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Not far from the tower of Archmage Francis, whom you now know to be both exactly what he appears to be and also much, much more, you take a brief break from horseriding and take stock of your inventory.

In addition to your supplies, you secured five things from his tower: a ruby necklace, a wand, a jar of truth serum, and a bottle of oily lubricant (Mk. III). And, of course, you still have possession of your coin, though the nature of its magic (if indeed it is magical at all) eludes you.

While some of these items may be magical in nature, all of them pay in comparison to the Codex Arcana, which you have recently seen the power of. You even glimped inside of it, which greatly impressed Francis -- considering most who do turn mad!

But you feel fine. Better than fine, in fact! Your misadventure at the tower, as strange as it may have been, resulted in you gaining new spells and an enchantment of permanent youth up until the moment of your death by natural causes. While not true immortality, it's certainly a start.

Merriam is nearby, petting the horse's head and keeping him calm. She's good with animals -- must come from being on the farm most of her life. She looks over at you and asks, "Mary? Something on your mind?"

Truth be told, there is. Your talk with Francis, and your experience with the Codex Arcana has raised strange emotions within you. Not only is he aware of who you truly are, but your brief brush with the writing of the gods could have had all sorts of strange side-effects upon you. Strangely, you feel a vulnerability you haven't felt since you first ran away. Everything since then has been in the interest of protecting yourself and building up power to take revenge, but you were almost completely helpless in that situation if you look at it in a certain way. Francis was playing you, and now he knows your secret.

You find yourself worried about what comes next, and this causes you to think of what to do next.

>Pack up and head somewhere
>Test the wand
>Inspect the necklace
>Try out some of your new spells
>Other/Write-In

>>933086
>>Other/Write-In

Tell Merriam who we really are: Sirena La Douche - The Framed Assistant of the Evil Wizard Mordrax.

>>933086
>Inspect the necklace

>>933099
This.
If it gets enough votes, reveal who we are to Merriam.

>>933086
>Try out some of your new spells
Then
>Inspect the necklace

>>933104
first this
>>933091
then this

>>933086
>>Inspect the necklace

>>933086
>Inspect the necklace

>>933091
Thats a terrible idea.

>>933123
I concur, don't reveal who we are.

>>933086
>Inspect the necklace

>>933123

We've talked about it in the discord and it really isn't.

The idea is that this information has already leaked and its best to have it leak with OUR spin upon it rather than a bounty hunter or some other foreign actor.

Get ahead of the accusations, make our excuses, explain we were framed. Etcetera

>>933091
>>933102
>>933108
It's too soon to reveal Sirena's identity. It should only be done when Merriam is fully under her control.

>>933145
Merriam wasn't there for the heart-to-heart with Francis, I'm pretty sure. As far as she's concerned, Mary is Mary.

>>933146
K, let's be more careful

>>933155
Doesn't matter. Releasing the information on our own terms rather than risk someone else releasing it at an inopportune time is just going to have a larger chance of Merriam turning against us.

>>933086
>Inspect the necklace
>Tell Merry she's gonna spend a little while learning alchemy

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>>933099
>>933104
>>933112
>>933122
>>933140
>>933170

You push aside the conflicting and confusing thoughts that were raised by your visit to Francis' tower, and instead focus on the more physical aspects of the trip: the things Merriam managed to loot while you were distracting him.

Walking up to where she has the items laid out on the blanket, you look at the lubricant, the truth serum, the wand and finally the necklace. You lift it up and see how, despite its seemingly ordinary nature, the ruby sparkles unnaturally and beautifully, almost like it has some light trapped inside of it that it occasionally lets mortal eyes glimpse.

There's some magic in it, you're sure of it. But how to draw it out and use it? You also notice Merriam staring at it, similarly transfixed by its beauty. You wonder if it's the most expensive piece of jewelry the farm girl has ever seen.

>Put it on, see if anything changes
>Try casting a spell on it
>Give it to Merriam for now until you can identify it for later
>Attempt to use it
>Keep it with you, but nobody uses it
>Other

>>933167
Fine. If we're going to reveal that we're the crown's public enemy number one, then we should at least assert to Merriam that whether or not she's guilty, she will guarantee the future of the Cutter homestead before anything else. Make sure to get across that Sirena is on Merriam's side.

>>933173
>Put it on, see if anything changes

>>933173
Lets find someone who can teach us Divination so we can identify it. Rather not put on the Necklace of Genderbender by mistake

>>933173
>>Try casting a spell on it

And then if that doesn't work

>Keep it with you, but nobody uses it

This was in Francis's tower. Who knows what sick perverse thing it might to do whoever puts it on.

>>933173
>>Keep it with you, but nobody uses it

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>>933183
>>933187
>>933194

Though it tempts curiosity, you decide to put it away.

"You're not going to wear it?" Merriam asks. "...May I, then?"

"I don't quite trust anything we took out of that pervert's tower until I know exactly what it is," you tell her.

She casts her eyes downwards. "Oh, I see. Alright then."

Next, you look over at the wand, ornate in its silvery craftsmanship, but similarly unknown in purpose. You pick it up and give it an experimental swish and a flick.

>Same thing, do nothing
>Cast a spell with it as an implement
>See if there is any magic contained within
>Use Merriam as a test dummy
>Other

>>933223
>>Cast a spell with it as an implement

Use a tree as a test dummy.

>>933223
>See if there is any magic contained within
If yes,
>Cast a spell with it as an implement

>>933223
>>See if there is any magic contained within

>>933223
>>Cast a spell with it as an implement

>>933223
>>Cast a spell with it as an implement
go to a remote location in the forest first

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>>933244

We are.

>>933230
>>933236
>>933240
>>933229

Looking at a tree, you point the wand at it and cast a spell, a simple arcane bolt. However, you find that what comes out is not an arcane bolt, but rather a concentrated spray of green liquid! The liquid hits the tree and bleeds off, to no apparent effect.

"Strange..." you mutter as a few drops fall off the tip of the wand and onto the backpack below. You notice that where it falls upon the fabric, it immediately starts dissolving it and leaves a tiny hole.

You kneel down and inspect it. The green liquid is, thankfully, harmless to the touch of your skin. You take out one part of the blanket and wipe the wand clean on a corner of it, whereupon you confirm that it dissolves the fabric that it touches.

'Harmless upon a tree, harmless to skin, but dissolves fabric nearly instantly...'

You almost slap yourself in the face when you realize EXACTLY why someone like Francis may have wanted to create this wand.

'I'm not even surprised.'

>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person
>Carry it with the other things, do not use it
>Throw it away
>Use it on Merriam, as a prank
>Other

>>933268
>Carry it with the other things, do not use it

It can either be useful in destroying other mages enchanted robes or fetch some sort of price.

>>933268
>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person
Because you never know when you need to flash-embarrass someone.

>>933268
>>>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person

>>933268
>>Carry it with the other things, do not use it

>>933268
>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person

>>933268
>>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person

>>933281
This, it would also make great foreplay to melt Merriam's clothes off.

>>933268
>>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person

>>933268
we should also test out our new spells

>>933268
>Keep the Wand of Clothing Dissolution Gel on your person

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>>933281
>>933284
>>933294
>>933295
>>933302
>>933325

With a smile, you slide the wand into an easy-to-reach place, ready to grab whenever you need it. Who knows, perhaps it could dissolve rope as well? That would've gotten you out of that nasty barbarian situation, perhaps.

The final two items are the "Oil of Lubrication Mk. III" and the truth serum. You hold up both and think that they seem fairly self-explanatory, and so you put them away for later use.

Standing up, you look over at Merriam, who finishes with the horse and walks over. "So, what's next?" she asks. "Are we going to learn more magic?"

"Perhaps," you reply, scratching your chin. "But with my new powers, I may also be able to solve this Digger mystery and secure the well for your family."

She lights up upon hearing that. "I was hoping you would suggest that," she says, clasping her hands together. "I can't tell you how happy that would make me, Mary!"

'Mary...' Your eyes drift away as you think about this disguise you have worn for so many days. Your cosmetic spell is, of course, flawless -- to the point where you had almost forgotten being called by your own name.

That's what perhaps chilled you the most when Francis used it. You shake your head and try to brush aside your worries, but they don't quite leave you.

"Mary?" she says, and the name seems foreign to you again. "Is something the matter?"

>"No, nothing, let's go."
>"Merriam... What if I told you I wasn't who you thought I was?"
>"I have something to confess, Merriam."
>"My name isn't Mary. It's Sirena."

>>933334
>"No, nothing, let's go."

We are not at all in position to reveal the truth

>>933334
>"Merriam... What if I told you I wasn't who you thought I was?"

>>933334
>>"No, nothing, let's go."

>>933334
>"No, nothing, let's go."

>>933334
>>"Merriam... What if I told you I wasn't who you thought I was?"
>>"I have something to confess, Merriam."
>>"My name isn't Mary. It's Sirena."

>>933346
Actually, strike that. Switch to
>"I'll tell you later, after we secure the well."

>>933334
>"No, nothing, let's go."

Wait until after we solve this family well, it gives us a huge concrete event to point at and keep her on our side of the story

If we reveal who we are her first question will be "why didnt you save my father?"

>>933367
Same excuse as before except with the added "we're nowhere near as powerful as the poster implies" . . . which is 100 percent true.

We're pretty fucking weak for a wanted magical criminal.

>>933355
Exactly.
>"It doesn't matter who you think I am; I just secured your family's future. I think that counts for something, don't you?"

>>933367
"Because I wasn't nearly as strong at the time, that much is for absolute certain. I may have been an apprentice to the court wizard, but he taught me a fat lot of nothing during that time. I legitimately was helpless when your father died, and if I could've saved him, I would've."

>>933379
>>933380
Follow up with "Why do you think I'm going to all these magic teachers?"

>>933380
>>933379
And why the heck should she believe us when we lied so much about so many things.

The woman she is falling in love with doesnt exist. So will be pissed. Not to mention that there is that reward out on us.

Dont be like batman and reveal our secret idendity to every pretty girl

>>933334

>>933355
>>"No, nothing, let's go."
>Wait until after we solve this family well, it gives us a huge concrete event to point at and keep her on our side of the story

This.

>>933390

She will find out eventually. And the issue is when the reveal isnt on our terms it'll be a lot harder to explain.

>>933390
For one, Merriam is the only "pretty girl" we know.
For another, Sirena can't be "Mary" forever. Better head off a major lie with most of the truth than not.

And to be fair, Sirena wasn't lying when she said she escaped her home with her life.

>>933334
>"No, nothing, let's go."
As for myself, I don't object to telling her in itself, but I don't feel now is the best time to do so.

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>>933345
>>933347
>>933349
>>933354
>>933355
>>933391
>>933421

You shake your head. "No, nothing. Let's go."

Approaching the horse and climbing atop it, Merriam wordlessly follows and slides onto the saddle behind you, wrapping her hands around your waist.

"Are you certain nothing is bothering you? Ever since we left that tower and that creepy mage you've seemed distracted."

"I'll tell you after we settle this family matter," you promise her.

She smiles and rests her head on your shoulder. "Are we going there now?"

"I am not certain," you reply honestly. "We could, but we could always learn more..."

"I am worried that if we wait too long, the Diggers will only more firmly take control of the well and their family will only become stronger. Their deal with the mayor, whatever it is, will only get stronger, too."

You pause as you hold onto the reigns. She does raise a point...

>Ride towards the Digger Farm
>Ride towards the Magical Well
>Ride towards Cross Lake
>Ride towards Bridge Town
>Other Location (specify)

>>933423
>>Other Location (specify)

Cutters Farm. See the situation, maybe get some help from Ben

>>933423
>>Ride towards the Magical Well
Let's find out what this thing actually is.

>>933423
>Ride towards the Magical Well
Let's find out what the prize is before we start making headway towards the Digger Farm.

>>933423
>>Ride towards the Magical Well

>>933423
>>Ride towards the Magical Well

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Current Map

We're currently not far from Francis' tower.

>>933423
>Ride towards the Digger Farm
>Teach Mirriam the basic illusion spell on the way there.

>>933460
We might as well visit the Cutters since they are on the way.

>>933460

Is Hamtown a P'orc village?

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>>933472

Mostly, yes.

>>933480
Are all orcs the pig things or are p'orcs merely a sub species?

>>933480
have we been inside the small cave before?

It seems relatively irrelevant to be on the map so I feel we must have rested inside there at some point or it must have some significance.

>>933484

We have greenskins and pigfaces, those are the two big species, but the greenskins are much more common. Half-orcs are rare but they're out there; mostly among the barbarian tribes or villages most near the orcs.

>>933494

We slept in it at one point. That night where we heard someone chopping with an axe and stayed quiet.

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>>933484
>>933501
Have a greenskin shamanka.

>>933423
>>Ride towards the Magical Well

Also seconding >>933463
about the teaching

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>>933504
And a greenskin dervish.

>>933429
>>933439
>>933442
>>933447
>>933505

Random encounter generation time!

1d100's, please.

>>933406
>Sirena wasn't lying when she said she escaped her home with her life.
I think we should expand upon this to tie into our original story tho.
>I was a simple farm girl from a northern village who was scouted for magic potential by the court mage.
>Then after a few years of fetching him coffee and learning cantrips, he framed me for his crimes.
>When I ran back home, he sent baddies after me to destroy my village.
>Then I ran away and met you and you gave me hope to carry on.

So that way we didn't lie about anything, we just withheld some info.

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>933529
Come on RNGesus!

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>933529
They see me rollin'

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>933529

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>933529

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>>933532
>>933533
>>933535
>>933537
>>933539
>>933540
>>933541
>>933557
>>933622

"I think we will. And we'll see about visiting your family as well." Merriam squeezes you tightly in a hug as thanks as you and she ride off.

Riding northeast towards the Cutter Farm, you come across a small valley. The impassable terrain forces you southwards, but unfortunately that is where you come upon a heavily-armed man in armor and loaded with weapons. Not only that, but he is not alone -- others like him are nearby, hiding behind trees. Not very well, but the threat is clear.

"Hold!" he calls out. You bring your horse to a stop and curse under your breath; what now?

'A raider? A barbarian, perhaps?'

The man stops some distance away and takes out a piece of paper, unravelling it. "I seek the treasonous witch Sirena! The vile sorceress fled into these woods."

Your heart quickens as you hear this. 'Bounty hunters!' you realize. 'Looking for me!'

He steps closer, clearly scrutinizing you both with suspicious eyes. "It is not hard to conjure up a disguise. You," he points directly at you, "speak quickly and prove you are not the witch in hiding!"

"I am offended, sir," you say to him. "I am but a local woman of the forest!"

"And I am Merriam Cutter!" Merriem says. "My family lives not far from here! This is my friend, Mary, and I don't rightly appreciate my friend being accused of being something she isn't!"

The man doesn't seem convinced, but then one of his associates speaks up. "Cutter? I've seen them around! They bring the logs to log town."

The leader bounty hunter pauses, then looks back up at you both. "Very well, you may pass. I apologize for keeping you, ladies."

You nod at him, barely able to hold back a smile. "Good day to you, sir." You ride past, gleefully grinning once you are clear.

"I hope they find that terrible witch," Merriam says. "With our luck, we might just run into her before they do!"

>Proceed to Cutter farm
>Go straight to the magical well
>Stop for a while and camp
>Head to Bridge Town
>Other

>>933664
>>Go straight to the magical well
Pretty sure this was the decision beforehand.

>>933664
>Proceed to Cutter farm

Yeah, she is a real piece of work.

>>933664
>>Proceed to Cutter farm

But only to see Ben and enlist his help in this first of our rpg style quests

>>933664
>Proceed to Cutter farm
Time to recruit Ben in secret and get this Digger business settled.

>>933664
>>Go straight to the magical well

>>933664
>Go straight to the magical well

>>933668
>>933698
>>933709

>>933669
>>933672
>>933685

I know the well was our original decision, I just thought I would offer one last chance to stop along the way, now that we've encountered our first (and certainly not last) bounty hunters.

Anyway, I'll need a tie breaker.

>>933728
>Go straight to the magical well

>>933728
>Pick up Ben at the farm
then
>Head to the well

>>933728
I'll switch to go to the well, so we can at least see the prize. Then we can go on to the Diggers and scout the area before we go back for Ben and get ready for the final push.

>>933735
>>933728
I'll vote for this

>>933728

>>933737
So do I, sounds fine.

Unable to break the tie, damn captchas!!!

I think the net result is to go to the well first.

>>933728
Pick up ben

>>933728
>>933737
This, go straight to the well first.

Ben is a hot-headed fighter, he would just get in the way on a stealthy recon mission.

>>933728
>>933735

Voting for this I guess?

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>>933733
>>933737
>>933742
>>933668
>>933698
>>933709
>>933737

Riding northeast for most of the day, you go south of the Cutter farm and find a shallow river crossing. As the sun dips just above the horizon, painting the sky orange and red, you look upon the clearing that contains the magical well.

"So, that's it?" you ask Merriam as you both peer at it from atop a hill, laying on your stomachs. "There's nothing much special about it on the outside, is there?"

"Not quite," she confirms. Indeed, it looks quite normal and mundane on the outside. In fact, were it not for the presence of two of the mayor's guard standing watch over it, one would think it completely and utterly ignorable.

But as it does have two attentive guards posted around it, wearing heavy armor and carrying spears and shields with swords belted at their hips, you certainly cannot deny that there is something special about this well.

"You said it cures disease?"

"And helps crops grow twice as fast," Merriam explains. "Or flowers in your garden, or... Look!"

She hushes up as three young men walk into the clearing from the east. Their hair is dark black, and their skin is rather dirty with coal residue and dirt.

"Diggers," Merriam says, though you could have guessed. "Marcus, Kyle and Samson."

The third one in line, the one Merriam fancied -- or perhaps still fancies -- is the shortest of the bunch, but is still as well-built as his cousins. Nothing special.

They appear to be talking to the guards about something.

>Observe for a while
>Return to the Cutter farm
>Head to the Digger farm
>See if you can ambush the Digger boys
>Other

>>933777
>>See if you can ambush the Digger boys

And by ambush I mean . . . seduce or talk to?

I assume this option includes

>observe for a while

>>933777
>Observe for a while

>>933777
>>Observe for a while

>>933777
>Observe for a while

>>933782
There are three diggers and two armed guards. Not gonna happen.

>>933777
>>Observe for a while

>>933791
Well I mean more like follow after them once they leave and are away from the guards

Also by ambush I don't mean attack them

No need to vote if people are being reasonable

>>933777
>>Observe for a while

>>933797
>Also by ambush I don't mean attack them
That's what it means though

>>933777
Observe for a while

>>933805

That's why I wrote that other stuff. Did you actually read my vote?

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>>933783
>>933790
>>933791
>>933796
>>933804
>>933809

Keeping low, you observe something else happen; the trio are not alone. Near where they entered the clearing, a young woman can be seen, walking up. She is very plainly dressed in simple villager clothing. Merriam tilts her head in recognition. "I think I know that girl. She's from Bridge Town. What is she doing here?"

The younger Digger brother, Kyle, sees this and breaks away from the conversation with the guards to go talk to the girl. He puts a hand on her arm, keeping her from coming any closer as he speaks to her. Unfortunately, you are too far away from either conversation to hear.

Eventually the other two finish speaking to the guards and they, along with the girl, leave, heading eastward.

>Follow the diggers
>Approach the guards
>Head to Cutter Farm
>Stay here for now, hidden
>Other

>>933847
>>Follow the diggers

Remember young women have been disappearing from Bridge Town I think.

>>933847
>Follow the diggers

>>933847
>Follow the diggers

>>933847
>Follow the diggers

>>933847
>Follow the diggers

>>933847
Follow the diggers

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>>933849
>>933853
>>933854
>>933858
>>933872
>>933876

"Come on," you whisper to Merriam, and you both slip back down the hill and towards the horse, get on it and ride around, following the progress of the Diggers. It's only when you hear the sound of a scream in the night that you know exactly where to go.

"What was that?" Merriam asks, worried.

You dismount from the horse and sneak ahead with Merriam close behind. You can hear a struggle happening, along with a hushed, desperate voice.

"We shouldn't be doing this!" you hear someone say.

"Can it, Samson -- ain't nothing wrong with having some fun before we get her to where she's going."

"We did it with all the others," another voice adds.

"That's them!" Merriam whispers. "The Diggers!"

Now, from behind a tree, you catch a glimpse of them. The two brothers, Marcus and Kyle, have the girl on the ground with her face in the dirt, on all fours with her rear end pointed up. One of them takes out a knife and starts cutting her dress.

Samson, off to the side, protests. "You didn't say this was a part of it!"

"It isn't, really, just a... What'd you call it, Kyle?"

"Fringe benefit," he smiles as he holds the girl's mouth shut.

"I'm not having any part in this," Samson says, turning around and stomping off. Kyle moves to go after him, but his brother holds him back. "Let him go. Who's he gonna tell, and who's gonna care?" They both smile, and resume their business of getting ready.

"Mary... We have to do something!" Merriam pleads. "We can't just... just leave her like this!"

>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack
>Attack with your magic
>Send Merriam after Samson
>Both go after Samson
>Other

>>933887
Knew we should have brought Ben along. He'd love defeating his arch rivals who also happen to be rapists.

>>933887
>>Attack with your magic

Sneak attack arcane bolt the fuckers.

>>933887
>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack

Watch carefully, this is how you play with men

>>933887
>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack

>>933887
>>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack

>>933887
>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack

>>933899
>>933898
>>933901
>>933904

I almost want to do this but I think giving up the element of surprise is not worth the risk of the seduction angle not working. Right now they literally have their pants around their ankles and once they know of our presence they'll be much more prepared to handle us.

>>933887
>Step out and seduce the brothers into letting her go, then attack

>>933908
Our new evocation spells haven't been field tested yet, and I'd prefer not to miss on the first shot.

>>933912
Read the fine print.

>Strikes unerringly.

>>933916
Then I'd be concerned of how powerful the Arcane Bolt is. If we can take out a Digger in a single shot, then we can sneak attack with it.

>>933887
>Attack with your magic

>>933925
If we're attacking these guys we're using evocation magic no matter what.

So I don't understand what giving up the element of surprise will get us.

Unless the plan is to kiss them so they are our minions but I don't think that's what that option will lead to.

I don't know.

>>933901
Change this to just normal magic attack.

>>933887
Attack with your magic

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>>933898
>>933899
>>933901
>>933904
>>933910

You look back at Merriam and tell her to remain hidden. You open your shirt and slip out of your dress with ease as she looks on, questioning what the hell you are doing. 'This worked on Francis, initially. So, assuming these two aren't archmages...' Stepping out into the open, you then remove your cosmetic spell to allow yourself to appear as beautiful as you truly are and whistle sharply.

They both look up from their captive, and then their jaws drop when they see your body. You hold up a finger and beckon them. "Boys, boys, boys... why play with her, when you can play with me?"

There is some initial hesitation as they question the sudden appearance of this beautiful and busty woman, until you sway your hips and shake your chest. Like the fools they are, they drop her and approach you with their pants around their ankles, ready for a new round of fun. The girl in the background is too shaken to get up right away, and so simply remains curled up and crying.

>Arcane Bolt!
>Magical Kiss
>Curse one of them
>Forceful Push!
>Other

>>933941
>>Forceful Push!

Knock them on their asses

>>933953
>Forceful Push!

>>933941
>Arcane Bolt!
Forceful Push only does damage if they actually hit something.

>>933941
>>Arcane Bolt!
Make it shaped like a ghostly fist flipping the bird.

>>933959

But it knocks them down so we can arcane bolt them

>>933959
They have their pants around their ankles. Once the're on the ground, they'll have great difficulty getting back up.

>>933941
>>Curse one of them
Because it's less spotted.
We might have the time to send another spell before they realize.

>>933941
Forceful push

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>>933953
>>933955
>>933959
>>933962
>>934010

As they approach, you hold up both hands. With a word of command, you create a kinetic pulse that knocks them both backwards with your spell of Forceful Push! Caught completely unawares, they fly backwards, hitting the ground hard and sliding through leaves and bushes.

As one of them tries to get back up, you lower one hand and then cast Arcane Bolt, which flies unerringly at his head. It blasts him in the face, and with no armor or magical protection, takes away half of the skin on the right side of his head along with one of his eyes, most of his hair and his ear, too. He is left screaming in pain.

The other brother's eyes go wide. "It's the witch! The witch!" He gets up and tries to run, but trips due to his pants. He struggles to get them all the way off and escape, apparently having left his brother to his fate.

>Kill both
>Strike down the runner
>Leave both alive, but injured, for interrogation
>Let the other one go, and focus on the one who is wounded
>Other

>>934023
>>Strike down the runner

>>934023
>Strike down the runner

>>934023
>>Strike down the runner

Remember. No Russian.

>>934023
>Strike down the runner

>>934023
>Leave both alive, but injured, for interrogation

Let's make an illusion come out in front of the guy trying to run
Why did we drop our full glamour again?

>>934023
>>Leave both alive, but injured, for interrogation
The truth serum is in our hands for a very good reason.

Anyone got the archive links for previous threads?

>>934023
>>Leave both alive, but injured, for interrogation

They are still useful, but once we know what is going on ...

>>934023
>Leave both alive, but injured, for interrogation

Merry must have passed out now...

>>934023
>>Let the other one go, and focus on the one who is wounded
>then reanimate him and speak witht he dead

>>934045
https://twitter.com/DamashiKonquest
>Read OP

>>934045

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?searchall=evil+sorceress

>>934060

No, no, this is my fault, I forgot to put an archive in the OP.

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>>934027
>>934028
>>934031
>>934035
>>934036
>>934041
>>934049
>>934052

With your hand held up high, you blast the other brother in the back, right in the spine. He goes down in the dirt, screaming, but alive.

'What a thrill,' you think to yourself, curling your hand into a fist. 'The power, the absolute power I have over these pathetic country bumpkins... I should have done this a LONG time ago!'

Merriam runs out and helps the woman, taking her off to one side. You make sure she doesn't see your true face as she does this, but you do redress. After doing so and reapplying your cosmetic spell, you grab the one you shot in the spine and drag him over to his brother.

You place your hands on your hips and smile down at them. Both injured, too hurt to walk, but still alive and able to speak.

"Talk," you command. "What were you going to do with that girl?"

"F-fuck you, witch!" the one you hit the spine -- Kyle, you believe -- spits out. "Burn in hell!"

"That's not polite," you say, shaking your head. "What to do, what to do..."

>Hurt them both more, but do not kill
>Destroy one as an example for the other
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks
>Destroy both of them and talk to the girl
>Other

>>934111
>>Destroy one as an example for the other

>>934111
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934111
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934111
>>Hurt them both more, but do not kill

Killing one is just going to make the other more reluctant to speak.

>>934111
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

Hurt the one with the burned face

>>934111
>>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks
Pain is one of life's greatest teachers. They're overdue for a lesson.

>>934111
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934036
This.
Dropping the glamour and then not even trying to kiss them was a comicbook villain tier mistake.
Our only chance is to use an illusion to stop the runner and curse them both with something to make them stop screaming, but still able to be interrogated.

Choking Dust and Enfeeblement would be useful about now.

>>934111
>>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934036
>>934134
Because apparently, Sirena's base form is her most beautiful form, hence how she was easily able to stop the Diggers. It's not like they're not going to die anyway.

>>934111
>Drain Life
If we're gonna hurt them without killing them or causing more screaming, this is probably our best option.
A few drops of Truth Serum would probably be better tho.

>>934111
>>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934111
>Hurt one of them until he or his brother cracks

>>934143
I'm more concerned with the screaming and the missing persons report that will no doubt be blamed on Sirena or the Cutters and cause increased security in the whole area.
Enthralling them or Scaring them off with a monster illusion would have been much safer and produced better results.

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>>934118
>>934119
>>934122
>>934125
>>934129
>>934140
>>934160
>>934172
>>934181

You put your foot on the older brother's chest and hold up a hand. He's bleeding, alright, and so you begin to drain his life. He screams in pain as he feels an unknown pain wracking through him.

"You can stop this, you know," you tell the other brother. "Speak!"

He looks at his brother's pain for several moments, perhaps out of fear for his own life, before he finally caves. "ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I'll talk!"

You smile and stop the spell. The older brother gasps, still some life left in him, as Kyle speaks up.

"We... were just doing what we were told!"

"You were told to kidnap local girls and rape them?"

"N-not that part..." he says. "We just did that for fun."

"My, my, what fun indeed," you reply, holding up your hand and charging it with arcane energy, preparing to unleash another bolt.

"WAIT! It's part of a deal!" Kyle gasps.

"No..." Marcus says weakly. "Don't... Don't talk..."

You lift up your foot and stomp on his chest. "Quiet, you. You, talk! Now.

Kyle closes his eyes and cries. "We were just doing what we were told. Pa made a deal for the mines with someone up north."

"Who? And what was the deal?"

"NO!" Marcus shouts, reaching up and grabbing your leg. "Don't... talk!"

>Kill Marcus
>Subdue Marcus, knock him out
>Keep him alive for now
>Keep talking
>Other

>>934036
Support.

>>934188
>Subdue Marcus, knock him out

>>934188
>Keep talking
Or Marcus dies.

>>934188
>>Subdue Marcus, knock him out

>>934188
>Subdue Marcus, knock him out

>>934188
>>Subdue Marcus, knock him out
Useless scum. He's lucky we're trying to look like someone who's got empathy and not just looking for a better angle.

>>934188
>>Subdue Marcus, knock him out
"I think you know what will happen if you do talk..." drain Marcus unconscious, "As opposed to if you don't."

>>934188
>>Subdue Marcus, knock him out

>>934188
>>Subdue Marcus, knock him out

>>934212
Seconding

>>934212

Supporting

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>>934197
>>934201
>>934202
>>934210
>>934212
>>934214
>>934217
>>934278
>>934284

With just a bit more life drain, Marcus is out cold, but still alive. You look at his brother. "He's alive, but for how long depends on you." You lean down and command him, "Now tell me everything!"

"Alright... Alright! We don't know who he is. Only Pa knows that. But he wants girls... so we got 'im girls! We take them out to a place and he comes and gets them... and that's all I know!"

"What is he?"

"I don't know! He's just a man!"

"So you take the girls to this place. Where is it?"

"Cross Lake... Cross Lake! The tavern!"

You hesitate for a moment. 'Wait a moment... Cross Lake Tavern... Albert's brother, what was his name? Vincent?'

Suddenly you hear a rustling of leaves to your right. You turn your head and are suddenly tackled! Samson flies out of the bushes. He may be a bit on the short side, but his center of gravity is more than enough to send you and he tumbling off of the pair and into the grass.

You struggle with him for a moment, but he is physically your superior. He is about to overpower you completely when suddenly Merriam is on him, pulling him back! "Samson, stop! It's me, Merriam!"

He hesitates as he looks back at her. "Merriam...?"

>Blast him!
>Let her talk to him
>Check on the other two
>Forceful Push him off of you
>Other

>>934318
>>Check on the other two

>>934318
>Check on the other two

>>934318
>Check on the other two

>>934318
>>Check on the other two
In case he gets aggressive:
>>Forceful Push him to a tree besides the road. (With the small area push y'know)

>>934318
>Check on the other two

>>934331
Seconding.

>>934318
>Check on the other two

They are our bargaining goods for when/if we confront the patriarch of this family. Besides, fuckers had it coming, what with the rape and sending girls to a fate potentially worse than death

>>934318
>Check on the other two

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>>934323
>>934324
>>934325
>>934331
>>934334
>>934342
>>934354

As soon as Merriam pulls him off, you get up and walk back. Sure enough, Kyle is crawling away, trying to escape and leaving his brother behind.

"Oh, there's no bond like the bond of a family," you whisper in his ear when you straddle his back and hold a hand up to his face. "You've seen what it does. TALK!"

"Don't hurt them, please," Samson shouts as Merriam stands in front of him. "They're my family!"

"I'm very certain you're the only one who cares," you reply. You decide to prove your point. "You. Kyle. If you tell me to kill Samson right now, I will let you go."

His eyes go wide. "Kill him! He's not even a real Digger! He's just my cousin!"

Samson is at a loss for words. You smile and thank the man, then push his face into the dirt for a moment. You look back at the cousin. "So, why are you here?"

"I... Came to see them. Maybe stop them. I don't know. Then I saw you, and I..."

"Right, you made a judgment call, not surprising." 'Especially given how stupid you locals tend to be, and your family haven't exactly set a very high standard.' You look down at Kyle and lift his head up. "Tell me about Vincent. Why does he want the girls?"

"I don't know! It's part of our deal and he supplies the labor!"

You smile. Now you're getting somewhere. "What labor?"

"G-goblins! The lake goblins! We put them to work in the mines, f-for scraps!"

"So you don't pay them," you surmise. "Slave labor. No wonder your profits have gone up." You turn your head to one side. 'Huh. Goblins. And here I was thinking it would be undead. But if Vincent is the one supplying the goblins, in exchange for girls, and if he is a thrallherd... It isn't hard to wonder how he gets those goblins in the first place.'

Merriam speaks with Samson as you wonder what to do with the brothers now.

>Kill them both
>Keep them alive, for leverage
>Kill one of them
>Let Samson and Merriam decide
>Other

>>934367
>>Let Samson and Merriam decide

>>934367
>>Let Samson and Merriam decide
I know they'll do the right thing, thereby playing right into our scheme.

>>934367
>Keep them alive, for leverage

>>934367

>>934374
>>934383

>>Let Samson and Merriam decide

This is so wrong haha

>>934367
>>Let Samson and Merriam decide

Oh lady Mary, she's so merciful. Even despite they are scum, she lets them be judged by the cousin they tried to sell.

>>934367
>>Let Samson and Merriam decide
Cripple them to make sure they can't run away

>>934383
Wait, what?

>>934367
>Let Samson and Merriam decide

>>934367
>>Let Samson and Merriam decide

Fugg it.

>>934367

Ask them how heavily the mine is guarded before they potentially die.

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>>934374
>>934383
>>934391
>>934395
>>934403
>>934408

"What do you say, Samson? Merriam? Death, or life?"

They both look at each other. Samson, spurned by Kyle's words, tightens his hands into fists. "I say kill them."

Merriam is shocked. "What? Samson, why?"

"Merriam, they were going to rape that girl. They raped others! And Kyle just condemned me!" He shakes his head and spits on the ground. "I hate what the family's become. I think we should just wipe the whole damn slate clean."

You stand up and turn around as Kyle pleads in the dirt. "That's surprisingly harsh," you reply. 'I like it.'

Merriam bites a finger as he approaches you. He looks you up and down, clearly impressed by what he sees. "I don't know who you are, but you're some kind of witch, right?"

"I prefer the term sorceress."

"Whatever you call them. Look, maybe you can help me. I've been wanting to try and stop this for a while now. I hate what the family is doing, kidnapping girls for goblin slaves. We work those things to death in the mines and replace them with new ones, and for what? Gold. It's not damn right."

"Help you with what, exactly?"

"Taking over the Digger farm."

"No..." Kyle moans.

Samson kicks him. "Shut up, you damn sellout." He looks back up at you. "Look... You help me and my pa take over, and I'll owe you." He holds out a dirty hand. "What do you say?"

>Shake his hand; deal
>Agree but don't shake his dirty, filthy hand
>Ask him what he is going to do about these two
>Set terms
>No deal
>Other

>>934367
Well fuck. This is what happens when you derail the thread with rash power fantasies.
Now we have four witnesses and if we kill them, Merriam will probably resent us.

>Render Kyle unconscious while we figure this mess out.
>Try to turn Samson against the Diggers.
Perhaps attempt some form of thralldom that doesn't involve kissing.
>Figure out something to do with the girl.

>>934435
>>Ask him what he is going to do about these two
Suggest using them to publicly out the current patriarch.

>>934435
>Set terms

>>934435
>>Shake his hand; deal

We still must pretend we consider them equals.

>>934435
>Other
Double arcane bolt execution of both brothers.

Then,

>Set terms

>>934435
>Ask him what he is going to do about these two
>Set terms
The Cutters get the lion's share of the magic well. When you want the well, you ask them.

>>934435
>>Set terms
Share the well, get rid of the mayor with the support of both families.
Request approval of the father.
>Ask for Merriam's opinion _after_ all this.

>>934435
>Shake his hand; deal
>Set terms

He works for us now.

>>934435
>>Shake his hand; deal
>Ask him what he is going to do about these two
We can degrade ourselves just this once. Merrium is watching and not wanting to shake hersoon to be former crush's hand makes us look bad.

>>934460
I'm not sure about removing the mayor so quickly. That'll throw Bridge Town into chaos.

>>934448
I would rather drain them to death.
For the style.

>>934471
We don't need to kill him. We just need him to stop owning the well.

>>934435
>>Shake his hand; deal
We licked Francis's nasty hand, I don't see why a miner's dirty hand is any worse.

Well that went easier than expected thanks to based Damashi's mercy. But when he goes to town and sees the wanted posters he may still turn on us.
Tell him that this was just a disguise to scare them. We're not really Sirena.

>>934435
>Shake his hand; deal

>>934487
Yes we are. This whole thing is why we need to come clean now. Or at the very least very soon. If someone else outs us- and we just came close to that happening- we're going to get put on the back foot. We need to tell them so that we can control the narrative.

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>>934445
>>934448
>>934453
>>934460
>>934466

"Hold it," you say. "First, terms. The feuding with the Cutter family ends."

He nods. "I have nothing against the Cutters." Looking back at Merriam, he says, "In fact... I rather admire them."

She blushes and looks away.

You then snap your fingers to get his attention back. "Next, the Cutters control the well. When you need it, you have to ask them. Not the other way around."

"Done."

"And third, you work for me now."

"What does that mean, exactly?"

"I get a share of the mine's profits. You control it, but only because I helped you, remember?"

He stands fast for a moment, then nods. "Deal."

>>934446
>>934466
>>934469
>>934487
>>934511

You then shake his hand. "What about these two?"

"I'll handle them," he says grimly. "I can pin it on the axe-murderer in these woods. You have a hatchet or anything?"

You nod, pleased with how quick he was to turn on them. He may prove an excellant servant for your schemes if he continues being this surprisingly willing to cross such a line. You approach Merriam and ask her to fetch the hatchet from the horse. After a moment, she does so, returning with the tool but not sticking around to watch. He takes the hatchet from your hand.

"Tomorrow night," he tells you. "I'll go home tonight and get things ready, tell them I found the brothers chopped up in the woods and the girl got away. When the sun goes down, make your move and I'll do the same."

You nod, and then follow Merriam back to the horse.You then say to her, "What's wrong?"

"I just... There's a lot happening," she replies. "Is this really happening, Mary? We're about to kill the Diggers and put Samson in charge of their farm?"

"You heard the terms yourself," you say to her. "Sometimes, deals can be dirty. But this gets your family the well, and it removes almost all of your other problems."

"I know, but... But what are we going to do about the children? I... I don't know if I can be there for this, Mary. I know it's going to help my family, and it's right to stop them, but..."

>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night
>Merriam and Ben will both come along
>You'll do this alone with Samson
>Other

>>934568
>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night
If Samson is as good a man as he says, the children will be taken care of.

>>934568
>>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night

>>934568
>Merriam and Ben will both come along

We don't need to kill the women and children necessarily.

>>934568
>>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night
We should begin our work on him.

You know, I'm actually a little surprised the Diggers weren't using undead workers. It would have made pinning the death of the Cutter patriarch on them incredibly easy.

>>934568
>>Other

Shit I almost forgot.

AXE MURDERER?

Ask Samson for deetz because we totally almost got murdered by that guy recently.

>>934568
>Merriam and Ben will both come along

My dear poor Merriam, both Ben and I will be there to protect and support you but this is sometimes how things must go. Sometimes you must dirty your own hands for the people you love.

>>934568
>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night

>>934568
Merriam and Ben will both come along

>>934568
>Merriam and Ben will both come along.

Good medicine can sometimes tast foul. Alternatively, sometimes to save the body from sickness, a limb must be cut off. Pun not intended.

Either way girl, you best learn to inure yourself. Bettering the world will often involve such grisly work.

>>934597
>AXE MURDERER?

We heard him one night, chopping away.

Maybe we'll see him again.

>>934568
>>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night

Children are spared. Women are not.
Feminism guys, is this 2016 or what?

>>934568
>Merriam will stay at home; you'll take Ben tomorrow night

No need to put an risk to the mission

>>934614
Just because they're spared from murder doesnt mean we can't do something horrific to them.

Sex slavery!

>>934614
>>934638
Samson said he would get the place ready for tomorrow. That most likely involves sending the children away for the day.

>>934583
>>934591
>>934596
>>934600
>>934614
>>934619

>>934592
>>934598
>>934605
>>934606

Alright, slight edge to Merriam staying behind. Writing now.

>>934555
I don't have a problem with telling Merriam at some point.
But that's a big reward to pass up for a guy trying to start-up a farm.

I think telling Ben, Samson and Merriam who we really are in a private meeting might be a good idea soon.

Maybe not Samson, but we did just watch him fucking murder his cousins so I think we're pretty good on the keeping each other's secrets table with him.

>>934568
>Use zombies/skelly to attack the farm
If we keep showing our face on the front lines, we're gonna get caught.
The whole point of minions is to shift the blame and hide our involvement.

>>934674
Merriam needs to know first at least, so that she can help persuade the guys that we're truly the good guy.
And somehow make sure that they don't go blabbing about the good witch of the forest or persecuted underdog or some crap.

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>>934645

You lean forward and give her a supportive hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry. You don't have to come to this. I know it may seem harsh, but with all the terrible things the Diggers have been up to that we now know of, this is for the best."

"You... You're right." She sighs. "But those children... They have such a sweet little girl, Mary! And a little baby boy!"

You nod. "I'll make sure that Samson handles them. Sends them away into town... Something. For tonight, however, let's get you home."

"We're going home?" she asks, surprised, her spirit lifted.

"One thing at a time," you say, heading back towards Samson. You round a tree and see him hacking away at Kyle. You have to admit, his handiwork is nice to watch. You approach him from behind and get his attention. "What about the kids?"

"I said I'll handle it," he replies.

"I'll take your word on it," you tell him, then head back to the horse. You climb atop it with Merriam and begin riding west. Along the way, you explain the plan; you'll take Ben, and she'll remain behind with her family. "If all goes well and we secure your family's protection, then both of you can come with me," you say to her.

"You really think so?"

"Think about it. With the Diggers out of the way, and if we expose the mayor, and get the well for your family, AND have the mine working for us instead of against us, your family will be set. The extra money you'll get can go to hiring help, and I'm sure Uncle Jed and Jonah could handle the work without Ben." You turn and wink at her. "Then it would be the three of us. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Oh, I would!" she replies with a smile. "I can see it now... the three of us, going on adventures, me learning magic and Ben learning how to fight like a champion! We could be heroes!"

'Precisely,' you think to yourself. 'And who better than to slay the evil wizard Mordrax than a group of heroes?'

You reach the lumber mill. It is late, and everyone has gone to bed.

>Sneak into Merriam's room through the window
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside
>Wake up the family for a reunion
>Reunion tomorrow; sleep for now
>Other

>>934721
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

>>934721
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

>>934721
>>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

Note that Ben doesn't get his "prize" until after the Diggers are wiped clean. We have to make sure he's fit to be a proper champion, after all.

>>934721
>>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

>>934721
>>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside


Uncle Jed is the new patriarch.

Jonah is the former adventurer friend.

Who is Ben's older brother?

>>934750
I don't know if Ben has an older brother, but he's got two brats for younger brothers.

>>934721
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

>>934721
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside

>>934757

>Those shitty little boys are annoying Elder Gray to this day.

Makes me cri evry tim.

>>934769
That's why Boris is there. You remember Boris, right?

>>934721
>Wake Ben up and meet with him outside