. “Maas better not be having dinner,” you mutter.


[Temporary end of thread]

You somehow managed to salvage that clusterfuck. I'll be back tomorrow to see how good your grip of your speech skills are in the interrogation scene!

>>32028713
thanks for running!