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>>42606805

You resume being Ellen for the next... Well, for the rest of her life from her standpoint, but for the next several hours from the perspective of readers, players, viewers.

At the moment, as most of your friends help brace Bord Village for the inevitable retaliation from the Emperor's Flight, rebels throughout Cord, and Manaketes, and your girlfriend is off telling one of your allies to send for help, you've been tasked with sitting, making sure the female fire dragon doesn't try to pull anything in the detention center.

Your fellow muscular Orsin survivor, former drunkard-current self-described knight in shining armor Reese, is also currently on said watch. Gil and Gertrude, the grandson and grandmother who lead the local guard, will be in shortly.

"She hasn't woken up since she was taken out..." Reese says, "wouldn't it be better just to constantly have less-skilled guards posted?"

>A. He has a point
>B. Heavy sleep is apparently a Manakete thing
>C. It could happen anytime
>D. Write-in dialogue
>E. Remain silent

>>42606989
>>B. Heavy sleep is apparently a Manakete thing

I've been waiting for this.
>B. Heavy sleep is apparently a Manakete thing
>C. It could happen anytime

>>42607022
>>42607224
"Well, when I spoke to her brother back in Rakche, I learned that apparently Manaketes just... Sleep heavily as a rule. I mean, after what almost happened, I don't blame her for taking her time... Regardless, it could happen anytime, and we don't know what Manaketes are fully capable of, even if they're untransformed."

Reese closes his eyes and nods, folding his arms and leaning up against the wall. "And yet we're going to have more coming here... Listen, Ellen, it just won't be wise to spare them all, even if Fire Dragons are endangered or whatever. Liberation of the Cord region takes precedence over ensuring family reunions."

After several minutes of quiet after that, you hear tired mumbling behind you, both turning and seeing the anonymous redheaded not-actually-a-teenager stir.

"I'm alive..." She rubs her red eyes and gazes at you for a moment before raising her voice, "y-you! You're the one who..." She rises up before clutching herself and wincing, still sore apparently. Reese started towards you in that moment before stopping, apparently remembering the whole "the fire dragon is stuck behind bars" thing.

Adopting a more serious expression, Reese says, "you've been captured by the same forces you almost set ablaze. You're extremely lucky to have been saved."

"But... Why? Why was I saved? This... Isn't cold enough for me to have been shipped back up North, either, so it's not a bounty you're after."

>A. You did because Michalis
>B. You did (don't explain why)
>C. Stay silent
>D. Say something else (write-in)

>>42607500
>A. You did because Michalis

>>42607500
>A. You did because Michalis

>>42607542
>>42607689
"I did." She looks at you quizzically, leading you to continue, "well, I mean... one of our healers did, technically, but I convinced them to."

She responds, "that... doesn't explain WHY, especially after stabbing me with your friend, after I killed that other fellow..."

"No, he's alright," Reese interrupts.

"Anyway, I just... Michalis is a friend of ours."

Presumably imagining implications that aren't there, she bellows, "what have you done to my brother?! Where is he?!" She looks... Enraged. You wonder how long she and Michalis have been separated like this.

>A. Let Reese handle this
>B. Write-in Dialogue
>C. He's fine
>D. He's somewhere very far away
>E. You don't know

>>42607900
>He's currently in Ulir, with our allies

>>42607900
>>C. He's fine
"He's with the Great Miles, apparently they rescued him from the Ice Authority, and I've spoken to him before. Once I heard you crying out for him while you were dying, I put one and one together, and I figured that you would be one of his loved ones."

>>42608013
>>42608020
"Relax, please, he's not hurt! He's... Started traveling with a mercenary company called the Great Miles, all of them nice people... They were up in the mountains and saved him from... Reese, what'd they say that Ice Dragon's name was?"

"Ornery or something. It was awhile ago, I wouldn't remember."

"Ormr..." The girl calms down.

You continue, "I... heard you mention him when you almost died, and I figured it out pretty quickly, since he... Mentioned a sister."

"Yes, that's me... So you only saved me because I'm his sister?"

>A. Yep
>B. Uh...
>C. Write-in dialogue
>D. Remain silent

>>42608234
>A. Yep
>You did attack us after all, speaking of which, why were you working with Dain?

>>42608301
Second.

>>42608301
>>42608418
"Yeah, that's about it."

She seems a bit... Taken aback by your honesty for a moment, or at least surprised. "So if I hadn't said that, you would've had no reason to spare me..."

"Yeah, pretty much. Why were you working with Dain to begin with, though? We've heard that Arion guy's piece, but..."

Now it's her turn to interrupt with, "the Emperor's Flight saved us from an ambush by the Ice Authority. We... All would have been killed there. It's not wise to travel in groups as Fire Dragons, but... We'd all come to depend on each other. We... unanimously decided to aid them in return."

Reese asks, "who? How many allies do you have?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Reese sighs. "It was worth a shot. How'd you get separated from your brother, anyway?"

The fire dragon sighs. "There was a settlement that was sympathetic to us, that our group was traveling through... Ice Dragons came and froze the whole place over. A few of us died, Michalis decided to play the hero and draw them Southwards... I suppose he eluded them after that, but we had no idea what became of him, and no one else would let me give chase."

Reese continues to contribute. "His story was that he laid low in a settlement in that Orville-"

"Ormr."

"-that Ormr guy's territory, the Great Miles came into town shortly before Icebreath and his thugs caught him. Then he died."

You and Reese mention that Michalis is helping out the side opposite to the one she's on, that the Great Miles are in the middle of a mission securing an ally against Dain. Reese seems to think it'll have some effect on her, but Gil and Gertrude return while she ponders your words.

"Anything happen?" The hairy fellow asks, his grandmother staring down the cell.

>A. See for yourself
>B. She's awake
>C. Write-in
>D. Remain silent

>>42608814
>She's awake.
>Doesn't seem like she's going to try to rip out our throat fist chance either

>>42608814
>B. She's awake

>>42608894
>>42608904
"Er... She's awake."

"Captain Gertrude, Sir Gil... Turning on the Emperor's Flight will not end well."

Reese asks, "hey, are you really in a place to be making threats, miss..."

"Misheil. And it's... simply restating a warning. I didn't intend it as a threat."

"Odd name for a girl..." Gil remarks.

"A name is a name for us."

"Fair enough, Misheil. Anyway, Ellen, Reese nana and I have this covered. Thank you for taking our place."

"No problem, Sir Gil. You're the one we ought to be thanking for this immense risk," Reese replies before you and him show yourselves out of the detention center.

Your acquaintance says once you're out of the people inside's earshot, "do you think she'll reconsider based on what we've told her?"

>A. Maybe
>B. Not a chance
>C. Why do you care?
>D. Write-in dialogue
>E. Remain silent

>>42609245
>A. Maybe

>>42609245
>A. Maybe
We should question Michalis about how many Manaketes they had.

Also, did anything happen with the other manakete that we captured? The second one I think

>>42609327
Arion's just in a dungeon close to Rakche, similar to Ahua.

>>42609370
So he's not gunna be joining us any time soon?

>>42609417
He was far more passionate about helping Lars' allies than Misheil is. He wouldn't consider it.

>>42609284
>>42609327
"It... Is a real possibility, so maybe, but don't go counting on it."

Reese nods. "Of course, of course. I'm not a fool, Ellen. Still, though, to know it's a possibility is reassuring... That brother of hers sounds like a real standup kid, though. Wish I'd gotten to know him better when he was in town."

Monica is the first of the Pegasus sisters to return, with about a half-dozen Nomads.

Quidel, present for the group's arrival alongside Salia, asks, "is this truly all that they could've spared? We're expecting a very large assault."

One of them shakes her head. "Lady Aylen was leading a group about thrice this one's size, but... We were ambushed by rebels, and then a pair of dragons... Those of us you see here are the only survivors on either side."

"But... I don't see my older sister, and you say she was leading you. You mean to imply..."

"...our condolences, Sir Quidel."

Thankfully, Cheryl's arrival with a good amount of Garou was much less bloody on your allies' ends.

"Miss us, chief?" Vaga asks his sister. Ella, you would later find out, was left in charge of the home front of the Garou Mountains.

"It's... good to see you again, Vaga," Dama says. "We found out that Quidel lost his sister to the rebels, and I've been... Extremely worried since then."

"Ah, shit, really?"

Dama nods. "The prince and princess are trying to comfort him, but..."

Vaga is off after them after that.

Still no word from Zoe or the mages Corneria promised.

>A. She's just running a bit late
>B. You're a bit worried
>C. You're a worried mess already
>D. You have other things on your mind! (specification preferred)

>>42609870
>B. You're a bit worried, but you're sure you're just being paranoid

>>42609870
>A. She's just running a bit late
>B. You're a bit worried

>>42609935
>>42609938
Okay, okay, breathe in, Ellen.

She's just running a little late.

She's still the least experienced of her sisters, and is being overly cautious at worst.

The mages would have to be the furthest away from where Al and Tena appeared, so Zoe is realistically the safest of the three, and Cheryl and Monica made it back fine!

Okay, yeah, you're worried sick. That doesn't mean you don't have faith in Zoe's abilities, though!

>A. Keep watch for Zoe in particular
>B. Keep watch for enemies (someone else is doing this already)
>C. Check up on Cheryl and Monica
>D. Check up on Quidel
>E. Check up on Misheil
>F. Speak to someone else (specify)
>G. Write-in action?
>H. Skip to the next major event out of your control

>>42610147
>>A. Keep watch for Zoe in particular
>C. Check up on Cheryl and Monica

>>42610147
>A. Keep watch for Zoe in particular
>C. Check up on Cheryl and Monica

>>42610172
>>42610218
At first, you checked up on Cheryl and Monica.

"Really, Monica, it's... Fine to let it all out!" Cheryl still has her optimistic tone, but the aura of bubbliness isn't present.

"Let what out, Cheryl? I've already told you, I'm... Going to be fine."

"You're always doing 'fine!' It's okay to admit you're not, though!"

"You're one to talk."

During a later discussion with Cheryl, you would find out that Monica considered Aylen to be a friend during Salia's tenure in Tarvos Valley, as well as a few of the other nomads whose names were announced by the survivors.

"I don't think she's fine at all!" Cheryl says in that "my optimism is breaking" voice you find yourself starting to recognize, "but she just always shuts herself in deeper when she's lost someone. Always has."

"Er, right. I... Think I'll go keep watch for Zoe."

"That'll be nice. I'd like some good news!"

>A. Say something more to Cheryl (specify)
>B. On second thought, do something else (write-in)
>C. Skip to the next major event

>>42610489
>Check up on Quidel

>>42610680
"Er... On second thought, I... Think I'd like to check up on Quidel."

Cheryl nods. "I understand I'll look out for Zoe in the meantime!"

You nod and part ways, asking around for wherever Quidel is mourning. Instead, you find Vaga and Garrus waiting around outside.

"Looks like he's not seeing anyone but the princess, boss."

Garrus nods. "Salia's... trying to talk to him. No word on if she's making any progress or not..."

>A. Try to get through anyway
>B. You understand
>C. Say something else (write-in)

>>42611005
>B. You understand

>>42611005
Unless someone else wants to try the whole Pathos thing because I'm not good at it
>B. You understand

>>42611085
>>42611102
"...yeah, I get it. So you two are just hanging around here?"

They nod.

"Right, so... What else?"

"Think Quidel's gonna confess already?" Vaga asks, trying to keep the conversation from lingering on the recent deaths.

"The, uh... Timing might be a bit poor..." Aand Garrus undermines that, probably unintentionally.

"Yeah, I guess... Hell, though, even they both know it. It's bound to come up eventually."

>A. Say something (write-in)
>B. Nothing more of note. Skip to the next major event.

>>42611403
>Go watch for Zoe

>>42611434
Second.

>>42611434
>>42611476
You excuse yourself from the conversation to rejoin Cheryl. A bit more venting about Monica leads to bringing up her parents' demise/Cheryl basically becoming the new parent, leading to a discussion about parenthood, upon which you are you don't have all that much interest, and it's not like you and Zoe can exactly have one, nor do you believe that either of you would want anyway. Cheryl, despite her self-admitted continued lack of romantic feelings, actually is interested in being a parent one day ("Maybe if I found a friend who wouldn't think that was weird. It's not weird, right?" You had no comment).

To make a long story short, Zoe doesn't return still, and eventually Getrude and two guards appear. The elder tells you both, "Wyverns... East... Dragons and rebels, South..."

The senile woman's words are more than enough information, and you and Cheryl are off to prepare.

>A. You're ordered to guard the Northeastern entrance from the Emperor's Flight
>B. You're ordered to guard the Southern entrance from incoming dragons and rebels
>C. You are benched.

>>42611753
>B. You're ordered to guard the Southern entrance from incoming dragons and rebels
I can't wait for our sword

>>42611753
>B. You're ordered to guard the Southern entrance from incoming dragons and rebels

>Says he won't kill off Zoe, Kills her off anyways!
Jee thanks octo.

>>42611860
She's not dead man, no need to shadowrun so hard.

If she's in trouble we'll at least get a chance to save her, have some faith

>>42611860
She's just running late, anon.

>>42611899
Sure she is.

>>42611969
I am literally saying she is alive, will not be gone long, and was sent in the least dangerous direction of all three of the sisters. The mages just aren't as good at getting around the valleys as the wolves or nomads.

>>42611969
Please anon, just take his word.

>>42611804
>>42611860
The likes of Garrus, Cheryl, Monica, Eva, and your various archers (minus the still badly-wounded Mitchell) were sent to counter the Emperor's Flight, with the exception of Quidel, who seems to have come out of his trance hell-bent on avenging his elder sister.

"Quidel, are you... Certain you're alright?" Byron asks the horse-archer.

He nods. "These rebels will pay for what they've done to Aylen, to so many of our people..."

Reese is the first to try to tell deaf ears that the people who killed them are already dead.

"Quidel's an angry sorta guy," Vaga explains to Reese, "just let him project."

Salia, with the rare sight of a bow awkwardly slung over her shoulder, also runs over. "I'm not going to let you do something that'll get you killed, Quidel. Not alone!"

"Salia, get back. These dastard traitors would gut you too!"

>A. Support Quidel
>B. Support Salia
>C. Stay out of this
>D. Write-in

>>42612332
>A. Support Quidel

>>42612332
>B. Support Salia
She's got to get combat experience eventually, we'll protect her in Zoes place since Garrus is at the other gate.

>>42612332
Also, er, out of the people not mentioned as part of either party in that post.

TEAM GARRUS: Yvette, Katina, Bolse, Bovis, Logan

TEAM ELLEN: Nat, Gorman, Laurina, Biff, Stefyn, Dama

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>42612438
>>42612454

>>42612613
"Look, Quidel's right... I'm still not sure you're ready for something like this. Apparently, the full number of the Emperor's Flight wasn't counted in the Northeast, and Lars and Khozen haven't been spotted, so... Maybe you'd be safer sticking with them if you HAVE to fight..."

Salia doesn't sound all too pleased in her response. "But... Quidel, you're just gonna get yourself killed if no one is watching out for you!"

"We'll watch each other's backs, your highness," you assure the princess, lifting up your Steel Sword to demonstrate."

"Urgh, fine... I'd better see you unharmed again, alright, Quidel?" She faces him, her tone becoming tender yet remaining demanding.

He nods, dismounting briefly to wrap his arms around her. "Same with you... Retreat immediately if things get grim on the Northeast end."

She nods and nuzzles into his chest for several moments, and you and the others turn your eyes towards the South, letting them have their moment.

It's not entirely fair to say NO Emperor's Flight members headed this way. Tena, one of the members formerly keeping tabs on Bord, is very likely to be among the primarily-rebel and manakete forces. Probably even leading them.

>A. Head out to meet whatever may come
>B. Wait here
>C. Write-in?

>>42612801
>B. Wait here
>Talk to Laurina

What are our support bonds like anyways

>>42613009
I've sort of started to lose track. I could probably take a few minutes and sort something semi-conclusive out, but. It's always kinda hard to apply without feeling inaccurate to me.

>>42613031
Fuhgetaboutit then

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>>42612904
You wait around, speaking to Laurina and Gorman as you await the approach of your side's opponents.

"You guys ready?"

Laurina nods, and Gorman says, "of course. I wonder if Derrick and Lars will make late appearances..."

"Derrick was your friend, right?" Laurina asks.

Gorman nods. "Gods, though, it's been years since we've seen each other. I wonder if we could even recognize each other now."

Naturally, you wouldn't know. From behind you, you hear Vaga quip, "alright, you two gonna get a room, or can we have Quidel back?"

"Right... Be safe, Salia."

"You said that..." She sounds amused, despite her word choice. "You too."

With that, she heads off through the town to the Northeastern entrance thereof.

With a Wyvern Lord at the head of a bunch of infantry and the odd tan, hooded figure (you see at least two from over here), opponents start coming in from the South.

>A. Wait for them to approach
>B. Head out to meet them
>C. Write-in?

>>42613239
>A. Wait for them to approach

>>42613303
The Wyvern Lord in the lead is the first to stop, brandishing a Levin Sword. Stefyn is able to dodge a resulting blast of thunder magic, so Tena quickly changes her target to Reese for her next strike.

The much slower knight has a much harder time dodging, cringing, being brought to his knee, and sizzling somewhat in his armor. "Hrg... That's got a kick to it!"

>A. Try to draw attention away from Reese
>B. Rush out to meet Tena
>C. Tell someone to do something (specify)
>D. Write-in action
>E. Hold your ground

>>42613513
>Walk out to meet Tena

>>42613513
>>A. Try to draw attention away from Reese

>>42613785
>>42613553
You're... Not certain how magic swords work, but as Nat steps over to help Reese, you step between Tena's line of sight and Reese, starting to walk towards her, sword ready whenever you should choose to take it out. However, for the moment, you have out your oft-neglected Hand Axe.

Quidel, meanwhile, is riding increasingly close to the Wyvern Lord, readying his bow. You can't help but notice Tena preemptively readying what... Looks like a Horseslayer Lance. Thankfully, however, you and Laurina had similar ideas, chucking your Hand Axes to deter her advance. Neither of them hits, but it's certainly enough to slow Tena for enough time for Quidel to start firing off arrows at the winged beast's wings, Gorman catching up and getting between the now-grounded and wounded wyvern and the nomad.

Meanwhile, further infantry are drawing closer still, soldiers, fighters, mercenary-classes, the odd curate or cleric or cavalier... And the probable manaketes. Dama, Biff, Byron, Stefyn, and several Garou are heading out to meet them, and Nat stands behind everybody else as you hear Reese clang closer to the action.

>A. Go after particular enemy/type of enemy (specify)
>B. Help fight Tena
>C. Stay back and watch over until something looks dire
>D. Say something (specify)
>E. Write-in action

>>42613873
>>B. Help fight Tena

>>42613873
>>B. Help fight Tena
Don't let whoever is fighting them get outclassed. Remember Robert~

>>42613873
They have two manaketes, a lord, and a bunch of grunts.
This does not look good.

I guess we should engage one of the manaketes, and let the archers fight Tena, since flying units are typically weak to arrows

>>42613950
Robert was an underused fighter against an old dog with new tricks while Quidel is promoted and has support, so it's not exactly the same dilemma.

>>42613950
Gorman is definitely stronger man, and he even has ranged backup.
You want to just let the two manaketes walk around free?

I'd rather not have Reese get cooked in his armor

>>42614122
The manaketes are still quite far away. Tena is closer to Reese than they are (if I'm reading this right.)

Also defeat the boss and the rest of the army should crumble, right? I'm not opposed to fighting Manaketes though. (Not the anon you're replying to.)

>>42613950
Changing my vote. Go after the manaketes!

>>42613966
>>42614082
>>42614254
Now I can't decide to pick. You guys vote. Don't just say your opinion and not vote (in case you haven't yet voted).

>>42613873
>Help Reese.

>>42614254
Do you really think it'd be that simple? the entire army would just go away?
He said this was going to be a hard fight, and I doubt it'd be that easy.

How far is the enemy Octo? Do we have a reasonable chance at taking down Tena before they get here?

>>42614336
I'll change my vote here if the answer to this>>42614337
is yes

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>>42613966
>>42614255
Gorman is much stronger than Robert was, better-supported too. You're certain he, Quidel, and Laurina can handle themselves.

The trio in question seems to have a similar idea of ganging up on Tena, especially considering how many tricks she seems to have up her sleeve, so your ignoring her doesn't really have that much of an effect. A mighty member of the Emperor's Flight is recognized for the threat she is among her untrained subordinates, quickly cut down, the final blow being by an Iron Sword from Quidel.

In the meantime, you engage one of the hooded figures, taking advantage of the moment of confusion as the sub-leader perishes.

Surprisingly, none of the rebels retreat, and instead the manaketes immediately transform, apparently a signal for reinforcements to emerge from further South.

Now you're staring down a manakete, everyone else being preoccupied.

>A. Attack!
>B. Make some distance!
>C. Call for help! (specify if you want to ask for someone in particular)
>D. Write-in!

>>42614429
>A. Attack!
I trust our allies to help if they see we're in trouble

>>42614429
>A. Attack!
I meany really, Who the fuck would expect a single swordswoman to attack a fucking dragon?

>>42614475
>>42614429
Is the other Manakete staring us down too by the way? or is he off doing other dragon things
also, I guess mentioning Michalis might sway him

>>42614516
Other dragon things, and you can try if you want. Even I don't know if it would work or just lead to a similar reaction to Misheil's knee-jerk one (except with a loose, transformed manakete), but you can still try.

>>42614555
Well, I figure it's worth a shot.
What does everyone else thing?

>>42614639
Sure say something i guess before attacking?

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>>42614475
>>42614493
>>42614690
This doesn't impede your progress, however.

"H-hey, wait! I was wondering if-"

He doesn't listen, at least not right away, and attempts to strike you with his claw. In retaliation, you take a single swing at the big guy. It's not as horrifying a cut as your Wyrmslayer might have made, but he does still cry out in pain and attempt to retaliate by blasting the sword with flames. You end up needing to drop the weapon, doubling away and readying your Hand Axe.

>A. Keep attacking!
>B. Glance around at the others (this will, at least momentarily, distract you)
>C. Call for someone
>D. Try saying something again! (specify)
>E. Write-in

>>42614738
>I didn't want to attack any more of Michalises friends but so be it!
>A. Keep attacking!

>>42614850
Second deletind old vote.

>>42614850
>>42614886
"I'd heard that you were all friends of Michalis, so I didn't want to have to do this, but if you won't listen..!"

Mentioning Michalis is enough to momentarily surprise the manakete, but from what you can tell he doesn't remotely consider a change in course. You get in another good couple hits with your hand axe before needing to roll out of the way of another flame.

>A. Attack again! (preferably specifying between throwing and striking)
>B. Look behind you
>C. Stand guard
>D. Glance around at the others!
>E. Call for someone!
>F. Write-in

>>42614982
>B. Look behind you
>C. Stand guard
If there's no one trying to sneak attack us wait for him to make the ifrst move.

>>42614982
The hand-ax is the only weapon we have right now right?
If it is, then throwing is not a very wise option.
Also, did we hear anything behind us that would elicit looking behind us, or are you just trying to make us paranoid

>>42615056
Seconding
>>42615040

As an aside, I've decided that, from here on out, if there's some sort of danger that the player character realistically wouldn't notice, but would be bullshit to hurt them with without warning, I'll simply put in an option that would at least address the unseen issue with zero fanfare to its placement.

Enough of a warning to be a fighting chance, anyway.

Of course, sometimes an option's presence can still mean absolutely nothing, but.

>>42615114
Well, it's not like you can just tell us everything anyways, that wouldn't be fun.

>>42615114
The exceptions being if something is "supposed" to happen. I don't like to railroad, but sometimes it's hard to avoid when you're trying to make a narrative.

>>42615040
>>42615056
As you roll away from the flames, you have a strange feeling that you ought to look behind you, and as a result manage to cut down a rebel soldier just as he's lifting up his spear.

In the meantime, you catch a glimpse of Biff crossing blades with another cavalier as Byron, nearby, keeps heat off of him alongside some wolves.

Before you can have a chance to check on the others, though, you turn back towards the Manakete, breathing in and preparing another fiery blast.

>A. Attack!
>B. Dodge!
>C. Guard!

>>42615211
>A. Attack!
Throw axe at face and grab sword.

>>42615258
Grab sword would double as dodging too right?

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>>42615258
You waste no time tossing your Hand Axe at its face, causing it to cry out in pain and breathe its fire into the air, completely missing you, giving you a chance to get your main weapon back into your left hand and strike the dragon some more.

Seemingly knowing that he's been beaten, the manakete hastily reverts to his more humanoid form and spreads his wings. "I-I yield, I yield!"

This fellow shows a healthy fear of dying that is... Unhealthily strange for you to observe.

As you turn, you see the other one of the initial two manaketes, looking pretty dinged up by Reese alone. Reese is also a bit... Dinged up, to say the least, and it looks like this fire breath might do him in...

Then Nat brings down her axe, a much heavier, two-handed thing than your own Hand Axe (you... Think it was a Steel Axe?). The dragon reverts to a more humanoid form and collapses, and you can see Reese grinning thankfully at the War Cleric... And Nat, apparently covering her mouth and stumbling back. This is EXACTLY the opposite of healing, and the normally-stoic girl just sort of... Doubles over.

>A. Keep fighting other guys
>B. Chase the Manakete flying away
>C. Get Nat out of here
>D. Make someone else get Nat out of here
>E. Write-in

>>42615508
>Tell Reese to get Nat out of here
>cover their retreat
Both of them are pretty fucked up

>>42615508
>E. Write-in
We have your friend safe, and her brother is alive and well. He's not presently with us, but he is alive, I can assure you of that. Help me from getting your friends killed by stopping them for me.

>D. Make someone else get Nat out of here
Reese.

>>42615588
I think they just knocked him out man.

>>42615588
Manakete probably won't be able to listen to you if you talk. I was just indicating that if you wanted to chase him, I could just say that Ellen could, if she wanted to, catch up with him in this wounded state.

>>42615616
So, the guy that yielded ran for the hills?

>>42615660
Well, he's completely off the battlefield, anyway.

>>42615563
Second

>>42615563
>>42615588
You immediately run up to get between Nat, Reese, and approaching enemies. Natalie has definitely passed out from shock, and Biff and Byron are riding near.

"Hold it, you two," you tell your friends, "let's just cover for Reese. Reese, think you can carry her into town?"

Reese gets up and nods. "I would be able to, yes. I'd forgotten that Nat here had never taken a life herself, even with all her recent training..."

Reese carries the unconscious war cleric to safety.

"Well, we're running with no healers," Byron remarks, "so don't do anything you can't heal yourself from."

He hands you and Biff each a single vulnerary from his own pack of three. This should get you out of a moderate scrape, but you probably shouldn't go off being gravely wounded in the near future.

Quidel is, in layman's terms, going apeshit on the "rebel scum" as he calls them, as Vaga and Dama direct Stefyn and a bunch of wolves to keep further reinforcements from the South at bay.

As though in response to this, about five Emperor's Flight members approach from the Northeast, probably having heard about the poor conditions of the Southern end.

"Tena, this will not have been in vain!" one of them shouts out, though none of them seem particularly leaderly.

Hoo boy, they're. All heading right for you and your cavalier friends.

>A. You've got this. Try to take charge
>B. Stick close to them
>C. Write-in action

>>42615864
>Yell at Quidel to come over here
>let them fight the wyvern riders while we mop up infantry

These are wyvern riders right, not knights? If so Quidels bow would be a great asset, we can keep infantry off of them while we stay close

>>42615989
Second, Deletind old vote.

>>42615989
Sounds like a plan. Oh man. Hope we survive this. I feel very vulnerable without that wyrmslayer right now.

>>42616070
Expect the worst.
Hope and try for the best.
We just gotta be smart.
The main threats seem to be neutralized, after we take care of these chumps I think we should clean up, send Quidel to Vaga, and ride to the other gate with Biff and Byron.
Asssuming we dont get any more visitors

>>42616132
>The main threats seem to be neutralized, after we take care of these chumps I think we should clean up,
Those "Chumps" are Dains elite you know.....

>>42615989
>>42616033
"Quidel, give us a hand over here!"

The fellow turns around, seconds away from firing his bow through some poor disarmed sap's face before she scurries away, and nods, seeing what you're referring to.

Quidel manages to shoot down one of their mounts and kill a rider before the former tosses a spear at him, connecting and causing him what looks like a good deal of pain.

Naturally, he starts opening up a healing concoction, and you step between him and one of the three remaining riders, clutching her own Silver Lance. Biff and Byron take on the other two, but that's hardly your point of focus.

In the meantime, the fellow shot off his mount has drawn an iron sword, running after his assailant (and thus, needing to get through you), albeit a ways behind his partner.

>A. Wait for the rider to draw close with your Steel Sword
>B. Throw your hand axe at the rider
>C. Throw your hand axe at the dismounted guy
>D. Run up to the dismounted guy with your sword
>E. Write-in

>>42616219
>B. Throw your hand axe at the rider
The rider has a spear right? Axes beat spears, right?

>>42616216
Non named characters are chumps
>>42616219
>B. Throw your hand axe at the rider

Let quidel handle the rider

>>42616268
Axes beat lances/spears
Spears/lances beat swords
Swords beat axes

Right?

>>42616340
Many people questioned Mr. Guy's parents for naming him "Dismounted," but dammit if Dismounted Guy hasn't managed to rise through the ranks and win hearts of Dain's people regardless.

>>42616334
Yes.
>>42616363
Goddamnit Octo i was eating!

>>42616340
What are their names?
>>42616363
Dismounted is truly the hero Dain needs, but doesn't deserve.

Now I want to spare Dismounted and get him on our side

>>42616268
>>42616290
You toss your hand axe at the rapidly approaching rider, but she manages to swerve past it with just a bit of a nasty scrape and a wince, pointing that lance right into your gut before you can draw your Steel Sword.

Quidel, having just chugged his concoction, is quick to remedy the rider's continued living with some arrows. "Ellen, are you alright?!"

>A. Yep
>B. Nope

And...

>C. Use your vulnerary and carry on.
>D. Use your vulnerary and fall back.
>E. Don't use your vulnerary and just straight-up die.

File: Intimidation.png (247 KB, 490x750)

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>>42616445
>A. Yep
>C. Use your vulnerary and carry on.
I'm sad we can't do pic related...OR can we Octo?

>>42616445
>A. Yep
>C. Use your vulnerary and carry on.
Fuck dicks

>>42616466
Ellen is pretty bulky, but even she has her limits.

Maybe a general would be able to.

>>42616507
Aw, When we level up into Dreadfighter can we?

>>42616519
Still on the fence about third-tier promotions.

MAYBE if Ellen's adventure goes on long enough, but then we'd need to scale the enemies, too, and by then we might as well just call you Goku and throw everyone else to the benches if we're not careful.

>>42616519
I thought we were a hero.
>>42616543
How long do you plan for this to go on for anyways, we've made quite a bit of progress already

>>42616543
Also if you look at the image, It's not a gut wound it's through the shoulder, Which would cause a lot less damage and still be utterly terrifying if the person advances on you with a bloody effing spear through their arm.

>>42616563
You have ot be a hero to advance to dreafighter.

>>42616604
Oh.
Well alright then.

Could we switch classes to bride?
ahueaheuhaeuh

>>42616466
>>42616468
"Yeah, yeah, just... Gimme a sec." Cursing under your breath from the immense pain you're in, you hold yourself together enough to lessen the effect of the wound with a vulnerary. In the meantime, Quidel has nodded, deciding to pick off the dismounted guy.

After you've gotten your wind back after the "horrible impalement" incident of a few seconds ago, you give a quick glance towards Biff and Byron (they've brought down one of their opponents and are currently overwhelming the other as a duo), at the wolves and Stefyn (some of the Garou have had to fall back, including Vaga, but they mostly seem to be repelling the enemies), and towards the Northeast, where you can't see much of the action beyond the odd set of wings and Eva, Cheryl, and Monica repelling people who try to fly directly into town.

>A. Help Biff and Byron
>B. Help Dama's wolves
>C. Fall back into town
>D. Start headed Northeast
>E. See if Zoe+the mages have arrived from the West entrance yet
>F. Keep an eye on Quidel

>>42616654
>A. Help Biff and Byron
>Send quidel to help Vaga
Wait, what happened to the un-mounted rider?
Quidel killed one rider, and dismounted one rider.
Biff and Byron are tackling one each and quidel just killed the last rider. But what about the unmounted guy? Did he just kind of die

>>42616717
>In the meantime, Quidel has nodded, deciding to pick off the dismounted guy.

>>42616654
That gonna leave another impressive scar to our collection?

>>42616726
Oh
My bad

Also, go see if Zoe and the mages arrived after finishing off Biff and Byrons rider, then send them to help the wolves

>>42616741
Most likely, though I doubt very many people will see it, given its location.

>>42616749
I can second this then>>42616717

>>42616749
>>42616700
>>42616779
(assuming you meant Dama, since she's the wolf-sibling currently still in the fray)

"Er, Quidel... You mind going to help Dama?"

He nods and rides off (as an aside, that's where Gorman and Laurina most likely are), and as you go over to help Biff and Byron deal with their reinforcements, they prove that it's not needed.

You wonder what the hell's taking Zoe so long, and since you're not needed for the moment, take this as a chance to head towards the West entrance.

As though right on time, shortly after you show up, a few Mage Fighters and Sages start coming in from the West, the first of them hearing about the situation from you and calling back to the rest.

You worry for a moment, not seeing Zoe anywhere among them, but this brief period of concern passes as she flies into sight a few minutes after everyone else.

Seeing you, she lands, looking more than a bit disheveled from her mission, a bit tired, but also stronger for whatever's happened.

She pulls you into a hug. Yep, definitely stronger.

>A. No time for this. Explain the situation!
>B. What took you so long?
>C. Write-in dialogue
>D. Remain silent

>>42616864
I'm glad you're okay, but we don't have the time for a happy reunion.
>explain the situation

>>42616864
>A. No time for this. Explain the situation!

>>42616891
>>42616893
Before you have a chance to say more, Zoe apologizes. "Sorry we're late... They were having a bit of a Necromancer issue, then I tried to chase the mage in question when it was down to just her and her chauffeur, but they got away, so... I was the last one here!"

In turn, you explain the situation, not really processing the implication of Zoe's words until after Zoe has listened to your own, nodding. "Right! You just got impaled, so you should get some rest, but I think I'll go help out by the... Northeast entrance, right?"

"Yeah..."

"No time to waste, then! Rest up with the people you mentioned now, alright?"

>A. Will do (truth)
>B. Will do (get back into the fight anyway)
>C. No can do
>D. Write-in dialogue

>>42616997
>C. No can do
>give me a ride would you?

>>42617019
Second, She should know better than to even ask us to not fight when our friends and comrades are!

>>42616997
>>C. No can do
You should know me by now, grill.

>>42617019
>>42617034
>>42617140
"No can do, Zoe... Could you give me a ride back up?"

Zoe nods, looking over to Poseidon. "Yeah, I... Figured you would say that. I thought I should offer, though!"

You hold on tight and ride along with Zoe, though she does manage to convince you to stick with your (conveniently currently less dangerous) original post while she joins her sisters.

Regardless, with the added edge of the mages and one more pegasus, you're able to drive many members of the Emperor's Flight AND the rebels/manaketes away, all heading off in the same direction.

Despite your victory, pretty much everybody on both of Bord Village's fronts feels like it was an exceptionally close shave, and a lot of people express as much.

Later, Katina is grilling your girlfriend as to the details of the necromancer she and the mages fought. "You were the closest to seeing her, right? Who was she?"

"Well, she was quiet, but... She had those blue ringlets you and Ellen mentioned."

"Then... Then Princess Paula is in the area, apparently with just her escort! Lars needs to know about this!"

>A. Not sure that's a good plan
>B. You wanted a reason to talk to him, right?
>C. We'll need to find her first
>D. Write-in

>>42617199
>A. Not sure that's a good plan
>We could run into some of the retreating dragons or Emperor's flight.

>>42617199
>A. Not sure that's a good plan
If he shows up and we get a chance to tell him then we will, but we are not going to go out of our way to find an enemy leader

>>42617236
>>42617250
"I... Really don't think that's a good plan, Katina. We would be going right into the lion's den, especially without anything but our word that she's somewhere in the valley. We should absolutely keep watch for undead sightings, of course, and all the better if we capture her, but... Going out of our way to take on Lars would be suicide."

"Yeah, I guess..." Katina frowns.

"Still, though... You did really good letting us know this, Zoe!" Garrus congratulates the pegasus knight.

"Yeah, I... Honestly feel really powerful right now. So... responsible, moreso than an ordinary pegasus knight!"

To make a long story short, Zoe becomes a Falcoknight. The battle experience of Biff, Byron, Reese, and Eva also bring them up to the levels of Paladins, General-class, and Wyvern Lord. Dama, feeling the weight of her position, becomes a Managarm like her sister and late mother. Laurina is apparently a berserker now.

In the aftermath of the battle, Salia and Quidel spelled out their feelings for one another to each other, to the surprise of literally nobody (Cheryl found this out first, because of course she did).

>To be continued next thread

Hoo boy, I had a lot of things to say about the battle's aftermath.

As always, thanks for playing, twitter and ask.fm are qmgrandflocto, I'll be around to talk in-thread for a good bit of time too.

Next thread should probably be back in Ulir to see how the Great Miles get out of this jam, unless there's an outcry of objection at the start.

>>42617455
I liked playing as Eva, I kind of want to play her again.
Thanks for running Octo, and thanks for not killing anyone

How far in the story are we anyways? Like half way?

As an aside, had you tried to fight the more wyvern-centric front, things would have been even more difficult, though I hope the side chosen wasn't too easy.

>>42617508
I imagine Ellen's adventure taking around 50-60 threads to complete, depending on elements I still haven't worked out. Might be longer, probably won't be shorter.

Also, as a note to my future self, going over the thread for later: DO NOT FUCKING FORGET ABOUT MISHEIL.

>>42617536
I chose this side to specifically avoid wyverns.

>>42617562
Wise anon.

As an aside, are there any NPC/NPC pairings that you guys think might be a good time to build up? I would like a lot of characters to be paired off by the end, even if "all of them" isn't at all a valid option (thanks to characters like Cheryl).

>>42617618
Eli x Bryce

Whos paired with who again?
Ellen-Zoe
Nat-biff
Lyra-byron
Maybe Gormon-Laurina
and possibly Eva-Garrus right?

>>42617618
That's up to you really.

>>42617666
Also Miles-Devon, Salia-Quidel, Stefyn-Dama, and Vaga hasn't mentioned it (and she's back in the mountains) but he has begun a legitimate relationship with Ella. Yancy-Maria might be a thing as well, but it might also be purely platonic. They're both fairly reserved people in that regard.

Gorman and Laurina are going to hook up eventually (or maybe they have already, I genuinely don't know), provided you don't get one or both of them killed.

Sadly, Bryce might reject Eli on the grounds of "tried to murder my friend." He's sort of picky like that.

>>42617685
I know, but I'm bad at deciding things.

>>42617779
Does Reese have a potential girlfriend yet?

>>42617779
>Sadly, Bryce might reject Eli on the grounds of "tried to murder my friend." He's sort of picky like that.
When did that happen and who again?

>>42617824
His spear.

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1 KB GIF

>>42617840
Eli is one of the chefs on the ship that the Great Miles were on. Asra ended up killing his brother in self-defense after she found out about their mutiny, he himself tried to stab her later on.

>>42617824
I have an idea or two bouncing around in my mind, but nothing concrete.

>>42617877
>http://pastebin.com/9LDH4CfQ
Ah right.

>>42617887
Didn't mean to link that.

>>42617779
Monica has her missing fiance, which might be a good plot hook.

I'm kind of surprised Cheryl doesn't have anyone yet with how much she meddles
So the leftover characters are Cheryl, Reese, Asra (ha), mitchell, victoria, Katina, bolse (ha), Bryce, Yancy, michalis, and Maria (who I don't even remember).

Asra-bolse best ship

>>42617933
And Logan, can't forget Logan.

I've explained that Cheryl literally will not. She's so interested in romance of other people's partially because she wants to understand it.

No word on if Mitchell's even gonna recover.

Misheil is also currently single, and I do plan on her joining up, since Michalis was your manakete and he's stuck over in the B-plot.

Lars is also a contender if you can get him to turn his coat again, which is still a very big if.

>>42618014
Oh, I also forgot Yvette, but Yvette has already loved and lost in the past. These are follies for a younger generation, and she feels she has more important things to worry about than pining at her age and station, probably entirely accurately.

>>42618043
That's what I'd figured.

How old is Lars anyways? I'd like to see him and Katina.

>>42618125
Lars is about 22-23, and was openly uncomfortable with Katina's crush on him back in his Mimon days, seeing as she and Bolse are 14->15.

Maybe if they're both alive in six or seven years, but at this point he won't even consider considering her in that way.

>>42618209
Oh
Still rooting for you Katina, even if it is in vain

>>42618241
She's had crushes on at least three or four people (one of them being Vaga) since then. These things come and go fast at her and Bolse's ages.

Speaking of which, Bolse thought Ellen was pretty.

Again, though, it's not so much hopeless as it is "not going to happen or even be treated as plausible within the span of Ellen's adventure."

>>42618282
That was... Worded poorly.

Bolse doesn't have a chance at all.

I was saying Katina might when she's actually a grown woman who's had some time to mature and actually be a legitimate adult.

>>42618282
She'll find someone, maybe Reese, Reese is about 18 right?

How's Yancy nowadays anyways?

>>42618317
Well, he's lost a good few pounds really quick. Bit unbalanced about it, though.

Aside from that, last we saw he was traveling to Ulir with Team B-plot.

Reese is a couple years older than Ellen, who I figure is somewhere between 18 and 20. With the exception of his long-lived crush on Ellen (he's also in the middle of a whole character arc about questioning if he was only changing like this to win someone over. I like to imagine Reese is constantly developing offscreen and Ellen just gets glimpses out of her aversion to him), I feel like his tastes actually tend towards older women.

>>42618387
Be it just by a few years or by centuries.

>>42618387
Oho
I like Reese, we should hang out with him more.

>>42618427
I think we all do, and I wish I could come up with more in-character reasons for Ellen to interact with him.

Fun fact: characters named Reese and Lambert, from similar backgrounds as the protagonist, were just planned to exist in the general roles that they have from before we started thread 1.

>>42618465
Lambert was planned to die and resurrect?

>>42618485
Die, yes, deadlord, not necessarily. The Deadlords were thrown in later, albeit still early on in the thread's lifetime (obviously).

A Lambert who is a slight superior to the player and a dear friend of theirs, and a Reese sharing a similar background but acting as a foil who grows on their own (ex: if you had gone knight, cavalier, Reese would've been the red knight to your green and Lambert would be set up as an Oifey, while you would've all been buddies in crime had you gone down the "bandit who wants out" path. You would've ended up essentially playing Stefyn and Mitchell's earlygame narrative roles, though this alternative Lambert would have obviously died of different causes).

Most of the Personal Guard (and Robert+Jay and Zoe/Cheryl/Monica, even if the latter trio didn't debut right with the rest of the gang) was planned from the start, with the potential to swap them in or out if the player took on their narrative role (and if you hadn't gone mercenary, Gorman would've returned to Orsin near the start and not been a prepromote).

>>42618531
Who were the characters you made up on the fly?

>>42618555
"On the fly" isn't the right term, but I believe the first character we improvised when I decided we needed a first boss. From there, Tabat was made into the leader of the Johalva bandits. I wasn't expecting him to be tied to Gorman's backstory, nor did I even know why he'd left, until shortly before Gorman made his entrance.

Simia, Bolse, Dama, and Vaga were also all thought up immediately before they first appeared.

I'd originally wanted Garrus and Salia's mother to be a major supporting ally, but then I forgot to write her into Ellen's debut in the castle. I literally came up with the "she and Lars abandoned Drasma for their homeland and also she was pregnant at the time" backstory because I didn't want her to be a pre-killed mother™. Remember what I said about fucking up leading to good things sometimes?

>>42618612
That's neat.
But it's 2 in the morning and I need to get to bed now. Goodnight Octo, sleep well

>>42618630
It's 4 on the East coast, so it'll probably do less harm if I power through it. Tomorrow's a Sunday anyway, so nbd if I crash.

Night, though.

>>42618645
>so it'll probably do less harm if I power through it
I know exactly what you mean.

I've been going to bed at 8 am and sleeping till 4 pm lately because I've been doing all nighters at my job.
I need to be there at 8 today though.
My sleep schedule is so ridiculously fucked up, but Im going to try to get at least a few hours

>>42618682
Godspeed, anon.