>>43222464
Good not morning to you

Though King Garrus, Lars, and Ellen's duel with the Emperor himself and Dracozombies is certainly the stuff of climactic encounters, that doesn't mean the rest of the cast isn't up to anything.

Salia and Eva are leading some potentially-vital rescue missions on their own in the same area, others still are holding off waves of reinforcements offscreen, and Mage General Corneria and several allies of the past are on the more formal battlefields of Dain.

>A. Be someone Salia's group storming the Western tower
>B. Be someone in Eva's group storming the Eastern tower
>C. Be someone out there in Dain

(a list of relevant/playable characters on the scene will be provided if C is chosen. Otherwise, the summary linked in the OP should suffice)

>>43222652
20 minute decision time, of course.

>>43222627
Likewise to you.

>>43222652
>A. Be someone Salia's group storming the Western tower

File: Anna-FE3.gif (993 B, 48x64)

993 B GIF

You know, I wanted to do this one first anyway, so... Here we go. Cutting off voting a couple minutes early.
>>43222700
"H-hey, you're not supposed to-"

An arrow hits the heavily-armored guard critically, and the intrepid black market merchant winks and grins. "Sorry, but there's a pretty heavy chance someone we need is up there! Now, would you just be so kind as to tell us what's up in this tower so we don't waste our time?"

"As if! Even if you didn't just kill Stephens, both towers are under orders not to disclose that information."

"Look," an emotional Tarvosian says, swatting away this second, lighter-armored guard's axe and pulling him close, "you are going to tell us who's up here, or we're-"

The guard is shot with yet another arrow, this one courtesy of a blue-haired princess. "Quidel, he was right about to stick a dagger in you! And you're the one telling me to be more careful?"

"Now is not the time to question Quidel's foolishness," a shortish-haired Falcoknight says sternly, "it appears that the only way we're finding out if Alexia is in this tower is if we ascend it ourselves."

"Don't worry, the six of us... We're invincible, especially us two!" A cheerier pegasus knight says.

"Yeah... With our triangle attack and your archeries... Is archeries a word? Anyway, we're going to be unstoppable!" The girlfriend of a heroine and the youngest of three sisters finishes, twirling her wing spear and wiping away what was stabbed of some swordswoman who tried to ambush them.

>A. Be Anna
>B. Be Quidel
>C. Be Salia
>D. Be Monica
>E. Be Cheryl
>F. Be Zoe

>>43222994
>F. Be Zoe
Part of me really wants to pay as Anna since she's been my favorite FE girl since before awakening but I don't think others would want that

>>43223166
You are now Zoe, the last of the six girls mentioned, and with your weapons you and your group begins to ascend the tower.

You estimate there are... Five floors, counting the ground, and the second is pretty much empty bar some fellow who runs upstairs upon noticing people rising up. None of your archers think to shoot him.

"Grh... We've been spotted, so everyone exercise caution heading up to the third floor."

"Any other unthinkably brilliant tactics, your highness?" Anna asks with a rather coy tone.

"Look... It's not a plan, it's just... Asking you all to be careful."

>A. Suggest scouting ahead a bit
>B. Suggest someone else scout ahead (it will probably be Anna)
>C. Write-in?
>D. Be silent
>E. Let's just get up in there!

>>43223370
>A. Suggest scouting ahead a bit

>>43223416
"Uh... I could look ahead. Just... Get a glance at their numbers on the third floor."

"You would be killed immediately. They know we're here, Zoe." Monica chides, "and there's only one way up to the next floor."

You wish you had Poseidon with you right about now. That'd make for a pretty easy way up, but you can't exactly go outside.

"Okay, I... Think we might just need to risk it."

Monica nods at Salia's statement. "All of you, behind me and Anna."

"I just love being volunteered like this."

Monica leads the way up, and suspense builds... Until shockingly enough, the third floor also has alarmingly few people. You count five.

"Uwagh! Just... Just keep going! We won't be any trouble!"

Monica stares them down. "I don't believe you. This is too convenient."

"Urgh... Guess closin' em in's out of the question." The person speaking, a fellow in extremely heavy-looking armor draws a sword, followed by the others pulling out a fire tome, axe, lance, and bow. "Let's get this over with."

What do you turn your wing spear on?

>A. Let someone else instruct you
>B. Attack one of them (specify)
>C. Stay back
>D. Write-in

>>43223648
Can we do a triangle attack on the ground?
also
>Attack the mage or archer, start removing any ranged attackers from the picture

>>43223693
You seem to have a similar idea to the magic user, as he seems to be pointing himself directly at the princess. Naturally, you do your job and don't allow anything to come of that, and your three archers all manage to hone in on and take out their one archer.

Monica ducks between the sword General and the Halberdier, dealing occasional damage to either when it's safe, as Cheryl winds up very mismatched against the axe-wielding Hero, the unpromoted pegasus knight having trouble even with her Brave Lance.

>A. Let the archers handle this
>B. Come at the warrior with your Wing Spear
>C. Come at the warrior with a sword
>D. Attack Monica's attackers
>E. Write-in

>>43223857
Bah, substitute the "warrior" references in B and C with "hero." Changed it at the last minute.

>>43223857
>>B. Come at the warrior with your a sword
Weapon triangle and all that

File: HeroGBA.gif (1 KB, 76x68)

1 KB GIF

>>43223986
You draw your Iron Sword and rush to Cheryl's aid. The archers notice this and focus their efforts on supporting Monica.

Had you been an instant later, Cheryl could have been cleaved in two, but instead, the hero turns around and takes a swing at you... Only to actually leave himself open for a Brave Lance.

Monica briefly crosses blades with the heavily-armored swordsman, the halberdier being stuck by Quidel and Salia (Anna is now trying to hide her attempts to loot the room). Your older sister shoots you and Cheryl a glance, and immediately you know what she's getting at.

Of course, whoever leads the triangle attack is also at the greatest risk of getting hurt (or worse) should it not immediately have the desired effect, so you have but an instant to figure out who should do so.

>A. Monica
>B. Cheryl
>C. Zoe (that's you?)
>D. Ask the armored guy's opinion
>E. Don't bother, just attack him
>F. Write-in?

>>43224180
>A. Monica
Monica is the one who usually leads the triangle attacks right?

>>43224219
Well, you ought to consider your opponent. It's not about "usually" so much as it is your current equipment and who you're facing.

>>43224249
How's Monica look?
Paranoia is making me switch to
>C. Zoe (that's you?)

>>43224180
>C. Zoe (that's you?)
Lances are better against swords, and Monica has a sword right now.

>>43224384
Both Monica and Zoe are using swords.

>>43224439
Zoe HAS a sword, but she'd use her wing spear when she leads.

>>43224317
>>43224384
Yes, this makes sense. Wing Spears are specifically known for the hell they bring to heavy armor and horse-mounted foes.

"Monica, Cheryl, follow my lead! Triangle attack!"

The immediate and crippling damage of the wing spear is only amplified by the power of sisterly love.

"Are you alright, Cheryl?"

"Yeah, Monica, no need to worry about me!"

"You've fallen behind the rest of us in terms of skill."

"Yeah, I... Guess I sort of have. I can still look after myself, though!"

"Look, a lotta people would be devastated if any one of us falls here," Quidel says, "so... None of us do that."

Upon entering the fourth floor, you find that it is... Entirely windowless, dark, and as the six of you enter, slams shut.

"Hrn... Does anyone have a torch?"

"An Adventuring merchant always comes prepared~!"

Anna lights a torch she had stowed away... Somewhere, which seems to completely brighten up the entire room.

Sitting in the center of the room is a man, balding, with red hair beginning to gray. He is surrounded by guards (you'd say... A dozen, mostly halberdiers, four Sages, two of whom with staves and three of whom with anima tomes, a Rogue, and a Berserker).

"So you've arrived... Thankfully, none of you are my daughter. This makes all of this much easier."

"You're... Prince Elias III, right?"

"By that hair color and inquisitiveness... Princess Salia." He looks at someone. "Get the lights, would you? They know we're here, no point in darkness."

The room lights up.

>A. Attack someone!
>B. Wait for them to finish talking
>C. Look around some more
>D. Write-in
>E. Say something (specify)

>>43224577
>B. Wait for them to finish talking
Be on your guard though.

>>43224577
>>B. Wait for them to finish talking
>four Sages, two of whom with staves and three of whom with anima tomes
Did you mean five?

>>43224657
No, one just has both.

>>43224681
ah.
He should die first.

>>43224638
>>43224657
"Look... You're reasonable, right? You know this isn't worth your while..."

"I can't jeopardize my position now... This little invasion of your brother's won't work out, and I'm... Sorry you had to be dragged into this."

He stands up, drawing a sword you recognize as a Silver Greatlance. The rest of his guards ready their weapons.

"Give up now. The person I assume you came for is in the opposite tower, but by now... You're probably too late to save her."

"'The person...' That's my mother, your SISTER! Don't be so... Don't be so dismissive!"

"So you're really doing it this way..."

Quidel is quick on the draw shooting down the Sage with a Wind tome, one of the two with a staff. The other staff-wielding sage falls back, biding her time and retrieving the one the other sage dropped...

>A. Attack someone! (specify)
>B. Stick close to someone! (specify, again)
>C. Write-in
>D. Stay back

>>43224925
>A. Attack someone! (specify)
Attack the other sage that's going for the dropped staff. Stick close to Cheryl if possible.

>>43224925
>>A. Attack someone! (specify)
The sage.
Work our way throughout the casters, killing them.

>there was an error contacting the captcha service
>there was an error contacting the captcha service
>there was an error contacting the captcha service
No, why would I want to post, good thing the captcha system is here to keep me from doing anything at all!

>>43225038
>>43225042
You're quick on the draw, rushing at the prospective medic and stopping them in their tracks as they try to get far enough to safely use what Anna would identify in the battle's aftermath as a Berserk staff. Had that been used on one of your number, it could've been horrific!

Of course, running up like this left you perfectly exposed for the Berserker to strike you with his Short Axe.

You black out a few moments, but when you wake up, not all that much has changed, bar Monica casting away a bottle of now-empty elixir and throwing her arms around you in the corner, ignoring a pool of blood forming around her own chest.

"Don't do anything that foolish again," she chides once more, struggling up and facing your opponents. The Berserker is already dead, and she slashes through the Rogue when she tries to stab her a second time.

Quidel and Salia are both pretty much just distracting Elias III from each other with their respective arrows, only occasionally seeming to actually hurt him, while Cheryl works full-force keeping heat off them both. Anna taunts a Sage before shooting her, and when the fourth and final tries to shock her... He succeeds, but gets an arrow to the face for his efforts.

"I-I know I'm striking! No need to point it out!" With that, she downs a vulnerary and stares down two halberdiers.

>A. Stick with Monica/Support Cheryl (ultimately the same thing)
>B. Insist Monica stop pushing herself
>C. Attack Elias III
>D. Help Anna
>E. Write-in

>>43225219
>A. Stick with Monica/Support Cheryl (ultimately the same thing)

>>43225219
>B. Insist Monica stop pushing herself
>D. Help Anna
Also A if we can help Anna at the same time.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>43225306
>>43225326

>>43225373
>>43225326
Is fine.

>>43225378
"Er... You're okay, right, Monica?"

"I'm fine, Zoe. You just survived worse."

"Yeah with an elixir... Tell me you just gave me mine and still have yours."

"..."

"You really think things through less than you admit," you tell your sister straightforwardly as you hand her your own elixir.

"Right, of course... I forgot you still had yours."

And downing it as she goes, you and Monica, who you insist not do anything "too heroic," are quick to help your sister and Anna.

Elias III manages to hit Quidel with his lance. Though the sharp and deadly end manages not to get into him, it knocks him into a wall and his arrows all over the ground. Elias III approaches Quidel as he fishes a couple up to fire at him, but ultimately he gives up in time to avoid a fatal impaling, merely switching to his Killing Edge and switching his focus to standing between him and Salia.

You must've forgot Quidel knew how to use swords.

>A. Keep taking out Halberdiers
>B. Focus on attacking Elias III
>C. Focus on guarding Salia
>D. Write-in

>>43225491
>A. Keep taking out Halberdiers

>>43225491
>C. Focus on guarding Salia
Someone needs to go over there, be it Monica, Cheryl, or us
Preferably not Cheryl since she's a bit behind.

>>43225576
Second, Deleted old vote.

>>43225576
Monica stays with Salia while Anna, Cheryl, and us takes on the Halberdiers? They do need to be taken care of, if there's still a bunch of them.

>>43225576
>>43225593
You're quick to join Quidel in protecting the princess, and as you both continue to draw Elias III's fire before making nicks in his armor, Quidel amusedly muses, "this whole ordeal, it's... It reminds me of the final battle of Queen Hauteclere. I mean, I wasn't there, of course, but... Man, the then-chief of the Tarvos, some of her finest knights, all personally stormed the fortress of the Emperor of Gerxel... There were zombies, Deadlords, families fighting... Man, it's always weird to think that history is in the making right here and now."

"So you're a historian too, eh?" Elias III addresses Quidel as they quarrel, "or at least a buff... Fascinating stuff. Maybe we could have discussed it, in another world."

"Hey, all that there is is what happened... Don't start giving me 'what could have been's in order to make me soft, 'your highness'," Quidel says before leaping forward with his sword. Elias aims for him, and you don't need to think about what to do in response.

Finally, your Wing Spear pierces his royal armor as well as any other heavy armor, even if it took awhile.

"Ah... Yeah, that's... Extraordinarily painful. Tell me, girl, what's your name?"

>A. Answer
>B. Don't answer
>C. Write-in response (optional)

And...

>D. This had to happen
>E. This didn't have to happen

>>43225667
They do, but don't forge our job is above all else to protect the princess
Nameless Cannon fodder isn't that bad

>>43225751
>>A. Answer
>E. This didn't have to happen

>>43225751
>A. Answer
>E. This didn't have to happen

>>43225767
>>43225797
"It's... Zoe."

"Zoe..." Elias III falls to his knees, clutching his wound, "I can see your guilt in doing this..."

"It... Didn't have to be like this. You know that."

"Thinking about it now... Perhaps it could have been, but... What did your friend just say? This isn't something to get worked over. If... You survive to see Eva, tell her... She made the right decision... And to be strong for Kia..."

"S-sir, gods! We'll save y-"

"No. Lay down your weapons. I died loyal when I shouldn't have... Don't make this mistake if there's anyone you love. Too many of your comrades have already fallen."

"But... Your highness..!"

"No buts. What would Simon say if you followed him into the grave over petty revenge?"

"..."

"L-listen, all of you... If you see my sister, Alexia, again, ask her where we left Roderick's killer lance. If she... Doesn't tell you it's up on the fifth floor of this tower... Kill her on the spot."

"W-wait... What? Why?!"

Salia's questions, however, quickly turn out to be directed at a corpse.

>A. Ask his living subordinates what that meant
>B. See if everyone's okay
>C. Write-in
>D. Go up another floor
>E. Write-in
>F. Switch to Eva's party

>>43226029
>B. See if everyone's okay
>D. Go up another floor

>>43226029
>>B. See if everyone's okay
>A. Ask his living subordinates what that meant
>D. Go up another floor

>>43226068
>>43226278
"Is... Everyone alright?"

"We... Th-there were only six of them..."

"And now there are two of us..."

The two remaining Halberdiers shake in their boots as you look at everyone. You ask what Elias meant, but they say that he never told them. Anna is already unlocking the fifth floor's entrance.

"His highness just mentioned something valuable being up there, didn't he?"

"I think it's meant to STAY up there, though..." Salia says.

"Still... It's worth giving the place a look," you say, to which none of your allies object.

The room is a pretty nice place. Primarily covered in drawings that were... Pretty clearly made by a really little kid, scattered on the walls and floor.

Drawings of dragons, heroes, villains of mythological features, typically saccharine "me and my family!" stuff...

And a recently-unlocked treasure chest, courtesy of Anna. "Yeah, this has his name engraved in it... What's this note, though?"

Salia grabs it. "Let me see..." She squints. "'To whoever knew to look for this... I pray you aren't too late.'"

Despite the lack of indication that it is preferred, the scene switches and time rewinds a bit.

Eva's party figures they're in the right place, judging by the exceptionally high amount of guards posted on their tower's floors. Gorman, Laurina, Maria, and Yancy hold off even more enemies as the remainder of Princess Eva's group advances to the fifth and final floor of the tower.

Who will you be?

>A. Stefyn
>B. Eva
>C. Asra
>D. Bryce

>>43226355
The 'his' Anna mentioned having a name engraved in the lance was Roderick, since it wasn't entirely clear.

>>43226355
>C. Asra

>>43226355
>C. Asra

>>43226453
>>43226629
You stand silently. You've been... Even less talkative than usual lately, and now you're just concerned for the safety of a good person who has helped you and your friends multiple times.

Suffice to say, you're surprised when you unlocked the door to discover Alexia rather viciously attacking that old necromancer you recognize from... Turning you into this.

"Whoa, Aunt Alexia... Guess you don't need our help?"

"Oh, well, join in if you would like, Eva! I'm currently unarmed, but the person you see below me is responsible for... Well, a lot of things!"

"Hey, mind if we get in on that? I got some good beatdown music in store and a lot of my mind to give this old bastard a piece of."

Stefyn stands uncertainly. "Er... This is a bit excessive, don't you think? I mean, Necromancer or not, they're sort of... Old and fragile..."

>A. Alright, cool, let's fuckin go
>B. Stop Alexia
>C. This feels weird...
>D. Do nothing, be silent
>E. Write-in action/dialogue

>>43226668
>C. This feels weird...
That seems kind of convenient.

>>43226668]
>C. This feels weird...

>>43226687
>>43226692
"Stefyn is right. And even besides, this feels... Unusual."

Bryce frowns. "Y'know what... Gh, yeah, got swept up in it, but... Now might be a good time to lay off, Lex..." He uses his muscles to pull the princess away. He has a lot of muscle.

Eva glares at everyone involved, including the two who were just walked in on. "Grh... Yeah, I guess... Besides, better not to beat this fellow to death. Too much they know."

"E... Eva... Don't trust..." The elder reaches out to the wyvern-riding princess before pointing at Alexia.

"Er... What?"

Bryce muscles his way to the forefront of the conversation. "Alright, then, I'm gonna ask you something... When you helped us out in Heim, the company and Katina and Yancy and them... What was the name of the Wyvern Lord you killed, stole the lance of?"

"Oh, let's not reminisce about Roderick now... He's long-gone, and his brother isn't here to speak for him..."

"Um... Actually, I was the one who... Oh." You blink. "Who are you."

The Necromancer(?) points at themself, then at Alexia, still struggling to breathe.

"...Bryce, please retrieve Maria."

"Alexia" smiles sweetly, though the Bonewalkers appearing from the floor say otherwise about her intent. "Porcus, I know you just suggested that, but... Come on, you know you want to be a good Deadlord and help me fight!"

"Pfeh, nice try, but Asra ain't gonna... H-hey, Asra, your eyes're flaring up again... Gods, no, don't tell me..."

Something... Something dark compels you, something you had to fight to break free of.

You... You cannot let this suggestion overwhelm you.

The only suggestions you can listen to are the ones you tell yourself, if you don't want this to end horribly... If you do something without thinking, it WILL be a bad thing.

>A. Resist! (Write-in action required)
>B. Attack Bryce
>C. Stand in front of the stairs
>D. Attack Eva
>E. Go down there and dispose of Maria

(is "write-ins or else evil" a good gimmick for resisting mind control?)

>>43226964
>(is "write-ins or else evil" a good gimmick for resisting mind control?)
Not at all.

>>43226964
>A. Resist!
Protect Alexia, Not fake Alexia

>>43227033
Seconding

>>43226964
>A. Resist! (Write-in action required)
Throw a dagger or something

>>43227141
Congratulations! Since you didn't specify who to throw it at you've just killed Bryce!

>>43227033
>>43227099
You shake your head. No, you... You will resist these commands. They're bound to give up trying if you keep this up long enough.

You draw your Daggers and immediately strike a Bonewalker that was getting dangerously close to the old body with Alexia's mind.

"Hrg... What did I just tell you? 'Help me fight' means help the person speaking kill their enemies."

"Don't listen to them, Asra!" Bryce shouts as he goes downstairs to get Maria up there.

The suggestions grow stronger, begin to manifest within your head.

Stefyn winds up swordfighting with "Alexia" when one of their Bonewalkers gladly hands off its Silver Sword.

From now on, thoughts that may not necessarily be the right thing to do will be thrown into the mix. It's... Best not to listen to the ones you know are-

No, you should definitely attack that Swordmaster. He has too much faith in his allies, he'd never expect you to.

The Necromancer's body with Alexia's mind crawls towards the stairs.

>A. Resist! (write-in)
>B. Attack Stefyn
>C. Hinder Stefyn
>D. Stop the real Alexia

>>43227179
>A. Resist! (write-in)
Start slicing up some Bonewalkers.

>>43227179
>>A. Resist! (write-in)
>Kill bonewalkers
>Warn Stefyn to be wary

>>43227247
>>43227419
You continue attacking bonewalkers, asking Stefyn to please be careful.

You shouldn't be doing this, you are being told.

You should be killing Stefyn...

But you refuse. You refuse to listen.

You save Eva's life, and she thanks you. It feels nice, even if it passes in a moment.

What are you saying? She should be bleeding on your dagger!

Bryce comes up with Maria in tow. "Old necromancer lying down there's really Alexia, don't know how the monster did it, keep her alive.

"These Bonewalkers are weaker than Bolse's from, uh... Way back early on..." Stefyn notes.

"Well, I can't help it that this one stopped her training right as it began! It was hard enough to get her to curse Tarvos... Her real draw is this raw strength!"

With that, "Alexia" manages to pull a lance off another Bonewalker, stabbing Stefyn.

You should finish him off, or stop Maria... If she's interrupted, the real Alexia surely won't make it out.

>A. Resist! (write-in)
>B. Kill Stefyn
>C. Attack Maria
>D. Permanently stop yourself from interfering (WILL kill you)

>>43227445
>A. Resist! (write-in)
Attack fake Alexia.

>>43227498
You attack "Alexia," and that's right when they realize that you can't be swayed on this. Your mind immediately clears, your eyes fade again, and you stab her several times, taking the heat off Stefyn long enough for him to uncork a concoction.

"Th-that was... That must've been tough, Asra, I mean, I saw you physically struggling... Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Hrh... So what, you're just going to kill this body, leave her highness stranded in an old form with an art she barely knows how to use?"

>A. Yeah
>B. Nah
>C. You aren't deciding this
>D. Write-in dialogue (no longer literally necessary to not kill your friends)

>>43227636
>C. You aren't deciding this

>>43227636
>C. You aren't deciding this
Anyone know a mind switch spell?

>>43227676
>>43227688
You're... Just gonna let Eva handle this.

Eva handles it by driving a flame lance into "Alexia."

"I know for a fact you don't want to die, so... Eventually, you'll put yourself where you belong, in your nice, perfectly-restored body..." She turns towards Alexia-in-necro's-body, "sorry about this, Aunt Lexi~."

"It's... Not a problem, dear. Do what you must."

This goes on for awhile before a pained-sounding Alexia cries out, "Paula summoned Dracozombies and I never even saw Roderick! I only saw the sole underling of his to survive to interrogate him!"

With that, Bryce quickly knocks the Necromancer the fuck out. "A secret between us and that desert town's mayor who you knew for..."

"Th... Thirty-five years! Ow, Eva, could you please stop now?"

"Er... Right. Maria, she's good now."

>A. Sorry about almost losing it there
>B. What do we do about the necromancer
>C. Is anyone still hurt
>D. Write-in dialogue
>E. Remain silent. It is what you do best.

>>43227864
>A. Sorry about almost losing it there
>C. Is anyone still hurt
>Ask if it's okay to slit the Necromancer's throat

>>43227930
second

File: PaladinDS.png (3 KB, 72x73)

3 KB PNG

>>43227930
"I'm... Sorry about what almost happened there. Is anyone still hurt."

Stefyn shakes his head. "Concoction healed me up fine..."

Alexia grumbles, "Maria's on me... Hell, Eva, you're strong..." She starts to laugh before cringing. "Ow, it hurts to laugh..."

"...can I kill this old person."

"...not until we can be COMPLETELY CERTAIN it's really Aunt Lexi..." Eva says, "I mean, I'm certain, but if there's a... Trust password or something."

"Yes, your father and I thought of one... He's in the other tower right now."

Eva's expression darkens. You all realize what this means, but... She in particular seems to dread what none of you know is happening right around this time. She would learn in time, right around when Alexia's password was verified... And probably not in time for any of you to aid the fight against Emperor Elias.

Elsewhere, on an open battlefield in Dain, just outside of Gravern, the Deadlord Equus leads a charge.

Facing Dain's cavalry is no less than the Simia-led Vautou, several Fire Dragons, the Mage General of Heim, Corneria, and perhaps most surprisingly several forces from Noba, led personally by Duke Kilos and General Abdul.

You are none of these people, however. You're Devon, and you insisted on coming along. Kilos feels too horrid to say no to you.

Right now, Kilos, Abdul, Simia, a fellow from the Wulf company whose name you don't know, and yourself are stuck in a direct encounter with Equus and some of his Paladins.

>A. You're attacking everything with your Light magic!
>B. You're healing and supporting, occasionally using an offensive stave
>C. You're just watching

>>43228120
>B. You're healing and supporting, occasionally using an offensive stave

>>43228120
>B. You're healing and supporting, occasionally using an offensive stave

>>43228181
>>43228186
You were given a physic stave along with your usual arsenal of Aura magic and Sleep spell, though you also received something... Interesting.

A Berserk tome.

"Duke Kilos!" And General Abdul literally took a lance to the face for his liege.

For all his bastardry, he sure was loyal... To a complete bastard.

"C'mon, ignore these fools and face ME! We might damn well be the last Deadlords left."

The Wulf Company member whose name you don't know falls back, seeing that Kilos and Simia have got most of this.

"Er, hey... Lady Devon. Just figured that... Duke Kilos and Simia have got this, you know? They're both better at their styles of fighting than I could dream to be with my axe, so... Doing the safe thing here and keeping less insufferable company."

>A. Take a break to chat with this random mercenary
>B. Start attacking Equus
>C. Berserk Equus
>D. Just wait and hope everyone involved dies
>E. Write-in action/dialogue

>>43228281
>A. Take a break to chat with this random mercenary

>>43228281
>>A. Take a break to chat with this random mercenary

>>43228325
>>43228349
"So... You're with the Wulf Company? What's that like?"

"Yeah, it's... I won't say this line of work is pleasant, but we're a respected group, our leaders are honorable... I would follow Mahavira to the ends of the earth."

"Yeah, that's how... The Great Miles were, but with... Less people."

"Really would've liked to meet your husband... Er, sorry, sore subject?"

"A bit, but... It's understandable. He was... He deserved every bit of his reputation."

"Sh-shit! Dammit, Equus, that's my sword hand! Do you know how long it'll take to heal that? Hey, Devon! Uh... Duke's got something in his face, too! Blame this asshole who just broke my sword han-Whoa, shit, that was close! Uh, hey, hurry up!"

"Well," the mercenary says, "should we... Actually get back to fighting this guy?"

>A. Yeah
>B. Nah, just berserk him from a safe(?) distance
>C. Write-in?

>>43228496
>A. Yeah

>>43228496
>A. Yeah

>>43228534
>>43228547
"Yeah... Probably a good idea!"

You cast Physic for Simia from afar as the mercenary raises his axe and charges towards the Paladin Deadlord before starting to walk over towards the fight ensuing, bringing Aura down upon the various Paladins who see fit to aid Equus.

Phineas was a pretty standup guy from what you remember, but... You didn't really know Phile nobility all that well, having spent your early life as a commoner in Fathom and all.

After awhile, you and the mercenary are able to defeat Equus, and shortly after, Mage General Corneria makes her presence known to your lot.

She takes a single look at Abdul and Kilos, before barely-concernedly saying, "well, that's going to be a hassle for Fathom government..." She then mumbles some very nasty swears about someone who could betray and get killed their own flesh and blood like that. You hear, though, and you smile a bit. At least you're validated in being sort of glad they died. As far as you both know, her best aides and diplomats also died thanks to him.

"I think you and your unborn child would be next in line now..." Corneria says to you, "...er, what do you actually know about governance?"

>A. Absolutely nothing!
>B. You don't have faith in your abilities
>C. Enough?
>D. Plenty
>E. Write-in?

>>43228703
>D. Plenty

>>43228703
>>A. Absolutely nothing!
>>B. You don't have faith in your abilities

>>43228703
>C. Enough?

>>43228739
Actually, misread that as
>B. You have faith in your abilities

So change B to that

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>43228739
>>43228742
>>43228737
Think it's fair enough to do the dice early.

>>43228795
"Absolutely nothing, but... I have faith in my abilities to not ruin everything?"

"Urgh... This is what's wrong with this method of succession. Sometimes someone with no understanding of how to run a nation... Has to. The results are rarely pretty."

"Well, I mean... I've heard that you're not all that old yourself, and..."

"And I studied my ass off getting to where I did. It's... Hardly easy to raise twins, be a foreign refugee in the desert, work your way up to such an important position... I'm not saying you can't do it, but I'm saying that the stress will be horrible. You'll make mistakes, difficult decisions, things you can't KNOW were mistakes or not... On all fronts I've mentioned."

Corneria gives an even longer-winded rant about the difficulty of the world of politics, making you thankful that the fight is over already.

>To be continued next thread
Again, I had no idea what note to end things on, but I wanted to at least pretty unquestionably establish that bad things happened to Kilos.

Thanks for playing, next thread may very well be the ending.

As always, ask.fm and twitter are qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around for q&a/writeups in-thread too.

>>43228986
Thanks for running
>Thanks for playing, next thread may very well be the ending.
It's going to be pretty weird without, but it was a fun quest!

Thanks for sticking to it though!

>>43229033
We are planning on doing something else in the same verse sometime after. We've been thinking of doing it for over half the quest now, but I haven't been willing to work out the details until we know how the dust settles.

>>43229056
Looking forward to it.

What kind of quest?

>>43229056
I had a lot of fun with this quest so I'm glad to hear that there'll be another quest after this.

>>43229073
>>43229093
Probably the same type of "loosely based on archetypes and mechanics of Fire Emblem" story, though I am hoping not to make a second Ellen out of whatever its protagonist is.

I mean, I like Ellen, of course, but. You know how it is. Contrasting sequel main character and whatnot.

>>43229119
Sounds fun.
Hopefully I'll have time after my job starts up again to follow