>>3733437
YEAH

>>3733437
>from previous thread

“No, please stay, Rosa. I need someone here.” Henry said. He was afraid he’d do something stupid.

Rosa knelt down next to him and pressed herself up against him, wrapping an arm around him and offering him some degree of comfort. Henry appreciated it although he didn’t know how to admit it.

Henry thought of everything that had happened, how he’d wanted to get justice, then revenge, then simply some degree of closure. He couldn’t get anything. He’d given up after hurting a bunch of innocent people. He’d lost the new family he’d made with Sophie, now he was making yet another one with Rosa, Charles, and the others. Oh god he was going to get them killed, wasn’t he? What was he doing?

Henry began to break down. He shouldn’t have come back here. He had nothing to say beyond apologies. Completely useless apologies. He was sobbing, wretching and begging forgiveness from those he’d killed. Maybe he should’ve died back there. Better that then living like this, right?

>-100 sanity

He couldn’t die, he’d made Johnny a promise, yet the weight of everything was suffocating… warmth. He felt warmth from Rosa, the woman had cast some sort of white mana spell on him. He felt safe. Rosa’s eyes were misty and she was holding Henry in a death grip. He was terrifying the poor woman, he had terrified her.

>+150 sanity, Rosa’s care

“We should leave.” Henry said, standing up slowly and leaning on Rosa a bit more than he would’ve liked.

“Bad memories I assume. Come on Henry we need to get you washed up, can’t go back to the others looking like that, right?” Rosa asked.

Henry washed off his face in the ocean as best he could and returned to Rosa, and the two made the slow trek back to town.

>>3733467
The walk back took far longer than it otherwise might have. Henry used Rosa as a metaphorical shoulder. He wasn’t about to lean on her, he wasn’t that weak, but her presence helped. He never would have thought having another person nearby would ease the burden.

Rosa did her best to stay quiet, occasional trying to start a conversation before dropping it quickly. She cast furtive glances over at Henry and read his face, trying to find some hint to what he was thinking. Curiosity or concern, Henry couldn’t tell.

He used the opportunity to calm down and reflect. He considered revenge for the first time in well, years. Did he even want to get revenge at this point? Would it be worth it? Could he even manage, somehow? He wondered if he could even succeed and what that might look like.

He thought to the mission ahead, as he crossed back into the towns boundaries. He just needed to kill a pack of slimes for the second half of the sixty gold he’d bartered for. Easy money, compared to some of the things he’d done in the past. Even though he figured there would be complications he had a couple of ideas.

Decisions: (pick one)
1. Head out to the research lab (write in people to bring with you)
2. Spend some time on the town with Rosa
3. Try to see if your grandfather is in town. You’re not quite sure you’re ready to see the rest of your family, though.
4. Try to find an info broker around town, you figure now that the town is big enough there should be one or two (roll 1d100)

>and we're back

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>3733480
>4. Try to find an info broker around town, you figure now that the town is big enough there should be one or two (roll 1d100)

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>3733480
This is good >>3733549

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>3733549
>>3734531
>>3733480
Let me get that third roll in!

>>3735815
>>3734531
>>3733549
writing tomorrow

>>3736598
So you say.

>>3738309
I mean I posted on sat and am now writing on sun

:^)

>>3733480
Henry set out to find an info broker. It took some doing but remarkably he didn’t have to grease any palms, ingratiate himself to anyone, or do anything embarrassing. His name alone was enough to turn a few heads. Fisher meant quite a lot in this town, apparently. From what he could determine his relatives held quite a large stake in the town itself, although only his grandfather held any direct ties with the cult of progress. Eventually he managed to get into contact with a reputable sort, a man named Tim Helms.

The man explained that there had been a few disappearances in the region where Henry would be working, as well as a good deal of movement in the local cults. The church was apparently going to conduct a few operations against them. So they were bringing in a lot of people, several dozen. Henry nodded along as the man explained. Henry clutched a few silvers in-between his fingers, a technique to help himself concentrate and to show that he was serious about paying.

The Cult of progress had also been bringing in a good chunk of personnel into the town and had been shipping a large amount of supplies towards an undisclosed location. Tim explained he’d heard about some kind of accident although details were fairly scarce. He understood several people had been immolated to death and that quite a bit of damage had been done to Cult property. He didn’t know what exactly but Henry figured it had something to do with the incident that had allowed the slimes to escape. Ludvic really hadn’t been lying about something far more dangerous being successfully contained. He just hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with the thing.

“So I’ve been hearing the words ‘operation firebird’ being thrown around, but I don’t really understand what it’s about.” Tim said, downing another glass of whiskey.

“Probably the cult’s secret project, wonder if they’re making dragons.” Henry said, jokingly.

“Ha, I hope not, I don’t much feel like being burnt to death. I heard city of Maver is having a lot of trouble with them. Lotta people getting killed. Apparently they’re sending a seer up there. Newbie but making a lot of noise, names Gerald something.”

“Really? Dragon hunting?” Henry asked.

“Dangerous work but very profitable if you plan it right.” Tim explained. “Though the church folk generally just keep it all for themselves when they do bag the beasts.”

“So do you know any of the big players in town?”

“Beyond the Fisher’s there are the Monroes and the Cult, plus the church of course but the local bishop doesn’t really involve himself in politics. He’s a true blue religious man, doesn’t even accept bribes… tithes.” Tim said, correcting himself.

Decisions:
1. *ask further questions* (write in)
2. Thank the man for his time (pay 2 silver)
3. (write in)

>>3741440
>2. Thank the man for his time (pay 2 silver)
Can we go visit our relatives?

>>3741440
Thi >>3741444

>>3741464
>>3741444
writing

>>3741440
Henry thanked the man for his time and slid a couple of silver coins across the table. In one swift motion Tim grabbed them up and gently placed them into a small coin purse made out of tanned leather and bits of metal. The info he’d been given matched with what Henry already knew. There was a lot of shit going down and the Cult wanted him to conduct a clean-up operation to partially unfuck things. More importantly he wasn’t even dealing with the most dangerous creatures. Well, that wasn’t exactly a BAD thing but it was incredibly worrying.

> -2 silver coins

That reassured and horrified him in equal measure. Sure he could think of plenty of things worse than the slime colony, ghiest swarms, banshees, mist riders, several nasty varieties of undead, and the uncategorizable abominations that spontaneously formed at the edges of civilization. But he had no intention of getting within viewing distance of any those things. Avoiding dangers was usually better than fighting them head on. You tended to live longer when you selectively ignored things.

Henry sighed and walked out of the well-lit pub and back to Rosa who had been impatiently waiting outside. Henry watched as she fidgeted with the material of her hood until she realized he had concluded his business. The woman had tried to hide the fact she’d been peeking through the window. Sneaking wasn’t exactly her forte, but for once Henry didn’t mind. He hadn’t been doing anything illegal. Hell, getting information like that wasn’t even immoral. In fact it was prudence itself. Henry explained what he’d learned, minus certain key details. He divulged that he was certain that the slime colony was where it was supposed to be, and that their extermination would make the town far safer. Both of those information nuggets were true. So he didn’t even need to lie to the woman. He smiled inwardly at his vast improvements in not outright lying to woman. Though of course Johnny would’ve said he was ‘lying by omission.’

On the way back Rosa asked Henry if he was going to visit his family, or even his grandfather. Especially given their status in town. Henry briefly wondered how the hell she knew anything about that before remembering she’d been listening in. Of course whether or not he wanted to do any of that was up to him, not her.

Decisions: (Pick one)
1. *visit your grandfather only*
2. *visit your grandfather and anyone else who’d be interested in meeting with you.*
3. *Apparently a second cousin runs a bakery nearby, just walk in, screw all the set up.*
4. *eavesdrop on a couple of family members, you know that your Mom’s sister’s husband runs a bank.* (roll 1d100)
5. (write in)

>>3741548
>1. *visit your grandfather only*
But if he insists us to visit more family, we would do it.

>>3741548
This >>3741553

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>3741548
4. *eavesdrop on a couple of family members, you know that your Mom’s sister’s husband runs a bank.*

Before

1. *visit your grandfather only*

Just in case.

>>3741553
Supporting this anon

>>3741553
>>3741560
>>3742733
>>3744432
writing, as indicated by the decision only one choice is allowed.

>>3745221
I stipl would have voted for eavesdropping, but hey let's visit Grandpa.

What could go wrong. Except our Necromancer status getting revealed or drawing in old enemies or something

Just saying, a shocking number of criminals are arrested by waiting for them to contact family.

File: 4E2B43DF-F731-4CB9-90A1-8(...).jpg (188 KB, 1024x768)

188 KB JPG

>>3745221

will be starting back up today, I had to bring my PC into the shop as the battery became unseated. I also had them take a look at my graphics card which had been having issues. The battery's good, the card isn't. I'll be starting back up tonight.

>>3741548
Finding his Grandfather, Edgar Fisher, wasn’t difficult. He was well known among the townsfolk and his ironclad was even more well known. Very few of the things even existed and most were under the control of the Naval wing of the church’s forces, or the cult of progress. So seeing one in a relatively unimportant location like Rally was always a big deal. So with that in mind Henry made his way down to the docks and explained to Rosa exactly who they were meeting. Rosa remarked that she wasn’t sure she should even join the two of them but Henry insisted. He figured if anyone had to approve of the two of them it’d have to be his grandfather. Since his father was unable to.

Rosa simply nodded and followed along, taking in the sights of the town and the port.

“So Henry, I had a question to ask you.” Rosa said.

“Yeah?” Henry asked.

“What family did your mother come from, if you don’t’ mind me asking of course.”

“The Fishers of course.” Henry said.

He noticed Rosa staring and realized what he had just said. The fact was his father had married into the family, and had told him at one point to never speak of it. Henry hadn’t even considered that fact until now, since he’d had plenty of other concerns.

“So your Father changed his family name?!” Rosa asked. “Is your entire family full of criminals?”

“Excuse me?” Henry asked.

“I uh... oh I said something stupid again, s-sorry.”

“Its fine, honestly I think I’m the only black sheep in this family, hell most of em don’t even know I’m alive.”

The ship sat square in the center of harbor, attracting its share of looks from passersbys. A couple asked each other how a ship made of metal could float. Idiots, like that was even possible. The thing just had metal along its exterior. It was still mostly made of wood. An iron ship would just sink obviously. Henrys’ musings on the buoyancy of ships came to an abrupt halt once he realized he was standing on the ships’ deck staring down a couple of the crew members. He asked where the captain was and was promptly pointed to the captain’s cabin. Henry saw himself in and came face to face with Edgar Fisher, his grandfather. The man was going over some paperwork and seemed to be bored out of his mind. The second he noticed his grandson had entered he straightened up immediately and his face brightened considerably.

“I didn’t know you’d be coming or I would’ve had those slackers’ tidy things up. Oh and hello miss.” Edgar said.

Henry and Rosa both took a seat at the desk. Rosa fidgeted in her chair before realizing the thing was bolted to the floor.

Decisions:
1. “This is Rosa, that Healer I mentioned before.”
2. “How’ve you been?”
3. “I was hoping you could introduce me to a few other members of the family, if you have the time of course.”
4. “Just stopping by to say hello. Odd how easy it was.”
5. (Write in)

>I finally posted

>>3754285
>1. “This is Rosa, that Healer I mentioned before.”

>>3754285
1. “This is Rosa, that Healer I mentioned before.”
Talk about how we first met her, although don’t mention working with the Inquisition to stop a werewolf cult, especially since grandpa might have some connections to a vampire clan.
>”...I stopped by the old house yesterday... It was tough to see it again.”

>>3754285
this >>3754365

>>3754365
>>3754402
>>3754403
writing

>>3754285
“This is Rosa, that healer I mentioned before.” Henry said, motioning over to Rosa. The woman tried to shrink away and glanced at Henry nervously.

“Ah, right, the future wife.” Edgar said.

“What did you tell him, Henry?!” Rosa asked, embarrassed beyond belief.

“It’s not like it’s a massive secret at this point Rosa.” Henry said.

“Well whatever quarrel you two are having, I approve Henry. I assume that’s what this was about.” Edgar said. “I’m happy that you’re getting hitched and I can’t wait to have some great grandchildren.” Edgar said, pleased with the situation.

Henry and Rosa shared a glance but said nothing, neither wanted to jump onto that particular bomb rune. Rosa stared at her lap as Henry explained a brief breakdown of the current situation. As much as he felt comfortable revealing anyway.

“I see, well I’m going to be leaving port in a day or so. Just waiting for the last of the supplies now and giving my boys some shore time. You and yours are welcome to take a trip back to Avignon when this is all done, assuming you don’t have any other transport.” Edgar explained.

“Thanks. Really.” Henry said.

“Did you visit them, Henry?” Edgar asked, his tone becoming somber.

“Yeah, I stopped by the old house today, it was tough to see it again, really hard. I… thank you for making the graves, though I don’t think they’ll ever be filled.”

“Doesn’t stop two bit necromancers from trying to dig them up.” Edgar explained.

“What?!” Rosa asked, mortified.

“Yessir, took a couple of them Cathar’s to stop me from wringing that sod’s neck. Got to watch the hanging last time though.” Edgar said. “Can’t say I didn’t get a bit of enjoyment out of it.”

“Right.” Henry said, he hated this feeling.

“Look, Henry, you always have a place on this ship, and I’m certain the rest of the family would be willing to meet you once you’ve finished up your business. I’d just recommend doing all of that first and foremost. Ludvic doesn’t like to be kept waiting. I’m guessing there were other reasons they delayed you coming out here.” Edgar said.

“I figured they wanted the situation to cool off.” Henry explained.

“Just be careful, been word of strange folks in town lately, and not the cult of progress kind.” Edgar said.

“We’ll be fine. I’m not about to go get myself killed now of all times.” Henry explained, trying to reassure the old man.

“Right.” Edgar said, sighing.

Decisions:
1. *head back to the inn, get a basic gameplan together*
2. *Head out to the research lab* (pick people to come with you)
3. *organize a party at the inn for everyone*
4. *Spend the rest of the day with Rosa* (Write in optional)
5. *Say something else to your grandfather* (Write in)
6. (write in)

>>3754475
>1. *head back to the inn, get a basic gameplan together*

>>3754475
this >>3754484
Slimes are no joke, and we need to plan around what we might find going onto the site.

>>3754484
>>3754489
writing

>>3754475
Henry returned to the inn to find an interesting scene. From what he could gather from the bits and pieces the innkeeper was willing to tell him. Ophelia and Larry had gotten into some sort of spat, quite a public one too. Nothing had been broken of course but the tavern was abuzz with talk of the incident. Rosa sighed while Henry cracked his knuckles. He couldn’t deal with this shit right now damn it. He hoped Charles was being productive at the very least.

The space the cult of progress had rented them was an entire building located behind the main inn. It had a main living space and four bedrooms connecting off of it as well as washroom complete with heating runes for the water. Henry noticed Larry’s clothes were freshly washed and were hanging off a clothesline out back. The man was lying down on the couch in a fresh set of clothing. In fact it looked to be newly purchased. It seemed Johnny’s incessant prodding on keeping spare clothing had finally rubbed off on the man. Alice was playing an impromptu game of cards with Charles, who’d scrounged them from somewhere. Xavier was reading from a copy of the Book of Journeys and smoking a cigarette. Henry briefly wondered where Johnny was before realizing he’d left the skeleton back home.

“Where’s Ophelia?” Henry asked.

“She’s not coming out of her room.” Charles said. “Larry won’t talk about what happened either. I’ve given up trying to do anything about it. Sorry.”

“Shuddap already I didn’t do shit.” Larry said.

“Alright fine, nobody did anything now shut up and gather around the table we’re having a meeting. Charles did anyone drop of any information?” Henry asked.

“Yeah a runner dropped off a map of the area as well as some more information. I had a look at it and made some notes for you.”

Good lad.

>>3754642

Rosa sighed and sat down. Something looked like it was bothering her but she couldn’t quite make out what it was. She shook her head and began to look over the map that had been laid out on the table. Alice quickly joined her although it was clear Rosa didn’t want to sit near the woman. The glamour was working effectively enough but if one looked closely enough they could see that something was wrong. That bit of uncanniness that caused people’s blood to run cold. Still, by the way she ran her fingers over her face, it was doing wonders for her psyche. She must have enjoyed the way it felt like real flesh instead of the carapace it’d been replaced with. Rosa didn’t seem to share his opinion and found the whole display creepy.

Xavier and Charles shuffled over while Larry continued to lie down on the mattress and mumble to himself. Eventually Henry flung him off of the sofa onto the hard floor. Larry let loose a string of curses before Henry forced him back up. He still refused to explain what had gone wrong between the two of them. Eventually Rosa volunteered to go see what the insane mage was doing and came back out shell-shocked. Ophelia had been writing odd patterns and formula’s all over her room, which was normal enough of course. Apparently Rosa wasn’t quite familiar with that little habit. From what Henry could tell the woman had also been tinkering with the flamecaster and had caused some fire damage which smelled up the building, not to mention a couple other strange odors. He quickly closed the door to her room and hoped nobody would notice. He’d just have to air it out later.

Larry and Ophelia refused to make eye contact with one another but beyond that things were peachy between everyone else.

>>3754655
Henry looked over the blueprints and whistled. The hill the slimes were living in had been turned into Swiss cheese. There were three dozen holes littering the hill from the scouts report, and they went fairly deep. The area had been further fortified with earthwork mounds which were being patrolled by biters. Beyond that details were fairly scarce. There was one confirmed sighting of the queen though, so it hadn’t moved yet. The slimes had been sending patrols out farther into the farmlands, and it was only a matter of time before someone got killed. The cult of progress noted that they didn’t want to raise suspicion by sending their own forces to recover their research. Henry wondered what the hell that meant exactly.

He noticed that there were instructions to speak with the head of the lab as soon as possible about retrieval of research, as well as updates on local events, whatever the hell that meant.

Decisions:
1. “We should just load up on explosives and bomb the crap out of this thing”
2. “We need to smoke them out, assuming they breath. That way we won’t miss a single one of these things.”
3. “Best way to fight them is inside this thing, the queen won’t be able to move its blades around and we’ll be able to stab at them with spears”
4. “We should do a couple runs around the place to see what’s going on.”
5. “Seems the head of the lab wants to meet me for some reason. Anyone else want to come along?”
6. “We should just do another mortar strike as long as we get the okay from the Cult.”
7. (write in)

>>3754659
Would flooding them make them absorb too much water and burst?

>>3754729
You don't have enough information to know at this point, its a question to ask the head researcher or one of the other staff.

>>3754737
Aight>>3754659
>4. “We should do a couple runs around the place to see what’s going on.”
And we can ask the researcher about the flooding idea.

>>3754659
This >>3754743

>>3754729
>>3754743
>>3754782
roll 2d100

Rolled 32, 76 = 108 (2d100)

>>3758401

Rolled 36, 3 = 39 (2d100)

>>3758401

>>3758447
>>3758457
writing tomorrow

Rolled 13, 98 = 111 (2d100)

>>3754659
Rolling in case OP’s willing to go best of three.

>>3758559
>>3758457
>>3758447
writing

>>3754659
“We should do a couple runs around the place to see what’s going on.” Henry said. “Beyond that I want to head out to our employer’s location to get more information. We don’t really know too much about these things.”

“So what are they, exactly?” Rosa asked.

“Ooze, some mutated variant.” Ophelia explained.

“Ah, and why hasn’t the local guard been contacted, exactly?” Rosa asked.

Ophelia found herself at a loss for words since the thought hadn’t occurred to her, and Charles glanced at Henry worriedly but Henry already had something in mind.

“Church can’t spend the manpower right now. Two more villages got hit this month in Durkip province, bunch of rogue undead out in the boonies. So people are hiring private mercs like us to do what the church can’t for problems like this. It’s not endangering the town yet so it’s not priority for the church.”

“Ah… right. That’s awful for a variety of reasons.” Rosa muttered.

“Look, we need to scout this thing out.” Henry explained.

“I volunteer.” Alice said. “I can fly around and get a good look at it.

“I want to go as well.” Ophelia chimed in.

“Larry I need you to keep an eye on the pair of them.”

>>3761949
>4

“Do I have to?” Larry whined, trying to glare at Ophelia but being unable to make eye contact.

“Look what the fuck is going on between the two of you? Good lord Ophelia is acting more mature right now.” Henry said, slamming his hand down onto the table for emphasis.

“He doesn’t want me going into the hive during the raid and he refuses to listen to reason. I keep telling him I’m more than capable of protecting myself!” Ophelia said.

“No you’re not, you almost died last time!” Larry shouted.

Henry rubbed his temples as the two began to argue. Charles tried to act as an intermediary but Larry pushed him aside. Eventually Henry had had enough and decided that he needed to snap both of them out of it. So he pulled up to where they were having a shouting match, placed his hands behind their heads, and brought them together. Both ended up sprawled out on the floor, no longer yelling. Henry’s ears thanked him.

“Much fucking better. Any further complaints?” Henry asked.

“No boss, sorry.” Larry said, rubbing his head. He was more in shock than in pain.

“MY HEAD!” Ophelia whined, “My precious head!”

“Rosa make sure I didn’t give Larry any permanent damage.” Henry said nonchalantly.

“And Sophie?” Rosa asked, already stepping in to check on the two of them.

“Who… oh right, yeah make sure she won’t die.” Henry said.

>>3761955
“Now Larry, I frankly don’t give two shits if it’s dangerous or not, we have a job to do. I understand you’re worried but we’re going to be planning this out a hell of a lot more than last time.” Henry explained.

“Fine.” Larry said.

“Alright, so the four of you will head down to the hive to ensure nothing has changed and to gather more intel if possible. Do not charge in there. Don’t be hero’s, and don’t get yourselves killed, okay?” Henry said.”

“The four of you?” Charles asked.

“Yeah, Rosa I want you to go with them. Xavier, I want you to stay behind and guard our quarters. Can’t have anyone snooping around.”

“Good, I can always spend more time reading.” Xavier said.

“Okay, I’ll make sure they don’t do anything too silly.” Rosa said, trying her best to smile.

“Charles, you’re with me. Let’s head out to our employer.”

“Yes sir!”

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

Henry leaned back in the cart and tried to ignore the bumpiness of the road. They’d managed to hitch a ride with a local who was heading out to a small hamlet that was located near the lab’s location. The lab itself was located in an old run down castle that hadn’t had nobility in it for a few decades. The hamlet wasn’t anything special either, in fact the location had been chosen due to its distance from any prying eyes. The Cult provided the hamlet with additional defense due to the staff living there, and the villagers weren’t about to complain.
Henry looked to Charles. The kid didn’t seem to be taking the carriage ride too well. He looked sick and was constantly hanging his head off the side like he was about to throw up.

“We should be arriving in twenty minutes.” The driver said, bringing Henry to attention.

Henry turned back to Charles, he would likely not have any more time to talk with the boy for a bit.

Decision:
1. “So you ready to get to work?”
2. *say nothing*
3. “It’s getting harder to keep lying to Rosa, I almost let the whole Ophelia thing slip.”
4. “What do you think I should do with Rosa, Charles?”
5. “Keeping up with your studies?”
6. (write in)

>>3761990
just did a small edit since I'd forgotten about Xavier for a bit.

>>3761990
>“Keeping up with your studies?”
>“What do you think I should do with Rosa, Charles? I feel like telling her everything, but it would kill her if I did, so I'm trying to dripfeed info over time.”
>"Do you have a better idea? Some other way I'm not seeing but you are?"

>>3762002
Suppporting

>>3762002
This is pretty great, supporting

>>3762002
Ayup. We aren't in a good situation.

I figure, we go down south and use our powers of Necromancy to take on other Necromancers and such.

Give ourselves a crusade, offer to let Rosa hang us if we don't die fighting.

Pretty sure it'll break her heart, but the whole quiet farm life isn't really an option when God apparently is dead or missing and Angelic runes are failing and the walls of reality itself are thinning.

We might not have the nicest power, but we have it nonetheless and with that comes responsibility. Well, now that we have people we care about in the world.

>>3763260
The idea I had was to slowly let Rosa in on everything, in such a way that she doesn't overreact or go full retard or get mindbroken from all the revelations. So basically
>after slime raid = Henry has black mana, which alone should tell Rosa a lot about him, knowing that he also has red and blue mana and what mana colors signify about the person who possesses them
>after next job = Johnny is a skeleton from back when the religion was originally founded and was bros with one of the famous based saints of the time, which she should take to a lot better after the initial panic and what-the-fuck moment or two
>the thing after that = Henry is a necromancer
>the thing after after that = stuff about the Lic'toron cult that abducted Henry and put him through hell for years, which is THE big reveal to Rosa even more than Henry being the N-word

>>3763341
Rosa is convinced God saved her.

Why didn't God save Henry then.

Literal Hell. That's what Henry got. All demons no Angels, until they wanted to kill him just for what he was.

>>3761955
I realized I made a mistake here, I meant to say Sarah instead of Sophie. Sarah being the name Henry called Ophelia so Rosa wouldn't realize who she is.

>>3762002
>>3762004
>>3762458
>>3763260
>>3763341
>>3763634
will be reviewing and writing in 'a bit'

>>3761990
“Keeping up with your studies?” Henry asked.

“Yes of course!” Charles said. “I’m able to rai…I think I’d be able to uh, blast a deer.” Charles said.

Henry beamed, elk were a good bit more trouble to raise than even a human due to their size and the residual green mana they tended to have. But if you could get one with its horns intact you’d have a very quick, and very deadly battering ram. Well, after you’d filled the horns down to fine points. There was even a whole subset of Frank making dedicated to that design type.

“I want to uh, I want to make a cobble.” Charles said. “I feel like it’d be a good project for the both of us!”

“Well it’s not like we need that kind of trouble, though the firepower would be nice.” Henry said, sighing.

Franks were trouble, things often had something resembling a mind and that got them into trouble that needed to be avoided. The whole reason he’d even bothered with the grave titan project was because it would’ve followed his commands to the letter. He remembered when all he worried about was having underlings who’d always obey him. He wondered if he was really better off now that he had people who were, well, people.

“Well we don’t have to really raise it, we could study some from the caverns, right?”

“Yeah I guess, if they’re any still there.” Henry said. There was a chance the church hadn’t bothered clearing out the Nirdec caverns. Henry sighed; he’d lost more than a few business partners during that whole debacle. Nobody he’d call a friend really, but still. If he was still in that business it would’ve been an utter disaster. He figured this might even get a few of the local corpse barons to move. Though attacking Avignon outright was unthinkable.

“Say, Charles.” Henry said, pulling closer and whispering.

>>3764571

“Yes?”

“What should I do with Rosa? I feel like I should tell her everything but it would kill her if I did it. I’ve been trying to spoon-feed information to her in a controlled way but I’m starting to have difficulty keeping up with everything.” Henry exclaimed.

“It’d kill you, not her, Henry!” Charles said. “It’d get me killed to, hell they’d probably kill all of us!”

“Shush!” Henry said, looking towards the cart driver, who had enough sense to not turn around to stare at them.

“I know I know but god damn it I can’t keep going like this, it’s gonna slip out sooner or later.” Henry said.

“Look, Henry, I don’t think I deserve to talk about this, I’m your apprentice, I shouldn’t be giving advice to the master.”

“Charles, please, I’m looking for help and Johnny isn’t here right now.” Henry said.

Charles looked uncertain for a few seconds before he managed to compose himself. Henry did a double take. The boy looked far more sure of himself than he usually did.

“Why did you even fall in love with her, it was a horrible idea! You shouldn’t have said anything back in Grutzberg and you should’ve just let her be!” Charles said. He quickly scrambled to correct himself but Henry waved him away.

“I asked your opinion and you gave it to me, Charles.”

“Well, I think its suicide to stay near her, Henry. You’ve built an entire company, and you have people willing to die for you, we can build so much more if we just keep working with the cult! I didn’t ask before but why are you risking everything on a single girl?” Charles said.

Decisions:
1. “Because I’m in love god damn it.”
2. “She isn’t perfect, she’s nosy, stubborn, but god damn it I can’t help myself.”
3. “I can’t just, cut her off Charles. She’d probably kill herself if I did that.”
4. “We’re done talking about this, I apologize for bringing it up.”
5. “Honestly all of this was accidental believe it or not, I never had a master plan to start up a merc company.”
6. “You’ll understand when you’re older boy.”
7. (Write in)

>>3764581
>2. “She isn’t perfect, she’s nosy, stubborn, but god damn it I can’t help myself.”

>>3764581
>"Some of the things I've done and gone through, Charles, I haven't even told you yet. That's how bad they are: that I can't risk throwing it all at you as you are, and expecting you to stand after hearing them."
>"Rosa willingly told me her own, the things that keep haunting her and never letting go, because she trusted me enough to not abandon her once I heard. And honestly, what she's hiding doesn't even begin to compare to what I'm hiding, but it eats at her and twists her up inside just as much as mine does to me. And that's what matters."
>Look outside the window, watch the scenery for a bit.
>“She isn’t perfect. She’s nosy enough to eavesdrop anywhere, stubborn enough to throw herself in danger for other people, and refuses to stand by when other people get hurt like fools... but god damn it I can’t help myself. I can't quit on her after she saved my life, and definitely not after she poured her heart out to me the way she did.”
>(wryly) "...And besides, she'd probably kill herself if I turned my back on her now. That would be bad, because then I won't have anyone to bring me back again if something stupid ever kills me."

>>3764762
>>3764764
will write tomorrow.

>>3764581
Look, Charles. Some of the things I’ve done and gone through I haven’t even discussed with anyone, not even Johnny. I can’t even tell you because I’m too worried what you’d think not to mention the danger it’d put you in.”

“As you keep saying Henry.” Charles said, completely unconvinced.

“Look, Rosa willingly told me her own, she showed me the things that scared her and I can’t even do the same. She trusted me Charles, trusted me enough to not just up and leave when I told her. What she was hiding doesn’t even begin to…”

“Yes it doesn’t describe the absolute horror of you childhood, I get it.” Charles said. “I think I’m beginning to understand why Johnny keeps needling you over using it as an excuse… uh… nevermind, not my place to talk about it.”

“It’s fine, for now. Look, it eats and twists her up inside just as much as mine does, and that’s what matters.”

Henry glanced out at the passing scenery and sighed. He needed to stop being so cavalier about his own past.

“She isn’t perfect. She’s nosy enough to eavesdrop anywhere, stubborn enough to throw herself into danger for the sake of others, and she refuses to stand by when other people get hurt because they’ve acted like fools. Honestly some of those things are a pain in the ass, but I can’t help myself. I love her Charles, it’s not something that makes sense. She just…”

>>3767036

“Yeah, she’s yours.” Charles said. “I remember how my brother didn’t like his political marriage, it must be nice to choose who you marry.”

“You’ll get to choose, too, Charles. But marriage, it’s a bit soon, yeah?” Henry said.

“Look, she trusted me enough to pour her heart out for me, and besides, she’d probably kill herself if I turned my back on her now. That would be bad, because then I wouldn’t have anyone to bring me back again if something stupid ever killed me.”

“I managed to save Ophelia!” Charles said.

“You stabilized her, she would’ve died in a day or two, regardless.” Henry said.

“We’re here m’lord.” The driver said. Stopping just outside a small hamlet. It was a collection of timber and earthwork buildings surrounded by walls of wood and dirt. The only stone structure was the church and the holy grounds wall in the center of it all. It would’ve been even smaller than Blaise had it not been for a recently built quarter of the town. Henry guessed it was where the Cult of Progress people lived. The buildings were a bit nicer than the villagers and from what he could tell the walls were a good bit higher too. The section even had its own gate and guards.

Henry tipped the driver a silver coin and asked the man to return in a few hours. The driver held up the coin and scratched at it to ensure it was legitimate, and then nodded. Henry figured he’d be good for it, the man had been trusting enough to only ask for payment on arrival.

> -1 silver

Decisions:
1. *Head over to the Cult of Progress part of the hamlet*
2. *Investigate the town* (roll 1d100, spend time)
3. *check to see if there are any local graveyards* (roll 1d100, spend time)
4. (write in)


>Lorekeeper's Note, Seems Charles has finally gotten tired of the whole woe is me spiel.

>>3767036
>1. *Head over to the Cult of Progress part of the hamlet*
Grab a bite to eat first if we can.

>>3767038
This >>3767048
>Lorekeeper's Note, Seems Charles has finally gotten tired of the whole woe is me spiel.
Is that for himself or for hearing it from others?

no update tonight, got too much work right now

>>3767038
The walk to the Cult of Progress’ side of town was fairly short. The hamlet only had a couple of streets, and its main square was fairly small. There were a few farmers selling produce, not all that much honestly but Henry managed to buy a few pears for himself and Charles to snack on. He was eyed suspiciously the entire time, and a couple people whispered behind his back. Charles reached for his knife and held it in a death grip, before Henry calmed him down. Henry explained that this sort of distrust was fairly common as you got away from the Core Provinces, nobody really trusted newcomers, especially when newcomers could be incredibly dangerous. If Henry’s hunch was correct the cult was likely an unwelcome guest in the town. He figured the townsfolk hadn’t done anything due to the guards patrolling the Cult of Progress’ wall.

Not to mention how badly things had been going out here. They’d passed by a destroyed village on the way here, the driver had mentioned Franks as the cause and that had looked to be the case since all the bodies had been hauled away. Henry figured it was a necromancer doing some grocery shopping. He shuddered; he needed to stop thinking of it like that.

Entering the Cult of Progress’ section was much easier than Henry had anticipated. The second he explained who he was he was led inside; they’d been expecting him after all. He did have to explain who his apprentice was, oddly enough. Charles pouted when the guard explained he hadn’t expected any children to get brought along.

He was led into a small timber building with a nice wooden floor and a bunch of opened windows. Waiting at a table sipping some tea was a bespectacled man who wore robes of the cult of progress, which had that funny cogwork logo. Henry noticed a couple of stripes on the robes, and figured he was a bit higher ranking than the guards were.

“Henry I presume?” The man said. “My name is Moldov, I was informed by my superiors that you would be arriving here. I am to escort you to our primary campus and I’m to answer any acceptable questions you might have.”

Decisions:
1. “Pleasure to meet you.”
2. “Kind of surprised you didn’t go hunting with the people you have here, you could probably finish the task by yourselves.”
3. “What’s with the townsfolk?”
4. “So why did you set up here of all places?”
5. *say nothing and motion towards the door*
6. (write in)

>looks like I lied about not posting

>>3769441
>1. “Pleasure to meet you.”
>2. “Kind of surprised you didn’t go hunting with the people you have here, you could probably finish the task by yourselves.”

Then we should head inside and discuss buisness

>>3769441
This >>3769731

>>3769731
Thirding

>>3769731
>>3769782
>>3770949
writing

>>3769441
“Pleasure to meet you.” Henry said, sitting down at the table and leaning in towards the man to listen better.

“Ah, likewise. I’m so used to you mercenary types being far ruder or to the point, it’s rather refreshing to see a bit of politesse.” Moldov replied.

“I’m kind of surprised you didn’t go hunting along with the people you have here, you could probably finish the task by yourselves.”

“Ah, I suppose you would be curious about that. The fact of the matter is we absolutely could do so but I gather this is some sort of trial run by my superiors. You seem to have caused quite the stir being led out here like this. From what I understand your company has fewer than ten men. I do look forward to see how you handle this colony, although if you’re at all like the reports describe this shouldn’t be an issue… ah, right. I have to inform you that we will not be allowing any artillery spells, things are a bit tense right now and we cannot have any further attention brought to our facility or the surrounding area.”

“Ah, I see.” Henry said. Crap.

“I suppose the group around the colony is yours, correct?” Moldov asked. “I informed the men keeping watch to leave them be.”

“Yes, correct.” Henry said. “We were performing reconnaissance.”

“Impressive, although the Ooze are well studied and we have plenty of research data on their capabilities so that shouldn’t be an issue. This little experiment of ours wasn’t exactly planned for but we’re not about to run it without understanding all the variables.”

“Of course, I think I understand the situation.”

“I don’t believe I need to tell you this but if you succeed here then you’ll be offered gainful contracts under the cult of progress. While you were giving a glowing review there are those who still harbor doubts. I believe this test should quell them rather nicely.” Moldov explained.

Decisions:
1. *head out with the man to the lab site*
2. *ask further questions* (Write in)

>>3773060
>2. *ask further questions* (Write in)
"Are there any mages watching whether the slimes are tunneling under the ground to escape?"

>>3773067
Don't want to find out that the delay to their subjugation is what enabled them to escape.
It'd mean more work to me.

>>3773060
This >>3773067 >>3773077

>>3773060
2. *ask further questions* (Write in)
I cannot remember off the top of my head whether we know or not, but ask him if he knows what caused the escape

>>3773735
This too

>>3773067
>>3773077
>>3773102
>>3773735
>>3773795
writing

>>3773060
“Is there any indication that the slimes are burrowing underground?” Henry asked.

“Well of course, their hive is located below ground, that’s how they’ve been designed to react.” Moldov replied.

“I mean do you know if there are other exits or if they’ve made further colonies and escaped?” Henry asked.

“Incredibly unlikely. For one we’ve had mages scrying over there for about four days now and we’ve detected nothing. Secondly it’s impossible for a second queen to form in the colony while there is an existing queen, consider it a failsafe. I’d go into specifics but you don’t need to understand the exact mechanics. Anyhow, we are very aware how dangerous such creatures could be if they were able to breed freely. I want you to forget anything you may have heard about the Cult and insane scientists. We take our security and procedures very seriously. The only reason they escaped were due to extraneous circumstances.” Moldov continued.

“So why were they able to escape? Is your security flawed or did someone else spring them out? If there are other groups involved I need to know, I’m not going to risk my people’s lives unless I know as much as possible.” Henry said.

“Outside influence? Hardly, Operation Firebird has proven to be far harder to control than expected… ah.” Moldov said, realizing he’d let something slip.

“Operation Firebird?” Henry asked.

“Nothing you need to worry about, and something you haven’t been paid to think about, so don’t. All you need to know about that is that it’s not your problem and that the Ooze colony needs to be properly exterminated.”

“So you can’t get the queen back then? Seems that if the queen died then you’d lose out on all that research?” Henry asked.

“Well, going back to the production of a new queen… once the current queen is dead, all we need to do is insert one of the queens seed bugs into a generic ooze and a new queen will be formed in a matter of hours. We have samples on file already, so we really just need the queen killed and the seed bugs destroyed. The colony will naturally collapse after that, given a few weeks anyhow. Having uncontrollable weapons running loose is something we generally try to avoid. Do you have any further questions? Time is not something I have an infinite amount of.”

Decisions:
1. *ask further questions* (write in)(FINAL TIME ALLOWED)
2. (write in)
3. “No further questions, lets head out.”

>>3777897
>3. “No further questions, lets head out.”
Alright, glad that the problem is at least contained.

>>3777941
This