>>2733955
Ophelia slapped her face a couple of times to snap herself out of her funk. She wasn’t about to let a little headache get in the way of an amazing invention. She journeyed back into her lab, swept a large load of papers and other junk onto the floor. She’d have time to pick it up later. She grabbed a large list of components, metal parts, etching acid, and other various bits and bobs, and got to work.

She sketched out the blueprints she’d drafted out to completion. The device would function, the main problem would be its power supply. It’d only have so much charge for the ghiests placed inside of it, and the glass canister containing the ghiests would be fragile. Stronger glass maybe? She didn’t know if such a material even existed, but it could be something for later.

The iron and small steel fittings would have to do, she didn’t have the time to grab enough steel to make the entire thing out of it. The device could… dramatically overheat if used incorrectly, at least that was her best guess. BUT it would fire a couple shots at least before being dangerous to the user.

Lastly were the ghiests themselves, she managed to use a few restriction runes on the contained mercurial ghiests to guide them into a glass container she’d had on hand. They let out silent screams and rammed angrily into the containers walls, but otherwise did nothing. They couldn’t shatter the glass unless she allowed them to, and why would she release a couple of angry ghiests into her lab, not only would she lose the damned things, they’d dissipate upon contacting sunlight, and she’d never be able to find them.

The device was a shoddy dangerous and clunky thing. The actual emitter was made out of slightly rusty iron parts and held together with steel screws and clamps. She’d had to make a backpack for the ghiest container, and it would be a massive target for anyone with more brainpower than a clam, but the firepower it would grant… she could make improvements later, she wanted to test the thing… just to make sure it was functional of course, not because she wanted to see something melt… that was just b-barbaric.

>>2733974
Ophelia donned her crudely made ghiest-caster, heading back down to the basement, coming to an empty room with brick walls and a brick floor, and nothing else to speak of. She removed a couple of light runes from her workman’s garb and placed them into slots along the wall, activating them and casting the room in artificial sunlight. She’d considered turning this into a testing chamber at one point, but she’d just never had the time to get in properly set up, still. It would be a fantastic place to get the testing done, as long as she pointed the ghiest thrower away from the interior of the warehouse.

The thrower ended up weighing a good deal. Ophelia had trouble carrying it and the thing was awfully bulky, making it slightly difficult to walk. However she managed to get it down the steps with no real problems. Quite a feat she thought to herself.

She gently primed the caster, hearing the ghiests plinking against the glass and iron container on her back. The thing was already warm to the touch, and was rapidly heating up in her hands. A moment later, a bright blast of flame erupted from the nozzle, violently impacting the wall.

Ophelia held the trigger down until the nozzle was glowing red hot, then released it. A hole had been burned clean through the brick wall and a half dozen feet into the earth that was behind it. Dripping bits of molten earth and brick dripped around the edge of the hole. One of the two gheists was no longer present inside of the tank, she’d used up all of its residual energy and it had dissipated.

Still, holy hell, this thing was potent. She’d have to work on further improving it. Right now it was rather finicky. She’d had to drop the caster itself due to its high temperature for one. Eventually she just deposited the thing in the corner of the room, she’d have to wait for it to cool down. Perhaps the baron would be interested in it, though the church’s stance on using ghiests would be troublesome.

Decisions:
1. Head over to the clocktower to meet the baron
2. Preform a secondary action (write in)

>>2734011
>1. Head over to the clocktower to meet the baron

>>2734011
>head over to the clocktower to meet the baron

>>2734942
>>2734276
will get post up tomorrow

>>2734011
Ophelia left the ghiest caster prototype in the corner of the empty room. She’d properly deal with the thing later on. She had a meeting to get to, as much as it pained her. This simply was something she WASN’T allowed to miss. The baron was the reason she could even afford this warehouse at all. She couldn’t afford to lose his patronage.

She did worry about finding more work after this whole affair was over. But the baron had insisted that he’d ‘find something’ for her. Whatever the hell that meant. So with a kick off the exit’s doorframe, she headed out, winding through city streets and navigating alleyways until she reached the clock tower’s courtyard. The place was quiet, nobody around, though there was light coming from the inside. Had the Baron already arrived?! Oh no Oh no Oh no, she hoped he wouldn’t get mad at her, she wasn’t late per say, but it was still rude, right? It was rude to be late, she always had trouble remembering things like this.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“So you just left a deadly weapon in your warehouse?” Henry asked.

“Well I was planning on getting it!” Ophelia said. “And this is what happened like you asked!” She continued.

“Where is your warehouse even?”

“In the warehouse district, can I continue my story now?” Ophelia said, brushing off his question.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The courtyard was quiet, (LIKE I SAID), and there wasn’t anyone around. The moon had started to rise. Ophelia walked her way towards the clocktowers entrance, and knocked on the door a couple of times.

“Hello? Groundskeeper Hamilton?” She asked, the man had an odd sleep schedule, he had probably decided to do his rounds on the clocktower, and he must have forgotten to lock the front door.
Her nerves weren’t helped when she didn’t hear an answer.

Decisions:
1. Head on inside, you have to get ready for the meeting
2. Wait outside, meet with the baron and head on inside, though this might not go over great if you don’t have the time to prepare
3. Write in

>>2737383
>1. Head on inside, you have to get ready for the meeting

>>2737383
Ophelia pushed open the doors and walked into the main foyer of the clocktower. The duke had made it a semi-public location, where he sometimes hosted parties and the like. Ophelia had never really cared for those sorts of events, and the large groups of people made her nervous. Regardless, the rune lighting was dimly flickering above, and the place had an oppressive air about it.

Ophelia went room to room, searching for the grounds keeper, or whoever had caused this disturbance. She had a bolt spell at the ready, just in case. She just hoped she wouldn’t misfire the thing again. The first time had been… well it hadn’t been horrible. Thankfully her aim was atrocious and nobody had gotten hurt.

She was driven from her thoughts from a scream that came from one of the side rooms. Rushing over, she cracked open the door to see the duke crouched over the body of the groundskeeper. There seemed to be a large amount of blood pooling below him. Ophelia opened the door wider to help, something must have gone wrong.

Something was VERY wrong, Hamilton’s throat had been torn out, and was the duke… oh no. The duke had pale skin and flickering red eyes, he cast a glance at Ophelia. His mouth was stained with blood. Oh no oh no oh no.

SHE’D ALWAYS KNOWN HE WAS A CANNIBAL! There had always been rumors, and lately some people had disappeared from his parties.

“Bother.” The duke said, standing up and brushing himself off. “The meeting was tomorrow Ophelia, what a shame.” He continued, before starting to walk towards the woman. He wasn’t armed but Ophelia got the impression that this wouldn’t go well for her if he got close.

“You know, I really wish you would just forget what you’ve seen. But I know you’d spill this information to the first person you met.” The duke continued.

Ophelia backed out of the doorframe, before slipping on a rug that was laid out and landed painfully on the wooden floor. She barely managed to leap out of the way before the duke took a swipe at her, sending splinters flying.


Decisions:
1. Run away
2. Cast your bolt spell, try to fight him off (roll1d100)
3. Try to cast a stealth spell (roll 1d100)
4. Try to mess with his mind (roll 1d100)
5. Write in

>>2738399
night

>>2738399
>Write-in
(talking real fast)
"T-then you shouldn't have made the place outside look creepy and suspicious for no reason! (continue crawling back) W-we can still have the meeting right now, r-right? I-if you want, I CAN make myself forget like you wanted! Here, let me just turn a-around! Please don't kill me when my back is turned!"
>attempt to mess with your own mind to remove short-term memories of seeing the Duke eat his groundskeeper - he DID say "I really wish you would just forget what you’ve seen."

>>2738650
and then we fail but pretend that the spell to forget worked, so he doesn't kill us and we live to tell all this to Henry in the future after this flashback

>>2738650
Let's try this.

>>2738769
>>2738652
>>2738650
writing

>>2738399
“T-then you shouldn’t have made the place outside look creepy and s-suspicious for no reason!” Ophelia said, backing away from the duke. Her words blurred together from the speed of her speech.

“W-we can still have the meeting right now r-right?”

“Ophelia dear, you know I cannot let you live after seeing that… unfortunate display.” The duke said, before lunging at her. The man was unnaturally quick and Ophelia barely managed to get out of the way. His fist slammed through the wooden wall and the man seemed to be stuck for the time being. He placed a foot against the wall and began to kick off of it.

“I-if you want, I uh… I can make myself forget like you wanted. Let me just turn a-around… please don’t kill me!” She said.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“You realize he was a vampire, not a cannibal right?” Henry asked. Giving Ophelia the sort of luck a father gave to his idiot son.

“I… yes… I realize that NOW, l-look it was in the moment, and I’d had a long day… and uh. Look, can I just c-continue?”

“The longer this story goes on the more of an idiot I think you are.” Henry said. “What was that about being a genius?”

“ANYWAY, CONTINUING THE STORY.” Ophelia shouted.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Ophelia dear, I was going to dispose of you after our little meeting, I don’t need you anymore now that the tower is constructed.” The duke said, before freeing himself and breaking a large chunk out of the wall. “This has just, sped up the time table so to speak. I was hoping to remove you quietly, but quick and dirty will have to do.”

“O-oh.” Ophelia said.

Decisions:
1. Make a run for it
2. Cast bolt at him
3. Write in

>>2740321
>2. Cast bolt at him

>>2740321
>Bolt his ass

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>2740424
>>2740325
making a roll

>>2740533
Fucc

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>2740533
Nice dubs, but check this

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>2740533

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>2740533
Didn't make a roll so here goes nothing

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>2740533

>>2740661
>>2740753
>>2740816
>>2741081
I'm touched, gonna do something silly

>>2740321
Ophelia began to make a run for it, but was lifted up by the back of her neck and casually tossed into a nearby wall. Luckily it seemed the duke was just toying with her, she didn’t feel too much pain as she slid off of it onto the ground.

“It’s so easy now you know.” The duke said. “I could break you in half so easily.” He seemed to be trying to control himself, sort of. He wasn’t flying into an uncontrollable frenzy, but it looked like he wanted to.

Ophelia leapt up and cast a lightning spell, which flew straight at the duke, arced up at the last minute, and slammed into the ceiling. The duke began to laugh when a large piece of a support beam landed on top of him, pinning him to the floor.

Ophelia ran for her life as she heard a slew of curses behind her. She had to get back to her lab make her escape. At that point as she had time to think about it, she realized he was a vampire.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Maybe if you WAITED for once and weren’t so smugly superior you’d have known that!” Ophelia said.

“When one is so much better at this than anyone else it tends to happen.” Henry said. “Same way you feel about your inventions it seems.”

“Guh.” Ophelia said. “C-continuing…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ophelia slammed shut the door to her warehouse and activated the blessed runes she kept around for good measure. She had installed the things to keep ghiests from escaping in case of a breach but they would keep a vampire out, hopefully.

She had to think. She had to get out of the city, or at least find somewhere to hide in the meanwhile. She couldn’t leave ticky behind could she? No, she’d spent FAR too long on him, she HAD to get him out. But he weighed a ton… she’d have to activate him… without testing? No time.

She wasn’t about to die to HIM of all people. Sure she’d worked for him, but that asshole… he’d LIED to her. She thought he truly CARED about her work. She almost wanted him to attack so she could wipe the smug look off his face.

She went and hauled out her red mana storage runes. Things were loaded onto a gurney and weighed quite a lot, but as long as they were in range she could tap into them.

(+15 red mana, warehouse only)

Decisions:
1. Get the ritual ready (roll 2 dice for bonus effects)
2. Fortify your position (write in how)
3. Talk to yourself like a madwoman (write in)

Rolled 96, 96 = 192 (2d100)

>>2742959
>2. Fortify your position (write in how)
Reload the gheist flamecaster and set it up facing the door just so we are ready if the door falls.
>1. Get the ritual ready (roll 2 dice for bonus effects)

>>2743120
Holy crap the dice rolls are dramatic as ever in this quest

>>2743120
good lord, writing

>>2742959
Ophelia rushed to action. She quickly grabbed her ghiestcaster apparatus and filled it with the remaining two ghiests that she had managed to capture, that would give her a total of three shots to use as she wished. She’d be dead before she could fire off that many if it came to that though, or at least she reasoned.

The preparation for the ritual went incredibly smooth. She’d practiced for weeks before hand and had gotten triplicates of all the required materials she would need. She effortlessly prepared Ticky to move on its own, all that was left was to complete the ritual.

She almost thought she’d leave without incident when the sound of a door being smashed open caused her heart to jump. Vampires shouldn’t have been able to get inside right?! She’d double checked the runes not two weeks ago, they couldn’t have failed that quickly. They would’ve flickered out or something.

She didn’t have time to mope around, she had to get this thing ready. The duke would kill her if he reached her. She didn’t plan on dying here, so close to achieving her latest goal.

Decisions:
1. Begin the incantation and try to get ticky moving before they reach you (roll 1d100)
2. Fight back with the ghiestcaster
3. Write in

>>2744515
calling it a night

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>2744515
>1. Begin the incantation and try to get ticky moving before they reach you (roll 1d100)

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2744811
support

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>2744515
>1. Begin the incantation and try to get ticky moving before they reach you (roll 1d100)

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>2744515
>1. Begin the incantation and try to get ticky moving before they reach you (roll 1d100)

>>2745062
>>2745181
those fucking numbers

>>2745065
>>2744811
writing

>>2744515
Ophelia began the incantation and everything went according to plan. Sure the sounds of violence as the intruders hit her traps was somewhat frightening, as was the fact it sounded like there was more than one, but soon she was ready to complete the spell. Vast amounts of mana poured from both herself and the storage runes she’d wheeled out. The temperature in the room rose as the ritual began to approach its zenith. A moment later Ophelia had been blasted clear across the room and Ticky Tock had begun to stir.

The creature lumbered upwards shackily, like a newborn doe who had never know the world before. It began to stumble blindly around the room, knocking over crates and toppling a few of the storage rooms by mistake.

IT WAS ALIVE! Ophelia shakily stood up and began to laugh, a little bit crazily, sure, but she’d succeeded. She’d done it, she’d proven the church and the cult of progress wrong. You didn’t need human corpses to create life!

A moment later the thing let off a horrifying groan, which gurgled into a shriek. A couple of cloaked figures burst into the room. Ophelia shakily sent a strand of mana to ticky and ordered him to destroy the intruders, and dear god did he comply.

Ophelia watched as the figures leapt and attacked with supernatural quickness, but they couldn’t even phase Ticky, it’s not like they even knew where his aether heart was, or what that even was.

It smashed one of them clean through the floor into the basement, sent another one hurtling up to be impaled by a piece of metal. Another was simply ripped clean in half, and the last one scurried off before Ticky could get to him. A moment later Ticky pursued him screeching and groaning all the while.

Ophelia shackily stood up, her ribs were brusied a bit but otherwise she was unharmed. She had to leave… oh lord.

After emptying the contents of her stomach she began to get to work. When the vampire who’d been impaled on the ceiling fell back to the floor and stood up.

“So… couldn’t leave well enough alone.” The duke said, grabbing at the hole in his chest.

Of course he would have come to do this personally.

Decisions:
1. Run for the ghiestcaster
2. Cast bolt at him (roll 2d100)
3. Try to talk him down (write in)
4. Other? (write in)

>>2746795
>3. Try to talk him down (write in)
While moving towards ghiestcaster

>>2746795
Backing >>2746825

>>2746830
>>2746825
1d100 roll for bluff

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>2746928

>>2746938
o o f
o
f

File: Spoiler Image (318 KB, 900x900)

318 KB PNG

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>2746928

>>2746987
welp, rip, writing

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>2746928
Too late?

>>2747149
that helps

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>2746795
“H-hey now.” Ophelia said, slowly backing up and away from the baron. “We… we’re all friends here right?” She said, unconvincingly.

“You… utter brat.” The duke said, trying to break into a lunge but failing due to the fist sized hole in his chest and a leg that was bent at a horrible angle. The fact he was even alive let alone able to move around was incredible. What was worrying was the fact his eyes were beginning to glow red.

“N-now that’s no way to speak to your i-inventor.” Ophelia said, calculating the distance to the ghiest-caster in her head. She had to get this right or she’d probably die. Probably. She couldn’t die here.

“My… ha, hahahahaha.” The duke said, before coughing up some blood. He continued his slow, heavy footed advance towards Ophelia. “I used you, you utter idiot. I never cared for your petty dangerous inventions except how they could… help me.” He said, coughing again.

Fifteen feet now, she just had to distract him a tiny bit longer.

In the distance she could hear Ticky rampaging through the nearby streets. As well as the distinct screams of horrified townsfolk, she supposed he simply ran through a wall on his way out. Maybe she’d made him a tad TOO well.

Decisions:
1. “How long have you been like this?”
2. “Why… why?”
3. “You’re an utter monster!”
4. “I can still be of use!”
5. Write in

>and a mystery roll

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>2747227
>4. “I can still be of use!”
Tell him about your latest invention that flattened his friends and how an army of those things could make him invincible.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>2747227
Backing >>2747231
rollan

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>2747231

>>2747716
>>2747335
>>2747231
welp

>>2747227
“I can still be of use!” Ophelia said. Still backing away. The only reason she was still alive was because of the dukes injuries, at least that’s what she figured. If all of those people had been vampires, they would’ve torn her apart. Had she not activated Ticky.

“I-I… I made Ticky… I mean the metal man, I can make more!” She continued.

“The only thing you’re going to be useful for is blood.” The duke said. “I will oh so enjoy this.” He muttered, before lunging at her.

Ophelia leapt out of the way as the duke just barely missed her. She got a glimpse of his teeth, fangs really, partially covered in his own blood. She let out a yelp as she impacted the hard brick floor. The duke was now in-between her and the ghiestcaster. He didn’t seem to know what it was though, and after a quick glance paid it no heed.

“Stop running now!” The duke said, turning slowly. His voice was a mix of excitement and annoyance.

She could hear an inhuman roar sound off in the distance, closer now. Was Ticky on its way back now?

First Decision:
1. “Why are you doing any of this?”
2. “Just leave me alone!”
3. “You are going to die without blood aren’t you?”
4. “So that’s what giving up your soul got you huh?”
5. Write in

Second Decision:
1. *put distance between him and you* (roll 1d100, 30 or higher required)
2. *Make a move for the ghiestcaster* (roll 1d100, 50 or higher required)

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>2749059
>“Stop running now!” The duke said
"N-no you"
1. *put distance between him and you* (roll 1d100, 30 or higher required)

>>2749059
Backing >>2749066 but let's see if I get 95+

Rolled 10 (1d100)

FORGOT MY ROLL

File: Spoiler Image (210 KB, 440x396)

210 KB PNG

>>2749197
There is no hope for us now.
Only Zuul

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>2749066
I shall be thy saviour.

File: succ-4.jpg (34 KB, 425x343)

34 KB JPG

>>2749066
>time for succ

>>2749355
Shame it wouldn't be IC for Ophelia to joke about being victim of the succ like this, saying some shit like "shouldn't it be the other way around?"

>>2749059
Ophelia bolted, running towards the exit. She had to escape, had to get away. She wouldn’t have time to collect her notes… or any of her inventions, or her research… oh no.

She hesitated, panicking internally. She couldn’t just leave everything, her short life’s work. She barely managed to turn around before she was tackled to the floor by the duke. The man was insanely strong for someone with injuries as severe as his. Ophelia desperately tried to keep him from her neck. She screamed and tried to cast a bolt spell but felt her arms get pinned to the floor.

“I could tear your throat out right here, but no, I’m going to make sure you enjoy every moment of this. I know I will.” The duke said. Smiling maliciously.

Ophelia screamed out in fear, blindly firing out all sorts of spells from her hands, causing massive amounts of destruction in the large room they occupied. A couple of fires burned wildly, started from a couple of the flame spells she’d casted. She continued to cast spells, hoping beyond hope something hit the man until her mana ran out. The other issue came when the duke grabbed her head and forcefully slammed it into the brick, nearly knocking her unconscious.

“ENOUGH!” The duke screamed, beginning to become wild. “I WILL NOT LOSE MYSELF, I WILL ENJOY THIS.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anything. ‘

Ophelia let out a shriek when she felt him sink his teeth into her neck. The second that happened she felt all of her strength leave her, she couldn’t even pretend to resist now.

A million thoughts raced through her mind, although things were beginning to get fuzzy. She could hear heavy footfalls closing in, and then Ticky burst through a couple of metal doors on the far side of the room, bending one like a piece of paper and sending the other hurtling to the side. The duke was lost in his bloodlust, too consumed with hunger to even notice.

Decisions:
1. *try to remain conscious*
2. “SAVE ME!” (roll 25 or higher to be able to speak)
3. *gurgle ineffectually*
4. Write in (talking will require a roll to speak)

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2749418
>2. “SAVE ME!” (roll 25 or higher to be able to speak)

>>2749479
writing, cause thats a good roll.

>>2749418
Ophelia could feel herself slipping fast, she’d already lost a good deal of blood to the duke. His thirst was insatiable. She was going to die if this kept up any longer, she was cognizant enough to know that. She had one chance and one chance only, Ticky.

“SAVE ME!” She screamed, begged, hoped.

Ticky casually sauntered over, groaning all the while, reached out, grabbed the duke, and popped him like a tick. Immediately Ophelia felt the weakness lift, though she felt lightheaded from the blood loss. She was completely COVERED in blood, guts, and scraps of clothing. She shrieked in fear as Ticky let out another screech before she fainted.

She woke to sunlight trickling down into the wrecked warehouse. The fires had been put out in the meantime, by the looks of it Ticky had stomped them out. Or otherwise crushed the life out of them.

She was still covered in dried blood and bits of the duke. She took the time to CERTAINLY NOT empty the contents of her stomach onto the floor AND DEFINANTLY DID NOT curl up on the floor in a ball and sob till her throat was sore.

Then she took a nice calm refreshing shower, where she DID NOT think long and hard about her life choices, and wished she’d stuck with the cult of progress like her father would have wanted.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Henry continued to pace, he didn’t really give too much of a shit from the trauma this idiot had gone through. Still, this explained more than he cared to admit. The baron must have been a vampire for a few months at least, must have kindled his soul to one of the four families. Still, who?

Vermillion was of house Roma, but he’d never heard of the duke of Grutzberg becoming a member of the family. That sorta news would get passed around. That meant it was probably one of the other three families who had a hand in this. Or some random, which seemed unlikely given it was a fucking duke who had decided to give up his soul and humanity.
“So you agree vampires are assholes then?” Henry asked, half joking.

“Do you need to ask me that question, my neck STILL burns.” Ophelia said. “Why didn’t I turn into one of them?” She asked. Rubbing a spot on her neck. Henry noticed a couple of puncture wounds there.

“The process of becoming a vampire is eh… a bit more complex than what the average peasant might claim.” Henry said. “Regardless, you ain’t gonna turn if that’s what you’re worried about, for one you have to be willing.”

“T-that w-wasn’t it!” Ophelia said, turning red and becoming flustered.

Decisions:
1. “you aren’t fooling anyone you nitwit.”
2. “I have an idea on how to play this.” (roll 1d20 to get an idea)
3. “So I’m going to let you out now.”
4. “I think you’re telling the truth, but I had further questions.” (write in)
5. “Do you still have the ghiestcaster?”
6. Write in

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2749653
>5. “Do you still have the ghiestcaster?”
>2. “I have an idea on how to play this.” (roll 1d20 to get an idea)

>>2749683
welp

>>2749705
calling it a night!
>hopefully someone doesn't roll shit

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>2749783
>15 out of 20
>shit
???

>>2749849
I'm a fucking retard


>>2749683
this was a great roll, apologies

>>2749653
“So what’s you’re grand plan?” Ophelia said.

“Well, how about you somehow ‘escape’.” Henry said, making air quotations. “That way I don’t have any problems with Rosa… er, the healer. She doesn’t need to know about this… arrangement of ours, and the church doesn’t come to round us up for this little plan.”

“That’s… pretty smart actually.” Ophelia admitted. “And a better way to make a living would be nice… but what do I do from there?”

“You mean what do we do.” Henry said. “If I let you go I’m going to need some insurance to ensure you don’t just run off.”

“You don’t trust me?” Ophelia said. “I gave you my word didn’t I?”

“I don’t trust anyone really.” Henry said. “Kept me alive this long.”

“What a horrible approach to life.” Ophelia muttered.

“You trusted the Duke right? Look where that landed you.”

Ophelia didn’t say a word after that.

Decisions:
1. “I think I can get you a bomb collar, I’ll take it off once we leave the city of course, but I need to ensure you don’t’ run or try to doublecross me.”
2. “I’m going to leave an associate with you, to ensure you don’t run into trouble.” (will cause Johnny to guard Ophelia, will lose access to him)
3. “I trust you, I don’t think you really could pull anything off.”
4. Write in

>>2752110
>4. Write in
Can't we put a geas on her?

>>2752178
a what?

>>2752194
A geas is a magical spell, that once applied causes one to be compelled to or not to do something.

>>2752203
Henry doesn't have access to anything of that nature, nor does he know any mind magic outside the simple memory scatter.

If anything Ophelia is far better versed in this sorta stuff.

>>2752207
Alright
Then
>>2752110
>1. “I think I can get you a bomb collar, I’ll take it off once we leave the city of course, but I need to ensure you don’t’ run or try to doublecross me.”
Make it a fake collar, so she doesn't die. Cause if she runs off we can always find her again, but necromancy can't fix an exploded head.

>>2752212
alright, if multiple people agree with this I'll need a roll for bluff.

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>2752217
The fake bomb collar idea is good, and also IC. Backing.

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>2752217

>>2752223
that's a pass, writing

>>2752110
“I think I’ll get you a bomb collar, I’ll take it off once this whole thing is resolved and we’re safely out of the city of course, but I need to ensure you don’t run or try to doublecross me.”

“What?!” Ophelia said, “You can’t be serious!”

“I’m VERY serious Ophelia. I don’t take stupid risks, if you do anything clever with the bomb collar, or try to take it off, it will go off. Do you understand?” Henry said.

“Yes… like I have a choice.” Ophelia murmured. She said a few nasty things under her breath as Henry went to grab a bomb collar necklace. The thing had origionally been created by a vampire of House Roma, and had quickly spread from there. He swaped out the bomb rune for a heat rune, and tossed it into Ophelia’s cell. The runic letters were hidden well enough and Ophelia wouldn’t have enough time or a reason to doubt it was real.

“Why do you need to do this?” She asked, holding the thing out in her hands like a piece of garbage. She did NOT want to put it on.

“Because I am not a trusting person Ophelia. If you so much as think about doublecrossing me, well, to be honest the bomb going off would be a sweet fucking mercy compared to what I’d do if I got my hands on you, are we clear?!”

“C-crystal.” Ophelia said, whimpering a bit, the woman was terrified.

Henry felt a twinge of satisfaction at that, he was seemingly more terrifying than the Duke had been, or perhaps it was because he had the complete advantage here.

“I’m going to let you out now.” Henry said, after Ophelia had exited her cell. “Look, I don’t like doing this, to be completely, honest, but its how I operate. You prove you can be trusted and we’ll be on better terms, alright?”

“Fine.” Ophelia said, tugging nervously at the dud collar around her neck.

“Oh and don’t touch the thing, it can be somewhat eh… finicky?”

“Eeep!” Ophelia said, removing her hands from the thing like they’d been burned. “Why do you think this is a good idea?!”

“Because I’m full of them.”

“More like you’re full of …. Uh I mean you’re a very good person!” Ophelia said, a strained grin emerging from her face.

“Try to stay out of trouble.” Henry said. “And you can say whatever the hell you want about me, I could care less.”

“You’re a horrible person.” Ophelia said.

“I know.” Henry responded.

Decisions:
1. “Meet me at that warehouse of yours tomorrow, and tell me where it is too.”
2. “Meet me outside of town, near the nilemoor bridge.” (safest location, a decent trek from the city.)
3. “meet me near the clocktower in the center of town, it’ll save time.” (near the church)
4. “Meet me at the Foggy Hen, you know where it is correct. I have an associate who’d probably like to meet you.” (Will set up a meeting with Jimmy)
5. write in

>>2752271
>3. “meet me near the clocktower in the center of town, it’ll save time.” (near the church)

>>2752271
>2. “Meet me outside of town, near the nilemoor bridge.” (safest location, a decent trek from the city.)

>>2752325
>>2752356
calling it a night, gonna wait for a tiebreaker!

>>2752356
Support

>>2752356
Support

>>2752356
>>2752831
>>2753010
>>2752325
>>2752325
bridge wins 3 to 1!

>>2752271
“Meet me outside of town, near the Nilemoor bridge.” Henry said. “You know where that is correct?”

“Yes I do know where that is.” Ophelia said, “should we be careful in case any of uh… them hear?” She said, motioning to the other prisoners.

“No, least if any of them know what’s good for them.” Henry said.

“I guess I’ll be going now?” Ophelia said.

“Wait a couple of hours, and make sure you use the back exit, same one you came in through, really.” Henry said.

“Alright, how do I know how long I’ve been down here?”

“Theres an old busted up grandfather clock in the room around the corner there, thing doesn’t chime correctly, but it tells time well enough.” Henry said. “Just use that, twiddle your thumbs till tomorrow morning, and meet me at the bridge, say around noon sharp? Least if you like having a head.”

“I… how can you talk so casually about that?” Ophelia asked, cringing.

“Because I’m not the one with the collar on my neck.” Henry said simply.

This time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Henry emerged from the cellar a good deal more tired than he had been, about an hour or so had passed while he’d listened to Ophelia’s rambling story. But overall things had gone well.

NEW EVIDENCE:
1. Ticky: the creature has an Aether heart which seems to be its weakspot
2. The Royalty: the duke was a vampire, and is confirmed dead. His wife is probably a vampire as well, which raises several issues.
3. Ophelia: seems the woman has been busy, her warehouse should have all sorts of interesting inventions, including the ghiestcaster prototype she worked on

“Have fun?” A woman’s voice asked.

Henry flipped around to find Jimmys daughter, even more tired looking than she had been. Honestly the woman looked miserable.

“Can’t sleep?” Henry asked. “Good lord nearly scared me out of my skin.”

“Insomnia, had it since I was a kid.” The woman replied.

“I never actually got your name.” Henry said, a tad awkwardly.

“It’s Jane, things go well with your ‘guest’.”

“Things went swimmingly, and let’s say we’ve come to an understanding, yeah?” Henry said.

Decisions:
1. Speak to Johnny
2. See if Rosa is still awake
3. Talk to Larry, see if the man is still awake
4. Other? (write in)

>>2754041
>1. Speak to Johnny
Let him know what's going on.
>4. Other? (write in)
We must check on our guest later, and then rush back claiming she escaped.
Talk to johnny and larry first, have them look for her, johnny making sure larry can't track her, then tell rosa that she escaped and we must move.

>>2754041
Backing >>2754054

>>2754100
>>2754054
writing

>>2754041
Henry yawned a bit before heading upstairs, easily tracking down Johnny, still dressed in his usual garb. The skeleton stared at Henry for a bit while he explained what had happened at what his plan was.

“Do you truly think it’s a good idea to pull on over on Rosa?” He asked. “I don’t see this going well for anyone involved.”

“I have things under control now, and I’m going to need more income seeing as I have another mouth to feed.”

“Money was never an issue before, Henry.” Johnny replied. The man was a bit cross. Fucking asshole.

“Look, wake me up in a bit so I can go and check on Ophelia, find she’s gone, then raise a fuss, makes it seems a lot less suspicious.” Henry said.

“Lying to people like that never ends well.” Johnny said. “How do we know she won’t betray us, she might figure out about the bomb collar.”

“She’s a high functioning moron, Johnny.” Henry said. “She smart in her little area but dumb as bricks in general. This will be a cinch.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The plan was sprung, Johnny woke Henry up, he went down to ‘check’ on Ophelia, found she’d flown the coop, and got the others up.

Charles was slightly worried, although Johnny eventually filled him in on what had happened. Henry wished he hadn’t, would’ve sold the lie better, but whatever.

Johnny and Larry led a bit of a search party while Henry received an earful from Rosa.

“Why didn’t you turn her over to the church?!” She said, stamping around and throwing her arms up in frustruation. “WHY DID I LET MYSELF BE TALKED INTO THIS STUPID THING!”

“Calm do-“

“NO!” She said, before taking a deep breath and calming down slightly. “You are unbelievable, our biggest lead gets away, a known and wanted criminal, and you’re treating it like it happens every other day!”

“Calm down.” Henry said, keeping his eyes trained on Rosa until she looked away nervously.

“You have no idea what you are doing!”

“Can you two stop fighting?” Charles said, the boy was exhausted and was yawning hard.

Decisions:
1. “Do you have a better plan?”
2. “I know exactly what I am doing”
3. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
4. Write in

>>2754143
>4. Write in
You're right, we should of turned her over. But at least we got some info out of her first. The clock tower was where it was made, so lets get some evidence. Before you brow beat me some more.

>>2754143
Yeah backing >>2754151

>>2754164
>>2754151
WRITING

>>2754143
“Look, you’re right!” Henry said, throwing his arms up into the air in a similar way to what she’d done.

“I fucked up, okay?!” Henry said, “We should have turned her over to the church!”

Rosa froze up and studied Henry for a moment. “You’re serious?” She asked. She seemed legitimately concerned. “What?”

“We should have taken the easy money, rather than tried to use her!” Henry said. “It’s not out of the kindness of my heart.”

“Oh… ooooh, tsk.” Rosa said, her worry turning to slight annoyance.

“Look, I know for a fact how the thing was made, and more important, where the thing is hiding out!” Henry said. Quietly of course.

“Well then what are we waiting for?!” Rosa said, “We could have this solved before morning!”

“It’s a bit more complex than that, and I’d rather do something incredibly stupid AFTER I’ve slept, to hopefully have enough of my mind functioning to NOT do something incredibly stupid. Good lord you sound like Larry.”

“THAT’S…. a good point.” Rosa admitted. “Ugh, your right, we do need to plan this out, this thing has taken out angels for crying out loud.”

“Well it’s only killed one from what I understand, and only because she disobeyed orders and charged in.” Henry said. “It’s dangerous but it’s not THAT dangerous. It also seems to have a weakness.”

“Do tell.” Rosa said,

“Ophelia talked about something called an aether heart, I don’t know exactly what the hell that means but I assume it’s a mana nexus for the thing.”

“Whats a spell nexus?” Charles asked. “Its important right?”

“It’s generally the center of a lot of complex spells, a keystone of sorts. I assume it’s the center of its animating spell?” Rosa said. “I also suppose it’s heavily armored?”

“Yeah, it’s also far more complicated than that… eh… according to Ophelia anyway.” Henry said, he certainly didn’t know that because he’d fucking WORKED with spell nexus’ when he dabbled with more complex necromancy.

“Can I go to bed?” Charles asked. “It’s really late.”

Decisions:
1. “Let’s continue this line of thinking tomorrow, when I can think.” (will end day)
2. Continue to talk (write in)

>>2754302
calling it a night

get votes in for tomorrow!

>>2754302
>1. “Let’s continue this line of thinking tomorrow, when I can think.” (will end day)
>>2754380
G'night

>>2754302
“Looks, we can continue this line of thinking tomorrow, when I can think.” Henry said.

Charles smiled in relief before returning to his bed. He then threw himself on top of it and was out like a light. Henry left a note for Johnny and Larry, then he went to his own bed, got himself ready, and was soon asleep.

He dreams were of metal men and lightning storms, and of the ocean.

=============================(END OF CHAPTER)===================================

>>2754302
>1. “Let’s continue this line of thinking tomorrow, when I can think.” (will end day)
Also, try and get that ear protection for that damned clanging.

File: Spoiler Image (132 KB, 432x480)

132 KB PNG

>>2757019
Fucking captcha making my votes late as hell.

>>2757015

"Sometimes the best thing you can hope for is a good nights sleep" ~ Jane Harroway, Farmer's Wife

=================================(CHAPTER START)============================

Henry awoke to light shimmering into the room, after the third or so strike of the clock he’d placed wax into his ears so he could get a good night’s sleep, or the closest he’d be able to considering how late he’d gone to bed.

Johnny was waiting in his usual corner, and explained that Larry was already waiting downstairs in the common room. They had a meeting to do, to discuss their plans and to figure out how the fuck they were going to bring the metal man down. He also had a meeting around noon with Ophelia, and whatever else he could get himself into. Never hurt to have a bunch of plans going on at once, more chance for success then.

Charles was happily sleeping until Henry shook him awake. The boy was getting much better with waking up quickly. Henry gave credit where due.

“So what am I going to do?” Charles asked, as the three of them descended the stairs.


Decisions:
1. “Train with Johnny some more, least till I’m done that meeting.”
2. “How about we practice some more magic later?”
3. “Maybe practice drawing some more, I noticed some of your illustrations on the boatride, you could use the practice.”
4. (Write in)

>>2757046
>4. (Write in)
Practice viewing magic more, look at the city and see if you can draw the flows of magic.

>>2757046
Backing >>2757058. Charles becoming a magic artist, someone who draws mana and cool magic shit for normal people to be able to see and visualize, would be a good life career for him in the long run

>>2757105
>>2757058

actually, I really like this idea, and I think I might be able to expand this out into a skill tree if I give it some time. Writing in a bit

>>2757046
“Why don’t you practice visualizing the mana in the city more?” Henry asked. “Heck you’ll probably see more than just white or green here.” He continued.

“Really?” Charles said.

“Heck maybe you could try drawing what you see? Would be a good bit of practice, both with magic and with your drawings.”

“You saw them!?” Charles asked, clearly embarrassed. “T-they were just for fun, I’m s-sor-“

“They’re great!” Henry said. They were, for his age anyways. He flashed a toothy grin and patted the kid on the shoulder. “Nobody starts out amazing!”

Charles eyes sparkled for a moment in excitement before he bounded back up the stairs and came down with a few pieces of parchment.

“I’m going to need ink…” He said, “I don’t think the lady at the desk has any, does she?” He said.

Jane was still at her post, though she’d finally fallen completely asleep. Henry wondered where Jimmy had gone, and why he hadn’t yelled at her for falling asleep at her post. Perhaps the man had a soft spot for family?

“Perhaps I should escort the young man around the city to see the sights so to speak, would keep him out of danger.” Johnny said, chiming in. “I could probably procure some ink as well.”

Decisions:
1. “He can do the drawings from the room we have, should give him plenty to do.”
2. “Yeah, let Charles have some fun for once, we’ve kept him cramped enough as is.” (will lose Johnny for several hours)
3. Other? (Write in)

>>2757294
>2. “Yeah, let Charles have some fun for once, we’ve kept him cramped enough as is.” (will lose Johnny for several hours)
Also, procure rune making supplies, and other arcane necessities.

>>2757299
calling it a night

>>2757294
Backing >>2757299

>>2757992
>>2757299
writing!

>>2757294
“Yeah, let Charles have some fun for once, we’ve kept him cramped up this whole trip.”

“Right away sir.” Johnny said, “Let’s head out, Charles.”

“YES!” Charles said, giddy as all hell.

Henry smiled as he watched the two of them exit, Johnny slowly strolling while Charles bounded around him, a spring in his step and barely contained excitement in his voice.

“Also Johnny, get some Rune making supplies, arcane stuff, the whole nine yards.” Henry said.

“Righto, planning on teaching Charles rune making?” Johnny asked.

“Maybe, goodbye Johnny.” Henry said, waving him out the door.

Henry had a quick breakfast, some toast and butter. He knew Jimmy wouldn’t mind too much. Sides the inn was sort of communal. Larry was already downstairs, doing maintenance on his sword, cleaning the runic patterns to ensure proper mana flow, and sharpening the blade with a whetstone.

“Never actually got around to this.” He said, when Henry arrived.

“I guess that’s an heirloom now?” Henry asked, he realized what he had said a moment later and hoped he hadn’t struck a nerve.

“Yep.” Larry said. “I still can’t believe he’s gone y’know?”

“Yeah…” Henry said. “How’d your mum handle it?”

“She already assumed, y’know, though she actually didn’t get drunk upon hearing about it. I guess she’s finally quit now that she knows what happened. I think she’ll get thru this, though I’ll have to make sure I visit more…” Larry said.

“Do you have any family Henry?” Larry asked.

Decisions:
1. “I uh… no.”
2. “Charles and Johnny are family.”
3. “Charles is family now, I guess.”
4. “No, no I really don’t.”
5. “Please don’t ask me that question.”
6. “Used to.”
7. Write in

>>2759413
>“Used to. I'd rather not talk about it.”
Followed by
>“But Charles and Johnny are my family now, I guess. At this point I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Followed by a small smile, fully in-character.

>>2759455
This

>>2759502
>>2759455
writing!

>>2759413
“Used to, I’d rather not talk about it.” Henry said.

“Yeah I get cha, can be a sore subject for a lotta people.”

“But… Charles and Johnny are my family now, I guess. At this point, wouldn’t have it any other way.” Henry said. He smiled, it was a small one, but a real one.

“Heh, so that guard of yours, I guess you know him a bit better than yer letting on?”

“Something like that, yeah.” Henry said. “Known him a long time.”

“Makes sense, you wouldn’t want hired help to escort precious cargo.”

“When did you-?”

“Rosa filled me in, speaking of which…”

“Hey gentlemen.” Rosa said, slowly making her way to the kitchen’s counter. She held a mug and a container in her hands, she poured some water into it and placed it on the stove’s heat rune, and began to make some tea.

“Hey Rosa!” Larry said. “Sleep well?”

“Awfully, I don’t know how anyone can sleep with that clocktower going off.”

“Generally it doesn’t chime during the night, cept on special occasions.” Henry said. “Didn’t I share the wax I bought with you?”
“I don’t think you did.” Rosa said. “Would have been HIGHLY appreciated.”

“Anywho, we going to have that big meeting now? Even though Johnny boy ain’t here?” Larry said. He’d finished up with his sword and now sat impatiently. “I don’t get the point, we know where the thing is, all we need to do is get it, right?”

“Wrong, that thing is a real brute and we can’t go charging in there and expect to beat it.”

“So what’s the plan then? Oh glorious leader.” Rosa said, sarcastically.

Decisions:
1. “We need to find the things blueprints, figure out weakpoints, come up with a plan.”
2. “The Duke was a vampire, and Ophelia’s little creation ended up killing him.” (neither of them knows this yet)
3. “We need to get the layout of the clocktower, we could probably find that information at the city hall.”
4. “I want to take the time to figure out what exactly Ticky… the metal man stole from our ride into the city. Something about that is worrying me.”
5. “Is there any way we could get into the healers abbey to get a better look at some of these patients?”
6. Write in

>>2759542
>2. “The Duke was a vampire, and Ophelia’s little creation ended up killing him.” (neither of them knows this yet)
The duke was also the one that requested it's creation.
>4. “I want to take the time to figure out what exactly Ticky… the metal man stole from our ride into the city. Something about that is worrying me.”
And that's the possibility it's trying to create more mechanical men, or upgrading it's self.

>>2759546
Backing this

>>2759542
“The duke was a vampire, and Ophelia’s little reation ended up killing him. Kinda fitting, seeing as he was the one who requested it be built.” Henry said.

There was silence from the others, before Rosa clenched her fists.

“Well then we need to go tell the church, if that is credible. I get the feeling its just that woman trying to save her own skin.”

“I dunno, would explain his odd behavior wouldn’t it?” Larry said, “All those folk back at the inn last night said he’d been acting strange.”

“Still, a member of the nobility sacrificing his soul to become a vampire, its unthinkable.” Rosa said. The woman reached into her robes and grabbed a wooden carving of the all seeing eye, before clutching it in her hands and uttering a prayer.

“Look, I don’t have any proof other than Ophelia’s word, but seeing as the thing killed him, and we’re trying to kill it, I don’t think our goals are going to conflict.” Henry said. “Nor do I really want to be in the middle of a vampiric purge. That ain’t our jobs, and we don’t get paid for it.”

“We should still tell someone!” Rosa said.

“We have no proof.” Larry reminded her. “Besides, Henry is right, no sense getting involved in all of that.”

“I want to take the time to figure out exactly what Ticky… the metal man stole from our ride into the city, something is worrying me.” Henry said.

“Ticky?” Rosa asked.

“Ophelia’s name for the thing.”

“She named it…. I’m not surprised.” Rosa said. “Disgusting.”

“Look, it might be trying to create more mechanical men, or attempting to repair or upgrade itself. We can’t allow it to do any of those.”

“Meaning time is of the essence, and all the more reason to get this over with, one of them is dangerous enough!” Larry said.

Decisions:
1. “Anything else anyone wants to discuss?”
2. “Right, lets head out to the port master”
3. “If we find evidence that the local nobility have become vampires, we’ll share it with the church.”
4. “Fine, we’ll take the time to snoop around the nobles estate, happy?”
5. Write in

>>2759643
calling it here for tonight

>>2759542
>2. “The Duke was a vampire, and Ophelia’s little creation ended up killing him.” (neither of them knows this yet)
>>2759546
-agree wth
>3. “We need to get the layout of the clocktower, we could probably find that information at the city hall.”
>4. “I want to take the time to figure out what exactly Ticky… the metal man stole from our ride into the city. Something about that is worrying me.”

>>2759843
Rip
>>2759643
Ask Rosa to visit the healer's abbey to study the victims.
The rest take a visit to the portmaster

>>2759643
Backing >>2760066

>>2760066
>>2760113
writing

>>2759643
“Rosa, can you take a better look at the victims of the metal man’s screeching?” Henry asked. “At least knowing that this whole thing might just be an enchantment, would that help solve that little issue?”

He didn’t really care, but it’d get Rosa out of his hair for a while, and might improve her morale all the same.

“I don’t think they’ll even let me inside.” Rosa said, laying her arms and head onto the table. “They said I’d be useless…”

What a baby.

“Look, I just want you to get a better look at them, I assume its later stage madness or whatever the affliction is, correct?”

“It doesn’t…. yes I can take a better look at them, I suppose…” Rosa said, sighing. “I’ll try to get any rumors or information I can gather back to you two as well.”

“Right Larry, Lets head out.” Henry said.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The trip to the Harbor was fairly quick, many people were whispering amongst themselves, and the overall feeling of the city had changed, people were much more fearful. The other big thing was the amount of destroyed property. The harbor had been relatively spared but the poorer areas around it were pretty bad off, broken masonry and smashed glass littered the streets.

“Few more nights of this and there might not be a city left.” Henry said.

“If we weren’t so close to the capital there wouldn’t be a city left.” Larry replied. “We’re just lucky that there aren’t too many creepy crawlies about.”

“Right.” Henry responded.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The harbor master’s building was a small thing, made of wood and stone, off to the south side of the harbor. The building itself was weathered but completely untouched from the prior nights rioting.

Decisions:
1. Walk inside
2. Try to sneak inside
3. Barge inside
4. Write in

>>2761301
>Walk inside casually. No underhanded motives here, no.

>>2761315
This.

>>2761315
>>2761357
writing

>>2761301
Henry casually walked into the harbormaster’s office, the place was well let and far more homely than Henry was expecting. Larry quickly followed him inside and knocked on the open door.

“Hello?” Larry asked.

“Who is it?” A gruff voice called out.

“Couple visitors looking to ask you a couple of questions.” Henry asked.

“What, again?” The voice called back.

Henry heard the stomping of feet and the shuffling of papers, then a door to the side opened up an a short bald man with a fairly large beard appeared.

“Oh you’re not the two from before.” The man said. “Harbormaster Jeffery at your service, I assume this is about the investigation?”

Decisions:
1. “Uh, yes?”
2. “Yeah… how did you know?”
3. “Yeah we were wondering about the cargo of the ship that was attacked.”
4. “Pleasure to meet you.”
5. “Do you have the time to speak with us?”
6. Write in

>>2761442
>5. “Do you have the time to speak with us?”

>>2761442
“Do you have the time to speak with us?” Henry inquired.

“Yeah, yeah I do.” Jeffery replied.

“Don’t you have the harbor to watch over?” Larry asked.

“That… that’s not really how my job works son.”

“O-oh” Larry replied.

“Anywho the harbor’s been fairly quiet since this beasty showed up, probably will be even more so after last night’s show. Hasn’t done any wonders for my head. Come on in I’ll brew some tea.” Jeffery said, before heading through another door.

Henry and Larry followed, ending up in a small kitchen with a single flickering light rune and a nice set of glass windows looking over the harbor. There were indeed only a few boats entering and exiting.

“So what can I help you boys with?” Jeffery asked.

Decisions:
1. “Who came here earlier?”
2. “I want a copy of the cargo the ship was holding, and if possible what was taken.”
3. “Has no help been sent from the capital yet?”
4. “Has the cult of progress brought anything odd into the city lately?”
5. “How do you handle smuggling?”
6. “Trouble sleeping?”
7. Write in

>>2761476
>2. “I want a copy of the cargo the ship was holding, and if possible what was taken.”

>>2761476
Backing >>2761483 but also
>“Who came here earlier?”

>>2761476
“I want a copy of the cargo the ship was holding, and if possible what was taken.” Henry said.

“Yeah I can get you a copy of the manifest the captain provided me, but as for what was taken, no way to know unless you feel like digging through the wreck.” Jeffery said. “It’s a shame but that’s the way it goes I’m afraid.”

“Fair enough.” Henry said. “Yeah I’ll take the list, thank you.”

“No problem, anything to get this unpleasant business settled faster, and get the city back to normal.”

Jeffery exited the room and proceeded to move around the corner and upstairs. Henry took the time to get a better look at his surroundings. There was a stove and an ice rune box, as well as a collection of fishbowls filled with various guppies and goldfish on an upper shelf on the far side of the room, illuminated by the incoming sunlight. The man was a bit of a collector it seemed. There was a wooden anchor above the doorframe leading back out into the entrance hallway, and as collection of ropes on the wall besides it. Lastly there were a couple of empty picture frames on the counter top, with one noticeably overturned.

Henry was started by a loud whistling noise, which Larry gleefully pointed out was the tea kettle. Henry proceeded to tell Larry to fuck off, to which Larry laughed.

“Alright here she is, mostly natural resources, but there are a few mechanical components from Yorkshire here and there.” Jeffery said. “Makes no sense to steal this stuff really, least in the quantities it did.”

“Whys that?” Henry asked.

“No resale value, the main profit was in the sheer amount of material the ship was bringing in. Though I suppose it’s just a monster. Just seems odd it decided to take anything at all. But that’s what the captain told me, and he didn’t look like the one to lie.”

“Thanks.” Henry said. “Who came here earlier?”

“Couple of odd folk, looked very similar to one another. Both wore some odd yellow robes and had massive hats. I think they got hired on to track down the beastie.”

Henry recalled seeing a couple of mages that fit that description when he’d gone in for the job at the town hall, he didn’t really know anything about them, and that always set him on edge.

“So who are they?” Larry asked.

“Beats the hell out of me.” Jeffery said.

WHY DID HE JUST ASK THAT?

“Well the tea is ready, finally.” Jeffery said.

Decisions:
1. “Thank you for your time, but we’re both in a rush…”
2. “Sure I could go for some tea, actually.”
3. “I don’t drink tea, do you have any coffee?”
4. “Whats with the picture frame over there?”
5. “Have a thing for goldfish?”
6. “What’s the word around town?” (roll 1d100)
7. Write in

calling it a night

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>2761538
>WHY DID HE JUST ASK THAT?
I must have forgotten something. What's wrong with that question? Is he getting memory issues or something?
>6. “What’s the word around town?” (roll 1d100)
>1. “Thank you for your time, but we’re both in a rush…”

If the amount of spare parts stolen is small my guess is ticky is trying to repair itself rather than trying to raise an army. I think we should pick up the gheistcaster and strike it when it's weak.

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>2761538
Backing >>2761804
rollan d100

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>2761804

>>2761804
made sense at the time, makes none now.

>>2761804
>>2761808
>>2761830
these fuckin rolls lmao

>>2761538
Henry finished his tea, sat the cup down gently, and stretched in his chair. He decided it would be a good idea to gather some intel if he could.

“So what’s the word around town?” He said.

“Son, I’m too damned busy with this job to care about politics and I don’t talk about other people behind their backs.”

“I… fair enough?” Henry said. “Thank you for your time.”

“Thank you for your time, but we’re both in a bit of a rush.”

“Yep, so am I, actually.” Jeffery said, standing up and leading the two of them outside. “Good luck tracking that son of a bitch down!”

“Thanks mate!” Larry said, waving back at the building as they walked away, Jeffery had already closed the door and retreated inside.

“So I don’t think it’s making an army of itself.” Henry said.

“WHAT?!” Larry asked, shooting to attention. “An army?!”

“SHUT UP!” Henry said, grabbing his forehead in anticipation of a migraine. He felt a bit of happiness when Larry lurched back and nearly fell into the harbor.

“Look, I think the thing just stole the parts to repair itself, makes the most sense.”

“No?” Larry said.

“What?” Henry asked.

“It took down a couple of angels on its way out right?” Larry said. “That doesn’t sound like it’s too injured, if I was injured I’d worry about getting a lot of rest or what not.”

“It’s a machine Larry…” Henry said. “It doesn’t heal like a living thing. Sides it’s only killed one angel, and that was their fault.”

“You know what I mean.” Larry said.

“I really don’t.” Henry said.

“I’m saying why would it risk just going out into the open like that if it was badly injured?”

“Maybe it doesn’t have a self-preservation instinct?”

“A what?” Larry asked.

“Maybe it doesn’t care if it dies… forget it, too hard to explain, too much work.” Henry said.

Decisions:
1. Head out to meet with Ophelia
2. Head back to the inn and wait for the others
3. Head back to city hall
4. Head to the holy grounds
5. Head to the clocktower
6. Other? (write in)

>>2763935
>6. Other? (write in)
Have larry scout out the clock tower, express the need to not draw attention to himself, while you go and meet ophelia

>>2763996
waiting on votes

>>2763935
Backing >>2763996

>>2764191
>>2763996
writing

>>2763935
“Larry, I have a bit of a job for you, a VERY important one.” Henry said.

“Yeah?” Larry asked. “Name it friend.”

“I need you to scout out the clock tower. Just you. Both of us would draw too much attention. I have a few things I need to get done anyway, I’ll meet you back at the inn, alright?”

“Yeah alright boss.” Larry said. “I’ll see what I can see.”

“Alright, but it is critical you don’t cause a huge ruckus.”

“I know to be sneaky, alright? I don’t get what the big deal is though, its not like we’re doing anything illegal right?”

“Right.” Henry said, before parting ways and heading through the winding city streets, out of the gates, and into the nearby farmlands. Nilemoor Bridge was a fairly grand thing, a work of stone and brick, stretching over the massive river, cutting it in twain. Hordes of farmers and other travelers crossed it, either bound for the city, or outwards into the outlying farmlands.

Henry took stock, there were a few merchants selling their wears near the bridge itself, they didn’t have to pay taxes outside of the city limits, which meant bigger profits when they did sell. Henry understood that urge well. He hoped his own scheming would result in big profits too.

He found a familiar figure in a brown hooded cloak underneath the bridge itself. Ophelia was writing a bunch of blueprints on the ground, complex patterns and mathematics scrawled into the dirt along a river bank. Henry didn’t understand the point, why draw something up when it’d be gone in a fortnight?

Decisions:
1. Let her finish
2. You are VERY impatient, go talk to her
a. Shake her out of it
b. Kick her in the head
3. Go talk to some of the merchants, see if you want to buy anything (will use up time)

>>2764301
>2. You are VERY impatient, go talk to her
What happened to her pen and paper?
If we have some on hand, give her.
Also ask how to enter the tower.

>>2764301
>Sneakily bend to her ears and scream "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING"

>>2764431
someone else please vote for this lmao

>>2764353
Supporting

>>2764301
Backing >>2764431

>>2765043
>>2764952
>>2764431
>>2764353
we finally have a real tie
>do we bulli the nerd or not?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2767318
flipping a coin to determine if bulli

1 for bulli
2 for not bulli

>>2764301
“Where did your pen and paper go?” Henry asked.

Ophelia began to mumble to herself while clutching at her head, he couldn’t really see her face but it looked like she was in pain. Henry rifled around his things before grabbing out a small stack of paper and a couple of small pencils. He wasn’t about to hand over his journal, but if this small peace offering made her compliant it’d be well worth the trouble.

He waved the stack of paper in front of Ophelia’s face. The woman stared at it for a moment before gleefully snatching it out of his hands and clutching it close to her chest, before rolling around on the ground and giggling like a madwoman. After she’d regained her composure she began to madly scribble on the paper with a pen she’d seemingly pulled out of thin air. Henry couldn’t get a good look at it but what he did see looked fairly complex.

Henry paced around for a couple of minutes, idly tracing his hands over the brickwork of the bridge’s archway, then he idly skipped stones across the river, then finally he began to draw the surrounding landscape in his notebook before giving up and heading back over to Ophelia. The woman had a stupid looking grin across her face and was tracing something out in the air.

“Wakey wakey.” Henry said, doing that sort of grin one did when they were actually furious.

“What!?” Ophelia said, as if she’d been startled awake. “H-how long was I out?”

“Dunno, found you here, slowly beginning to think you’re more trouble than your worth.” Henry said.

“Now let’s n-not be hasty.”

“What happened to your notebook?”

“My n-note… maybe if your friend hadn’t knocked me out I’d know that!” Ophelia said. “I’d almost forgotten how I lost those notes! You’re very lucky I have the rest back at home!”

“You’re lucky I have a godly amount of patience.” Henry responded. “But it isn’t infinite.”

“Um.” Ophelia said, her rage quickly replaced with fear. “C-come on now.”

“How do I get into the tower?”

“W-well the entrance is s-sealed off due to the lockdown mechanism… it can’t be opened from the outside without the proper code.”

“There would have to be another way in and out.” Henry continued. “That metal monstrosity obviously hasn’t been using the front entrance

“I don’t know how Ticky is getting into and out of the place!” Ophelia said. “There are only two entrances! The main gate and the one the Duke had installed, I promise!”

“What was that about the duke having an entrance?”

“H-he had it built over the last few years… a t-tunnel.”

>>2767655
“Let me fucking guess… it leads to his estate?” Henry said, biting his lip while thinking.

“Yes…” Ophelia said. “It’s why I wasn’t able to just go and shut him off.”

“How could he be leaving through the estate though?” Henry asked.

“It’s because um, it leads through his family’s mausoleum. It’s near the b-back of his estate, it’s not like the thing has to g-go right through the mansion.”

“Actually… wait, right. It’d probably be able to sneak past them since it isn’t alive. Assuming it was able to shut up.” Henry said. “Something doesn’t quite add up though. It wouldn’t be able to just waltz past them night after night without someone noticing, even if they couldn’t track him easily.”

“I don’t know much about his family.” Ophelia said, holding her hands up as if she was worried Henry would hit her again like he had the previous night.

Decisions:
1. “I don’t believe you.”
2. “I have an inventory of the cargo from ship that was attacked last night, I’d like you to look at it, tell me if anything sticks out.”
3. “You are hiding something aren’t you.” (roll 1d100 for intimidation)
4. “Who else knows of the passageway?”
5. “How big is ticky exactly?”

>>2767688
>5. “How big is ticky exactly?”

The duchess is likely a vampire too. That might be a good mission for the team. Take a priest.

>>2767655
>5. “How big is ticky exactly?”
>2. “I have an inventory of the cargo from ship that was attacked last night, I’d like you to look at it, tell me if anything sticks out.”

>>2767885
>>2767943
writing

>>2767688
“How big is Ticky exactly?” Henry asked.

“Like uh… eight feet tall?” Ophelia said.

“You… didn’t take exact measurements?”

“It was a work in progress… sort of.” Ophelia said. “Look I never got around to measuring exactly how big he was alright?”

Henry hid his abject horror. Not recording the specifics of a body you were doing complex rituals on could lead to… varying results. This held true for necromancy anyways. While a simple raise dead spell would be fine on almost anything, more complex magic could be finicky. He figured whatever the hell Ophelia had done was more than just ‘finicky.’ He’d have to VERY carefully piece together what she had done.

“How could it get through a system of tunnels then? It’d scrape the ceiling.”

“I think it’d have to crawl.” Ophelia said.

Henry imagined a giant metal man crawling through a tunnel, it was more goofy than anything else.

“Look, I have an inventory of the cargo from the ship that was attacked last night, I’d like you to look at it and tell me if anything sticks out.” Henry said, handing over the folded document.

Ophelia carefully unfolded the document, and began to read down the list.

“Just a bunch of ore right and raw materials right? The clocktower doesn’t have the equipment to process it, and I don’t think Ticky would know how to operate complex machinery like that. Sides he’d have to move to a completely separate district.”
“It was the mechanical parts I was worried about.” Henry said.

“What? Oh…oooooh.” Ophelia said, before neatly folding the paper up and handing it back to Henry. She interlaced her fingers and placed them on her chin while looking at the ground. A moment later she dragged her foot across it, damaging the mathematical equations and various diagrams she’d made.

“So?” Henry asked.

“There is good news and bad news…” Ophelia said, sheepishly looking up at Henry.

“The bad news first?” Henry asked.

“Some of these components are very similar to what I used to build Ticky.” Ophelia said. “Least if memory… I mean yes!”

“Uh huh… and the good news?” Henry said.

“Well, the quantity of parts is way too low to even make a single copy.” Ophelia said. “But I don’t even understand why he’d want to make a copy of himself, it’s not like I put that thought in his head, even when I cast the animation spell.”

Decisions:
1. “Come with me, we’re heading back to your warehouse.”
2. “Let’s head back to the city and discuss where we’ll meet next.” (will cause Henry to part ways with Ophelia after destination is selected)
3. “How many days until the thing explodes?”
4. “How do you function as a human being?”
5. “So why do you have those … episodes?” (roll 1d100 for charisma + 25 due to fake bomb collar)
6. “You better get those little creative sparks under control, or else.”

>>2768038
>3. “How many days until the thing explodes?”

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>2768038
>3. “How many days until the thing explodes?”
and because I'm curious
>5. “So why do you have those … episodes?” (roll 1d100 for charisma + 25 due to fake bomb collar)
Rollan anyhow

Rolled 17 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>2768062

Rolled 99 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>2768038
>4. “How do you function as a human being?”
>5. “So why do you have those … episodes?” (roll 1d100 for charisma + 25 due to fake bomb collar)
>1. “Come with me, we’re heading back to your warehouse.”

>>2768203
Wew time for some juicy ophelia back story

>>2768206
well that is a crit my dude

How many days until the thing explodes?” Henry asked, reluctantly offering his hand to Ophelia.

Ophelia cautiously took it before pulling herself off the ground. Henry noted her clothing was somewhat covered in mud now. She looked homeless, so she’d probably not stand out in Grutzberg, ironically enough.

“He’s been active for about a week and a half now, so only a few days left.” Ophelia said. “It’s not an exact science yeah?”

“I feel this is becoming a running theme with you.” Henry said, before he began to walk off. He turned around and motioned for Ophelia to follow. After a few moments, she skipped off after him.

“How do you even function as a human being?” Henry asked.

“What do you mean?” Ophelia said.

“You have no control over yourself, you’re a crummy inventor seeing as you don’t seem to understand what you’re even making, you don’t make any long term plans, you can’t see people using you and abusing you. You’re a decent mage I guess.”

“Hey!” Ophelia said, pouting like a child and crossing her arms. “I know what I’m doing some of the time.”

“Really? Because from what I can tell you have no clue whatsoever. It’s pathetic and annoying.”

“I…” Ophelia said. “Look I know I’m a fuck up alright?” She finally said, dropping her arms. “I just don’t know what to do anymore. I thought I’d finally figured out while working for the Duke, but everyone always takes advantage of me, you’re no different.”

>>2770027
Henry grimaced before sitting down next to a tree and helping the woman sit down.

“Thanks?” Ophelia asked.

“Look, I don’t like having to do this anymore than you do.”

“Could have fooled me, my stomach is bruised badly.”

“You told me what I wanted to know because of it right? I don’t do what I do for no reason.”

“I mean all things considered you could’ve done way worse.” Ophelia said, surprising Henry with how cheery she sounded. “You’re actions make as little sense as mine do sometimes.”

“What?”

“You didn’t have to let me go for one.” Ophelia said. “I mean yeah I’m not exactly free but… well, you could’ve done way worse to me.”

“Lack of time.” Henry said. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Look, thanks for keeping me alive.” Ophelia finally said. “I know it sounds weird or whatever, but I do appreciate it.”

“Stop trying to butter me up, it isn’t going to work.” Henry finally said, after taking the time to think things over.

“I’m not… look I’m at the end of my rope alright? I know you’re just going to use me after this, maybe kill me, isn’t that right?”

“Maybe?” Henry finally admitted. “To be honest I haven’t planned quite that far ahead yet. No sense planning too far ahead right now, until I’m certain I have things under control.”

“So what happens assuming I live through this?”

“We have a nice calm conversation like a couple of adults. We could both benefit each other immensely.” Henry said.

“I’m not interested in money. Well I mean, I sort of am…”

“You could make a hell of a name for yourself if we could make a more functional Ticky.” Henry said.

Ophelia looked at the ground for a while.

“You think?” She finally asked.

“Yeah.” Henry said.

“So why do you have those episodes?”

“I… that’s kind of a personal question.”

“Well whatever.” Henry said, standing up. “I won’t force you to tell me, not like it matters right now.”

The two walked back towards the city in silence. Before Ophelia poked Henry in the shoulder.

“I wanted to talk about that question you asked… it’s a bit personal… I’ve never actually told anyone before… but if you’re going to kill me… I’d want you to know… at least that way someone knew what happened.”

“Huh? The fuck?” Henry asked. “I mean sure, I guess.”

>>2770031
He didn’t know what the hell she was playing at, but he wasn’t about to be fooled by any sort of trick. He’d seen a lot of con artists in his day, and while he didn’t really think she could lie, in fact he figured her incapable of doing it effectively, he knew better than to underestimate someone.

“Look, it was when I was a child… an accident, my memory of the whole thing is a bit fuzzy but. My father was working on something, an experiment… and uh. It exploded… killed him.” Ophelia bit her lip and looked on the verge of tears.

Henry took a good look at her face, he had to admit it looked genuine.

“I think it was my fault, I was a stupid child… I thought… I thought I could help him, he always encouraged me to learn.”

Henry didn’t say anything, he just listened to this woman slowly break down.

“I… I made sure all of the calculations for the experiment were correct… I double… triple checked, but the thing still … he died. A piece of it, well, it’s lodged in my skull now, and since then I’ve had visions and ideas. It sometimes hurts.”

Ophelia rubbed her arms together, bouncing from one foot to the other. “I don’t feel much better about it, I thought I would telling someone. I just… I’ve always been such an idiot. I get ideas in my head, even before this… and I just do things, okay?”
They’d reached the gate and had entered the city while they’d talked, Ophelia was barely maintaining any semibalance of composure.

“So I made things for people, I invented, none of these ideas have ever been my own. Its all from this stupid crystal lodged in my head. I… I just wanted to make something that was mine, truly mine. I learned so much from making all of these things over the years… and I fucked it all up again. I … I told myself that it was fine, I could just… take notes and that’d be that… that It hadn’t killed anyone so it was all fine. But the church wants me dead… and now… I’m going to die aren’t I?”

Decisions:
1. “I know how you feel.”
2. “Come on, lets head back to your warehouse.”
3. “I’m going to take the collar off now, alright?”
4. “You not feeling better makes sense, considering that story is as worthless as a wooden coin.”
5. “I don’t really think you’re stupid, just impulsive.”
6. “Stop beating up on yourself for the past, bad way to live.”
7. “You’re not going to die, good lord.”
8. Write in

>>2770036
>2. “Come on, lets head back to your warehouse.”

>>2770036
“Calm down.” Henry told her, attempting to reassure her.

He had never been good at this touchy feely stuff outside of manipulating people and it showed. He just needed to get her to her warehouse before she lost it completely on him.

“We need to get to your warehouse, can you take me there?”

“I want you to tell me, are you going to kill me?” Ophelia said, looking him dead in the eyes. She’d wiped the tears from her face and a look of sheer determination clung there.

“I thought you didn’t care?” Henry said.

“I want to know, be honest, please.” Ophelia said. “I… I need to know, so I don’t live with regrets now.”

Decisions:
1. “No I will not kill you.”
2. “I’m not going to kill you, stop being a baby.”
3. “No, happy?”
4. “Yes, the big bad evil man is going to kill you.” (sarcasm)
5. “yes I am, and I’m going to do it a lot faster if you don’t get a move on”
6. Write in

>>2770568
>6. Write in
I don't want to kill you.

>>2770568
Backing >>2770576
Plus some inner realization from Henry that that determined look reminds him of himself?

>>2770568
The church wants you dead. Most of the town would too if they knew you were behind Ticky. The Dutchess wants you as well. There is a reward. You are half out of control and the other half is out of your mind. You are impulsive but not an evil maniac and I'd just as soon see you out of this mess if possible, and to do that I need cooperation and assistance. I do have a few back up ideas.