Rolled 14 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>4588635

Rolled 17 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>4588635

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>4588635
GET INTO THE BALL OLD MAN

File: mission accomplished.gif (81 KB, 220x136)

81 KB GIF

>>4588643
I think we can call this one.

>>4588642
Gotcha!!!

That'll do it.

Also I just realized that I cut off part of the entry.

"You have to admit, a fight with an undead, super Darkness-powered dragon is about what you’d..."

Also also I just got some really distressing family news so I'm still processing that. Still writing, mind, but yeah.

>>4588635
>>4588641
>>4588642
>>4588643

The smoke seems to engulf him utterly, and suddenly the massive beast shudders violently, the movement itself causing the cavern to rumble a bit. It’s more than a moment of wariness for you as the thing’s eyes seem to cloud over, become red...then cloud over once again. And then...silence. Stillness. Nothing.

‘And once again, he is MINE,’ your client crows. And you admittedly let out a small sigh of relief. That could’ve gone FAR, FAR worse. But, not to dwell on it. It’s over, done with, and now you can get a damn move on. ‘I will use him when necessary. But for now...we shall away. The beast will be insurance should the worst happen.’ Sounds like a plan to you, sure.

The place already being a bit out of the way, it’s fortunately not too much to call Gargles up, who lands with a powerful beat of wings and a chirp. You can’t help but notice the pecking bird is still there as well.

...and yes, it still seems to like you. For a certain definition of the word ‘like’. Although it stings a touch more than usual. Likely because you blew through half your mana pool in that fight to make sure you didn’t have more trouble than necessary. You’re going to need to chill out for a bit to recover, mana regeneration tools or no. It’ll at least be good timing- by all measurements, the last two Lockstones are both a long ways away- and fairly distant from each other. It’ll be more than a day’s solid flight for BOTH, from the look of things. That’ll require a stopover, if only to let Gargles rest.

But, really, this has been fantastic so far. A few small hiccups, but you’ve managed to successfully go three for three! Now, if-

-and then suddenly two things happen. One, you feel a surge of anger that isn’t yours. Two, you REALLY wish you hadn’t just tempted fate. ‘May I ask what-’

‘THIEVES! USURPERS! FOOLS!’ he bellows in your head, and you nearly cover your ears before realizing that’d be useless. ‘THEY DARE!’

“Dare what?” you mumble out as you right yourself from your near stumble.

‘THEY...THEY CORRUPT MY POWER!’ What? ‘THEY TAKE IT, AND PROFANED THIS DARK PURITY!’ ...pot, kettle? ‘THE POWER MINE THAT WAS IN THE ISLANDS...IT HAS BEEN TWISTED! AND...I can no longer feel it properly…’ he murmurs. Whoa.

“...how could that happen?” you wonder out loud.

‘I know not,’ he growls, ‘but YOU WILL FIND OUT. Make haste there at once!’

Hmm...yeah, that's interesting. As you climb on Gargles and whistle for him to take off, you wonder that yourself.

Several hours later, however, a rattling screech from Gargles as the sun rises tells you he's strong, powerful, but he's starting to flag a bit.

>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
>Let Gargles rest asap, start scanning for a good place to land.
>Other

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
>Use your wings and the Levitation Crystal to fly the rest of the way if Gargles gets too tired

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
Gargles' a strong lad, he has plenty of time rest when we're there.

Best of luck to your family boss. Don't let it get to you too hard.

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.

>>4588773
>Levitation Crystals
>About as fast as Miranda’s bike at an average pace.
might as well get more flying practice

>>4588785
supporting

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
>Use your wings and the Levitation Crystal to fly the rest of the way if Gargles gets too tired

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
>Use crystals

>>4588767
>Push the matter; get Gargles to press on as best he can to make good time.
>Use your wings and the Levitation Crystal to help gargles

Writing!

>>4588767
>>4588773
>>4588774
>>4588776
>>4589061
>>4589121
>>4590827

You can’t spare any time that’s not searching, really; this issue is a bit too important to just take at your leisure. Leaning down, you pat your familiar. “Come on, boy, you’re tough enough. You can muscle through this for a bit, can’t ya?” You’re getting better at encouraging words, you think, if you’re being honest. It DOES seem to perk him up a bit, a chirp answering you and his speed picking up just a bit.

Hopefully, they won’t be any issue with him later. In fact… “Hold on, here’s some help.” You’re not sure if it’ll work entirely, but maybe a Levitation Crystal would help with the buoyancy? That and your own wings- not that they’ll do much good, but any bit helps, right?

You can see the ocean in the distance, upon the sun rising. There’s a small port town as well- was that the same one you went to before? Well, ignoring that... Okay, according to the map, it should be across this ‘Lamasian Sea’. It’s not horribly big, at least, and there’s a few islands over it not part of the chain you’re targeting. You soar out over it, and for a while, there’s nothing but blue above and below you. It’s kind of serene, if also a bit worrying, but Gargles seems to enjoy it enough, stretching out and simply gliding on from here. Well, that’s good enough...

You manage to actually consider nodding off,when suddenly, there’s frantic flapping from Gargles, and you feel your heart suddenly leap in your chest from a sudden lack of altitude.

Crap. “Level out!” you yell as Gargles’ strength flags badly. There’s little else you can do, however, as he continues to drop, having exhausted himself utterly. There’s a small island in the distance, however- the question is can he make it without ruining himself- and risking you, to boot? You can do little but ride out the impending crash and hope to prevent him from being seen too much- though if anyone was nearby, that’ll be horrible for your chances at privacy…

There’s a rumbling moment filled with the sounds of branches snapping, and your vision is all green for a while before suddenly blue again- ah.

Looking up at the sky.

You take a moment to reorient yourself. A glance to the side shows Gargles, still alive, breathing heavily, but with a couple of scratches. He’s near unconscious, too. Damnit. Seems like you pushed him hard enough to...well, do this. You suspect he won’t be available for a while, now. Still…

...leaning over, you pat him on the collar. “Good bat. Thanks. I’ll take it from here.” A soft chirp answers you, and he lets his eyes close in rest.

As for you? You’re gonna need to find a boat. Hopefully. You didn't get a great look at the place, but hopefully there's SOME level of civilization here. If not...being stuck won't be pleasant.

>Roll 1d100, best of three.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>4591819

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>4591819

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4591819

Our luck holds.

Have we fed Gargles offscreen Handler?

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>>4591819
welp, in the worst case scenario we could try walking on water

>>4591819
>>4591821
>>4591824
>>4591826

You take some time to tend to Gargles- he's done good work, and you know you should at least reward him for that. Some food that you've managed to hold on to, and some extra healing should go over well with him...but still, you have to leave him behind.

Fortunately, though it takes a hour of walking and checking, you’re fortunately enough to find that there’s in fact a small village on the seaside. A fishing village not quite like the port town you were in earlier, much more focused on boating and reaping the sea’s bounty. At least, from what you can tell. Hopefully they won’t be too curious about you...though you have your worries. After all, islands tend to notice things…

When you set foot onto proper paved path, you notice first of all that, well, it’s a simple village, it seems- most buildings are wooden, and though they have good construction, there’s very clearly the air of simple living about this place. Only a couple of buildings are brick at all- one that seems to be a city hall of sorts, and another that’s fairly nondescript from the outside, but seems to have at least two floors and a number of larger entrances. Maybe some sort of business?

You’re fortunately not immediately accosted, though you do get some curious and fearful looks as you step down the street. The majority of the people seem to be exceedingly tanned, with various hair colors- you can see why you'd be mistaken for one of them, to be honest. A strange cat-bird thing being kept as a pet by an older woman hisses in your direction. You should probably get off the street. There's no tavern or anything, but maybe there's another way to find some place to rest...or at least resupply. You DO notice there's a church, but judging by the icon in it, it's dedicated to the Great Water Spirit, not the Light- so you may have an option there, if nowhere else.

>Head to the city hall. You should at least figure out where you are and if there's anything like a boat charter you could look into.
>Head to the temple. You need to rest and recuperate anyway- your mana still isn't full up.
>Try to see what that other stone building is. It looks important after a fashion.
>Other

>>4591920
>Head to the city hall. You should at least figure out where you are and if there's anything like a boat charter you could look into.
Need to know where we are first. And we can rest in the wild, we even bought a camping kit.

>>4591920
>>Head to the city hall. You should at least figure out where you are and if there's anything like a boat charter you could look into.
We still have mana crystals + the fairy boy in our bag

>>4591920
>Head to the city hall. You should at least figure out where you are and if there's anything like a boat charter you could look into.

>>4591920
>Try to see what that other stone building is. It looks important after a fashion.

Writing.

>>4591845
We can also use this to get to places with higher elevation, by creating platforms mid-air to get more leaps off.

Double Jumping, except better and last as long as our mana holds.

>>4591920
>>4591925
>>4591927
>>4591930
Might be best off heading to the city hall first to see what’s going here. As well as where ‘here’ is. Best thing to do is figure out just where you are and what direction you need to go.

The building, as you enter, is cool and well furnished. A lot of red and grey, and yeah, it’s definitely a city hall. There’s individuals with suits and officials behind desks… “Yes? How may we, ah, help you?” Aaaand they’re nervous. Lovely. Well then, you should at least try to ask a few questions before everyone starts sweating a bit too much.

“I’m...in need of a map, one that’s somewhat local,” you explain. Probably the best way to phrase it without giving too much away. “Do you have one available?”

“Oh, ah, well, yes!” The attendant, a short haired thing with a button nose, nods quickly, and walks briskly away to retrieve what you asked for. She seems to be rather efficient- it’s only a few minutes (spent in relative discomfort with everyone present trying their best to avoid your eyes) before she returns with a rolled up piece of parchment. “Here you are- a map of Luva Island and the surrounding waters. Will that be all?”

“Well,” you continue- and you DO notice her barely flinch- “I could use some assistance with getting a boat for travel. Not necessarily one of my own, just riding one would be fine. How would I go about starting that?”

---------

About an hour or so later, you’re in what appears to be a fishing port. There’s a few buildings here, none too big, but that’s not important. What is important is the fishing boats that are nearby. They’re pretty big, to be honest. But apparently...this is all you’ve got, if you want to make it to Baku Islands in any realistic timeframe by boat. It’ll be about three days’ journey, as the trip takes them around there at the end of their fishing cycle. Why they have a whole multi-day cycle, you don’t know, but...blah. Whatever.

Gargles is in...well, not bad shape, but it’s clear he's hurt and strained something, and it’ll be a bit before he recovers fully. Which explains the sudden drop and panic. Your healing should’ve fixed him- or at least you thought it would’ve, but…

‘There is something that hinders him...I suspect related to the power of me that was TAKEN,’ he growls out. ‘This blasphemy cannot go unanswered!’ It feels...well, you’re not sure there’s a word for it, but you don’t like it. Unfair?

Still, it's what you have, if you want it. Otherwise, you can just camp out and wait for him to recover naturally...

>Might as well look into it. You've done worse for less.
>Nah. You'll stick with Bat Travel and wait for whatever this BS is to work out.
>Other

>>4592002
>Might as well look into it. You've done worse for less.
>Recharge yourself with mana crystals

>>4592002
>Nah. You'll stick with Bat Travel and wait for whatever this BS is to work out.
Oh no, we're not abandoning bat boy. Besides, a whole 3 days leave too much to chance on the sea. A shipwreck can spell mission failure with our current mana pool.

>>4592002
>Might as well look into it. You've done worse for less.

>>4592009
He needs to rest and whatever is stopping him from recovering is fucking up with the boss. It will probably continue to mess with Gargles if we don't do something fast.

>>4592002
>Might as well look into it. You've done worse for less.
he definitely needs to rest and he can fly to us once he's in a better shape

Also we could probably get a cloak and take the kid out of the bag for a while?Otherwise we will end up he is inside and take him tot he intersection with us.

Writing.

>>4592002
>>4592025
I agree, he's been inside that bag for no less than 4 days. I'm pretty sure that we have something to disguise him with.

>>4592036
He needs to prove himself useful to us soon, else he'll be relegated to sentient item tier. That'll be hard too since we're at the 4th stone now?

>>4592046
It will be harder for him to do it, if he stays inside the bag forever.

>>4592364
>>4592046
we could take some part of the day to see what powers he has. so far we only know that he can instagib people and is a mana battery. maybe he could transfer mana to us?

>>4592033
I just now found the thread because I was watching twitter for it for the last week.

>>4592002
>>4592008
>>4592016
>>4592020
You sigh. You’ve done worse for less. Might as well take a look into it at least. “Hello?” You call as you head in through the one human-sized entrance in the building in front of you. It’s relatively simple, you can see, with a typical office look; a desk in one corner, with a door leading to the back area- the desk is seated by a receptionist or secretary sorts. There’s a map of sorts pinned to the left wall, along with a list of what looks to be deliveries and times for them. “I understand there’s a ship here that goes to the Baku Islands soon?”

“And you want a ride there?” That voice isn’t the young, female receptionist. Rather, it’s a much older, rougher voice, and indeed, a large, somewhat portly man munching a cigar walks out of the open door. His beard is rough and scraggly, but looks you up and down. “But this ain’t a travelin’ service. Yo gotta speak to the captain, and prove your more ‘an be a burden.”

“I can pull my own weight,” you assure.

“Yeh? Well, we’ll see. Come back in an hour, we’ll talk.” Without waiting for an answer he leaves just as quickly as he came.

The receptionist can only shrug. “Sorry...he’s like that.”

“Not your fault,” you reassure. “I’ll be back then.”

And you need to consider a few things, anyway. You don’t just have Gargles- your additional passenger as well. The fairy guy might help your case, as powerful as he likely can be. But, then again, you haven’t needed him yet...maybe you should’ve ditched him elsewhere by now…

>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.
>Leave him. He hasn't been needed anyway.
>Other

>>4593161
>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.

>>4593161
>>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.

>>4593161
>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.

It will do good for him to see the sea.

>>4593161
>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.
I want to ditch him, but be not Miranda to lose an advantage.

>>4593161
>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.
I might not have double-posted.
Want to ditch him, but be not Miranda to lose an advantage.

>>4593176
Man I hate mobile so much. Sorry bout that Handler.

>>4593161
>>Take him out of the bag with you. Might as well get some use out of him.
If not, this is as good a place to ditch him as any.
Well, maybe not, our impression of the locals is colored by our being terrifying, but they don't seem the friendliest.

>>4593184
I say we leave him to the empress. She seems to know what to do and she will probably be lived once he tells her about the experiments the other nations were making on the fairies back.

>>4593198
Good idea. If we get a chance to meet her I'll vote for it.
Maybe just leave him outside of the palace once we're done with the stone.

>>4593198
>>4593209
Assuming of course she isn't doing even more questionable experiments, see shadow king power theft.

>>4593184
>>4593198
>>4593209
eeeh, the kid's gonna be shafted no matter where he goes in this world because he's literally a living weapon that is capable of generating anti magic weapons, so he's definitely going into another magical reactor or to the guillotine. i'd rather have him with us where he can help us in the long term, plus its not like he needs many amenities to be content.

>>4593212
Wait.
We could leave him to the merchant guy. The catgirl could use another friend.

>>4593198
I don't think that leaving him with these people is a good idea, might interfere with our clients plans. If we'll have to ditch him - might as well leave him on an uninhabited remote island, away from civilization, just like the rest of the fairies.
And I want to keep him for longer, see what he can do. Boy got more mana than Miranda.

>>4593214
lets see how all of this turns out because the world will go down for the worse after we're done

Guess we should wait to see what is happening. I wouldn't mind taking him to the intersection or corrupting him and having him work for the boss once we leave. I was mostly trying to think in a way to not drag him to the intersecrion since most people seem to be against putting him under Randa care

>>4593285
I am against that yes. Mostly because if that happens we'll get less screentime for anything else in the Intersection, and I actually like spending time off-job. The carehouse kids are enough for me.

>>4593300
i wouldn't have that as an issue. the boss already removed the "limited time" that we can spend there and if the last time we were there was any indication, we could basically just do quests over there if we really wanted to(plus the boss wants to do more intersection stuff to boot).

>>4593285
>most people
I think it's 50/50 at best. If he REALLY impresses us, then maybe we can take him to the Intersection. But there's no guarantee that he'd actually want to, and even if we bring him with us it doesn't mean he'll join the Outgoer training program.
>>4593300
The kids have kinda grown on me, but I agree about the Intersection screentime - we've spent more time training and interacting with them than with any of our coworkers. But if he somehow ends up in the Intersection I don't think it'd be so bad - we interact with kids as a group, adding another one wouldn't change much. We haven't seen them since the time-skip, so we'll be seeing them in the next intermission anyway.

>>4593300
Personally, I'd like to bring him into the Intersection so we could learn more about how the Care House was created, how it works, and how kids are brought into it. Don't even need to see him later afterwards (although I'm okay with that), just let him find friends on his own after a classic adult to little kid hair tussle moment™ and some parting words of encouragement.

...And maybe a scene of us giving him our old bag of holding to sleep in when we're messaged about him not sleeping well in normal beds, and we figure we could buy a fancy new one to replace it.

>>4593387
Problem with sleeping in a bag of holding, how do you get out from the inside.

>>4593387
i like how you think, anon

>>4593393
Not like he cares about coming out. Kid seems like he'd be a NEET if we left him to his own devices. Maybe give his bag to one of the caretakers and leave instructions to pull him out every morning?

And hope to whatever gods live in the Intersection that we won't have to deal with whatever a Fairy/Human Hybrid puberty will entail...

>>4593408
the intersection's anti magic field should be able to handle that

We never did have the chance to visit that scholar town do we? Or continuing that fairytale/fable subplot.

>>4597605
I think that scholar town is somewhere in the desert.

>>4597635
Which would mean it's the last keystone we have to get, because the shadow king had a read on that one but we decided to hunt for others at the time, iirc.

Writing shortly. Very shortly.

>>4593161
>>4593164
>>4593167
>>4593168
>>4593170
>>4593176
Blah, no. You’ll keep him around. And honestly, he needs to pull his weight...even if it’s technically nothing. You’ll have him on the ship while Gargles takes a break, and you’ll have him help to work off the technical debt you’re likely going to incur. You wind up walking back to the trees before you decide to explain things. “Hey, get out here.” Not like he can do that himself, but it makes you feel better when you grab him.

To your lack of surprise, he seems to be just as sullen as before. “Another brief taste of the light of day...a foul taste in its brevity, yet also far too sweet on the lips to withstand.”

“Ignoring that,” you say bluntly. “Long story short, Gargles isn’t in great shape. But, I still have a job to do, so I’m trying to gain passage on a ship. And you’re coming with, to help work off the debt. So you’ll be out and about for a few days, at least.” He doesn’t seem to give much of any reaction to this, to your vague annoyance. “...right, then. Follow me.”

You decide it’s best to walk slow, although you’d rather not have him be a source of gawking, either. Still, he said an hour, and it’s been maybe 45 minutes.

“Hm?” Wait, what? Was that an expression of curiosity? That’s...unusual. You take a glance at him, only to see him staring off into the distance. “How strange...something that is familiar, close, yet...ever so distant. A clarion call yet muddled.” Weird. Wonder what he’s thinking of. Not that you really care TOO much, you do have to be on time for a thing, after all…

>Might as well indulge him, so long as it doesn’t take too long.
>Nah, you’d rather be early than late. Always the rule, isn’t it?
>Other

>>4599070
>Might as well indulge him, so long as it doesn’t take too long.
I see a sideplot hook.

>>4599070
>Might as well indulge him, so long as it doesn’t take too long.

>>4599070
>Might as well indulge him, so long as it doesn’t take too long.

>>4599070
>Might as well indulge him, so long as it doesn’t take too long.

Writing.

>>4599127
You still there boss?

>>4599264
Yeah, had to fuck with my printer for work stuff. Almost done.

>>4599070
>>4599078
>>4599090
>>4599106
>>4599116
Well, you might as well. You’ve got a little bit of time to kill. Might as well let him go and see. “Alright, if you want to follow it, let’s go, but make it quick. We have to be back in 15 minutes.” You really don’t want to be late for this thing.

“The call is sweet, but near. It may vanish soon,” he says idly, but continues down, nonetheless. You really don’t get people like this. It’s annoying, to boot.

You suppose you should be less than surprised when you notice that he’s heading straight for the church- judging by the colors and the figurehead atop it, this is indeed a temple of Sylathi, the Elder Fairy of Water. You have to admit, you wonder what it is that brought him to a place like this. Maybe just fairy stuff period, instead of being attuned to a specific type. Regardless, he seems to roundly ignore the fountains on either side of the walkway, the expressive yet fishy countenance not even looked at. Whatever he’s after, it’s not simple awe-based. You think.

As he enters, you hesitate. You distinctly recall how dangerous it was last time to just...waltz in. You’re not sure if it’s much different now, even with the difference in type. It might be best for you to just kinda...wait out here and make sure he keeps to his time limit. Otherwise you might be running a bit of a risk here...just because they’re water based around here doesn’t mean they couldn’t sense a user of darkness.

>Go in with him. You’ll be fine, and be on hand to drag him out.
>Stay behind. Better to be safe than sorry, all things considered.
>Other

>>4599279
>Stay behind. Better to be safe than sorry, all things considered.
Not gonna try again.

>>4599279
>Go in with him. You’ll be fine, and be on hand to drag him out.

in for a penny

>>4599279
>>Go in with him. You’ll be fine, and be on hand to drag him out.
>Put the Shadow King's pin in the bag
what could possibly go wrong?

>>4599279
>>4599283
Meh, changing to
>Go in with him. You’ll be fine, and be on hand to drag him out.
>Put the Shadow King's pin in the bag.
>Put on the Jewel Clip.
Just one more.

>>4599279
>>4599287
>Put on the Jewel Clip.
right, just to be safe

>>4599279
>>4599289
+

Huh. Right, then. It's not under the sea, but...

Writing.

>>4599279
>>4599285
>>4599287
>>4599289
>>4599292
>>4599294
Meh. Fine. You’ll go with him. But before that. ‘Forgive me for a moment,’ you say inwardly before quickly dropping the clip off and storing it in your bag. You barely hear a ‘What-!’ before his voice vanishes. In the same grab, you quickly nick the jewel clip out- you’ll deal with his whining later, but as for now, you’d rather make sure nothing might get in your head accidentally or on purpose.

There’s little else that you can do for now- he barely seems to notice you as he walks in silently- his gait kinda making you think of a rather fast zombie with how his arms are just...slack there. Kinda funny, really.

As you enter the temple, you have to admit, it’s both expected and...not. It’s got the stereotypical aqua coloration and whatnot, but what you didn’t expect was the equivalent of swimming pools along the left and right, and an overall ‘active’ atmosphere that kinda reminds you less of a place of worship and more of a place of a gym of sorts. “...sporty,” is all you can really describe it as.

But you’re still on guard, and so when the leftmost pool suddenly splashes up, you’re quick to take a protective stance as the woman lands in front of you easily, dripping wet.

“Greetings! And welcome to the most venerable Temple of Sylathi! Have you come for refreshment of your soul? Or simply to pray to our Provider of the Waves?” Well. She’s not what you expected. In a bikini, for one, with only a sort of seashell crown to say she’s got anything else. She’s darker-skinned, not quite like you, but relatively close, and she’s got quite the winning smile. “Regardless, I am Priestess Caba, and I would be happy to guide you while in our holy temple.”

...at least she doesn’t seem to think anything off with you. But it’s the kid who speaks up, surprisingly. “My soul felt...drawn here. A pulling, most inescapable…something that I must find.”

“Hmm…” she seems to regard him with some curiosity. Then smiles. “Well, perhaps your calling is to our way of the waves.” Her voice takes on a much more gentle quality now. “Come. Perhaps we can place you before the altar of our gracious provider. Perhaps she has brought you here for a great reason? Come, come!” She practically starts pulling him along, no less.

Hmph. You’re not sure you WANT it to be too important, but...well, when you’re taken (on foot, although why you were surprised at that you aren’t sure) down a hall lined with waterways, and into what seems to be a wading pool with a large statue of Sylathi staring down from on high, gently pouring a giant jar of water down in a waterfall herself, you can guess. Especially when she begins to lead him into said pool, already with several praying souls inhabiting it. You’re not sure you want to participate- getting wet is not on your agenda.

>Roll 1d100 regardless.

>You should probably stop him. Who knows how long this'll take.
>Let it happen. You'd likely cause some trouble otherwise.
>Other

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>4599424
>Let it happen. You'd likely cause some trouble otherwise.
We're so gonna miss the ship.

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if the boy is in tune with local mana then maybe he'll be extra useful in detecting the source of the bad juju that affected Gargles. Gartoum is also sensitive to that stuff but I have a feeling that he might be affected by it just like our big bat since he's a shadow construct. Maybe they managed to harness shadow magic and used it to create some sort of suppression field to stop dangerous monsters from roaming in their island empire. And we've already been mistaken as one of their spooks.

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>4599424
>>Let it happen. You'd likely cause some trouble otherwise.

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>4599424
>You should probably stop him. Who knows how long this'll take.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4599424
>Let it happen. You'd likely cause some trouble otherwise.
This is us just standing aside and not getting into the pool right?

>>4599486
Yes.

>>4597635
>>4599434
I guess Balunda is the desert kingdom - close to the other countries that we've visited, so we'll probably have to deal with the consequences of our actions on this misson and meet all the actors. It borders with Alminia and might have a border with Drogan too, since the trio of merchants we've met in Grand Torun were coming from Saberlane, and it'd be really stupid of Elerta to not send any help after all this time. I assume we'll spend a week on the Maku Islands, which is enough time for the envoys of these countries to meet up and realize how bad things really are. Thankfully, the existing tensions won't allow them to send anything serious to bolster the defenses of the last Lockstone.

>>4599532
Even though it was by chance that our final destination would be the desert, that would be a fitting finale.

Wonder where the merchant is, or the catgirl.

>>4599532
>>4599770
Alternatively, because of these tensions they might decide that it'd be easier to send their armies directly to the Deadlands to nip the problem in the bud, which would force us to make a detour. Silver lining in that case would be the lack of any cooperation between them, and it's our client's home turf.

Blah. Who'd have thought installing a hard drive would be so annoying. Writing shortly.

>>4601979
External hdd was a pretty addition to my machine iirc. Did you add t your tower?

>>4601999
Pretty easy*

>>4601999
Yeah, internal hdd.

>>4602006
Did it crap out again? Dunno why you chose to mess with your rig at the start of the run of all the time.

>>4599424
>>4599433
>>4599443
>>4599486
They don’t want you to interfere, from the looks of it, and you’ve no plans to, anyway. You don’t make any move as he’s led further and further into the pool, and he’s not all that reluctant, you notice. Whatever’s going on here, though, he REALLY needs to hurry it up. You’ve already spent a lot of time here…

She positions him just so, and then begins to pray as he’s given a number of strange baths, via pouring small bowls of water over his head. He doesn’t duck his head into it, you notice- it’s just the manual pouring. You don’t know why that’s the case, but...whatever.

It’s when she starts freaking out that you start getting concerned. And it’s when you see the statue’s eyes LIGHT UP that you get properly worried. “Aw, crap,” you mutter, but it goes unnoticed.

“You...you are of the light?” she breathes. “A child of them? And yet…”

“I know no mother or father. Only darkness and the captors that keep me,” he mutters.

To which she nearly crushes him in her embrace. “No, no no no! She- this should be impossible and yet...a child of flesh and fairy! Such an existence should be celebrated! Praised! Yours is a life that should be of nothing but good tidings and things!”

“And lo, my life was naught but suffering and solitude. Now it is empty strangeness. Curiosity unfulfilled,” he says neutrally.

The way the lady looks at him, with such pity and scorn...and then she looks at YOU- whoa, that’s some ANGER. Also the water’s beginning to bubble up around her and it’s probably not great that that’s happening. “Hey, I’m doing the latter, not the former. I got him out of his old situation, and I happen to be a traveler.”

“Busy, yet capable of much delay, in spades and yet not.” Okay, that one didn’t even make sense.

She sighs, and returns to hugging him. “Oh, child, be at ease. You are among friends and those who would be overjoyed at the blessings your simple existence brings. You shall want for nothing again- should not.” Great. Seems like she’s taken with him- as are many of the others that are here, now that they’re overhearing. You hadn’t expected THAT, but… “We shall take you to see the fullness of the world, and you shall be revered and appreciated for all days, have no doubt!”

...grand.

>Insist that he’s better off with you for now; if only because you want to take him to see more of the world as well. You DID say you wanted to get some use out of him…
>Ask if there’s some sort of reward for bringing him. You WERE hoping to have his assistance on a trip you really need to get back to.
>Blah. You did want him with you, but this might cause too much of an issue. Just let it play out and you’ll deal as it happens.
>Other

>>4602121
>Ask if there’s some sort of reward for bringing him. You WERE hoping to have his assistance on a trip you really need to get back to.
Grand indeed. Seems we passed the roll to not get arrested on sight.

>>4601979
i feel ya. i had to install a fresh HDD to my rig and it was a literal day of waiting for the computer to format it.

>>4602121
>Insist that he’s better off with you for now; if only because you want to take him to see more of the world as well. You DID say you wanted to get some use out of him…

>>4602121
>Ask if there’s some sort of reward for bringing him. You WERE hoping to have his assistance on a trip you really need to get back to.
All for free loot!

>>4602121
>Insist that he’s better off with you for now; if only because you want to take him to see more of the world as well. You DID say you wanted to get some use out of him…

>>4602159
Nothing is stopping us from returning him to one of the temples later on in the mission, better we get as much use of him as possible

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Should've called earlier, but I didn't. I'll roll.

1- Gib reward.
2- No Mine.

>>4602177
Awww well. But at least we can cash him in for something before we nab the final stone.

>>4602163
also I don't think our boss would take kindly to doing business with his enemies on the side. should've asked him if he's interested in the hybrid long ago

>>4602271
We should do it right after this. Call it a reassessment.

>>4602271
I mean one of the uses for this boy was to get everyone pissed off at the country that imprisoned him. I'm pretty sure the temples would do that for us at this juncture.

>>4602306
Right, I forgot about that.

Dropping the kid off a temple and pointing fingers at Droga should ruin their attempts to cooperate.

>>4602306
I figure it's too late for that to be of any use to us - by the time the rest of the temples and countries learn about Drogan's experiments and decide to do something about it we'd already finish the job, judging by how long it takes them all to respond to the thefts of Lockstones.

>>4602316
It could just be they're not releasing tactical and political movements to the general public. We haven't exactly been trying to find out what they're doing in response to our hit and run attacks.

>>4602316
>>4602313
>>4602306
Although we could bring it up in the final showdown >>4599532. But Droga would try to stop us either way, cooperation or no cooperation.

i still wanna see if we can take the kid just to have antimagic metals

>>4602325
Faemetal is a top secret stuff in this world that took likely many, many years of research. We have a slim chance of recreating it in the Intersection, but if it helps we can take a vial of his blood to get something close. He did say that Faemetal was made from his blood.

>>4602325
anon, there must be SOME limits to child exploitation in the Intersection. And we've already looted enough faemetal to make a weapon or two (crossbow case, vial of liquid faemetal alloy, heavy sphere of unrefined faemetal that weights 20 kilos).

>>4602343
It's often overlooked because we have enough heft to use our mana like a hammer, but Miranda is actually something of an archmage herself with how long she's been practicing magic. It would probably be months or weeks rather than years, especially if she gets a metallurgist to help.
>>4602355
But this anon is right. We'd totally get busted, or someone would pinch him from us.

>>4602343
>>4602355
>>4602359
we won't know until we try it out

>>4602382
Yea but the risk:reward ratio doesn't seem right to me.

>>4602382
Let's be honest - even with all the additional help, the speed at which or nerds can develop something functional is rather slow + Owlia asked us to stop dumping more projects on her. We have research notes and enough faemetal to have someone in the Crafters district make more anti-magic bolts for the golden crossbow and a shield/melee weapon - which is good enough for me. It was never meant to be something that could be mass produced.
The backlog of our researchers is long enough, we've yet to see any potions, charms, manastone weapons or minibot upgrades.

>>4602382
>>4602425
tl;dr
if you want us to start producing our own faemetal - don't expect it earlier than in 2023

>>4602438
...that sounds reasonable. we waited a full year or maybe more to have any meaningful changes, so having faemetal in 2 years is within reason, plus it doesn't take away anything from us.

>>4602325
Isn't that made from the kids blood or something? I would rather not go that far.

>>4602593
>Isn't that made from the kids blood or something?
it is
>He takes one glance at it, and sighs. “Ah. Faemetal, alas. That cursed substance, created out of my blood and body for the use of these lamentable humans, myself taunted with it, yet rejected all the same.”

>>4602603
Not just from his blood, but from his bones and body parts too I wager from that paragraph. Yeah we aren't getting more of those Faemetals.

>>4602626
Also I'm starting to think that the kid was not actually artificially made but lost his memories along the way and was captured and experimented upon instead. The fairy goddess should have noticed something funky otherwise.

>>4602630
>goddess
you mean priestess?

>>4602633
>And it’s when you see the statue’s eyes LIGHT UP that you get properly worried. “Aw, crap,” you mutter, but it goes unnoticed.
Well, that too. The local fae definitely felt him.

>>4602630
>>4602638
damn. in that case we might need to off him so that he doesn't become a threat to our job

>>4602968
How exactly would he become a threat?

>>4603105
because (going by anime/cartoon rules) they would use the kid against us as a last resort kind of gambit.

>>4603358
how exactly can a kid like this pose any threat? what kind of gambit can he be used in? we can break him in two at any moment and he has no interest in using his magical powers, otherwise he'd have lashed out long ago and fucked off to explore the world by himself. if anything, this makes the option of exchanging him for loot non-viable.
>Now it is empty strangeness. Curiosity unfulfilled,” he says neutrally.
He'd rather wander around to sate his own curiosity than become a tool or a weapon again.

>>4603751
He's extremely valuable as a religious object in this world as demonstrated, I think exchanging him for loot is always viable. I think he's sticking with us to not get caught and sliced open again.

>>4603868
sorry, meant as 'exchanging him with our client's enemies for loot'. Like I've said before >>4602271 - we should've asked our boss if he's interested in the kid in the first place. If >>4602968 is so afraid of the kid falling into the hands of the fairies or clergy then just don't give him to them.

>>4602121
>>4602135
>>4602159
>>4602177
“I don’t know about that,” you interrupt. “That’s not exactly much different than what I was planning on doing, if we’re being honest. And pardon my presumptions, but he’s not really all up for the idea of traveling with other people.” You don’t actually know that, but you want him with you for at least a bit more time just to see if he’s worth anything reasonable.

“And whom might you be exactly?” she asks you. “What authority have you to make such a claim?”

“I’m the one that helped him out?” you rhetorically ask. “Look, it’s not much of anything in the way of exact authority, but I’d say I at least know him better than anyone else right now.”

“The decision would remain with the blessed one and them alone,” is the sanguine response. “You’ve no input in their say.” Technically true, but you’re not going to let her know that. She tries to tug him along, and you’re already thinking about how to push him out of it. “Come! There is much we must do before your reveal to the faithful- we must send word, prepare the rites of ascension, and-”

“The life of a caged bird is fleeting. It lives. It sings. It dies.” He placidly responds. “An ill fate, but alas.” Great, the other people are surrounding him, too, starting already to go all ‘chosen one’ on him as she starts to drag him off to some side room...you’re going to need to step in, you think. You don’t have a whole lot of time left...

“Okay, hold on there, I got him out of the shit he was in, and we've been traveling together. You can't make the decision any more than I can.” you say annoyed.

"However, we can determine where he is best settled," is the immediate response. "We can educate and nurture him how you cannot, currently." With that, she and the others turn back to him, already starting to talk plans...

"Right. Well, sorry, but-" you decide it's stepping into the pool yourself-

-and your voice hitches slightly when you notice a small pool of black, like oil, start spreading from where your foot is. Wha-

Step back step back STEP BACK. You quickly retreat, and though it’s present for a moment more, it doesn’t seem like anyone notices, too absorbed in him. But what the…?

>...well...it didn’t hurt, but you suspect you’re gonna have to run like all getout to get him back.
>You miiiight have to start yelling. You’re on a time crunch and don’t HAVE any for this crap.
>Other.

>>4613065
>You miiiight have to start yelling. You’re on a time crunch and don’t HAVE any for this crap.
>"I'm investigating the ones who captured him. I need him until I've gotten some answers, I promise he'll be returned to one of the temples after that."

>>4613065
>>You miiiight have to start yelling. You’re on a time crunch and don’t HAVE any for this crap.

>>4613065
>...well...it didn’t hurt, but you suspect you’re gonna have to run like all getout to get him back.

Fuck it blow this place to kingdom come.

So i guess it was a bad idea to bring him out of the bag.

>>4613065
>>4613077
+
Knew we should have traded him for some loot.

>>4613065
>...well...it didn’t hurt, but you suspect you’re gonna have to run like all getout to get him back.

Guys, are we really blowing our cover this early? Do I need to tell you we still need to explain this to our boss after this? About how we went into a temple, again, and how we got caught again, this time for real? Our pay will be docked 100%, especially when he is already on a foul mood.

>>4613065
Actually, let's do >>4613077

>-and your voice hitches slightly when you notice a small pool of black, like oil, start spreading from where your foot is. Wha-
Oh come on, Miranda's not THAT dirty. It's been only 3 days since the last time we had a bath...

In case if we'll have to get through the pool anyway then we should use Air Step/ Manastep to avoid touching the water + it would show our 'light magic' affitnity.

>>4613065
>"You are planning a lot, but listening very little lady. He does not seek a cage, not even a gilded one. Let him go."
>"I'm investigating the ones who captured him. I need him until I've gotten some answers, I promise he'll be returned to one of the temples after that."
Stay strong handler.

Writing, I'm still here. Just making arrangements.

>>4613065
>>4613077
>>4613079
>>4613093
>>4613103
>>4613288
Damnit, you don’t have time for this. “Now HOLD ON a minute!” you yell, forcing them to turn their attention to you. “Look here, I don’t have time for this! We’ve ALREADY got plans, and I'm investigating the people who CAPTURED him!” Not entirely honest, but good enough. “I need him until I've gotten some answers, I promise he'll be returned to one of the temples after that."

They look at you blankly- some almost offendedly. “You seek to hold him to your earthly vows?”

“It’s not like you’re doing much better,” you shoot back. “You’re just dolling him up for whatever you want, or weren’t you paying attention to what he literally JUST said?! Caged bird and all?” Seriously, were they just tuning him out?

The priestess-or-whatever seems to frown at that, her expression contorting into something close to ugly. “It is not for us to interpret- someone like him should be treated kindly and softly- it is what they deserve!”

“And if they don’t WANT that?” you immediately hit back. You’re no philosophy major, but you’ve heard enough arguments to know how to bounce the most common lines back.

True to form, they pause. She looks back to the placid half-fairy yet again; no response as usual. Turning back, she huffs. “If perhaps it is deemed safer, then we may consider your deputization in the name of the Elder Fairy for his safety. But this will take time.”

“How long?!” geez, you’re going to have to book it if-

“Days, of course! The proper rites must be followed and confirmed. You cannot rush such things!” She looks perfectl sanguine while you say that.

ARGH.

>Try to deal. "Can you not just check him when we get back?! We ARE coming back, you know. I kinda have to." A lie, but whatever.
>(Intimidation) "Okay, NO. I've run out of patience AND time. He's coming back with me, and if you want to KEEP being able to worship your Elder Fairies, then you'll DEAL WITH IT."
>Other

Eeeeeh
eeeh
You know what, I kinda want to ditch him now. Is it too late to ask for rewards?

>>4613431
That's what Write-Ins are for. Probably a good idea to suggest a decent justification for bailing on the idea though. Just a rare tip.

>>4613426
>Try to deal. "Can you not just check him when we get back?! We ARE coming back, you know. I kinda have to." A lie, but whatever.

>>4613431
You've just said that we'll have to explain our boss what we've been doing in here, how do you think he'll react to the fact that we've sold a powerful hybrid to the church that worships his mortal enemies?

>>4613431
>>4613444
He did say that he'll pay us extra for figuring out how the crystal bird works, and I figure he hasn't made any comments about the hybrid becausd he's been in the bag the whole time and we haven't asked him if he's interested in him too.

Can't we just come back for him? We need to get gargles anyway, maybe we tell fairy boy to meet us on the beach in 3 days or whatever.

>>4613426
>Try to deal. "Can you not just check him when we get back?! We ARE coming back, you know. I kinda have to." A lie, but whatever.
goddammit, i remember that he really liked the stories that we told him after we "rescued"him, but i can't remember anything specific to have him come with us.

>>4613431
i doubt they would give us shit from the start. this is a temple, not the government.

>>4613426
>>4613464
Oh yeah I remember now.

>Try to deal. "Can you not just check him when we get back?! We ARE coming back, you know. I kinda have to." A lie, but whatever.
>"Fairy Chosen! Remember what I told you, if you want the whole truth, stay with me. I'm close, I assure you."
Seems we can't get through these worshippers, but we CAN get through the kid.

>>4613463
They want him to stay with them forever, and Gargles won't be up until we deal with whatever bad juju is hindering him>>4599434

>>4613426
adding this to my>>4613464 vote
>>"Fairy Chosen! Remember what I told you, if you want the whole truth, stay with me. I'm close, I assure you."

>>4613473
thanks anon!

>>4613426
>>4613473
Taking this too boss.

>>4613426
>>4613473
Right, we even have new stories to tell, ones that happened while he was in the bag - about a fairy that tricked children into breaking into a duke's manor and about an undead dragon

>>4613464
he's basically into lore about fairies and dragons - one of the reasons he's drawn into this temple in the first place

>>4613494
yeah, i had forgotten that specific part

>>4613494
Eyup, and we happen to have a big player of said lore on speed dial.

Well, we're totally missing our boat. Should we incinerate this temple if we do?

>>4613509
it heavily depends on what the kid says and how this cult reacts

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>>4613509
Well, if it comes down to fighting - they're all inside that pool of water, and we've got a new spell that I've been itching to try out.

>>4618576
we could even try to corrupt some of the weakest minded people here

>>4613431
same