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Returning the sword and trunk to the princess, she thanked you and you got back on the voyage to return the princess. You took a small nap in your room and have just awakened a few hours later that same day. A thick blanket of clouds have rolled in, greying out the Primordial Sea.

>What do you do?

>daily routine, perhaps sing a tune https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIZhRJIxOGU

>>4275005
Make food. Who the ruck serves leather soup? Seriously.

>>4275005
Oh wait check in with Sigrid to see if the princess is there here. Do we still have the broken elven sword?

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>>4275022
>>4275051
>>4275052

>daily routine, perhaps sing a tune
>Make food. Who the ruck serves leather soup? Seriously.
>Oh wait check in with Sigrid to see if the princess is there here. Do we still have the broken elven sword?

You take to your daily routine - strapping your boots on, holstering your dragon and dagger, cleaning your sword. Given that it's late in the afternoon, you suppose that it's time for lunch. You open your freight elevator to find that Ana has prepared.. a hunk of lizardman cheese. Fair enough. You take your portion and walk with it, eating your lunch as you approach Sigrid's room.

You knock on it just once before Galia opens the door. Looks like she outfitted herself in the plate armor you first found on her. The scabbard attached to her side holds the ruined sword in it.
"What?" She stares at you.

>What do you do?

>>4275057
Why is she all armored up? Armor's great and all but it gets uncomfortable to wear all the time. She has clothes.

>The scabbard attached to her side holds the ruined sword in it.
Dammit. Why'd we give it back?

>>4275057
>”Lunch is ready. Mind telling me what you’re armored for?”

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>>4275100
>>4275061

>Why is she all armored up? Armor's great and all but it gets uncomfortable to wear all the time. She has clothes.
>”Lunch is ready. Mind telling me what you’re armored for?”

”Lunch is ready. Mind telling me what you’re armored for?” You reply, looking her over.
"Lunch was ready hours ago." She replies coldly. "And what does it matter to you if I'm wearing my armor? What did you come here for? Checking to make sure your million gold pieces hasn't fled?

>What do you do?

>>4275105
>”I came to check that the princess has not decided to do something stupid and end up getting hurt”

>>4275105
Why did you want to be an adventurer? Did your father get that suit of armor custom fitted for you? If no then I wonder what blacksmith she convinced to make it. If yes then I think if she waited a couple of years her father probably would had let her go on her own once she showed the proficiency to care for herself. Unlike now.

So what's the king's like?

>>4275105
>"Standard practice when going out in the Primordial Sea is to tell people where you're off to, in case of something happens to you and a search party is organized. Force of habit for me to ask by this point."

>>4275124
>Why did you want to be an adventurer?
She already answered that it's because of her grandpa being one himself.

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>>4275137
>"Standard practice when going out in the Primordial Sea is to tell people where you're off to, in case of something happens to you and a search party is organized. Force of habit for me to ask by this point."

"Standard practice when going out in the Primordial Sea is to tell people where you're off to, in case of something happens to you and a search party is organized. Force of habit for me to ask by this point." You respond coolly.
"Mmh." She doesn't have a smart response for that, turning away. "Whatever."

You feel a sudden looming presence over your shoulder and turn around to glimpse the mountain of armor behind you. "Mind if I ask for a favor, Scruffy?"
"Scruffy? His name is Scruffy?" The princess echoes, her tone somewhere between incredulous and mocking.

Ana gently closes the door. "You busy right now? There's something I need you to check on, but I could just ask Sigrid."

>Agree to the favor.
>Say you have plans.
>Write-In.

>>4275139
What do you need?

>>4275139
>Agree to the favor.
Might as well see what's up.

>>4275139
>Agree to the favor.
Why not

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>>4275142
>>4275144
>>4275145

>Agree to the favor.

"What is it?"
"There's a transport motor carriage by our route. Doesn't look royal." She responds, leading you out to the opening of the convoy. "I doubt it's another princess, but it's worth investigating. I don't want to waste too much time looking into it. Just check if there's anything or anyone in inside worth our time. I'll keep the caravan traveling slow so you have time to look through it."

>What do you do?

>>4275160
Agree
Go find Sigrid and ask her to give a crash course lesson on Motor Wagons, what part does what, and how not to fuck with it to the point it explodes.

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>>4275160
>Investigate wagon with best girl

>>4275205
ASTOUNDINGLY based and miyukipilled, thank you

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>>4275217

>>4275205
Miyuki 100% best girl, of course investigate with her

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>>4275239
>>4275205

>Investigate wagon with best girl

"I'll take a look at it with Miyuki." You respond, tapping the holster on your belt.
"Right. Keep on guard." Ana replies, returning to her seat at the reins.

[...]

After asking the changeling to accompany you in investigating the carriage - who seemed all too happy to come with you - you approach the motor vehicle right alongside the towering changeling. It's paneled with oily, polished wood, but now that you're closer, you can make out some damage on the cart - bullet holes riddle the side of it visible to you.

"Another carriage out this far on the frontier.." Miyuki whispers in her familiarly ragged voice.
Looking closer, you can see a shape at the driver's seat. It's hard to make out, but they're moving behind the fogged glass.

>What do you do?

>>4275252
Approach causiously. This could be a trap. Arm yourself with your pistol just in case.

>>4275252
Have Miyuki shape-shift into you/a small creature, and duck your head into the tall grass, and move around the cart to make sure no one is alive... and hostile

>>4275252
>It's hard to make out, but they're moving behind the fogged glass.
Oh wait. Hmmm. Could be a bandit, could be a survivor trying to hide. How good is Miyuki in direct combat, and does she have any strengths beyond her capacity to shapeshift? I know that she's excellent with single handed bladded weapons if all the daggers were of any indication. Has she ever considered investing in a light crossbow or small compound bow? There are some crossbow variants with cranks so you dont have to be too strong to reset the firing string, and compound bows were made for minimal strength and maximum power.

>>4275252
Ask Miyuki to transform into something smaller. Unholster your gun and check the surrounding area for traps before caustically moving in.

>>4275252
I wish we saved one of the daggers from the goblins den. Maybe we could had fashions some sort of punching blade at the end of the gun. Like a bayonet.

>Try waving to the driver and flag him down

>>4275205
>>4275236
cute!

>>4275252

Supporting
>>4275260
Miyuki is great and all but everyone else gets pretty spooked around changelings so...

>>4275284
That and a smaller profile means she'll be harder to hit, inaddition to making it easier to hide. Clearly Miyuki and Scruffy would make for a good sneaking duo as she could adapt to a smaller guise.

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>>4275260
>>4275284
>>4275257

>Ask Miyuki to transform into something smaller. Unholster your gun and check the surrounding area for traps before caustically moving in.

"Miyuki. Something smaller, please?" You turn to face the tower of purple.
"A-ah. Right." With the same swiftness as yesterday, she becomes a mirror of you. Still feels weird, man.

Unholstering your gun, you stay close and low to the ground, checking the area for traps - bombs, tripwires, steel traps - but find nothing noticeable. Once you give the all clear, you rise, take a breath, and approach the carriage, your partner staying low and out of sight behind you.
The door of the motor vehicle opens with a click and you take a cautionary step back, one hand on your dragon. A figure steps forward - adorned in armor bearing the crest of the royal family, a knight steps forth with her hands up. An eyepatch makes a valiant attempt at masking a scar along her eye.

".. Mercenaries, right?" She smiles at you. You don't respond. "Sorry. I get it. I'm with the Royal Guard. I was traveling to Drexel and our carriage ran out of fuel. I'm willing to buy some - if you have any onboard your caravan."
You do have some fuel onboard, actually. Plenty of tanks meant for Ana's Smoker.

>What do you do?

>>4275316
I thought royal guards, had the nice expensive decorated carriages. And what do you mean "our" is there anyone else with you in this cart? I want to see them. Just to be safe

>>4275316
Did we see any of the Royal Guards armor in the goblins den? How many royal guard bodies were there and there genders? Gender affects number of available suits of armor. The existence of ruined royal guards armor is important.

What happened here. It looks like there was a shoot out, yet I see no bodies. No royal banner adorns your motor wagon, no bodies nor ounce of blood litter the ground. You appear to be the only one here yet you're largely unharmed.
This is awfully suspecious. Either you're a genuinely unfortunately stupid LONE GUARD traveling ALONE, or you're a bandit masquerading as a royal guard.

Unholster your gun, cock it, and get ready to shoot her if she so much as draws a weapon. She's too supecious. IF we saw all of the guards armor in the goblins den then she's less supecious. If we say none of the goblins with her armor then this is a trap.

>>4275316
what's a guard doing travelling alone to somewhere without a royal checkpoint? you do other things than guarding?

if she acts like she's alone, question the "our".
I want this to seem like curiousity, so don't question the carriage. that sounds more suspicious than curious.

if the answers make sense:
different devices need different kinds of fuel though, right? we have fuel for a Smoker. if you think that'll work, name a price and I'll ask the boss.

if the answers don't make sense:
>>4275338

I can almost taste the ambush on the tip of my tongue. It's palpable. I'm betting there are more or less two others. A pragmatic part of me things we should just shoot her, but a hopeful side thinks we shouldnt.

If anything I think we should pull out dad's sword too and prepare for the worst. You only need 1 hand to aim with the pistol.

>>4275347
What if we point the gun at her and tell her to lay belly down with her hands behind her head?

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>>4275318
>>4275347
>>4275338

>Did we see any of the Royal Guards armor in the goblins den? How many royal guard bodies were there and there genders? Gender affects number of available suits of armor. The existence of ruined royal guards armor is important.

You caught sight of some armor in the den - presumably royal, given it's tinge of blue - but it was mostly ruined by the goblin attack. Dented, burst, and covered in daggers or arrows. You saw about three royal guard bodies out by the carriage when you first saw the princess. This guard's armor is a bit scuffed and dull, but it could hardly be considered severely damaged.

>I thought royal guards, had the nice expensive decorated carriages. And what do you mean "our" is there anyone else with you in this cart? I want to see them. Just to be safe
>what's a guard doing travelling alone to somewhere without a royal checkpoint? you do other things than guarding?
>if she acts like she's alone, question the "our".

"I thought royal guards, had the nice expensive decorated carriages. And what do you mean "our"? Is there anyone else with you in this cart?" You question her.
"I'm just running a transport car. No need for a fancy royal carriage for some supplies. I should've had enough fuel for the trip there and back, but I miscalculated a detour and ran out." She smiles coolly. "By "our," I mean the Royal Guard. Just me and some whale oil, meat, and bullets. If you'd like, I can provide you my papers."
"Your papers..? Sure." You stay trained on her as she backs up, reenters the car, and opens the glove box. She removes one sheet from the compartment and slowly reaches back out with it. You snatch it from her hands, looking it over. Looks official enough. Even has a royal stamp. You can barely read, anyways.

>What do you do?

>>4275374
Pass it to Miyuki. She can probably read betterer.
Ask about the damages to the cart. We can probably trade some fuel. She can go back in her carriage and we'll be back with the fuel.

>>4275390
note that Miyuki is hiding.

>>4275392
Oh right. Not Miyuki, but our twin. Yes. Not Miyuki the doppleganger disguised as scruffy.

>>4275397
"your partner staying low and out of sight behind you."
so I think she's actually physically hiding as well.

>>4275411
I can't believe I missed that

>>4275374
allow me to confer with my backup


disappear into the vegetation with the papers
@Miyuki can you read this?

>>4275374
Well if you are doing a shipment run. I am willing to give you some fuel if you trade me your full name, rank, and any some of your meat.

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>>4275428
>>4275390

>Ask about the damages to the cart. We can probably trade some fuel. She can go back in her carriage and we'll be back with the fuel.
>allow me to confer with my backup
>disappear into the vegetation with the papers
>@Miyuki can you read this?

"What's with the bullet holes?" You motion toward the breaks in the wooden paneling of the car.
"There was a bandit attack earlier. I outsped them." She returns with ease. "Any more questions?"
"Mmm.. let me confer with my backup." With that, you duck into the tall grass where Miyuki waits. You pass the license to her. "Can you read this..?"
"Hmmmm.." Miyuki looks over the paper delicately, scanning the blocks of legal text and the photo of the guard. ".. Looks l-legit. A little old, maybe, but it all seems official, I-I think.."

>What do you do?

We gotta get this "guard" name and rank then have best girl transform into her, and trick the princess to see if this guard is legit.
Probably an exchange, fuel for her name, rank etc

>>4275461
we have her ID. there's a photo of her on it.

>>4275447
>Thank Miyuki
>Turn back to guard
>Suggest she come back to your own caravan to talk more, you do in fact have spare fuel
>Figure stuff out with Ana, Galia and everyone else once you're there

>>4275447
thought:
@Miyuki her name and rank?
if it's an ID it probably makes sense it'd be old.


check: does she have the scar on the photo?

shout @guard
one of us should have Smoker fuel if you think that will work. say an amount and a rate and we'll ask the owner. I think she'd accept meat or coin if the price is good.

>>4275476
forgot to remove the "thought:"
everything is actions.

>>4275467
I'm not so sure about bringing her back. I still don't fully trust her and would much rather we continue on to our destination.

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>>4275476
>>4275467

>@Miyuki her name and rank?
>if it's an ID it probably makes sense it'd be old.
>check: does she have the scar on the photo?
>Thank Miyuki
>Turn back to guard
>Suggest she come back to your own caravan to talk more, you do in fact have spare fuel
>Figure stuff out with Ana, Galia and everyone else once you're there
>one of us should have Smoker fuel if you think that will work. say an amount and a rate and we'll ask the owner. I think she'd accept meat or coin if the price is good.

"Her name? Mmmm.. Claire Morley." She reads out the text slowly. "She's part of the king's mobile guard." She has the scar in the photo. You slowly stand up.
"One of us has Smoker fuel if that works. Say an amount and a rate and we'll ask the owner. She'd accept meat or coin if the price is good." You offer. "Or you could come back to our caravan and talk it out yourself."

"Smoker fuel will work. How about 500 gold coins for one tank? For the trouble, of course." She responds. You're a bit taken aback. Just one gas canister goes for around 100 gold. "Forgive me for being a little cautious, but I'll stay out here. I'm sure you're aware of the stigma around mercenaries. Just bring the fuel and I'll provide the coin. If you want to make sure I hand it over, ask one of your friends in there to come with you."

>What do you do?

>>4275509
Lets report back to Ana with our findings. See what she thinks.

>>4275516
Agreed

>We need to talk it out with our associates

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>>4275516
>>4275520

>We need to talk it out with our associates

"We need to talk it out with our associates." You nod to the caravan. "I'll be back in a moment."
"P-.. princess..?" Claire stutters out, taking a step back as her face goes pale.
"Huh? Prin-" Your cut off as you're shoved aside and the fully armored princess steps in front of you, a steel blade at the ready. Her eyes are filled with rage.
"THIEF!" Galia hisses, swinging the sword clumsily and recklessly at the member of the "royal guard." Claire easily parries it and knocks her back with the butt of her own blade. The princess hits the ground but begins to scramble up, swinging her blade wildly as she rises.

>What do you do?

>>4275578
Make a note to barrette Sigrid and Ana for being so careless. Aim a not immediate lethal body shot at the royal guard before subduing the princess.

>>4275578
>facepalm and sigh
Try to grab the princess so she doesn’t end up hurting herself then, ask her if she knows this “royal guard”

>>4275578
Shoot first ask questions later.

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>>4275595
>>4275584

>Aim a not immediate lethal body shot at the royal guard before subduing the princess.

You remove the dragon from its holster and take aim, but the princess is swinging and moving erratically in front of the guard, clashing her blade against hers fruitlessly. The guard looks almost bored as she parries. You order her to move, but she's almost too consumed with rage to listen. You grab her from behind and nearly get decapitated as you pull her back.

The "guard" rolls her eyes and removes a hidden pistol from her breastplate, flipping it out with ease and taking aim. "Listen. I can ex-"
"She's a thief, merc. Her group staged a heist on the royal bank two weeks ago." She's still trying to break free of your grasp. Despite your short stature, she's still kind of soft and weak. "I'd bet the rest of her crew AND the stolen goods are in that van. UnHAND me..!"
"I don't want to kill you." Claire scowls, keeping her pistol trained on you. "I just need fuel. Listen- I'll even still pay you. Just get me the fuel and I'll get out of your sight."
"Will it interest you to know that there's a bounty on that crew of hers, mercenary? Numbering somewhere in the hundreds of thousands." She glances back at you, still trying to kick herself out of your grip.

>What do you do?

>>4275627
Where is Miyuki, can she do anything to this "guard" who has their gun pointed at us? I don't think she popped out of the tall grass yet.

>>4275627
Princes you do realize you're breaking the sword even further? Keep swinging and it's gonna turn from a broken sword to a broken dagger.
Man handle the princess back to the wagon. We have a midget to slap awake.

>>4275627
Wait a fucking minute. We agreed to getting her grandfather's sword back if she behaved. She just lost her privileges.

>>4275627
>Chastise Galia for rushing headfirst into danger
>Ask Claire to explain herself
>Hold a hand over Galia's mouth if she tries to interrupt

>>4275627
@everyone:
back to the carriage! you too princess.

pull Galia away.

if the guard follows us, hopefully Miyuki will know what to do.

>>4275675
she will bite. do not cover her mouth.

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>>4275638
>Where is Miyuki, can she do anything to this "guard" who has their gun pointed at us? I don't think she popped out of the tall grass yet.

You presume Miyuki is nearby, but it's a bit difficult to communicate stealthily right now given that you're holding an enraged Galia.

>>4275675
>Chastise Galia for rushing headfirst into danger
>Ask Claire to explain herself
>Hold a hand over Galia's mouth if she tries to interrupt

"Are you TRYING to be this stupid, or does it come naturally?" You hiss into her ear, covering the noble's mouth with your hand. Her muffled yells allow you a brief peace. "Explain yourself, 'guard'."
"She's right." Claire keeps the gun trained on you, but lowers it just a little to assuage you. "The crew is in the van. We robbed the royal bank a couple of weeks ago. I WAS part of the royal guard, but got dismissed earlier this year. And we do have a bounty on our heads. But we're wanted live. And you know just as well as I do that if you want to claim the cash, the nearest royal presence is still days out. The princess here seems like a bit of a handful keeping on board herself. Could you imagine keeping even more?"

You remain silent. The princess continues to try and break free of your grip.
"All I want is fuel to get us out to Drexel. You have my word that I won't mention the million gold coins you've got there." She lowers her pistol.

>What do you do?

>>4275729
Alright, before we do this deal, I have something to say
AHEM
"HELLPPPP MEE SIGRID, AND ANAAAA STRANGER DANGERRR. HELPPPP MEEEE STRANGERRRR DANGERRRR"

>>4275743
Before we decide on this brilliant course of action. Perhaps we could check whether or not we'd even be heard?
>Ask Galia where the rest of the entourage is
>Ask Caire why exactly they robbed the royal bank anywho? You imagine being a royal guard pays fairly well

>>4275729
Agree to the gas.
Drag Galia back to get gas.
Chastise Sigrid but also als her if she knows any magic that can put people in a coma. She said she's got op magic but I very much doubt her abilities. Why don't she prove herself? if anything we can tie them up.

>>4275743
Maybe that's something we SHOULDN'T do. She still has the gun out.

>>4275752
she got fired.
>>4275754
+

>>4275758
Ah yes

Changing mine to >>4275754

>>4275752
>Ask Galia where the rest of the entourage is
Galia the princess wouldn't know, but Claire just explained they're in the wagon.

>Ask Caire why exactly they robbed the royal bank anywho? You imagine being a royal guard pays fairly well
>I WAS part of the royal guard, but got dismissed earlier this year.
They got layed off. They're the equivalent of criminal unsatisfied blue collar cops. Wouldn't you be mad too if you served your government loyally for years, only to be fired?

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>>4275754
>>4275758
>>4275762

>Agree to the gas.
>Drag Galia back to get gas.
>Chastise Sigrid but also als her if she knows any magic that can put people in a coma. She said she's got op magic but I very much doubt her abilities. Why don't she prove herself? if anything we can tie them up.

You remain silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "Alright. I'll get your gas." You begin to back up with the princess in tow, but the knight suddenly raises her hands in the arm, dropping the pistol on the ground.
"We surrender." Claire looks to the ground, grimacing with her eyes shut.
You feel a tap on your shoulder and catch sight of Miyuki standing tall over you. "G-got help." She whispers. She's flanked by both Sigrid and Ana - Ana carrying her Smoker and Sigrid flanked by a giant glowing green hand.
"Sorry. I fell asleep." Sigrid nudges you.

>What do you do?

>>4275771
I mentioned this in a previous post. Do the standard police "GET ON THE GROUND!" procedure so we can kick the gun away and tie her up. The others are insure the cart.

I guess we can't be too angry now at Sigrid since she's here already. She did just apologize.

>>4275771
>Be relieved
>"Thanks Miyuki!"
>headpat

also
>Be miffed at Claire
>>4275783 >Tie em up
>After everyone is secure figure out what to do and hear everyone's thoughts on it

>>4275771

>>4275783
+

@Ana
this is Claire Morley.
she and an unstated number of associates are wanted for bank robbery.
according to her, they are wanted alive and the rest are in their carriage.

>>4275794
+

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>>4275797
>>4275794
>>4275783

>Be relieved
>"Thanks Miyuki!"
>headpat
>Do the standard police "GET ON THE GROUND!" procedure so we can kick the gun away and tie her up. The others are insure the cart.
>@Ana
>this is Claire Morley.
>she and an unstated number of associates are wanted for bank robbery.
>according to her, they are wanted alive and the rest are in their carriage.
>After everyone is secure figure out what to do and hear everyone's thoughts on it

You feel a wave of relief. “Thanks, Miyuki.” You pat her head. She remains quietly happy.
You spend the next hour prepping the criminals - informing Ana of the situation, having Sigrid hold Galia, and tying up the perps. When you open the back of the caravan, you find two figures sitting in the back surrounded by cloth sacks flowing with gold - a massive oni in a suitvest and tie and a small rust colored goblin with a bomb-strapped hat. You've never seen an oni before. It's quite the sight. The oni lights up a cigar as you kick open the back.

“End of the line, Grobbo.” He speaks in a thick accent as he takes a drag off it.
“Grobbo..” The goblin groans dejectedly.

[...]

The three are tied up in a pile in front of the van, lined up next to each other. Galia has her arms crossed, pouting. “.. What do you think we should do with them?” You turn to Ana, who keeps her Smoker leveled at the three in case they try anything.
“.. They’re right. If we want to claim the bounty on their heads, we’ll have to bring them to a town with a royal presence, which is still 4 days out. It’ll be risky to bring them on board either way.” She thinks aloud. “But if we just leave them be, they could get away and let it spill that we have a princess on board. That could be a huge problem. What do you think?”
“If I could speak?” The oni offers in a thick baritone.

>What do you do?

>>4275827
>Well sure, let him talk

>>4275827
>“If I could speak?”
M8 I really like your suit and I think if this were a different scenario we could be friends, but if you happen to be a kind of sorcerer that uses verbal incantations, I'm gonna gag you. So what's up?

I also want to point out the civilized goblin. That's pretty cool.

>>4275827
@Oni
you clearly are capable of doing so. hear him out.

if he doesn't suggest it:
someone can drive their car. it wouldn't be surprising if one of us is familiar with them.

>>4275836
+1

>>4275827
>"Sure, as long as you keep that cigar as far as you can from his hat."

>>4275827
Let the oni speak, tell him it less then a few sentences, in case they are lying that they are the only ones in this bank robbery group

>>4275827
Can we also examine the materials of the Goblin's hat? For it to hold all those bombs it must be fairly study and rigid.

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>>4275836
>>4275854
>>4275837

>Well sure, let him talk

"Go ahead." You stare him down.
"That's a mighty fine looking hunk of steel you've got there, princess." He glances up to Galia. She takes a step back, looking at him with palpable disgust. "If I'm not mistaken, that was elven craftsmanship at one point. In fact - I'd hazard a guess that I've seen that sword before. I'm historically well read enough to recognize it. Your grandfather's, wasn't it? Well, if it could still be considered a sword."

Galia seems taken aback, but remains silent for once.

"I suppose that you ended up destroying that heirloom along the way here. It's the natural course for all young nobles. I can't imagine just how angry your father would get when his daughter gets handed back to him by dirty mercenaries with a broken heirloom. An embarrassment to the kingdom and the Bosphoramus name." He remains placid as your caravan falls silent.
"Have you ever heard of metallurgical magic? It's a rare breed. Unheard of in the West. I'm a practitioner of it. Nowadays I use it for safe-cracking, but I was trained on blades. It'd be trivial for me to restore that blade of yours to its original form - not fixing and replacing its parts, but returning to it all of the original intent of it's craftsman."

"What are you offering? Cut to the point." Ana cuts in.
"I'll fix that sword of yours and provide you 150,000 gold coins from our caravan. You give us fuel and we ride to Drexel. We swear an oath not to let it spill that you're carrying a 1,000,000 coin noble on board. Your princess swears an oath to pardon us when you return her to her father."

>What do you do?

>>4275627
>Numbering somewhere in the hundreds of thousands

>>4275897
>150,000 gold

Seems like a pretty good deal to all involved but princess is a stubborn ass and won't and it should be up to the leader, Ana, to decide. I'd support it though, he's basically Santa too which is a plus.

>>4275897
It's hard trusting a person, when all day I have been lied to from a "Royal guard" who had to go to a check point and then pointed a gun at me. I want to truly know that when you are freed from the restraints you won't somehow blow us up or something. Tell us why you robbed the bank as a show of trust. Why are you doing crimes involving money, when your skill is amazingly valuable

>>4275897

>>4275919
+

@our people:
can any of you drive?
@any of us who volunteers
how far will the fuel we have take their car?

>>4275919
supporting. I really want their LORE

>>4275897
>Ask the princess what she thinks

>>4275897
Go take Sigrid asside and ask her if she knows how to make geas's or soul binding contracts. If she doesn't then ask her if she knows how to forge one. Ask for the sake of making the princess agree to our terms.
How about we keep you with us, until we get the the capital, but have the princess sign a binding contract to not tell a soul?

>>4275897
>"Sounds like a decent deal, but I'm kind of curious as to your motivations for robbing the bank in the first place. If you throw in telling us that story, as well as a consultation on how you did it, we'll throw in a meal of sausage stew for you guys tonight to tell it over."

>>4275936
I don't get what this choice is.
I doubt the princess cares if they tell people about her.
and why would we bring them to the capital if not to turn them in? they're going away from the capital.

>>4275962
Because I don't trust them to not immediately rat on us? I dunno.

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>>4275919
>>4275929
>>4275936

>It's hard trusting a person, when all day I have been lied to from a "Royal guard" who had to go to a check point and then pointed a gun at me. I want to truly know that when you are freed from the restraints you won't somehow blow us up or something. Tell us why you robbed the bank as a show of trust. Why are you doing crimes involving money, when your skill is amazingly valuable

"It's hard trusting a person, when all day I have been lied to from a "royal guard" who had to go to a check point and then pointed a gun at me. I want to truly know that when you are freed from the restraints you won't somehow blow us up or something." You crouch down to meet his eye line. "Tell us why you robbed the bank as a show of trust. Why are you doing crimes involving money, when your skill is amazingly valuable?"
"You'd be surprised at just how difficult it can be to eke out even a meager living when you look like an infernal." The oni grimaces. "I crossed a passage full sea monsters to seek new opportunity here and faced even worse discrimination than back home. I provided my "amazingly valuable" skills to the capital and they spat on me. My forge was beset by vandals and thieves and the guards looked the other way. Easterners are few and far between out here and I was left without income or friends. Everyone make a living somehow."

>>4275926
>@our people:
>can any of you drive?
>@any of us who volunteers
>how far will the fuel we have take their car?

"Can anyone here drive?" You look to the crew.
"A-ah.." Miyuki looks at the ground.
"Nope!" Sigrid exclaims.
"I'm.. not familiar with it." Ana grimaces. "I ride by horse. It's safe."
Galia doesn't speak. You can reasonably guess her answer.

>>4275929
>Ask the princess what she thinks

"I-it's.. mm." She seems a bit affected by the oni's story, but doesn't say anything.

>What do you do?

>>4275969
The goblins story? More of Claire?

>Get's discriminated on
Had you ever considered working via through a proxy? Say you find someone that doesn't think you're evil. You could them buy used gear on the cheap and sell off for higher amounts in return for sharing a bit of the profits. it's honestly kind of heart breaking to hear.

So what do you guys think? What if we offer up a spot in the merc team as a traveling smith, and we sell his wares for him? In addition to pardoning him?

>>4275969
Welp, I believe him
>Well... we're going in the same direction anyway
>Agree to terms
>Strongly suggest that you guys combine caravans. There's safety in numbers and until we get to a royal outpost you folks are still liable to get arrested if Galia here isn't around to put in a good word.
>Ask for their names

>>4275969
Fine. We'll take the deal BUT you must also make my sword better. It gets dull after a few swings + Whatever odd job Ana, Miyuki, and sigrid wants you to do with your skill, and we'll offer you some 3 severings of lizardman cheese as a bonus

>>4275986
I like em all desu

>>4275991
bribing with cheese ALWAYS works

>>4275969
How much of the wagon is made of metal? Can't he just fix the holes or replace the damaged areas with his metallurgical magic?
Also, maybe giving the stolen money back might make pardoning the trio more palatable for the princess, and we could give them a share of the reward for joining us, or just a share of Scruffy's share if no one is feeling generous.

Had he ever considered making a fortune off of restoring metal based artifacts? Or wearing a mask and making up a moniker to make people less scare of him and assume he's not an oni?

>>4275990
again, we're going in opposite directions.

>>4275986
+
but don't invite/offer solutions yet

>>4275969
I really need to compile my ideas into a singular post.
Make an attempt to appease to while little sense of nobility and justice the princess Has. Is it not unfortunate that society spurns it's own citizens, and a talented one at that? Imagine a somewhat similar scenario of a poor little village girl getting punished for stealing bread for trying to feed herself. He's as much a victim of society and circumstance.

On an unrelated note, does the singular good quality boot we found in the cave look like it'll fit the goblin at a glance?

>>4275990
Aren't they going the opposite direction? We're going to a royal outpost, and they're heading to Drexel. We were just there not too long ago to gather supplies.

>>4275991
Might as well ask if he can sharpen and fix the few things we have, in addition the things we looted from the Den.

>>4276001
Ok. If not now, then what would be a good time? Until we heard all their sob stories? Maybe after we've heard what all of them had to say our group ( + maybe the princess) will step away and discuss what to do with them?

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>>4275986
>>4275994
>>4276001

>The goblins story? More of Claire?

"And the goblin?" You look the blathering bag of bombs.
"Grobbo, grobbo grobbo. Grobbo. Grobbo, grobbo.. grobbo! Grobbo." Grobbo grobbos. "Grobbo grobbo grobbo. Grobbo. Grobbo.. GROBBO GROBBO. Grobbo. Grobbo grobbo grobbo. Grobbo. Grobbo! Grobbo grobbo."
"Thank you, Grobbo." The oni nods.
"And Claire?" You turn to the knight. She avoids eye contact.
"I got dismissed for incompetence." She mutters. "It's not really that cool.."

>What do you do?

>>4276031
still gotta go with this >>4275991
Nothing beats free labor, which we give free cheese, we got from a free exploded out cart.

>>4276031
I'm sorry, did we ever get the oni's name? What's your name sir? Could you translate for your goblin friend?

Let's hear your story Claire. We got time.

>>4276035
Lets keep hearing what they all have before talking among Sigrid, Ana, Miyuki, Galia, and Magnus on what to do with them.
Yes. Even Magnus. He is an important part of the team after all. I'm still fore having them return the stolen goods and join our merc company so they can be pardoned, but I'll wait like that anon suggested. It's much too soon.

>>4276031
Fuck me and fuck my previous post.

Oh and ask Galia if what he said about the racism being true. Just how much does the princess know about these guys?

Here's an idea to shoot by the princess. When we return her to her family they will no doubt at the very least still be cross with her, buuuut. If we were to ham it up to Galia playing an essential part in the capture of these criminals, and if in addition she were to pardon them of a life sentencing to the dungeon or hanging, her folks might like that as a sign of her growing mature or something. They'd still probably want the three of them to be punished in some manner, so she could suggest that Grobbo, Mr. Oni and Claire work under us as unpayed labor for a number of years (we'll still pay them under the table of course).

She could also really play into the role of "kidnapped princess saved my mercenaries turned blooming adventurer", instead of "the princess that escaped and nearly died." To incentivize this we could offer too officially or unoffically train her in the art of adventuring if she still wished to go on adventures at the end of this.

If she agreed to all of that she'll probably need a disguise so people wouldn't recognize her while out and about.

>>4276088
>>4276031
tl;dr
>Take Oni, gob, and ex-guard to capital
>have princess swear to pardon them and return stolen goods
>they sort of work for us now
>princess gets credit and light or next to no punishment

Anon, I'm really digging your artwork. I follow your thread just for the art alone. The writing isn't anything to scoff at, but I'm liking your art for sure.

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>>4276123

>>4276134
Are you using MS Paint + PC Mouse or what? What's your method of drawing these things?

>>4276138
Thanks. I'm actually just using a tablet and Clip Studio Paint, but I've been trying out no pen sensitivity for fun.

>>4276146
Ah. So you have a stylus. That explains why the art doesn't look janky like you'd get with a mouse. Keep it up--this quest is pretty great.

>>4276146
Good art. I'm somehow of a artist myself, using MS paint and my mouse to let loose my thoughts on the /qst/ board.

>>4276186
You should share what you made. I'd be keen on seeing it.

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>>4276104
>>4275990
>>4275986
>>4275991

>Fine. We'll take the deal BUT you must also make my sword better. It gets dull after a few swings + Whatever odd job Ana, Miyuki, and sigrid wants you to do with your skill, and we'll offer you some 3 severings of lizardman cheese as a bonus

You spend the good part of an hour organizing the deal - counting out coins, keeping an eye on each other, and exchanging metallurgy for food and gas. The oni - named Shibumi - restores Callister Bosphoramus' sword and when not bent like a backscratcher, the blade's genuinely an impressive piece of work. Galia ends up pulling him aside and speaking to him privately while you get your sword retouched.

Following the a majority of the completion of the exchange, Shibumi leans against the motor carriage, examining a cigar box. He glances to you as you approach. "Hmmm?"

>Take the crew to the capital for their safety and for the princess' credit rather than pardoning.
>Bid him goodbye and continue your four day long trip with your current caravan.
>Write-In.

>>4276328
Before we answer this, a very important question QM.
Would Ana let us bring whoever we want onboard with us?

>>4276328
Ok so I guess we skipping over the gobbo and Claire suggestion. I still don't know why we're keeping the 150k. It's stolen money.

>Write-In.
>What did Shibumi and the princess talk about?

>Some suggestions
>>4276049
>>4276088
>>4276104

>>4276340
She’d be hesitant, but given good reasoning, she’d be willing to keep them with the convoy at least until the capital.

>>4276350
or not capital, actually, but the town that the princess is getting delivered to that’s a few days away.

>>4276350
Oh we have plenty of good arguments.

>>4276209
Check out my quest. I run Goblin Quest.

>>4276348
+1

>>4276340
I 2nd this before we move on. I would love if Shibumi joins us.
The failed royal guard, ehh, I am indifferent
but not the goblin
I think already, we have a main cast of 5, I think adding 6 is doable, especially with a blacksmith who does not go out of the mobile home. but 7/8 might be a bit to ambitious.
but the Royal guard girl is kinda cute

>>4276348
I don't believe magical anti-theft measures exist yet.

>>4276348 Supporting

>>4276359
I think it's hard to justify taking a bunch with us personally, but if they were a 2nd car in the caravan it would be easier for sure.

>>4276104
This seems good. As the space is the cart they already got

>>4276373
Clearly. The most logical answer is to make the wagon taller, and add three additional draft horses.

Tell Shibumi we want to take him on with us as a "trial run". Having a metalurgist on hand would definitely be worthwhile, and seeing Miyuki he should already be able to see he won't be treated like dogshit with us.

If things go well we could likely act as a middleman to sell his metalurgical works; he does the crafting, we find a buyer in exhange for a small cut of the prophets to help pay for travel expenses (i.e. No more Leather Soup.)

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>>4276348
>>4276357
>>4276361
>>4276359

>What did Shibumi and the princess talk about?

"What did you talk about? With the princess, I mean." You fold your arms.
"She apologized for how I was treated. Said she wanted to make things better. I don't suppose she would've liked me telling you about that, though." He responds plainly.

>Some suggestions
"Would you be willing to come with us? On a.. "trial run," I guess. It's like.." You present him the idea of working with your crew as an act of "pardoning," for the benefit of both the princess and the heisters. Plus, the caravan could act as a middleman for his metallurgical work.

Shibumi mulls it over for a long while. "I'd be.. willing. But I'm not interested in dropping Grobbo and Claire to run away for my own benefit." He nods to the ex-guard and the goblin sitting by the hood of the caravan. "If I come with you, I'm bringing them. I understand how difficult that may make it for you, though.

>What do you do?

>>4276938
I had a feeling he would say that. Could he elaborate a little about Claire and Grobbo? Claire seemed adamant about talking about her past, and Grobbo. We can understand what hes trying to say. If hes trying to say anything at all.

>>4276938
Did they mention what they were going to Drexel for ? If it's to pawn off the loot then that might be a bad idea since the terms of the pardon might include returning the stuff they stole.

>>4276971
>Did they mention what they were going to Drexel
Going to do at Drexel? Good question. With how he wanted to bring Claire and Grobbo with him when we offered to a sort of position with us, they would likely all stick together. Drexel would probably be a restock point for them before they continued on, possibly to another continent.

>If it's to pawn off the loot
No, what? Anon no they had hard cash on them not sellable. If we didnt encounter them they probably live off the cash for a while.

>>4276938
good loyalty. yes that's too many people.
and you're wanted, so the others wouldn't be very useful until you got that pardon.

check the gold before sending them on their way (compare some coins we got with ones we have already. mass, shine, recognizable denominations, are they too perfect? might make sense for some of them to be straight from a mint, but maybe not all.).
they have the means to make fake/adulterated coins probably. only things stopping them is if they actually like us, really really want that pardon, or stole a lot more than this.

thoughts:
we need to agree how to divide this and the princess's bounty in the crew. again, can't trust people just because you like them or they seem to like you.
depending how much "a few million" is, some of us might straight quit being mercs when this is over.
benchmarks:
100 gold for a tank of oil. Ana was using the Smoker as a weapon earlier (flamethrower?). if that's a regular thing, 100 gold can't be that much relative to what we're normally getting paid.
but that's at least 4000 tanks of oil each on an even split (assuming 2 million). Ana's probably getting more since she's the leader and owns the wagon.

>>4276980
Why is taking two additional people too much? That's kinda of presumptuous to assume Claire and Grobbo arent useful. I'm sure they're good for something. Claire is obviously the muscle and Grobbo the demolitions expert. They wouldnt had been sitting on 150k worth of coin if they didnt pull their collective weight.

Shibumi does have the potential to Mint his own coins, but that would require having to find gold himself which would be an entirely different ordeal with it's own expenses?

>we need to agree how to divide this and the princess's bounty in the crew. again, can't trust people just because you like them or they seem to like you.
We could probably divide it like 22.5% between each of us and spend the remaining 10% on Magnus and upgrading the amenities to the wagon, assuming any of us want to continue on with our mercenary work.

>depending how much "a few million" is, some of us might straight quit being mercs when this is over.
benchmarks:
That's true

>100 gold for a tank of oil. Ana was using the Smoker as a weapon earlier (flamethrower?). if that's a regular thing, 100 gold can't be that much relative to what we're normally getting paid.
>but that's at least 4000 tanks of oil each on an even split (assuming 2 million). Ana's probably getting more since she's the leader and owns the wagon.
Ok you're losing me here

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>>4276967
>>4276975

>I had a feeling he would say that. Could he elaborate a little about Claire and Grobbo? Claire seemed adamant about talking about her past, and Grobbo. We can understand what hes trying to say. If hes trying to say anything at all.

"Could you elaborate on Claire and Grobbo? Claire seemed adamant about talking about her past, and Grobbo-.. I can't understand what he's trying to say. If he's trying to say anything at all." You ask, frowning.
"Grobbo is a goblin. To tell the truth, I barely understand him. He's just repeating his name. He's great with explosives in a pinch, though." He responds, turning to the two. "Claire grew up out in the Primordial Sea and was scouted for the guard. Her skill with a sword is great, but she never received the kind of education that all guards employed have. She was dismissed for repeated mistakes related to it. For her own sake, I won't elaborate."

>What do?

>>4277002
Again I dont see the issue of taking them with us. Additional muscle is always a plus, and having a demolitions expert would be very useful against crowd control or dealing with large groups of enemies. That's a skill none of us has. Does he know if Grobbo can make nonlethal explosives or gas bombs?
>yo can we hire them aboard the team?

>>4277002
I have no issues with bringing them along, but we're not in charge (I think).

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>>4276146
for the lineart in the Sigrid thing last time,
I ended up using a square pixel art brush in Krita after fiddling for a while trying to make a jittery brush with hard color.
I see that it didn't work very well, especially on the hair.
did you also use very basic brushes (like just a round and a square one) or does clip studio just have good and easily available options for preventing blending?


>>4276990
>Why is taking two additional people too much?
>That's kinda of presumptuous to assume Claire and Grobbo arent useful. I'm sure they're good for something. Claire is obviously the muscle and Grobbo the demolitions expert.
>They wouldnt had been sitting on 150k worth of coin if they didnt pull their collective weight.
they're wanted. we can't really show them to people so if there's a risk of meeting people we aren't supposed to kill, it's a risk to bring them. and we're travelling straight to somewhere, so most of our encounters will be on the road, probably with people.
also when we arrive the princess probably can't immediately pardon them and the royal checkpoint maybe can't immediately pay us.

>Shibumi does have the potential to Mint his own coins, but that would require having to find gold himself which would be an entirely different ordeal with it's own expenses?
take gold from what he has, mix it with something else, get more coins that aren't actually as valuable. adulterate.

>Ok you're losing me here
trying to figure out how much 2 million is

2000 000 (2 million)
divided by five is 400 000

100 is the cost of a tank of fuel for the smoker.
then I do some guessing:
Ana was threatening Claire with the Smoker earlier, so it can be used as an immediately dangerous weapon as well as to produce smoke. that'd probably be flamethrower-ish
those are pretty inefficient IRL at least.
so if the "tank" is something that's attached to the Smoker, and not a unit based on some other tank, that's probably gone pretty fast if you use it as a weapon.
and for 100 gold it's worth it to do that (low lethality, high terror repeating mid-ranged weapon with additional utility functions, that's heavy so you don't want to carry it if you aren't using it).
so a mercenary can probably expect to be paid a good deal more than 100 gold when they need to use it that way.

400 000 divided by 100 is 4000.
so with an even split we'd get 4000 reasonable ammo costs worth of gold, which is a lot but I don't know how huge of a lot.

other stuff.
bounty for a goblin was some amount of coppers, and Ana considered it not worth our time to haul them. don't know how many coppers to a gold.

>>4277035
Of course. Magnus is the actual leader. Ana is just his second in command.

>>4277037
>They're wanted
Yeah but we have the fucking princess with us

>>4277002
>Go talk to Ana and ask about taking these schmucks on for a trial period.

>>4277037
rail gun. Could wear disguises. Get Grobbo a coat and he could pretend to be a deformed midget halfling. Get Shibumi some sort of cloak and metal mask. Get Shibumi to re form Claire'a armor into something simpler and use our spare metals to make her a helmet. Honestly if they disguise themselves they'll be fine.

>>4277037
>so if the "tank" is something that's attached to the Smoker, and not a unit based on some other tank, that's probably gone pretty fast if you use it as a weapon.
Or maybe Ana is hulkishly strong.

Right the copper. That still exists. I think Ana's weapon is just exceptionally deadly as it is expensive to fuel. Coppers is probably stuff farmers deal in constantly. Low to mid tier food, rations, tools, etc.. Silver being above being used for more expensive stuff like weapons. Gold for more weapons and a broader spectrum of expensive goodies like magical tools.
Yeah out Ana please get some fuel efficiency for that.

>>4277054
A princess that could pardon them on the spot and tell people to fuck off. Not literally those words but yeah.

>>4277055
rail gun
*right
Fuck me sideways

>>4277054
we don't want to show the princess either. don't want someone setting an ambush because rumors travelled faster than our giant wagon drawn by a single horse.

though yeah actually that might be less important if there aren't any towns on the way. don't remember if there are.

>>4277055
I know I'm outvoted on this, and that would be hilarious, but I don't think that's significantly less suspicious. people just wouldn't know exactly what to suspect. might work for Claire.

>>4277065
"gotta set this rail gun"
"everything's gonna be rail gun"
"rail gun you are"
"rail gun as rain"
I'd make this a thing myself, but my setting's all coil guns.

>>4277067
Get her to write a proclamation with a royal seal then

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>>4277067

>though yeah actually that might be less important if there aren't any towns on the way. don't remember if there are.

There are a few towns along the way, but Ana overstocked up at Drexel specifically to avoid stopping there and is deliberately avoiding getting close to prevent the princess from being seen. Her main goal is to make a bee-line to the town with the royal presence, drop the princess off, and retrieve the reward.

>>4277054
>>4277021
>>4277035

>Go talk to Ana and ask about taking these schmucks on for a trial period.

You spend some time drafting up ideas in your head before approaching the knight captain herself, who's begun to saddle back in with Magnus in the Butcher Block. After getting her attention, you begin to explain your ideas - about how extra muscle on board for just the next few days could work, your ideas about pardoning, and how having a blacksmith on board could supplement for the costs of running the caravan.

Ana drinks it all in for a while. She remains silent for almost scarily long. You have no idea what she looks like under the helmet.

".. Fine. As long as the pull their weight and it doesn't interfere with getting to Kirin." She settles. "They'll have to hook their carriage to the back of the caravan. They're not sleeping in here."

>What do you do?

>>4277067
I realize only now that pulling the princess out would be dumb. Disguises and masks for days.

>>4277072
Ask if their wagon can be fixed to look less supecious? Add a little fuel and set their wagon to neutral so alleviate some of the burden for Magnus.

>There are a few towns along the way, but Ana overstocked up at Drexel specifically to avoid stopping there and is deliberately avoiding getting close to prevent the princess from being seen. Her main goal is to make a bee-line to the town with the royal presence, drop the princess off, and retrieve the reward.

given this, my fear is we meet someone on the way (either going the same or the opposite way), they learn about Galia, they go to one of the towns we're going sorta towards (possibly turning around to do so).
we don't need to go through a town to be noticed.
we don't need to go through a town to be ambushed if they know about us beforehand.

>>4277087
If we're ambushed, we're killing them. If Galia gets discovered, we we'll take Sigrid's hat away or something.

>>4277072
>Bring the terms back to Shibumi
>Try to fix up their car a bit so it's not riddled with bullets
>Review improved dagger

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>>4277108
>>4277081

>Ask if their wagon can be fixed to look less supecious? Add a little fuel and set their wagon to neutral so alleviate some of the burden for Magnus.
>Bring the terms back to Shibumi
>Try to fix up their car a bit so it's not riddled with bullets
>Review improved dagger

You return with Shibumi with the terms from Ana. He seems reciprocal to it. You spend the next hour and a half fastening and holstering the carriage to your caravan, setting it to neutral to prevent Magnus from getting too burdened under the weight of a massive careening caravan loaded with weapons and dangerous mercenaries. Although metallurgical magic doesn't quite extend to wood, you simply fasten a large spare banner over the bullet ridden side.

By the time you're done, you've got a pretty solid setup for your trip.

>What do you do?

>>4277142
Pet Magnus, offer an apple or two as thanks.

>>4277142
>Review
>Improved
>Dagger
>>4277157 Supporting
>Ask Shibumi and Claire a bit about gobbo. Why is he surprisingly tame compared to other gobs?

>>4277157
Support. Promise to get him the premium oats and apples.

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>>4277157
>>4277187
>>4277191

>Pet Magnus, offer an apple or two as thanks.

You step out of the caravan for a moment, rubbing a hand along the old beast's mane. He brays happily as you offer him not just one, but TWO apples. Magnus is the hardest worker here. Once you're done with all this, you'll have to buy him some premium oats and apples.

>Review
>Improved
>Dagger
>Ask Shibumi and Claire a bit about gobbo. Why is he surprisingly tame compared to other gobs?

Unfortunately, it was not your vorpal dagger that was improved - being cursed, it's a bit beyond metallurgical magic - but your dad's sword, which appears sleek and shiny, swishing satisfyingly in the air. You practice a few errant swings as you approach the newly attached carriage - climbing up to the top, you see Claire Morley lying on her back, staring up at the night sky. She doesn't look at you as you approach.

"You want something?" She asks.
"I wanted to know about Grobbo. Why is he.. like that." You sit at the roof across from her.
"Like what? Not stabbing you?" Claire shrugs. "I don't know. There are plenty of civilized goblins in the capital. They can actually speak in full sentences. Some work with nobles. Grobbo's just weird."

>What do you do?

>>4277216
>Personally talk to grobbo, see if we can try and understand his inflections a bit more
>Talk to Galia, ask her about the situation and whether or not she knows Claire beyond her reputation
Lads, I'm of the mind that Galia probably doesn't want to go home, and that she probably wants to keep adventuring with us

>>4277216
Gobbos in high places huh, what a crazy world we live in, no?

>>4277216
how do they get them? like do you see happy civilized goblin families living in houses, or is it some kind of farming?

work doing what?

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>>4277251
>>4277250

>Gobbos in high places huh, what a crazy world we live in, no?
>how do they get them? like do you see happy civilized goblin families living in houses, or is it some kind of farming?
>work doing what?

"How do they get them? Work, I mean. Like do you see happy civilized goblin families living in houses, or is it some kind of farming?" You ask. "Work doing what?"
"Clerical work. Farming. Sniffing out changelings. Some magic." She shrugs. "Some just look for more than what they have, I guess. Why are you asking me what goes on in the minds of goblins?"

>What do you do?

>>4277216
Ask one of the now many mercs (OG, and the new 3, maybe not grobbo) if one of them are willing to teach you how to read
(Easy bonding time)

>>4277270
He's something we haven't seen before. A goblin you dont have the kill. It's odd but not a bad thing.

So what was it like in the guard? Any cool stories?

>>4277270
damn. Claire is CUTE

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>>4277270
BEHOLD

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>>4277299
based and horsepilled

>>4277291
>>4277292

>Ask one of the now many mercs (OG, and the new 3, maybe not grobbo) if one of them are willing to teach you how to read
>He's something we haven't seen before. A goblin you dont have the kill. It's odd but not a bad thing.
>So what was it like in the guard? Any cool stories?

"He's something I haven't seen before. A goblin I don't have the kill." You admit. "It's.. odd, but not a bad thing."
"I see. You're from the Primordial Sea, right? I am too." She scoffs. "You can probably guess why civilized goblins wouldn't want to live near their barbaric cousins."
"So.. what was it like in the guard? Any cool stories?" You prod her.
"I wasn't there for long. Nothing particularly interesting. A few assassination attempts on the kings." Despite her flippancy, she seems at ease when talking about her time with them. "The usual."
"Do you think that maybe you could teach me how to, uh.. read? Or maybe Shibumi? Probably not Grobbo." You pop the question.
"Why would you want to learn how to read?" A flash of annoyance crosses her features. "You've got everything you need here. Not like you've gotta read a book for the rest of your life. Just cutting down goblins and saving princesses for coin until you can retire somewhere sunny."

>What do you do?

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damn... yo OP can scruffy even spell his own name?

>>4277334
Theres more to things than killing goblins and monsters. For example. Readings good for passing the time when you have to spend days on the road.

Why are we asking to learn how to read? Doesnt Scruffy know how to already?

>>4277363
>>4275374
>You snatch it from her hands, looking it over. Looks official enough. Even has a royal stamp. You can barely read, anyways.
also bonding opportunity.

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>>4277382
Oh. Now I'm sad, but yes a bonding experience.

>>4277334
I saw a princess who does... what you saw her do. because she read books before she could see how stupid they were.
you just told me goblins can do clerical work.
I guess pride.
and it's nice to have a reason to speak with someone.
how old were you when you left here?

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>>4277351

>damn... yo OP can scruffy even spell his own name?

You at least learned to write your name, of course. And you recognize shapes like "shops" and "taverns." Besides that, you're not the kind to read.

>>4277363
>>4277406
>Theres more to things than killing goblins and monsters. For example. Readings good for passing the time when you have to spend days on the road.
>how old were you when you left here?

"There's more to things than killing goblins and monsters." You protest. "Readings good for passing the time when you have to spend days on the road. At least, that's what Sigrid said.."
"Whatever. Find someone else to teach you." Claire averts her gaze. Things grow uncomfortable.
".. How old were you when you left here?" You change the subject.
"16 or 17. I was with the Archical Adventurer's Guild. Some fancy guard captain saw me and thought I swung my sword well enough to drive me out to the capital." She answers tersely. "It's getting late. Don't you have to go to sleep?"

That's right. It is getting pretty dark. Surprisingly, the caravan is still moving foward. Typically, it would've been stationed by now.

>What do you do?

>>4277432
yo go bug the princess a bit. I bet she owes you a mega favor that you found her sword, and then fixed her sword. I bet she can teach you how to read

>>4277432
Agree and go check on who's driving Magnus. We don't want to over work.... actually taking into account exactly WHAT he's pulling I'm not sure if he even know the concept of fatigue. Still, better safe than cart to stop then check on Sigrid on the princess. Who's shift is it now?

>>4277432
well Magnus kept going when we fell asleep in the reins. check on whoever's driving.

>>4277438
+1 princess most definitely knows how to read, but she may need her nobility beauty sleep. If all else fails we can go to Miyuki as she is confirmed to read somewhat.

Alright boys, before the end of this adventure I WILL make sure my man scruffy learns to read. Reading is such an important skill for him to have.

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>>4277447
>>4277446
>>4277438
>>4277441

>yo go bug the princess a bit. I bet she owes you a mega favor that you found her sword, and then fixed her sword. I bet she can teach you how to read
>Agree and go check on who's driving Magnus. We don't want to over work.... actually taking into account exactly WHAT he's pulling I'm not sure if he even know the concept of fatigue. Still, better safe than cart to stop then check on Sigrid on the princess. Who's shift is it now?

"Sure." You remove yourself from the roof, sliding off and dipping into the waist high grass. As you loop back around to the front, you see the fully armored up figure of Ana with the reins still on Magnus. ".. Why are we still going? Shouldn't we have stopped by now.
"We lost some time dealing with the heisters. We're going to be traveling overnight to make that up. By morning, we might even have only 2 or 3 days until Kirin." She responds, glancing between the map pasted up next to the rider's seat and the reins.
"What about Magnus. Isn't he gonna get overworked?"
"Magnus has handled a great deal worse than this." She scoffs. "When we arrive, we can buy him as much high grade oat as he needs with our cash."

Shrugging it off, you climb the rungs of your ladder to return to your room. You let loose a sigh of relief at the chance to finally rest and open the door to see.. the princess lying across your bed.

".. What the hell are you doing on my cot?" You hiss, not bothering to hide the resentment creeping into your tone.
"Ana told Sigrid to put me here 'cause it'd be harder for me to escape with you watching." She replies with a shrug. She holds up an old photo of you in a red cloak, a sneer smattered across her face - its an expensive memento you received as a gift from your elf dad. "Did you REALLY look like this? You looked even MORE like a little girl."

>What do you do?

>>4277454
my nigga
>>4277438
Supporting

>>4277471
>anger
>but also anger

>>4277471
>"Did you REALLY look like this? You looked even MORE like a little girl."
>You looked even MORE like a little girl.
>She implying Scruffy looks girls as he is
Laugh. She just jelly we're prettier than her. Yeah, I did look really girly, but the funny thing was I was just a little kid, and even then I was leagues better the adventurer than what you aspired to be. Unlike you, I knew how to swing a swing properly, and actually managed to kill a few number of goblins in addition to a dire boar.

Nice tits by the way. So enough smack talking for tonight. Can you teach me how to read gooderist?

>>4277471
>snatch photo away from her
>get her to teach us how to read

>>4277502
>nice tits by the way
pretty sure this is the first cleavage shot of the campaign

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>>4277504
>>4277496

>anger
>but also anger
>snatch photo away from her

You feel IMMENSELY ANGRY, snatching the photo away from her grubby little noble hands. Did she really go through all your stuff..? You look down at the pic. You used to frown a lot.
"Relaaax. You were almost cute. I wonder what happened." She sneers, falling back on YOUR bed.
"DON'T touch my things." You pull the bed sheet out from under her, causing her to fall to the floor.
"Shit! Owwww." The princess groans, rubbing at her head. "What the hell is your problem?"

>What do you do?

>>4277471
Damn I miss Laura
This >>4277502

>>4277525
Don't fuck with my stuff is what.
Is dead still dead or alive?

>>4277525
Can’t believe Cat finally made a sequel to Minecraft Quest
>”You better not have messed with the bunny ears too.”

>>4277525
>”you thinking you have any right to go through my stuff”
I don’t think we are gonna get her to teach us to read.

>>4277525
>>4277536

>>4277525
>I get that you're used to being literal fucking royalty, but outside the palace we have something called politeness and manners
>Would your siblings or other members of the royal family be ok with you rifling through their things? Didn't think so
>Did you really go out to be an adventurer thinking that everyone would still treat you like you're royalty? Guess again
>My problem is that you still think the world revolves around you, that you have the right to do this kind of stuff. Well wake up and smell the [CAFFEINATED BEVERAGE] princess, this is the real world, and real people have boundaries you're not supposed to cross. You just crossed one of mine

Once we get that off our chest then
>Stop seething
>Take two minutes
>Apologize for hurting her
>Bring up learnding

>>4277525
the problem is, instead of having a nice rest, or finding some one to teach me how to read, I have to babysit a posh princess who has daddy issues, and touches my stuff. I thought nobles liked you, learned manners

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>>4277536
>>4277542
>>4277539
>>4277529
>>4277529

>Don't fuck with my stuff is what.
>”You better not have messed with the bunny ears too.”

"Don't fuck with my stuff is what." You avoid yelling, lest you wake up Sigrid or Miyuki. ”You better not have messed with the bunny ears, either.”
"Oh yeah! Those." She turns around, reaching under your blanket and removing the set of ears you received as quest reward. She fixes them to her head, striking a pose. "What do you think? Cute, right? Why the hell do you even have these? Some big tough mercenary."

>What do you do?

>>4277579
Throw fists. She is asking for it now.


BUT breaking character, she does look CUTE AS FUCK

>>4277587
Please dont

>>4277579
How dare you! I earned those ears!

>>4277579
>QM uses mention of bunny ears to draw cute princess in bunny ears
classic

>Hey! Those were a quest reward!

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>>4277592
>>4277593

>How dare you! I earned those ears!
>Hey! Those were a quest reward!

"How DARE you. I earned those ears." You snarl, ripping them from her head and hugging them close to her chest. "They were a quest reward."
For the first time since she came to consciousness yesterday, the princess actually laughs - it's an almost musical, melodic giggle. ".. I'm messing with you, Scruffy. Relax. Aren't you supposed to be some cutthroat dangerous merc?" She ruffles your hair. It's IMMENSELY frustrating that she's taller than you. "Anyways, am I sleeping in your bed so you can sleep on the floor? Or are you gonna get me something to sleep on?"

>What do you do?

>>4277614
>find something for her to sleep on
>if we can’t, oh well, guess she is sleeping on the floor

>>4277621
nah bros I got the PERFECT idea

>>4277614
>climb in next to her

>>4277614
She can take the bed, we'll make a pillow out of a cloak or clothes. Sleeping on wood ain't so bad so long as you have a pillow.

>>4277623
I second this. She wants attitude I will give her attitude

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>>4277659
>>4277623

>climb in next to her

"We'll share." You smirk, collapsing onto your OWN bed and pulling the blanket up around you. You stare at the princess expectantly.
"I.. I know what you're playing at, merc. I'm not getting scared off so easy." Taking a breath, she throws up the blanket and climbs in next to you. "I'm NOT sleeping on the floor."

The both of you are AWKWARDLY lying next to each other on the bed. Galia clears her throat.

>What do you do?

>>4277673
So uhh, weird time to ask, you can read right? How do you spell “dragon”???

>>4277673
Tell her good night and sleep.

>>4277673
>turn on your side and face away from the princess and sleep
We will not back down

>>4277677
Supporting this one, something to make it a little less awkward
>So uh... how did you learn how to read?
I swear to God if she's hogging the covers...

>>4277673
Tell the Princess you better not wake up with something sticking into your backside. (Her dick)

>>4277714
I don't think it's a princess (male)

>>4277714
maybe lets not

>>4277673
This >>4277659, plus admitting (in a low voice) that she looked pretty good with the ears on.

>>4277745
No anon admit nothing to her.

>>4277745
>her
>pretty
based miyuki is the only one that gets to be called pretty. admit nothing.

>>4277754
>Miyuki
>pretty
I believe you meant to say adorable.

>>4277804
that too

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>>4277804
>>4277754

technically miyuki can be anything

>>4277681
>>4277678

>turn on your side and face away from the princess and sleep

You attempt to turn on your side and face away from her, but she's being pretty greedy with the blanket right now and you could risk leaving half of your body exposed to the monsters under your bed. You attempt to tug at it, but she's got the grip advantage with her position. You're WAY too uncomfortable to just close your eyes and sleep right now.

>>4277677
>>4277709

>So uh... how did you learn how to read?

"So uh... how did you learn how to read?" You attempt to break the air of awkward tension between the two of you.
".. Tutors. A library full of books. How did you learn?" She reciprocates it.

>What do you do?

>>4277815
Home tutored but dad was too busy? Didn't learn too much because I was adventuring.

>>4277815
Uhhh, my father taught me a bit like how to spell my name, which sign on top of a store sells weapons, and the one that sells general goods. But besides that I don’t know how to read.

>>4277815
>being pretty greedy with the blanket right now
REEEEEEEEEEE

Supporting >>4277822
>This may surprise you since you've lived in the capital but, if you're not expected to use it, you don't really get taught it

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>>4277847
>>4277822

>Uhhh, my father taught me a bit like how to spell my name, which sign on top of a store sells weapons, and the one that sells general goods. But besides that I don’t know how to read.
>This may surprise you since you've lived in the capital but, if you're not expected to use it, you don't really get taught it

"Uhhh, my father taught me a bit like how to spell my name, which sign on top of a store sells weapons, and the one that sells general goods. But besides that I don’t know how to read." You admit, scratching your cheek. "This may surprise you since you've lived in the capital but, if you're not expected to use it, you don't really get taught it."
"Really? You don't even know how to read?" The princess asks, incredulity ebbing into her voice. You brace yourself for the insult. ".. Would.. would you like to learn? I don't think I could really teach you how to read in one night, but it couldn't hurt, right?"

>What do you do?

>>4277979
>Turn over to face her
>Oh man, that would be great! I'd love to!

>>4277979
Agree. Perhaps tomorrow morning.

>>4277984
>>4277984
Lets not appear tooo excited

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>>4277979
HALULHA! SCRUFFY IS GOING TO READ.

Of course I would like to learn how to read.It's an essential skill, for everyone, regarding what job a person does

>>4277979
>"Yeah... I'd like that."
>(Sleepytime)

>>4277998
I think she's being genuine now
If she's lying we can always kick her out of bed

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>>4278011
perhaps she is.

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>>4277998
>>4278008

>Agree. Perhaps tomorrow morning.

"Mmm. Yeah. Maybe tomorrow morning." You mumble, closing your eyes as exhaustion begins to take you.
"Okay."

[...]

You wake up the next morning and oh FUCK, the princess's arm is slung around you. She's fast asleep. Oh shit.

>What do?

>>4278041
Suck on her thumb. That'll teach her for putting her arm around you

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>>4278041
Try to slip out.

>>4278044
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>4278044
+1

>>4278041
Shimmy our of there

>>4278044
...

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>>4278041
Go back to sleep. She'll probably wake up and move it off of us before we reawaken.

>>4278044
>pic related.

>>4278048
+

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>>4278048
>>4278055
Supporting

>>4278044
(You)

>>4278063
>>4278062
>>4278055
>>4278048

>Try to slip out.

>Roll a 1d20. Best of 3.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4278065
Guess my choice is too much of a Chad move for Scruffy

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4278065

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4278065

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4278071
WEW

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>>4278073
LAD

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>>4278071
Master of stealth

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>>4278071
>Rolled 20 (1d20)

Not sucking the princess' thumb, you perform a perfect slip out of her grasp - sliding out of her lock with ease and landing on the floor with acrobat-like dexterity. You let loose a sigh of relief. Galia is still sound asleep. The gentle sway and creak of the caravan clues you into the fact that the Butcher Block is still on the move.

>What do you do?

>>4278080
>eat breakfast

>>4278080
Go outside and check on everyone. Has Ana been awake all night, or is someone else driving? What time is it? Who's turn is it to make food?

>>4278080
Eat some breakfast, feed Magnus his morning hay and cut up apple, do swordplay exercises.

>>4278080
FEED MAGNUS, EAT BREAKFAST SAY HIGH TO EVERYONE, LEARN TO READ

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>>4278102
>>4278097
>>4278086
>>4278082

>eat breakfast
>Go outside and check on everyone. Has Ana been awake all night, or is someone else driving? What time is it? Who's turn is it to make food?

You first check the freight elevator for breakfast. Looks like Ana took into account that Galia was with you, leaving a generous portion of salami slices for the both of you. Following that, you grab a few and step outside - the light streaming in from your window is cool and pale, so you'd guess that it's a bit earlier in the day and it's unlikely that your fellow mercenaries are awake. You climb the rung leading down into the base of the convoy and see Ana sitting in the exact same position she was last night with her hands on the reins of Magnus.

"Good news." She glances over her shoulder. "We're ahead of schedule. Another two or so days, maybe."
"Have you been up the entire night?"
"I've dealt with worse." Ana shrugs, turning back around.

>What do you do?

>>4278131
Suggest she take a break and rest, and let Magnus graze a bit. A little food and a nap will do her good.

>>4278131
>Chastise her for staying up all night
>"We have the luxury of extra time and relative safety, there's no reason not to take advantage of it"
Also >>4278141

>>4278141
+1

>>4278141
we are ahead. A little hunt won't hurt anyone.
Also see how the bank robberies are doing

>>4278141
+1
Don't burn your self out, we are gonna your muscles to defend us

>>4278685
What?

>>4278713
he probably meant "we are going to need you in top shape to defend us"

>>4278713
>>4278789
Phone posting, my bad