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>>47043814
"We need a tavern," you tell Hatchet. "I need coffee before I literally die - hello officer how may I help you?"

Maybe you spoke too soon about the necromancer thing. This town guard - you'd bet cash that his greatcoat is lined with mail the way Nate's is - looks annoyed as hell.

"Miss, I'm going to need to ask that you leave your mount and its terrifying organic scythes the fuck outside of my town," he says flatly. "You're going to disturb the peace."

"I'll stay with the boar to ensure no one steals our stuff," Hatchet tells you. You sigh, dismount, and pass him the reins. Hatchet rides back out of town without a comment or backwards glance.

"Anything else?" you ask, as politely as you can.

"Don't raise the dead without written consent on the part of the formerly deceased, and I advise that you avoid the water," the guard tells you. "That last one is advice from me to you. Something grim's been haunting the fresh water."

"There's salt water?" you ask, curiously.

He gestures at the sea. "On the far side of the Bar, aye. Enjoy your stay, keep the peace."

"Wait - tavern? I need coffee."

"Try the Bulging Net, near the docks," he advises. "There's coffee in other places, but they clean the kettle."

You thank the man and trudge that direction, shaking your head to try and clear the cobwebs from it.

The Bulging Net is pleasant enough, with clean tables and a nice, comfortable air. Even better, this level of the Dungeon actually trades in coinage, letting you purchase two pots of coffee and sit down to thoroughly overdose on it. The place isn't busy at the moment, which makes it easy to overhear the few conversations going on. They all seem to be about the river; it hasn't been flowing, and everyone is relieved to see it's come back.

You smile, into your cup. It's nice to know you did some good.

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>>47043936
You might as well start with the barkeeper. She - like many people you've seen here - has the olive skin and gentle features you saw in the picture of Kells' wife. There's been a scattering of others around town, including a few like you - but you're beginning to suspect that this might be where Kells met his lady love.

"Ma'am?" you ask. She offers you her attention while she cleans a glass. "I'm looking for someone, the sweetheart of a friend of mine from the Broken Jaw. He was an ice miner."

You have the room's attention. Oops.

"Have you been through the Jaw?" she asks. "What's been happening up there? We tried to send a party to check on it, but the entrance was frozen over..."

> You don't have time for this talk; lie
> Tell her gently
> Tell her straight

>>47044028
>Tell her gently
I wanna see how gently something like this can be delivered

>>47044028
>Tell her gently
Lying now would just look bad later on.

>>47044028
> Tell her gently

>>47044028
> Tell her gently
Telling her seems like the right option, but I'm a bit conflicted as to whether it should be told gently or told straight. I'm going with gentle for now.

>>47044028
>> Tell her straight

Better that it comes from us than distorted at however many removes once the news starts spreading.

And...well, I'm not sure how gently "every man, woman, and child in there died, and the ones who were eaten so the others could live a little longer were the lucky ones" can be put.

>>47044028
>Tell her straight

Also include that the Diviner is very, very dead thanks to your party.

Alright folks, I gotta get ready for and then go to work. Full eight and a half hours; I won't be back until just after midnight EST. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated. Now is a pretty good time to think about your plan of action both with Emily and in terms of Nate & the Warehouse team; I'll keep the discussion in mind when I go to update.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>47044028
Can we do mild version.

>It was frozen over. I've come through from the roost once it thawed; not seen a single living soul. Only the ghosts.

>>47044028
> Tell her gently
Just say the entrance is opened, not that we were the one that opened it.

>>47044028
>tell her straight

>>47044028
>> Tell her straight
straight and honest

>>47044028
inb4 she's the one we're looking for and she will be heartbroken when we say "everybody died"

>>47044156
I'm sorry who the fuck is Emily?

Is she John's sweetheart who Lora just decided to make important?

>>47045733
Yes.

>>47044028
>Tell her gently.
This is going to be rough.

>>47045733
Well, Vox did say that she was trying too hard to be 'the good guy' or some such. This was Lora going overboard when John asked her to protect Emily.

If its worth anything, having a Chosen of Death may be a /good/ thing, not just for the Dungeon but for the whole world.

>>47045733
Basically, Lora (being literally Death) takes last words/requests VERY seriously. Making Emily her Chosen was the most expedient and probably the most solid method of ensuring her safety vailable to Lora (that being John's final request - for Lora to keep Emily safe).

>>47044028
>> Tell her gently

Six hours and change to call. Busy day; won't be able to talk much.

Question folks - hop back to Nate after this section, or swap to River and what she was doing during lich time?

>>47047177
Ehhhhh, I'd rather hop back to Amy and play the next section as her because doing three plotlines at the same time is what part of the reason Star Wars The Phantom Menace was a bad movie

>>47047240
Fair enough.

I have noticed that both times that Amy's had the chance to be the MC for a floor, anon has favored Nathan. This intrigues me.

>>47047177
Back to nate and company. Don't want to be doing too many active plotlines at the same time.

>>47047339
I like them both and wouldn't mind playing as amy at all. It's just that after long periods of pragmatism there something... therapeutic about playing HERO.

>>47047339
It usually has to do with the context of what we're doing (for example, New Hell was all about beating Natalia).

Our goals in the Roost meant that being the voice of reason was playing Brianna, instead of exploring Amy's old stomping grounds from her perspective.

Maybe we can switch to our lovely murderbird when we go for the Cornucopia?

>>47047388
And Amy is all about cuteness, fun, joy, love and murder!

I really enjoy that dichotomy. One moment she's this sweet, innocent songbird, and the next she's a vicious raptor going for the throat.

>>47047522
There's no point since Brianna will be caling most of the shots and we want to play the shotcaller of any given section.

See, play as Amy throughout the entirety of the Roost would have been cool if Brianna was preoccupied with something else.

The only reason we played Nate was because plot demanded that Bri could not call the shots during New Hell.

Really, we should have split up into THREE groups during this section, Nate in Warehouse, Bri in Broken Jaw and Amy in Cornucopia with all the relevant side characters that we never see in action like Silence and Korl the goblin as the helpful party members

>>47047681
>The only reason we played Nate was because plot demanded that Bri could not call the shots during New Hell.
Eh, I kinda disagree here. I liked Nate taking charge in New Hell because that part was /his/ story and his fight.

In regards to the Roost I think we played Bri because Amy wasn't the most level headed in a situation that needed diplomacy. And also because of the overwhelming amount of death magic stuff we ran into. I would still love to do an Amy route but it needs to be a spot where she will excel at such as a sneaky infiltration mission or a full on shankbird time.

>>47048121
Exactly. It isn't so much being the shot caller as it is being the most appropriate character for the setting. Although if I was given a choice between the main characters to play as I'd almost always default to Feathers[\spoiler]

>>47048844
Well... That's embarrassing.

Four hours and change to call. Still a good time to toss around plans and ideas.

>>47044028
>> You don't have time for this talk; lie
>> Tell *her* straight; in confidence. She'll be a good judge on just how wide the knowledge should be for the area.
DO stress you have limited time; and you have to get to something a bit more pressing very much SOONER than LATER.

>>47049284
Whoops, just meant the tell her straight one. Editing error.

>>47044028
> Tell her gently

>>47044028
Man, all the Gently options. There's a time and a place for stuff; but given we're ALREADY in a hurry and that we ALREADY are hunting coffee like someone's life is on the line, it just doesn't make sense to stop and handhold here when we've got a MISSION.

>>47050274
Rushing stuff can be very bad. And gently does not mean slowly.

Two hours and change to call.

One hour and change. Tomorrow and Wednesday will also be more or less like this, but then I have three days off. Of those, only Thursday is somewhat spoken for.

Also I forget, wasn't briana supposed to be a much darker character originally? With you accidentally giving a backstory that you really mostly came up with to justify us not being lolevil with how we were arrested?

>>47052365
Not really. Bri's exile was planned as unjust from the beginning. I took anon's early cues about her characterization and I expanded on her backstory with an eye to the sort of past that would produce the person that my readers were encouraging her to be.

As for precise details, how badly do you really want to meet the man behind the curtain?

>>47052365
but she is a dark character
get it
cause she's black
shit's jokes

Off work, heading home.

>>47052926
hurrah

>>47052495
I want to know a lot, but anything you think would be bad to hear before the quest is over keep to yourself.

I'd like to hear about the other three protagonists because this quest feels so much like Bri had to be the main character that I forget there were other options

>>47039936
>context?
I'm pretty sure you're the one to introduce the person to questing, Vox.

>>47053296
Yeah...that's gonna be Man Behind the Curtain territory. Keep those questions around, and ask me as we get closer to the end of the quest or into the epilogue; I don't mind talking about my process, but I also don't want to disturb the experiences of my audience. I know that, for me, hearing some of these answers /during/ the process would take something away from it, y'know?

>>47053645
S'wha?

Called, writing.

>>47053814
The Basement Quest thing, remember? The one that's also about a dungeon, but magic is still in completely unknown territory and everyone is packing modern firearms?

>>47053858
But that QM doesn't need to speak in code in my threads, they can pester me in real time.

>>47053902
I think we have deviated from the original purpose of this conversation.

Forget it and WRITE SL-I MEAN LICH!

>>47053944
both work, people were assuming Vox was a prostitute long before people started calling him a lich

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>>47044028
You take a long drink of your coffee. When you speak, it's in a low, sympathetic tone.

"The people of the Broken Jaw have entered the Sunless Lands," you murmur. "There were no survivors. Their deaths have been avenged, but it...it will be a very long time before it becomes the place it was. The damage done was significant, down to the fish and game."

There are murmured prayers and curses. The barkeep reaches under her counter, opens a jug of rum, and pours herself a shot before downing it.

You take a heavy breath. "It was the last request of one of the ice miners that I deliver a message to his sweetheart. His name was John. Hers is Emily."

"I know them," the barkeep confirms. "She's a soldier, protects the town's fishing fleet. She didn't ship out today, though. Her captain came through here, pissed as all getout. Said she refused to leave her home."

You look down at your coffee and start drinking it faster.

"Is she in trouble?" the barkeep asks.

"Probably," you admit.

"Are you going to help?"

"After coffee."

There's a long quiet. And then - "Miss...is the Jaw /safe/?"

You shrug. "It's quiet," you tell her, softly. "I still have business there, but honestly...there's nothing there, right now. It needs time to heal. Time to mourn, I think."

You gratefully accept the shot of rum that the barkeep sets at your table, and finish your coffee as fast as you dare. You down the shot before standing. "Where can I find her?" you ask.

"House with the blue door on the east side of the river," you're told.

It's easy enough to find. The home is two stories - surprising in itself - and has a bright blue door. The shutters are drawn.

Your loud knock is answered with, "GO AWAY!"

> What do you say?

Lora sent me

best I can come up with, I am not a clever man.

Goddamn but today took it out of me. As you probably guessed, I'ma leave this one overnight. Pro tip: the days when SNAP benefits refresh are hell in retail. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>47054674
>"The angel has sent me, Emily. I am here to help."

>>47054674
>The angel sent me. I bear news from the Broken Jaw.

Thread archived. Passing out for real now.

>>47054674
> It's about John.

>>47054940
>> It's about John.
Seconding, she probably doesn't want to hear about the angle as much as she does john. Open with that, then lora. She needs to know

>>47054674
>"Emily? I..I have something for you. From John."

Remind me again why Brianna has to deal with this shit? And not just because 'ethical necromancy'. Holy crap, she isn't just a reluctant Hero, she's a saint.

>>47055579
Lora has turned her into a chosen of Death (Lora) while Lora is still controlled by Richard and company. Remember the misinformed chosen Nate and Amy ran into that Natalia tricked into fighting us? If any of them find out about her they can force Lora to use her for rather destructive purposes.

>>47056135
Nah, I was here to catch that.

I just mean, Brianna seems to spend an awful lot of time having to trudge through emotional, soul-crushing crap. She's going to need a long, cathartic cuddle pile by the end.

>>47056135
I'm not so sure about that, I think chosen just get free magic and a voice in their head not having the god control their actions or some shit. The worst that could probably come of it would be getting Lora to lie to her or something but really now, when you have the power of an angel at your fingertips are you really going to go "hey lets go out of our way to try to deceive that one chick nobody cares about with a few magic powers"?.

The issue should be addressed just in case, but I doubt it is a real threat. The main reason for the visit is John asked and we promised we would.

>>47056588
I originally thought that Emily would be some innocent maiden mourning her passed sweetheart.

Now that I read she's a (potentially) butt-kicking soldier girl, we might have the distinct possibility for a roaring rampage of revenge.
>Before you say it, she's not a necromancer, and Lora can probably help her determine who is and isn't working for the Chain-Holders, so no collateral damage.

woah, test

>>47056491
Personally, I think it's less about Bri being an ethical necromancer, and more about her being the someone that does something (of "someone ought to do something" fame). There's this refusal to pass off the responsibility onto someone else that seems to be baked into Bri's very soul.

> It's about John.

Let's start with the human part of this conversation.

(She refuses to leave her home, so I suspect this has... affected her visual appearance and sudden outlook on life.)

>>47057697
I don't know about that, the other Chosen didn't have any major weird characteristics as a result of her station. She just had the cloak given to her by her God. In this case, the sword we've brought her is probably the equivalent.

I think it's more likely that she's heard Lora speaking in her head, assumed she was going insane, and now she's hiding herself out of shame and fear that she'll be ostracized as a loony.

>>47057664
This. Remember, even the non-necromancer la Croix - the alchemists, the healers, even just the undertakers - are the Somebody. Bri's parents were just ordinary civilians, and they /died/ being the Somebody. That, along with the long family history with death, is the essence of the name.

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>>47056588
>when you have the power of an angel at your fingertips are you really going to go "hey lets go out of our way to try to deceive that one chick nobody cares about with a few magic powers"?.
I dunno, if you've got the power of an angel at your fingertips are you going to squander it on making her fuck you?

Evil is pretty prone to pettiness in any case, and the opportunity to control a Chosen isn't exactly insignificant. If nothing else, she's a potential enemy asset to be contained, so they'd have reason to mislead her just to keep her from working with us.
Or, worse, compel Lora to pass her faulty information while Emily is in the middle of assisting us with something important. Something like "Bri needs you to cover her flank, get ready to attack the enemy coming down this hallway." When in fact an ally like Amy is coming that way.

>>47058025
There was also the blood-red eyes, my friend. The cloak is her sign of station but no one gets such power and remains unchanged.

Called, writing.

>>47058283
Oh shit is she skellington?

...Or maybe a permanent skull facepaint, that'd be pretty cool.

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>>47054674
"Emily," you call through the door. "I need to talk to you."

"No you don't," the young woman's voice answers, sharply.

"Emily, it's about John."

You hear the hard pounding of boots on stairs, and the door is wrenched open. Emily is about your age, with a heart-shaped face and the olive skin so common to this part of the Dungeon.

Her hair has been replaced by short black feathers, and her eyes, wide with concern, are gripped by a spreading black coloration that follows the veins of her cheeks.

"Where is he? What happened?" she asks, immediately. She looks at your face, and her fear slowly sinks into sorrow. She takes a step back, shaking her head. "No, no, he..."

"We have a lot to talk about, Emily," you murmur. "John's final request was that you be told what happened to him, and that you be kept safe. I'm here to help."

"Brianna?" Emily asks, in a tight whispers.

You nod. "You heard an angel's voice. She said to expect me."

> "We need to go; it's not safe here."
> "May I come inside?"
> "Does anyone else know about your current state?"
> Write-in?

>>47058747
>> "May I come inside?"

>>47058747
>> "May I come inside?"

We don't know that it's not safe here—at least not in the immediate sense—and it's probably better to be talking indoors for now.

Especially with her looking like that.

>>47058747
>"May I come inside?"
Sorrow ahead.

>"May I come inside?"

Less public. No need to go anywhere else at the moment.

>>47058747
>"May I come inside?"
Yeah, rushing will probably end up slower if we've got one extremely noticeable Chosen and one extremely noticeable necromancer who is about to collapse.

We may need hatchet and boar to cause a distraction, if it gets bad enough.

>>47058747
> "May I come inside?"

Called, writing shortly.

>>47059479
That was me.

>>47059553
Does Lora have unaffected rights with her Chosen the same that she has with her Heritor?

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>>47058747
That Emily looks more sorrowful than afraid is a testament; you sigh, and remove your hat.

"May I come inside?" you ask quietly. "There's a lot to explain. About John, and about...what's happened to you."

"She said I was Chosen. Chosen for what?" Emily asks.

"...This floor doesn't have a lot of traffic with the surface, does it?"

Emily shakes her head, mutely.

"Okay. This explanation just got...a lot longer."

Emily waves you inside. The home is modest, and clearly lived in by more than just the young soldier; for one thing, you're fairly certain the sketches of the two older people that look like her are her parents.

For another, a note on a bottle of wine says 'Dad's'.

You close the door behind yourself and accept the chair that Emily pulls out for you. She sits across from you, expectantly.

"...The thing I need you to understand about this is that it wasn't John's fault," you murmur. "There is...there is a group, attempting to control the Dungeon. Attempting to misuse its power. Thirteen masterminds in all, each skilled and deadly. One, the Diviner, sealed off the Broken Jaw and used her power to scourge it of life. She destroyed the food. Froze over the water. Killed the game, the fish. In the end, the only thing left to hunt was one another."

The breath catches in the young soldier's throat.

"...John did what he could to survive," you continue. You hold her gaze, trying to stay warm and compassionate. It's hard to talk, and you keep having to stop to take a deep breath and focus. "It wasn't enough. When he died, he rose as a kind of undead, a draug, that feeds on the flesh of the living."

"...We call them reavers down here," Emily murmurs. "Sea reavers. You get them, sometimes, near shipwrecks..."

You nod. "I encountered John in the Roost, along with many other draugs. He surrendered to me and my companions and asked for the chance to settle his affairs before his final death. He'd wanted to say goodbye to you, but..."

"But?"

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>>47060651
"This is the part where it gets complicated," you admit. "These masterminds, they've imprisoned an angel of the Death Choir. When John took his revenge on the Diviner, the angel offered him a boon. He told her to protect you, and to give him a clean death."

The tears well in Emily's eyes, and she starts to sob. You stand and circle the table to comfort her; gods know you'd want someone there for you.

"I'm sorry," you murmur. "He seemed like a good man."

"What does the angel want with me?"

> Nothing; this was just a gift
> The others are still holding her captive. I need your help.
> To be honest, I think this was a mistake. She accidentally made you a target.
> Write-in?

>>47060723
>> Nothing; this was just a gift

>>47060723
> Nothing; this was just a gift

> But the thing is that gift comes with choices. You can choose to leave, or to stay here and try to move on.

> If you want, you also might have the power to choose to hit back at the people that made this happen. It's your choice though, and the boon is Johns reward so you get to keep it regardless.

We should probably hook her up with the other chosen since Lora seems to be somewhat . . . Inconsistent about how they work.

>>47060723
> To be honest, I think this was a mistake. She accidentally made you a target.
But what you have now is the strength to make this place better and get rid of the masterminds who forced John to do those things. If you'd like I could help you help yourself be stronger.

>>47060723
>Write-in?
>"There was no hidden agenda for... this. Because of her bindings, it was the only way she could think of to grant John's request. There are consequences though, once the masterminds find out, you will become a target, either for servitude or death. If you would allow me, I be your guide and we have another Chosen close at hand who can also help out."
A bit of "just a gift" and less harsh about being a target.

>>47060867
This seems best to me

>>47060723
>> Write-in?

I literally have no clue what Lora was thinking and this inhuman reaction to the wish "protect my loved one" is making me reconsider my idealized viewpoint of such an entity that is meant to represent the concepts of death and entropy in physical form. Truly, this seems obviously the opposite of keeping one's loved one out of harm's way. You have been granted powers beyond your imagination, without your consent I might add, which to my mind now makes you almost obligated to go out and aid me in the fight against the people imprisoning the "God" (?) that has chosen you to be her representative.

However, by doing so I would be breaking the wish of the man who asked for your protection but by not doing so I'm leaving somebody incredibly powerful and you may potentially have a big target on your back.

Essentially, Lora interpreted "protect Emily" to mean "make her your chosen that way you can divine intervention whenever you want, lol".

So, y'know, c'mon John, gotta know how to word those fuckin' wishes mate. Monkey's paw bullshit.

>>47060867
>>Write-in?
>>"There was no hidden agenda for... this. Because of her bindings, it was the only way she could think of to grant John's request. There are consequences though, once the masterminds find out, you will become a target, either for servitude or death. If you would allow me, I be your guide and we have another Chosen close at hand who can also help out."
Seconding

>>47060723
>> Nothing; this was just a gift. Still, the others are still holding her captive and you're not safe here. I'd like you to come with me so I can help you, and maybe when you've got a bit more of a handle on your situation, you can help me.

>>47060713
nigger that doesn't even rhyme, 0/10

>>47060723
Seconding this guy >>47060867
>>"There was no hidden agenda for... this. Because of her bindings, it was the only way she could think of to grant John's request. There are consequences though, once the masterminds find out, you will become a target, either for servitude or death. If you would allow me, I be your guide and we have another Chosen close at hand who can also help out."

>>47060713
You are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. Farewell.

>>47061043
>>47061151
>biting the bait

The (you)s feed his soul.

Vote slightly extended for dishes.

>>47060713
So much salt, its like I'm floating on the Dead Sea.

>>47061016
Kinda supporting, but also with;
>"There are so many others who have lost those precious to them, endured bloodshed, suffered under the yolk of slavery, and been subject to terrible cruelty. There are many more who still do. This is an opportunity to give them hope again, that there will be a tomorrow, and that we will make it through. Together."

>>47060867

Supporting this as well. She kinda got put into a precarious situation. This has potential, both good and bad.

>>47061360
It all rests on which direction Brianna points her toward and how Emily goes about using her newfound powers.
>Spiritual Advisor Powers Activate!

Oh, by the way, do we have Feathers with us? The fluffy adorableness could be useful in the therapy session.

>>47061523
>Oh, by the way, do we have Feathers with us? The fluffy adorableness could be useful in the therapy session.

This is why I hate Feathers.

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>>47061523
Lora still has him.

Called, writing.

>>47061892
I realize the type line is getting full, but we really couldn't fit Zombie in there?

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>>47061931
Hm, upon closer inspection, it DOES turn out I'm an idiot, yes

>>47061563
...does that mean he'll be ambulatory by the time we retrieve him? (Operating on the 'his intelligence comes from a soul shard Lora accidentally put in him during their first hug' theory).

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>>47060723
You shake your head, gently. "Lora didn't have a hidden agenda for this," you tell her, gently. "Because of her bindings, this was the only way she could think of to grant John's final request. At a guess, they can't force her to rescind your new power, though I don't know for sure. But there will be consequences as a result. Once her captors find out, you will become a target. If you want, I can help you. There's another Chosen I know, assuming she hasn't moved away, who can mentor you in what it means."

"You still haven't told me what a Chosen is," Emily murmurs, softly.

"Chosen are...they're empowered to do the will of a god. You don't get a lot of them in the Dungeon, because the gods don't see here. But the angel, she made this place. And she Chose you."

Emily's reply is swallowed up by the sound of alarm bells clamoring in the town. The Chosen looks up, sharply, but the explanation comes fast enough, when Rachael Trust's amplified shout echoes through Port Atrium.

"LA CROIX! STAND AND DELIVER!"

> Go to the docks, take Emily with you
> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes
> Grab Emily and get to Hatchet
> Pick up the entire Emily and take the book express to the Atheneum (leave Hatchet to fend for himself)

* * * *

You are Nathan Bookchild, and you are reaching your hand out for what you're pretty sure is a cursed amulet. The Lich of the Center hands it to you, and you slip it quietly around your neck.

You feel...fine?

No wait. It's trying to kill you.

Except. You're. Getting tougher as fast as it's killing you?

|I think I'm canceling it out| you observe.

|Good. Keep it safe, Hero. We must locate the Bottle Imp. It is a demon in a jar, kept somewhere in this level. We must find and destroy it.|

|Yes, ser| you agree. You offer your hand to shake, and the lich actually clasps it.

|May the Reaper smile on you, mortal smith.|

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>>47062202
> Go back to the Bazaar and ask around
> Find River
> Go to the Trade Arc
> Meet back up with the alchemists
> Write-in?

>>47062001
Glorious. Can we look forward to more from you?

>>47062202
> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes

The timing's not good, but we /do/ need to deal with this.

> Find River

She's good with demons, right?

>>47062202
>> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes

What is it this time?

>>47062202
> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes.
>Demand parley with Trust, but bring a book escape for backup.
----
> Find River.

Alright folks, I need to head into work until about 8 PM EST or so. I'll resume once I get home; votes remain open in the meantime. It's a shame about the resurgance of troll posts but we've been staying steady thus far; don't engage and we oughta be fine.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes

This is not the time to be thrown entirely into the deep end.
(But make sure Hatchet actually knows what's up. He has no idea who Emily is at the moment.)

> Find River

I'd imagine she will know how to find a demon.
Also, huh. Dat amulet. We better keep it safe.

>>47062202
>Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes
>>47062215
>Find River

As an additional note: Now that Trust is calling us out in as public a setting as possible the entire port will know who we are and that there's beef.

This should be ...interesting.
I support the notion of making sure we have an escape book ready, but I'd rather not leave Hatchet and Emily on their own without knowing what is going on.

>>47062202
> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes
We got a job.

>>47062215
> Find River
Regroup and brainstorm.

>>47062202
>> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes
>>47062215
>> Find River

>>47062377
>> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes.
>>Demand parley with Trust, but bring a book escape for backup.
>----
>> Find River.
Thus sounds logical. Seconding

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>>47062255
I.. can! Sure hope you're not expecting much good!

>>47064564
>Not Falling Knives

bruh

>>47064656
>implying I'm not saving the cool epithet for bewinged-Amy

>>47064822
Complaint removed

>>47064564
I'd put it in my deck

>>47064564
BRR? Not really seeing it. Amy specifically rejects the Black nature of her upbringing. Merely loving Briana isn't enough, either. Mono-Red makes more sense.

And pre-wings, she didn't really have Flying; she could just jump really high. Possibly replace with something like

>>1: Amy Half-Harpy gains flying until end of turn.

Not really satisfying as a card, but captures her more, I think.

Making her a double-face card would be kind of neat, though.

>>47064954
She may reject the more overt aspects of Black, but it's definitely still part of her. She simply doesn't have the same set of morals as civilization at large does, and it shows on a regular basis.

I thought of doing temporary flying! But harpy magic doesn't seem to require any actual expenditure of energy, and she does it so casually and gleefully, so something you have to pay for felt wrong. I thought about pseudo-flying, a la Orchard Spirit or Silhana Ledgewalker, but that made the activated ability REALLY awkward to word, and I really wanted to let her throw her friends into battle. It's a series of compromises, it's true! I'll try to do better next time.

>>47065091
pre-wings Amy could grant reach to an ally

>>47064564
Neat! I'll let others handle the feedback but I'm flattered to see these! If you do more, feel free to post ' em up.

Three hours and change to call.

>>47065149
She tended to use it more offensively though, didn't she? Literally throwing Bri and Nate weapon-first at the enemy? Reach doesn't fit that, mechanically.

It's not the fact that she grants temporary flying that they object to, since Magic often crunches temporary giant leaps as granting flying for a turn, but the fact that she herself flies permanently.

It's less elegant, but this actually feels kind of better to me, what does Anon think?

>>47065398
Harpy is already a creature type, you know.

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>>47065441
I was actually unaware! Thanks for that!

(quietly adds the proper "if" clause)

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Different anon and MtG design-fag here. Since this is apparently a thing, I made a card for Jewel. I tried to make it representative of DLQ as well as mechanically interesting. There aren't any pictures for Jewel, so I made do with what I could get...

>>47062202
>> Tell Emily to run to Hatchet, go to the docks while she escapes

>> Find River

>>47066184
PLANESWALKER

It's definitely interesting, I'm curious as to your intention behind her transformation mechanic (and if you want to expand on all your work, please do!)

>>47066254
The transformation mechanic is meant to represent Briget's use of the Word on her. I was considering doing something like the Heroic trigger (When it becomes the target of a spell you control) but ultimately decided to make it as it is now. I was considering making Lora as a planeswalker next, but we'll see.

>>47066184
I feel like with Cherry, Jewel still has some elements of Black. She's gone good, but Black isn't always ungood. (Supposedly; even WotC seems to be incapable of getting that through their heads though.)

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>>47066407
Funny you say that, because I was working on a Lora God myself. Can't wait to see your take on her!

I wanted to give her some way to "choose", empower, a creature

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>>47067176
Here's my version of Lora. It's not exactly a god, though...

>>47067176
Dam good card.

Kinda curious about an MtG take on some of the chain holders, now.

>>47067176
>>47067444

>only cost four

I've been out of the game for a while, but that seems... rather cheap for their strength.

>>47067961
Eh, >>47067176 seems about in line with the other monocolored gods.

>>47067961
Mine (>>47067444) can be compared to Grave Pact. Yes it's very strong, but I'd say it's still reasonable, if a bit pushed.

> Other quests get writefags
> I get fanmade Magic cards.

This pleases me for reasons I cannot articulate.

On my way home, just need to get dinner. As you probably noticed, Bri is once again several hours into the future of Nate's current events.

>>47069009
Would Bri, be a white and black card?

>>47069219
Would she? The color discussions have been fascinating; I'd rather see how folks interpret her.

>>47069278
I think she would be a green and black card.

>>47069219
That would fit

>>47069219
Hard to argue with either, I think. "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" is a rather WB attitude, too.

>>47069331
How do you figure Green? Bri's not exactly above defying the natural order as far as necromancy goes; she's not really an entropy/decay-proponent like BG usually is.

>>47069278
I've been trying to prototype a Bri card, I've put her in Abzan. White's sense of community, green's sense of the natural order, black's death stuff. Hell, she'd literally fit in the Abzan Houses just fine, they're all about the ancestors.

>>47069466
Guess white, green and black is a option.

>>47069410
She enforces the cycle of life and death; it's literally her motto, "Life for the living, death for the dead." But her White is definitely stronger than her Green; she'll break the natural order over her knee if she has to, to Do What's Right.

>>47069466
She's definitely Abzan, while Nate is pure white. Or maybe Boros.

>>47069618
I actually meant to ask Vox about that; Woundseeker heritage seems like it'd taint him with black. But at the same time, I definitely want him to be mono-W.

>>47069645
Not necessarily. I mean, yes, the idea of empowering oneself around death and pain is fairly Black, but it could also be Red (grief) or White (vengeance).

>>47069604
Yeah, White also cares a lot about how things are "supposed to be;" it's one of the reasons White and Green are allies. It's precisely White's willingness to defy the natural order to try to improve on it (civilization) that they disagree on, to separate them.

Nate is beyond a doubt W/R. This is the dude who thought losing his foot in glorious battle was a good time.

Bri is obviously black because she's a nigger.

>>47070214
OnlyTheDead.jpg
Carlos please go.

>>47070214
Oh you...

>>47070266
>>47070268

Hey guess what guys.

If we actually inherit from Lora.

We'll be the Black Death.

Hyuck hyuck hyuck.

>>47070292
Oh here's another one.

When the perspective shifts to Amy, are we seeing things from a bird's eye view?

Hyuck hyuck hyuck.

>>47070292
>>47070324
some one get me a voice clip of that laugh

>>47070292
That's so stupid it's brilliant.

>>47070214
I had a 3 minute coughing fit, that almost fucking killed me.

Give this guy a medal

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>>47062001
Okay, so I'm going to be honest, I am *very* impressed by this card, because not only does it work mechanically with the rules, it's extremely well balanced for it's statline and cost while it brings a cool twist.

It being white is a problem though, as well as a gold card. Wither has only been on hybrid cards, and only in green, red, black.

To push it onto White would be breaking the color pie. If there was another mechanic that could fulfill the theme brought by Wither, or even a brand new mechanic, it would be a far better card.

Furthermore, *White* does not do pingers. "tap: deal 1 damage to something" belongs to *Red* and *Blue* and would *never* be seen on a BW card. The color pie breakage means this card would quite likely be binned, despite being a Vorthos hit.

Alternatively, you could also turn him into a pure black card.
It's stat line is far too low to warrant it being either rare or legendary. Remember, Legendary creatures not only should do something *unique*, but also should be pushed enough in power that it would be balance concern if two of them were under a players control at the same time.

If he were beefier or had more power, or maybe another keyword, it would fit the goal of a rare legendary creature far better.

Perhaps First Strike?

Also, I apologize. I don't actually read this quest. I'm friends with Vox from elsewhere and a huge fucking Magic nerd so I got drawn in here.

I GET WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE VOX. I TOLD YOU BEFORE. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE READING YOUR QUEST.

>>47070703
I'd say Infect would be a good substitute for whither.

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>>47064564
Okay, so this one is an absolute no-no.

Mana Cost:
Remember, for every colored mana symbol in the cost, the card is that much more exponentially harder to cast. BRR would be a cost reserved for a very powerful and pushed creature.
I'd be fine statting this 2BR if you want a BR creature with flying. 2BR for a 5/4 with flying if you want to keep it Legendary.

Think of the very commonly found huge flying demons with a downside. *Thats* the kinda creature you should look to for ideas with this card.

Remember the P/T test. A card on average, has P/T equal to it's mana cost, which is the baseline for "playable" i.e. Grizzly Bears are a 2/2 for 1G. Nothing exciting, but you'd play it in a deck.

Second, it's ability is *NOT* a Black or Red ability.
Keyword changes like this are very Blue ability, with White as a very Tertiary color.

Example cards:
Adarkar Windform
Gliding Licid
Walking Sponge

When making cards, always search the ability your giving it against the Gatherer.
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Advanced.aspx?

Magic has been around for over *twenty* years (holy fuck I've been playing this game for a decade, since bloody Ravnica). There's a very good chance there's already a card that does something similar, and you can check with that against what you're doing to make sure the color pie lines up.

Keep in mind that the Color Pie has evolved over time though, and a lot of the oldest cards don't necessarily align to today's Pie.

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>>47070703
Bruh.

http://magiccards.info/le/en/10.html
http://magiccards.info/10e/en/8.html
http://magiccards.info/7e/en/19.html
http://magiccards.info/9e/en/12.html
http://magiccards.info/ddo/en/14.html
http://magiccards.info/cs/en/11.html
http://magiccards.info/lw/en/6.html
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=23165
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=184672
http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=108794

White has a long and storied history of having pingers. While most (but, importantly, not all) of its pingers tend to do things during the combat step, the addition of Black to the card brings in /Black's/ history of doing damage to creatures.

White fits the fluff and fits the ability (combat-centric pinging), as does black (undeadness, affecting creatures).

>>47070703
I'm a huge Vorthos, but honestly mate, these cards are absolutely meant flavour first, mechanics/balance barely-at-all. Amy's B/R because that's the kind of person she is. Fetch is mechanically a mono-B card (because Black can totally do Wither and ping), but because he is a white character, he gets to be W/B. (Also, you seem to've forgotten: Gold cards can absolutely do things that neither colour can do alone. It's hybrid that has to exist on the shared space. Also, Legendary goes on tons of non-pushed creatures, I'm not sure what you're talking about there. Sometimes it's just a story marker.)

I've been playing almost as long as you have, but you have to realize, sometimes you have to make concessions for worlds that don't have the same magic system as, well, Magic. You have to be more abstract with the pie.

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>>47066184
NOW THIS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT.

It feels exciting, it feels good to play.
It has an unique way of using a double faced card and a unique trigger, not to mention it's complex enough to warrant being rare.
These are all things that point to a strong rare.

Remember, it's not *raw* power that dictates rarity, but *complexity*.

If you want to make it really cool, add another triggered ability on the backface, so its controller could potentially flip it during combat to whatever side.

You'd have to add a "you may only activate this ability once per turn" for balance reasons though. Willy-nilly and it'd busted strong.

Plus, it forces a decision by presenting a choice. You can only pick one side for combat, not both and change it as you wish for the situation.

Game design wise, choices like this are very good and create far more depth than letting both happen.


VOX. I KNOW YOU'RE IN THIS THREAD RIGHT NOW. I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING A KICK OUT THE OF THE GAME DESIGN PART OF THIS. I'M ONTO YOUR GAME MOTHER FUCKER!

>>47071064
>Remember, it's not *raw* power that dictates rarity, but *complexity*.
That's only true of expansion sets! Commander sets, for example, dictate rarity solely based on how many decks any given card is in, Duel Decks have.. some arcane system nobody's ever grokked, and Masters set rarities are based solely around draft power.

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>>47070986
I'd cede the point. You're correct on this.
I actually got really excited when I first read the card because it looked like such a cool way of using Wither, but it didn't feel like a proper Wither card.

It still doesn't solve the problem of Wither belong to RGB and not White.

>>47071115
Anon... http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=152089

>>47071115
But that's NOT a problem. Multicolour cards can have use the pie that's exclusive to any given colour. Look at one of my favourite cards of all time, Mystic Snake. It's literally Grizzly Bear (which blue doesn't get) stapled to Counterspell (which green doesn't get). Or Lightning Helix; direct damage (Pretty un-white) and Lifegain (VERY un-red) You're conflating the requirements for multicoloured cards with those for hybrid cards.

>>47071184
Wait just goddamn minute.
That didn't show up when I ran a gatherer check for Wither. I fucking ran a gatherer check on Wither.

Stuff it, what are you all talking about?

>>47071218
Gatherer is fucking garbage. Probably not your fault.

Gonna call and write Soon(tm); I'm a bit distracted.

>>47071288
bunch of magic players, annoys me too but whatever.

>>47071347
I want to know what they are on about, the talking doesn't bother me

>>47070822
Were this card designed by R&D, it absolutely would've had Infect. I'm not gonna lie, I don't have a reason beyond "I REALLY hate Infect and wish it didn't exist."

>>47071378
well it seems to have started with some talk about custom DLQ magic cards and devolved into just random talk about magic. To my eye at least.

>>47071378
Well, basically, the Fetch card is much more black-mana themed than it is white-mana themed; most of the reason that he costs white mana is because he as a character is white-mana aligned. Some anon(s) are saying that this is not enough and he should be only a black-mana creature, while some anon(s) are saying he's fine as he is. Both sides are citing precedent for their positions by showing off other cards that are similar.

>>47071445
But we are still talking about the quest? We're critiquing and discussing the cards people made for the quest?

Untwist your panties bruh.

>>47071471
I would also say that this is veering pretty far into off-topic.

Not to say it isn't welcome, but in most cases talk like this is reserved for after the thread. Except Vox runs basically 24/7, a thread never really "ends".

So in terms of organizing archives, you're screwing over people who just want to read the story.

>>47071731
Do people who just want to read the story not just filter by Vox post?

>>47071731
>I would also say that this is veering pretty far into off-topic.
..... Actually, this is incredibly ON topic because magic is genuinely /tg/ related. Therefore since we are discussing /tg/ related custom magic cards in /tg/ we are allowed to stay here.

Right?

>>47071750
no, I for one do it by eye. Other people probably do too. Plus sometimes people might want to read the votes and writeins.

>>47071789
but the thread is not magic card related was his point I think, making it off topic.

>>47071789
>>47071837
Don't fight, anons, I'll put the cards away

>>47071848
Do so if you like but i really like the fanart stuff.

>>47071837
I was pointing out how if this is more than just a quest thread we don't have to move to /qst/ and therefore have 'legit' reason to give the trolls/mods.

>>47071750
Vox has a lot of off-topic posts as well. Though I'm responsible for a few of them.

But the point is in structure. You have:
>story
>short term discussion
>story
>short term discussion
>break
>long term discussion
>links to fan pastebins/etc
>story
>end thread
>long term discussion
>inthread fanfics
>other fan stuff

Drawfags get a pass because: a) their posts take up little space, b) they often don't start comment chains, c) it takes a long time to draw anyway, so they don't take up space.

Breaking the flow with off-topic stuff directly in the middle is a bit offputting, especially when the QM is actually present and still writing. Although some people still do it anyway and some QMs even encourage it, so take this all with a grain of salt.

>>47071848
I'm not saying its inherently bad, but....it kinda lost its optimum place? I would say to do it in autosage, but that's too infrequent. We can come up with a compromise, don't worry.

>>47071789
....I think you've been letting the shitposters get to you.

Vox takes a million years to post anyway and we need to bump the thread anyway so it doesn't fall off the board. Unless Vox wants to complain directly about off-topic shit then random poster >>47071931 can go fuck himself, IMHO.

>>47070703
Wither's in all five colors

Hybrid cards can only have a mechanic if either color alone could have that mechanic. Black, Red, and Green are full of Wither, and the fact that Harvest Gwyllion and Oona's Gatewarden exist means White and Blue are allowed to have it too, if only rarely.

Not to mention, the fact that Infect was in every color puts any sort of colorgating on Wither on some pretty shaky ground.

>>47072239
>Not to mention, the fact that Infect was in every color puts any sort of colorgating on Wither on some pretty shaky ground.

"Alright, green can have hexproof. But no shroud! It's outside their colour pie!"

Aight. Called, writing shortly. My apologies for the late start. Getting better, I need to be absent for almost the entirety of tomorrow. My thanks in advance for your patience.

And honestly I don't mind the chatter. I know I'd like to get feedback on fan works - writing, mostly - that I post. And it's not like there's an after-thread to do it in.

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>>47062215
You decide that the best course is to find River. When you get some distance from the lich, you tell Amy to whistle for the elf; the sharp, birdlike sound carries through the tunnels, and is answered by a return call provided by the sultan's illusions.

You meet up with River, Lark, and her demon in the Inner Ring, just shy of the Bazaar.

"I acquired some intelligence," River tells you. "The Lush has men combing the level, about fifty dedicated soldiers, plus a detachment of twenty wranglers and the eight lizards you saw. Their leader is a guy by the name of Jack, and he's spending money like water. No one seems to know of anyone by the title of 'Debtor' or about any unusual chains."

"And believe me, we asked," Lark complains. "This Jack guy's been down here awhile. They say he got stuck here when the doors shut and hasn't really made waves. Associates with the pixie you met."

"What's he been doing with his free time?" you ask.

"Cataloguing artifacts. And now, buying, stealing, and looting them. When the doors opened and the soldiers came through, he started working like someone lit a fire under him," River tells you. "Lush wants /something/ down here really badly. They're loading those lizards down hard."

You bite your lip and think.

> First priority is the lizards and soldiers; begin planning to disrupt their activiteis
> Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.
> Allies in the level will help before anything else will. The folks in the Center Ring owe you one for taking care of the lich.
> Write-in?

>>47071466
What is all this from?

>>47072788
>> Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.

>>47072788
I feel like the lizards are searching for the amulet we are currently wearing because they've been buying up every magical knick-knack. I feel we should go after Jack and the door but I do believe we should work at getting some allies if we can.

So..
>> Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.
with the secondary plan of
>> Allies in the level will help before anything else will. The folks in the Center Ring owe you one for taking care of the lich.

>>47072788
>Allies in the level will help before anything else will. The folks in the Center Ring owe you one for taking care of the lich.
tree in a forest strategy? Flooding the markets so we can't know what specifically they're keeping out of our hands?

>>47072788
>> Allies in the level will help before anything else will. The folks in the Center Ring owe you one for taking care of the lich.
Much as I really want to go after Jack, he's got a lot more friends than we do at the moment.

>>47072788
Should we split the party again? We could probably do more than one of these at a time.

>>47073385
I'm against it, we're already missing Bri and minions.

>>47072788
>> Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.


hmm... it's quiet tonight.

Yeah, my apologies. I'm...distracted.

>>47074207
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivJrE_Wory0

Aight, life has fucked any chance of the updating again tonight. I'll update in the morning when I get up; votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>47074927
My sympathies, dear lich. Sometimes the living need a reminder to STOP INTERRUPTING MY STORY TIME YOU LITTLE SHITS!!!

>>47072980
This sounds about right. Supporting.
>This Jack guy might be a problem, but we're gonna need to make some friends here before we challenge the Lush's soldiers.

> Allies in the level will help before anything else will. The folks in the Center Ring owe you one for taking care of the lich.

Hrm, Nate doesn't know what we know, and 50+ soldiers is... sizable. Allies seem like a good idea.
Plus, Jack can't complete his thing since we have the amulet, and we know where a demon's soul (tm) is, which River can hopefully find. So that should be on our immediate list as well.

Get the things he needs before him, gain allies, THEN see what his deal is.

>>47072788
>Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.

>>47072788
>>Jack sounds like he might be opening that door. That needs handling first.

Bumping for the love of caffeine and early birds everywhere.

I overslept. There may be a change in plan. My apologies.

>>47077822
I would like to sleep.

Alright, so - in theory, I'll be able to update in two hours or so. In practice, it may be longer. Thread's open for Q&A and discussion in the meantime.

So... given what we know about the Debtor so far, he doesn't seem like particular "Put Soul Into Sword" material.
But he may be someone who does ultimately stupid things for good reasons. Like setting off a nuke to pay off his Dickery Debt, for example. Current theory is that he's struggling as hard as he can against actually doing it, but what happens when all the pieces are in place and the only thing left to do is to press the button?

I'm not entirely sure what we should be doing with him when/if that time comes.

>>47078673
Him sending Flitter away does suggest that he's trying to stall.

>>47078717
What do you mean?

Almost home.

There we go. Called, writing.

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>>47072788
"I want Jack handled before anything else," you decide. "We can't let him open that door. River, there's a demon's soul on this level, an imp in a jar. Can you find it?"

"Shouldn't be hard," River agrees. "Sultan, would you do the honors?"

The rakshasa - still in elf form - sighs and starts glowing bright, flickering purple, streaked through with lines of bright red and pink.

"...What." you ask.

"The Sultan wanted a talisman that would enhance his illusions and increase the potence of his sorceries," River says smugly. "It also makes him glow purple. And he can't take it off."

Amy dies laughing while the rakshasa growls. The demon sets off with angry strides, and the group hustles in behind him.

You catch River flashing Lark a conspiritorial grin and gently squeezing his hand. The tobacco grower grins like a fool and adjusts his broad-brimmed hat.

"Have to say, I didn't expect you to be so...involved, Lark," you admit.

"As I said before, I can no longer afford to not care," the elf tells you. "I want to help. And it's not like it takes much skill to aim a crossbow."

"Preach it, my friend. Preach it."

The Sultan leads the group along the Inner Ring. You're already trying to think of how you can handle any traps that might -

There's a sign. Not a divine sign, a literal one.

'Bottle Imp: Four Copper Pennies'. There is no door to the room the sign sits next to, only a small wooden box with a slot and a clear, thick glass jar in which there is a swirling fog.

An old skeleton, its bones nearly dust, clutches at the wooden box.

What.

> Take the jar
> Pay for the imp
> Ask what River thinks
> Ask around the Inner Ring about it
> Write-in?

>>47081436

> Ask what River thinks

If no horrible soul sucking death awaits then.


>> Pay for the imp

Because fucking magic how does it work.

>>47081436
>> Ask what River thinks

She's here, she's fairly demon-savvy, it would be silly not to at least /ask/ before we do something that might be stupid.

>>47081436
>Pay for the imp
Might help an old ghost move on.

>>47081436
>"It also makes him glow purple. And he can't take it off."

Bwahahaha! I wondered what the item would end up being!

>>47081436
>Pay for the Imp

More reasons than I care to count, but in particular "ownership" of the components seems to have a metaphysical weight. Paying might make a good fallback point to stop things if we later lose possession

>>47081436
Is there a reason for antagonising the murderfuck deamon?

>>47081547
It's funny. Also I t gets him to stop hitting on her.

>>47081547
I think the goal is less antagonizing him and more belling the cat. This way if he tries to use illusions to fuck with us, he's going to be glowing purple while he does it, which should make his illusions rather less effective.

> Pay for the imp

>>47081436
>> Pay for the imp
>> Ask what River thinks

>>47081547
I think it's purely traditional for Demonologist and Demon to fuck with each other as much as possible within the agreed contract. If he really hated it he still has a cancellation clause he could enact.

>>47081436
>>> Pay for the imp
>>> Ask what River thinks

> Ask what River thinks
> Pay for the imp

In that order, pretty much. You don't short shrift magic. But it also pays to get an opinion beforehand. I hear the universe is sometimes big on reverse psychology.

>>47081436
> Pay for the imp
And leave a tip! Something in line with undead paying passage customs, or such.

Aight. As foretold in PROPHECY by which I mean earlier upthread, today has been fucked right sideways for me. I'ma have to leave this vote open and see if I can't update when I get home tonight. My morning tomorrow is spoken for but from Thursday through to Saturday I've got nothing but sweet, sweet time off.

I am considering trying out a side story in /qst/ as a one-shot, just to get a feel for the board's features. If I do, it'll take place here in DLQ's world but not otherwise be close enough to affect the plot; I'll link it in case you care to drop by and see what's going down. It may even involve one of the MCs you didn't pick..

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>47082544
I'll be interested in your experiences there. Don't forget to leave feedback in the feedback thread please.

>>47082643
I will. I'll also leave it in the /qtg/ so it's somewhere that'll last a little longer.

Working my way slowly through your archives, life's been fucking stupid busy these last four days just, kinda outta nowhere.

>>47082663
I hope you're enjoying it.

>>47082718
Thus far. Would you like me to sit on the feedback until your next thread or just appear out of nowhere like a headless fucking horseman and throw it in the general?

>>47082754
As far as feedback, I kind of meant of your experiences in /qst/, rather. You may give me feedback on my quest if you like, at any time, though most of my players would appreciate post-run.

>>47081666
Thanks for the info Satan.

Yep, gonna do it >>>/qst/59124

See ya'll there. DLQ will still be running during that time, albeit somewhat slower since I'm doubling up for the day.

>>47082937
>announcing a quest in the cancer thread
oh my, this shows that you have no experience with /tg/

>>47083568
At least he didn't announce it in the Feedback thread.

>>47083568
Every thread is cancer thread.

>>47081436
>Ask what River thinks

Six hours and change to call.

Bumpin.

Four hours and change.

The bad news - I got called in for Saturday. The good news - I'll be in a position to use my phone. There'll be a formal Q&A at that time.

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>> Ask what River thinks
If not a trap, then:
>> Pay for the imp
Because seriously, that'd be less than what he paid for the coffee had Mike not given Nate a refund.

So. First time posting, mainly to deliver shitty Zombie Army.gif. Clip is from the 'De Staat - Witch Doctor' music video. Saw it posted on /f/ today, thought, 'Zombie Army.gif' and here we are.

So, Lich food: Your prose is well written, grammar is great throughout, characters endearing and I find your setting extermely interesting. I've been reading via the sup/tg/ archives since DLQ #1, and need to say 'thank you for the 20 odd hours of free entertainment you've bestowed upon me', sir and / or madam undead.
Also looking forward to the fulfillment of your Kickstarter rewards, as I went for the 'get all the other stuff the Lich has written' option.

I'd love to offer actual critique instead of more flattery, but every time I've tried to be analytical with DLQ your prose sucks me right back into imagining what's going on and I go back to reading for the fun of it.
See you in the Archives, Vox.

>>47087794
So..... relevant to the quest.
Real Life Zombie Armies.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/05/03/dead-could-be-brought-back-to-life-in-groundbreaking-project/

>>47087794
Welcome to the live updates, my friend! My thanks for the read and the .gif.

Three hours and change.

We should talk to Fetch about how he'd feel if we made new small minions. Especially if we make them smart.

Also what to do with our ice. Frozen Kat?

So I've a probably stupid question. Shadows are made from imbuing your shadow with death charged emotions. Familiars have a chunk of the owners soul and seem too be able to feel emotion, judging from Fetch.

Can one make a shadow from their own familiar?

>>47089245
Oh god if fetch had shadow

>>47089245
No. But you can promote your shadow into familiarhood.

>>47089245
To elaborate now that I have a minute; Fetch's shadow isn't really his. It's Bri's, just like that soul chunk isn't his either. He can't sustain an animate shadow.

>>47089663
>Fetch's shadow isn't really his. It's Bri's
Does that mean Kat can access Fetch's shadow? Or is she only bound to 'our' shadow?

>>47089424
>>47089663
Interesting. And about what I guessed, I figured it might run into the snag of being too close to the creator. Shadow-familiars sound interesting, however, since it sounds like it would fix the rebellion issue or make it a lot worse.

Wouldn't trade Fetch for anything, but I was curious how muddy these sort of waters can go with shadows and familiars. Thanks for answering Vox.

>>47089928
She's weaker trying to sustain herself that way, but it can be done. The only snag is if Fetch gets destroyed and she can't make it back to Bri in time; she'd be destroyed, rather painfully, and it v would take several months for Bri to regenerate her natural shadow. During that time Bri would be tired, prone to depressive episodes, and generally impaired in her passions. Losing one's shadow sucks.

>>47090284
what if you're just in a really bright room that's lit from all angles

>>47090552
Animate shadows persist in such conditions and indeed thrive.

>>47081666
Well if anybody's qualified to comment on the subject it'd be you, Satan.

Home. Need to warm the room up and unwind from work, then gonna write the update for the night.

There we go. Called, writing.

>>47090284
Considering /where/ Kat came from, would she be afraid of iron? Are there any specific things that carry over from the death of the individual who spawns a shadow, like memories?

I'm just thinking that if we upgrade Kat's intelligence at some point, and she holds some of the innate fears of the demon she came from, then Brianna can just hold on to an iron dagger as a ward. Y'know, just in case Kat ever gets too aggressive.

Though, with how Brianna behaves, she'd probably be better off trying to connect with the shadow. Maybe some kind of empathic bond, like the one she has with Sir Fetch?

>>47093272
I think she already has one - Kat is her release when she cannot take time to do so. Cries for her, seeks hugs for her, and usually with Nate's shadow.

But that's my opinion.

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>>47081436
Went for asking River first due to the high number of combined votes & the general discussion.

"River, can you tell me anything about this?" you ask.

River shakes her head. "...But Robert can. I'm. I'm going to let him in."

"Are you -" you begin, but River is already pulling her hood up. There is a subtle ripple; spectral robes settle around River's form, shifting and flowing in a phantasmal breeze.

The voice is River's, but it echoes with the spectral tones of the dead.

"Ahhhh," Robert breathes. "Sweet /life/. Young Hero, do you know how long I have been dead?"

You shake your head, mutely. Beneath the hood, you see River's lips curl into an unfriendly smile.

"This creature," Robert tells you, ignoring his own question, "is /a/ Bottle Imp. There are never many, but inevitably someone stupid, or spiteful - or both - creates one. They are a particularly nasty sort of curse."

"Curse?" Lark asks, looking visibly uncomfortable.

"Darshan," Robert says casually, "I realize you are not compelled to obey me, but if you continue to gather your sorcery I will shred your body around your wretched little soul and bind it to the boy's iron leg."

Yeah...this isn't awkward at all.

"You were saying?" you prompt.

"Envision all the worst traits of a ghost and an imp," Robert tells you, gesturing to the jar with River's hand. "All of their spite, maliciousness, cunning, and envy, with the power of a death-like state to draw upon. No physical body, of course, but ghostly kinesis and necromantic prowess more than make up for it. The imp is bound to serve the owner of the bottle, but it will be cunning, twist orders, act when you are not looking, and do its best to make your life a living hell. And a given bottle imp may not be stolen, or given away freely. They may only be sold, for /less/ than you purchased it for."

"What happens to the creator of the bottl eimp?" you ask.

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>>47093619
"If they are kind, they sell it for a high price. I sold mine to a hated enemy for a tarnished copper penny and watched with significant pleasure as it deprived him of his reputation, business, friendships and, eventually, freedom. I am given to understand that he died in prison, still tormented by the demon."

You shudder. "Thank you," you tell him. "I'd like River back now."

"No."

> ...Please?
> Dead man, I will beat you so hard you fucking reincarnate, do not push me
> I'll bite. Why not?
> Write-in?

>>47093640
>> ...Please?
So basically this can be sold roughly 5 more times until you're SoL.

We're going to want to find a way to desummon it in all likelihood.

Okay. I'm gonna crawl into bed and pass out; votes remain open. I'll kill the thread and start a new one in the morning.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>47093640
> I'll bite. Why not?

>>47093640
>I'll bite. Why not?

>>47093640
>I'll bite. Why not?
He's testing her, isn't he? I know he likes to tease and annoy River like a ghostly dad, but Robert's not a /complete/ asshole. This is the final test before River can truly call herself a Necromancer of the La Croix.

Plus, precious moments of sweet, /sweet/ life.

>>47093640
> I'll bite. Why not?
Dead asshole better be volunteering for Bottle Imp duty.

>>47093640
>> I'll bite. Why not?
He is probably going to ask for tasty food or something

>>47093640
...so this ISN'T a bottled demon soul?

It would be amazing if we could manage to get this imp into the possession of the Lush but I'm reluctant to risk the effects it will have on the owner until then.

>>47093619
Oh, hells.

We dodged a bullet here.

I'm not familiar with Bottle Imps, but I've heard of something very similar. We do not want to buy this thing. No, we do not.

In fact, it might be a very good idea to smash that bottle or find some other way to disable it. And then hope that he doesn't have one already.

>> I'll bite. Why not?

>>47094401
For all intents and purposes, it is.
>"Envision all the worst traits of a ghost and an imp," Robert tells you, gesturing to the jar with River's hand. "All of their spite, maliciousness, cunning, and envy, with the power of a death-like state to draw upon. No physical body, of course, but ghostly kinesis and necromantic prowess more than make up for it."

It's probably a good thing that this nasty little fucker is one of keys. Only a madman would willingly carry one around. Though then again, only a madman would want to unleash what is contained within the Center.

>>47094448
That /would/ be great, but unfortunately we'd have no means of getting it to him because of the curse. Even if we sold it to one of his soldiers for a copper, that man would then need to sell it to the Lush, and that's not going to happen.

However, if Jack has something that belonged to the Lush, and Brianna uses that sympathetic magic contraption in Cannot Hold? We could totally fuck his life up. Like, for instance, giving him herpes. Or the black plague. Or birds shitting on his head every time he goes outside. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!

>>47093640

>> I'll bite. Why not?

>>47093873
No, that's when she expels him. In a wide open space with nobody around. They've discussed this.

>>47093873
no, this definitely isn't the FINAL test. A test, maybe, but not the one that raises all dead within a kilometer radius as an appetizer.

I'm up. Let me get coffee and then we can start this party.

Bump?

>>47096277
> Dead man, I will beat you so hard you fucking reincarnate, do not push me

I don't really want to vote for this, but I REALLY want to say it.

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Awful long coffee break.

Sorry. Went to get out of bed and ended up going back to sleep.

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>>47093640
You look at the challenging expression on River's face; even without the robes, you'd be able to tell this isn't her. That faint, malicious gleam in the eyes is entirely alien to the ex-mercenary.

That's actually kinda reassuring?

"Why not?" you say slowly. Next to you, Amy makes a low, birdlike sound; behind Robert, Darshan - returned to his true form from the ghost's use of his name - nods faintly.

"The girl will emerge when she is able to contest my will," Robert says simply. "And in the meanwhile, I will be of use to you. She is too hesitant to use the power at her fingertips."

"Bullshit," Amy snaps. "She just knows that the shit you teach her is /horrible/!"

"Do you have an objection, little murderess?" Robert rejoins, calmly.

"Enough," you interject, before Amy can lunge. "What do you suggest we do about the imp?"

"Destroying the bottle will be remarkably difficult," Robert observes. "Generally one does not one's curse ruined by random chance. It shields the imp's soul from iron as well. We /could/ just leave it here to scourge whatever unfortunate soul chooses to acquire it, but I doubt you would endorse that solution. Too many uncontrolled variables."

"Is there a reason we can't just smash it with a hammer?" you ask.

"Aside from releasing the imp to do what it will? It will be warded. Sufficient study should permit me, or another necromancer, to find a loophole and banish the imp to the Sunless Lands."

> Pay for the imp
> Leave it

AND

> Leave Robert in control
> Signal your allies to attack; you want River back

>>47098529
IIRC we have to kill the imp, so
>pay for the imp

and we probably have no way to get River back without harming her body, so
>leave Robert in control

>>47098529
>> Pay for the imp

Better that we have it than they do.

>AND
>> Leave Robert in control

Now's not the time for that fight.

I need to snag breakfast and do the dishes. We also need to kill the thread. Questions & discussion are welcome while we're votin'

>>47098529
>Pay for the imp
>Leave Robert in control
I don't want to harm River's body so we'll let Robert study this Imp.

>>47098529
Wow, I guess I nailed it on the head. Welp, at least he's just being a tough old bastard instead of actively violent or malevolent.

>Leave the Imp, for now.
The damn thing's not going anywhere, and so long as Jack remains blissfully unaware of its existence, we can let Old Man Robert do his studies.

>Leave Robert in control.
Again, this was bound to happen sooner or later. River /choose/ this path, and now she needs to finish what she started.

BUT, if Robert does anything..unfriendly, give him a reminder that we're the /good guys/, and there aren't going to be any zombie armies.

>>47098529

>pay for the imp

>Leave Robert in control.
Well....with 4 pennies, that leaves us with three pennies to sell it for. We can sell it to Brianna, who might have a clue, leaving it for 2. She can sell it to Lora or another demon, who can sell it to another for 1 shiny new penny, and the that leaves 1 tarnshied old penny to sell it with.

Most importantly it can't be taken away from us or used without our permission.

>>47099337
..Could we sell it to the Lich? I mean, if its one of the keys, he can hold on to it and be able to keep it from getting out of hand (no running off to torment folks if the lich never sleeps or eats). That'd give Robert someplace safe to study and prepare for the banishing.

>>47099443
That's a good point. He might not accept - he's a cranky old bastard.

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> Leave it

It has been here for how long? Lock the door. It can stay there for a bit longer. Plus, we have no guarantee that it's the only one. It is A bottle imp.

> Leave Robert in control

River, I have faith in your willpower!

>>47099478
Well, he doesn't /have/ to accept, but we can still ask. If its too risky, even for a Lord of Undeath, than we just leave it where it lies.

And so far, we have three of the keys.
>The medalion is already round Nate's neck, and coincidentally does no harm.
>The Demon's Soul (the Bottle Imp).
>The lich's staff.

Jack has the pixie's heart, figuratively and maybe even literally.

>>47099544
DOMO!!

And yeah, its not like someone's going to just /grab/ the cursed jar of maliciousness (currently resting in the clutches of a spooky skeleton) and waltz away without immediately being struck by lightning. Or something.

>>47099633
Imagine if the Marvel Universe Thor's hammer and the remote from Click had a baby and that's what it's like trying to steal a bottle imp. Even if you manage to lift it, it'll just vanish on you and return steadily to its owner - in this case, probably the dead guy.

>>47098529
Hang on a tick if they can only be sold what happens to the 'price' if an owner dies before passing it on?

>>47099777
The imp goes free and essentially is a ghost, slowly passing beyond the Veil over time.

>>47099633

The amulet's not actually one of the keys to open the Center, it's just needed to bind(?) the thing that's in there so it's controllably apocalyptic, rather than just wantonly apocalyptic.

Called, writing.

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>>47098529
You meet Darshan's eyes and see fear there - held in check, but there, in the slight tremor.

You're not ready for this fight yet.

"Fine. We'll take it with us." You step forward and slot four copper pennies in the box before plucking up the jar. Immediately, an excited flurry of demonic speech emanates from it, too fast to be caught clearly.

You grip it in your left hand. "Silence," you order, and the imp is quiet. "Remain still. Exert no influence on the world outside of your jar. You may speak if directly addressed. Do you comprehend these orders?"

|Ohhh, /yes/, Master| the jar hisses.

You keep it in your left hand anyway. You really, really do not need complications right now.

"We need to be on a timer now," you say, with reluctance. "I want to be rid of this as fast as we can."

"Could pass it off to Silence," Amy suggests. "If anyone's a match for a demon's cunning..."

"Not sure I like doing that to someone I like," you admit.

> Pass the jar off (to whom?)
> You still haven't found Jack. Keep looking.
> Start work on disrupting those lizards
> Begin acquiring allies

>>47100630
>> You still haven't found Jack. Keep looking.

The imp is a potential nuisance right now, not an immediate threat.

Well damn, now we have the jar. I'm... not sure what to do with it. Can we even pass it off by this point?

> Begin acquiring allies

We need people in the know who can tell us things as they're happening. The warehouse is big and we could use more eyes.
Jack himself doesn't seem like as big a concern, or even as easily findable.

>>47100630
>> You still haven't found Jack. Keep looking.

>>47099544
Saaaaaaaaaaved.

Aight. Called, writing new thread in the interests of actually getting the shit I needed to get done today done.

NEW THREAD

>>47101036
>>47101036
>>47101036
>>47101036