>>34324090
>A) Turn back and meet with Leon

>>34325033
woo

>>34325673
sorry I was late. I was expecting a notice tweet.

>>34325033
Once everything is packed, and you and your allies have eaten, you gather at the edge of the veil. Five-hundred riders sit astride horses, armed with swords, javelins, and bows. They all have looks of stern confidence. The women and children, likely their wives and daughters, see them off with tears and hugs. When the last of them have pulled themselves away, you order the entirety to begin marching.

You leave the veil all at once, and begin moving back west. The riders are quite speedy, both on and off horse. They make camp quickly, sleep exactly six hours, and break up quickly. They have been drilled well for times of war. Their appointed leader, a man named Redeye, reports to you directly, and seems quite respected by all. Maurice must translate for you, but you can still sense the weight with which he speaks.

Finally on the fifth day of travel, one of your new scouts approaches you with news. A single rider on a black horse has been spotted. He wears no cloak, but does not sit like a White Pine rider.

A) Order the force to halt, risking the loss of a day
B) Send someone out to collect the rider
C) Go out yourself
D) Order him killed
E) Other

>>34325842
>C) Go out yourself

>>34325869
You take a spare horse and head out on your own, despite advice against it. As you ride out, the men continue at a steady pace. You can hear some of them leading songs meant to lighten up the long trip.

Within an hour, you have gone for enough to spot the rider the scout spoke of. The tribesman do not have looking glasses, so he remains an ambiguous speck in the distance.

A) Ride up
B) Hide and watch
C) Get close enough to see
D) Other

>>34325949
>C) Get close enough to see

>>34325964
You continue forward at a quick pace, until you can finally reliably see the rider. It appears to be a woman of sturdy build in black leather. Her hair would appear to be twisted into two tails, and she carries a bow and perhaps an axe, or a knife. By the time you finish sizing her up, you realize that she can see you just as well, and has slowed her pace.

A) Approach
B) Turn back
C) Other

>>34326081
>A) Approach

>>34326097
You kick your heels into your horse and move forward at a good trot. Within minutes, you are in shouting distance, and the rider takes advantage immediately. She brings her mount to a stop, and orders you to dismount and meet with her on foot, hands raised.

A) Comply
B) Refuse
C) Other

>>34326175
>A) Comply

>>34326197
You stop your horse, and dismount. She does the same, and the both of you walk the remaining few yards with your hands above your heads, slow and steady. You finally come within striking distance, and quickly realize a few more details about her. She is quite lean, and indeed does carry two hatchets on her hips. Furthermore, her clothes greatly resemble Leon's, leading you to assume she is in the employ of the berets. Still, she wears no cloak and no beret.

"I am the Lark. I was sent by the Lionheart to scout for our allies. Might you be operating under the command of the Unbound Knight?"

A) I am
B) Who?
C) He is me
D) Other

>>34326348
>B) Who?

>>34326348
"An oathbreaker of Lumen. He is described as powerful looking, but lean and tired. He wears ragged armor emblazoned with a sun. He carries a bastard sword, as you do. He is also said to be traveling with a red-haired woman, and a young man who looks to be of the western dunes."

A) Never heard of him
B) That'd be me
C) I can take you to him
D) Other

>>34326517
>B) That'd be me

>>34326539
The Lark takes a moment to register what you're saying. She is clearly skeptical, and to be fair that description of you is slightly outdated. Since you last saw Leon you've bulked up and removed your damaged armor.at Ross' request.

"Very well, if you truly are the Unbound, then you'll have no trouble answering a question. What is the name of the Lionheart's spouse?"

A) Ellanora
B) Evangeline
C) Eve

>>34326652
>B) Evangeline

>>34326688
She smiles and extends her hand. You shake.

"It's an honor to meet you, sir. I have word from the Lionheart himself. He and the remaining berets have divided up what's left of the outpost he once commanded and are on standby just south of here. They number just under one-hundred mounted, two thousand on foot. He advises against moving in one large group, but notes that the dragon has been eerily silent of late. He wishes to say that perhaps now is the best time to force march and put him on the defensive."

A) Have the rangers meet with you
B) Have them move through the forest, remaining hidden
C) Other

>>34326797
>B) Have them move through the forest, remaining hidden

>>34326819
You give her the instruction, and she nods. Within a few moments, you are both mounted up, and on your way.

You return to your riders, and Redeye asks for the next order.

A) Rest
B) Meet with the clerics
C) Turn around

>>34327004
>A) Rest

>>34327004
this might actually be a good time to talk to ross about modifying our agreement...

>>34327004
>A) Rest

>>34327053
Why?

>>34327249
because the girls seemed rather upset about it last time

>>34327034
>>34327053
>>34327249
You order the riders to make camp. Redeye echoes the order, and soon each and every rider is dismounted and preparing to settle down for the night. You find your way to your comrades, and come up to them as they too are setting out their small camp.

After a light meal, they all decide to sleep, leaving you with a moment to sit and meditate. You still don't have the hang of it quite yet, but with time you manage to put yourself under, and regain consciousness atop the Stone Tower.

There you find Ross napping in the center of the circle, holding half a peach in one hand and a leaking bottle of wine in the other.

A) Wake him
B) Wait for him to wake
C) Other

>>34327271
The problem wasn't the agreement. It was a pre-existing issue which the agreement brought into focus.
Namely, our inability to return to Lumen and the associated issues.

>>34327343
>A) Wake him

>>34327343
>B) Wait for him to wake

>>34327343
Sorry, meant B

>>34327351
ok, we'll try and fix that issue, too.

>>34327370
>>34327376
You approach Ross and sit down beside him. You cross your legs and breathe deep, waiting for him to stir. Some time passes, but with no sun here, you can't be sure how much. Eventually, you feel something tug on your back. You turn around and see nothing, but when you turn to face forward again, you feel something climbing up your shirt. Soon a large spider, about the size of a small dog, rests on your shoulder. In it's front legs it holds a bottle, and it doesn't seem keen on moving. You feel a bit nervous, but not even shaking seems to encourage it to leave.

A) Wipe it off
B) Sit patiently
C) Other

>>34327496
>B) Sit patiently

>>34327496
>B) Sit patiently
>C) "Want me to take that?"

>>34327529
>>34327577
You take a deep breath and continue to wait. After a minute or so, however, you think to ask if the spider means to offer the bottle to you. It shakes the bottle a little, but being that it is an arachnid, it does not respond verbally.

A) Take the bottle
B) Close your eyes and wait
C) Other

>>34327757
>A) Take the bottle

>>34327757
>A) Take the bottle

>>34327773
>>34327782
You reach up and take the bottle. As soon as he is relieved of his duty, the spider hops down and scurries away, disappearing over the edge of the tower's top platform. You examine the bottle, smelling it, and shaking it. It appears to be wine, and strong wine at that.

A) Open it
B) Set it aside
C) Other

>>34327891
>A) Open it

>>34327891
>B) Set it aside
Good wine should be shared.

>>34327891
>>34327911
>>34327915
ok, change to B

>>34327915
>>34327928
You set the bottle down beside you, and return to waiting.

A minute later, the spider returns, this time carrying two small white dishes stacked on it's back and attached with webs. It comes near you and sets one down before you, then the other a few feet away. That done, it approaches the bottle and slides it closer to you before scurrying over to the other dish.

A) Open the bottle
B) Slide the bottle away
C) Other

>>34328107
>A) Open the bottle

>>34328107
>A) Open the bottle

>>34328175
hey spring

>>34328204
Morning, Wren.

>>34328107
>A) Open the bottle
Okay, magic giant spider. You've made your point.

>>34328147
>>34328175
You grab the bottle and pull out the cork. The smell of the wine is sweet, but powerful. You pour a little into each dish, noting it's strange green color. Once they are full, the spider scurries off, and a delicate hand forms from thin air across from where you sit. It reaches down and takes up the dish, raising it up. From the wrist forms a sleeve, then a body, and before long a lovely young woman in gorgeous red and gold robes sits before you. She smiles gently, and looks you in the eye. Her skin is so beautiful and radiant, you find it difficult to look away. She takes a dainty sip of the wine in her dish, then silently motions for you to take up yours.

A) Have a small sip
B) Have a generous sip
C) Drink it down
D) Refuse

>>34328302
>A) Have a small sip

>>34328302
>B) Have a generous sip
It's the Monk Ross way.

>>34328302
>A) Have a small sip
"Ai, I take it?"

>>34328311
>>34328376
You take a small sip, just to taste the wine. It's sweet, but not overpoweringly so. The young woman smiles when she sees you enjoying it. Truly you think, she must be more than a normal woman. Her charm is unnatural. It's also worth noting that you find yourself uncomfortable attracted to her the longer you make eye contact. You ask her name, and she nods politely.

A) Ask something
B) Keep drinking
C) Other

>>34328452
try to avert eye contact, and drink moderately.
ask when ross will wake up.

>>34328452
>A) Ask something
"Ross tells me you have an issue with me, Anna and Pietra. Don't suppose you'd be willing to say why?"
>B) Keep drinking
Small sips.

>>34328452
seconding Wren >>34328477

>>34328477
>>34328552
You try to look away, since looking at any place on her body results in getting caught in her eyes again. You take small sips of your wine and ask when Ross will wake. She does not answer, and without looking at her you can't read her facial cues.

A) Drink quietly
B) Ask something else
C) Other

>>34328706
>A) Drink quietly
B
ask how long they've been together

>>34328739
You continue to drink in small sips, and ask how long the two of them have been living together in a realm of cosmic subconscious. You watch her hands, and count about eight fingers. Years, you assume.

Soon Ross begins to stir. He sits up, stretches, burps, and looks around. Upon seeing the woman in red, he grins and moves over to her, bending down to engage her in a highly suggestive kiss. She blushes, raising a hand to his cheek and the two of them sit as they are, going all but as far as ripping their clothes off before finally pulling away. Ross takes a seat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into his lap. She smiles and raises the small dish in her hand to his lips. He drinks the entire thing down, then reaches over to take the bottle from you and fill it again.

"Good to see you, buddy. What brings you here this time?"

A) I wanted to talk about our deal
B) Just had some free time
C) Other

>>34329057
>A) I wanted to talk about our deal

>>34329057
>A) I wanted to talk about our deal

>>34329057
>B) Just had some free time
We can't just keep altering the deal. Especially not for no reason.

>>34329298
I figured we were just looking for more information on what we have to do and what we get.

>>34329078
>>34329211
Ai provides another drink, and Ross empties it before pouring another. You ask him about another alteration to the deal.

"I see. Tell me, would you like me to just give you access to all my powers, and in exchange you can go ahead and piss on my doorstep. I don't have a doorstep, that was a metaphor for how I seem to be getting less and less out of this every time you come back here."

A) That's not what I mean
B) It's just a minor change
C) Other

>>34329430
>B) It's just a minor change

>>34329430
actually, I had something in mind that I'm typing up

>>34329430
>A) That's not what I mean
"I just want to know what I can do with it - I've noticed the strength, thanks for that."

>>34329430
>A) That's not what I mean
I'm not asking for change. Just clarification.

>>34329482
>>34329509
"I've given you your strength back. It wasn't easy either. On top of that, you're well armored. No mundane weapon will be able to pierce your skin so long as you follow my commandments. Also you'll smell like peaches all the time. I don't actually have any control over that, so sorry if it gets annoying."

A) I'd like some magic aswell
B) That should be enough for what I need to get done
C) Other

>>34329569
>C) Other
"What exactly are the commandments I need to follow?"
This is the kind of stuff you need to know.

>>34329569

B) That should be enough for what I need to get done
C) Other

That bit about my children. That they would be your servants from birth... I should have talked it over with Anna and Pietra, but... They're not exactly happy with it.

The girls want to be able to choose their upbringing, including religion. Honestly, I don't think I can blame them.

But I wouldn't be here if I didn't have some idea on how to compensate for this. I was going to talk Pietra out of being kings and queens of the north, but if you allow for my children to be raised freely, then I will be king of the north, and I will promote you throughout its lands. If this is acceptable to you...

>>34329569
>B) That should be enough for what I need to get done
We don't have to do much. We're getting a pretty good deal here.
+
>>34329614

>>34329569
shouldn't Ai have black hair

>>34329614
>>34329616
>>34329642
You tell him that the powers you have now will be plenty for the time being. You also ask what his commandments are.

"I don't ask for a whole lot. I want my temple, I want wine, and I absolutely abhor infidelity. Protect the weak, yadda yadda. Oh, and make up a fun holiday for me. One with games. I like games." You feel a little underwhelmed, but are forced to agree. You bring up the problem with Annalise, and propose an offer.

"Hm. That would be pretty nice. The whole north...Tell you what. You build a city, and make it law that I am it's patron deity, and I'll let the red haired girl do whatever she wants with her half of your seed. The other one's sprouts are all mine though. And! You put the proverbial bun in her oven first. I want the first ruler after you to be one of my clerics. Do that, and I'll throw in a little extra magic on the top. This wine that I drink is strong stuff. Sacred, even. I'll give you a recipe to mix up something similar. Not as potent, but strong. It'll fight curses, hexes, disease, and even help you sleep. Better than holy water, right? How's that for a deal?" Ross smiles wide. He seems to think this really is a good deal for both of you.

Annalise will be free to teach her children as she likes, but Pietra's children will be required to worship Ross, and on top of that, you won't be allowed to bed Annalise for a babe until Pietra has a safe birth.

A) Accept
B) Refuse
C) Other

>>34329699
She does

>>34329945
sorry, meant to put down C

I want Pietra to have her choice in her children's upbringing as well

>>34329945
>C) Other
"If you don't mind, I'll come back to this after speaking to the girls. You understand, right?"

>>34329945
>B) Refuse
Whoa, no. Hell no.
Beforehand, the offer let the kids choose when they came of age. With this, we make the choice for them arbitrarily, based on which mother they're born to, and get an added restriction on our relationship with the girls. There isn't even any change to Annas kids, it just locks in Pietras.
Bad deal.

>>34329945
Actually, yeah. I'll go with Tiger, on
>B) Refuse

>>34330110
yeah, let's go with this

>>34329999
>>34329995
You ask to be allowed to speak with them first. Ross groans and rolls his eyes back.

"If I knew being a god was going to be this tedious I would have just let that stupid tiger eat me!" Ai smacks Ross on the arm, calming him down. He sighs. "Fine. You can go back. But no more of this lowball. Whatever we agree on tonight is final. If you don't like it, you can pray to the Ice Queen, and see if she's nicer about it."

A) Fine
B) Other

>>34330175
>A) Fine

>>34330175
>A) Fine

>>34330175
>A) Fine

>>34330189
>>34330236
Ross takes up the wine bottle and dump a good amount of it into his mouth. He then swishes it around some, and expectorates it in you face.

You wake up back in the camp, dry as a bone. The others are already about to turn in, but you rouse Pietra and Annalise before they fall asleep and talk to them about the deal.

"I would really like to take them to see Lumen." Annalise looks into the fire, nervous.

"I really don't care. As long as I get to live in a castle and be with you two, I guess I'm fine worshiping some drunken monkey." You remind them of the first born agreement as well. "Sounds good to me, we can get started right now." Pietra throws herself at you and begins nuzzling your neck. Annalise turns slightly pink, but doesn't say anything.

A) Take the deal
B) Renegotiate
C) Other

>>34330420
>C) Other
tell Anna that she'll be able to take them to Lumen. We just need to work on us not getting straight up murdered when we get there.

I'll wait for the other guys before choosing A or B

>>34330420
>C) Other
Refuse the new deal. Keep to the old.
Anna can take them to Lumen either way. The only issue is not dying if WE go there, and... well, we can work on that.
Actually, the whole king in the noth thing might be helpful there. Lets us apply pressure for diplomacy.
We become a priest-king just so we can take our kids to see the grandparents.

>>34330420
choosing A

Spring is the tiebreaker

>>34330756
So much power...
>A) Take the deal
Sorry Tiger

>>34330637
>>34330816
You decide to accept the deal. When you return from the Stone Tower, you bring with you a round bottle of sweet green wine, a gift from Ai. According to Ross, it is sacred, akin to holy water.

A) Drink it
B) Save it

>>34330924
>A) Drink it

>>34330816
Don't worry about it.
You monster.~

>>34330924
>B) Save it

>>34330924
>B) Save it

>>34330948
You pop the cork, filling the air around the campfire with the smell of peaches. Over the course of the next hour, Pietra and Annalise devolve into tender cuddling, Maurice passes out cold, and Kor finishes half the bottle and decides to go for a quick run around the camp before bed.

The next few days go by rather quickly. You continue riding across the plains, facing chilly winds and boredom, until a scout finally reports seeing something approaching. It appears to be several hundred riders, moving at top speed in your direction. They outnumber you three to one by his count, and they are armed and dressed for battle.

"Big deal. Let's go chop them down and keep moving." Pietra draws her dagger, tossing it up in the air and letting it dance in her palm.

"That's foolish. We'd be overrun. It's better to retreat south, even if it loses us a few days." Annalise's plan seems more reasonable, but taking that large a detour would give the enemy time to breathe, as well as confuse the clerics marching a few days behind you.

A) Meet the enemy full force
B) Meet them for parlay
C) Retreat
D) Other

>>34331356
>C) Retreat

>>34331430
You give the order to retreat south. Redeye echoes it throughout the rider forces, and in minutes you have turned south toward the midlands. You continue this way for the rest of the day, but the pursuers do not let up.

A) Keep moving south
B) Meet them at sundown
C) Other

>>34331771
>B) Meet them at sundown

>>34331771
>B) Meet them at sundown
The darkness should mitigate their numbers advantage.

>>34331874
>>34331966
You order the riders to prepare for battle. They stop, dismount, and begin arming and painting themselves in vibrant colors. They sing strange songs, and perform odd rituals. You imagine doing this before every conflict must drag out wars quite a bit, but there's nothing you can do to stop them.

Maurice approaches you, along with some scouts.

"They outnumber us greatly, but in the dark it will be hard for them to move quickly. It might be best to stand back and fire arrows until they come close. However even then our chances are slim."

A) Dig in and fight
B) Keep moving back and firing
C) Other

>>34332099
>B) Keep moving back and firing

>>34332154
You get into the rhythm of firing a few volleys of arrows, then retreating backward at top speed to set up again. The enemy riders, cut down bit by bit as they approach, pursue at top speed. They will catch you; it's inevitable. But with this, you can buy time and soften them up.

Finally, after a few hours of dark, you can retreat no more. Scouts estimate a third of the enemy force has been routed, but they still have a little more than twice your number. You must face them now.

A) Lead the charge
B) Stand back and watch
C) Other

>>34332272
>A) Lead the charge

>>34332272
>A) Lead the charge
And now we demonstrate our talents as a living woodchipper.

>>34332321
>>34332505
You find a horse and get ready to ride to the head of the force. Your friends arm themselves as well, but you wonder if taking them is such a good idea.

A) Take Annalise
B) Take Pietra
C) Take Maurice
D) Take Kor
E) Go Alone

>>34332582
C

>>34332582
actually, belay that.

go it alone

>>34332582
>E) Go Alone
Blood for the Booze god!

>>34332693
>>34332714
You take up your sword and ride to the head of the force. You can already see the dust rising in the moonlight as the enemy riders draw close. Redeye stands beside you, mounted and painted and wielding two of the tribesman's iconic curved swords. According to Maurice, they are meant to slice open the side of a mount, or drag its rider down to the ground if used correctly. Such brutal tactics may be needed now.

The riders come into view now, and your own men are growing excited. Holding them back at this point is risking a break in formation.

A) Open fire with bows, but risk being ridden down
B) Charge now
C) Other

>>34332997
>B) Charge now

File: KillEverything.png (1 KB, 150x200)

1 KB PNG

>>34332997
>B) Charge now

>>34333031
>>34333046
You give the order, and the riders put the spurs to their mounts, sending the entire force forward in a collision course with the enemy. They hoot, hollar, and howl as they ride, swinging their weapons over their heads. You assume this must be an intimidation tactic, but you've never seen one quite so outrageous.

You grit your teeth and ready your sword as the enemy come closer. Soon you can make out their markings, and soon after that you can see their eyes. They seem oddly hesitant, despite the zeal and ferocity with which they charge.

Finally the two forces collide, and as iron flashes and blood is spilled, riders go tumbling from their mounts. You swing hard and cut a man down, nearly bisecting him with the power of your cleave. You hack and cut through the force, taking several nicks to the chest and arms, but thanks to the magic granted to you by Ross, nothing is able to break skin deeper than the surface. Still, the raw force of the blows does sting.

You make it out the other side, having cut down at least a dozen or two riders on the way. Your men wheel around and charge back in, hungry for a fight.

A) Charge in, full force
B) Pick off stragglers

>>34333241
>A) Charge in, full force

>>34333337
You turn back around and kick your horse. Together you enter the fray again, swinging and cutting down rider after rider as they struggle to put a scratch on you.

Unfortunately, one of them wises up and cuts your horse down instead. It screams and goes tumbling into the bloody grass as it's leg it severed, putting all of it's immense weight on you. For most men this would be a death sentence. But you have your strength back. With a mighty grunt and a shove, you slide the horse off of you and get back to your feet.

A) Fight on foot
B) Take a new horse

>>34333519
>B) Take a new horse

>>34333519
>A) Fight on foot

>>34333561
You reach out and pull down the nearest rider on the opposing side. With one strong kick, you dislocate his leg, and leave him on the ground as you climb his horse and get back into the fight.

The battle rages on for fifteen minutes, but they go by like hours. By the end, your clothes are torn to shreds, you're covered in blood and dirt, and several swathes of body hair have been shaved off of you. On the bright side, you have routed the enemy, leaving you victorious. You lost a fifth of your original force, but Redeye tells you that not one but two tribes rode against you, the Wild Rose and the Fennec. Your victory here will serve as a warning to other tribes who seek to pick you off for being weak, and may perhaps inspire some faith in the killing of Dordak Khan. It will surely anger the dragon, of course.

As you clean yourself up, your comrades meet with you. It seems Annalise and Maurice saw a bit of action, but it was little more than eliminating a few riders trying to sneak away in the chaos. Maurice reports that out of one-thousand or so who charged against you, three hundred were taken as prisoners. The tribals recommend taking them as bloodriders, essentially slaves. They will fight alongside you, almost doubling your current force. You may also free them, but this may make you appear soft. Finally, you may have them executed. This decision will impact your future in the north greatly.

A) Join their forces to yours
B) Free them
C) Kill them
D) Other

>>34333883
>A) Join their forces to yours

>>34333883
>B) Free them

>>34333921
Redeye nods, and goes off to make preparations. By sunrise, all three hundred prisoners are washed of their warpaint, burnt with the mark of the White Pine, and allowed to pick from the horses remaining after the battle.

Redeye reports that only a dozen men had to be gutted in front of their comrades in order to bring them in line. Apparently that's the lowest number ever for a force of this size. After breakfast, you are asked to give commands again. Redeye doubts any more tribes will attempt to attack you in the next few days, but sitting around is wasting time.

A) Let the men rest
B) Continue marching
C) Other

>>34334103
>A) Let the men rest

>>34334103
>B) Continue marching

>>34334120
You allow the troops a day of rest before marching again. It goes by slowly and quietly, and there isn't much to do but listen to scout reports and lie with Annalise and Pietra for most of the day.

On the morning of the next day, the camp is packed and you begin marching again. The riders are refreshed, and your new bloodriders move in solemn silence. Oddly enough, some of them have integrated quite well, though none are given more responsibility than taking care of their own mounts. Maurice informs you that the reaping of bloodriders is a practice that goes back to ancient times, and many see it as a more honorable alternative than surrender.

The days go by slowly, but after three weeks of marching, you finally leave the great plains, and after two more you come within view of Doran, the final city between you and the lair of Dordak Khan. Maurice and Redeye report that the city is home to the most well-trained and feared fighting force in the north. They make most of their money as mercenaries, such as those who helped defend Lumen years ago. They are known to be greedy, but none can question their skill. Maurice and Redeye both recommend negotiating with the mercenary leaders for men, but Pietra warns that they are known to be shrewd business men. Furthermore, some of them may already be in league with Dordak Khan himself. Annalise advises avoiding the town all together.

A) Enter the town
B) Go around
C) Other

>>34334396
>B) Go around

>>34334482
You give the order, and your riders begin a course to avoid the city entirely. Maurice and Redeye seem annoyed, but your decision is final.

You keep riding for several more hours, nearly passing the city. A few hours after noon, however, a scout reports something dire. He claims to have seen a great winged beast coming from the east, and at a frightening speed. It's headed in this direction. He describes it as red, and serpent-like.

A) Hide the host
B) Ride to meet it
C) Other

>>34334746
>A) Hide the host

>>34334768
The riders begin quickly and rather efficiently digging small trenches in the ground around you. They get the horses to duck down into them, cover them with loose grass, and then cover themselves. You must once again marvel at the efficiency these men have in fighting war their own way. The host is hidden, hopefully well enough, within twenty minutes. Now all you can do is wait.

Not long after, you see something red approach over the distant hills.It is large, winged, and red. It comes directly toward you, but as you prepare your shield, something strange happens. It passes directly overhead, then sweeps back around and flies directly at the city of Doran. It lands on one of the taller spires, about the size of a pebble from this distance, and sits there. Then, something bright begins pouring from its mouth. Fire.

A) Remain hidden
B) Approach alone
C) Rally the host
D) Other

>>34335024
c

>>34335024
>A) Remain hidden
Watch. Wait.

>>34335094
You rise up and the men follow. You order them to mount up and follow you. Within less than a minute, you are all riding at top speed toward Doran.

High above the city, the drake circles, stopping occasionally to land on one of the tall buildings, be it a tower or a steeple, and belch white hot fire down upon the people and streets. You see smoke rising from the city now. The riders woot and howl as you approach, eager to meet such a monster in combat.

Your force begins pouring into the city, and immediately you notice the intense heat. Many of the roads are still blazing hot, and would harm the horses if not for their shoes. Buildings burn, there are charred carts, animals, and people laying about in the road, and the smell of smoke is everywhere. You look overhead and see the drake still circling, likely looking for more victims.

A) Open fire
B) Find a high point and climb
C) Other

>>34335292
>B) Find a high point and climb

>>34335292
>B) Find a high point and climb
We're about to get all Dragons Dogma up in here, aren't we?

>>34335373
>>34335414
You begin leading the men through the streets, avoiding debris and flames as you search for a good vantage point. You come across a large church, the roof of which is still intact and sturdy. The belltower will serve you well.

A) Climb from the inside
B) Scale the wall

>>34335437
>A) Climb from the inside

>>34335474
You dismount, and order the riders to hold the drake's attention while you climb. Annalise and Pietra follow you, attempting to join you in your endeavor.

A) Allow them
B) Forbid them
C) Other

>>34335517
>A) Allow them

>>34335517
>A) Allow them
It's their choice... but I'd rather they didn't.

>>34335549
>>34335566
The three of you burst through the great church doors. The air inside is cool and clear for now. You aren't sure who's visage hangs on the far wall, but the chapel itself isn't too different from the one in the holy palace.

You speed down the center aisle and find a set of stairs leading up. You take them, and wind up in a hallway. Here, a frightened old man in black and gold robes cowers in a ball on the ground, but you don't have time to chat. You leap over him and find another set of stairs, which finally take you to the belltower. The bell is old and sturdily made. You'd date it back eight hundred years. The three of you each take a corner and search for the drake. Pietra spots him across town, belching flames onto the town below as he perches on a watchtower.

A) Wait for him to come to you
B) Other

>>34335769
>B) Other
get his attention. is there anything we can shoot him with?

>>34335769
on second thought, just wait for it

>>34335832
>>34335806
You wait patiently, watching as the drake burns more of the city.

Suddenly there is a loud ringing, so loud it's painful in fact. You turn to see Pietra swinging the bell hammer back and forth with her bare hands. You try to yell at her to stop, but it's far too loud.

The drake's head perks up, and it's glance moves over to you. It crouches, spreads it's wings, and leaps toward you. You brace yourself, bring Annalise and Pietra down to the ground with you just as the drake flies by, ripping the roof of the tower away along with the bell, and tossing them aside into the street below. It circles back around, and lands on the side of the tower. It turns its neck down and eyes you like a bid eying an insect, and begins taking in a great amount of air.

A) Run
B) Raise your shield
C) Lunge at it
D) Other

>>34336088
>B) Raise your shield

>>34336088
>C) Lunge at it

>>34336113
You raise your shield, trying you best to back the girls behind you and protect them as well. White hot fire begins pouring over you, heating the stone until it's red and setting the wood floor ablaze. In a moment, the belltower is ready to collapse, and the drake takes a moment to breath. It's now or never.

A) Fling yourself at the drake
B) Protect Annalise
C) Protect Pietra
D) Other

>>34336313
a

>>34336313
>A) Fling yourself at the drake
Trust the girls.

>>34336328
You lower your shield and stand. As the floorboards creak and snap beneath you, you make a mad dash toward the drake. You hear a loud crack behind you, followed by screams, and then you are in the air, sailing toward the beast.

You bury your sword deep in its soft stomach, and as steaming blood gushes out of it's fresh wound the drake leaps away and attempts to take flight.

A) Hold on
B) Keep attacking

>>34336432
>A) Hold on
we must be like los tiburon. take out the wings while it flies.

>>34336448
You leave your sword plunged into the beast and grab onto the most reliable thing you can find: it's stony scales. The drake takes to the sky, still gushing hot blood, and you slowly climb onto it's back, terrified as you may be. You reach a safe spot, protected by the shredding edges of the shifting drake scales by Ross' blessing.

A) Steer the drake
B) Finish the drake

>>34336505
>A) Steer the drake
steer away from the city, then finish it

>>34336505
on second thought, just finish it and be done with the bastard

>>34336505
>B) Finish the drake

>>34336537
>>34336593
You steady yourself and stand on the back of the drake as it attempts to throw you off. It begins climbing, depriving you of air, but you are quick to react. You reach out with both arms and grab a hold of its wings where they meet its back. It screeches in protest, but you hold tight. Without the ability to flap, the drake begins falling. You plant your feet, and using all the might you have, you rip the drake's wings out of its back, creating gushing fountains of hot blood into the air.

The drake screeches all the way down, until you hit the ground with a great thud. You lose your orientation, go flying, and hit the ground before rolling. For the next short while, you are dazed, but soon you are being helped to your feet. You shake the fog from your head and open your eyes to see Pietra, Annalise, Kor, and Maurice. They all hug you and ask about your health, but besides the headache you feel fine.

You look back at the drake, it's body mangled and twisted from the impact. It still breathes, but barely. Maurice approaches it and takes a bottle from deep within his robes.

"May I, sir?"

A) Go ahead
B) Not yet
C) Other

>>34336737
>B) Not yet

Wrapping here for the week. Thanks for playing, even though Spring got lost somewhere in the middle. Thread's archived, so have a great night/day

Next week, we meet Dordak Khan

>>34336787
thanks for having us.

>>34336787
Was good thread.