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The further you press on into the southwestern portion of the woods, the more change you start to see. Dead trees become common. Markings, in paint or scratched into the bark can be seen on most trees. They are tribal in nature; this land is wild and untamed. You must be cautious.

Thankfully, you needn't go very far to find what you are looking for. Up ahead, you see a graveyard surrounded by thin, dead trees, and along one side is a great chapel, long since abandonned by its worshippers. It is in disrepair and holes can be seen in its roof.

Merriam holds tightly onto your arm. "Mary, I'm afraid of this place," she says. "I've heard stories... They say the dead walk here, and that nobody who was put into a grave ever stayed inside."

'Sounds perfect, then,' you think. You assure her that you both will be fine and you think of how you want to approach this.

>Go through the graveyard to the chapel
>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel
>Stay and observe for a while
>Send Merriam ahead to act as bait for any potential traps
>Other

>>916015
>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel

>>916015
>Go through the graveyard to the chapel

>>916015
>>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel

>>916015
>>Stay and observe for a while

>>916015
>Go around the graveyard up to the back of the chapel

>>916015
>>Go through the graveyard to the chapel

>>916015
>>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel

>>916015
>>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel

>>916014
>Or "Villainous Vixen Quest", that works nicely too
I C what you did there, m8y

>>916015
>Stay and observe for a while
>then
>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel

>>916015
>Go around the graveyard and up to the back of the chapel
Really don't need to be giving away too much just yet.

>>916059
Eh, changing my vote to include this as well.

Also we should dump the old shrooms.
They must be 3 days old now, and we carried them here and there... Might not be fresh anymore besides the fact we don't know if they are venenous.

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>>916025
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>>916059
>>916062
>>916064

With Merriam quickly following, you sneak around the fenced-lined graveyard. You both stay low and move quickly until you reach the back of the building.

There is a door here, but it is locked. Merriam helps give you a boost up to one of the windows and you look inside.

The interior is a mess, and devoid of life. Broken pews, shattered altars and torn tapestries can be seen, all caked in dust and covered in cobwebs.

'Strange... I don't see any necromancer. Perhaps he's out?'

You hear a noise, then, or at least you think you do; it is dull, faded, and far away, as though echoing up from below.

'A cellar, perhaps...?' you think.

"Mary!" Merriam whispers sharply. "Do you see anything?"

"Not much... I want to go inside."

"Oh, hells, I was worried you would say that," she replies.

>Sneak in through the window and unlock the door
>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window
>Attempt to open the locked door from the outside
>Go around and enter the church through the front
>Other/write-in

>>916071
>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

>>916071
>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

No splitting up

>>916071
>>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

>>916071
>>Go around and enter the church through the front

>>916071
>Leave Merriam behind, tell her to wait
>Sneak in through the window

>>916071
>>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

Because lesbian points

>>916071
>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

>Bring Merriam up to you and both go through the window

>>916071
>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

>>916071
>>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window
"Don't you know, you never split the party!"

>>916089
Damn right. Give us a chance to feel up that fine farmergirl ass while we give her a boost up.

>>916071
>>Bring Merriam up to you and both go in through the window

how do we handle Merriam meeting our new teacher?

>>916107
Depends on what they're like.

>>916107
We either use this as an opportunity to convince her that 'necromancy isn't evil, necromancers are' speech, if he/she is okay. Or we use this to induce her into our crusade as we fight him and kill him for his stuff.

>>916014
>Ben, remained at the farm, while the girl Merriam is with us.
Surprise surprise
You faggots dominated the shit out of that lesbian cunt yet?

>>916125
I hoped for something like that

>>916128
Sorta. We kissed her with a mind control kiss.

But in terms of how /u/ this is going to descend into, we haven't gone full retard on that front yet.

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>>916104

You turn around and hold your hand down to Merriam. "Grab on," you instruct her. She reaches up and takes your wrist and manages to climb up with your help, putting her feet on footholds. You pull her up and sit her alongside you.

"We're going in there," you tell her. "Stay close to me. We don't split up."

"Okay," she whispers, clearly afraid but far, far too wrapped up in what's going on to turn back now.

The two of you touch down into the dark, dusty and destroyed chapel and begin to explore. There doesn't appear to be much valuable left; no nice chalices or books. Time has ravaged this place; it was looted and pillaged long ago.

But there are sighs of activity, here. There is a door leading down into a crypt, and you can hear noises.

"A-are you sure about this?" she asks.

You think about your next move.

>Go downstairs
>Wait silently up here, hide and observe
>Make some noise up here
>Split up, even though you just said you weren't going to
>Other

>>916128
both merriam and ben have been hit with a thralldom kiss. they pretty much can't say no to anything we say. were having ben wait a bit while we train up magic then iirc were forming a faux adventuring party aimed at mordax with ben as the figurehead leader with us pulling the strings behind said party.

basically setting things up for a classic jrpg plot but with us as a plot-twist villain behind everything at the end.

unless im forgetting something anyway.

>>916140
>Other

Knock on the door to the crypt

>>916140
>>Make some noise up here
knock on the door leading into the crypt.

>>916140
>Try to catch a glimpse of what's going on downstairs without being caught

>>916146
It's good to be polite.

+1

>>916146
I'm about that life

>>916150
>>916154
And if he wants to chop us up for parts?
We don't exactly have a lot of muscle with us right now.

>>916146
This

>>916159

We don't really have any way of taking him out in general.

>>916146
+1

>>916159
well, if he reaaaally wants that, we have Merriam... but I doubt it.

>>916142
>setting things up for a classic jrpg plot but with us as a plot-twist villain behind everything at the end
ugh, please no.

>>916164
We can at least confirm that he's not gonna kill us first. And there's always the option of the sneak attack.

>>916170

He's just as likely to catch us since we suck at sneaking and then he'll just insta-gib us as intruders.

We have charm wit and manipulation. That's it.

>>916159
Seeking tutelage from other mages generally involves taking the approach that is least likely to offend, so as to make the prerequisite that they won't kill you straight off as likely to be true as possible.

If they do end up wanting to kill you, you're unlikely to be able to take them in a fight. Which is the point at which you make sure you can run faster than the slowest member of your party.

>>916142
Don't overestimate the kiss. While it is working, that doesn't mean it's invincible or foolproof. Fuck, we created the spell accidentally, it's probably one of the lowest level thralldom spells.

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>>916146
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>>916167

"Don't worry. I have a plan."

You approach the door to the crypt and knock, rather politely. Merriam turns white. "What are you doing?"

"Being polite," you shrug.

From down below, you hear the noise cease. Then, footsteps coming up stairs. You hear what could best be described as a muffled grumbling.

Finally, a figure appears in the doorway. He is unnaturally tall; at least two and a half feet taller than you. His limbs are also long and gangly, with seemingly elongated fingers. He is dressed entirely in black, with a thick black cloak, long gloves and a white plague doctor mask. From behind two holes, he stares at you with eyes you cannot see. His mask tilts along with his head as he looks you up and down, the large beak of the mask dipping as he does.

"You aren't the delivery boy," he says in a muffled tone. He sounds somewhat old, and annoyed. "Explain yourself before I make you regret wasting my time."

You swallow, knowing well that you are in the presence of a potentially much stronger magic user. He could have undead minions ready to swarm in at a moment's notice.

>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>I am a necromancer, too!
>Elder Grey sent me here.
>I'm... a replacement delivery girl.
>Other

>>916191

True, I think our plan with Ben is fine because our orders end up being in his interests and is even the easiest of the paths he had to take. It's Merriam that we should be keeping an active hand in (wink wink)

>knock on the door to the crypt

>>916194
>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>Elder Grey sent me here.

That's all of the relevant information

>>916198
not the best idea to do that in the middle of the conversation

>>916194
>Elder Grey sent me here.
the least likely to offend

>>916194
>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>Elder Grey sent us here.
chance to prove ourselves

>>916194
>>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>>I am a necromancer, too!

Although try to downplay how good a necromancer we are.

>>916206
Do we really want Merriam to know we've met Elder Grey?

>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic

>>916194
>Elder Grey sent me here.

>>916206
>>916208
>>916209
>>916210
>>916214

Whoops, meant, "I am Mary"

Since I assume we're maintaining our disguise for now

>>916217
Thank god i was about to point this out.

>>916194
>I am [strike]Sirena[/strike]Mary, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.

Offer him an apple if he'd like one. Only picked yesterday.

>>916194
>>Elder Gray sent me here
Let's not give him our fake name or just avoid mentioning names.
He seems powerful so let's not offend him and humbly ask him to take us in.

>>916210
do we really want her to learn we are a necromancer?

But you ARE right.

Okay:
>I am Marry, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic

is the only viable thing to say

>>916222
this

>>916194
>I am Sirena, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>Elder Grey sent me here.

>>916210

I don't think that Merriam is familiar with Elder Grey so we can just pass it off as something we were told when we were kicked out

>>916194
>I am Mary, this is Merriam, and we want to learn magic.
>A while ago, I met a woman, old and grey, who told me you would make a better teacher than she would.

>>916225
Our story holds water even if Merriam thinks we're a necromancer.

Its hard to continue to sell the "banished/lost our whole family story and in need of help" if she knows we met somebody else before her family.

The assumption is that the Miller family or whatever their name is were the first people we stumbled upon.

>>916235
then the question remains: why didn't we do something as an undead killed her father? did we do something?
it's NOT a good idea to reveal that now

>>916242
We just have to fake having an 'affinity' but little actual knowledge. We can impress with our knowledge of other magic, and her father being killed by an undead is the reason we came to learn.

>"I... heard that necromancers could control undead. Maybe if I hadn't rejected my ability I would have been able to..."

Or something like that.

>>916242
The idea is we're a weak necromancer unable to control an undead which is why we couldnt stop the thing that killed her father.

Honestly, this whole crisscross of a story is needlessly complicated as fuck and kinda stupid but that's completely on us.

We probably shouldn't have brought Merriam along.

>>916242
Didn't we already tell her that we have a gift with magics to do with the dead, but that we weren't able/strong enough to prevent the undead from killing her father? Or something of that sort.

>>916242
Changing my vote to keep Elder Gray out of the conversation

>>916242
Cause we're evil and wants to destroy the family

>>916250
See, I like that line of thought. I'd like to use that when asked.

>>916252
We said we weren't strong enough at magic and we tried our best.

>>916222
This, and mention Lady Grey.

Honestly bringing her along was stupid and useless desu, she's really can't do anything

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>>916206
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>>916262

"I am Mary, and this is Merriam," you introduce yourself and her.

"This is the part where you explain why I should care," he says, leaning down to stare into your face. He doesn't know or care much for personal boundaries, evidenced by his long fingers growing closer.

"Elder Grey told me about you," you quickly tell him, and that makes him stop.

He rears backwards, up to his unnaturally tall height. "You don't say... the old woman still lives. Or was she dead, and sent you anyway?"

"She lives," you reply. "Though, at her age, I know not for how long."

He chuckles beneath his mask. 'Good, at least he isn't without a sense of humor.'

"So, why did she send you?" he asks, tilting his head again.

"We want to learn magic," you tell him. "She said you know more than she does."

"Ah... and you learnt some from her, then?"

"I did."

"I see..." he looks at your friend, then leans over to get in her face. She flinches as he stares at her. "And you? You want to learn magic?"

"Y-yes, s-sir, I d-d-d--"

"Enough of that," he snaps back to standing up straight. "You want to learn my ways? I must warn you, they aren't for the... weak of heart." He looks back at Merriam. "I deal in death, my young ones. I enjoy my work very much, and my solitude. I prefer the company of corpses, so if you want to learn from me... do not interfere, and do not make much noise. I could have use for some assistants."

He turns back to the crypt and bows his head to fit into the passage. "Coming?" he says without turning around.

>Go down into the crypt with him
>Leave Merriam here for now
>Give her a pep talk, then both go
>Stay up here for now
>Write-in

>>916263
>using 'desu'
I'm sorry but I can't take you seriously anymore

>>916268
>Leave Merriam here for now
Do we really want to taint a girl who knows nothing? She won't be useful and might die

>>916268
>>Write-in
Give her the option to continue, but explain why it would be in her best interests to learn from him.

>>916268
>>Give her a pep talk, then both go

>>916275
Taint, corrupt and mold into something of worth for us. Yes, we do.

>>916272
Fuck that filter

>>916268
>>Give her a pep talk, then both go
"If we want to know the best ways to keep things like yesterday from happening again, we must learn. I'm right here with you."

>>916268
>Give Merriam a pep talk
"As terrible as this all may become, we must not falter. If we can learn to control the dead, then... (throw in a choked sob) then no one will ever be harmed like your father again."

Let's remind her why we went to the necromancer.

>>916276
Supporting
Also add that Mary should keep quiet since we don't want any trouble with our potential teacher
...yet

>>916280
You're assuming everyone can learn magic. If she can't she has no use for us

>>916263
Kinda agreeing with you mate.

I'm honestly already wary of shit and although it hasnt become too large a problem, I'm seeing the seeds of detrimental /u/ faggotry.

>>916272

Wordfilter, newfag.

>>916268

>Give her a pep talk, then both go

>>916260
Then all we have to do is give her a daily reminder of this and claim that fighting fire with fire is the best/only option.

>>916290
She'll have use, just less than predicted. How would her brother react?

>Give her a pep talk then both go

>>916268
>Give her a pep talk, then both go

>>916290
You are assuming not everyone can learn it.
We said so ourselves, as written by our QM, everyone CAN learn it, how fast is the question with her. Once we reach the level where we can leave our new teacher, we can go on and teach her a bit. Teaching, in itself, is a form of practice and will help us, twofold at that.

>>916283
This.

>>916290

She can still be useful even in the possibility of having zero magic aptitude. We could use an assistant or a meatshield in case we get attacked and at worst, she would make a pretty zombie. I would personally mold her into an alchemist if she cannot into magic, that way she would be still useful for our trade

Also we don't want her to be as powerful as we are... Or do we?

>>916305

I feel like that's putting too much power into someone who could potentially betray us.

>>916313
I didn't say we'd teach her everything. Also we will hone our enthrallment. Toying with the living will be so much fun.

>>916311
>>916313
Nice sync :P

>>916310
This, as I said last thread, transformation and alchemy is a power combination.

>>916319
Then we'll be wasting our time if we're teaching elementary skills to her.

You only start improving from teaching if you're teaching things you yourself find at least moderately challenging.

Your premise falls apart under scrutiny.

>>916322
Poisonous. Iron-skinned. Zombie-Hulks.
Stitching, Transmuting and Treating.

>>916313

She's not the only one leveling up. So long we don't teach her about the thralldom school, our growing powers to influence minds will make sure she stays as our loyal minion and she will be none the wiser about our influence. Or we might not even need to do that, we are performing fine mindgames on her and she's quite reliant on us so far

>>916331
I feel like we should have specialized minions so that they keep a weakness.
Ben can wield a sword.
Merriam can be a necromant OR a transmuter OR an alchemist.
etc.
Let's make up our pirate crew!

>>916319
This, but if this crypt seems like it might be too traumatizing for her, perhaps a kiss and "stand guard upstairs while mommy does the dirty work 4u" may be necessary.

>>916344
But at that point she seems really useless. She needs to learn some sort of magic.

Unless we're keeping her around just to sell her down the river at the first moment it becomes overwhelmingly convenient.

>>916328
>>916328
>You only start improving from teaching if you're teaching things you yourself find at least moderately challenging.
Reinventing and refining basics is a way to perfect the more difficult aspects of a trade and that can be done by reexamining them from a more knowledgeable point of view. Repeating something till it comes easy as a heartbeat is never wrong and in her making mistakes new discoveries might be found as well.
Even then, a bargaining chip is useful to have and gaining more trust from her gains us a stronger bond to exploit.

>>916342

And then we will be the "heroes" who uncovered the scheme of the vile royal wizard. And how convenient, the king and the rest of the royal staff "accidentally" died during our duel at hands of the royal wizard, leaving a void in the power we can fill.

>>916351
Maybe make her our first subject? A pretty zombie can't go wrong

>>916361
no gentle repose.

>>916356
>Reinventing and refining basics is a way to perfect the more difficult aspects of a trade and that can be done by reexamining them from a more knowledgeable point of view. Repeating something till it comes easy as a heartbeat is never wrong and in her making mistakes new discoveries might be found as well.

Except that itself lends to the notion of a mass use of various apprentices with varying levels of tackling the problems, which makes them more disposable and something we should entertain purely to empower ourselves rather than keep one apprentic we keep pumping magical skills into.

>>916369
Never said anything against that.

>>916361
Aligns in the dick move area.

>>916369
Main premise of our MC is that she's selfish. Everyone else are disposable pawns for revenge

>>916383
Pretty sure everyone agreed with the lawful evil thing.

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>>916276
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>>916307

You face Merriam and put your hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me: it's going to be alright."

"But he makes dead things," she whispers. "Zombies and walking corpses and--"

"I know," you cut her off. "Just trust me. I told you that I had some skill related to the dead, but it wasn't strong enough. I can make it stronger if I learn from him -- if WE learn from him. It's the best way we're going to keep things like what happened to your father from happening again."

"I know, but... it's not natural. Things that are dead should stay dead."

"We have to learn," you repeat. "As terrible as this all may become, we must not falter. Your brother is depending on us."

Slowly, she nods. "As long as you're with me," she says. "I'll try to stay brave for you."

You smile and take her by the hand as you lead her down into the crypt. It is a dark place, lit only by torches and candles. The walls are covered in bones and skulls line stone shelves. The exapnsive underground crypt must run far under the graveyard itself; it is a complex structure with many passages and rooms.

"This way," the necromancer says. You lead her to his workchamber, and Merriam shuts her eyes.

There are many slabs here, upon which rest corpses of all kinds; human, elf, orc, even a dwarf and a goblin. There's at least one dog, too. They are in various stages of decomposition, some are worse than others. He also has shelves of jars with various fluids, and a table with many instruments. And books. Books everywhere! Journals, sketchbooks, notebooks, scrolls, all kinds of books just lying around.

"This is where I do my work," he mutters. "This is where I make what some would call mad dreams into reality."

"This is a very impressive laboratory," you compliment him.

"I know it is," he snaps. "Don't say the obvious. Never repeat what I tell you or ask me to say it twice. If you can't learn from me hearing it or reading it, you won't learn it. Understood?"

You nod. You then move your hand up and make Merrian nod as well.

"Good. Now then... Show me what you can do." He motions to a human corpse.

>Reanimate it
>Thoroughly dissect the body
>Stitch some stuff together
>Look through the books first
>Other

>>916392
>Reanimate a dog instead
Don't overplay our hand, especially not in front of Merriam.

>>916351
her job is to be a warm flesh pillow and personal 'masseuse' while also helping us maintain our humanity by keeping us from going full retard/bitch-mode and providing an alt ending where we turn good, heroically defeat mordax and live happily ever after

>>916392
>>Thoroughly dissect the body

If Merrian sees us controlling a corpse unless she is an absolute idiot she should suspect us.

Downplaying our initial skills will make this apprenticeship much more laborious but its the only way if we want to keep merrian with us.

>>916392
>>Look through the books first

and then

>Reanimate it

Just to pretend we are still learning the basics. If we show that we can outright animate something off the bat, Merriam would find suspicious that we didn't help her father as we can already animate the dead

>>916401
>>916392
I second this.

>Thouroughly dissect the body

>>916392
>Reanimate it
Merriam has no reason to know about where different spells are in the skill tree, for all she knows this is pretty basic. If we fail to impress this guy he'll probably kick us out.

>>916404
>her job is to be a warm flesh pillow and personal 'masseuse' while also helping us maintain our humanity by keeping us from going full retard/bitch-mode

Ben is much more suited for that purpose.

>>916418

Why not both?

>>916392
>>Stitch some stuff together
show him that you did in fact learn something from elder grey and tell mirriam that you learned to sew stitches in first aid class.

>>916392
In this order:
>dissect the body(s)
>stitch them together
>try and reanimate it

>>916418
And Ben would likely lose his mind and try to kill us if we had brought him instead.

>>916424
>>916424
Well we only brought Merrian. Of course if we had brought Ben instead I don't think he'd be particularly happy with necromancy. Of course I also don't know if he'll be happy when we come home and show him we made his sister a gay necromancer.

>>916431
What makes me sort of confused is why Merrian isn't, y'know, I wouldn't say trying to kill us. But why doesn't she suspect this necromancer of being responsible for her dead father?

>>916430
Seconding.

>>916434
More like a bi Necromancer, but yeah, I get your point.

Also, OP described this girl as being hot. To what extent that is, matters greatly on her fate.

>>916434

He will be okay with gay necromander after a simple kiss. That and because he totally wants to bone us, he will be much more receptive to our enthrallment. Also, revenge and stuff should in theory be more important than sexually changing his sister's preference. By the time we return to him, he should've improved a bit his sword skills and I assume there's a school for enchantments so we could teach ourselves or his sister enchantment spells to buff his sword or himself.

>>916447
>he should've improved a bit his sword skills

How? By swinging it at tree trunks with no competent teacher?

>>916401

Seconding this, though ask first, he did point us to the human corpse

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>>916440

You approach the body, looking it over. It's had some work done on it already. Picking up a knife, you note previously cut lines on his body that have been sewn shut. You undo them and expose his innards, which you discover to be mostly gone, allowing you to see his bones.

"This won't do," you say, looking him over. "His spine is in terrible condition, he won't be able to walk upright."

"Correct," he notes, very impressed that you caught this. "He fell from a horse, I believe."

"Merriam, come look at this," you note. She walks over, but one look inside makes her sick and she turns away. To her credit, she does not vomit. "I can fix this," you say aloud, looking at the nearby orc corpse. You inspect it next; he died from head trauma. Specifically, his head was cleaved in half by an axe, but his spine is in perfect condition.

You look up at the doctor. "I can make a servant out of these two bodies."

"Oh?" he says slyly. "Show me."

>Swap heads
>Swap the spine from the orc onto the man
>Swap heads, and add some stuff from the dog
>Attempt to combine both bodies into a hideous amalgamation
>Other

>>916456
>with no competent teacher?

He actually does have a competent teacher there. We'll see when we catch back up to him. Faith, anon.

>>916456
By itself swinging a sword will improve you ability to handle it. His form will be terrible no doubt but at least he'll make sure he has the proper muscle groups to actually into combat.

If Mirriam turns out to be worthless we don't have to care. If not, we can deal with him after we have her actually able to cast a spell and thoroughly wrapped around our finger.

>>916467
>Swap heads
>Work slowly, as if to avoid making mistakes.

>>916467
Can we not sew together the best parts from both in a still-humanoid combination?

>>916484

Yeah, that's an option

>>916484
We probably can, the question is, do we want to show that level of expertise in from of Mirriam.

I only hope that he has books about some other subjects, because she clearly does not have the bent to be a necromancer.

But if that turns out to be the case, at least we brought raw materials.

>>916467
>>Swap heads

Easiest solution, enough to prove your skills but not too advanced let Merriam know their extent

>>916467
>sew the best parts of both of them into something humanoid

>>916467
>>Replace parts of the corpse with the orc's

I assume that head aside, the orc body is in perfect shape, and orcs are naturally stronger than humans, so just giving it a functional head should be enough. BUT he wanted us to work on the human corpse, so we can't just fix the orc body and instead we should cannibalize its spine and some additional muscles to strenghten the human corpse's body

>>916467
>>Swap heads
>>916489
I figured we were gonna make her a healslut.

>>916484
>swap the spine from the orc onto the man

>>916489
>she clearly does not have the bent to be a necromancer

Maybe our necromancer teacher knows some other mage with a less disgusting specialization for Merriam?

We can always ask later on.

>>916467
>Attempt to combine both bodies into a hideous amalgamation

>>916501

I like the healslut idea

>>916501
>I figured we were gonna make her a healslut.

>>916521
>I like the healslut idea

So do I.

>>916521
>>916501
You know, that's a good idea. If she has no magical talent, then at least here she can learn how to stitch someone together properly.

>>916548

And alchemy, don't forget alchemy. Surely having an assistant handy in creating potions and stuff would be of some use.

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>>916496
>>916500
>>916484
>>916503
>>916521

You begin your grim work. Merriam cannot bear to watch at first, but slowly, as you take parts from the orc and bring them over to the man, she does take quick glances.

The necromancer observes your work in silence. You focus and take your time, not wanting to disappoint. The orc is in perfect condition, except for his head. They make good brawlers, so some arm muscles will help this corpse. Taking the best of the orc to the corpse of the man, you begin the difficult process of putting him together.

It is complicated work, and you have little experience in such matters. You improvise where you need to and rely heavily on Elder Grey's stitching spell. The spine is the hardest part; in the end, you brace it with metal joints to hold it in place. It doesn't matter if the spine actually functions normally, what matters is that it holds up the body. One of the important lessons you learn early on is that things aren't going to be perfect; you have to make due with the occasional oddity.

In the end, you have a put-together corpse, one slightly more functional than Boris was. You then put your hands together and start to really work your magic, holding them over the body. The moment of truth comes sooner to you this time; more naturally. Purple and green energy swirl about the body, and soon, it opens its eyes and sits up.

"I must admit, you have done well," he says. He then holds up a hand and mutters a spell, taking control of the undead back from you. You feel the power of his spell; even if you wanted to keep him, you couldn't fight back against that level of control. Yet. "He will make a nice addition to my collection."

"What will you use him for?"

"My own purposes," he vaguely replies. "Now then... about teaching you."

Remainder of Day 1:
>Learn new magic power
>Spend time helping Meriam overcome her fear
>Focus on assisting and building up trust in the Doctor
>Study books, study study study
>Begin nurturing Marian's magical skills; see what she is good at
>Other

>>916572
>>Spend time helping Meriam overcome her fear
If we wish to continue here, we will need this.

>>916572
>Begin nurturing Marian's magical skills; see what she is good at

>>916572
>>Focus on assisting and building up trust in the Doctor

Learn by watching. And also push Meriam into watching as well to make her get over her fear. We could sweeten the deal by saying that revenge is a path often bloody and she will see plenty of corpses ... or will have to stitch together mutilated body parts from her brother due the injuries close quarter warriors sustain

>>916572
>>Spend time helping Meriam overcome her fear
>>Begin nurturing Marian's magical skills; see what she is good at
This pays the best dividends later, even if we don't get as much done today.

>>916572
>>Focus on assisting and building up trust in the Doctor
new powers are very tempting, but theres other things we should worry about right now

>>916572
>>Focus on assisting and building up trust in the Doctor

>Spend time helping Meriam overcome her fear
Even if its just being friendly and trying to help her out,

>>916572
>Spend time helping Meriam overcome her fear
>Begin nurturing Marian's magical skills; see what she is good at
The two don't seem mutually exclusive. We also need to assuage any doubts she has in us after that display.

>>916572
>>Learn new magic power
>>Study books, study study study

We came here to learn, we must show him we are ready to do so

>>916633
This.

>Spend time helping Merriam overcome her fear
>Begin nurturing Merriams magical skills;see what she is good at

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>>916590
>>916592
>>916607
>>916652
>>916686
>>916709

After this is done and the necromancer takes the undead away, you lead Merriam to a corner.

"Are you alright?" you ask, wanting to maintain a sympathetic edge to your voice.

"I... I think so, or I'm trying to be," she says, keeping her eyes off the walls. "I don't feel comfortable here. Surrounded by dead things... things that might not stay dead for long..."

"But I can learn how to control them, like he does."

"I know, but... I thought magic would be more, um, magical? Pretty colors and things, not... not like this..."

You lead her away to a corner of the crypt and sit her down. You hug her and tell her again that everything is going to be okay. Although the repetition is getting to your nerves, you know it is needed. She needs a solid foundation; she needs to rely on you.

"What I did in there, that didn't frighten you too much, did it?"

"I know it's just magic," she says, convincing herself. "I know it's just you doing magic, but it still seems... wrong. I heard stories about magic, about making water out of nothing, beautiful fireworks, changing hair and making yourself beautiful, the kinds of things elves do, you know."

A smile comes to your lips. "I do know, in fact. I'm going to spend some time teaching you some stuff that I know, okay? At the very least, it will help keep you distracted."

She nods. "I'd like that. But not the dead stuff, right? Maybe that light you made, or letting me see in the dark?"

>Teach some illusionary magic
>Teach some transmutation magic
>Reinforce the basics of magic in her; hand signs and such
>Talk to her more; comfort her, nurture her, meld her more
>Write-in

>>916572
>Focus on assisting and building up trust in the Doctor
>Study books, study study study
Show him we are serious about this

>>916721
>>Talk to her more; comfort her, nurture her, meld her more

She's a long term investment. The sooner we get her to overcome her barriers and make her rely even more on us, the easier will be to make her do anything we want. Or at least I think we can afford using one or two days to mold her into a good disciple

>Teach some transmutation magic

>>916721
>>Teach some transmutation magic

>>916721
>>Talk to her more; comfort her, nurture her, meld her more

>>916721
Teach a simple parlour tricks and get studying

>>916721
>Reinforce the basics of magic in her; hand signs and such

>>916721
>Reinforce the basics of magic in her; hand signs and such

All the while

>Talk to her more; comfort her, nurture her, meld her more

>>916721
>>Reinforce the basics of magic in her; hand signs and such
>>Talk to her more; comfort her, nurture her, meld her more

>>916721
>Reinforce basics
No sense jumping in too quick, we don't want her fucking up and turning us or someone else into something. Also don't want her being better than us

>>916775
Shit, hadn't thought of that. Changing my vote to this.

>>916763
This. If she has a solid understanding of the basics, it'll make it easier for her to learn everything else.

>>916721
>>Reinforce the basics of magic in her; hand signs and such

Maybe Prestidigitation could be a nice way to comfort her with magic, but don't get her too deep into illusion, that's our field.

We need to find her a transmut/restoration/elemental teacher later on. Anything useful but that fits her mindset, maybe even holy.

>>916775

Man, it would be hilarious if she ended up having a lot more magical potential and aptitude than us. But considering she wasn't taken to learn under the royal wizard, it is fair to assume she will be a slow learner compared with us

By the way, how come we know almost nothing when:
>>909059
>>You are a villainous sorceress, once the greatest apprentice to your master, the court wizard of the strongest kingdom in the realm.
?

>>916818
Because the greatest 5th grader still doesnt know much compared to an idiot in college.

>>916818
>once the greatest set of tits to your master, the court wizard of the strongest kingdom in the realm

>>916818
According to the QM's discord chat we were half eye candy, half potential.

Mordax ditched us before we could learn enough to be even remotely considered a threat, I guess.

>>916843

Which makes it all the more puzzling how easily the king and the others were fooled into thinking somebody with merely a basic understanding of magic could somehow perform forbidden and advanced experiments

>>916853
>Court mage is buddy buddy with the court
>trusted by all, loved by all
>takes on a new apprentice
>"She's been dabbling in dark secrets! Look at her workshop!"
>Everyonebelieves.jpg
>We actually were dabbling in dark magic
>Forced to flee the kingdom without being able to defend ourselves

Not really.

>>916832
>5th grader

>>916839
>greatest set of tits

> "I see... Great... Potential..." -- Mordrax 2016

>>916853
Well the king probably did not pay *that* much attention to his wizards apprentices

>>916853
Possibly Mordrax is just very good at kissing.

>>916878

Very likely. That and my personal bet is that he used enthralling magic on the king, strong enough to influence him, but subtle enough to not be noticed by other wizards.

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>>916818

We got hired because we have great tits and made him look good. Raw magical talent and apititude for learning came secondary.

>>916731
>>916743
>>916756
>>916763
>>916770
>>916775
>>916783

As the necromancer resumes his work, evidently not caring when you decide to observe him, you remain with Merriam in the faraway corner, making sure she cannot see him and what he is doing, lest she becme unnerved. You cast a spell of light and hold it in your hands, sitting against her back as you hold your palms in front of her.

"It's so amazing you can do this," she whispers.

"I'll show you," you reply, nuzzling her neck, "...and so much more."

You begin to go over the basics of magic with her, simple concepts. There is a universal arcane power that can be tapped into in a manner of ways; there are many different ways to do so. Magic is one's will made reality, and so some of the simplest of spells are simply matters of knowing how to harness the energy to shape the caster's imagination.

Hand motions, words of power, a focused mind, these are some of the things simple spells require. Others are more complicated, but you don't worry about those with her right now. No, instead you focus on showing her how to move her hands and lips, all the while feeding her more comforting words and a warm embrace. Occasionally, you show her some greater affection, a kiss on her neck or a compliment, all at key moments designed to make her care for you even more. She melts in your arms, sighing when you do these things; she's yours and you know it.

"I don't think I'll ever be as good as you," she says. "You're just amazing, Mary. You say all this came naturally?"

"And with practice," you reply. "Lots of practice."

The hours draw on. It is late now, and you must sleep. There is a small chamber where you and she can be afforded privacy, one with no corpses in it, which she appreciates. She goes about setting up the sleeping area while you speak with the necromancer.

"Your friend will need more than one afternoon and evening's worth of lessons," he notes as he leans over a body, inspecting it.

"She's a long-term work-in-progress," you reply.

"Regardless, I don't intend on feeding you. You'll have to find your own supplies while you are here."

"I have some food. Don't you eat?"

He looks up. "Not in ways you understand." He leaves it at that, and then resumes his work.

>Stay up late studying his books
>Sleep
>Give some extra lessons to Merriam
>Ask the necromancer some questions
>Other

>>916894
>>Stay up late studying his books

>>916894
>Sleep
We'll need all our energy for tomorrow when we begin studying in earnest.

>>916894
>Stay up late studying his books
We ARE here to learn, after all.

>>916894
>>Give some extra lessons to Merriam

She needs all the lessons she can get to not become a burden later when we move to advanced shit.

>>916922
+1 We need our assets to be less dead weight sooner.

>>916894
First, did he give us petition to touch his books? If not, ask. But otherwise'
>Stay up late studying his books

I we are denied to study books then,

>Give some extra lessons to Merriam

>>916894
>Give some extra lessons to Merriam
Maybe try to teach her how to cast a light or the night vision spell.

Also, this necromancer guy is fucking awesome.

>Stay up late studying his books

>>916894
>>Sleep
Studying late just makes our studying tomorrow less effective.

>>916894
>Stay up late studying his books

>>916894
>>Stay up late studying his books

Y'know we really should have thought ahead.

If we were going to just spend all our time teaching Merrian magic we could have done it somewhere much less offputting. Like the forest or something.

>>916894
>Stay up late studying his books

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>>916934
I'm having a rough time hearing his voice. I can't decide between deep and mysterious or Skeletor.

>>916894
>Stay up late studying his books

>>916894
>Stay up late studying his books

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>>916909
>>916918
>>916933
>>916940
>>916944
>>916945
>>916948
>>916971
>>916980

You look around at his many books and journals. "You have so many tomes here," you note. "May I look at them?"

"You may look," he mutters as he carefully takes off the top of the elf corpse's skull, exposing its brain. "Understanding them is another matter entirely. They are there to be read, but don't lose any of my bookmarks or so help me I'll use your skull as a paperweight."

You begin to search for an interesting read, and dig in. The books cover all manner of topics, and many contain his personal notes, offering much deeper insights into what can be learned. This makes choosing a subject all the more difficult...

>Focus on anatomy
>Focus on rites of resurrection
>Focus on types of undead and controlling them
>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls
>Focus on other elements of necromancy unrelated to raising/controlling dead
>Write-in

>>916984
>>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls
Ghosts are fun.

>>916984
>>Focus on anatomy
>Focus on anatomy

GM said that we weren't very knowledgeable on the anatomy of people. Let's fix that, the foundation of Necromancy is the body we use.

>>916984
>>Focus on rites of resurrection

Bring Dad back to life!

>focus on rights of resurrection

>>916984
>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls

>>916984
>>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls

>>916984
>Focus on anatomy

If there's one thing I know about art, is that you got to know proper anatomy.

>>916984
>>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls

I am intrigued.

Also knowing the different kinds of undead could be profitable for specialization.

>>916984
Spirits and souls are tempting, but I highly doubt we're going to find a beginner level text. Thus, I think we should stick with something more familiar and work up form there.

>Focus on rites of resurrection

>>916984

>Focus on anatomy
If we would paint, we must understand the canvas and the nature of our paints.

Try not to mess with the necro-boy unless it's worth great benefit, he might be a great long-term ally, some kind of knowledge reference.

>>916984
>>Focus on matters relating to spirits and souls

It could open another school of magic to us

>>917090
We already have 4... Do you really want to be THE super-duper-uber-almighty mage or just have fun with moderation?

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'Anatomy... Spirits... Resurrections... So many choices! Mass rituals under the blood moon, the musculature of minotaurs, the seventy-seven spirits of star lake! Notes on banshee screams, voodoo zombies, a geneological history of goblins!'

In the end, you find yourself torn and flipping between the three. Spirits, however, get the most attention from you. You have studied the body and can influence the flesh, but what of the soul? Ghosts, phantoms, wraiths, spectres, phantasms, hauntings, so many different kinds...

>New Spell Gained: Necromancy
Detect Ghost
Cast this on an area to allow you to detect the presence of a lingering spirit. You will gain a general idea of where it is and how to communicate with it, but you will not be able to control it with this spell alone.

You study long into the night while the doctor works tirelessly, putting brains in jars and other organs in other jars. You occasionally look over to see what he is doing, be it draining blood or dissecting a body, and he takes notice.

"You require sleep," he says. "I, however, do not."

"You're dead, then?"

"Not in the way you would understand it," he says again, very cryptically. "There is not only 'dead' and 'alive.' There is 'what you know' and 'what you do not know' and for now, you needn't know what I am."

He looks up from his table. "Let me ask you a question, then, since you have done the same of me: are you strictly a necromancer hopeful?"

"I hadn't planned on solely using necromancy," you reply. "I'd like to learn more."

"Well, I know little of what does not interest me, and that is the only school of magic that interests me. Well, I must admit that there are some aspects of divination and restoration that I enjoy, but only in a clinical and hygenic sense. But if you wish to learn more, I can point you in the right direction."

"More? From whom?"

>Give me some 1d20s for randomly-generated characters!

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>917149
Oh boy, here we go!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>917149

>>917149
dice+1d20

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>917149

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>917149

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>917149

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>917149

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>917165

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>917149
Let me give it a roll then.

I really like this witch doctor guy.
This is exactly what we need to make Mirriam useful.

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>>917159
>>917164
>>917165
>>917166
>>917167
>>917173
>>917181
>>917183
>>917206

"My brothers," he replies casually. "I am the eldest of our family. My younger brother Vincent -- very jealous of me, he is -- prefers enslaving others to his will through making them thralls. A silly school, if you ask me -- undead are more reliable than people, much more simple as well."

"And your youngest brother?"

"I was getting to him! Ah, yes, Herbert... an alchemist. He supplies me things I need, various fluids and ointments."

"To help with your expriments?"

"Because I'm old, not that it's any of your business asking that!" he says defensively.

"I apologize," you say. "Where might they be?"

"My brother Herbert the Alchemist lives in the swamp. Not an easy person to reach, but when the delivery boy arrives you can accompany him if you like. He knows a way into the swamp past that green dragon. I don't think you'd like to meet that beast. As for my brother Vincent, he prefers to be closer to civilization... he owns a tavern on Cross Lake."

'Cross Lake -- that's just north of Ben and Merriam's family farm!'

He's not used to speaking with company. He lets something slip. "Together, we three each ser..." He stops mid-sentence and stares at you before correcting himself. "...Serve our own purposes."

Your eyes slightly narrow. 'He was about to say something else,' you think. But you don't press the matter as you look up at him. "I thank you for telling me this. But if I am going to learn from you, and possibly your brothers, may I know your name?"

"Call me Dr. Albert," he says with a nod. "And if you forget the 'Dr.' I needn't remind you of the paperweight."

"Of course, doctor." You then yawn. He is right -- you need sleep. You retire for the evening, crawling into the sleeping roll with Merriam.

She doesn't wake up, but shifts slightly in her sleep. You wrap your arms around her; she's good to keep warm with. No need to kiss her while she sleeps, and she won't hear any compliments you slip her now. It's just as well; you're certain she's not going to resist you much longer. A little more time and she'll be all yours, forever.

Until you no longer need her, but if she proves useful, that won't be for a long time. And you've enough patience to give her time to prove herself.

>Sleep...

>some aspects of divination and restoration
How convenient

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>>917258

The next morning, you and Merriam prepare for another day. You eat some bread and an apple apiece. As you take a bite of one, Merriam leans over and takes a bite out of yours. You are about to react in anger, as that is YOUR apple, but hold yourself in check when she playfully giggles. She's only playing. This is a good sign, at least she is trying to act normally given what she's going through. You should encourage it. You do so by taking a bite out of her apple.

Partially to make her laugh, and partially so that you don't have a net loss of apple. It balances out.

Once breakfast is over with and you move out to the lab, you find him working tirelessly. Likely because he does not tire, as he implied.

"How long may we stay here?" you ask him.

"As long as you like, provided you do what I say when I ask for assistance," he replies. "

>Spend time with the Necromancer until your supplies run out
>Make plans to travel to his Alchemist brother in the swamp
>Make plans to travel to his Thrallherd brother at his tavern
>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies
>Other

>>917267
>>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies

>>917267
>>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies

>>917267
>>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies

And then

>Spend time with the Necromancer until your supplies run out

>>917280
This.

>>917267
>Merriam leans over and takes a bite out of yours. You are about to react in anger, as that is YOUR apple, but hold yourself in check when she playfully giggles. She's only playing. This is a good sign, at least she is trying to act normally given what she's going through. You should encourage it. You do so by taking a bite out of her apple.
>Partially to make her laugh, and partially so that you don't have a net loss of apple. It balances out.

Autism speaks.

>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies

>Spend time with the necromancer till your supplies run out

We just got here, we may as well learn as much as we can before setting off

>>917267
>Make plans to travel to his Thrallherd brother at his tavern

>>917267
>>Explore the surrounding region and look for additional supplies
We've only got so many apples, and I wouldn't trust the freshness of any sources of meat hanging around here.

>>917304
No one claimed that the evil sorceress was going to be an even tempered and balanced individual.

>>917267
>>Spend time with the Necromancer until your supplies run out

>>917304
>Autism speaks.

Eh, I wanted to write it differently, just wanted to emphasize that she's quick to be selfish.

>>917333
I thought it was hilarious

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>>917280
>>917297
>>917301
>>917318
>>917328
>>917303

You turn to Merriam and take her off to the side so as not to disturb the good doctor Albert. "Alright, we're going to go exploring for supplies," you tell her. "Food, water, anything we can find. I don't think we want to eat the meat around here."

She shakes. "Ugh. Definitely not."

"Let's gather up our things." You take only what you need, and leave the heavier supplies here for now. You return with her to the top of the church, leaving through the front door. You notice undead begin to rise, but they do not make a move to attack you. Still, Merriam holds tightly onto your arm.

>Take some undead with you as protection
>Go out with just the two of you
>Do not stray far from the chapel and graveyard
>Explore farther out
>Other

>>917363
>>Go out with just the two of you

>Take some Undead as protection

>>917363
>>Go out with just the two of you

>>917267
>>Spend time with the Necromancer until your supplies run out
That's why we came here after all

>>917363
>>Take some undead with you as protection
We can say this was something we made sure to learn right away.

>>917363
>Explorer farther out

>>917363
>>917372
This.

>>917370
Wow this post actually reached the server after 30 minutes haha

>>917363
Ask Dr. Albert if the surrounding are dangerous. If so
>>Take some undead with you as protection
else:
>>Go out with just the two of you

>>917372

But this is exactly the same thing that we said we failed at with her father

>>917363
>Go out with just the two of you

>>917363
>Go out with just the two of you

"One day Merriam, one day we will never have to fear those again, they will be under my control and you will be safe."

>>917389
Which is why we immediately chose to study it. You know, since we "hadn't done much necromancy at all before" no sir. Now it can be something to show that we are taking this seriously, and can in fact protect her.

It's important we explain it to her in an offhand way.

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>Alone
>>917394
>>917393
>>917368
>>917366
>With Undead
>>917372
>>917367
>>917375
>>917387

You pat her arm. "One day Merriam, we will never have to fear these corpses again. They will be under my control and you and everyone else will be safe."

"I hope that comes sooner than later," she says.

As you walk by them, you subtly cast a spell to have three of them follow you, but at a distance. Their lack of closeness will keep Merriam at ease, and they will make for a useful backup plan should you run into much trouble.

"Keep your eyes peeled for supplies," you tell her. "Anything we can use or eat, or drink as well."

"I will," she says, not letting go of your arm.

>Give me 1d100s for random encounters!

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>917426

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>917426

>>917372
>>917389
Surely we could animate dogs or some other animals, and claim when asked that they're easier to control than knights?

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>917426
>7

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>917426

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>917426

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>917426