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>>48437131
Amy's dancing with Razor Feathers, of all people, and it looks like the ruler of the Roost may be threatening to have a good time. The nobles, wealthy merchants, and officers invited to the ball seem nervous about the harpies in attendance - many took Henrietta's general invitation to Glen at face value, as she meant them to - but one brave young man taps Amy on the shoulder and asks if he might steal her dance partner. Your lover lets Feathers go with a broad smile and wishes them a pleasant dance.

"What do you think, Nate?" Brianna murmurs into your ear as the two of you dance close. "Start making friends now?"

"This is nice," you admit. "It's not often we get to just relax and talk..."

"It's not often that a Princess has her eye on us either," Brianna points out. You look over your shoulder and see her; Princess Amalie is a tall young woman, maybe your age or a few years older, with her black hair back in a loose ponytail and an interested expression. She notices you looking and raises her wineglass to you before saying something to a man that approaches her.

"What do you think?" you ask Bri.

"I think she knows damn well that Ettie invited us and she wants to know who these crazy adventurers are at the ball," Brianna answers, wryly.

> Keep dancing; you want to talk to Bri
> Meet with the merchants. They might be more useful than the nobles and easier to get along with.
> Maybe it's time you met the rulers of the kingdom that raised you after all
> Fuck it, let's see what Amalie is like

>>48437339
>Keep dancing; you want to talk to Bri
When else will we ever simply dance and talk?

>>48437339
> Fuck it, let's see what Amalie is like

>>48437339
>> Keep dancing; you want to talk to Bri

>>48437339
>> Keep dancing; you want to talk to Bri
Let's not spoil the mood with business

>>48437339
>Fuck it, let's see what Amalie is like.
Eh, why not. And if Nathan can impress her, she might just throw some of her weight behind Necrofowl Inc.

>>48437339
>Fuck it, let's see what Amalie is like
>It's not often we get a chance to talk to royalty either, and this is a golden opportunity for a very good first impression.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>48437339
>1 for dancing with Bri
>2 for meeting Amalies

>>48437339
>Fuck it, lets see what Amalie is like.
Nathan isn't known for subtle or very smart, lets get us a big fish.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Tiebreaker roll. 1 is Bri, 2 is Amalie.

Welp, the die has spoken. Called, writing.

>>48438319
AH! The Hero may not play things under the table, but he's certainly nobody's fool.

>>48438814
Except a giant fucking snake. Or Bri and Amy's fool.

>>48438853
..Well, except for that one occasion. But I dare /you/ to pick a fight with a man-eating serpent made of metal and hate, and walk away without missing more than a few pieces!

Plus, he has a qt murderbird AND a lovely chocolate necromancer. He's a happy fool.

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>>48437339
"I think she can keep wondering," you rejoin. "I want to spend some time with you."

"You say, as if you don't live in my room where I'm bedridden," your lover replies, giving you a kiss on the cheek. "...This is nice, though," she admits.

"So how's that molested-in-the-hope thing going for you?" you ask, while the two of you turn on the dance floor. Brianna answers by putting her lips to your ear and giving you a sultry moan that makes you shiver. "Bri!"

"You asked," she teases. "...I have high hopes. Glen seems like a great place, and I wouldn't mind living in and around it if I end up being responsible for the Dungeon."

"Who says you have to be responsible for the Dungeon?" you ask.

"Don't go there, Nate," Bri warns. "We're having a good time."

> Well why not?
> I'm just trying to understand what you're thinking. Walk me through the future you're imagining.
> Okay (pick a new topic)

>>48439133
I'm fucking dying.

I never answered the anon last thread who asked if I had plans for other books besides Mourners. Mourners is getting at least one sequel (Ashes to Ashes, focusing more on Kestrel & the city of Asheholm), and I'm also experimenting with some hipster-ass shit where I'm writing a novel in which the narration doesn't refer to the MC by name ever.

/Ever/.

>>48439170
>> I'm just trying to understand what you're thinking. Walk me through the future you're imagining.

>>48439170
>I'm serious! Sure, you'll have your 'stewardship', if that's a proper title for it. But there are other people who care about you, who want to help and see this succeed. You've got me, Amy, River, Silence, The Keepers, Ghorsh and Lista, Kells, the Black Anvils...You won't be alone.

>>48439314
You're right, that is some whack-ass hipster shit. But I like it.

So wait, what sexy flavor is Brianna's skin tone? Chocolate? Brown sugar? Caramel? NO NO I GOT IT!

Coffee and cream.

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>>48439500
...Anon, the OP is a pic of Bri.

There's a pic of Bri in my last post.

Domo has more pics of Bri on his site, including lewd ones.

There's a pic of Bri IN THIS POST.

Your question has been answered as thoroughly as it can be at this point.

>>48439535
>Domo has more pics of Bri on his site, including lewd ones.
Could we get a link to the site?

>>48439724
https://wildwestscifi.net/
https://wildwestscifi.net/behind-the-building
Feel free to catch up on & vote in Gallows Humor while you're there!

>>48439500
This and this>>48439384
>>48439770
My dick is happy.

>>48439500
I'll second this.

I gotta hit work for the next four hours, folks. Thread's open for Q&A.

>>48440207
Damn you, Life!

>>48439770
not into dudes, traps, or dickgirls. But I am satisfied otherwise.

>>48440562
I don't remember futa but it's been awhile.

At work now.

Bump

We must debate the most important question.

Who is best girl?

>>48442671
Lora

>>48442671
Silly anon. All the girls are the best girl.

>>48442671
Cherry is the only girl I unconditionally love, so her, I suppose.

>>48442697
I'll bite, why?

>>48442769
D'aaw.

>>48442769
I agree, poor little ghost-daughteru didn't deserve such a cruel life. I wanted to sick Lora on the fucking bastard who left her.

>>48442671
River might not be best girl of DLQ, but she hits all of my fetishes.

>>48443237
Amy hits most of mine

>>48442944
>why?
cause she's cute.
CUTE!

Seriously, though, I like her character. It's hard to express, but I like how hard she tries; how she tries to learn mercy; how she tries to speak with Bri and be sociable; how she tries to act like a normal person in a normal situation even though she's a small god in a very hopeless situation.

>>48443322
Interesting.

>>48443237
C'mon now, you can't just say these things and not elaborate. I'm dying of curiosity over here and can't go home for like an hour and a half.

>>48443480
Okay, I should rephrase that River checks off on a lot of preferences for me. Isoldt's the only one whose actually played to my fetish (B&D).
>River's a cute little elf gal. Them pointy ears get me every time.
>Redheads. Unf. TIS LIKE THEY ARE KISSED BY THE SUN!
>From the dialogue (which is all thanks to you, you magnificent calcified bastard), River is charming, intelligent, and funny when she wants to be.
>Love me some demon-summoners and zombie shepherds. River counts as both!
>She's not just some squishy mage; I love me some female protagonists who can roll up their sleeves and take care of business.

So, yeah. River is my ideal romantic interest. Sharp tongue, heart of gold, good head on her shoulders, and she's certainly easy on the eyes. What's not to like?

>>48443870
> What's not to like?
The lack of proper armor, duh.

>>48443870
Thank you anon. Characterization is something I value highly and also something it's hard to get feedback on.

>>48443959
This. DLQ needs more hot armor-girls; that chosen of Red Troth counts, but we haven't seen nearly enough of her yet.

Called, writing.

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>>48439170
You give Brianna an eye roll. "I'm serious," you tell her. "Sure, you're the Heritor or whatever the final title is, and that's fine. But there's other people invested in this, you know. I mean, who are the Keepers? The Labyrinth Tribe? The Black Anvils, or the Roosters? Chopped liver? Not to mention me, and Amy, and River, and Silence. You don't have to rule the whole Dungeon. And people keep saying nobody /can/ anyway. So what is it you think you'll do?"

Brianna actually stops to think about that for awhile; she rests her head against your shoulder while she thinks. "...Honestly? What I've been doing, but hopefully with less killing people," she admits. "Finding things that need doing and arranging for them to get done. Reminding people that they're all in this together. Making friends." She kisses your ear, making you blush hotly. "Raising kids," she murmurs. "Yours and mine. Yours and Amy's. All of ours, you know? I'll take an apprentice, maybe one of them if they're interested, and on the quiet days Ames and I can tie you up and play Ravish the Hero..."

"Gods, Bri, I have to be able to walk straight," you protest. "Have you - this is gonna sound weird, but. Why do you want kids?"

Brianna laughs, and it's pretty and infectious. "Afraid I'm just trying to carry on the family name? But I can adopt for /that/, pretty Hero," she teases. "I always wanted children of my own. And unlike /some/ hopeful mothers, I've had experience with them when they're tiny, needy, and annoying," she adds.

"How romantic," you laugh lightly, and pull Bri into a tight hug. "We should probably handle at least some mingling..."

A familiar red cloak moves through the crowded dance field, and Catherine taps Brianna on the shoulder. "May I have this dance?" the Chosen asks, her red eyes bright with amusement. "I've business with your lover, Miss la Croix."

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>>48446670
You and Brianna raise your eyebrows. Catherine turns her head, indicating an older man in a sharp uniform near the edge of the dance floor. "I've also been asked by General Greenriver to beg your pardon and see if you would speak with him. He suspects you of being a marshlander."

"He suspects rightly," Brianna agrees. "Nate?"

"Go, make friends," you tell your lover. You give Brianna a soft kiss, and she tousles your hair before she breaks away and heads for the General, holding her hat to her head and grinning like a fiend.

Catherine offers you her hand, and you take it for the dance.

"I will be direct," the Chosen of Red Troth tells you. "I beg you to accept my oath of service until I can repay my debt to you."

> No
> Wat
> I would be honored
> What about Red Troth?

>>48446755
>> Wat

>>48446755
>> Wat

>I post about there not being enough Catherine
>Lo an behold, MORE CATHERINE
Oh Vox <3

>>48446755
>write in
>"Um, debt forgiven. No need to worry about that"
Seems to be the most Nathan answer...

>>48446755
>> I would be honored
need all the help we can get

>>48446755
> It's not me you owe the debt to, but the people of the Dungeon.

> You should do what you can for them, not to pay back a debt but because it's the right thing to do. To help each other.

Get fucked Cathy, your ego is still too huge.

>>48447019
Be fair, Troth told her to pay Nate back when you played her briefly.

>>48446755
I feel that
> Wat
is the initial response, and after the explanation
> I would be honored

>>48446755
>Why

>>48446755
>what debt? You were mistakenly acting on misinformation, you can't be responsible for that.

Passed out at my desk. Crawling back into bed. Votes open.

Questions, comments, can't type this whole thing.

Thank you all for bein' here, folks!

Bump before bed.

>>48446755
Wat?

>>48447106
This.

>>48448992
You and your ridiculous writing schedule. Are we going to have to call an exorcist so you'll actually rest those weary bones?

>>48446670
>>48446755
Jesus, this is so sweet, I think my heart turned into chocolate. I love when the three lovebirds get to be cute with each other. Please tell me that Brianna or Nate will have a hot tango scene with Amy in that slinky snake dress?

>I would be honored.
I'm pretty sure Catherine knows what's up, and if she doesn't, she'll learn by observing all the things we've done in uniting the various floors of the Dungeon with Glen on the surface. Yay for unity!

>>48446755
>> Wat
>> I would be honored

>>48446755
>I would be honored.
>But...
>Wat.

>>48446755
>> No
An oath made you do what you did last time. No oaths.

>>48451267
Oh, good point, I fully agree that she may help us if she wishes but being completely beholden to us is not a good thing.
>having a chosen's support is another pretty good thing to have right now.

I'm awake. Will call and write when I can.

>>48446755
>> Wat

I just realized, what about Hatchet and the Chosen of death? Fetch is with us so are they on a friendlier level?

>>48452616
Brianna left them in the Atheneum and advised Emily briefly, promising to talk with her more in-depth after the ball was handled. The short version is that Emily knows that Lora's orders can't necessarily be trusted. Hatchet has been asked to stay with her, and given the compass made from the Diviner's bones.

(I know I didn't show it on-screen, I dropped the ball on that one but you'd gone through all the effort to make it and you don't deserve to lose out on shit because /I/ was forgetful)

Called, writing.

>>48452790
Thank you kindly.

>>48452790
Eh, when can check on them later. So long as they're safe and sound. Maybe we can bring Emily up to talk with Catherine, and maybe Briony or the Reverend?

>>48446755
>>48451267

> Supporting this

I mean, if she wants to help that's cool, but it shouldn't be due to an oath.

>>48452790
How's the recovery in the other floors going? I know the Rose Cult and the Miners got hit pretty hard during the battle against the Baron, but there's been a huge influx of basically /everything/ from the surface. I'd hope that they can be ready to help free the Cornucopia once we're done in Glen.

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>>48446755
"What?" you ask surprised. The half-elf's red eyes give you a puzzled look.

"Do you need it written in flame on the grass?" Catherine asks. "I was quite clear."

"Don't burn up the dance floor," you scold. "What do you mean, your service? What debt?"

Catherine frowns at you, and you're pretty sure she thinks you're making fun of her, but she doesn't stop the dance. "I should think my services are obvious. I would be your soldier and, if you wish it, a commander of your forces. I would wage your wars, fight your battles, and scatter your enemies like crows before the storm. My power would be yours to dispose of as you will, until my debt is repaid."

"What is it you think you owe me?" you ask, exasperated.

"You turned me from my path and showed me mercy when I would have given you none," Catherine answers, with a frankness that puts a chill down your spine. "I have spent much time speaking with my lord, and much more time listening. I...I had lost my way. I am commanded to descend into the Dungeon in your service and emerge only when I can tell him why I wage war."

"...Won't you ever stop waging war?" you ask, your voice soft and curious.

"When death lifts my mantle from me," Catherine answers simply, shrugging her shoulders beneath her red cloak. "I chose war, and was Chosen. And I /like it/. But the Red God does not need a reaver, and I will not become one. Accept my oath. Please."

You think it over for a minute, then shake your head. "I won't accept an oath from you. You got in trouble that way last time. But if you're offering your service, we could use you. This fight's coming to a head, and I won't turn away willing help, or a servant of the Red God."

Catherine brushes a lock of long blonde hair back behind her ear. "Without an oath, how will you have faith in my service?"

"I have faith that Red Troth wouldn't have Chosen you without a good reason," you tell her. "I've got too many problems in my life to waste time on paranoia, Catherine.

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>>48454767
The Chosen bows her head in gratitude. "I will not abuse your trust."

"Is it hard, being that dramatic all the time?"

"What?"

"...Nevermind."

> You are Brianna la Croix
> You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker
> You are River la Croix

>>48454817
> You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker

>>48454817
>You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker
Ames with the stellar wings and dress, people must be gawking.

>>48454817
>Lets see what Amy is up too.

>>48454817
>"Is it hard, being that dramatic all the time?"
kek, Nathan does this just as often as the her.

>>48454817
>You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker
Vox, why are you asking questions you already know the answer too?

>>48454817
>You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker
Time to tear up the dance floor yo.

>>48454997
Shhhh, he thinks his supernatural powers are a secret, unlike his night-time activities. The skeletal slut.

>>48454817
>> You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker

>>48454817
>amy

>>48454817
>>> You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker

Never have I seen such a divided and contentious vote. I'm not sure if I can call it in good -

I can't finish that with a straight face, called, writing.

>>48454817
> You are Brianna la Croix

We must dissent.

>>48455539
>not voting for best birb
SHUN THE HERETIC!

>>48455519
>>48455539
One second too late mate.

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>>48454817
You are Amy the Dungeonbreaker, and hot damn, you're feeling good. Young men and woman want to dance with you. /Old/ men and women want to dance with you. You've met business moguls and apprentices and soldiers and had some of the most fascinating conversations. A blacksmith asked about your wings, awe in her eyes, and you've even gotten the harpies to try something close enough to dancing to count for polite company.

You've also slapped more than a few wandering hands, but that's nice in its own way too. Nate and Bri are gonna /get it/ tonight.

You take the hand of a handsome man who introduces himself as Captain Reeds, and the band strikes up a new song. You can see Brianna talking to an old general near the edge of the dance floor - they raise a glass each, toasting to something you can't hear - and spot Nathan talking to that blacksmith from earlier. You can catch the exact moment when she praises his work on your wings, because he blushes red enough to light up the night.

Gods you love that man.

"That dress leaves nothing to the imagination," Reeds purrs.

"Good," you flirt back, turning with him on the floor. "Greenwall's uniforms aren't a bad look either, Captain."

"You've had almost every eye on the floor, you lovely thing," the man murmurs, before leaning in to kiss your neck. You step back and shake your head.

"Looks only, Captain," you warn. "My bed overflows as it is."

He smiles, apologetically, and pulls you back in; you give him a wry grin and flick your wings to stay steady.

"I know that Henrietta is planning something," he tells you. "I cannot help but think such a lovely and unusual young lady isn't part of it."

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies," you laugh, prettily.

"I could help, you know. My uncle is the Baron of Leeside and my family is rich from trade. He looks favorably upon me and my word."

"And what does an up and coming young officer want for his good word?" you tease.

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>>48455935
His hand squeezes your ass. "Less left to the imagination," he whispers in your ear, entirely too close now.

> Stab him
> Throw him
> Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri
> ...You could always see what Nate and Bri think of the idea...?

>>48455961
>> Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri
Knight in shining

>>48455961
>Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri
Nope, we're taken, in more ways than one if I may add~

>>48455961
Oh fuck no. The temptation to..remove..certain pieces of his anatomy is strong, but Amy is supposed to be better than that.
>Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri.
>Drop the pretty act and tell him to back off. Now.

>>48455961
>Other
>You have no idea how hard it is to not cause a case of grievous bodily harm here
Or, slightly more casual
>I JUST said, eyes only. If I cannot trust you on something so simple as this, why should I trust you on something as serious as what I attempt?

>>48455961
>> Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri
>stab a finger in side and tell him that "looks only" was a warning

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>>48455961
>> Signal Fetch in bird to get Bri

This is polite. We can do polite. Also, he's an officer that's a nephew of a baron. If he stops being polite, in a public function being held by a Duchess, who outranks his uncle, it doesn't end well for him. In fact, it doesn't end well for his uncle either.

He can either acknowledge this and go back to being polite, or deal with the lovely fact that, as an officer, he's supposed to honor duels and backing down from one doesn't end well either.

>>48455961
>> Throw him
Can't shank, but this is close. ... try to minimize the collateral damage, tho, don't want to upset the party for everyone else.

>>48456142
Where is that pic from?

>>48456143
So, what, grab him by his collar and toss him into the air? And when he hits the ground, remind him that it's rude to touch someone like that without their permission.

>>48456320
Black Lagoon, great show.

Called, writing.

>>48456142
> he's supposed to honor duels and backing down from one doesn't end well either.

Imagine if Fetch challenged him to a duel to defend Amy's honor. How would that go over with the nobility? On the one hand, you're being challenged by a chicken. On the other hand, how bad would it look if you backed down from a duel with a chicken?

>>48456142
Can /we/ challenge him to a duel? We'd probably win.

>>48457378
Dueling seems a bit too much like a fair fight, not really Amy's speed.

>>48456143
Could have shanked the back of his hand a little with the wings. Just a shallow stinging thing to make a point. Something easy to play off as an accident.

>>48457568
"Ames."
"What? Come on Bri, I only shanked him a little. He's just being a baby."

>>48457568
>>48457602
> shanked the back of his hand a little with the wings. Just a shallow stinging thing to make a point.
Just the tip?

>>48457618
It was just a little prick.

>>48457618
This.

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>>48455961
You let out a low, outraged chirping sound. The harpies on the dance floor hear it, and so does Sir Fetch.

You'd said, "|Tell Brianna to save this idiot's life|."

You push him away when you see Brianna approach. "I said no touching," you repeat, the flirt gone from your voice, no longer caring if the other dancers here. "Everyone else got the idea, why not you?"

"If you think you can come here dressed like that and then claim this isn't exactly what you wanted -" Reeds begins hotly. He whirls when Brianna puts a hand on his shoulder.

"My lover asked you to leave her alone," Bri says firmly. "I think it's time you stepped off the dance floor."

"I don't recall anyone asking you," Reeds says coldly. He tries to turn away.

When Bri doesn't let go, he backhands her, loudly enough to ring across the dance floor, and sends her to the ground.

You /lunge/. Reeds' first warning that anything is wrong is when he's thrown straight up into the air, screaming in raw terror. You catch him before he hits the ground, whirl with him, and throw him again.

The next time he comes down you slam him weightlessly into the grass. He grunts in agony as you drive your knee into the small of his back and freezes, absolutely rigid, when he feels the tips of your feathers press against his throat.

"If I were the me I was a year ago, I'd kill you here in front of the gods and everyone, and fight anyone who tried to save you," you tell him, your voice carrying in the absolute silence of the crowd. "Beg them to help you."

"Beg - Lady, please, I -"

"NOT. ME!" you shriek, making those near you wince and flinch back. "YOU CAN BEG ME UNTIL THE END OF TIME AND I'D STILL KILL YOU. BEG. THEM."

Reeds sobs wordlessly while the crowd stares in silence. All they're doing is watching.

Popular fellow, it seems.

> Open his throat
> Wait

>>48457640
>Wait. I want him to see the disappointment before this arrogant prick dies.
No one hurts our Bri.

>>48457640
>Wait.
Ooohohoho, as much as I'd love to see Amy fillet this asshat, we aren't here to make a mess.

>>48457640
> Wait

We just had a talk with Brooks about this.

>>48457640
>> Wait

>>48457640
>> Wait

>>48457640
A LaCroix party don't start till the dead start dancing. Lucky for this guy Ettie is the hosting.

Called, writing.

Welp, I'm off to my Gainful Employment. Enjoy the ball, and don't stain the dress. It /is/ very pretty.

>>48457846
Yeaaah, remember how we were going to have Fetch introduce us in the middle of the party? Now they're going to learn who Brianna is by watching her stop the Murderbird from ripping out this assholes spleen through his throat.

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>>48457640
"That's a whole lot of no one to save you," you tell Captain Reeds. "Where is your uncle?"

"I lied," the soldier wails. "I was a sellsword in the Baron's employ! He sponsored me into the army!"

"You are not making it easier to leave you alive," you comment.

"/Please/," he begs. You sigh, in disgust, and retract your wings.

"Ettie, I'm told I'm not supposed to just attack people. What do I do with him?" you ask the Duchess. "I don't have any windows to throw him through and in any event Marsh might be upset at the comparison."

"Let him go, Miss," the old General that was talking to Brianna requests. He offers a hand to help Bri up; your lover rubs the blossoming bruise on her jaw. "He's mine."

You stand up and step back. Reeds is dragged roughly to his feet and given a backhand with surprising strength and agility for such an old guy.

"March yourself to the cells and await my pleasure," the old officer orders.

"Y-yessir," comes the miserable reply. Reeds staggers away.

You take a deep breath and let it out in a series of small, angry chirps. The silence that surrounds you suggests that you may, in fact, still have fucked up.

Then you hear the clapping, slow and deliberate. Princess Amalie steps forward from the sidelines, an amused look on her face.

"The last time I saw something that entertaining at a party, my brother was trying to remember his name and where his friends had hid his clothes after his stag night," she compliments. "They call you Falling Knives."

"Amy, in this tongue. Princess," you add, hastily. "...You speak bird?"

She gives you a grin. "I speak a lot of things. I don't know what the lot of you are staring at. We're nearly an hour in and nobody's challenged anyone to a duel, nobody's dead, and we haven't found a pair of heirs searching for their lost wedding rings in each other's trousers yet. Duchess Henrietta's set out a fine party. You should enjoy it."

>>48458055
> and we haven't found a pair of heirs searching for their lost wedding rings in each other's trousers yet.
Truly, a dreadfully dull night.

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>>48458055
"Thank you," you murmur, sparing a glance for Brianna. She gives you an approving nod and remains respectfully quiet.

"It's a rare person who'd call her 'Ettie' in public," Amalie comments.

"...She said that's what her friends call her," you answer, defensively.

"I do think I like you," the Mistress of Coin grins crookedly. "General, don't let me disrupt your conversation with Ms. la Croix. I'd like to borrow Amy for a spell."

"You okay, Ames?" Brianna asks. You snort.

"You get hit, and ask if I'm okay? I'm fine, love. Go on, have fun!"

You have someone exciting to meet!

> You are Brianna la Croix
> You are River la Croix

>>48458109
>> You are River la Croix

>>48458109
>River
But mostly I just need to see what kind of antics Lark is getting into trying to push his product with the merchants.

>>48458109
>> You are River la Croix
Let's wait until the real fun starts.

>>48458109
> You are River la Croix

Mainly so we can hold Lark's hand again.

>>48458109
> You are River la Croix
I wonder what she's getting up too...

>>48458109
>you are Lark la Croix (from the future!)

>>48458390
>Implying Lark doesn't die of shitgarette induced Mega Lung Cancer

>>48457959
Could be worse, they see a Necromancer stop a justified lynching.

>>48458312
L-lewd

>>48457959
>saying that like it's not a good thing

Plus they've seen her interact fairly casually with two royals and a general, so they prolly already figure she's hot shit anyway.

>>48458494
At least his shit is natural. >>48458109
>River, I want to watch her drag Lark away from killing nobles with his cigs. Actually now that I think about it, Etti probably banned him from bringing them.

>>48458887
>inb4 he's describing them as the most amazing unique totally without equal tobacco anywhere, the only kind grown in the Dungeon, boy oh boy don't you want to be able to say you're the only surface merchant who has access to them

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>>48458312
>>48458843

>>48458952
Your saying that like Lark wouldn't try to kill the heretic that complemented his cigs. He gets very touchy about that.

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>>48458974

>>48458982
What part of Lark's description of his own tobacco was a compliment?
>amazing, unique, without equal, Dungeon grown

All of those are applicable; his tobacco is amazingly bad, unique and without equal in its horridness, and it's grown in the Dungeon.

>>48459584
> "Nobody ever said elves are nice."
> "Elves are /bad/."

Called, writing.

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>>48459629
>elves are bad
Vox confirmed for based opinions

>>48459836
I really hope this is sarcasm and not missing the reference because missing the reference would make me very sad.

>>48459836
It's a Terry Pratchett quote.

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>>48459857
Nothing sarcastic about purging elves, Vox.

>>48459934
>the woman in the back has clipped ears

That honestly disturbs me more than anything else in the picture.

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>>48460067
She knows its better than the alternative.

>>48460137
I think you and I might have differing ideas of the 'alternative'.

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>>48458109
You are River la Croix and, well, holy shit. That just happened.

"Girl's got style," Lark opines, next to you.

"<Uh-huh>" you and Robert agree, at the same time. You have to stifle a giggle, though your shadow doesn't; Whisper laughs silently against the ground, hidden by the flickering shadows thrown by the witchlight.

"Do you know that young woman?" your dance partner asks. You and Lark had swapped with a married couple, and you'd been enjoying yourself. You never learned to dance, but Robert knows how, and is a much more happy mentor in it than he is in necromancy."

"I do," you tell...

> Sir Frederick Morris, Royal Knight
> Duchess Erin of Wrackholm
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

>>48460271
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

Only because his name is hilariously close to my grandfather's. And because this seems the most likely to lead to Lark's product spreading above ground.

>>48460271
>> Duchess Erin of Wrackholm

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>48460271
1 for
> Sir Frederick Morris, Royal Knight

2 for
> Duchess Erin of Wrackholm

3 for
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

>>48460271
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

>>48460271
Oooo new people, um I vote for
>Duchess Erin of Wrackholm.
Lets see what a royal thinks of this.

>>48460271
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

>>48460271
>> Sir Frederick Morris, Royal Knight
Show me your moves!

>>48460271

> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

The party's going well, let's keep the good vibes going

>>48460271
> Gerald Vickers, Harrow Herbs and Spices

>Harrow Herbs and Spices
Isn't The Harrow one of the floors of the dungeon? Or was it one of the chainholders?

That word seems very familiar.

>>48460834
It's the land across the sea from which Bri wanted the world's best coffee and Scribbles delivered. It's a desert country, marked by ancient civilizations along the life-giving rivers, which is grappling between a recent tragedy relating to a mad lich-king and their traditional cultural respect for, and practice of, necromancy.

It is also where Bri's ancestors came from, though they wouldn't become the la Croix until /much/ later.

>>48460872
So we're not!egyptian?
neat

>>48460872
>>48460932


Oh Jesus is that a reference to the "Black Egyptians" meme that tumblr's been shitting itself over flr the last little while?

>>48461112
>"We wuz mad lich-kings an shiet"

>>48461112
Yeah, nah, I'm not wading into this. Harrow is what it is; its inspirations are, likewise, what they are. I'm not making any statements about real-world histories or ethnicities. I've got a quest to run and less than no interest in starting a fight, since the internet doesn't seem to be able to handle the topic without having one, no matter what position you take.

Called, writing.

Comcast.

>>48463045
Wat?

>>48463316
Comcast is fucking with his internet, the bastards

>>48463334
Figures.

>>48461713
I found this in the archives and just caught up. I've quite enjoyed your writing.
You are always asking about critique; Most of the initial problems I had have been addressed by now, save for my opinions. I've quite enjoyed your characters; they feel fleshed out, not just throw-aways. I'd note, however, that a considerable chunk of the characters are bi; this isn't a problem insomuch as that I'd like to see some more diversity. More recently, the perspective swaps are /much/ more common than they used to be; this isn't bad per se, but there were bits where I was longing to be the main character for more than a few posts. Doesn't help that my favorite, Fetch, hardly gets any screen time anymore. Related to that, I think, is that the speed at which the main quest (Remove the Chains(?)) makes progress has been slowing down. Sure, when we actually get stuck in and do work on floors that need clearing it gets done soon enough, but it feels like it takes longer and longer to actually start working on the next floor. I know /why/, it just feels like we spend 1 thread floor-clearing for every 5 we spend on aftermath and cleanup.
Something about your world feels alive, at least on the smaller scale; also, it's nice to have Gods that don't fit the stereotypes. Any worldbuilding lore you're willing to write is always great; it's been kinda sparse (especially in regards to the geopolitical landscape). The Chain-Holders have been fine for the most part; some were dealt with before they became something more than 'That guy with the chain', but that's been less of an issue recently.

Still, I wouldn't have made it all the way through the archives if I didn't enjoy your writing. Keep up the good work, lich of the Dark Bean.

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>>48460271
"I do," you tell Gerald. You've seen his type before; broad, still strong, but getting on in years and going to seed. His skin is weatherbeaten from sailing; his charming wife, dancing with Lark, looks more than a bit like you'd imagine Brianna would, if Brianna was a young-ish grandmother. Together, they run a powerful shipping company that has, in the past, "been a friend of the Crown".

He laughs. "She's certainly fierce," he compliments. "I hope dearly that she is a friend of yours?"

"She is," you answer, with a teasing grin. "She's Amy, of no house or surname. Harpies know her as Falling Knives, and you couldn't ask for a more loyal friend or a better exit from an awkward conversation."

"She tackled a man for me and managed to convince him, after the fact, that he had a spider on him," Lark comments, making Misty - Gerald's wife - laugh.

"Your lover -"

"Swain," you and Lark correct quickly.

"Swain," Gerald accepts graciously, "has fascinating ideas on the refinement of crops and seedings. I do wonder if I might be able to persuade him, and possibly you, to use that knowledge for me?"

"The Dungeon is my home, Mister Vickers, and it's in sore need," Lark answers in a respectful tone. "I won't abandon my home when I could help. After, though...after, I'd be quite happy to talk."

Gerald and Misty share a look. "What do you know of Wrackholm?"

"Pirate city," you answer, making Lark look at you in surprise. "Cut into a spire that juts out of the Wrack Reef, answering to no law or master. Makes a killing in trade and fencing, nearly impossible to take."

"Such glowing praise," Misty replies, delighted. "Have you been a pirate?"

"Mercenary," you answer. Your ears twitch playfully. "But then I got adopted and cleaned up my act. The company I worked with...there's noble sellswords, and there's trustworthy sellswords, and then there was us."

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>>48463512
Gerald nods, thoughtfully, and gestures towards the food and refreshments. The four of you walk that direction. You take tea; the others find watered wine and sip it gently. "Your information is slightly behind the times, Ms. la Croix. Wrackholm has joined the kingdom of Greenwall. We even have a Duchess, for the moment, though there are still decisions being made on that score. There was a dragon, you see."

"It laid siege to the city for months," Misty picks up. "It dragged ships under, stole our supplies, ravaged anything not exposed to the cliffs. We thought we were going to die when King Cody's dragonslayers arrived. Six ships full, sorcerers and soldiers and smiths. They brought the wyrm down and took its bones to feed their forges, and helped us to heal our hurt and rebuild."

"We also love our home," Gerald tells you. "Wrackholm decided, as a city, to join with Greenwall and repay our debt to them. Now, I do not know Henrietta as a ruler. I met her as a young girl, but the woman here on the dance floor is someone else entirely, I should think. But I knew her father, and he would not have hosted an event such as this without at least four reasons."

"Four reasons and marriage doesn't count," Misty adds wryly. "Not that she hasn't been enthusiastic with the young men."

"Or that one-eyed harpy lad, not that he has a chance in Hell," Gerald notes. Lark chokes on his drink.

"You say your home is in trouble. We have been invited here, and don't bother telling me it's not to help. What is it you think Henrietta would have of us? What would the Dungeon have of us?"

> Decline the question
> Hint at the answer
> Give it to them straight

>>48463512
Okay I might have missed something and risk looking stupid, but what the hell does "Swain" mean?

>>48463598
>Hint at the answer
Its Bri's job to say not us, it would ruin the surprise, though giving them a line to work with would possibly help us.

>>48463598
> Hint at the answer
"The same reason /all/ merchants are invited into Noble circles: offers of trade."

>>48463601
Lovers implies that they're together already, maybe even sharing a bed. A swain is courting someone who has, presumably, neither refused nor murdered them.

>>48463601
another word for romantic partner, but closer to girlfriend/boyfriend than lover or fiancé.

>>48463671
>>48463670
This has been enlightening, I guessed already at that, but was asking more along the lines of when that word was used to make it acknowledged.

>>48463598
> Hint at the answer
They'll find out by the end of the night

>>48463379
Welcome to the live thread, anon!

Some of the slowdown is in showing the evolving consequences in the Dungeon. Some is me relaxing about length; I let Part IV get to me and dropped some balls as a result. THIS interlude has been a great chance to reconnect with these other characters, develop them, and get back into the groove of my own world.

I'll see what I can do about more worldbuilding.

Thank you for the feedback!

>>48463703
Folks have described Lark that way to River before without her correcting them, recently and notably including Robert, but the actual agreement of that status never happened on-screen.

>>48463844
That's what threw me off.

>>48461208
> Implying there's any debate about it.

I'm only upset that you pretend the sides are a matter of opinion.

A simple "no" would have been sufficient if someone asks if Bri waz kangs.

Called, writing.

Hey Vox, if it's not too much trouble, could we get a doc entry on the races in the world?

We've seen some of them and how they act, but having their backstory and their predilections written out would be great.

>>48464062
Bri will be a kang, someday. A mad latch kang.

>>48464348
Pffft. Anything less than Goddess is half-assing it.

>>48464518
We wuz deetees n shit

>>48464518
Nah I think she'd settle for demigod.
That said what does Lora count as I mean she's not a god but damn does she wield more power then your average angle or the like.

>>48464609
>your average angle
You know, when I first read this, I thought you were being obtuse, but on further reflection, you're right, Lora acute.

>>48464609
She is a leader of the Choir, that's already an up. Then some of standardly applicable restrictions, such as Divine Tongue, are eased in the Dungeon.

>>48464675
Heh, math puns at almost 4am.

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>>48464675

>>48464710
Damn, every time I see this image I get an urge to solve it.

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>>48463598
You shake your head. "Ettie's a friend of Bri's, and that makes her a friend of mine. I'm not going to spoil her surprise, but - I will say that it's going to sound crazier than it is."

"Oh?"

"My home has a lot of interesting qualities," Lark says mysteriously. "You'll find out soon."

<Enjoying yourself?> Robert asks.

<Quite a bit. Why, you about to ruin my night?>

"I suppose I have no choice but to wait," the merchant concedes.

<I'm not certain> Robert admits. <That man over there is a demonologist.>

You look, and see what Robert means. There's the general signs of practiced paranoia, yes, but there's also the callouses on his fingers from handling flame, the dark soot staining his palms and wrists. He's older - maybe Hatchet's age - and has his gaze on you.

> Talk to him
> Go join Amy
> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.

>>48464723
Can't. Second column contains two 5s, 5th row contains two 2s. Unsolvable.

>>48464788
>> Talk to him

>>48464788
Wait, didn't the Cook say something about a Royal Summoner? He might be here to make sure there's no 'uninvited guests'. Isoldt has a legitimate (and sensible, considering Harry's trade) excuse, but not so sure about Tina.
>Y'know what, no. You did something work related, you wanna dance.
>Give him a little finger-wave, then grab Lark and move onto the dance floor.

>>48464790
Yeah, I notice that shortly after. And then forget again.

>>48464788
> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.
Well we will keep an eye on him but unless he does something, that's all

I need to hit bed. Votes remain open.

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

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>48464788
>> Talk to him

>>48464788
>> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.

Of course, I guess we can ask around if anyone knows him while we're doing so.

>>48464788
>Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.

Bump before bed.

Quick question for the downtime:

What ever happened to Seraphina's eyes? I could have sworn that they were not consumed when they were used in the summoning and binding ritual. There was even some mention of being careful about not letting Seraphina be able to grab them back, so they must have still existed and been useful to her -- Magic nephilim eyeballs and all that. Might even still work if she heals em back in.

Has she lost eye privileges or was the detail just lost in the shuffle?

>>48466342
No, pretty sure they burned up and
>of being careful about not letting Seraphina be able to grab them back
was in reference to them dusting rather than during the scuffle afterwards.

>>48465189
How many linches are in the desert land? Can wyrms become ghost's? Or even better a linch wyrm?

Mid-day (for me, at least) bump

>>48466367
Yea, went back and checked and she specifically chose a method of summoning that would consume the eyes. She talks about it with Robert beforehand. I must have missed it first go around. My B.

>>48466485
Please proofread your posts, autocorrect-san.

>>48464788
>> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.

>>48464788
>> Talk to him
... otherwise he's gonna talk to you, if he's eyeing you like that. Take the momentum and get it over with.

>>48464788
> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance

Let's enjoy Lark a little bit more.

>>48464788
Let's just combine it
>invite him to a dance

>>48464788
Hmmm, I don't honestly know. On one hand, demon summoning can and does leave one justifiably paranoid. On the other, I can imagine Dick trying to fuck things up for us.
> Fuck it, enjoy the night with Lark.

>>48464788
>Talk to him
Need to get any misunderstandings out of the way before the big reveal.

>>48464788
>> Talk to him

>>48464788
> Talk to him
> Dance with him
either works.

I'm up. Coffee, then will call and write.

>>48464788
> Y'know, no. You did something work-related, you wanna dance.

>>48470615
Confirming this is me; fucked the trip.

>>48470987
Did you at least buy it dinner first?

>>48470987
Not even a courtesy spit.

>>48470987
Shouldn't it be the other way around? I mean; prostitute.

>>48471992
>anon's never been fucked by a prostitute
You poor sod.

Aight, even counting the various 'dance with him' votes under the 'talk to him' header, dancing with Lark's got the win by /one vote/. Called, writing.

>>48472038
Yay for elfy romance?

>>48472038
Lark gun get it. Well, maybe. It'd be more than a little creepy with Robert in River's head and all.

>>48472136
As soon as Robert is gone, Lark won't be able to walk for a month.

>>48472204
And River will have a giant bump until it all drains out, working with succubus demons has its perks, Kno wa im saying?

>>48472204
See, this was cute and then >>48472284 just had to take it too far.

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>>48472387
I try. Thank you for acknowledging.

>>48466485
The rulers and priests of the Harrow practiced a form of hibernating lichdom in which most of their undeath is spent slumbering in their tombs. They awaken to defend their sacred treasures or when called upon for their wisdom and counsel. The tradition has gone on for some time, so there's quite a few in terms of raw numbers, but things changed when the last king of the Harrow decided he wanted to rule forever. The resulting rebellion saw a great purging of necromancers from the Harrow, and the new government is left in an awkward position - the old liches still need to be taken care of, and the culture, despite its newfound fear, still loves and prizes quite a few necromantic practices as sacred traditions.

Come back, Sierra Writer Anon. I had such hopes...

Dragons have not been observed as ghosts or practicing necromancy, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

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>>48464788
"Gerald, it's been a true pleasure to meet you," you tell the merchant honestly. You shakes his hand, and he gives you a broad smile. "I would love to hear more about your home sometime. It's been a long time since I've had one, though I think," you give Lark a warm look, "that I may have found one. If you ever descend into the Dungeon, ask after me in the town of Split, in the Lichyard."

"Saying your farewells so soon?" Misty asks.

"I don't get the chance to dance a lot, Missus Vickers. I'd love to take it while I have it."

"Go on," Gerald laughs. "Live while you're young."

"Youngish. I'm about two hundred and seventy," Lark corrects.

You /stare/.

"What?" he asks, blinking. You suck in a deep breath and pull him out onto the dance floor. That demonologist is still giving you a look. You shoot him a cocked eyebrow and nod your head to where Henrietta is dancing.

He raises his own in turn and moves onto the floor towards the Duchess.

"Why are you so surprised?" Lark asks, a little laugh in his voice.

"You're going to make fun of me," you scowl, as you start the dance. "...I spent a lot of time with humans, you know? Fought and killed with the company for, gods, forty years? Not a lot of downtime on that either."

"...You should possibly talk to Brianna and Nathan about how they've been neglecting your sword skills," Lark suggests.

"I honestly haven't thought of it much either," you admit. "And the guy training Nathan is...he's something else. Humans get scary when they devote themselves to something like that, but the point - the point is, I lied to get into the company, Lark. I was underage, remember? I'm only a century old. Hundred and one on Hearthsgrave."

Now it's Lark's turn to stare in disbelief.

"Well I'm of age /now/," you mutter in protest.

"River, I'm more than twice your age."

>>48472798
> I knew I shouldn't have told you
> And I was a paid serial murderer in fancy colors. You want a cookie?
> That doesn't matter to me. Does it matter to you?

>>48472815
>Good. You have a lot of experience I plan to make use of. In bed, if that wasn't clear.

>>48472815
>> And I was a paid serial murderer in fancy colors. You want a cookie?

Got River's entry updated in Characters and Places.

>>48472815
> That doesn't matter to me. Does it matter to you?

>>48472815
>> And I was a paid serial murderer in fancy colors. You want a cookie?

I wager she's been more alive in all this time than Lark.

>>48472815
>> That doesn't matter to me. Does it matter to you?

>>48472798
> That doesn't matter to me. Does it matter to you?

>>48472798
>That doesn't matter to me. Does it matter to you?
None of the options really seem fitting to me, Lark does have a right to know, he's a swell guy.

>>48472815
>>Good. You have a lot of experience I plan to make use of. In bed, if that wasn't clear.

I like this. Sidestep his bullshit.

>>48473100
This then this>>48473131
and then maybe a joke out of this one>>48472845

>>48472815
>And I'd wager I've crammed twice as much LIFE into those years. We're even.

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Called, tallying, writing.

THE DOUBLE COFFEE FLOWS THROUGH ME.

>>48473373
Then you should probably go to the bathroom.

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>>48472798
You pull Lark in close, holding him tightly against your body and resting your forehead against his. You are very aware of how easy it would be to kiss him right now.

You are equally aware of how deliberately silent Robert is being. There's a difference between quiet because there's no noise, and quiet because someone is trying their hardest not to make any noise.

"That doesn't matter to me, Lark," you murmur. "Does it matter to you? Has something I've said or done made you think I can't choose properly about this, about us?"

"...And what's 'us', to you?" he asks, equally softly.

"I have no idea. But you're smart, and you're witty, and I love your passion. I love that you care, without being asked to. And my family likes you, which is always a big plus."

He leans in for a kiss. You've shied away from them before, but not tonight, not now. He tastes like smoke and coffee; you close your eyes and melt into it, holding him close on the dance floor.

"Alright," the tobacco grower murmurs, after what feels like a floaty, happy eternity. "But I wanna talk about something before this goes too far."

"I'm listening," you promise.

"You should visit your birth family. You should tell them you're alright, and what's happened to you. You can come meet mine while we're at it, if you like."

You sigh, and nestle against his shoulder.

> ...I can't.
> Won't that just be opening old wounds? I ran away, Lark.
> Okay. After all of this is over.

>>48473580
>Wont that just be opening old wounds? I ran away, Lark.

>>48473580
>> Won't that just be opening old wounds? I ran away, Lark.
>write in
>I'll think about it.

>>48473580
>>48473672
this

>>48473580
>> Won't that just be opening old wounds? I ran away, Lark.

>>48473580
> Won't that just be opening old wounds? I ran away, Lark.
>write in
>I'll think about it.

I gotta bounce to work, folks. I'll be back just after midnight; no gas station today, which means much less phone availability. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated. Y'all have helped me improve over the course of this, and I'm very grateful.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>48473580
>> Okay. After all of this is over.

I've always wanted this to happen. It's not really opening old wounds. Elves live for a long time, I'm sure the runaway daughter is still a fresh wound to her parents. And also I thought River was more strong willed than to keep running away from things that are uncomfortable. She stopped running away from her life and faced herself when she became la Croix and only a few days ago she stopped to steer her life in another direction of her own choosing.

>>48473580
The correct answer is to freak out because he just said we can meet his folks.

>>48474220
It holds appeal for me as well, but that's not who she is anymore. She's changed /twice/ since she last saw them. A letter of 'hey, I'm not dead' would work better methinks.

>>48473580
>> Okay. After all of this is over.
> This vote is contingent on her memories of her family being relatively good ones. If her family were a bunch of judgemental jerks or something, screw it.

For perspective: she knows about what happened to Brianna's family right? That might give her cause to seriously consider Lark's suggestion. Better to choose to settle things than to let time choose for you.

>>48475637
She does indeed know

Two and a half hours and change to call.

News update, got the next two days off except for Professional Writing.

Off work in thirty, another thirty to get home, then gotta find dinner. We need to kill this thread tonight; don't be shy.

>>48473580
>Okay. After all of this is over.

>>48476913
>two and a half hours
>four hours later, nothing
Vox is kill

>>48473580
>Okay. After all of this is over.

Called, writing shortly.

>>48479877
Foolish anon, you can't kill the dead. You can only put them back to bed. Fortunately for us, this restless corpse has a passionate loathing of reason and an almost sexual attachment to coffee.

>>48480797
> Almost

You say this like I haven't purposefully started brewing pots of coffee and then had sex in the kitchen while it goes.

>>48481053
Now THAT'S a fetish I can get behind.
>She takes lots of cream with her coffee. Giggity.

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>>48472460

.... Ah, this would be the point where I apologize because I haven't really done anything since I first posted those first few bits in the threads months ago. I guess I could pick it back up, if people were interested.

Holy shit, people remember that?

>>48481242
I think about it every time someone asks me for more worldbuilding.

Every.

Time.

I'm down to talk stuff if you need to bounce ideas or something. I can be found on IRC of a night (and day, and any time I'm online), or chat another way if you've got a preferred method. Been helping Observer with details for his thing when he needs 'em.

Hey Vox, so I've been reading up in the archives for the past 4 days and have finally caught up. I know how much you love feedback, but I really think pretty much everything I've thought to say has been said already. It has been very refreshing reading a quest that actually has characters that feel like actual people and so far the story/plot/setting has been incredibly engaging.

Thanks for running this quest; it has been a joy and I look forward to future threads.

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>>48481254
Whic IRC channel?

>>48481374
Why don't you pop over to #pfg on Rizon and mention you're looking for Vox. I'll sling you a PM.

>>48481242
It was interesting. I'd read more.
If you want to write more, that is.

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>>48473580
Lark holds you patiently, dancing in close and letting you think. That's one of the things you like about him; he's calm, steadying, even when he's excited about something. He's -

Well, mature. Gee, wonder how /that/ happened.

Lark brushes a lock of hair behind your ear, and you let out another long sigh while you gather your thoughts. "Lark, I ran away from home. They haven't seen or heard from me in forty years and change. Won't I just be opening old wounds back up?"

"...You really did humanize," your swain mutters.

"That supposed to mean something in particular?" you ask in a low, warning tone.

"River, don't jump to conclusions, okay? It's not a bad thing. Hell, it's something /I/ did. Something most elves do to an extent, if we leave the tribe. What do you remember about your home?" Lark asks gently.

"...It was quiet," you tell him. "Very...very quiet. The sunlight came in through the leaves and threw shadows on the forest floor..."

"Mmhm. What about the people?" Lark prompts.

"There were - I had a mother and a father, and...and they were quiet too..." you pull back with worried frown. Why can't you remember?

"It's okay," Lark murmurs, resting his hand on your shoulder. "You humanized, like I said. Elves...we..." He frowns, then tries again. "The two oldest races were made by the Forgemaster. We're one; dwarves are the other."

"He made us as a work of art," you agree, nodding.

"...River, what do you do with art?" Lark asks slowly.

"You put it up and display - where are you going with this?"

>>48481641
"The reason you're having trouble remembering is that, left to our own devices, elves create a kind of /stillness/," Lark explains softly. "It's more than just not changing much ourselves. We live our lives so as not to disturb one another, devote our time to dreamily creating beautiful things. We structure everything, our lives, our societies, to preserving the environment around us, such at we never need to stop to notice our own survival or attend to our own lives. Left to our own devices, among our own kind, an elf might live their entire life and not consciously notice most of it."

You /stare/. "That's impossible."

"Strain at it, River. I need you to really remember something, anything, concrete from your childhood. Remember something that wasn't the blur of warm, loving, comfortable quiet." Lark's voice is gentle. Unjudging.

You close your eyes and try. Sunlight through leaves, and the gentle songs of birds. Rain, pattering against the roof high in the trees, and, and...

"I can't," you whisper.

"When you live among other races for awhile, you get used to dealing with time like they do," Lark explains patiently. "You 'humanize', and lose that dream-like state. Humans think of elves as longer-lived versions of themselves because exposure can make us that way. Some of us, like me, and I think you, we prefer that. We're not happy to be pretty things on a shelf for our father to look at. But for your parents, forty years? Forty years is nothing. That wound isn't old for them, River. It's as fresh as they day you left."

"I - I don't even know what to say, Lark. How do you just /not notice/ your own life?"

He pulls you back in, and you let him, coming in for a dance that's more like a slow hug. "I can't explain it either, River," he murmurs. "I did notice. That's why you and I left. That's why you and I can't go back and stay. We saw and we'll never unsee."

"...That's fucked up, Lark."

>>48481730
Whoah... I like this take on elves.

>>48481764
Yeah, that's how you do time abyss characters.

>>48481730
That's fucking crazy. Was this 'dream' thing intentional, or was it the flaw of a prototype species?

I imagine dwarves are obsessive-compulsive's that can spend decades on a single task in the pursuit of perfection, and get irate and slightly Alzheimery when pulled away. Just like the Forge-Father.

>>48481730
Yea "Lark" that is fucked up.

That sounds an awful lot like an attempt to create a novel idea based on an incomplete or at least very shallow understanding/definition of the nature and function of memory. Tread carefully when fleshing this line of thought out.

Just saying: you are attempting a difficult stunt with this one, more power to you if you can pull it off and have it sound plausible.

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>>48481730
"Take it up with the gods when you meet them," your swain suggests. "You should go see them, River," he repeats.

"I'll...I'll think about it," you decide. "At the very least, I'll send a letter home. Will they even -"

"They will," Lark promises. "Did they love you?"

"Yes," you answer, without hesitation. You remember /that/, a blur of songs and hugs and quiet laughter and the sunlight through the leaves, in the stillness - /gods damn it/.

"Then they'll notice," Lark promises. He kisses your forehead, softly. "Do you want help with the letter?"

"I think I do. Thank you, Lark."

"It's what I do. That, and slowly kill people."

* * * *

You are Brianna la Croix, and this has been a hell of a party. Your jaw still hurts, where you got hit. It was a wonderful conversation with the General, though, if a bit bittersweet. You and he shared a drink, and old memories of the Marsh, and you're pretty sure you've made a friend.

Right now, you...

> Are curious about this princess Amy is talking to
> Are observing the mood of the party
> Are pulling Diving Shadow aside to talk
> Are just waiting for Henrietta to make her move

>>48481850
>Are dealing with that demonologist looking at your sister
comeon, the opportunity is RIGHT THERE

>>48481850
>Are observing the mood of the party

When in doubt, gather intel.

>>48481810
The Forgemaster wanted something beautiful to look at and treasure, which would not bother him while he was at work. So elves were made to not need to take up much of his attention, to cultivate a contented serenity that would stop them from being annoying and encourage them to make more pretty things for him to take pride in.

>>48481829
He did say 'most' of their lives. The ideal situation also doesn't always happen. Elves live in a world full of things that are not elves, which force them to deal with time in the now rather than floating through it. Some of those things can be dealt with systemically - animals, crops, trees - but others, like neighboring nations or marauding monsters, cannot be.

Ultimately though I'm not gonna dive too deep into this 'cause the down-deep of the society is far from the action of the story.

>>48481850
> Are curious about this princess Amy is talking to

Let's split the party. That can't go wrong.

>>48481850
>> Are curious about this princess Amy is talking to
>> Are observing the mood of the party

>>48481850
> Are pulling Diving Shadow aside to talk
So how's it for you guys aboveground? The sky blue enough? The sun too shiny?

>>48481810
Just realized I dropped the dwarf part of this.

Dwarves were made as the heirs to the Forgemaster's creative spirit. Their biggest divergence from humans is in how they imagine and envision their environment. You know how humans look at things and we see humanlike features in them, or see them as other things - clouds that look like animals, faces in our ice cream, that sort of thing?

Dwarves don't do that. They look at their environment and see what it could become. A dwarf doesn't see a face in the side of a cliff, but he might see a home, or a fortress, or a statue. Part of the reason dwarven cities and residences seem so overbuilt or elaborate is that tendency to look and see /potential/.

As much as I hate to say this, I need to hit bed. Votes remain open, new thread tomorrow. Hopefully this is still open long enough for me to post the link.

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

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>48481904
At first I thought it might be a societal thing. Y'know, "We live for hundreds of years, so why rush everything?"

I get the impression that the Forgemaster /really/ had no idea how to raise kids. Like, at all. Not a bad guy, but this fleshy, complicated, /living and breathing and thinking and feeling THING/ is not a lump of iron or gold to be shaped into a static form.

>>48481989
This, however, sounds like damn near every Dwarf I've ever encountered. 'Sept for the berserkers, who are usually also drunks, which makes it a tad difficult to sift them out from the rest of their hairy folk.

>>48481730
This sounds like Afroakuma's elves, stuck permanently in long-time.

>>48482028
Afroakuma's an influence on both my elves and my dwarves, yes.

Actually heading to bed now.

>>48481850
>Are pulling Diving Shadow aside to talk.
Hell, it's been a while, let's talk with Momma Bird. I can see Lawrence chatting it up with Harry and Isoldt and that smith girl that Nathan was showing off to.

Also, Nathan should /totally/ introduce Shadow to Ms. Applegrove, the teacher and knife-fighter from the orphanage. Something tells me they'd get along nicely.

>>48482028
>>48482040
..The hell is an Afroakuma?

>>48482057
GitP poster

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?258370-So-You-Want-To-Play-An-Elf-(3-5-Fluff)

>>48481904

Okay, well let me elaborate on the two pertinent points that came dangerously close to triggering the bullshit-o-meter for me:

First of all, River tries and fails to come up with anything noteworthy to tell Lark: she's got nothing. Now, is this the "nothing" like the answer you get when your kids come home and you ask them what happened at school today (I.E. nothing special,) or, is it the "nothing" you answer when you are asked what you remember of last night after getting falling down drunk and eventually passing out (E.G. nothing but the occasional near useless snapshot memory devoid of context.) It seemed ambiguous which, if any, of these it was the way things are written currently.

The second point is that it doesn't matter how boring your life is, you still are going to have the same pattern of memory formation barring some inhuman differences in mental function. The main thing here is that your description of memory would make much more sense on elves well past human age. Problem is: even elves are young once. Early in life, the long term memories you generate are closer together, more random, and much less significant in retrospect. River should have a wealth of things, peaceful or not, that her young mind had snapped on to. It takes awhile for the brain to even figure out what is and isn't worth remembering.

In fact, contented serenity is a relative concept. If things are really that calm all the time, the threshold for what constitutes something being out of the norm, and thus worth remembering, would just be that much more sensitive.

The way you have it now, it sounds as if elves spend all the time high and unable to function enough to generate memories.

If elves just form memories differently than humans cool, say so; just don't chalk it all up to their lifestyle.

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>>48481087

>>48481730
This is a new idea, and I like it.

Thread's archived, right? Because it's gonna hit the limit soon, so it probably won't be here when Vox rises from his tomb.

>>48482387
Threads remain in 4chan's own archive for a week and suptg can pull them from there with no fuss whatsoever.
Time is absolutely not an issue.

>>48481904
Y'know, I've noticed that there's plenty of elves and dwarves running around down in the Dungeon (not to mention the other, more unusual species). Does being born and raised in the Dungeon mean that they're less inclined to function as the Forgemaster intended (less 'Dreaming', more thinking for themselves)?

>>48481850
>> Are curious about this princess Amy is talking to

Bump.

>>48481850
>Are observing the mood of the party
It seems to generally be good from the other perspectives.

>>48481850
>> Are observing the mood of the party

>>48481850
>> Are pulling Diving Shadow aside to talk

I'm up. Will call and write soon.

>>48481850
>Are curious about this princess Amy is talking to

>>48485752
might look at making a new thread, this one's over the bump limit.

>>48485912
Not yet, the limit is 310

>>48485990
I thought it was 315 now?

>>48485999
Guess we will know soon

>>48485999
>>48486308
Pretty sure no, 310. (The post counter goes cursive when its reached)

>>48486403
It's 315. Watch.

>>48486403
Well let's see what happens then.

>>48482130
More like the answer about school. Things /blur/, each fading into the next, with only some memories standing out - generally of times that were, for good or ill, high-stress. And though in the heat of the moment River couldn't offer up any of those memories, she /has/ expressed a few of them before, like the stories that led her to leave home seeking adventure.

Maybe more importantly, though, River went right from that dreamlike state into the murderous hell that was her mercenary employment, while she was still fairly young. When she thinks of 'the past', it's usually /that/.

But, yes, elves and memory are a different affair than most other races and memory. It'd kinda have to be, they have a lot of life to remember. I'd hoped I'd communicated that during the update; I apologize for not doing so sufficiently.

>>48482057
Friend of mine, and one of the better experts on the Planescape setting as depicted from 1e D&D through to the end of 3.5's run. That he's not the top expert is mostly because Todd Stewart is still alive; Mister Stewart dropped by the threads on the matter to praise Fro's scholarship, though, which was a helluva thing.

If you don't or haven't played D&D or Planescape, then TL;DR he's really good at causing stupid shit to make sense.

>>48486442
No, I was wrong. You were right.

>>48486450
>I'd hoped I'd communicated that during the update; I apologize for not doing so sufficiently.

I thought you'd communicated it fairly well, and was rather surprised that the other anon was having trouble with it. Might be just different ways of reading/looking at things.