Character info and Quest Log here: http://pastebin.com/u/MagicalPrincess

>>35282981
Time for my favorite quest, with the tiefling futanari cultist of the interracial fertility cult!

>>35282981
>>Head back to The Hairy Mermaid and check on your friends
Stop by on the way to the docks.

>>35282981
>Head to the docks and try to do something about the mermaid situation

>>35282981
>Head to the docks and try to do something about the mermaid situation
Hmmm, are we sure our dick doesn't just have a hypnosis-enchantment or something?

>>35282981
>Head back to The Hairy Mermaid and check on your friends

>>35282981
>>Head to the docks and try to do something about the mermaid situation

>>35282981
>At least she isn't grabbing it or something, hopefully because she knows what happens when you put your delicate, feminine hands around a penis.
Surely that should only spur her on!
Jokes aside, I hope we can do well on our first side-quest.
>Head to the docks and try to do something about the mermaid situation

You consider that if you're going to head anywhere, you'd have to pass by the docks anyways. At that point, you might as well get a glimpse of how the situation is. Mina and Sally mentioned it was bad and a few mermaids were hogging all the spots and taking all the men for themselves, but you haven't seen anything in detail.

You walk back in Reboldeux. The countryside immediately outside looks lush and the crops tall and fertile, you don't think there's going to be food shortage, or at least not immediately, but you have to wonder if there's enough for everyone. You're no expert in the field, however.

The docks themselves aren't too huge, but they have been obviously widened by a decent margin, extended through time due to continuous demand. They are, as always, super busy, and you have to be a bit careful to not get in the way of the various loaders and other ship crew as you walk by the seaside with eyes and ears open for mermaids.

It doesn't take you much to hear female voices coming from the water.

Just like the two you met said, there isn't much free space a mermaid can use to lure men into, and most of the men that hang out there seem to be not busy with anything. You presume that once the loaders finish their day of work they're going to swat those aside and go flirt with the pretty ladies or something. Because the mermaid ladies are quite pretty.

You see seven of them, their hair decorated with pearls and shells, simple but shiny jewellery adorning their naked breasts. You have no problem understanding why they are so popular, they are quite striking even if they're fish from the waist down.

You suddenly wonder how all these eager men are going to stick their dicks. You don't know much about mermaids after all.

But one thing at a time:

>Stay behind and eavesdrop
>Go ahead and watch from the front line
>Ask around the dock about these mermaids
>Other?

>>35283293
>Stay behind and eavesdrop
THEN
>Ask around the dock about these mermaids
We need to ask our mermaid friends how sex works when we see them again.

>>35283293
>Stay behind and eavesdrop

>>35283293
>Go ahead and watch from the front line

>>35283293
>Ask around the dock about these mermaids
Let's see what people have to say about them.

>>35283331
This.

You decide to stay behind and eavesdrop their conversation. After all, it's a crowd of nothing but men and if you were to join you'd definitely move the talk on yourself, which is the opposite of what you need.

"Oh how cute of you", one of the mermaid says, leaning lusciously on the stone stairs that lead in the water. It's rather thin but large enough for one man at a time to walk down. You can't see from there but from your experience in having looked around the dock a bit yesterday you think it leads to another walkway in the water that you've seen a sailor or two once use to check things on docked ships.

Except that this part of the dock doesn't seem to be very used. Except by small boats that leave enough space for a small group of mermaids to go and look for hot men. Or just about any man, none of those present look even half as hot as the girls. Then again, these mermaids set a pretty high bar.

"I don't know Mirri", another mermaid says, hugging the other from behind and making it a point to press her breasts against her back in a very soft and visible fashion, "They don't look like they have much stamina. Those dock workers from last night were a looot better".

"Oh, you're right", they sure know how to exploit girl on girl skinship to draw attention, you have to give them that, "Mmmh, you see, the dock is small and we're soooo busy. Can't exactly waste time".

As you can easily expect, the present flock of about a dozen young men go out of their way to make bold claims about their stamina and the qualities of their rods, some offering to show them right here and now, even. Girly chuckling comes from the water and you hear their tails splashing playfully on the surface.

You suspect this isn't going to get anywhere. Exposed breast are one thing but actual sex in public is still a big no-no, no matter how open the people of Rune are

>Keep eavesdropping
>Go in the front line
>Ask the dock workers about these mermaids
>Other?

>>35283546
>Ask the dock workers about these mermaids

>>35283546
>Ask the dock workers about these mermaids
Gather info.

>>35283546
>Ask the dock workers about these mermaids

>>35283546
>Go in the front line
I have no idea what that's supposed to accomplish, but by golly we'll do it!

You decide to turn and leave the youthful scene behind yourself before you start to feel embarrassed and be reminded of your own early adolescence. You suppress a shiver from running down your spine, you got better with time, you're a lot more mature than these people right now. Right?

Taking advantage of the fact not all dock workers work all the time at the same time, you hit up a few of them that are on break, even just a moment or two, and ask about these mermaids.

Most of them smile or chuckle or just laugh before answering.

"These? Best free glory holes in town. Yeah I know they're fish but they suck so hard I-".
"Pity it's always the same ones though. I think I can remember all their names".
"Mirri, Patricia, Frida, Reina, Louise, Daria, Karlene".
"By the farts of Sirocco John, you've got good memory for mermaids".
"You can say my dick has suckographic memory!".

And they laugh. You heard dock workers were rough, coarse and very straightforward men but you never had as much confirmation as now. You wonder how Reiram can stand them, he doesn't seem like he'd fit in this kind of company.

"Only seven of them? I thought there were hundreds of mermaids nearby", you innocently ask.

"There are?".
"Never showed their face around here, that's for sure".
"There's just not enough space. Ships take it all".
"We should get a mermaid corner built so we can get all the dick milking business going".
"Wow, that's rough, we need some privacy too Richard".
"Go pay a Calistrian prostitute if you want privacy".
"And an actual vagina".

And there they go laughing again.

>"Did you ever wonder why there's just seven of them?"
>"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?"
>"Would a proper structure help bring out more?"
>"Did they ever cause problems?"
>"Is this the only place you can find mermaids?"
>Other?

>>35283790
>"Did you ever wonder why there's just seven of them?"
>"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?"

>>35283790
>"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?"
>"Did they ever cause problems?"
Sounds like setting up some meeting-spots might work decently.

>>35283790
>"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?"
>"Would a proper structure help bring out more?"

>>35283790
>"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?"
>"Would a proper structure help bring out more?"
>"Did they ever cause problems?"
These chicks sound so good it's almost a pity we wisely avoided any shenanigans last thread.

>>35283790
>Other
"You know, if you guys built a little mermaid corner you could make a tidy profit out of it, I'm sure plenty of men would be eager to shell out some money for it, the dockers have it easy in that it's close to hand, but everyone else..? They have to rely on wit or coin."
"Meanwhile, if you set this up, you'll have the mermaids working for free, and men needing little more than a plank of wood between them. With such low prices, you'd be the most popular gathering place in the city."
"That's a win for you, and a win for them, right?"

>>35283879
Yeah. Maybe some rough huts or cabines in the water with an hole in the bottom. Could be used to fish when not for mersex.

That would also attract other people than the dockers, if the word go by

>>35283923

Do we tell them that, or try to use this idea ourselves?

>>35284024
I think as a censor we would be the ones to authorize such a thing anyway, so we could use it ourself even if they used it too.

"Did they ever make particular requests or demands?", you wonder. Maybe there's something going on, something possibly sinister.

The men look at each other, and then make that smile and you know it's not going to be a serious answer.

"More human dick than we can give them".
"Insatiable".
"I think their diet is solely based on cum".

Coarse laughing ensues. If they're victims of some sort of scam or plot, they're not falling for it bait, hook and line. And they're biting more. Better try something else.

"Did they ever cause problems?", you wonder.

They look at each other again and shrug, "No, nobody ever told our wives".
"Or girlfriends".
"Or anyone that shouldn't know".
"Fuck Richard your wife and children know".
"I know, but they don't have to know it from them!".

More laughing. Looks like they didn't cause serious problems. This is getting more suspicious by the moment.

"Ever thought of building a proper structure for them? They look like they need it", you try and suggest.

At this point the men all look at you. It's some kind of look that you don't know how to interpret, like they're finally staring to wonder what's up with you, coming here and asking all these questions. One even smirks.

"What, you want to exploit them?", you're not sure how much they're joking.
"Why bother? They seem pretty happy with how things are".
"Unless you were planning to... Exploit them", one suggests, with a knowing grin.
"Oooh, you're one of THOSE people, are you?".
"You want to work their dick milking line for profit? Well we're used to have it free and I don't know how we'll take it if we suddenly have to start paying, right?".
"Right. We really don't know".

You don't think they're actually threatening you. Then again, they probably don't think you're really going to do that.

>"Did you ever wonder why there's just seven of them?"
>"They're actually blocking other mermaids from coming"
>"Won't more meeting places be useful to you?"
>Other?

>>35284082
>"They're actually blocking other mermaids from coming"

>>35284082
>"Won't more meeting places be useful to you?"
>"They're actually blocking other mermaids from coming"

>>35284082
>Smile
"The fee is to come onto the docks without due permission, those on the docks already have free leave of the "meeting place" as such, the extra money will be filled in to expand the docks and commerce, win, win, no?"

>>35284157
>>35284082
This isn't bad. Could use a bit of cleaning up, though.

>>35284082
>"Did you ever wonder why there's just seven of them?"

"Maybe, maybe not", you offer your most shrewd smile and quickly change the topic in case they decide you're their enemy or something, "I was actually concerned about the other mermaids. This group of seven is doing their best to block everyone else from showing up".

The ruse works and the dock workers look at you as if thought you said something rather shocking. Like that there's actually a lot more free glory holes beneath the water and they can't access them.

"What?", you blink innocently, "Didn't you ever wonder why there's just seven of them?".

They look at each other, shrugging and making odd faces.
"No".
"It's not like all women are prostitutes, we thought this was normal".
"Maybe they're just the worst sluts. They come here almost every day".
"Not that we have anything against sluts".
"Absolutely not".
"By my word I swear I do not".

"Well, it's true", you insist, "I have met a few of them outside town and they're complaining that those seven block them from getting to the docks".

"No way!".
"Seriously?".

You decide to strike the iron while it's hot and go on, "They're all nice and cute when they're up here, but under the water they're rough and violent and beat up the other mermaids in the face so they won't dare show themselves". You made up the last detail to make the situation sound even more dire, but thinking twice about it you're likely not very far from the truth. Maybe you're even spot-on.

"Look this sounds serious and all", one of them says, "But what do you expect us to do?".
"Yeah, what if they stop coming if we nose into their business? We don't want to lose them".

Why is it that this kind of men starts getting smart when you'd rather it be dumb and vice versa?

>"They won't. Mermaids need you, remember? You're in control, make the demands and they'll have to comply".
>"They won't, because you're going to meet the others elsewhere".
>"They won't, because you're going to build a better place for them".
>Other?

>>35284396
>"They won't, because you're going to meet the others elsewhere".
Hmmm, between this and build but it's not that important I suppose.

>>35284396
>"They won't. Mermaids need you, remember? You're in control, make the demands and they'll have to comply".

>mfw we force mermaids to wage war against the city

>>35284396
>>"They won't, because you're going to meet the others elsewhere".

>>35284396
>"They won't, there are hundreds of others ready to bite. The issue is that you're only meeting them this one spot allowing even a small group to monopolize it with some focused effort. If there were more places to meet them, these seven would be unable to keep the other mermaids from showing up everywhere after all."

>>35284396
By the way MP, can we do what >>35284157 >>35283923 is saying with our censor powers?

>>35284484
No.

You don't have powers of censorship as in forbidding people from doing stuff. You are officially sanctioned as a Censor as in the guy that goes around and counts how many people live in a place.

You're supposed to write down name and age of all inhabitants of the new villages outside Reboldeux, not decide what people can do and where they can go. The Duke really wouldn't like you to try that and you might get locked up in a cold, dark, cramped place if you do.

Hopefully we can solve this in a way that doesn't involve getting beaten up by angry mermaids.

"They won't do that", you shake your head, "They'll lose to the competition if they do".

"Competition?", they ask, wondering what you mean.

"They cannot keep watch over the entire mermaid population and forbid access to the whole coast. They can here because it's a small choke point that's easy to control and bully people over, but as soon as we set up other hot spots in and out of town there will be options for eager people to go, they won't all be forced to come here". Now that you think of it, this is so easy and simple-sounding that you wonder why nobody did that.

Oh, right, they don't really care about the mermaids, they've only talked about them as "glory holes" until now. Unfortunately, you suspect this is even a very friendly relationship considering the average for monsters.

The men think about it for a moment, but some don't seem convinced, "But this is a nice place. It's handy, easy to reach and everyone knows about it".
"Yeah, I wouldn't take a stroll outside at night, even for a free fuck".
"It's just not safe".
"And we don't have time during the day".

"It doesn't have to be either here or outside, we could have both options", you explain, "But something needs to get started or you'll only stick your dicks in the same seven and all other dozens will get nothing".

"Clearly this cannot stand! We must share our dicks fairly and evenly!", one claims with an overly chivarlous tone, and then everyone laughs.
"Yeah thanks for the concern miss, but we're not going to work for free to make a mermaid brothel".
"Not that we'd be opposed if someone else does".
"Like some kind of pier for mermaids".
"That would be good".

Well, at least they aren't opposed to it. But the dock workers alone won't suffice, you need more help, or more action.

>Confront the mermaids
>Look for someone that could work on this mermaid pier
>Ask Tahenohan for advice
>Give up for now, you will solve this another time
>Other?

>>35284759
>Ask Tahenohan for advice
Her advice will clearly solve this!

>>35284396
>"Well, think of it that way: They want a lot of dicks, and if there more of them, there would be even more demands. Imagine what would happen if you told the sailors that come by here there is a sweet spot to get some fishes to their rods"

>confront the mermaids

Ffuuuuuck, forgot aboutthos quest running today. And I still can't fully participate for another hour!

>>35284759
>Ask Tahenohan for advice
She was very interested and concerned with ours, she's probably an expert in this field.

>>35284759
>>Confront the mermaids

>>35284759
>>Confront the mermaids

Just to know if they kick the others out because there is not enough for everyone or if it's because they like to dominate the school

>>35284759
>Ask Tahenohan for advice

>>35284861
Are you calling our waifu a slut?!

>>35284923
All waifus that you want to be pure are sluts. All waifus you want to be sluts are pure.

Abandon the waifus. Forget them and lose yourself in pornography like normal single guys.

Deciding that making the dock workers aware of the situation helped enough, you leave them alone to their thoughts as someone else comes yelling for them to get back to work. You're pretty confident that come night time they're going to spread word that the sea holds hundreds of cock-hungry mermaids that are waiting for nothing but the opportunity to be fished at someone's rods or however other crude way they're going to go about it.

You take the chance to turn to Tahenohan for some advice, hoping it will make sense, "What do you think we should do now? We have some trouble making mermaids that don't know how to share".

"Ah, that is indeed a problem", she nods with a concerned look, "Not being able to share is bad. Having everything for yourself is good of course but sharing is also very important. You wouldn't survive in a desert if you didn't share things, because otherwise everyone will single you out and not give you stuff when you need it".

"And that is bad?", it sounds like an obvious question but you ask it anyways: she's being oddly reasonable and speaking too much sense for multiple sentences, you want to ride this part of her until it's there.

"Of course it's bad", she smiles, "Because earlier or later you'll need someone's help, and if you made nothing but enemies nobody is going to help you. And you die. And with time you become a skeleton. And then I come along and raise you and make you dance for my entertainment".

No wonder she's an expert on the field.

Knowing this somehow reassures you and gives you enough willpower and determination to go ahead and confront the mermaids, that are still laughing and teasing young men that are all up in their bait and don't even care.

Right. You should...

>Let them know people know about other mermaids
>Let them know people know how they treat other mermaids
>Let them know people will stop giving them dicks if they don't behave
>Let them know there's enough dicks for everyone
>Other?

>>35285049
>3

Can't copy/paste

>>35285049
Could we use our role as a priestess of Ishtar to get them to listen? Do they even worship Ishtar?

>>35285049
>Other
Chicken the fuck out

>>35285049
Hmmm, the first doesn't seem like it'll accomplish anything, the second they'll probably not give a shit about, the third is a blatant lie and we can't say it with the dudes are around if we want even the slightest chance of it working, and the fourth may be true but is unlikely to dissuade them.
I'm at a loss, let's just not talk to them?

>>35285049
>Let them know people know about other mermaids
>Other: let them know there would be enough dicks for everyone if there was a place where more people would come

>>35285119
You're not sure if they worship Ishtar, but you're pretty sure they at least know of her, being monsters and all.

Then again you're not sure this will work: Ishtar doesn't have an actual organized church, not this far East at least. Maybe in Tahenohan's lands there's temples and temple prostitutes just like there are for Calistria here, but you're kind of on your own here. Point is: they might not recognize your authority.

But then again maybe they will and it will work out in your favour. It's a gamble.

Going to need another vote or two as we're kind of tied between trying to argue with them and just giving up (at least for now).

And yes, not confronting them is an option if you're afraid you're just going to embarrass yourself. You still haven't done anything.

>>35285168
I guess we should just come out with it and tell them we're a priestess of Ishtar and that other mermaids have been complaining about them.

Maybe we can offer them fertility rites if they let others in.

>>35285297
Well, we're not exactly sure WHAT to do, I guess.

>>35285049
>Let them know there's enough dicks for everyone

You make your way through the small crowd as some more simplistic flirting is offered and the young men react in a way that further inflates the fish women's ego. As expected, your presence kind of shifts all of everyone's attention to you; this isn't really the situation you'd generally think of finding a woman in, after all.

"Ooooh? And who might she be?", one of the mermaids asks. You're not surprised some weak-willed men go head over heels for them, you have to admit they are stunningly beautiful and the way they flaunt their assets shows that they know they're sexy, "Hopefully not some jealous girlfriend?", and they chuckle amongst themselves as the men just look sort of confused.

You look around the water a bit, ignoring the mermaids for a bit until they start to look at you weird, then, with all due innocence and everyone's attention, you shrug, "I'm sorry, where's all the other mermaids?".

A short pause follows before one of the mermaids' faces turns serious and confrontational, "What? We're not good enough for you?".

"It's just that there's more than a hundred in the sea and I can't believe it's just you every time", you confess, silently congratulating yourself as your ears are filled with various animal-like expressions of interest come from the men, who must be new to this particular place.

"Hey redskin, what's your problem?", one of them asks, looking bored to hide her annoyance, "Are you angry because all the boys come to the water?".
"Afraid our milkshake is just plain better than yours", and she shows it off too, "We could teach you, but we'd have to charge".

"I don't see why", you shrug again, "There's plenty for everyone. Isn't it a bit petty for you to want to subject nobody but yourselves to the men?", you glance towards the young crowd around you and they nod enthusiastically, "It can't be because this dock is too small. Surely you could take turns".

You look at their faces. Oh boy you really made those girls mad.

>Continue

>>35285297
>>35285382

How about we go do that later?

We still need to find that demonic looking fellow and their familiar, as well as those stripe things

>>35285049
>"Of course it's bad", she smiles, "Because earlier or later you'll need someone's help, and if you made nothing but enemies nobody is going to help you. And you die. And with time you become a skeleton. And then I come along and raise you and make you dance for my entertainment".
And this is part of why I love Tahenohan.

>>35285667
Is the other part her being a QT brown peppy half-elf who's fascinated with our dick?

>>35285723
I still want her to learn that our horns/tail are sensitive so she starts playing with them all of the time.

"Boys, boys", one of the mermaid claps her hands to get the men's attentions away from you, "Look at this poor redskin, she hadn't had some attention in a while. Could you please volunteer to drag her away and give it all to her? She's clearly desperate".

You don't think they're really going to listen to her. For one, it's broad daylight in a crowded town and this isn't some kind of hellhole, for another you're larger than the average woman and just dragging you away isn't going to be easy. Then again, if they're really stupid enough to even just try something, it's still going to be annoying even if you're in no actual danger, and you might not want to get a troublemaking reputation considering what kind of work you're going to do.

"Don't misunderstand", you keep talking to prevent anyone from trying anything they would regret, "I'm on your side. I'm a priestess of Ishtar".

As expected, the men don't actually seem like they have an idea what you're talking about, but knowing you're a priestess makes one or two of them take a step back. Smart move on their part. The mermaids look confused at first and then just annoyed.

"So? What of it?", one of them asks defiantly, splashing the water with her tail.

"I want to help you out", you offer, "This town is full to the brim with men that are eager to give a woman this kind of attention, and you actually aren't helping neither you nor us by hogging all of them for yourself. We can better organize this, make all of you more integrated with Reboldeux as well and stop all the annoying lines from happening all the time".

You're not sure if there's actual lines but with just seven of them you'd expect there to be. The men seem to be in agreement with the "no lines" part.

"And just how are you going to do that, redskin?", one of them asks, leaning herself on the stairs, distractingly pressing her breasts against the stone.

>Build a mermaid pier
>Organize more hotspots
>Have them take turns
>Other?

>>35285855
>Organize more hotspots
first, then
>Build a mermaid pier

>build a mermaid pier

>>35285774
In due time.
>>35285855
>"Oh, I've got some ideas. But I figured you might have some input on it, since you're pretty experienced with this by now, it seems."

>>35285855
>Organize more hotspots

>>35285855
>Organize more hotspots
At first. Eventually, thinking of
>Building a mermaid pier

>>35285855
>Organize more hotspots
And if they get enough attention
>Build a mermaid pier

>>35285855
>>Organize more hotspots
That's pretty much all we can do right now. But we should probably see if a cartographer came by first, we need money if we're going to do anything.

>>35285723
Yes.

>>35285855
>build a mermaid pier

Building the first of the cult's temples in this new land

"Whaaat? I can't believe you're not smart enough to solve this yourselves, I thought you wanted me to go and get raped somewhere instead of helping you", you blink innocently. You probably shouldn't have jabbed them like that, but you have to admit they kind of deserve it considering how they're treating you. Before they can just start shouting at you, you decide to continue, "It's easy. First thing, we make more mermaid hot spots so everyone can still have their area and not step on anyone's... Fins".

"Pffft, please, redskin", they just laugh at you, though in an excessively girly fashion, "Where else would you go? Heeey boys~ would you rather come here for some love or go outside, in the rain, where wild beasts run amok and sand gets blown in your eyes just to meet some lonely, fat mermaid who doesn't even know what to do?".

They're not going to give up. And damn they're annoying, no surprise Mina was pissed.

"They don't have to be out of town", you immediately reply. You kind of feel weird fighting for the approval of several young men who might or might not have actually considered raping you just because some girl they barely know said so, "This whole town is built along the sea side, there's plenty of places where one can go".

"But none as easy to reach as this~".

"You underestimate the sacrifices a man would be willing to do for a cute mermaid", you smile knowingly, "And this is until the mermaid piers will get built".

This sends them into an awkward shock and confusion, "The... The what?", the girls ask.

"Oh, just a few structures where land walkers could share space with the mermaids. For better integration and everyone's benefit", you smile, "Even some canals to swim together might be interesting. That will solve the no space problem, right?".

They look astonished you'd even suggest that, but one of them just smiles sheepishly, "Pff, you'll never succeed".

>"I will, I'll show you"
>"Maybe, will you risk it?"
>"Boys, what do you think?"
>Other?

>>35286193
"Having the capability to have free sex 24/7, with any mermaid you like, not restricted to simply seven, while also not even paying a dime, seems to be a good incentive."

>>35286193
>>"I will, I'll show you"

>>35286193
>"Maybe, will you risk it?"

>>35286193
>"Boys, what do you think?"
Curl our tail around one of their faces for emphasis

>boys what do you think?

She who controls the dicks, controls the mermaids.

>>35286193
>>"Maybe, will you risk it?"
>>"Boys, what do you think?"

"Is that a challenge?", you ask with a confident smile, and your tail curls up to gently caress one of the young men's faces, who isn't even surprised. I mean the guy behind him jumps back a little as your tail moves but not that guy taking it to the face. The oddities of young men, "Say boys, what do you think? Would you prefer to have a chance in line with these seven assuming the dock workers don't just mess your faces up when you try, or free sex any time with any mermaid you like?".

They're on your side. They will give their life for you.

They actually won't but you feel like you won a battle against those mermaid bullies. Maybe. You know a bit of how men work, there's still going to be plenty that are lazy enough to just keep things how they are because they're too lazy and free sex is still too good to pass on.

"You're just all talk", the mermaids shrug and turn back to smiling and flirting with the men, "Don't listen to the redskin sweeties, come down here, we'll show you we actually mean business... Unlike that jealous bitch there. She'll never deliver, she's not even worth your rods, come down here, come down here...".

And well, of course plenty of the men who were just on your side for life instantly turn over, but this is a battle you can't win, not right now.

Still, you think you have the moral victory. You made them nervous, and the men will mark your words and kind of expect something like what you said from happening.

But the mermaids are right: you have no idea where to begin with your project.

>Ask Tahenohan for advice
>Go to The Hairy Mermaid
>Go to the Duke's palace
>Other?

>>35286517
>Go to The Hairy Mermaid
We're gonna have to work on this some.

>>35286517
>Other?
Go to the mermaid QUEEN

>>35286584
H-how are we gonna get there?

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>>35286584
What mermaid queen?

>>35286517
>>Go to the Duke's palace
Still need to find that cartographer.

>>35286626
They have to have a leader of some kind, I imagine they're in some sort of tribal stage with either royalty or some sort of priesthood.
As for finding/talking to them, go back to the others we were talking to.

>>35286517
>Ask Tahenohan for advice

>>35286517
>Go to The Hairy Mermaid
Get fixed up a bit first before attending business

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>>35286698
Asking a friendly mermaid is certainly going to help, because you have no idea what kind of organization they have down there.

Also, waiting on some kind of majority to come out from the votes.

>>35286517
>Go to the Duke's palace

>>35286759
Ask Taheno for advice as we're going to the hair mermaid.
As compensation she can fondle our horns/tail

>>35286517
>Go to the Duke's palace

Let's make building the mermaid pier a public service.

By my count it's still a tie between Duke's Palace and The Hairy Mermaid.

>>35286886
Drop by Hairy mermaid while talking to half-elf nympho

"That was really cool!", Tahenohan comments as you leave the docks, she look and sounds like she really admires you, "It was like one of those bard tales with bloody battles and few warriors facing many, except it was with words!".

A long, awkward silence follows as she keeps staring as she walks along at your side, "... That makes it sound boring. Swords are much cooler. Do you know they sometimes make sparks when they hit each other?".

Oh well, at least she likes you.

"How do we go around building that mermaid pier?", you ask her when you're out of the docks proper so nobody can hear about your insecurity, "I don't have an actual idea on how to do it".

"Me neither!", she merrily claims, "I'm no carpenter".

And that's it for her help, it seems. Great.

As you return to The Hairy Mermaid you see that there's just three customers leisurely drinking some lemon juice on the veranda over the sea as Zillis and Lucas finish cleaning up the tables. They look mildly surprised at seeing you back.

"Oh, look who's there", Zillis goes, "So you didn't run away after all".
"We read your note", Lucas smiles, "Don't worry, as long as it's you doing stuff it's certainly going to turn out okay, so what's the news?".

"You're no longer in front of your friend Lillith", you claim with a grave tone, enough to get them on their toes, then you puff your chest and muster all the pride you have, "The one in front of you is now known as Lillith Taieart".

A few moments of silence follow.

"You just mashed tail and heart together", Zillis is ever so quick at calling you out.
"What's the deal?", Lucas asks, genuinely curious.

You fill them in on you job hunt, and also about the tenement dismantling. The latter part of the news seems to considerably worry them both. It is, after all, one less option for them.

"This is bad", Zillis frowns, "We need a house. I don't want to give birth in the attic of a busy Inn".

>Continue

"I've talked with the Captain of the People and I think we can come to a solution about the issue of overpopulation", you're not really sure it's going to work or that any of the big shots are taking you seriously, but you're genuinely trying your best for your friends, "But it will take me a while. I have to bring in some results, I cannot convince the Duke with just some words and a smile".

"That was to be expected", Lucas sighs, but then he immediately smiles, "But it's okay. If it's you, I'm sure you'll succeed".

"Seriously though, you're no adventurer", Zillis sounds a bit concerned instead, "Are you going to be okay out in the wilderness alone?".

"I won't be alone", you reassure her, "Tahenohan will be with me". Then, seeing how that doesn't make her feel any better, you also add, "And the cartographer that will come with me".

"Do you even know him?", she frowns.

"No, but I will soon". Or so you hope. You need to drop by the Duke's palace and see if one became available already.

You didn't mention anything about the mermaids and your project about a mermaid pier and more integration between land walkers and fish women. They don't know about your Ishtar thing yet and you're still not sure how they would react, and their reaction is extremely important to you.

Speaking of which, while you're here...

>Ask if you can take a bath
>Ask if you can wash your clothes
>Ask if they need help
>Ask if they're making money
>Ask if it's okay for you to spend another night at the inn
>Go straight to the Duke's palace
>Other?

>>35287141
>>Ask if you can wash your clothes
Then go to the Duke's palace.

>>35287141
>>Ask if you can take a bath
>>Ask if you can wash your clothes
>Ask if it's okay for you to spend another night at the inn

>>35287141
>Ask if you can wash your clothes
>Ask if they need help
Then palace.

>>35287141
>Ask if you can take a bath
>Ask if you can wash your clothes
>Ask if they need help

>>35287141
>Ask if you can take a bath
>Ask if it's okay for you to spend another night at the inn

And then we go to teh Duke

Smut quests are terrible.

>>35287307
This ain't a smut quest.

>>35287307
Stop spamming unrelated stuff anon, take it to QTG or a smut quest.

"By the way, I really need to wash my clothes, I don't want to make the wrong impression with the good crowd", you pull your cloth shirt a bit. You don't want to smell it, but you really should clean it up.

"That can be done", Zillis nods, "But it won't dry properly in time. Though if you also take a bath, it will be more convenient".

"Can I?", you ask.

"Sure, the innkeeper won't be back until evening, and his daughter is a good girl. She won't complain. So go and seize the chance while you can".

"Can you wash Tahenohan's robe too? She'll take a bath with me. I want to make sure we're both presentable".

Zillis looks at her and her robe, "... Does she have any spare clothes?".

"No", you remember that outfit she showed you. She can't go around wearing that.

"Then let's go upstairs, I'll prepare the tub for the two of you. The water won't be hot but it'll have to do, and I'm afraid the clothes will still be wet when you come out".

You nod. As soon as you have the money you'll get some damn new clothes, and they'll be the best clothes. And you'll have tons of them, so you can wash them and still have something to wear.

And Tahenohan too.

You follow Zillis upstairs and she uses the wonders of civilization and indoor plumbing to fill a bath tub with water. As she said, it's not hot, but it's not really freezing cold either. You leave your clothes with her and she promises she'll do her best to get the worst off them in the time you wash yourselves.

Fresh water feels a lot better. Not that the sea was bad, but damn your hair did need it. Tahenohan's too. You sit behind her in the one-person tub and try to wash and rinse her tangled mess of black hair. You're pretty sure it could be a lot better if she took care of it properly.

"You know", she says as you pour some water on top of her head, "I really like your hair too. It's so...".

>"... Smooth and silky!"
>"... Wavy just like mine!"
>"... Curly and twirly!"

>>35287449
>"... Smooth and silky!"
And long. Really long.

>>35287449
>"... Smooth and silky!"
Agreeing with >>35287470 on length.

>>35287449
>"... Curly and twirly!"
Oh boy oh boy!

>>35287449
>"... Smooth and silky!"
How about just above ass length?

>>35287449
>>"... Curly and twirly!"

>>35287449
>"... Smooth and silky!"

>>35287449
>"... Wavy just like mine!"

>>35287449
What color would it be anyway?

>>35287449
>"... Curly and twirly!"

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>>35287607
My, I wonder. I guess we'll have another prompt at some point in time when someone will comment on our hair. At that point, it will become relevant and be voted on.

>>35287449
>"... Smooth and silky!"

hair chargen?

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>>35287637
Should probably go with something contrasting, maybe dark blue or such?

Besides, if we're making descriptions for our hair, does that include the hair down there too?

>>35287671
>Dark blue
Disgusting.
Red, brown or black.

>>35287713
I was thinking dark enough blue to be hardly distinguishable from black, but whatever I guess.

>>35287671
>dark blue

Like in your anniemays? Black would contrast better with red anyway.

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>>35287743
>Like in your anniemays?
Why do you have to bring that up man?

"It's so smooth and silky!", and she's kind of obedient as she sits in the water, letting you try and untangle her hair and not even complaining when your fingers inevitably get stuck in that mess. You grab a brush you left right by the tub just for this occasion and try your best at making her a little more presentable. Not that the barbaric look doesn't fit her, but tangled hair isn't acceptable for a girl. Especially not a cute one.

"How do you wear it so long?", she then asks, as if her hair isn't very long as well.

"Yours is pretty long too", you have to point it out, you can't just let it slide.

"Oh, I'm just too lazy to cut it", she seems to think this somehow makes it different, "I used to cut it every once in a while when it got annoying, but then someone said my hair was super cute and I should decorate it and so I did. And I liked it. He was right".

You wonder just who she is talking about, and how long ago this happened. Damn half-elves and their ridiculous lifespans.

It takes you a lot of work and a lot of the hair you brush breaks and falls off, but all considered it's the sort that will just grow back and was bound to fall anyways. When you're done, you feel like you've spent plenty of energy and kind of forgot to wash yourself properly. But her hair does look a lot better.

It's wavy, black and a bit glossy; it's not shiny even after being washed, but you conclude it's just how her hair is. It's going to look a lot better with those skulls now.

Your hair looks and feels a lot better too, you don't have this itch to constantly scratch your head any more.

>Get out soon, better not waste too much time
>Spend some time to wash yourself a bit better while you're at it. Then wish you had perfume to put on
>Other?

>>35287790
>Spend some time to wash yourself a bit better while you're at it. Then wish you had perfume to put on
We're going to a palace, no saving on the cleanliness.

>>35287790
>Spend some time to wash yourself a bit better while you're at it. Then wish you had perfume to put on
Shouldn't she have touched our horns if she was washing our hair?

>>35287671
>Seeing how this isn't a smut quest and there'll probably hardly be situations where that's relevant, I'd say that's headcanon material and I'll leave it at that

>>35287824
She hasn't washed your hair. You're sitting behind her and there's very little space to manoeuvre in the first place. It kind of feels like washing a child, except she has pointy ears and is old enough to be your mother.

>>35287790
>Spend some time to wash yourself a bit better while you're at it. Then wish you had perfume to put on
>>35287824
Did she? I can't see any mention of that.

>>35287790
>Spend some time to wash yourself a bit better while you're at it. Then wish you had perfume to put on

>>35287790
>Get out soon, better not waste too much time

You figure you have to give Zillis time to at least attempt to dry your clothes a bit, even though that's mostly the sun's job. Unfortunately, you're still owning clothes fit for travelling so they'll be still damp and wet even if the hot tropical sun is doing its best to sear away all of the water in it, right now if you're lucky. Might as well stay in the water and grab that soap.

Bubbles quickly fill the water and spread all over your body, your hair, and then Tahenohan's hair too, and then on her body as well, until she gets ticklish and starts laughing and lightly thrashing around and you decide to just hand the soap to her and let her do it. Besides, she's still some kind of stranger you only met yesterday, you're not sure it's a good idea to scrub her intimate parts, even if it's for her own good.

"It's amazing you have all this water", she then says, "Taking baths was a really satisfying thing back then. Few cities had enough water to take long baths in. Most people had to make do with a bucket". You're not surprised, you seem to understand she came from some kind of desert, where water was scarce in the first place.

"It's no big deal", you explain, "Having water available is generally a commodity given for granted. Even when there's no running water, we still have plumbing for sewage, and wells for our convenience. Water shortages are very rare". Even someone as poor as yourself never experienced proper water shortages after all, at least not of the kind Tahenohan is probably thinking of.

After you're done, you thoroughly rinse yourselves and get out of the water, using the towels Zillis left you to get yourselves dry. They're also long enough to allow you to be decent enough to leave the small room she put you in, which seems to be some kind of unused room on the second floor, like a storage room, except empty safe for the bathtub and the cleaning supplies she brought.

>Peek outside, call Zillis
>Put the towel on, go look for her
>Other?

>>35288072
>>Peek outside, call Zillis

>>35288072
>>Peek outside, call Zillis

>>35288072
>Put the towel on, go look for her

>>35288072
>Peek outside, call Zillis

>>35288072
>Put the towel on, go look for her

>>35288072
>Put the towel on, go look for her

changing vote, give me a mintue to delete previous one

Put the towel, go look for her

>>35288072
>>Peek outside, call Zillis

>>35288072
>Peek outside, call Zillis

>>35288072
>Peek outside, call Zillis

You decide that being naked with Tahenohan is a thing, but going around with just a towel on in a very crowded town isn't good, even if you're inside an inn most of its doors and windows are open and you don't want to give anyone the wrong impression about you.

With the towel to cover you, you open the door and peek outside, looking towards the open door at one end of the corridor, letting a nice breeze come in from the open doors that lead to a small, semi-circular balcony and then to the other side, where you can see the stairs going down to the common room.

"Zillis?", you call, hoping she can hear you. "Zillis?", you try again, your voice a bit higher than last time.

You wait a little and you start hearing some approaching footsteps. You spot her gray hair just before her head pops into view, and you see she's holding both your and Tahenohan's clothes in a basket. They still look wet and soggy but this is the best you can afford.

"Sorry, I tried my best", she sighs. Even washed, your clothes don't look really good. Tahenohan at least has some exotic style, even if her robe is at least as worn as your own travel clothes, if not more.

You thank her and pull the door open enough to bring the basket in, dropping the towel aside for a moment. Before closing the door, you can't help but see Zillis stare at your groin, and as soon as she notices your look she just smiles and shakes her head.

"I'm sorry. I just can't get used to it", all of your friends know about your special boon, and they stopped thinking it was strange a long time ago, "Sometimes I wonder how it would feel to be like you".

"You should ask Lucas", you smile at her, and she chuckles.

"Yeah. But then, you know, I realize you probably wonder how it feels to be like me, to...", she touches her lower belly without thinking, and then just shakes her head with a smile, "Sorry, sorry, I'm being weird again", and she closes the door.

Well, time to get ready and hit the palace it seems

>Continue

>>35288374
>have fun storming the castle

You head towards the Duke's palace and once you hit the crowd you almost feel sorry that you can no longer smell the freshness and soap on you and Tahenohan. Unfortunately, between the crowd and the heat everyone is sweating, and to some people it sticks worse than on others. In a crowd, as you already had the chance to realize, nobody smells pretty without abusing some perfume, which you unfortunately do not have available.

Still, you feel clean and with your hair in order, and Tahenohan's too. As soon as it dried up it started getting wavy and puffy and then it twirled up oddly in strange directions, just like before, but it shows that it's no longer a tangled mess. It's a lot prettier and you feel good about yourself.

Now time to go and hope you can feel a lot better about everything in general.

You hit the usual office, walking in like you know perfectly well what you want instead of looking like an insecure visitor like you probably did the first time. Fortunately for you, you meet the same person that gave you your job as a censor and the exploration charter this very morning, which you greet with a big smile.

"Hello there", you confidently strut in front of his desk with Tahenohan in tow. He makes a weird face, but you go on. "Did my cartographer turn up already?".

He pauses a little, not answering for a while, then just sighs. Again.

"As a matter of fact, yes". You can't help but be surprised yourself. That's one huge bout of luck, "Right after you left a woman came and signed up as a cartographer, but she said she is alone and needs some company to brave the wilderness". He pauses to stare at you, then frowns, "Say. Are you a wizard?".

>Yes (lie)
>No (truth)
>Why do you ask?
>Other?

>>35288523
>Other
"As much as a man or woman of god can be."

>>35288523
>No (truth)

>>35288523
>>No (truth)
>>Why do you ask?

>>35288523
>I can be whatever you want me to be

>>35288523
>No (truth)
>But my partner here is close enough!

>>35288523
Well, Tahenohan is.

>>35288523
>No (truth)
>Why do you ask?

>>35288523
A party! We can finally form a proper party!
>No, unless that loses me a cartographer, in which case that was just a lie to hide my wizardliness from the unwashed masses. Commoner.

"I can be whatever you want me to be", you jokingly proclaim with a smile and a chuckle, "But not a wizard, I'm afraid. Why do you ask?".

"I don't know, you just...", he makes some kind of odd motion with his hand that should try and explain what he can't with words, but doesn't, and he just gives up.

"Is that necessary to get the cartographer? Because in that case, my partner here is a magic user", and you pat Tahenohan's back, and she throws her arms up with a "Yaaay~!". For some reason this doesn't seem to make him feel any better.

"Right, I forgot last time, but while the charter is yours, I also need to register your friend here as your partner. I have already registered the other one, she's the only one I'm missing, ah, miss...?".

"Tahenohan", she says, watching attentively when he writes her name, making him feel a little uneasy but otherwise correct in his calligraphy, and especially the spelling.

"Do you have a last name?", he wonders, "It's not required for your position, but I'm still asking".

"I do not", she claims, and looks at you for confirmation.

>"She's fine as she is"
>"It's Tahenohan Taieart" (jokingly)
>"It's Tahenohan Taieart" (make him write it)
>"Nevermind that, where do I find this cartographer?"
>"Nevermind that, can I have some advance pay?"

>>35288762
>"It's far too early for that, Mr. clerk, but eventually perhaps!"

>>35288762
"No second name yet, maybe we'll find her one eventually."
"So, where is the cartographer?"

>>35288762
>"She's fine as she is"
>"Nevermind that, where do I find this cartographer?

>>35288762
>>"Nevermind that, where do I find this cartographer?"

>>35288762
>"She's fine as she is"
For now. No moving too fast!
>"Nevermind that, where do I find this cartographer?"
>"Also, who can I speak to regarding harbor construction?"

>>35288762
>"She's fine as she is"
>"where do I find this cartographer?"

"She doesn't have a surname. Yet", you smile, making the man shake his head at your antics as Tahenohan just tilts her head curiously at you, as if failing to understand what you're getting at, "But I need to know a couple things: for one, where do I find my cartographer?".

"She's staying at the Golden Boar Inn, it's not far from hear: go South-East from the main plaza and follow the old market until you eventually find it. Or ask around, it's rather well-known. She goes by the name of...", he checks some papers in his tidy but full-looking desk, "Bryld. Bryld Norling".

"God it", you nod, "Oh and the second is: who would I need to talk to for some harbour construction?".

He gives you a very odd look, then looks you over, and it's clear in his eyes that you don't look like a merchant or an entrepreneur, and his frown deepens, "... Harbour construction?".

"Harbour construction", you confirm, "A project to extend the docks in a certain way".

"You would need permission from the Duke, but first you need to take an appointment with the Public Works Office... No offence but you don't look like an architect".

He's right, you aren't.

>Explain your mermaid pier idea
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment
>Nevermind that, ask if you can have some advance pay
>Nevermind that, go to the Golden Boar Inn
>Other?

>>35288995
>Explain your mermaid pier idea
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment

>>35288995
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment

>>35288995
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment
This guy doesn't need to hear our idea. The public works office does!
>Nevermind that, ask if you can have some advance pay

>>35288995
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment

>>35288995
>>Nevermind that, go to the Golden Boar Inn

>>35288995
>Nevermind that, ask if you can have some advance pay
Then go find the cartographer

>>35288995
>Ask where you can find the Public Works Office and how you can get an appointment
Gonna need to set that up before we leave town.

Nevermind that you don't look like an architect. Nevermind that you are not an architect. You have great ideas and a big heart, and that's what matters, right?

"Where can I find the Public Works Office and how can I get an appointment?", you then ask.

"You have to go over there in the foyer", and he points at the way you came, "And speak with Irene. She's the lady on the far corner of the room. She's going to ask to see the projects before she even bothers getting you an appointment though".

Well, you don't have to do that right now. You have a bit of time.

"By the way", you then smile, "I'll be going out of town for a while since my work is pretty long. Could you give me a small advance on my wager? It would help cover the travel expenses".

And he sighs, "I understand your situation, but the Duke is against advance payment".

"Why?", you ask.

"Because ever since the Reconquista started and exploration charters were advertised, a lot of people came here and asked for advance payments to cover expenses, only to disappear with the money. Granted, we got most of them and made them pay, even for those that weren't caught", he points out, "But you know how these things work, right?".

Yes. Because of a few assholes, everyone gets a bad name and people like you that would actually need it get screwed.

"Please, can't you make an exception?", you pull your wet shirt a bit, to show off how it's still soggy, "I don't even have spare clothes that I can travel with. I can't make a good impression and properly represent the duchy in this condition... Not to mention I'll starve or freeze to death in the wilderness".

"Okay, fine, fine. I learned what happens arguing with you", he's surprisingly quick to surrender when you talk to him. How nice! "Look, I can't officially give you money... But here's ten silver from my own pockets", and he pulls ten coins out, "And I want them back!".

>Holy crap a whole ten silver? That's a lot!

>>35289251
Oh boy! Better tell him to write it off on our first salary.

>>35289251
Go to hug him, remember you're still all soggy, kiss him on the cheek instead.
Tahe too.

>>35289251

Offer him a mermaid as an advance repayment?

>>35289312
>Implying he couldn't just go get one anyway
>Implying we have any way to deliver that in a more timely manner than just repaying the money anyway

>>35289251
>Give him a wet hug

>>35289251
>Thank him profusely, ask what our salary actually is
Cause it'd be nice to know what we can expect.

>All this hug-sluttery
Cease and desist. Additionally it'd also be weird as hell in this specific case.

You feel good and bad at the same time.

You feel good because you needed that money. By Ishtar's breasts you really did need some money, being poor sucks and you worked hard enough with your friends to deserve what you're getting.

On the other side you feel bad. You're getting excited over something that is being handed out like pocket change. Of course, the man you're talking to is likely rather well-off, to a commoner ten silver is an amount of money you would think very very carefully before spending it all in one place.

The coins all have the profile of King Sigurd on one side and Reboldeux's coat of arms on the other. Ten silver. That's enough to buy you some clothes and some adventuring equipment. Maybe not a tent but certainly a bedroll, a waterskin, a sack... You don't think you need proper blankets considering the weather, but then again wow. Just wow.

You knew you were poor but not that poor. Now you just feel sad again.

"Thank you", the words come so earnestly out of your mouth that even the man is somewhat surprised, and a little embarrassed at your open gratitude. Especially when you give him a soggy hug and a kiss on the cheek. "The mermaids will be grateful too, I promise!", you add in some kind of money-induced ecstasy before he can recover and understand what the heck is going on.

As you find yourself in the main plaza, you still count the ten silver in your hands. Wow. You even forgot to ask what your whole salary is going to be, but that's good: it was probably going to leave you mind-boggled.

Just think of all the possibilities!

>Go buy some clothes
>Go buy some adventuring equipment
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn
>Other?

>>35289389
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn

>>35289251
>Offer him a free rite of fertility. Because of reasons.
>Keep the money, only spend it after dealing with the mermaid pier idea.

>>35289389
>>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn
We can ask the cartographer for advice.

>>35289389
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn
No wasting money.

>>35289389
>Go buy some clothes
aw yiss time for dressup, best part of any quest

>>35289389
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn

>>35289389
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn
We never know what kinda equipment our cartographer has, we should plan our purchases around that.

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>>35289425
I think we should go with a long Tabard or something.

>>35289471
As long as we're not naked under it.

>>35289520
Some panties would do fine.,

>>35289525
I don't think so. Ignoring how terrible that is for, you know, walking around the wilderness, this is not a lewd quest and we're wearing proper every-day clothing. Save that for private-time with Tahe or something.

You forcefully restrain yourself. The thought of nice new clothes and shoes waiting for you is extremely tempting but you force yourself to resist. You don't know what you're going to need, you're departing for a long expedition and you have no idea how long it will take you. You have to be careful and not waste it. No wasting it. Definitely no wasting money.

You take a few breaths to cool yourself, with Tahenohan watching you with an amused look, and then decide to depart and look for the Golden Boar Inn.

You go in the direction you were told, to the South-East, but since you have no idea what the old market is and you cannot tell when an actual market begins and when it's just people with makeshift stalls, you have to just ask around at a certain point. Fortunately, you do manage to find some locals with a bit of luck, but even those that aren't from around here seem to know where the Golden Boar Inn is.

You walk past what really is a better-organized market, with permanent stalls and more goods on display, mostly fruits that would be considered exotic in the West, and reach a large structure built in the corner of an intersection: a large wooden banner stands upon its large, reinforced double doors reading "The Golden Boar Inn", with the head of a golden boar, as expected.

Inside, the common room is huge compared to that of The Hairy Mermaid, and your ears instantly fill with tavern chatter and the plucking of string instruments and a tune being played on a pan flute. You easily find the counter, which is large and tended by two different people. You go towards the older looking one, assuming he's the innkeeper. He has a round, good-natured face and a thick black moustache. "Greetings, how may I help you?", he asks as you approach.

>"I'm looking for Bryld Norling"
>"I'm looking for an architect"
>"How is business here?"
>"Do you have rooms for rent?"
>Other?

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>>35289587
At home clothing, sure. Not adventuring clothing.

>>35289597
>"I'm looking for Bryld Norling"

>>35289597
>"I'm looking for Bryld Norling"

>>35289597
>>"I'm looking for Bryld Norling"

>>35289597
>"How is business here?"
>"I'm looking for Bryld Norling"
That's a funny name.

>>35289389
>Save it for later, go to the Golden Boar Inn

>>35289597
>"I'm looking for an architect"

We need a project before speaking to Bryd...

"I am looking for a woman. Bryld Norling", you hope you spelled it right, it feels a bit hard to say, "I've been told she's staying here".

"Oh, sure", he looks you over with a smile, then leans over a bit, "And, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, miss...?".

"Lillith. Lillith Taieart. This is my friend Tahenohan".

"Hello!", she greets enthusiastically, and the man gives her a kind smile.

"We are colleagues", you then explain to reassure him about your intentions, "She's a cartographer that volunteered for exploring the wilderness. We are the rest of the team that's going to accompany her".

"Oh, I see. Of course, you really look the part", he made it sound like a compliment. You also notice that there's a stuffed animal head behind him: the titular Golden Boar you suppose, considering it's the head of a boar with gold fur, like it's some kind of magical, special beast.

Though you guess it's just a boar with his fur painted yellow. Sounds more credible.

"She's on the first floor, Martin room. First turn to the left", the man explains with a kind smile, "You can't miss it".

"Thank you", and you head upstairs. Even the stairs themselves are larger, able to accommodate for three people climbing them side by side. The first landing puts you in front of a long, wide corridor, a turn immediately to the right, then another in the distance to the left and another further on to the right.

Following the innkeeper's directions, you find yourself in a short corridor with four doors on each side. They all have painted wooden plaques of animals on the door. One of them is of a martin. Well that was easy.

>Knock on the door
>Call her name
>Try and open it
>Other?

>>35289777
>>Knock on the door

>>35289777
>>Knock on the door
I thought he said she was ON the floor for a moment.

>>35289777
>Try and open it

And catch her changing clothes.

>>35289777
>Knock on the door
Let's not make a bad first-impression with our new party-member.

>>35289777
>Knock on the door

>>35289777
>Try and open it
I'm feeling frisky

You knock on the door, and hear a feminine voice from inside going "Coming!". After that, you hear some rustling, like somebody moving things in relative hurry. It goes on for a while, then it stops, and nobody opens the door.

You wait for a bit until you start to consider trying to open the door yourself, but as your hand starts to move towards the handle, it turns and opens, giving you time to quickly retreat it to hide your intentions and preserve a good first impression.

The first thing you see is a young-looking woman in what you can easily call home clothes. A loose and comfortable-looking blue tunic and a pair of loose linen trousers held up by some kind of belt or string that you can't see. Her long brown hair is straight and combed, and of course you cannot absolutely miss the pair of equally brown bunny ears that poke from her head.

It seems like your cartographer is a were-rabbit. Or a were-hare. You don't know how you're supposed to tell just by looking.

She blinks and stops her from jolting back as she sees you, holding the door ajar, "... Yes?", she asks.

Behind her, you see that the room isn't very large, but there are two beds. One side is full of various scrolls and parchments, and inks and drawing equipment and a portable table and a rucksack. It seems like she was busy drawing something amongst the mess and the little place to move in. The other side is relatively empty, with just a very loaded rucksack on the bed. There seems to be various parchments as well.

Considering the size of the inn and the size of this room, you suppose these four rooms in this corridor comprise the cheap wing, or something to that effect.

>Introduce yourself, explain why you're here
>Introduce yourself, ask if she's a cartographer
>Introduce yourself, ask if she's alone
>Other?

>>35289933
>Introduce yourself, explain why you're here
Yep
>Asking if she's alone
Pls Lillith, don't be creepy

>>35289933
>Introduce yourself, ask if she's alone

Befriend and recruit!

>>35289933
>>Introduce yourself, ask if she's a cartographer

>>35289933
>Introduce yourself, explain why you're here

>>35289933
>Introduce yourself, explain why you're here
R-rival best girl?!

>>35289933
>Bunnygirl

All my want.
>Introduce yourself, ask if she's alone
>Explainw hy you are here

>>35289933
>Introduce yourself, explain why you're here

"Greetings, I am Lillith Taieart", you introduce yourself. Werepeople are very common, at least compared to half-breeds like you or Tahenohan. You don't know much about them, except that sometimes people are born with animal ears and tails and there's some talk about explaining it, but you never actually heard it. Too academic, and you don't belong in that area, "I am here for the exploration charter. Are you a cartographer?".

"Oh? Oh!", she looks like she just remembered something, at least by the way she opened her eyes, "Yes, yes! It's me, I'm Bryld Norling. I've been told you would have come. I'm sorry, I just didn't expect you, I wasn't ready, uh...", and she looks at herself and what she's wearing.

"Are you alone?", you then ask, and she looks up at you, blinking and freezing as if in panic. Then she notices you're looking behind her and visibly relaxes.

"Oh. Oooh, you mean that", she almost sighs in relief, "Er... Right now I am. I'm sharing this room with a friend I met on the way", she explains, "Oh, she'll be coming with us. Oh, but not with the expedition, we're just going the same way, so she'll stick with us for a while. Until she reaches a village to work on... Her assignment is a bit vague".

Oh, so both beds are occupied. That's why there was that rucksack.

>"May I come in?"
>"When are you ready to leave?"
>"Is there anything you need for the trip?"
>"When can I meet your room mate?"
>Other?

>>35290113
>"When can I meet your room mate?"
Striped horns, calling it now.

>>35290113
>"May I come in?"
>"When can I meet your room mate?"
>"When are you ready to leave?"
>"Is there anything you need for the trip?"
In that order

>>35290113
>>"When are you ready to leave?"
>>"Is there anything you need for the trip?"
Ask her what she has for the trip, maybe we can forgo those items since we're strapped for cash.

>>35290113
>"When are you ready to leave?"
>"Is there anything you need for the trip?"

>>35290113
>"May I come in?"

>>35290113
>"When are you ready to leave?"
>Schedule some supply-planning for now or later, with our brand new money and her being (theoretically) able to plot a course and estimate how long we'll take (and therefore need supplies for).

"May I come in?", you ask first. It might be a long talk, after all.

"Oh! Oh, sure", and Bryld opens the door wide and invites you in, "Please do. Uh, sorry for the mess, there's not really much space but make yourselves at home!".

As she moves most of the things out of the way, you realize that her making room actually just amounts to tidying the mess on her portable table. There's not much room she CAN make, not in a place this small and cramped. It's only really good for sleeping in. Still, it's better than talking through a door.

"Thank you", you smile, "I'll go straight to the point: when are you ready to leave?".

"Oh? Uhm... Right tomorrow, if that's not a problem", she assures, "My room mate is a bit eager too. Says she doesn't like port towns, the smell gets to her nose, which is a bit sensitive. Oh, well... I think we're all eager to start working", she says with a determined look.

"Right. When will I be able to meet her, by the way?".

"Oh... I'm not sure", she looks at the door as if expecting her to come in any moment, but she doesn't, "She went out to resupply but I don't know when she'll be back".

"Do you need to resupply as well?", you ask, "We will. Tahenohan and I. By the way, I'm sorry I forgot: this is my partner, Tahenohan".

"He-hello?", she asks, unsure of whether the half-elf is going to eat her or not.

"Hello!", Tahenohan spares her. For now.

"We're going to resupply as well soon", you explain, "Is there anything we need? We're not familiar with these lands", you then justify yourself, trying to hide how inexperienced you are about adventuring.

"Uhm... Well, it's not that cold outside, so as long as you have a bedroll you'll be fine", she ponders about it, "My partner has a tent we can share... Until she's there. As for the rest, uh, well you are the explorers, right?".

>"We're actually still new"
>"We're used to other places"
>"Yes, we'll do fine"
>"You sure we don't need anything in particular?"
>Other?

>>35290155
What?

>>35290335
>"We're still fairly new. Well, my partner has experience but...I'm not sure how reliable she is at the planning phase, to be frank."
Sorry Tahe

>>35290335
>"We're used to other places"
>Tell her we might need a day or two to solve the mermaid issue

>>35290335
[x] >>35290385

>>35290373
>forgetting Ishtar's instructions
You'd make a shit priestess.

>>35290335
>>"We're used to other places"
>>"You sure we don't need anything in particular?"

>>35290402
>mermaid issue
hahaha
that's not happening in a single day
that's something we worry about after returning

>>35290415
What does Ishtar have to do with stripped horns. What do stripped horns have to do with anything?

>>35290439
Yeah. When we're not broke.

>>35290472
Have you even bothered to read previous threads?

"We're used to other places", you look at Tahenohan. She has a lot more experience than you in adventuring. A lot. But she had them in barbarian lands and deserts. Really, you're the worst place to apply what she knows, "We're still fairly new to the tropics".

"Eh, I understand what you mean", Bryld sighs, adjusting the collar on her tunic, "It's hot and humid and sometimes it feels like I have trouble breathing when I'm in the crowd. I've never seen a town this full".

"It is a problem", you agree, but you have other things to talk about, "Are you sure you don't need anything in particular? We can't resupply once we've left".

"Uh... I've been told the land is very fertile and most wild fruits and berries are edible", she frowns as she tries to focus, "So food shouldn't be a problem, but you should definitely take water and some iron rations, you never know".

Iron rations? That kind of canned food always sounded rather expensive to you. But then again you can store them for a long amount of time and they won't rot, so you guess it's pretty handy to have them for long trips. You had no idea adventuring was so resource-intensive.

"We need to plan our travel a little. Do you have an idea how long until we reach the first village? I also have to act as a censor and count the population", you explain.

"Oh? Well, according to what I've been told...", and she opens up a parchment where she was busy drawing a tentative map before you knocked, "... The Duke doesn't want settlements too close, so we can't reach anything within a day. But there's a caravansary just outside the farmlands. We can reach it before nightfall if we leave in the morning".

"So... A couple days?", you ask.

"I think so. That's probably where our fourth member will stop. We can start exploring from there, feels like a good place as any other".

>Ask about her other skills
>Ask what her partner can do
>Ask if she's done this before
>Other?

>>35290520
No seriously. You just brought up striped horns with absolutely no context or connection to whats currently going on.

>>35290631
>Ask about her other skills

>>35290631
>Other
"Is there a river nearby there? I wonder if Mermaids can swim up rivers."

>>35290631
>Ask about her other skills
>Ask if she's done this before
>>35290660
This too.

>>35290638
I was implying that her companion is the person with striped horns that Ishtar told us to look for. Which you would understand if you'd bothered to read previous threads and had even the most basic amount of reading comprehension.

>>35290690
Oh, I know all that, but I see no reason to automatically assume it's her companion.

>>35290690
>Actually remembering a single thing from that dream

>>35290690
Did you just archive binge or something?

"Is there anything special you can do other than cartography?", you ask, mostly trying to strike up a conversation and get to know your new partner a bit better.

"Uh... Not that I can think of?", she raises her eyebrow, "I mean I'm no adventurer, that's why I need people like you".

You presume she's still talking about work and everything. Which is a safe assumption to make, all considered, she's not a half-elf that has more than once been trusting to the point of ingenuity, especially at your shenanigans.

"I suppose you've never done an exploration like this before?".

"No... No, this is my first time", she smiles, fidgeting a little, "I've been mostly copying or re-working other maps and some building plans. Office work, really. But it didn't feel like a satisfying career, so I took the chance the King gave me and came here".

"The King?", the King himself gave her a chance?

"Oh, it's no big deal... There's been several announcements for cartographers, architect and people with similar useful abilities to join the Reconquista", she explains, "My friend and I took it, even though we only met here. We had the travel expenses to the Shadow Marches paid on our behalf, so that's handy, it seems like this whole operation is being well-funded".

Well that would have been handy to know. Unfortunately, you have no similarly marketable skills.

"By the way, is there a river nearby?".

"No!", she shakes her head, sadly, "This is why you should stock up on water. I mean I'm sure adventurers like yourselves can easily find water in a place this full of food and fertile lands, but there's no rivers nearby. I don't think the aqueducts from the lake to the East are still connected, either. All the fresh water in Reboldeux comes from the desalination plant the dwarves built a long time ago".

Well, at least you know what to stock on before you leave.

You thank Bryld and decide to leave her as you need to restock. You have plenty of money, but you have to spend it well...

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And this is the end of Episode 5! My, I went too far ahead and couldn't find a good moment to stop it.

I'm going to archive the thread soon. Glad to see you're undertaking several challenges already; you're way more proactive than my tabletop players.

And that makes me sad.

I'll stick around a little bit if you have questions, criticisms, insults and whatever else.

>>35290838
/tg/ loves sidequests.

>>35290838
Thanks for running! I had a lot of fun.

>>35290838
Thanks for the thread.
C/D on the mermaid-thing pretty much guaranteed to be a long-term project rather than short-term?

>>35290838
How far can we get into lewd before FtB? Kissing, groping and such? Or just initiate H-Scene and immediate fate to black?

>>35290893
>lewd questions
Sasuga /tg/!

>>35290909
I just want to see Tahenohan's reactions to kissing and light touching rather than seeing what it'd be like to finger her or something. I'd still like to see that though, but this IS a no smut quest, so I'll have to go somewhere else for that.

>>35290938
Well I can't imagine a kiss would get censored. Anything more, I wouldn't count on it.

>>35290882
Depends on what you want to do.

If you want to set up a few more hot spots, you can do that by organizing the mermaids and the men a bit and that should take, like, even just one morning or one day if you're good and know what you're doing.

But the whole mermaid pier and communal canal? That's super long term.

>>35290893
I don't feel comfortable writing outright smut. I'm not good at it, this isn't the right quest for that and I find it somewhat awkward too.

I'll write lewd but still decent things as long as I find a way to make them funny or show facets of a character, their personality and how they interact with each other, but once that and the blueboard part is done it gets the FtB treatment and that's it.

>>35290950
Don't worry, your readers are fine without any flowery descriptions of orgasms OP.

>>35290984
>>35290950
Agreed.
I was just wanting it for exactly what you stated,
> their personality and how they interact with each other,
And I'm fine with it otherwise, although, does that mean it only happens once?

>>35290984
Good, because I wasn't planning to do them.

>>35291003
Not necessarily. There may be changes and new things to talk about even after the first time. Persons are dynamic entities after all.

>>35290950

I, for one, am fine with this level of lewd and the FtB treatment., and I must say that I enjoyed this threads levels of lewd.

Actually, I will always vote for lewd, regardless of anything else. I'm a lost cause, hah.

Btw, maybe you should add Ishtar's prophetic message to Lillith to the quest log pastebin?

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>>35290950
Great thread as always MP, always feels nice, warm and comfy with you.

>>35290838
Any chance we can get a crash-course in 'class:cleric' or 'class:fighter/cleric' before leaving. Since Tahe is more of a hands-off combatant it seems, we're woefully short on any kind of competent melee.

>>35291029
>Btw, maybe you should add Ishtar's prophetic message to Lillith to the quest log pastebin?
We've got that in http://pastebin.com/FkbrPtZ8
There's a master page here

http://pastebin.com/u/MagicalPrincess

>>35291057
We're a diplomancer anon, we don't fight, we promise the monsters babies and a house instead.

>>35291029
The propethic message has its own paste already: >>35291067 this anon has it right.

>>35291043
Thanks. It's actually the kind of feel I'm striving for.

>>35291057
"Cleric" here isn't really much of a D&D style cleric. You're not necessarily good at fighting. As a matter of fact, none of you is good at fighting, except Tahenohan maybe, but you don't see any weapons with her.

Then again, you really shouldn't go out and expect melee. You've travelled enough to know that the best way to deal with wild animals is to travel in groups and avoid confrontations. Fire tends to scare them if you're in a pinch.

But you expect no banditry and no monster attacks. If you meet any, your best choice is to just run.

>>35291022
Can we get the hot-spot thing organized before leaving tomorrow?

>>35291104
>Thanks. It's actually the kind of feel I'm striving for.
You're doing it well, and as we get richer I feel it's only going to get comfier. Biiiig biiig beds with Tahenohan, lots of pillows.

>>35291104
Everyone knows level one in the wilderness you either punch wolves, or ranged-kite forever, depending on game. So this is the kinda story where we need all the slings and bows we can find?

>>35291128
You can try. Next Episode, you might want to discuss it with your new partners. Possibly when they're both available.

As to whether you'll succeed or not, that remains to be seen.

>>35291137
Make enough money and you might just have all of that.

>>35291147
You have no idea what kind of wild animals are there in the first place. This being a tropical place is all you know.

>>35291137
>Us
>Affording big beds
>Having a place to settle down worth buying big beds for rather than wandering around
Now that's a long-term dream anon.

>>35291204
Won't they be scared off by our lewd subject-matter? I mean, yeah yeah 'why don't you find out' but the point is, some restraint and secrecy may be in order.

>>35291257
You don't have to explain the whole deal with them, just say you have business to do and explain the necessary part without going into the lewd details.

Also because you still have no idea how mermaid sex works. Not that it's important for the plan, but still.

>>35291289
>Also because you still have no idea how mermaid sex works.
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOOOOOW

>>35291289
Mermaid sex - a mystery for the ages.

>>35291306
Strictly speaking, you don't.

As a priestess of Ishtar, if you're ever going to do rites for them, you might want to have a general understanding just to avoid embarrassing yourself.

But that's a big if. They look like they can handle themselves after all.

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Well, time for me to hit the sack.

See ya, stay tuned on twitter for the next session.

>>35291443
Night.

>>35291443
See you later MP!