Incidentally, you have been a knight-apprentice for less than a week, only two days of which have been spent conscious.

You have been very busy indeed.

Too many things are happening, and you have too many worries of your own to nurse. Thinking about it puts things into a kind of perspective; nobody expects you to solve all of these problems immediately. In fact, nobody expects you to solve any problems at all.

Maybe a shower will help clear your head. The living quarters for the administrative staff of the ducal palace of Alvar have a set of showers for the residents, for when they lack the time or inclination to make use of the large communal bath for the serving staff. Free towels for those who need it, of slightly better quality than the ones for the communal bath. The soap is still as questionable, though.

The showers are less sophisticated than you expected, being essentially watering can heads modified to attach to the plumbing system of the palace. Separate levers for hot and cold water, but pushing the hot water lever only results in a trickle; someone else had used most of the hot water, and it would take some time before the holding tanks refill. A cold shower it is; at least the water is clean.

>[2/3]

You are shivering slightly by the time you are done, but the shower has done its work of distracting you from most of your worries, leaving just the one about freezing to death before you reach your room. Through great effort of will you manage to make it back, to find Clarissa already there and changing into her nightgown.

"Good evening, Nicole," she says. A flicker of her eyes indicates the book of Wellsbet law you had borrowed from the library earlier today. "I see you're eager to begin your studies."

> "Yes, Captain. I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class."
> "It's just something I was thinking about reading to pass the time tonight."
> "How do you feel about the observation tonight, Captain?"
> "About Victor..."

>>35664547
> "Yes, Captain. I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class."

>>35664547
> "It's just something I was thinking about reading to pass the time tonight."
> "How do you feel about the observation tonight, Captain?"

>>35664547
> "Yes, Captain. I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class."
> "And don't worry about tonight, I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

>>35664547

> "Yes, Captain. I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class."

>>35664547
> "Yes, Captain. I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class."

START STUDYING NOW!
ULTIMATE KNIGHT APPRENTICE!

From the copy of the class schedule Lily gave you, one of the subjects covers the laws of Alvar and Wellsbet. Given the role of the knight as an enforcer of the peace of the land, it's probably one of the mandatory lessons you have to attend.

"Yes, Captain," you say. "I'm going to need to work hard if I want to catch up with the rest of the class." Being completely out of your depth during the class on etiquette was depressing enough.

"Quite right," Clarissa says. "I do not give examinations or tests. Your performance on the job will be your test, and there is often no margin for failure."

You meditate on the vast responsibilities of knighthood. Then you remember that the lessons are intended for Victor, who will inherit the even vaster responsibilities of Dukedom, and you don't feel as burdened in comparison.

You change into the your nightgown as well, as Clarissa rearranges her wardrobe into perfection once more. "Are you prepared for tonight, Nicole?" she says.

You have been wondering the same thing. "I'll make sure nothing happens to you, Captain," you say instead. "If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about the, er, observation?"

Clarissa shrugs. "I trust you, Nicole."

You fake yourself suppressing a yawn, to hide the silly smile that threatens to spread across your face. Quite astounding how a few simple words can make you feel all warm inside.

>[1/2]

"By the way, Nicole," Clarissa says, "there is one more thing I had neglected to mention earlier."

"What is it, Captain?"

"The Duke's son, Victor. The restriction against being in the presence of the Duke without someone else present also applies to him."

Which would make talking to Victor about his unauthorized magical research more complicated. You could always pretend it's none of your business, but that course of action sits uneasy with you. If you want to help Victor, you'll have to think of some way to talk to him about his magical ambitions without raising further suspicions.

"I hope you understand," Clarissa says. "Part of my duty is to protect the Duke and his family." She gives you a dry look. "I trust you, but I cannot afford to be mistaken."

> "Understood, Captain."
> "I hope to prove your trust justified."
> "What do you think about Victor?"

>>35664876

> "Understood, Captain."
> "I hope to prove your trust justified."

>>35664876
> "Understood, Captain."

>>35664876
>> "Understood, Captain."
>Does that restriction apply to anyone else? Victor didn't seem to have many friends.

It's going to take a long time to fully gain everyone's trust. You expected this, but the task seems daunting. "Yes, Captain." This seems insufficient. "I hope to prove your trust justified."

Clarissa frowns slightly, but whatever she was going to say, she decides against it. Instead, she sits down at her desk and sifts through the papers and envelopes already there.

Time for reading, it seems. You light a candle for better illumination, and open the book from the library.

Despite the clinical tone common to all textbooks, the Useful Manual of Wellsbet Law is well-written and clear. It is relatively light on the details, but based on just the first chapter, you have a decent idea of the laws that govern the kingdom.

Most of it is common to all the human kingdoms: respect for life, property, and authority. The first chapter hints at a long and appropriately sordid history behind the laws for morality, to be clarified in a later chapter, although not too much.

Punishments range from a simple fine, to a short term in prison, to longer terms, to public execution for especially heinous crimes. Certain crimes, such as open rebellion and large-scale abuse of magical power, may result in summary execution; in fact, rogue mages are given this treatment more often than not, simply due to the danger they represent.

You wonder if there are any cases of repentent mages spared. Unfortunately, this book does not seem to have more than a few token example cases, and based on the contents page, the chapter on magical crimes is disappointingly thin.

>[1/2]

You are working your way through the startlingly wide array of variations on the theme of theft when you hear a small groan.

Clarissa is still at her desk, covering her face with her hands in a posture of sheer exasperation. The offending text appears to be a letter; from your own position, you can see a broken wax seal on the envelope, but you cannot make out the symbol from here.

Still, seals like that are largely used by the upper classes. Clarissa is a member of such, and presumably so is her family.

> "Are you all right, Captain?"
> "News from home, I take it?"
> Ignore it, continue reading

>>35665144
>Do you need a cup of tea, Captain?

...tea exists, right? Does coffee?

>>35665144
> Ignore it, continue reading

>>35665144
> "Are you all right, Captain?"

>>35665144
>Do you need a cup of tea, Captain?
Tea, the perfect comfort drink.

With Lily also reacting negatively to letters from home, you wonder if it might raise morale in the palace simply by abolishing mail day.

Clarissa looks rather annoyed by whatever she has read. It would be a good idea to calm her down, if only because she can't sleep in this state, and the experiment with curing her nightmares cannot take place.

Tea is relaxing, right? You haven't had the tea in Wellsbet yet, but Elise had offered to make some for you this morning, so it's part of the social conventions here.

"Do you need a cup of tea, Captain?" you venture. You have no idea where the tea is actually kept, but maybe you'll run into someone in the kitchens, and they'll teach you how to make a proper pot of tea.

"Hm? Oh, no, thank you," Clarissa says. She absently shuffles the letters together. "I would rather not have you wandering the palace at night. Again."

Blow up one set of wards by accident, and nobody will ever let you live it down.

"It is a personal matter," Clarissa says. "Family. An old topic that insists on rearing its head every time they write to me. And I have to write them back, dressing up my words in sweetness and flowers, or there will be trouble. Well, it has nothing to do with my duties here in Alvar, or yours, so you do not have to worry about me. Your concern is appreciated, though," she adds quickly.

You give her a quick smile of what you hope is friendship, or at least the concept of possible friendship.

"What about you, Nicole?" Clarissa asks. "You didn't receive any mail today. Your family knows you are here and doing all right, I hope?"

> Make up a story
> "I don't have a family. Not anymore."
> "I'd rather not talk about it."

>>35665371
>> "I don't have a family. Not anymore."
Avoiding the question makes us look like spies.

> Make up a story
It's now a character trait to tell a bad lie about our past.

>>35665371
> "I'd rather not talk about it."

>>35665371
> "I'd rather not talk about it."
Could always do one if the other if we're forced. Family situations can be complex.

>>35665630
If pushed we can give off the vibe that she has some really bad memories

>>35665371
>"You didn't receive any mail today. Your family knows you are here and doing all right, I hope?"
Only distant relatives, not really a thing they'd need to know, even if I could convince them of the relationship.

>>35665371
> "I don't have a family. Not anymore."

Is this the truth? The truth will set Nicole free.

>>35665371
>"It is a personal matter"
>"Family. An old topic that insists on rearing its head every time they write to me."

I am now going to interpret this as Clarissa being told to get married already and stop being a christmas cake.


> "I'd rather not talk about it."

Family is... not one of the things you want anyone else to know about. To say it is complicated would be understating the issue immensely.

"I'd rather not talk about it," you say.

Clarissa nods tactfully. "I see. I apologize for bringing up a sore subject."

Technically you were the one who started this conversational path, by asking about Clarissa's mail. "It's not a problem, Captain."

Clarissa checks her pocketwatch. "I should be getting to sleep anyway. I do not mind if you keep the lamp on; you'll need it if you wish to continue reading."

You had planned to use just the candle for dimmer light, but this is probably safer for any situation which would involve Clarissa possibly waking up in the middle of her nightmare to see you standing over her. "Thank you, Captain."

"Nicole..." Clarissa sighs. "Never mind. Good night. And try not to do anything too drastic."

You hadn't planned on it, but plans can change.

You return to the Useful Manual of Wellsbet Law, sitting up on your bed. You don't feel very sleepy yet, but it's still early.

Clarissa is lying in her bed, eyes closed. You don't think she's asleep.

> Make light conversation
> Shut up and let her sleep

>>35665789
>> Shut up and let her sleep
don't be rude

>>35665789
> Shut up and let her sleep
Our Capitan needs her sleep.

And yes I'm writing capitan intentionally and will do that henceforth.

>>35665789
> Shut up and let her sleep

>>35665789
> Make light conversation
Whisper very lightly first, and if she doesn't respond
> Shut up and let her sleep

>>35665789
> Shut up, no talking

Sleep is only a matter of time, for you if not for Clarissa. Hopefully she'll fall asleep first; it would be embarrassing if she had to wake you up so you can check on her when she's sleeping.

You continue to remain silent, carefully turning the pages of the book to minimize ruffling. Domestic dispute resolution, now; most of the chapter covers what the law does not have jurisdiction in, which seems a trifle unfair for the victim in these sorts of cases. Apparently the authorities are only allowed to step in after a highly specific set of conditions are met, or if the dispute shades into other crimes.

It's not your job to change the law. Just to uphold it.

Espionage covers a surprising amount of pages, ranging from stealing trade secrets to spying on governments. Again, the book explains how the law is not to be used as a bludgeon, and the minor squabbles of merchants can be safely ignored, unless they choose to escalate to Creating A Public Disturbance or Use Of Excessive Force In Self-Defence.

Foreign dignitaries have a wide variety of protections, making them immune from prosecution under Wellsbet law; such punishment as can be meted out are usually handled at a much higher pay grade. Ominously, the book implies that knights are, in fact, allowed to take ambassadors and visiting nobles to task, should they be caught meddling in the affairs of the kingdom. The book does not specify how this is to be accomplished.

Maybe that sort of thing is covered in the etiquette classes, although you suspect being respectful will not assuage the inherent insult of arresting an ambassador for spying.

You realize that Clarissa has finally gone to sleep, sometime during your perusal of the consequences awaiting spies and their ilk. Unfortunately, you feel like doing the same.

> roll 1d20, best of three

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>35665929

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>35665929

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>35665929
>>35665941
I suppose it's been a while since I rolled a 1...

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>35665929

>>35665941
>>35665954
Jesus. Christ.

>>35665960
At least it's not just me.

>>35665941
>>35665954
>>35665960
Oh...

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>35665929

I-It's okay, he said BEST of three right?

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>35665929

Well, we feel asleep before she started having nightmares last time too, so hopefully we'll wake again.

File: rape smile.gif (901 KB, 640x360)

901 KB GIF

>>35665941
>>35665978
Nicole really is the worst spy

>>35666008
>so hopefully we'll wake again.
>critfail
Yeah, in a day or two. "I've been a knight-apprentice for a week and stayed awake for 2 days".

>>35666008
>>35666065
I'm thinking of all the possibilities now.

>We fall asleep and miss everything
>Clarissa gets possessed and we need to beat her up.
>Victor walks in and stuff happens that's ultimately our fault.
>We set fire to the place.

>>35666102
>Whatever is possessing her at night jumps over to Nicole

>>35666106
>No, Nicole
>You ARE the demons

>>35666118
>AHHHHH, I'm being posses-
>wait, I KNOW that disembodied voice trying to take over my mind!

You were told to keep watch over Clarissa, and keeping watch over Clarissa is what you intend to do. You take a deep breath, and focus yourself. You will stay awake for the entire night, and you will stop whatever nightmare is plaguing Clarissa.

As soon as it comes.

Any time now.

Eventually you realize, with more than a little exasperation, that Clarissa is sleeping soundly, deeply, and very much free of nightmares. This is not how it was supposed to go.

Still, you suppose you should be glad that Clarissa can get another good night's sleep. Her mood improved after just one of those, so having several days in a row without nightmares might make her a joy to be around, a mental image that should have cheered you up, but only serves to heighten the unknown, unnameable feeling that something is just a tiny bit off.

It is a slippery thought, best described by words such as "subconscious" and "niggling". Something you saw or heard or sensed has alerted your instincts that you should be paying attention, but instincts are not helpful for specifying what you should be paying attention to.

You don't know what is wrong, but you feel the need to be ready for... something.

> Grab a dagger, just in case
> Stand guard over Clarissa
> Try to figure out just what is bothering you

File: BedMan1.jpg (1.69 MB, 1001x1000)

1.69 MB JPG

>>35666102
>We become Bedman

Rolled 16 (1d20)

> Grab a dagger, just in case

>>35666185
> Try to figure out just what is bothering you

>>35666185
> Grab a dagger, just in case
> Try to figure out just what is bothering you

>>35666185

> Grab a dagger, just in case
> Stand guard over Clarissa
> Try to figure out just what is bothering you

All of the options? All of the options. Even if standing guard with a dagger might be misinterpreted.

>>35666185
>pretend to sleep

>>35666185
>> Try to figure out just what is bothering you
>>Stealthily acquire Dart.

>>35666248
Please no. Situational awareness is key and knowing Nicole this time we really will fall asleep.

>>35666275
>implying we aren't asleep now

You really, really feel the need to be armed right now.

Quietly, you open your desk drawer, and claim a dagger. The weight of the weapon in your hand comforts you, which helps steady your nerves enough to begin a more detailed analysis of what triggered your suspicions.

Clarissa's half of the room is easy to check. Everything is in its place, tidied up. Even her pocketwatch, on her desk, is carefully placed and aligned to some aesthetic sense that looks quite pleasing, but is probably far more trouble to arrange than it is worth. No trouble there.

Your own half is less neat by comparison, but still respectable. Most of it is because you don't have enough personal belongings to qualify for clutter, and you're long since learned the value of being able to keep certain items within easy reach.

It's the middle of the night. You are dressed in nothing but a nightgown, holding a dagger in your good hand. You should be feeling quite silly.

Instead, you're just feeling scared.

You're not sure if this is the same sort of terror you felt in the wizard's tower, when you tripped the wards. That had been a blind, unreasoning thing; this one is just a tiny step up from simple caution, and not likely to knock you out for a few days. The mind can conjure justifications for a lot of things, and right now you think that your fear comes from the healthy paranoia of knowing that you've noticed something strange, but not being able to remember or figure out what.

>[1/2]

You strain your senses trying to detect some clue or other that will make everything come into focus. The ducal palace of Alvar had been renovated from an old cathedral, which means it makes the usual set of creaking and groaning noises as the stones and supports of the building react to the temperature changes in the night.

That tiny, near-imperceptible noise you just heard was simply the wooden door settling in its hinges.

Right?

> Check the door by listening from this side
> Check the door by opening it
> Stand guard over Clarissa, don't let anything through

>>35666504
Sit and watch the door

>>35666504
> Stand guard over Clarissa, don't let anything through

>>35666504

> Stand guard over Clarissa, don't let anything through

Gotta stay on target. We can let everybody know about it tomorrow, but if this is someone checking up on why their spell fizzled, we need to be ready for whoever comes through that door.

>>35666504
Is there a gap underneath the door/keyhole we can peek through?

>>35666504
>> Check the door by listening from this side
Yes. We want to stand over Clarissa while holding a knife.

>>35666504
> Check the door by listening from this side

>>35666504
Check under our beds first.

>>35666504
>> Check the door by opening it

>>35666504
> Stand guard over Clarissa, don't let anything through

We need to keep an eye out of her

Carefully you creep towards the door. If someone is on the other side, you'd know. You're good at knowing when there's someone nearby who's not supposed to be there.

You wait, patiently listening for the smallest of sounds.

You don't hear anything.

Well, you hear the sound of Clarissa breathing softly and peacefully, but other than that you don't hear anything.

Which doesn't mean anything, of course. Whatever might be out there could be waiting for you to drop your guard, and then there would be all kinds of trouble. You need to protect Clarissa; it's your duty as a knight-apprentice.

You continue to stand guard throughout the night, even as the first rays of dawn shine through the window blinds. You're vaguely aware that the candle had burned out a long time ago, but that is irrelevant. You stand guard at the door, watching, listening, waiting.

You don't even turn around when you hear a sharp intake of breath from behind you, followed by a small sigh.

"Good morning, Nicole," Clarissa says. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine, Captain," you say brightly. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"Did anything happen last night?"

"No nightmares! That's good, right?" You vaguely remember that no nightmares is good.

"Nicole, why are you standing at the door with a dagger in your hand?"

> "Something was out there. Last night. I'm standing guard."
> "Must protect you, Captain. Knight-apprentice's duty."
> Giggle in relief

>>35666831
>> Giggle in relief

>>35666831
>> "Something was out there. Last night. I'm standing guard."

>>35666831
"I thought I heard some weird sounds"

>>35666831
> "Something was out there. Last night. I'm standing guard."

Segue into asking for permission to investigate the shadow.

>Something was out there last night Im standing guard
>Giggle in relief

>>35666831
Something was.. wrong, and I'm pretty sure it was at the door.

>>35666831
>> "Something was out there. Last night. I'm standing guard."

"I heard something," you say. It's a fascinating sensation; you've gone without sleep before, and it generally makes you slow and sluggish. But now you feel vitalized, full of energy. You could run laps around the palace if you wanted to.

"Nicole-"

"Last night," you clarify. "Something was weird. Something was out there. I'm standing guard. At the door." You seem to have trouble creating sentences more than a few words at a time. You feel a tide of words and babble rising within you, all jumbling together and jammed up, and you have to squirt out your words in short, simple bursts.

"Nicole, please put down the dagger. I am not in danger." Clarissa mutters something you assume is meant to be under her breath, but which you can still hear clearly. "Except from you."

An order from a commanding officer must be obeyed. You attempt to stow the dagger, realize that you are still in your nightgown, and settle for letting it hang non-threateningly in your hand.

Clarissa opens the door, checking outside. "See? All is well. No danger lurks. You can relax, Nicole." She shuts the door again.

You nod, which turns into a jitter.

"Are you all right? Do you need some sleep?"

"Perfectly fine! Never better!" Which was true. You've never felt this good before in your entire life. You could soar into the skies on sheer energy right now. You could glow and illuminate the entire palace.

Clarissa frowns. "I think we need to see Elise. Right now."

> "Of course, Captain!"
> "Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"
> "No need for that, Captain! I'm absolutely fine and normal!"

>>35667064
>> "Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"

>>35667064
>"Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"

Field trip to the tower of fun!

>>35667064
> "No need for that, Captain! I'm absolutely fine and normal!"

>>35667064
> "Of course, Captain!"

>>35667064
>"Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"

>>35667064
> "Of course, Captain!"

How lewd is Clarissa and Nicole's nightgown, because at this rate the captain may insist that they go immediately.

One of the maids will see them and the rumors will begin

File: [G Intensifies].gif (167 KB, 390x400)

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>>35667064

> "Of course, Captain!"

What could possibly go wrong?

>>35667064
> "Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"
This isn't something we should just ignore.

>>35666928
>"Of course, Captain!"
So is this Victor thinking ahead? His crush on Clarisse and some compulsion to follow a superior's orders.

It is obvious to even yourself by now that this sudden boost in energy is not a natural event. Whatever happened last night had caused you to become like this, in place of sending nightmares to haunt Clarissa. While it would be a shame to lose this bouyant feeling of joy and cheer, such gifts often come with less celebratory side effects.

You do want to savour it for just a moment longer, though. And you are certainly not traipsing through the palace in just your nightgown. "Of course, Captain! Just let me change first!"

Clarissa nods warily. "I shall do the same. Just... be careful, Nicole. Don't hurt yourself."

It is a little difficult to change out of the nightgown and into your own clothes. Everything seems more real to you, and you have to stop yourself from wanting to touch and feel anything and everything. Such a cornucopia of sensations, and thoughts whizzing through your head faster than ever before.

Eventually you manage, and despite Clarissa's disapproving looks, you include your daggers. Just because you're feeling happy doesn't mean that the danger is past.

Clarissa holds you firmly by your good arm as you are marched towards the wizard's tower. This has the disadvantage of preventing you from easily reaching your daggers. You consider telling Clarissa about this, but you're not sure you trust yourself at the moment to correctly identify threats. You would rather not stab an unfortunate servant or clerk by accident simply because they greeted you.

But the danger is still out there. Something had caused you to become like this, so at least you know that danger is not in your imagination.

>[1/?]

>>35667232
>Everything seems more real to you, and you have to stop yourself from wanting to touch and feel anything and everything. Such a cornucopia of sensations, and thoughts whizzing through your head faster than ever before.
We just tripping now?

>>35667232
Lingering effects from the wards that maybe caused us to attack Clarissa but none of them are willing to tell us we did?

>>35667307
Doesn't make sense; Clarissa wouldn't let us sleep with her in the same room, much less watch over her, if we had previously attacked her. Unless this is some elaborate plan to test if we really remember what happened.

Current hypothesis: Staying in the Knight Captain's room during an unspecified time and for an unspecified duration with unspecified variables powers up someone because ???

>>35667366
Nah, someone smacked us with drugs. We've been drugged so that our report of last night would be inconsistent.

This looks alot like a shroom trip.

>>35667379
The only reasonable way we could've been drugged was by Lily for dinner, however it shouldn't take that long for it to take effect, or would it? Unless this is some spy bullshit where you coat a book with poison.

>>35667405
Or it could be that our perception chick that we crit-failed let someone hit us with a dart or tiny needle tipped with poison

>>35667405
no, there are also candle-burn drugs

....and esoteric magic cast by Victor aimed at Clarissa that accidentally hit us.

>>35667417
Would have to be a spell; you can't not notice a projectile stuck on you. Does the room have windows again?

>>35667379
I think it's that who/whatever is causing Clarissa's nightmares doesn't like us keeping watch and getting in the way. So they drugged us and we failed the roll to notice it happening.

Navigating the stairs in the wizard's tower becomes an exercise in tremendous fun, albeit probably not for Clarissa. It takes all your effort not to leap up the steps three at a time, and you don't even want to see Elise if you had any other choice in the matter.

The laboratory looks rather different from yesterday. Some sort of immense contraption has been built, and taking pride of place is a faded high-backed chair scavenged from somewhere and connected to the machine with wires and tubing. Ominously, there are wide leather straps attached to various points on the chair, currently loose.

Elise is sitting in the chair, dozing. It does not look as though she intends to use that machine on herself; she probably just needed a chair to doze in, and here was one ready for her, attached to a sinister contrivance or otherwise.

"Elise," Clarissa says sharply. "Elise, wake up. I need your help."

Elise jerks awake, and looks around blearily, until she focuses on Clarissa. "Oh, my dear captain! You're here early. Or is it late?"

"It's morning, Elise," Clarissa says. "Something happened last night, and I need you to take a look at Nicole."

"Nicole?" Elise peers at you. "What's wrong with Nicole?"

"No nightmares," you report. "But something else. Don't know what. Feel energetic. Feel great, actually."

>[2/3]

>>35667431
If it was candles then Clarissa should be high as fuck as well.

>>35667451
Can we mention we suspect we were drugged?

"... huh." Elise scratches her head. "This is a bit of a problem." She gestures at the device looming over the chair. "I built this to test Clarissa's state, but it's not really constructed very well; I don't need it for more than one shot, after all. If I use this on Nicole, it might not work correctly on you, dear Captain."

You'd hate to lose a lead into the mystery of Clarissa's nightmares, even if it skipped a night, just because something else happened to you. You're just a knight-apprentice, and you can deal with this on your own, somehow.

Also, you're not sure what that machine does. Elise probably built it to detect any intrusions into Clarissa's mind, which would imply utilizing some of the principles of divination magic.

You really, really don't want any sort of scrying device looking into your head.

"Nicole goes in," Clarissa says firmly.

> "Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."
> Take a seat in the chair

>>35667464
>> "Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."
Uh oh

>>35667452
well, Clarissa was lying down, and Nicole was seated/standing. Maybe it's a high-hanging drug?

>>35667464
> "Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem. I can last another day or two."
>Can we check for drugs first before assuming magic?

>>35667464
> "Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."

>>35667464
>"Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."
>"Probably just drugged. Wouldn't be alive if it was meant to kill. Will wear off eventually."

>>35667464
> "Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."

If it's calibrated that's best. Maybe we can get a clue from her instead of having anyone root through our head.

>>35667483
Supporting this one, specifically.

>>35667464
> "Capitan first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."

>>35667483
>>35667508
Channeling Mordin?

>>35667464
> Take a seat in the chair

>>35667483
>>35667508
>Drugged? From what?
>err..

That would be implicitly admitting our incompetence though, weren't we already worried about being thought of as not being good enough as a squire?

>>35667464
>"Captain first. More important. I'll be fine. No problem."

>>35667547
"Not sure. Was tired at the time. Stood guard over Clarrisa, became more attentive. Maybe. She didn't have nightmares, though."

>Clarissa sleeps
>Becomes more tired
>Next night
>We don't sleep
>Become less tired

Clearly the room is cursed with the Reverse Sleep spell.

>>35667598
That actually makes sense. Something has been making her cranky, unhappy, and tired, and we are at the opposite end of that spectrum now.

>>35667631
So at the very least we've somehow caught a reflection of what's affected her.

>>35667631
>>35667647
...why do you always assume magic?

I think whatever eldritch presence is haunting Clarissa sees a kindred spirit in us and is very happy to have found a friend.

>>35667674
Probably the spooky feelings and eldritch sleep whispers.

>>35667647
Essentially we touched the cursed captain and now we have the curse instead. Always use protection.

"Captain first," you disagree. "More important. I'll be fine." You give them a reassuring smile, which you suspect came out more like a crazed grimace. "No problem."

"Nicole, you're babbling," Clarissa says.

You shake your head. "Probably hit by something. Something else." You're pretty sure it isn't a drug of any sort, although you can't explain why to anyone else. "Maybe a mistargeted spell. Doesn't matter; I'm still alive. So not meant to be deadly. It'll wear off. Eventually." You take a moment to prepare for the next burst of speech. "Captain's situation more serious. Important rank and position. More important than me."

"To be fair, I did have your case in mind when I built this thing, dear Captain," Elise said meekly. "And she's right; most spells that hit once will wear off, assuming the target survives. Maintaining a spell needs a lot more effort, and unless young Nicole brought along some enemies from her past, she simply hasn't been here long enough."

"No enemies," you say quickly. None in any condition to track you down, anyway.

Clarissa looks at you with concern. "Are you sure?"

You nod. Maybe you will go for those laps around the palace later, to burn off the excess energy.

"Very well, then." Clarissa looks at the machine with renewed skepticism. "Elise, are you sure this will work?"

"It will work," Elise assures her. "Once. After that, who knows."

"Let us hope once is all we need." Clarissa gingerly sits on the chair. "Are these leather straps necessary?"

"Oh, don't mind those," Elise says, busily attaching various patches and extensions onto Clarissa's head. "Just a leftover from a previous experiment."

You are very, very glad you are not in that chair right now.

>[1/?]

>>35667793
>"Just a leftover from a previous experiment."
I had a feeling that was the case

Elise scurries over to a large wooden rod, which looks like it might have been part of a broomstick once. "Ready?"

Clarissa tenses. "I suppose so."

Elise pulls the lever down.

Nothing happens.

"Success," Elise says happily.

"Is that it?" Clarissa says, surprised.

"That's it," Elise says. "What, did you expect sparks and colours and smoke? That's all very inefficient. Except for- oh, there it goes."

A faint wisp of white smoke drifts up from somewhere within the guts of the machine.

"Don't worry, that was supposed to happen," Elise says. "Either the power source or the fuse would have gone, and it's the power source. Probably melted all the connectors, too. Can't use this again for a while, I'm afraid."

"But can you fix it?" Clarissa says.

"No need. I've got my data over here." She points to a set of six crystal orbs, laid out in a row. "Just wait a moment and..." She frowns. "That's odd."

Not a promising statement. "What's wrong?" you ask.

"Well, I have good news and weird news. The good news is that you, dear Captain, are no longer in any danger."

"So I was in danger before?" Clarissa says grimly.

"I do believe so, yes. I'd have to analyze these findings before I can give you a precise report, though." Elise waggled a hand uncertainly. "The weird news is... weird. I'll have run a few calculations."

Not as helpful as you had hoped. "But the Captain is safe?" you ask.

"For now," Elise says. "Unless she gets targeted again. If she does, will you let me know?"

> "Understood. Same arrangement?"
> "Will try my best."
> "Captain, your opinion?"

>>35667919
> What? That's it? Shouldn't you be more alarmed and take a more proactive role in uncovering who caused it instead of waiting for them to strike again?

>>35667919
> "Understood. Same arrangement?"
> "Will try my best."
> "Captain, your opinion?"

Hyperactive. All options required.

>>35667919

> "Understood. Same arrangement?"
> "Will try my best."
> "Captain, your opinion?"
>Try not to bounce in place
>Fail

>>35667919
Captaiin your opinion

>>35667919
> "Understood. Same arrangement?"
> "Will try my best."
> "Captain, your opinion?"

>>35667941
>>35667948
Agreed

>>35667919
> "Understood. Same arrangement?"

>>35667919
>"Captain, your opinion?"
Maybe I could have a few dozen laps around the castle, now ?

>>35667936
But that's what she's doing. We have nothing to go on for any searching.

>>35667919
>> "Will try my best."

"Understood," you say. "Same arrangement? Will try my best." You nod firmly, which turns into a whole-body bounce. You squelch yourself before you start bouncing off the floor.

"Excellent," Elise says, not looking up from her examination of the crystal balls. "Although with any luck, you will not have to do very much at all."

You have no idea what that means. Maybe Clarissa knows. "Captain, your opinion?"

"I do not find the notion of being targeted again at all appealing," Clarissa says mildly.

"... I know." Now Elise looks up, and there is a glint of something in her eyes. Quiet, dangerous, and cold. "Let me just say that if they do get a second shot, it will be their last. And if I find out their identities through the data I collect... well, you understand."

"Justice, Elise. Not revenge."

"But dear Captain, as the one wronged, do you not deserve satisfaction?"

"That's why I ask for you to be less... zealous. I do not want to see you hurt anyone for my sake. Especially yourself."

You recall the chapter in the book of Wellsbet law about rogue mages. With your mind still under the effects of whatever spell had hit you, the passages about summary executions leap into focus.

"You worry too much, my dear Captain." Elise smiles at you. "Hope you feel better soon, Nicole. Or, well, worse. You know what I mean."

You do indeed. This hyper-activity is beginning to irritate even yourself.

Clarissa firmly leads you out of Elise's laboratory before she has to arrest her friend for conspiracy to hex. "Now you know why I was reluctant to see Elise about the nightmares," she sighs.

> "Elise means well, I think."
> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"
> "Feeling all right?"

So who else thinks that Victor was messing with the Clarissa because he's a hormonal teenage boy with access to magic and thought he'd use this spell that would totally make her like him more?

Other option is of course that the spooky thing in the basement did it, but we have less to go off of on that one.

>>35668257
>> "Elise means well, I think."
>> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"

>>35668257
> "Feeling all right?"
> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"
> "Elise means well, I think."

>>35668257
> "Feeling all right?"
> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"

>>35668257
>"Do you trust Elise? To take care of herself? Then it's fine."

>>35668257
> "Feeling all right?"

> "Elise means well, I think."
> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"

ALL THE ENERGY ALL THE QUESTIONS!

>>35668257
"I think I should do something to get rid off all this pent up energy and get some sleep before nightfall."

>>35668259
yeah, I think Victor is involved somehow.

>>35668257
>> "Elise means well, I think."
>> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"

>>35668379
If I cast this spell it will force the captain to notice me!!

>>35668259
No, he probably noticed that Clarissa was exhausted and tried to give her some energy.

>>35668401
It's a possibility either way. Lily could have done something with it. I don't trust fake smile girl. She could have been attempting to lure us into the basement... and or she is the thing down there.


Either way accusations are mostly baseless at this point.

>>35668397
Yeah, I think that's something he'd try and do, probably innocently, but I could be wrong.


>>35668401
I meant the whole nightmare thing might have been his fault because he was trying to get Clarissa to notice/praise/kiss/sleep with him somehow.

You know it could be something like Nicole was a Golem. Actually following orders like guard duty being fulfilling to her purpose activated her.

>An order from a commanding officer must be obeyed

>>35668454
I think you're on target with both of those assumptions but... They're still assumptions.

Hell he could have targeted Nicole. She's been out cold for 7 days and she was nice to him.

Of course he probably don't care about her all that much.

>>35668257
>> "Elise means well, I think."
>> "Once you know. Who cast the spell. What will you do?"
>> "Feeling all right?"

Again, all at the same time.

>>35668479
I would go against it being for Nicole, he probably has plenty people who are nice to him, he's the duke's son. It pays to be nice to people like that.


But yes you are correct, all we have are assumptions. We don't even technically know what Nicole is or what she's actually here for, so it's a little hard.

Hell, even >>35668444
could be right, we simply don't have enough to go off of.

>>35668464
>Nicole a golem

We were also kind of disturbed by the passage about summary execution of rogue mages, IIRC.

Wait. If we're a golem, does that mean we have more energy because we absorbed an enchantment?

>>35668515
Possibly.

The laws can't be much nicer to rouge magical creatures. So it would be disconcerting period.

I hope she's something more than a Golem... but I'd be fine with it if she was... fits character.

Just sad with the whole soul less abomination thing.

>>35668515
>>35668540

I think we probably aren't a golem, but we are definitely magical somehow, there's been to many hints dropped, both about our knowledge of magic and things such as the sister saying our arm wasn't taking the healing as well as it should.

Not to mention the whole thing with the wards.

I want this quest to go faster so we can find out!

>>35668556
Mystery is good though... it's a hard choice. Although if Nicole actually knows what she is and we don't think it's a sort of disconnect.

If she's repressed it or isn't aware then I'm fine with not knowing.

>>35668577
Mystery is good. But the part I personally like best is finding out the mystery.

From the hints I've picked up, Nicole knows at least some things we don't, like where she's from and how much exactly she knows about magic and languages, but I'm still on the fence as to whether or not she really has a reason to be here or is just searching for something, to then keep searching for something.

The mood after Elise's veiled threat of vengeance had been pretty heavy. "Feeling all right?" you ask.

"I could use some breakfast," Clarissa says. "Come on."

"Elise means well, I think," you say, as you make your way to the kitchens. You're not hungry at all, thanks to the extra energy, but you should still eat something, since the energy crash after all this will be substantial. "A little scary. But she's worried."

"She's scared. Scared for my sake." Clarissa barks a short laugh. "Truth to tell, so am I. But as the Knight Captain, I can't show my fear; it would be bad for morale. And even more importantly, I cannot let my personal feelings take precedence over my duty."

"Once you know," you blurt out. "Who cast the spell. What will you do?"

"That would depend on who they are."

Clarissa already has suspicions. But she's not acting immediately upon them. Lack of proof? Or some other factor?

Then again, Clarissa is the Knight Captain who accepted your application to be a knight-apprentice, and continued to trust you despite all the incidents and evasions that, you admit to yourself, do not exactly paint you in the most flattering light. Maybe she just has a really strong belief in second chances.

You don't remember what breakfast was like. Bread again; it may be a staple, here in Wellsbet. Clarissa consumes her standard stupendous portion, while you essay a few nibbles and force down the rest.

"What are your plans for the day?" Clarissa asks, once you're finished.

"Need to work off this energy," you say. "Feels weird. Great, but weird."

"I have an idea on that front," Clarissa says.

> "I'll do it. Anything is fine."
> "What idea?"
> "Better on my own. Don't want to bother anyone."

>>35668632
>> "What idea?"

>>35668632
> "I'll do it. Anything is fine."

>>35668632
> "I'll do it. Anything is fine."
> "What idea?"

>>35668632
> "What idea?"

>>35668632
> "I'lL dO It. AnYtHing is fine."
> "What idea?"
> "Would it be Better on my own. Don't want to bother anyone."

>>35668632
> "I'll do it. Anything is fine."

>>35668632
> "I'll do it. Anything is fine."
> "What idea?"

>Agreeing to it without finding out what it is first

Perfect.

>>35668632
Energized Nicole is adorable.

I'LL DO THE THING! ANYTHING! WAIT WHAT IS IT?! I AM PERFECTLY HUMAN, YES!?

>>35668698
I know!

>>35668698
Exactly!

>>35668698
Seems appropriate given the circumstance

>>35668698
If hentai has taught me anything, it's that "I'll do it, anything is fine" always leads to the best things.

>>35668632
>"I'll do it. Anything is fine."

>>35668747
>hentai

Shit, didn't even think about it that way.

Still, I'm pretty sure Clarissa wouldn't suggest something like that to us.

>>35668736
I hard time believing Nicole would refuse an order from the captain.

Remember in a character defining moment Nicole didn't say, "I don't know..." or "It's complicated" she said, "I am your knight apprentice." Think that's the identity we've chosen.

>>35668632
>Ill do it everything is fine
>Captain suggest for a bath break
>we yuri now

We can hope anon we can hope

>>35669052
That is certainly a fun way to release the energy. However I doubt damp is taking it in that direction.

If the QM had been named Moist however..

>>35669052
Let us not smut up this quest

Did OP die?

its 1:26 am here so im going to sleep

>>35669384
Last twitter update was 43 minutes ago, so I doubt it. But there's a roll coming up at DC 18 it seems.

At this point, you're open to just about every activity that can be imagined, and some that would require quite a bit of work to even conceptualize.

"I'll do it," you respond.

"I haven't said what it is yet," Clarissa points out.

"Don't care. Anything is fine. Too active. Need to spend energy."

Clarissa looks pleased. "I assume that means I have your permission. First, we'll have to visit Sister Simone."

This early in the morning, the chapel infirmary was quite empty. Simone herself was lounging in the consultation room, pouring herself a cup of tea. Based on the crumbs on the empty plate on her desk, her breakfast had involved some sort of cake.

"Oh, good morning, Clarissa," she says. "And Nicole. What can I do for you?"

"Apologies for calling on you so early, Sister Simone." Clarissa indicates your cast. "Could this come off today?"

"It should. Actually it should have come off yesterday, but, well." Simone lays a hand on your cast. "It seems to have healed up nicely now, though. The healing magic must have been blocked up for some reason. You aren't under a certain amount of stress, are you, Nicole?"

You have your own suspicions about the sudden rapid recovery of your arm, but it's probably best to keep it short and simple for now. "Some."

"If you ever need a sympathetic ear, you do know where to find me," Simone says. "Let me just.... here, and here."

The cast splits open neatly, the splint inside hinging open as designed. You cautiously flex your fingers; it feels a little stiff from disuse, but you can easily compensate for that.

>[1/?]

"You'll feel a little weak in that arm for a day or two," Simone says. "I'd recommend taking it easy until then."

"Thank you," you say.

"If you don't mind," Simone continues, "we can always pick up our discussion from yesterday."

"Unfortunately, we are in a bit of a rush," Clarissa says smoothly. "But our thanks once more for your care."

Simone takes this polite rejection in stride, waving cheerfully as you leave. Evidently she's used to it.

The next stop is the training courtyard, where a squad of guards are warming up in preparation for their daily training. You recognize the two guards who were on duty at the front gate the day you first arrived at the palace.

Clarissa heads to the armoury first, and confers with Roderick.

"Though a journey may last a thousand steps," Roderick recites, "the first is the most important."

"A good morning to you too, Roderick," Clarissa says. "Do you have those coloured tokens?"

"I do indeed. How many do you need?"

"Ten should be more than sufficient."

Clarissa hands the pouch to you, keeping one token for herself. The tokens are small wooden discs, each the size of a silver coin, painted bright red and yellow.

"Will you be able to handle them?" she asks. "With your arm just out of that cast."

You attach the pouch securely to your belt. "Not a problem."

Clarissa heads back out to the courtyard, and signals the guards to form up. They hastily assemble themselves in a row. Eight guards in total.

"I have a special exercise for you today," Clarissa announces. "I'm sure you know Nicole, our newest squ- knight-apprentice. She will be assisting me in this training exercise today."

You give the guards a sunny smile. A few, including the female half of the pair you met on your first day, smile back. The others look even more apprehensive.

>[2/?]

>>35669421
Oh, she's gonna suggest swordfighting, isn't she.

"As palace guards, it is your duty to maintain the security of the palace. Complacency will be your most dangerous enemy, more than any assassin or spy. To demonstrate this, Knight-Apprentice Nicole will attempt to sneak past all of you."

Wait, what?

"As usual, two guards shall be on duty at the front gate," Clarissa continues. "To represent this, they will take up positions at the entrance to the Great Hall. The rest will patrol inside the palace, on all three floors except for the basement. You will have fifteen minutes to prepare and choose your own positions." She holds up the coloured token. "If you discover this upon your person, that means you have failed. Are there any questions?"

A guard raises his hand. "Excuse me, Knight Captain, but how long will this exercise last?"

"Until you capture Nicole, or I call for the end of the training." Clarissa looks around. "Any other questions? No? Then you may go. Good luck."

The guards scatter, trotting off to their positions as though rehearsed. Which they probably have; these are well-trained guards. You'll have to work a little harder to get past them.

Clarissa turns to you. "I've seen you in action, Nicole," she says. "But I want to see what you can really do. Think of this as a test of your own."

> "Sneaking around. Not very knightly."
> "Anything goes?"
> "Yes, Captain. Will do my best."

>>35669602
> "Yes, Captain. Will do my best."
Orders must be followed.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>35669602
>> "Anything goes?"

>>35669602
> "Yes, Captain. Will do my best."
> "Anything goes?"

>>35669602
> "Yes, Captain. Will do my best."
We are the best Knight Squire Ever.

>>35669631
Knight-apprentice.

>>35669623
Oh please let us use this roll, ahaha.

>>35669602
>Anything goes
>Yes Captain Will do my best

We ninja now

>>35669602
>>35669623
CAN WE HAVE THIS? WHY DID YOU ROLL EARLY?!

>>35669623
Fuck you

>>35669602
> "Sneaking around. Not very knightly."
> "I'll do my best regardless."

>>35669602
>Yes Captain Will do my best

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>35669654
>>35669674
I didn't mean to, forgot to clear the options field from before...

>>35669602
> "Anything goes?"

Right when she says, yes. We hit her.

>>35669623
1d20

Hell why cant we have your roll god damn it we could have use it on the sneaking part

>>35669695
You still haven't cleared it~

>>35669708
Honestly I think it would be better if we fail this test. It would be a lot less suspicious.

>>35669722
Humans can be sneaky too.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

damn you should clear that option one because we could have wasted a good roll

>>35669728
Only humans with a reason to hide.

>>35669722
You would disobey orders? The Captain wishes us to acquire these tokens. We will do so.

>>35669731
Op will maybe let us have the 20?

File: iamnotacleverman.jpg (13 KB, 480x360)

13 KB JPG

>>35669715

>>35669761
I sure hope not. That would be cheating.

>>35669722
it could be with these scenarios

>Clarissa doubt our SUPER KNIGHT APPRENTICE and decides to unroot her secret identity by showing her capabilities are
>Clarissa didnt trust her enough
>Clarissa might ask her to be trained by her
>Clarissa might hire him as an assasin
>Clasrissa might be her long lost imouto

Call me stupid by my own scenarios above since its ridiculous

>>35669771
Totally not cheating. Everyone decided to agree. The 20 in this instance just happened to be very lucky!

>>35669787
First two are most likely

Third and fifth are my favorites.

>>35669761
Pay attention: we have to reverse pickpocket them, not acquire.

>>35669800
OhsorryIjusthavesomuchenergyIwantedtogodothethinganddoitwellfortheCaptain!

>>35669787
>Clarissa might be her long lost imouto

why i haven't think of this?

no no please don't give damp any ideas to make our quest go astray

This is about as far from low profile as you can go. But Clarissa is sanctioning this, which means it counts as a duty of a knight-apprentice.

And with the surge of energy within you, you're longing for an opportunity to really cut loose.

"Anything goes?" you ask. You cannot quite manage to keep the excitement from your voice.

"Don't hurt anyone," Clarissa says evenly. "You are free to use any room that is already open. Rooms with closed doors and offices are off-limits, as are the residential quarters. And I do not need to remind you, but stay away from the tower and the basement."

You can work with that. "Yes, Captain. Will do my best."

The two of you wait in the now-empty courtyard, with Clarissa checking her pocketwatch for the time. Once the fifteen minutes are up, she gives you a nod.

You promptly head to the conference room window.

"Where are you going?" Clarissa asks, curious.

You point to the conference room door, leaning ajar. "Door's open."

"So it is," Clarissa says. "Good luck, Nicole."

> roll 1d20, best of five

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>35669839
WE COULD HAVE HAD A 20

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>35669839

>>35669850
NOBODY ROLL

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>35669839
Let's get a 20 again.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>35669839
ULTIMATE KNIGHT!!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>35669839

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>35669839
Good luck Nicole!!

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>35669839

>>35669856
>>35669850
What sorcery is this?

>>35669850
>>35669856
It's beautiful.

>>35669850 My roll.
Dice gods... You mock me

>>35669856
Dice gods stop. I get it. We have the twenty I'll never complain again

File: AMAZING.gif (1.22 MB, 360x270)

1.22 MB GIF

>>35669850
>>35669856
We got this...

>>35669856
>>35669859
Nevermind

>>35669874
ULTIMATE KNIGHT APPRENTICE IS WHAT IT IS!

>>35669850
>>35669856
>>35669860
>>35669865
>>35669868

SUCCESS

File: 1410073755234.gif (491 KB, 314x177)

491 KB GIF

>>35669856
>>35669850

This is the best quest ever and the best anon rolls ever

I need to mark this as my favorite

>>35669909
Yeah it's getting close to my favorite as well. The dice apparently love us.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

great good luck Nicole-chan

Jesus, a lot of 20's and 14's being rolled right now.

>>35669971
I know, isn't it grand?

File: laughing dice gods.jpg (33 KB, 752x375)

33 KB JPG

>>35669945

>>35669850
>>35669856
Well, guards will be getting training from Drill Sergeant Clarissa now?

Going for quad get

GAMBATTE NICOLE-CHAN

Wouldn't it be fun if we accidentally infiltrate a high security room and bypass proper guards on duty, and not doing an exercise?

>>35669993
No the Captain will praise us for doing a wonderful job. We'll smile actually smile. Then she'll take us back towards our rooms for a well deserved rest. When we turn out back she'll strike us down, knowing us for the assassin we are.

>>35670002
Close, but no sigar

>>35670010
nah anon we would be executed according to the law book nicole borrowed

Intrusion of public secrets? i think?

>>35670002
you fail try harder next time

>>35670046
>This is about as far from low profile as you can go. But Clarissa is sanctioning this, which means it counts as a duty of a knight-apprentice.

It's pretty funny how the only two times we've rolled for practical activities we've got 20's. First time was sword practise

>>35670018
At least we get to die human.

>>35670002
Now you got me curious, lets see who got the quads

>>35669999
>>35670000

>>35669850
>>35669856
>>35669865
>>35669872
Apparently Dice Gods Really want us to succeed in this.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

let me try if it really does have dice god in it

File: hahafuck.jpg (20 KB, 303x301)

20 KB JPG

>>35669850
>>35669856
This reminds me of the time I rolled two nat ones when samefagging a single roll.

>>35670212
Samefagging is a sin to the dice gods.

Has anyone seen my go-

>>35669850
>>35669856
OH FUCK EVERYTHING

>>35670227
The funny part is the third roll was a nat 20.

OP was kinda dumbstruck by it.

>>35670212
The only memorable rolls I've ever had was a nat 100 for subtle sexy flexing, based QM took it and rolled with it.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>35670334
Did you become a pretzel?

File: RollForSexyFlexing.png (1.42 MB, 1332x3096)

1.42 MB PNG

>>35670385
Nah, QM carried it to next thread. Panties were dropped, floor was dripping, women fainted, and bottom lips were bitten.

You slip into the conference room, and survey the Great Hall beyond. Three guards patrolling. Two guards standing watch at the entrance, facing the Great Hall. Not quite optimal, but it doesn't pose a problem.

This means three guards are on the upper floors. You cast your eyes across the architecture, noting decorations, pillars, hanging lamps, hooks, and other advantages. The cathedral the palace is built on is fairly old, which makes for a great many possible handholds.

The three guards on the ground floor of the Great Hall are simple enough. They patrol in a set pattern, which becomes very obvious once you've watched them for a few rounds. Something you'll have to report to Clarissa; evidently their training manual is severely out of date.

You wait until one of the guards at the entrance yawns, which catches the attention of his partner. At that moment, you burst into action, dashing across the Great Hall, easily depositing a token into the pocket one of the patrolling guards, who is too dull to even notice. You end your dash behind a large hanging tapestry, hopping up and grabbing onto a crack in the stonework with your fingertips.

From there, it is only a matter of waiting until guard number two passes by, upon which you drop back lightly to the floor and slip a token into his pocket.

Guard number three is especially slovenly. You feel a little sorry for him as you don't even approach him, but simply toss a token at twenty paces into a pouch hanging wide open at his belt.

>[1/?]

Time for the upper floors. You swarm up a pillar, keeping out of sight of the guards at the entrance and still patrolling below, and hop across to the corridor railing of the second floor. You wait a moment for the guard to pass, and then vault over, providing her with a token at the same time.

You can hear the footsteps of guard number five above you, on the third floor. You dash to the stairwell, and ascend halfway up, out of sight of the previous guard. You wait for guard number five to enter the storeroom to inspect the crates and sacks, on the off-chance you were hiding behind them. You rush to the doorway and jump up, hanging at the top with a split. When the guard finishes his inspection and leaves the storeroom, you drop down behind him to give him a token.

Time for the other side. One guard patrolling the third floor. You handily make it over by climbing up to the wooden beams in the rafters, and shuffling quickly across. The chandeliers look like they might hold your weight, but swinging on them would be far too noisy.

You've not been on this side of the third floor before. It looks quite fancy, including a sizeable dining hall, in which the sixth guard is carefully checking under the tablecloth. So intent is she on this task that she does not notice you drop onto the third floor corridor just outside. You loiter outside until she checks the dumbwaiter at length, at which point you casually walk in, entoken her, and walk back out.

Time for the last two guards. You make your way to the end of the Great Hall above the entrance, and use the improvised handholds to hang directly above them, using the giant flag of Wellsbet as cover.

And you wait.

Soon enough, you hear the expected cry of surprise, as one of the guards discovers your token in their pocket. This distracts the two entrance guards long enough for you to double-palm a token into each of their pockets.

>[2/?]

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>>35670334
You do good work, Mr. Galt.

>>35670456
And we haven't stopped Flexing since

These are some pretty amazing ninja skills. What story is Nicole going to make up for how she acquired them?

>>35670456
There are at least 2-4 cancerous posts in this screenshot.

>>35670588
"Haha, no."

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>>35670481
>>35670498

>>35670588
Sneaking out of her family's mansion so she could be a trap in the village

>>35670588
Street rat who was a good pickpocket.

>>35670588
Us being female, young, small, and our "previous lifestyle" made us acquire that set of skills we just demonstrated in order for us to survive.

Or we could just say.
"I don't really wanna talk about it"
and then look away to the side all sad like, to divert the question. Keep our past behind us and all that jazz.

>>35670588
Just say something along the lines of "I was living on the streets when [WHOMEVER RECOMMENDED US] found me."

>>35670588
What do you mean? Some humans are naturally sneaky.

We must hide from large predators.

Eight guards, eight tokens. The exertion in dashing and climbing has taken its toll on your excess energy levels, reducing it to normal. You feel... pretty much like you always do.

Time to report back to Clarissa.

You stroll out of the front gate, nodding to the two guards on actual duty. Then you make a wide loop around, check for witnesses, take a short run-up, and vault over the high wall surrounding the training courtyard.

You land just behind the armoury, out of sight. You can see Clarissa still standing where she was, waiting for your return.

You take a moment to catch your breath, and stroll out to meet her. Roderick does a double-take when he sees you, but you place a finger on your lips.

You wait until you are right behind Clarissa before speaking. "Captain, why do the guards never look upwards?"

To your slight disappointment, Clarissa only starts a little. "I suppose they do not expect anyone to be agile enough to climb above them," she says. "Are you finished, Nicole?"

"Yes, Captain."

You meekly follow Clarissa back to the Great Hall, where the guards have all congregated, commiserating on their shared misfortune of having been put up against you. "I trust I do not need to elaborate on this lesson," Clarissa announces.

One of the guards, whom you recognize as number five, nods sheepishly. "We never even saw her, Knight Captain. It's like the tokens appeared in our pockets like magic."

"Not magic," Clarissa says. "Just skill. Remember that if Nicole can put a token in your pocket, an assassin of equal skill can put a knife in your back. Or do the same to the people you are sworn to protect." She surveys the chastened group. "I will hold a debriefing in an hour. In the meantime, keep the eight tokens as a reminder to be forever vigilant."

"Nine tokens," you murmur.

>[3/?]

>>35670648
The streets of our small rural town.

>>35670660
Oh boy an unreliable narrator.

>>35670682
Nah we put one on the Captain.

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>>35670682
>expecting reliable narration
>from a human

>>35670682
We had ten tokens and capitan took one, so we had 9.

>>35670694
Nah, re-read when we fiirst got them. Captain kept one for herself.

>>35670709
It's a good thing I'm a duck.

>>35670722
Shit she put it on us? Be weary of that.

>>35670727
No. If the Captain wishes to put us to death with a token we will accept. We are her subordinate.

Clarissa blinks, and reaches into her pocket. "Oh. I see. When was this?"

"Just before I spoke to you outside, Captain."

"Well done, Nicole." Clarissa looks at the extra token in her hand. "I suppose even I need to be cured of hubris now and again."

You breathe a small sigh of relief. Clarissa looks impressed, rather than angry at your little prank.

After Clarissa dismisses the guards, she leads you to her office. Taking a seat behind her desk, she bids you to sit as well. "Tell me what the guards need to improve in, Nicole."

You summarize the route you took through the palace. Clarissa notes down your recommendations, interrupting only for the occasional clarification.

"Thank you, Nicole." She cocks her head to the side. "I assume you have a few questions of your own for me."

> "Do you test your guards like this very often?"
> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

>>35670752
> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

>>35670752
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"

>>35670752
> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"

>>35670752
>How did you know I could do it?
>Is that really what a knight apprentice does?

>>35670752
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training? I don't feel what I did was very chivalrous."

>>35670752
>"Do you test your guards like this very often?"

>>35670752
>> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"
>> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

>>35670752
> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

Revealing our talents was probably a good thing, if she already knew about them. If we hid them, we seem like a spy. Now, even if we are a spy, we at least aren't a physically harmful one and willing to use our talents to aid in some ways.

>>35670752
>"How did you know I could do it, Captain?"

Keeping skills like these hidden is a pretty good idea, make sneaking around easier if people don't see it coming or expect it.

> "How did you know I could do it, Captain?"
> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

We need to know so we can plan our way out in case we are under suspision

> "Was what I did truly part of my knight-apprentice training?"

This is a stupid question, she said it was just something to work off Nicole's energy, we could have said no. Ostensibly nobody ever said anything about this being training, even if this had the side effect of improving palace security for everyone.

Honestly I'm starting to think Nicole doesn't actually know where she gets these abilities or what she is...

We may want to come clean with the Don't fucking know.

>>35670847
We don't know, but I think she does.

I really like this MC/players knowledge disconnect.

>>35670847
Maybe she have willingly submitted to some memory altering spells to properly inflitrate the castle.

>>35670867
Nah she's an assassin construct. She only has the number of memories necessary to complete her objective. The night we rolled 1's we snapped into who Nicole actually is and attempted to remove the captain.

Don't worry this false personal will shatter eventually and we will kill her.

>>35670899
We've already attacked her once. Seems likely it will happen again.

>>35670899
We've actually been sent by her family to kill her if she doesn't get married, so the succession can pass to a younger sister, one who's more likely to marry.

That why we see her as a master - she's one of the family.

However, we still fulfill the command if she gets hitched, which is why we notice something like Victor's attentions so readily.

QM's twitter:
>As a note, we got mad Social Points with Clarissa for that.


Seems like we didn't rouse any unwanted suspicion.

>>35670847
Well, I strongly believe Nicole is a fairy

>>35670978
"Mon Capitan" yuri route underway!

>>35670998
Yes, she's an elf

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>>35670950
So we're a magically programmed yandere, except instead of killing her if she doesn't get with us, we kill her if she doesn't make an advantageous marriage?

>>35671010
Yes please.

>>35670978
Seems like she bought the very talented waif act. Good.

>>35671010
I'd enjoy that. Explains why she's not married.

>>35671037
B-but she doesn't have elven ears

>>35671081
Maybe we're thinking of elf in the wrong context. Maybe she's a Drow.

>>35671081
The elven-folk are tricksy types. Do not let your guard down around them, or they'll beguile you with their fae witchcraft. Never truly trust your senses around an elf.

>>35671132
Drow assassin Golem?

I was hoping for dragon to be totally honest.

>>35671167
I feel we can quite honestly say we truly have no idea what the hell Nicole is, besides sneaky, good with daggers, older than she looks, good with magic and languages.

So, hang in there dude, we could still be a dragon.

>>35671132
>>35671167

How about a Gnome that casts Enlarge Person on herself at regular intervals?

>>35670752
Wait? Did we just do custodes blood games

>>35671132
They(Drow) are described as black-skinned and pale haired in appearance, around 5-feet tall and slight of build with somewhat sharp features, with large eyes and large pointed ears.
~wikipedia

So close

>>35671241
Gnomes a shit.

>>35671229
Aww Yes hope for Dragons

>>35671272
Drow/Drark elf.

If she made her ears hide maybe we made her skin tone lighter?

>>35671277
At least they're not Kender