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LAST WE LEFT OFF:

You return to the ship to wait for the Cloaked Pilgrim and Sensible Doctor, but when you arrive there is someone you don’t recognize standing on deck. It’s a handsome looking devil in a shining suit. His glossy black horns and tail are tipped with white flames like that of lit magnesium and a scattered mess of dark and white freckles cover the dark brown flesh of his cheeks and nose. His hair and eyes are both a pure and radiant white, as are the teeth you see when he smiles at your approach.

“It’s about time you got back, I was worried I’d have to go looking for you.”

>Do I know you?
>How the fuck did you get on my ship?
>What do you want?

>>39975126
>Do I know you?
Good to see you again.

>>39976095
The devil blinks, his glorious smile faltering momentarily before he rallies.

“Oh! You noticed me in the market, did you? I do hope you found everything you needed.”

>Yes, I did.
>Actually, I was hoping to find _____
>Why are you here?

>>39975074
I really like the OP art. What's the sauce?

>>39976293
http://eranfolio.deviantart.com/art/After-the-Storm-377255762

>>39976223
>Yes, I did.

The good to see you was actually directed at YOU, Pel

>>39976480
Thank you.

>>39976548
"How wonderful! I'd hate to think you'd find our market confusing or unwelcoming." That smile would be dazzling even if his teeth didn't literally shine. "You're a new face in the Republic, you know! I know most of the sailors that come here already but I've never seen you before." He leans forward, resting both hands on his gleaming cane. "Why have you come?"

>Tell the truth
>Tell the truth, but leave out the part about the Cloaked Pilgrim
>Make up a lie

>>39976646
>Tell the truth, but leave out the part about the Cloaked Pilgrim
I've decided to map out the sea of dreams, and a few of the crew wanted to stop here for shore leave.

“An explorer? How brave! The quiescent sea tends to eat you sorts alive before they’ve sailed a mile!” He laughs, looks around, and then leans forward conspiratorially. “Would you be open to the idea of taking on another passenger?”

“Didn’t you just say it was deadly?” The Scholar cuts in.

“Well, yes, but if you’ve made it this far you’re clearly doing something right. I’ve caught something of a wanderlust, you see. I want to make memories of my own, not just trade in those of other people!”

>Let him on, but make him pay for it
>Let him on for free
>Deny him, he’s a devil for god’s sake

>>39976862
>Let him on, but make him pay for it
And make sure he knows that we don't accept memories as currency

>>39976862
>Let him on, but make him pay for it

memories don't count as currency.

>>39977006
By god, I'm not alone! At last!

“Of course! Anything you wish! Perhaps one of our finest rifles? Or new, high quality, supplies? Or I could have this ship fixed! It does seem to have taken a beating.” He spreads his arms. “Name it and it’s yours, I am not lacking when it comes to funds.”

>Rifle
>Supplies
>Ship repair
>Something else (specify)

>>39977208
>>Rifle

“That’s what I would have chosen myself! Do you hunt? I’m sure there is marvelous amount of game out on the islands. I’ll have the rifle delivered to your ship promptly. While we wait, perhaps you’ll join me for supper? Your crew was right to stop here for shore leave, the Republic is bursting with delights, I’m sure we can find one that will interest you.”

>Accept
>Don’t accept, who knows that devils eat
>Accept but bring the Scholar, you’re not spending time alone with a devil

>>39977771
>Accept but bring the Scholar, you’re not spending time alone with a devil
I'm sure scholar would be very interested in what devils eat.

>>39977771
>>Accept but bring the Scholar, you’re not spending time alone with a devil

Rolled 14 (1d20)

Rolling for supper

You have to hand it to the devil, there is only the barest flicker of annoyance on his face when you refuse to go with him alone. He bows gracefully to the Scholar. “Of course, I wouldn't dream of not inviting such a beautiful lady.” He says smoothly. Swinging his cane over his shoulder, he proceeds down the gangplank. “Come on,” He adds, glancing back at you with a smile.

As it turns out, what devils eat is food. The most tender steak you have ever eaten is accented by perfectly cooked asparagus and a red wine sauce. His conversation is erudite if a little unspecific, and he listens with apparent fascination as the Zealous Scholar talks of her theories. The wine, although red, is of a sort you’ve never had before and you can not recognize the language that the label is written in. The night ends on a good note, and you return to the ship feeling warm and satisfied. To your delight, there is an exquisitely crafted pearlescent white rifle waiting for you there.

You have accepted the Luminous Devil on to your ship.

>Speak with the Zealous Scholar
>Speak with the Luminous Devil
>Spend some time relaxing alone

>>39978113
>>Speak with the Luminous Devil

>>39978113
>>Spend some time relaxing alone

>>39978113
>Speak with the Luminous Devil

“My captain!” He spreads his arms, spirits high. “I do hope you enjoyed dinner. I found it quite delightful, personally. I’ll admit that I am a little wary of the switch to ship food, but at least the company will be good! What can I do for you?”

>Is it really just wanderlust?
>What is it you do?
>Try to get more goods out of him

>>39978305
>>What is it you do?

Tell him we can rent part of our hold and our chef's skills to him if he'd like to bring his own food.

>>39978305
>>What is it you do?

“Oh, no.” He laughs. “It’s not like any of it would keep. Some hard living will be good for me anyway. It will toughen me up, you know, build character!”

“I’m a mechanical engineer. It’s a fairly common career in the Republic, but it’s no lie to say I’m one of the best.” You ask him why an engineer’s clothing is so clean and he laughs again. “I told you, I’m one of the best.” He runs a hand through his shining hair and winks. “The fabric helps too, of course. It’s special, not made anywhere outside of the Republic.”

>The best mechanical engineer decided to run off on a random ship?
>Could you build me something?
>End the conversation

>>39978532
>The best mechanical engineer decided to run off on a random ship?

>>39978532
>>Could you build me something?

>>39978532
>>The best mechanical engineer decided to run off on a random ship?

“Is that really so hard to believe? Do people where you’re from never get bored of success? Do they never wish for something… New? There’s an entire ocean at our doorstep and most of us never see more than an island or two. I’m curious. The Republic can do without me for a bit.” You ask if he can build something for you.

“Well, I suppose given the right materials I could make you just about anything. I- Who is that?”

The Sensible Doctor ascends the gangplank, taking off her smoky glasses. The republic still shines, but it is a little less overwhelming at night. “Well, that’s one island off the list.” She says. Her voice is level, but you can see the faint glitter of tears in her eyes. “I’m going sleep.”

>Comfort her
>Let her be

>>39978742
>I’m going sleep
should be
>I'm going to sleep

First typo of the thread. Sorry guys.

>>39978742
>>Comfort her

>>39978742
>>Let her be

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>39978867
>>39978973
Guys.
Guys you can't do both.
I'm going to flip a coin

The Doctor takes pride in her control of her emotions, she would probably be uncomfortable if you confronted her about them, even to help. You stay back and let her head to the cabin. The Luminous Devil, however, does not. He steps up to her and asked what happened and what she is looking for. She tells him of her father and of how she did not find him in the Republic.

“Are you sure he’s alive? Have you checked the Cliffs of Sorrow?” He asks, concern in his voice. “If he’s a native of the sea and he’s dead, they’ll know.”

“No, I haven’t.” She looks over to you. “Can we?”

>Yes (this will mark the Cliffs of Sorrow on your map)
>No
>We can stop there if we pass by it

>>39979239
>>Yes (this will mark the Cliffs of Sorrow on your map)

Maybe we'll find something interesting there.

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The Sensible Doctor thanks you gratefully before leaving. The Luminous Devil gives you the coordinates of the Cliffs of Sorrow. “He won’t be there if he still lives, but it should ease the girl’s mind to know if he’s alive or dead don’t you think?”

Shortly after the Devil retires to his cabin, the darkness wrapped figure of the Cloaked Pilgrim steps on to the ship. It says it must now be returned to the Temple of Twilight and gives you the bearing you need to take to get there. Without any more talk, it turns to leave.

>Let it go
>Ask what it wanted from the Republic

>>39979623
>Ask what it wanted from the Republic

“That is my business, not yours.” It snaps then, after a pause, seems to soften a little. “Perhaps you will be told when we arrive at the Temple.”

>Press it for information
>Move on (pick a direction)

>>39979752
>Move on (pick a direction)
E

Hit the cliffs, then head to the temple

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>39979901
Down to just you again, eh?
Rolling to sail

>>39979996
Yep, looks like it.
Definitely a déjà-vouz moment.

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By midday you hear the now somewhat familiar sound of something large, wet, and alive being dragged up on to the deck. You rush from your quarters to save the Zealous Scholar from her current misadventure, only to find her on her knees gutting a fish larger than a person. The Luminous Devil watches with interest as the red viscera spills out, staining the Scholar’s dress. She looks up and waves the knife in a bloody hand as you near.

“I think this one’s edible!” She calls. “I’ll send the meat of it down to the cook once I’ve taken the bits I need!”

>Help her dissect the fish
>Join the Devil on the crates to wait
>Tell her not to send the meat to the cook, you don’t want to risk it

>>39980200
>>Join the Devil on the crates to wait
Looks like we'll be eating well after all.

>>39980200
>Help her dissect the fish
I spent most of today filleting fish. I'm up for more.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>39980262
>>39980374
My kingdom for an odd number of players.
Flipping a coin.

The Devil smiles brightly as you join him, offering to share his bag of dried fruit and nuts while you watch. Apparently the bloody scene doesn’t put him off his food in the slightest. He munches on small handfuls, tail twitching idly as he watches the Scholar work.

“What do you think she does with that stuff?” He asks as she puts some nameless greenish organ into a jar. “I mean, I know she studies it, but for what purpose? Do you ever wonder? Whatever she’s doing with it, it seems to make her happy, which I suppose is the most important thing.”

The Zealous Scholar finishes with the fish and the crew drag the body below deck to be cooked. The Devil stands and walks over to the slowly spreading pile of blood and guts, bending down to pick up something from the gore. He picks it up and returns to you, holding it out. It is a jeweled necklace, although what jewels exactly are obscured by the blood that drips from it. The blood, you notice, that does not seem to stick to the Devil’s shining white gloves.

“For you?”

>Accept the necklace
>Turn it down, you don’t want a mystery fish necklace

>>39980663
>>Accept the necklace
Loot get.

The Devil takes out a handkerchief and cleans the necklace before handing it over it you with a smile. It’s a golden chain with sharp, narrow, diamond shaped gemstones in a plethora of colors hanging from it.

>Wear it
>Store it somewhere safe

No matter what you vote, please also select a direction to sail in.

>>39980861
>Store it somewhere safe
God knows, wearing it might constitute engagement in his culture.

E

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>39981081
Sailing

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The air is fresh and still lit by the glow from the Republic of Dawn. The Luminous Devil spends as much time with the crew as you do if not more. You frequently see him telling jokes or asking them, with that seems to be genuine interest, to explain what they’re doing. As far as you can tell, the crew likes him. Eventually, however, he runs in to the Cloaked Pilgrim and this conversation that transpires:

LD: Excuse me, do I know you?
CP: No.
LD: Are you quite sure? I feel as though we’ve met.
CP: Yes. No.
LD: Not very talkative, are you. Where did you get that cloak?
CP: Go away.
LD: Alright, alright. Goodness, I was just trying to make conversation.

>Speak to one of the about it (Pick one)
>Move on (Pick a direction)

>>39981336
>Speak to one of the about it (Pick one)
LD
Let him know it's nothing against him. S/he's like that with everyone.

>>39981336
>Move on (Pick a direction)
East

Rolled 3 (1d20)

I can do both of those at once!
Sailing.

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“Good to know.” The Luminous Devil chuckles. “I really do think I’ve seen them somewhere before though. Something about the way they move seems… Familiar.” He shakes his head, then smiles and shrugs. “Oh well, can’t be right all the time I suppose.”

You chat about the state of the crew the the Devil for a while before he strolls off to some other part of the ship.

---

The next day dawns on an argument, you hurry towards the sound of raised voices, arriving in time to have the Sensible Doctor storm past you in a huff. You look over at the only other person in the area, the Luminous Devil, who smiles apologetically and spreads his hands.

“Look, how was I to know that asking her about her romantic entanglements was off limits?”

>Find and calm the Doctor
>Scold the Devil
>Move on (pick direction)

>>39982027
>Move NE

Also, how much ammo do we have for our rifle? Do we have any shipboard weapons?

>>39982299
You have 19 bullets for your rifle, which is single shot.

You have no shipboard weapons

Rolled 19 (1d20)

Sailing

>>39982456
Man, you guys are unlucky aren't you?
Writing.

>>39982535
Is it a roll under system?

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The screams of thousands of birds and the crashing of waves fill the air. You can not get the taste of salt from your mouth no matter how much water you drink. You near the Cliffs of Sorrow.

The wind suddenly grow strong and the sailors scramble to get a hold of something as the ship broaches, heeling heavily and causing all the supplies to slide to one side. The crashing sound of splintering wood tells you that you’re going to be out some supplies. Your crew members shout to each other over the wind, trying to close the sails and regain control of the ship.

>Help the crew
>Make sure your passenger is safe (pick one)
>Keep yourself safe

>>39982547
No.
But 19 is literally the worst possible thing you could roll while sailing.

>>39982625
>Help the crew

Rolled 20 (1d20)

Helping the crew

>>39982898
Well.
Damn.

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You leap into action, grabbing the waving ropes and hauling up the sails. The gusts of wind are so strong it’s a struggle to keep your footing. The crew has an even harder time of it, one of them tossed into the air by a rope he was trying to control. You secure your rope and rush to catch him, saving him from a possibly fatal landing amongst the sharp splinters of wood and glass from the broken crates.

Moments later, just as quickly as it came, the wind is gone. You look over your bow towards the approaching mass of the Cliffs of Sorrow. Candles cover the cliffside, burning on every ledge and inside every cranny. Large six-winged serpents and small white bone gulls fill the air, their screams mixing together into mournful wails. The sailors, still shaken from the wind, mutter prayers and you can not control the tears that stream down your cheeks. A small shrine with a dock is carved in to the base of the cliffs.

As you dock, an old man in grey-brown robes emerges from the shrine.

>Tell him why you’re here
>Ask him who he is
>Ask him for supplies to replace the ones you lost

>>39983017
>>Ask him for supplies to replace the ones you lost

>>39983017
>Tell him why you’re here

You wipe the salty tears from your cheeks, taking a small comfort in knowing that the same tears are falling from the eyes of your sailors. You tell the old man that you are an explorer and that one of your passengers wants to know if her father is dead. He listens silently, nodding as you tell him what happened and of your need for new supplies. When he speaks his voice is dry and crackles with age.

“Yes, the sea is treacherous. I’m sure something can be worked out. Please, follow me. And bring the one who wishes to know about her father.”

>Do as he says
>Just send the Doctor, you need to make sure your ship is okay

>>39983153
>Do as he says
Leave our crew with orders to do a full inspection of the ship and supplies

You get the Sensible Doctor from the ship (she’s a little bruised, but fine) and the two of you follow the old man in to the shrine. It is cut straight into the white chalky stone of the cliffs and filled with baskets of unlit candles. He picks up one of the baskets and starts slowly up one of the many narrow staircases that branch out from the walls of the shrine.

“Come with me. Tell me of your father while I do my rounds.”

You follow the old man as he climbs the long and winding staircase. Every so often he stops, lights a candle, and slides it through one of the cracks in the walls. Many other tunnels of stairs branch out from the one you walk, some going up, some doing down. The Sensible Doctor tells him what she knows about her father. How she looks quite a bit like him, how her mother met him once while visiting the Dreamer’s Market. How he left her mother after only a few days.

At the top of the staircase he stops, light streaming in through the slightly larger than normal cracks. He lights a candle and holds it out to the Doctor.

“Burn yourself.”

---

And we're done for the night.
We start half an hour later tomorrow, at 5 pm EST

Oh, and the quest Twitter is
https://twitter.com/PelorusQM

Thanks for running.