>>4681541
She at once leans in- something she doesn’t want people to hear? “...for example, what’s a lil’ youngling like you doing out ‘ere, eh?” The emphasis she puts on the word rings a bell...and then you feel a strong, STRONG pressure suddenly clamp down on your body as her hand does the same to your shoulder, and it takes surprising effort to hold yourself upright as she continues talking, easy as you please. "Dangerous places, hereabouts. Could be worryin' for some folks what might not know what they're in for."

What's 'worrying' for you right now is less that, more how it feels like your local gravity has increased a hundred times over. You suspect it'd be hard to do anything but walk and perhaps the most basic of movements right now- and it's fucking unsettling to say the least.

> "...what do you want." It's all you can grind out right now.
> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.
> "It's...none...of your business." Regardless of her 'shop', you don't owe her any information.
>Other

>>4681545
>> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.
not sure if the using danger sense in necessary, it's pretty clear she'd smell awful. but might try and learn if she has someone else with her.
the situation is not that terrible, we can call Gartoum or just zap her hand with our shock touch

>>4681545
> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.
>"So are you going to tell me some trivias about this ring?"
No sudden or offensive actions, can't tip our hands now.

Localized gravity manipulation fits quite well with our current arsenal and star theme. I'm going to assume this is some form of advanced Endomancy, which are touch spells. She's not going to have a second chance to get this close to us.

>>4681545
>She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.

>>4681541
>She seems like she’s both giddy and solemn at the same time…
so why is she solemn?

>>4681793
>>4681570
figure she's just testing us. nothing to worry about.
We still have no idea about the Makuvian Shadows that operate on these islands.

>>4681545
> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.

>>4681545
>Other
>”Answers. Guess on right path for some.”
I feel the second option is true, but we could goad her a bit so she spills more info.

>>4681541
that's such a cute design!

>>4681545
Seems she has an accurate assessment of Miranda's physical capacity, which is... worrying. Inflicting enough burden to debilitate us but not enough to cause a scene.
At least it seems she does not wish to murderificate us in public. This is pretty aggressive as far as introductions go, so, it's a scare tactic, maybe a probe? We could attempt to power through her affliction by flooding energy channel, but that might attract attention. I like trying to weedle more info out of her, she's hinted that we don't know what we're in for so she'll probably volunteer some, and what method is more efficient than just asking?
> "...what do you want." It's all you can grind out right now.

103 needs archiving

>>4681545
> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.

>>4681545
> She's not stupid. She wouldn't risk anything right now with so many people around. She's got something to say more than something to ask.

>>4681545
>>4681553
>>4681570
>>4681612
>>4681793
>>4681805
>>4684450
>>4684477
>>4684477
You’re no stranger to situations like these, even though they’re still never comfortable. And largely in such situations, folk want to talk more than they want to listen. Chances are if you keep quiet she’ll get to the point all herself.

Your estimation pays off only a few seconds later. “Quiet sort, eh? Not uncommon, but a touch unwise. Not ‘cause of me, lass, mind- I’m just an old, burnt out lady. Had my share of fun an’ flights of fancy, but nothin’ else but to dream of yesteryear...that, and give others that remind me o’ me some friendly advice.” That hand is STILL on your shoulder and it still feels like everything about you weighs a ton. “Like how when a lass comes in lookin' just so, such robe and clasp and like, and seems ta be looking ‘round for stories with a burnin' air 'round 'er. Lass like that, she’d be best careful who she meets with.”

Her eyes, still smiling slip to the young man besides you, who seems...actually vaguely stressed, though he doesn’t move likely for concern of your safety. “Some folks could be lookin’ to use her, youngling she might be, an’ not knowing a thing about why, just eager ta spread 'er wings and go out there. Or worse, the lass might be gettin’ drawn inta things beyond her ken. Might be good to seek out some old advice aforehand, even if they’ve no inclination for much listenin’. Never know what folk out there might have an idea or two. Been in similar tracks.”

And then suddenly the pressure relaxes, and her hand is off your shoulder. “But! Jus’ a bit o’ friendly advice. Ah’m just an old shopkeep these days. Know a few peoples an’ places, but old as I am I can’t say ta know everythin’.” Why is there something about her that’s bugging you…?

>Insist you're fine without. She doesn't need to meddle for whatever reason she's hinting at.
>Ask her a question about the locale. It seems like she's more than open to the idea, at least.
>You might want to get some space between you and her. Someone like this is someone to keep away from, but keep an ear out for.
>Other

>>4684650
>>Ask her a question about the locale. It seems like she's more than open to the idea, at least.
>>Remind her about the ring, what's the story behind it?
the old hag was both giddy yet solemn, I she has a lot to say. And the fairy kid love stores.

>>4684650
>>4684683
+. Can't say no to free info dumps.

>>4684650
this>>4684683

>>4684650
This:>>4684683

I take she is another dragon in hidding?

>>4684789
>uses words like "burn, flights"
>recognize the clasp
>refers to us as a youngling - just like undead dragon
>"... just eager ta spread 'er wings and go out there."
>Been in similar tracks.

SHE IS A DRAGON AND SHE KNOWS WE ARE ONE TOO
Might or might not know who our boss is.

>>4684650
>>4684822
She was fishing for confirmations on her end without being too obvious. Let's signal her back, she might be an ally.

Refer to her as "Elder" or "my Elder" between our questions >>4684683.

Writing!

>>4684832
Oh, well at least we got some last minutes revelations.

>>4684650
>>4684683
>>4684683
>>4684684
>>4684704
>>4684789
“Then if you don’t mind,” you say, mentally shaking off the subtle warnings, “could you tell me about this ring? What’s the story behind it?”

She tilts her head in consideration before she chuckles. “Fair start, I suppose. See, that ring was found in an old ruin. Made well ‘afore the modern day, back when humans was still just roamin’ around and livin’ off anythin’ they could catch or grow. See, there was...other beings back then. Strong things, an’ smart, too, what knew about a few things that modern folks even don’t know, for all the studyin’ they do. An’ there was in particular, a rather big fella. Name long lost to history, but he knew what was good for him an’ his. For a long time, he ruled lands more expansive than any kingdom standin’. But that means he had enemies, yeah? Both within an’ without. Makes sense?”

“With you so far.” Your friend is once again listening intently, and also nods.

“Well, they weren’t the only old race around. After a time, there was a great war with the others. His folk originally weren’t keen on fighting, but it were quickly noticed that if the other side won, they’d take over all the lands he’d unified. So he went to the aggressors, and agreed ta help out.” And then her smile thins out a bit. “Didn’t go so well, no. I’ll spare you the details as they’re none too important- but the good king was one of few left. The few citizens of that advanced nation left urged him to go inta hidin’, since there was a lot of folks on the lookout fer ‘im. He took their advice. Vanished.” And there she grins. “And no one knows where he went. Tha few folks what know that story say he’s waitin’ till enough folk rise back. E’nuff to gather an army of his folk again. And that time he’ll lead ‘imself instead of takin’ up with another party as lackeys.” She points to the ring. That there’s said ta be an artifact of ‘is. Long time rumor among the few is that he’s sleepin’ somewhere on these islands...and that it'll take 'o his own ta bring 'im back. That ring there hold magic, it does.” At that, she chuckles. “Buuut, then again, none o' them fancy explorer sorts managed ta find ‘im yet, or figure out what this here ring does, so who knows? I jus' know that it's right dangerous, goin' after such a powerful figure. Without bein' powerful yerself, that is.”

> "I see. Then I'll take my leave. Thanks for the warning."
> "Why try and sell such an artifact, then?"
> "Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."
> Other

>>4684866
> "Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."

>>4684866
> "Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."
> "What if I tell you, hypothetically, I'm exploring one of these islands? I could use a guide."
She'll be a solid help. The only thing to worry about is if she'll slow us down due to age, that is if she's burdened by age or she's human at all (she's not).

>>4684866
>"Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."
>>4684907
i don't think its a good idea to bring more competition against our boss.

>>4684866
> "Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."

>>4684907
What this anon said>>4685055
Our client was FURIOUS when he felt someone messing with shadow magic in this area.

Seems like all shadow-related lore bits involve the singing creature, barely any mention of the Shadow King himself.
>in the Gran Torun library we learned that the creature was captured by a fairy, escaped and hid in the shadows
>the fairy has decided that "It would find this creature, even if it skulked in the shadows of the earth itself. It would use the very shadows it hid in to bring it forth, if needed be!"
>the history books also mention fairies having decent relations with wildlings
>we've learned from a local storyteller that it was one of the first wildlings who taught the creature to how to hide and the the fairy has vanished, but still might be out there, thinking of ways to find and recapture the creature
>"And so jus' ta be safe, the creature remains in hiding. Rumor has it somewhere on these isles still. Eheheh, o’ course, no one’s ever found the creature, but they say if’n you manage to travel deep enough underground, you’ll hear it- singin’ again like it so loved, at last at peace.”
>back in Elerta we were mistaken for a Makuvian Shadow - spooks from Maku Islands who answer only to the Empress of Yulin. That's where we are right now.
>the local captain had a painting of a figure in a shadowy cloak, similar to ours, then went monologuing about powerful beings that take human guise
>"A somewhat abstract thing, but you can tell it’s something of a figure in a cloak. No identifying features, just a form and a hood. Shadows swirl around it, but on the outer edges, licks of red and orange color, like fire. Familiar, but not quite the same..."
>and now this old hag saw right through our cloak: “Like how when a lass comes in lookin' just so, such robe and clasp and like, and seems ta be looking ‘round for stories with a burnin' air 'round 'er. Lass like that, she’d be best careful who she meets with.”
>then she mentions that some ancient king, who used to rule huge territory, had to flee to these islands and might still be hiding here.
I don't think that there are enough islands here to hide so many things separately. Also we should consult with our client on how to act in case we encounter the ancient king or the singing creature.

File: file.png (1.1 MB, 640x880)

1.1 MB PNG

>>4685973
Interesting, it seems this job won't be over soon just yet. Because that's a lot of sidegigs to resolve.

I still want to stop by that scholar town to learn more about this endomagic, but by the time we get there armies will have already been mobilized.

Should we tell her what this ring's inscription says? I'm sure if she doesn't know she'd be happy to learn, and if she does know at least we show a small bit of cooperation.

File: endomagic.png (30 KB, 1544x151)

30 KB PNG

>>4686068
well, if >>4681570 is correct, then we have an endomagic expert right in front of us. And the boy's magical boosting could be endomagic as well.
>>4686317
I'm 90% sure that she knows what's written on it, and picking the ring might've been a part of her test. However, our client and the boy can't read the inscription - the shadow king relies on sense, not vision, and I doubt anyone bothered to teach the kid alphabet.

File: file.png (29 KB, 340x156)

29 KB PNG

>>4686337
Hmm, if anything she just casted Shadow Pall on us based on that image or a variant of it. Maybe she can tell us the basics of this branch of sorcery (we have an advanced book for it but we don't know jack about the fundamentals, leading to not being able to figure it out) or at least how to defend against such spells. Should be able to sneak in small talks after this.
I'm a sucker for "skills" loots, and let's face it, being able to self-cleanse status ailments is too good to pass on.

I'm reading through them again and endomagic cleansing should be able to work on something complex like Silence - deadly for casters like us. We need to master it if we want to take on A rank jobs.

>>4686356
On one hand, I think that we have too many underdeveloped skills and adding more is not as good as you think. I'd rather improve what we already have.
On the other, we don't get to train that often, so beggars can't be choosers. And if she's truly a dragon then it's a perfect opportunity to learn a fire breathing technique. Purge would be cool too.

>>4685973
Between what you had listed recently (the captain and this lady) and the Makuvian Shadows reporting to the Empress, it may very well be that Dragons run a society from here. The Shadows probably go out to be eyes and ears, waiting for the time when a violent change comes so they can react. Having an outsider dragon waltz in here is probably unusual, and would be treated by some as a sign that change is coming soon.

I wonder if the dragons actually helped the singing creature learn how to hide. Might have been that some dragons tried to fight with the shadow king, lost, and the remainder joined up (willingly or not) and got killed by the fairies. Might explain a populace willing to tread carefully around them instead of running for help in killing them. Would also mean we’d have to be REAL careful about displaying our allegiances here.

File: historian.png (65 KB, 1567x355)

65 KB PNG

>>4686819
forgot to mention the historian from Gran Torun here >>4685973

File: historian2.png (64 KB, 1559x338)

64 KB PNG

>>4687157
he was pretty powerful too. shame we haven't found anything in Alminia.
>>4685973
>back in Elerta we were mistaken for a Makuvian Shadow - spooks from Maku Islands who answer only to the Empress of Yulin. That's where we are right now.
correction - Alminia, not Elerta. Elerta was the mountain Kingdom.

Relo, the historian
>“Miss! Oho, Miss!” Hm? “Yes, you, with the cloak!” You turn to the voice, to see one of the merchants you just passed- a thin bearded man with some youth still in him, he has no stall proper, his wares set out on a very fine rug. Yet, his wardrobe being of a fine cape, a silken-looking purple vest and fitting green shorts also tells you that he’s no mere peddler.
The old lady
>“Pardon me, miss? You, in the cloak?” You blink, and turn to see a small, elderly lady- not much taller than you, lightly tanned, but with a bald head, large green eyes, and in a silken, purple vest with a dark green dress underneath it. She’s got a small booth of curios, it seems...
...so, the next time we meet and old merchant in green and purple clothes - we should expect them to be a dragon in disguise.

File: file.png (1.49 MB, 1280x720)

1.49 MB PNG

>>4687190
Coincidentally, we also follow a similar color scheme - our cloak is deep purple, almost black, and sea-green or aqua count right?

There should be two(or more) factions of dragons here, one in the country where we nabbed the third Stone and one over at the islands. Not going to pin on allegiances just yet, but I'm going to assume the former is more loyal to the Shadow King himself.

>>4684866
>>4684905
>>4684907
>>4685055
>>4685758
You find how she’s phrasing it fairly interesting...and there’s a few things that are starting to come back to your memory. “Did you try once upon a time? You said you'd been a lot of places..."

She chuckles at that. “Weellll, I might’ve made a go at it once or twice. But I wasn’t so inclined to do the whole thing, y’see. I was lookin’ for answers, I was. Answers ta old questions- the sort anyone what’s lived long enough might ask, nothin’ strange.”

“An answer to a distant question can be sweet in the mouth, yet as ash beyond the first moment,” your ‘friend’ suddenly pipes up. First he’s done THAT, and the little old lady (who you strongly suspect isn’t what she seems) seems a bit surprised by the interruption. “Pray tell, did you discover the taste you desired?”

She eyes him for a long time- and he meets her. Neither waver. Neither blink for a long, careful moment. But at last she responds. “Can’t say I didn’t. But all the same...not sure I did, either. Leastways, wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, no. Close, but...”

“And what was it that you found instead?” you inquire.

But to that, she just laughs. “Well, a lady’s gotta keep some secrets, eh? ‘Sides, I doubt you want to hear me jaw all night an’ well into the next day. Bore you to death, I would. But, I’ll say this. That ring’s part of it. Found it in a statue’s grasp. Stuck in an old valley in one of the islands to the east...that lil’ un next to the capital, I forget the name. Lovely view, but a hassle ta get to! All I care to bother with, too.” And there she gets that curious look on her face again as she sighs… “A word to ya, youngling? It’s all fine and dandy to go lookin’ around for answers ta questions- I did it in my heyday, as I said. What was a hard lesson, though...was ta know when to quit. Took me time an’ a half to quit. I ran through half these islands an’ I found things all the better for it when I decided ta walk away with what I had. Now, no shame in tryin’, none at all. But keep your wits about ya. Don’t wanna bite into whatcha figure is a ripe gilba fruit an’ you find out it’s half rotten!” She chuckles at that one, but the analogy is clear.

> “I see...thank you, Elder. I’ll keep that in mind.” You probably should get going, and soon. And might as well show her some respect.
> “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her.”
> “I’ll just have to find it out for you, then.” You’re not going to turn away just because of that. And whatever you get out of it’s likely to help...you hope.
> Other

>>4687380
>“I see...thank you, Elder. I’ll keep that in mind.” You probably should get going, and soon. And might as well show her some respect.

>>4687380
> “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her.
I thought we were buying the ring, even if it was a part of her test.

>>4687380
>>4687387
maybe we can get a private endomagic lesson too

>>4687380
> “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her.
Ooooh no, this is a rare chance to get some juicy bits when everything has not gone upside-down yet.

>>4687380
> “I see...thank you, Elder. I’ll keep that in mind.” You probably should get going, and soon. And might as well show her some respect.

>>4687380
> “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her.”

>>4687380
> “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her.”

>>4687380
>> “I see...thank you, Elder. I’ll keep that in mind.” You probably should get going, and soon. And might as well show her some respect.

>>4687380
>>4687387
>>4687390
>>4687674
>>4688223
She’s not wrong- the night’s going on, and you have more things you can do, and she’s got more potential customers to entertain than you, no doubt. Still… “I wouldn’t mind talking a bit more later. Perhaps in a quieter setting.” You might be able to get something out of her if you’re lucky. Who knows what a lady like her might know?

She laughs. “Oh, I bet you might like that. Him, too, the way he’s been hangin’ on every word is any indication.” You’re not sure if that was an insult or what, but the tone near the end...well, whatever. He didn’t seem to notice it at all, so moving on. “I’ve a story or two, if you’re so inclined- but perhaps another night, hm? All these wares aren’t going to buy themselves!” Another raspy laugh, but it’s obvious she’s in good health regardless. “You just take that ring there, don’t worry about payment. I suspect you’ll put it to good use.”

“Thank you. Until next time, then.” You wave farewell, with a small bow as you step away to make room for an upcoming customer, your halfling friend following. You’re going to need to find somewhere to sleep soon. The ring, large enough for any three of your fingers, is surprisingly shiny under the moon’s light. It’s an impressive piece, and hopefully you can crack its secret. You don’t have a ton of time to waste on side projects, but if this can help…

The moon’s getting further through the sky, and you find yourself getting a few small snacks; your compatriot doesn’t seem too hungry, although you find that curious. Hasn’t eaten in a while, you think. At any rate, you’re able to take in the sights and sounds a bit more. There’s dances still, and a few games of chance going on from the looks of things; grifters and whatnot looking to make a quick coin or two as well. Most of the people with children seem to have retired or are in the process of it; you might be well served doing the same. While you’re keeping your eyes and ears out, you don’t have any reason to rush right this second.

After some time wandering, however, a curious sound reaches your ears...the toll of a bell. It's light, chiming, and yet easily audible.

(cont.)

>>4688796
*ding* *ding* *ding*

It certainly seems to catch everyone's attention. Some talks and cheers go up- but not as many as you’d think. In fact, there’s some grumbling, though from what you can tell of the nearby civilians, it’s mostly good natured. “Pardon,” you quickly ask a rather jubilant Wildling starting to walk off, “What’s that bell for?”

“Oh, new ‘round here?” He grins. “Sorry, but it’s kinda a private thing. The Festival’s Black Market Show! Held in the Moonlight Atrium near the coast, and exclusive only to people who get a ticket like this one.” Here he flashes a silver and gold ticket. “Supposed to be a great time- unique and expensive goods for auction, and performances you’d never see anywhere else! Not for the faint of heart, kid. One night only, too! Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He moves past to continue on as you consider that.

> Hm...no. Not worth your time for a simple not-so-black market. If you need goods, you can get them some other way. You don’t even have a ticket.
>Well. Could be interesting. There’s got to be a way to get a ticket somehow, though…
>Other

>>4688797
> Hm...no. Not worth your time for a simple not-so-black market. If you need goods, you can get them some other way. You don’t even have a ticket.
we've drawn enough attention for today.

>>4688797
> Hm...no. Not worth your time for a simple not-so-black market. If you need goods, you can get them some other way. You don’t even have a ticket.
>Have Gartoum scout out the Black Market.
We still have a talk coming with Ah-Rul about the current situation. While I think this event is a perfect place for rumor gathering, and we might even find the merchant from Gran Torun there too, we can just leave this to Gart instead.
I also doubt we will have enough local currency to make a bid and actually win, even then if that happens we'll draw more eyes.

But if we absolutely need to go, Gartoum can steal a ticket.

>>4688797
>>4688842
eh, sure, let's do all of that

>>4688842
>we might even find the merchant from Gran Torun there too
I don't think he has a reason to be here. But if he is, then I hope the catgirl scholar is with him.

>>4688797
>>4688842
+ get him to snatch some purses as well

>>4688796
>>4688842
I shall support this, there's also a chance whoever was pilfering the shadow king's power wants to sell it, just have Gartoum be careful, there are powerful folks around.

>>4688797
> Hm...no. Not worth your time for a simple not-so-black market. If you need goods, you can get them some other way. You don’t even have a ticket.

>>4689460
Exactly.
A Black Market auction event that's only open for one night per year bounds to attract at least a few factions worth of spooks.

>>4688797
>>4688802
>>4688842
>>4688854
>>4688915
>>4689460
>>4689523
Thinking about it...probably not worth the effort. Sure, it’s likely there’ll be some interesting things about, but you’re not really looking for more stuff to do- not to mention that if this is once a year, then it’s more than likely there’ll be a good number of government spooks around and about from various places looking to either get something of their own or at least keep an eye on the ones that do. It’d be too hot for you right now.

Buuut...well, there might well be another way to investigate. Not that you haven’t been using him pretty much all mission. “Got another one for you.”

“You might as well call me your resident spymaster,” Gartoum quips in your head. “I’m hoping I get a bit more personal action later...though I do love finding out secrets! Off to the market, am I?”

“If you don’t mind,” you say half-sarcastically. You can see his form sluice off you and blend into the already dark night with ease as his answer. That leaves you and your fairy friend to find somewhere to bed down for the night…

You eventually find a place, a three floor inn called the Red Roost. Seems like it’s doing brisk business, as you end up taking the second to last room available. There’s a reason for it, too- it’s a tiny thing, more a half-room that the developers managed to squeeze in to get just one more desperate customer in the building. Still, it’s a decent bed, so that’s enough for you for tonight. Your friend has...well, he doesn’t seem to complain about it, at least, so you’re not even going to worry about it.

The market, you learn, is live until just before dawn. You might as well take a bit of a trance, then...

----------------

That morning, as you step out of the inn, you can see a large, eagle-like being give a great caw, soaring through the air a ways above you as it heads out to sea. It’s not as big as a roc, but it’s big enough to be comfortably stood on, impressively enough. From the straps on it, it seems like it’s a method of air travel or goods transport. And speaking of goods… ‘Gartoum?’

‘Riiight here,’ you get back. ‘And as for interesting information…’

>Roll 3d100, best of three.

Rolled 52, 59, 7 = 118 (3d100)

>>4691603

Rolled 20, 100, 89 = 209 (3d100)

>>4691603

>>4691603
I believe the theft of the Lockstones would be the hot topic of the night - it's been 17 days or so since we got the first one. The folks who got here by birds would've probably had the latest news.
>>4691619
Oh yeah, Gartoum absolutely deserves to join the next tussle.

Rolled 2, 22, 11 = 35 (3d100)

>>4691603

>>4691619
That roll was dirty, here's hoping for surprise loot.

>>4691603
>>4691609
>>4691619
>>4691680
“Well, there’s more than a few things, I can tell you! Seems like more than a few of the bodies there were out of towners- and very important ones, no less. From what I heard, a lot of worry is going around and about- seems our exploits up in the mountains and beyond have reached down here by now. And further, if what I heard was right. You’re becoming a bit of a known subject, it seems; a mysterious cloaked individual atop a fearsome bat-like beast, seeking the Lockstones for nefarious purposes!” Drat. That’ll make things harder, for sure… “But, on the plus side, we know what they’ve been up to, now. Everyone's on watch, armies are building because some are worried others might use this as a pretext to an invasion you're under the employ of someone else, and apparently, a group of stalwarts was sent down here to check on the local Lockstone- likely the source of the interference. There’s word sent out to Yulin, too. You’ll be having a rougher time of it there, for certain!” Yes, you just thought that.

‘It infuriates me that my sense is blinded to my own power…’ your client grumbles. ‘But we shall rectify that posthaste!’

“Anything else important?” you press.

“Mmm, nothing major. A few odds and ends were bought and sold; some rather heavy and dangerous looking weaponry- daggers, a rather old staff with magical power, that sort of thing. There WAS a key sold, that supposedly was to a lost, ancient vault somewhere around these islands, I thought that was interesting…the man who bought it was a local, and happened to mention putting together an expedition.”

>You might be able to use that to explore at leisure, if they're going to be out there anyway...
>Hm. Perhaps you can sabotage that expedition, then...
>You'll ignore that entirely. No need for messing with them when they could draw attention.
>Other

>>4693643
>You'll ignore that entirely. No need for messing with them when they could draw attention.

they already know about the mysterious stranver in a cloak better not call more attention to ourselfs.

>>4693643
>You'll ignore that entirely. No need for messing with them when they could draw attention.
I want to tail them and swoop in when they finally find the vault.
Also we need to be alone to test the healing barrier and other suspicious techniques.

>>4693643
>>You'll ignore that entirely. No need for messing with them when they could draw attention.
We already have enough on our hands. I'd like to spend the last peaceful day repairing our broken items and testing experimental stuff.

>>4693643
>You'll ignore that entirely. No need for messing with them when they could draw attention.

>>4693643
>>4693651
>>4693661
>>4693669
>>4693683

Thinking about it, something like that is best ignored. With you already having a description out and people careful on the watch, you can’t really be risking stunts like that, even if the payoff might be worth it. Would rather not catch a bad case of the Loreleis right now (even if she IS trying to be better about that…) “Right, then. We’ll let those sniffing dogs be about their business. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.” Aaaand now you’re hungry. Should look into breakfast. But after that, you have to consider what to do next…

As you exit the inn, you can hear some people talking about how the wilderness outside of the town is acting up, too- wonder if that’s your client at work again.

Trying to get to the objective will take time; your client’s senses are blinded, but you’ve at least got some rumors and tips to go on that should make things worth your while. Could see about heading out now, or perhaps try to scrounge up a bit more intel. Perhaps that old lady, although it might be a bit soon to go knocking on her door again. Then again, there’s more than one source of rumors and stories in the village. You just have to be careful now- if those people from the auction last night haven’t left yet, you might get identified far sooner than you’d care to be.
>Keep it quiet and find a ride out to Nestland Island. No reason to roll the dice that hard.
>Perhaps you could skulk about for a bit more information, just to shore up your confidence in your intel.
>There’s no reason not to take advantage of an offer; see if you can locate that little old lady.
>Other.

>>4693852
>There’s no reason not to take advantage of an offer; see if you can locate that little old lady.

>>4693852
>There’s no reason not to take advantage of an offer; see if you can locate that little old lady.
No other choices for me.

>>4693852
>There’s no reason not to take advantage of an offer; see if you can locate that little old lady.

>>4693852
>There’s no reason not to take advantage of an offer; see if you can locate that little old lady.

>>4693852
>>4693861
>>4693864
>>4693876
>>4693895
Well, all things considered, you see no reason to not take advantage of the offer given you- you’re going to find that little lady who you suspect is more than she presents herself. You’ll have to likely talk around a bit to find out where she lives, but hopefully it won’t take you too much time to find out. She certainly seemed like she’d stand out in most scenarios, so if you’re lucky, it won’t take too long to ask a few questions and get a few answers.

You’re fortunately not forced to look around for very long- apparently the old lady is a bit of a known individual around town. She’s called ‘Aunt Mattie’, apparently, though no one knows WHO she’s the aunt of, if anyone. By all accounts, she’s been around for years, and no one quite knows how old she really is. She lives by herself in an old house near the outskirts of town, but is a regular at inns and other places. Loved by a lot of the local children for her stories and baked goods, and occasionally receives gifts here and there to help her out on rainy or rougher days, though most of the adults admit she’s ‘spry for her age’ with a laugh.

Quintessential sweet old lady, it seems.

It’s not hard from there to find her place- it’s not dilapidated, per say, but it’s surprisingly big. Only one floor, but it’s a wide house, it seems. Mostly stonecraft, too. The door has a rather impressive bronze knocker on it, bringing to mind swirling flames. Subtle. You rap it three times and wait.

It’s a minute or two before you hear the shuffling of feet and a small voice. “Just a moment, Laurence, dear. Was in the back, y’see, an- oh!” Seems she was expecting someone else, but she grins nonetheless. “Didn’t think you’d be so quick on the offer, dearie! Come in, come in! I’m always appreciative of a visitor.”

As you enter inside what seems to be an opening hallway, you can see that she’s...well, clearly something of a hoarder. Immediately to the right is a sitting room where a full wall of sculpted statues rest on various shelves. A few more steps down the hall, to the left is a room full of portraits and paintings- not all of them professionally done, judging from some simple scribbles, clearly, but each of them framed in places of easy viewing. “Now, then, youngling. Came for stories, didja? Or is there somethin’ else you’re wanting?”

> “Just wondering...how another dragon managed to hide in plain sight so well.” Call her out, see what she says.
> “I’m curious if you know of a particular story…” ask about the Shadow King Ah-Rul, see what she thinks of him.
> “You’re...one of the stronger individuals I’ve met. I was hoping you could offer advice on that front.”
> Other

>>4694023
> “Just wondering...how another dragon managed to hide in plain sight so well.” Call her out, see what she says.
> “You’re...one of the stronger individuals I’ve met. I was hoping you could offer advice on that front.”
Let's get on equal terms first, maybe she can help out a kin. Make it respectful.

>>4694023
> “Just wondering...how another dragon managed to hide in plain sight so well.” Call her out, see what she says.
> “You’re...one of the stronger individuals I’ve met. I was hoping you could offer advice on that front.”

>>4694023
>>4694027

>>4694023
>>4694027
>>4694066
>>4694074
Might as well keep things polite...but you would like to confirm a suspicion of yours. “Just wondering...how another dragon managed to hide in plain sight so well.”

She stops. Turns around, grins. There’s a distinct difference in her eyes now that wasn’t there last night- slitted. Reptilian. Strong.

“You’d be surprised what innocent folk overlook tryin’ to keep their lives in any kinda order, little ‘un.” And with that, she turns around, walking casually as she pleases. “No, wasn’t nothin’ too special on my part. Just made sure to keep m’diet steady. Less meat than I used ta have, back in th’ day. Move around enough what so folks don’t get too curious. Don’t have much to suggest on that front what you haven’t likely already done. Aside from that? Mmm...well, be nice to folk, an’ they’ll overlook any funny business you might partake in, from time ta time. Like havin’ loud noises come from yer cellar and whatnot.” She chuckles at a joke known only to her, before leading through another door- this one filled with old scrolls and books. There’s upholstery befitting a lord, and a small fireplace. “Take a seat, lass. An’, well, since we’re all likely kin o’ some sort…” She snort once, and then turns her head and spits- a small gout of fire bursts from her lips and smacks clean into the firepit, lighting it instantly. “There we are. Care for tea?”

“Thank you.” She proceeds to take a nearby teapot and a container of leaves, setting to fixing some out. “Truth be told, you’re...one of the stronger individuals I’ve met. I was hoping you could offer advice on that front.”

“What, getting stronger?” she clarifies. “Feh, girl, you’re plenty strong yerself. If you could handle me pullin’ that little trick on you for as long as ya did last night, I s’pect you ain’t got much to worry about that age won’t take care of.” She chances a glance back as she steeps the tea. “What are ya? Can’t be much older than...what, couplea centuries?” She squints. “You can’t be much older than ‘round three hundred or so. Strong as you are, it’ll come in time, so long as you keep yerself active.” A pause. “Though...mmm...might be a couplea tricks I could show you. Been a good long time since I met a youngling. Real good long time…” There’s a flash of something sorrowful in her eyes there, but it goes away as soon as you recognize it at all. “...might would feel a bit wrong if’n I didn’t share a couple things. Though yer friend’ll have to sit it out. I reckon he’s long known, yeah?” You glance back at him, nearly having forgotten. He’s simply looking at all the books and scrolls with an expression of surprise. “Silent boy, that one. Liable to lose him in a hall of mirrors, you are.”

Understandable reaction.

(cont.)

>>4694284
“Anywho,” she continues. “I’m expectin’ someone later this morning, so I ain’t got much in the way o’ time to teach ya anything complicated, buuut…well, put it this ways. Whatcher most interested in figurin’ out? Confusin’ the dickens outta folks, improvin’ yer fire control, or mebbe just general brawlin’?”

Hmm…

>Confusion?
>Fire Control?
>Brawling?
>Surprise Me.

>>4694287
>>Fire Control?
>teach the boy too
the boy is packing 15000 mana, smeared his captors into paste once, but it didn't seem like he has proper control of his powers. This is probably the only chance to teach him anything useful.

>>4694287
>>4694295
Plus
>"The spell yesterday, was it endomagic? I'm having trouble defending against such, your guidance is appreciated."
Yay for new party trick!

>>4694295
>“I wished them gone, and so I lashed out. Mindles, strange emotions,” he explains as though he’s ashamed. “And it resulted in them disappearing in pools of red.
and it's probably a good way to keep an eye on him here, to prevent him from touching anything from her hoard that he shouldn't be touching.

>>4694284
>Fire Control?
>ask about endomagic
Boy doesn't need teaching, that'll just stall our time. He already has enough firepower, he just need to use them more to get a feel.

Writing, by the by.

>>4694287
>>4694295
>>4694306
>>4694342
“Fire Control, I guess?” you hazard. “I can’t exactly do what you just did.”

“No?” She seems surprised. “Huh. Simple, that. Long been more around normal folks, I’m guessin’?” You nod. “Ah. Yup, they mostly stick to hands and staffs and whatnot. Not too good with it outta their own bodies. Just as well, though, eh? Bodies might get a bit warm if they tried it,” she says, giving a chuckle before she hands you some tea. “Drink up. We’ve not all morning, but we’ve likely got enough time for some tea before we go downstairs. If Lawrence doesn’t show up first thing in the morning, that lazybones’ll make it the last.”

Fortunately, the blend is favorable- some sort of spiced berries with a subtle sweetness that you admit you found enjoyable. There’s not much else you can say about it, but you have to admit you enjoy the silence. You take the opportunity to look around a bit more. Seems like every wall is lined with some sort of reading material. Above the fireplace is an old, gnarled staff, with a single gem inlaid. She’s quick to notice. “Enjoying the scenery? All of this...well, it’s a lot of years of collectin’ and findin’ and hoardin’. I ain’t as much a wanderer as I used ta be, but I certainly enjoy the fruits of my labors. You might not be old enough to understand just yet, but it’s one of those right of passage things.” A dragon thing, likely. Ah-Rul had insinuated as much before. Well, YOU had, he’d just agreed, and this was good enough confirmation. “Though you soon realize that gold and fancy things an’ whatnot tend to get you known a bit much around the neighborhood.” She grins. “Lucky fer me, more than shiny things caught my eye.”

You can see that, and simply nod in appreciation. Before much longer, your cups are finished, and you and your fairy are led out the door to further in the back. “Now, then, lil’ missy. Controllin’ your fire ain’t too much trouble- at least, figuring you’re just tryin’ for the basics. Spittin’ an’ throwin’ is all fine and dandy, but there’s more n’ one way ta channel yer inner flame.” You’re brought down a set of steps into a cellar; it’s entirely rock beyond the door as well, and you can see occasional soot marks dotting the walls, lit only by magic lamps and torches. The door at the end opens up into a massive, lit stone room- the ceiling is at least 15 feet up, and you can see there’s a large, well-crafted bed, a number of mid-sized statues of stone; there’s a few pillars even. Most of them with claw marks. “Right then. Take that cloak off, would you? Rather not get it burnt.”

You do so, allowing yourself to ‘show’ entirely. She nods. “Good growth for a youngun’. Wings are comin’ in nice. Flyin’ yet?”

“More gliding,” you admit. “Still not used to all of it.”

She simply nods. “You’ll get into the swing of it if you've gotten that far."

(cont.)

>>4694498
"Right," you allow before you continue. "I also wanted to ask. That spell yesterday; was that endomagic? I'm having trouble defending against that kind of thing, so if you have any guidance..."

"Not much, but perhaps," she admits. "One o' the things humans twigged to that was a real game changer, that. Bodies gotta do what bodies gotta do, and stoppin' that outright's hard to defend; doesn't matter what you are- if you have a flesh n' blood body to speak of, that is." You see her glance to your fairy friend- likely meaning it doesn't do much to fairies since they're largely...not flesh and blood perse.

"Right, then," she continues. "From the sounds o’ it, you might not have even the basics o’ fire down. So, probably best ta show me what you CAN do, and we’ll go from there, eh?” She blinks. “Ah, right, a moment…” She seems to shrug her shoulders, stretching out…

And you see large, ruby wings erupting from her back, her eyes having deepened in their reptilian quality. Gnarled horns seem to sprout from her head; whether it’s illusion or shapeshifting you’re uncertain, but the tail, long, strong, and sinewy erupting from the base tells you likely the latter. Curiously, she doesn’t seem to gain much, if any height from her transformation… “Right, then. Likely a bit more familiar to you, eh?” Even her voice has grown deeper, more rumbling. You can see the sharpened teeth as she speaks. “So now, let’s start the lesson…”

>Roll 1d20, best of three for training purposes, and to see what you might pick up.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4694501

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4694501

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4694501

Haven't got a double 1 in a while, this is what we get for trying out a different branch.

...well. Cliffhanger, because I'll resume tomorrow. Be here to see the...uh.

Consequences.

>>4694511
thanks for running!

File: file.png (4.19 MB, 1500x1294)

4.19 MB PNG

Fire Control sounds pretty sweet in general and benefits 2-3 of our techniques.

If we dive into it enough, we might be able to turn our Magiblast into Napalm or Lava. Should be able to, since we managed to turn our mana into gum. The only downsize is this will render our recently learned fire gum-rope redundant, but we might learn faster from that since the concept might be similar.

File: flamethrower.jpg (54 KB, 1577x112)

54 KB JPG

>>4694606
I think the idea behind the Fire Line was that it was a transitional technique for the 'flamethrower' - a combination of energy channel and sticky mana, that eventually could be upgraded into some nasty magical sticky napalm spray with some practice. We were trying to learn how to shoot flames for quite a while, and each time we get a different underdeveloped technique:
Sparkling Fireworks - failed the roll for 'Mystic Fire' (#42)
Over-Channel and Wisp Lighter - started over with the energy channel as a base (#72)
Fire Line - already explained (#95)
I think that turning our sticky bombs into 'napalm' would be possible only after finishing the energy channel/sticky mana combo.

File: air shift.jpg (57 KB, 1564x141)

57 KB JPG

>>4694606
>Trailblazer
We already tried something like this with our leg/energy channeling, but haven't practiced it because we were wearing wings on almost every mission after that.

>>4694724
>>4694501
Either way, 13 should be enough to at least pass the roll. We are already experienced in channeling Fire so it shouldn't be too hard.
With this, we have more grounds to expand our current burny techs, since the Control part can also include fortifying flames (bigger "Righteous Fire" from the Channel line, stronger flames for the Flamebringer,...) or enchanting our basic spells so they all carry fire element.

>>4694501
>>4694503
>>4694504
>>4694505
“Alright, now, one more time…” Another one more time, it’s been twelve ‘one more times’ already. You already KNOW how to channel fire, in a sense- and she’s impressed, and also a bit baffled when you showed her. In her own words, ‘Usually it comes out the mouth ‘fore they learn to push it out anywhere else…’ But to her that just meant you were used to doing things a bit backwards. “Need ta quit thinking more human and think more ‘dragon’,” she chides. “You might not be used ta it, but it’s something ya can’t ignore- not deep down inside.” Well, this’d likely have more relevance if you were ACTUALLY a dragon. But, not, so. But, you’re at least making some progress.

Cost her an old statue, and had gotten you a rap or two on the head after you’d nearly burnt her bed and your own mouth, but no, it’s progress. She’d focused on more control than volume, thank goodness, and you’d at least managed to spit a few small gouts like she had earlier- though they lacked the explosive capacity of hers. Still, it was a start, and while you wouldn’t be breathing jets of fire any time soon (you still weren’t sure how to beat the whole ‘roasting your inner mouth’ issue), you could at least do a little something. Her idea of control was one of taking ‘emotion’, condensing it, and directing it; you could understand that, though it’s harder than it might sound.

>Learned Spitfire: This is a simple and basic firebreathing technique, forming your mana, heating the outermost bulk of it to become a magically based flame and hawking it from your mouth like a deadly loogie (with much further range and coherency). It’s little more than small gouts of condensed mana on fire, but it’s something towards bigger techniques, you having used what you learned with trying out the Fire Line to help here. Cost: Negligible. However, repeated use may cause debilitation.

It’s not long before she stops afterwards, however, after you’d spat at a set of small wooden pegs as practice targets. She cocks her head to the side, and nods. “ ‘Fraid that’s all fer now. I s’pect that’ll be Lawrence here this time. She sighs good-naturedly. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get ta the rest of it, but you got the important part down. He’ll be takin’ up most of my time for the rest of the day. Mind if I walk ya out?”

(cont.)

>>4695686
Lawrence, for his part, seems an amicable sort- a thin Wildling that seems more a scholar judging by his glasses, notebook, and straightlaced demeanor than anything else. He gives you a perfunctory nod as you pass by. “Come in, come in,” Auntie Mattie says easily. “Had some fun with a guest afore you showed up…” She continues talking as you head out, wrapping your cloak around you once more.

Well...that took up most of the morning, really. It’s easily noontime, crossing into afternoon. You can see there’s a few more hawkers, and in the distance, there looks like a...a number of soldiers, actually. Armed and armored. You can’t tell who from at this distance, but they’re headed off somewhere- away from you, thank goodness. Further into town.

What next to do here?

>Nothing; high time you got back on the trail. If you move quickly and quietly enough, everything else is irrelevant.
>You might be able to find some decent temporary gear here...could be worth risking looking around a bit more.
>You’d rather not head out without knowing what that force is here for. Might need to spy on them- or at least try to.
>Other

>>4695688
>>Other
>Send Gartoum to take a quick look at the soldiers
>In the mean time, repair the Clockwork Turret and the Mysterious Green Orb from Alminian dungeon using our gauntlets together with fairy boy's boost

>>4695688
Now we don't need to use the Flamebringer to start some! Can catch a lot of people off in duels with this and very subtle. Let's hope that we don't need to burn some trees down on these island.

>Send Gartoum to take a quick look at the soldiers
>Inquire Ah-Rul about: the ancient king, the fairy fable/singing creature and his opinion on the fairy boy.

This talk is long overdue and should give us more insight on what to focus on next.

>>4695704
Supporting.

>>4695688
>>4695704
adding this to my vote
>Inquire Ah-Rul about: the ancient king, the fairy fable/singing creature and his opinion on the fairy boy.

>>4695688
>>4695704
>>4695792
+

>>4695688
>>4695704
>>4695715
>>4695757
>>4695792
>>4695837

‘Nothing too hard this time, Gar, if you don’t mind,’ you mentally send. ‘Just a quick look over to those guards to confirm where they’re going, is all.’

‘Mmm...very well! Back in a flash! But do remember I want a bit more than this sooner than later!’ You have to step into a shadow to let him sneak out, but sneak out he does. In the meantime, however, you can do a few things you’d been meaning to; after finding a small alleyway to sit in, at least…

You can’t remember if the bag of holding stops something’s personal time; but hopefully it does as you take out the shattered pieces of the clockwork turret. It’d done well for you during the castle siege, but if you wanted to see that happen again, you’d need to repair it. It takes a bit to fish all the pieces out, but fish them you do, and you focus, willing the gauntlets- your claws- to work their magic.

Blessedly, the parts seem to come together, and you breathe an outwards sigh of relief. That’s a pleasant thing to note- makes life a lot easier now that you know that the magic works based on the object’s time passing and not the gloves. Before much longer, the turret is fully repaired, and you’re glad to see it back. Now...there’s something else that was busted up recently, now that you think of it. But while that’s happening… ‘Lord Ah-Rul, a question.’

‘Speak, and quickly.’ He sounds frustrated, but at least he’s willing.

‘These tales I’ve heard- about the Ancient King, this fairy and the singing creature…’ you start off. He had to have heard them alongside you, right? ‘How true or accurate ARE they?’

‘Ah.’ There’s a pause, likely as he considers if he’ll answer at all. But after a moment: ‘I will keep this brief, then. The ‘Ancient King’, most certainly. Though I knew him as Dragon King Gonda. A foolish enemy whom I turned to my use. And those tales are only half true. Indeed, he ruled over the Dragons before my influence was felt. But he most certainly did not afterwards. He came begging to me on bended knee to save his people, as they were being destroyed by those primordial pests! And after I had taken him into confidence, he blundered even the simplest commands I gave him!’ Huh. That’s...not what you expected. ‘Properly fearing retribution, he fled like the coward he was, with only his most mewling sycophants trailing him. I see no reason to revive the fool, even if he IS still alive somewhere. Unless perhaps you’d end his pathetic existence for good.’

You’ll...have to think on that one a bit. ‘And what of the singing creature and the fairy?’

Another pause. A longer one. ‘...I knew no such tale. Not before you happened across it.’ Faaaascinating.

(cont.)

>>4698284
Well, in the meantime, you’d been healing that orb. It shines with an iridescent green glow now, but otherwise...doesn’t seem to be doing anything. Looks pretty, for sure. Might be worth a decent penny to the right collector, but nothing leaps out at you about it from first glance. Maybe-

‘Baaack!’ Ah, there he is. ‘And it’s about as expected- the lot of them are going on a bit of an expedition to find that vault mentioned in that auction. Captains are saying it’d lead to a ‘new major force multiplier for the Yulin Empire. They DID mention Nestland Island in their travel plans, however, so that'll be a bit of a wrinkle, eh?’ Ah, so that’s who they belonged to…well, good to know THAT.

For now, you've got other things to worry about.

>You need to find another ride, ASAP.
>May be best to trail them; let them do the dirty work of clearing the way ahead.
>Other

>>4698292
>>You need to find another ride, ASAP.
risky, but if we nab the Lockstone fast enough then we might be able to catch up to this expedition before they claim whatever is inside that vault

>>4698292
>You need to find another ride, ASAP.
Whatever they'll pilfer we can take care of. But if we snipe the expedition with a Buster or something they might get alerted enough to send people to relocate the stone. THAT will cost us time, they already know someone is targeting the macguffins.

Oh and we can't hunt wild beasts to test out the barrier if we trail them.

>>4698292
>You need to find another ride, ASAP.

The ancient king may have supported the shadow king only to sabotage him. Maybe kill off some dragons he didn’t like. Seems too convoluted of a plan, but the idea of someone ruling a kingdom for a long time and being super incompetent doesn’t seem right either.
>>4698292
>You need to find another ride, ASAP.
May as well get a move on anyway. We have a job to do.

>>4698292
>You need to find another ride, ASAP.

>>4699114
Well, dragons are pretty hard to harm, perhaps the "kingdom" didn't need much managing.
>>4698292
>You need to find another ride, ASAP.

>>4698292
>>4698307
>>4698321
>>4698497
>>4699152
>>4700680
Namely, you need to find another ride, ASAP. “Come on, let’s get as far away as possible,” you quickly state as you head the other way. No one complains.

It takes a bit of asking around to find out, but there’s no major ‘ships’ between islands- there’s rather a small set of local ferries, kind of like bus systems, and large flying creatures much like the one you saw earlier- though you recall that the one you saw earlier was definitely yellow or perhaps golden, while these are more of a ruby red and other darker colors. It’ll take a half hour or so to get to the next island over, and Nestland Island isn’t even traveled to by boat due to the aquatic beasts that live around the coasts- you can only get there by flight unless you want to row yourself, and it’s two large silver per trip. They don’t stay there long, either; the only flights there are for ‘warrior safaris’- rites of passage for the more traditional locals and powerful other individuals. Apparently they’ll remain near the landing perch for three hours before they leave, or until sunset. At that point, they’re leaving, and you’re on your own. Even have you sign a waiver and everything.

Considering you’re down to 3 small silver and 4 large, it’s...a risk. But one you obviously need to take.

It’s on the ride over you find yourself curious about another aspect ‘Sir, just what do you make of the half-breed I’m carting along?’ you ask your client idly.

‘Feh. It is little more than a shell- a creature not of mortality nor of true fairyhood, and so little worth my ire or my concern. Learned in the ways of neither, with the folly of both. Its power is clearly the only redeeming factor about it. So I care not. Use it however you will to accomplish your goal. Perhaps when you are done, I may utilize it for experimentation. Or perhaps turn it to my own ends.’ He snorts. ‘Or indeed, I may not concern myself with it whatsoever. It lacks the will and independent impetus to pose any sort of remote threat, and is easily dealt with with no directing influence.’ Relatively neutral, then. Good to know.

It's not much longer before the guide notes the island approaching on the horizon. "You better know what you want to do while you're there!" he says tersely. "You might be a kid, but I got kids of my own! I'm not risking my safety for yours!"

> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.
> "Then you might as well turn back once we land. I'm not rushing myself." You can take care of yourself here and get Gargles back- hopefully.
> (Intimidation) "If you aren't here when I get back, then you'd better spend as much time with your family as possible before I find you again."
> Other

>>4701180
> "Then you might as well turn back once we land. I'm not rushing myself." You can take care of yourself here and get Gargles back- hopefully.
We have night vision, we have a camping kit and time's ticking. Gartoum should have more leeway in the dark also.

>>4701180
>> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.

>>4701180
>>4701190
Changing to
> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.
Same deal, but more freedom.

>>4701180
> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.

>>4701180
> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.

>>4701180
>> Ignore him entirely. You'll do as you can- if you pull it off in two hours, grand.

File: file.png (1.09 MB, 1500x1500)

1.09 MB PNG

>You can’t remember if the bag of holding stops something’s personal time; but hopefully it does as you take out the shattered pieces of the clockwork turret. It’d done well for you during the castle siege, but if you wanted to see that happen again, you’d need to repair it. It takes a bit to fish all the pieces out, but fish them you do, and you focus, willing the gauntlets- your claws- to work their magic.

>Blessedly, the parts seem to come together, and you breathe an outwards sigh of relief. That’s a pleasant thing to note- makes life a lot easier now that you know that the magic works based on the object’s time passing and not the gloves. Before much longer, the turret is fully repaired, and you’re glad to see it back.

We learned that the bag somehow stop the personal time of whatever inside it, and the Crazy Diamond works based on the object’s time passing and not the gloves.

This got me thinking, can we eat a particularly large fish and then just magic it back up? Maybe store said fish inside the bag for unlimited ration, making it into a tactical lunchbox?

>>4701180
>>4701203
>>4701207
>>4701234
>>4701291
>>4702156
You decide to not say anything. You’ll do as best you can with this- if that’s within two hours, then great. If not, then you’ll just have to find a way off otherwise. He doesn’t seem to respond at all to your silence, just sighing, and continuing on.

You eventually find yourself coming up on a part of the island surrounded by rocks and small cliffs, but just beyond that, you can see rich forests and deep crags. “There’s our landing spot. Make sure you’re ready.” Jungle-like, most certainly. You can even hear distant roars and hoots and hollers of the wildlife as you close in, and you have to wonder if they’re as aggressive as claimed.

The eagle touches down with nary a sound but flapping wings, and you drop down quickly. You can see now that the place is also primed for personal defense- there’s a small couple of shack-like buildings, and the only way in by foot is highly fenced off. “Good luck out there, but remember what I said!” he warns as he heads into one of them. Right, sure. Well, you’ve got a certain something to find, so…

‘Can you sense anything, sir?’ you ask mentally.

‘But a little,’ he warns. ‘Continue forwards. And tread warily.’

Right…

>Roll 1d20, best of three.

>>4702940
Nope. Needs all the parts still present and in the general state of matter it died in.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4703679

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4703679

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>4703679

>>4703683
Ops?

>>4703679
>>4703683
>>4703718
>>4703720
Initially, you can see WHY it’s so dangerous. It’s only a few minutes, maybe a half hour, before you come across a massive beast- something like a massive, meat-eating stegosaurus which rushes you out of nowhere and forces you to dive for cover as it absolutely wrecks a massive tree with its bulk. Its plates on the back even do a good job of deflecting your magiblasts, and for a while you grow concerned about how to break its defenses- but fortunately it over corrects on a turn trying to get to you, slams into a rock outcropping, and tumbles over. You don’t waste any time in disposing of it via it’s much softer underside.

Your 'partner', for his part, had at least seen fit to hide during the whole affair. He'd refused to talk at all after that, however. Presumably frightened, you suppose. Frankly, you just figure you're lucky he wasn't targeted by that big bastard.

The walk from there you find is much more appreciable; not long after that scuffle, you reach a small, babbling brook. And near it, footprints. Several, by your estimate- at least three people came through here. And judging by the distance between the prints and their relative depth, they were likely running. Further confirming it is what you’re pretty sure is a small speck of blood on a sharp rock nearby as well- someone got injured during a pursuit. The blood’s dry, though, so it wasn’t recent. Similarly, the footprints seem old, as you follow them from the brook on the other side. Drat. Still, shows you’re at least on the right trail- if an old one. You get an ill thought in the pit of your stomach...

'Anything further?' you ask mentally.

'No!' he growls out. 'This vexes me greatly...we must not tarry!'

Damn.

>Do you think it's already been taken?
>Say nothing, you don't want to piss him off more.
>What if they're waiting on us?
>Other

>>4703891
>Do you think it's already been taken?
>Other
Use Low Quickening to pursuit.

>>4703891
>Say nothing, you don't want to piss him off more.
>remind the boy about his powers, encourage him to use them to defend himself from the local creatures

>>4703904
>>4703891
Let's do this too while we're at it.

>>4703891
>Say nothing, you don't want to piss him off more.
>remind the boy about his powers, encourage him to use them to defend himself from the local creatures
>Use Low Quickening to pursuit.
can the kid keep up or do we have to carry him?

>>4703891
>>4703911
+

>>4703891
>>4703902
>>4703904
>>4703905
>>4703911
>>4703911
>>4703942
You’re not saying anything to that. He’s already in a bad mood, you’re got no desire to exacerbate it.

You then get an idea- if it’s speed that you need, then maybe a local spell might be just the ticket...but first. “Hey,” you turn to the half-fairy. “How fast can you move?”

“...I move at the speed of fate’s desire and no faster. It is not for me.” he responds mutedly. Great. So not very, it sounds like. Great. Alright, then, you’ve got a solution for that.

“Then brace yourself, and remember to use those powers once in a while to actually DEFEND yourself,” you say in vague annoyance. “Because I’m going to be moving pretty fast, and so are you in a moment.” Sadly for you, he seems...a bit wider now. He's not able to fit in the bag. He used to, but now...gah, whatever. You can carry him. He's no goblin, but he's still not THAT heavy. Now, you just need to remember how to activate Low Quickening…

Your speed is nowhere near Izumi’s, but all the same you can’t help but feel this is a similar sensation. It’s not just your leg speed, it’s your perception, reaction time, everything related to making sure you can actually utilize the speed granted. It’s not a bad spell, you think. With it, you dart through the foliage at speed, following the footsteps, broken branches, and as many signals that you can spot as for who was there. There’s not much more, however, as you continue on- though you do spot what seems to be a large cavernous area in the distance. They seemed to be going in a straight line, at least, so it’s not hard to guess that this was along their path, if not the destination.

‘Odd…’ you hear. ‘I can hear a thrumming of my power here, but it is faint...echoes. Grah! We must investigate! Charge forth!’

...was this it, then? Alright...you set your fairy friend down, who seems...a bit pale. "And I saw death, my old acquaintance, and we did speak in rushed and familiar tones...' Sure.

Putting that issue away for a moment. You've got a ravine cave to investigate...

>Roll 2d20 for primary exploration, best of three.

Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d20)

>>4704069

Rolled 20, 5 = 25 (2d20)

>>4704069

Rolled 7, 11 = 18 (2d20)

>>4704069

Resuming tomorrow at around 1 PM PST. Interesting findings.

If a bit frustrating.

I'm still running, sorry. Just have a project I'm working on and it took longer than expected to get it straight. Some miscommunication.

If you know what it is, don't spoil it.

>>4681541
Wait, I don't remember seeing the OP image before, is that new?

>>4704069
>>4704074
>>4704081
>>4704087
It’s not very much longer before you begin to notice some curious signs- opened yet old chests here and there, discarded weapons, all that sort. People were here, and you estimate fairly recently due to the fact that there’s little dust on the sword that you find, and there’s a few torches burning that seem to be recently lit, though that’s just you guessing due to lack of scorch marks, honestly. The biggest clue is when you come across an abandoned encampment- the tents and campfire look recently crafted- at minimum within the day, you wager. Footsteps as well, and these seem fresh. Still some mud here and there in the tents, and there’s still a vague sense of warmth.

That’s about it, though. You don’t think there’s anything more here, which is frustrating. You’re going to have to keep looking around…

‘The essence of life clings here,’ your traveler mumbles. ‘A sorry place for existence to flourish.’ Meh. That’s not great, but...oh, hold on. There IS something here. A small note…? Huh. There’s a LOT of writing on this, and from what you can tell, it’s a task list…as for the ones not crossed out?

-’Retrieve the Islands Lockstone!’
-Get to the islands.’
-‘Get through Nestland Island!’
-’Find and unlock the Ancient Gate.’

-Help the old man find his missing rare book.
-He claims he lost it somewhere near Jimina Oasis.
-Deliver the message to the (probably) sad guard in the Yulin Royal Palace.
-Find all of the mysterious notes by the Singing Stranger.

Hmm. Well, that’s something. Might be useful to know. You're going to keep this, thank you.

However, the situation doesn't seem good. A few more minutes of exploration- you check, it's been about an hour, it seems- reveals little. Still time to investigate properly. Although...it's clear what direction you need to go in. And as much as you hate to admit it, you think you know where this is going...

It's pretty much confirmed when you reach the now familiar massive gates meant to bar entry to where the Lockstone resides...and there is very clearly NOT a Lockstone in the chains. Rather, there's...something else. Some sort of smaller stone that's more geometric sphere, and shining silver instead of the typical Lockstone color.

'What...what blasphemous sorcery is THIS?!' Ah-Rul roars mentally. Pot, meet kettle. 'WHERE IS MY STONE?!' Gone, you suspect. But then this thing...?

You getting closer to it is...difficult. It seems to actively repel you, but there's no 'threat'- it's purely protective in nature, seemingly. Experimentally, you toss a magiblast into it- and it simply vanishes. Not dissipated, but more like...absorbed. Ugh. You can muscle your way in, but...it'll be rough.

>Just try to force it and break the chain.
>This...needs to be shattered. Now.
>Ask your half-fairy friend for an opinion. He seems sufficiently awed.
>Other

>>4705422
>Ask your half-fairy friend for an opinion. He seems sufficiently awed.

>>4705422
>Ask your half-fairy friend for an opinion. He seems sufficiently awed.
Is Faemetal silver in color?

>>4705422
>Ask your half-fairy friend for an opinion. He seems sufficiently awed.

Writing!

>>4705422
>>4705430
>>4705437
>>4705438

You turn to your half-fairy companion. “What do you make of this?” you ask. “Seems like this is something new- and you look pretty impressed.” Indeed, he looks awed, to say the least.

He nearly takes a step forwards before he catches himself- and you’re kinda impressed that he even saw fit to stop at all, considering how lethargic he is. “Such a resonance...and so familiar…” he murmurs. “It almost calls to me. Though such a feeling must be a lie…a sweet trickery to lead to my demise.”

Was it? Well, on the one hand, as powerful as he could be, it could do something to him, though you’ve no clue whether it’s good or bad. But still, you need to do something- whatever this is, it’s likely the cause of the interference on Ah-Rul’s part, and you can’t have that if you want to identify where the heck the Lockstone went. You’re going to have to make a decision here…

>Encourage him to go for it, whatever 'it' is.
>Suggest he refuse it, and you'll push into it yourself.
>Other

>>4705568
>Encourage him to go for it, whatever 'it' is.
>Other
Ready the gauntlets and the Draining Combat Knife.

>>4705568
>>4705570

>>4705568
>>4705570
+

>>4705568
>Suggest he refuse it, and you'll push into it yourself.

>>4705568
Supporting >>4705570

>>4705568
>>4705570
>>4705576
>>4705580
>>4705683
Well...might as well. “If it calls to you, might as well go for it,” you encourage. “Who knows? You might end up learning something interesting. And worst comes to worst, I’ll be there to clean up anything foul that happens.” You hope you won’t need your gauntlets, or perhaps the draining knife...but you ready them nonetheless. Better safe than sorry.

Not that he has anything to say about it, surprisingly. He just looks back towards the crystal, and begins to step forwards. You tense up a bit as he approaches- and seems to be able to walk through with little difficulty. It’s almost impressive if it weren’t so annoying. He gets closer to the stone...whatever it is...holds his hand to it.

There’s a massive light that shines, and for a moment you worry as you try to block your eyes- but then you can feel it fading- along with that sense of pressure keeping you out. As the light levels return to normal, you uncover your eyes to see that all that’s left is your friend, glowing brighter for a moment in what seems to be a halo of light- before suddenly there’s an audible *pop* and the light dissipates into particles. You...aren’t entirely sure what happened there- but as he crumples, you figure you have other things to worry about right now.

‘What...ahaaa...I see now.’ Hm? ‘It appears that some interloper has absconded with my Lockstone! And they had assistance, indeed…’ although he’s growling, he sounds oddly...pleased? ‘They deceived me it seems. You see, that is no Lockstone of mine, but a facsimile.’

“So they DID come and take it before us,” you grumble. You kinda figured, but these situations mean you have to be sure...

‘They knew I would see their power as an attempt to blind my senses and rush to check. This is not a task done easily, and would require sacrifice- or a Great Fairy’s power.’ Well. That sounds concerning. ‘And yet, how foolish of them to think such a tactic would do but delay us slightly. Such a trick will NOT work again!’

You have to admit, you're a bit more frustrated- all this way just for nothing!? Gah!

But, well, not the first time a job's been difficult. Won't be the last. And maybe it's not entirely 'nothing', either...you've a decent idea of what's next for them, thanks to your little find. But now, with that in mind...

>You need to get back. Don't want them to get another one- who knows what they're planning, and how it might affect the job?
>You can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything- which means they're going to come to you eventually.
>Other

>>4705742
>You can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything- which means they're going to come to you eventually.
Doubt we can catch them now, and they should be going to inform the royal palace to boot. We need someone, or something to rock this island when the army descends.

>>4705742
>>You can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything- which means they're going to come to you eventually.
Yeah, Gargles is still quite far away. We have a lot of defensive items and abilities, if we get some spare time then we can corrupt some local beasts, summon up some shadow minions and test all the experimental tools as well.

>>4705742
>You...aren’t entirely sure what happened there
so is the boy dead or what?

>>4705742
>You can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything- which means they're going to come to you eventually.

>>4705763
>test all the experimental tools as well.
Shoot, almost forgot about that.

>>4705417
looks like it. i for one, love it

>>4705742
>>You can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything- which means they're going to come to you eventually.

also, where is pecker? in our bag i suppose?

>>4706277
Should be. I assume we stashed him away when we arrived at the islands and he's been there ever since.
Let's free the lil' birdy a bit? Since we're camping out anyway.

>>4705923
might as well remind you all to check the spreadsheet link in the OP

>>4705742
>>4705752
>>4705763
>>4705784
>>4706277

...well, they’re going to have to come to you eventually. Meaning, you can take your time and search for the Dragon King. They need all five of the Lockstones to do anything, so they’re stuck after a certain point. “Well, the good news is we know where they are...and that they’ll be looking for us in due time,” you mention. “So we can afford to hang around for a bit.”

‘So you propose we delay, of all things?’ he grumbles mentally.

“Not for SUPER long,” you affirm. “Just for a bit. Besides, aren’t you trying to arrange your legions of hordes yourself? You can focus on that for a bit.” Wait, didn’t you have a...aha! There he is. Pecker flitters out, and he shoots towards your halfling briefly. It flitters around him once...twice...thrice before it abandons its orbit and flutters back to you, that tinkling sound again coming out of it as he takes his place atop your head, as usual. Though you do notice him fluttering more often; you think he might be mad.

‘Nggghh...you have not steered me wrong yet, and so, I will trust you for now,’ your client decides. ‘But make no mistake, we cannot be utterly lax for days on end. I can only surmise that this may have been affecting your mount, as well. It should be only a short period of time before he recovers- but we CANNOT consider that a reason to tarry too long.’

“We won’t,” you assure, as you mentally draw up plans. “Besides, I can use this time to search for the Dragon King or perhaps prepare myself better.” Or do some other things, if you’re being honest.

‘Then inform me when anything relevant happens, else I will be checking in on you myself. One point of yours rings true- I must continue to prepare my forces for my arrival…’

As the mental voice fades out, you think his presence has indeed lessened. That gives you time to do a bit of side work…

>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.
>You don’t have THAT much time. Might as well spend it searching for the Dragon King.
>There’s a few other things you can do in civilization. You should go ahead and head back there for now…
>Other

File: 1607052353667.gif (296 KB, 529x720)

296 KB GIF

>>4708418
>>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.
Might as well corrupt the local beasts after revitalizing them. Maybe we can get ourselves another flying mount. We could even skip the beast-hunting part and just return to our guide and take his bird.
...so is the boy just out of mana or did he croak after all?

>>4708418
>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.

>>4708429
No, he's fine, just there. He's not saying anything at the moment.

>>4708418
>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.

>>4708418
>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.

time for science!!!

>>4708418
>Time for some science experiments. You’ve had that Revitalization Barrier just sitting there...not to mention her, uh...other device.
Corrupting the local wildlife seems like a worthy exercise as well, specially on this island that is incredibly brutal

>>4708418
>>4708429
>>4708430
>>4708462
>>4708485
>>4708567
Well, with your mind soundly your own for the time being...no reason to not perform a bit of science. You can’t say it’s not an interesting prospect, that revitalization barrier. “Alright, you two,” you mention to both the quiet (and now not quite as glowy) half fairy and your mana-eating bird. “Let’s go do a bit of hunting, first…”

The bird chirps, at least. The kid doesn’t say anything, but nods and follows quietly.

Thus it is about an hour later that you’re squaring off against a number of creatures; you’d bagged a few of them already, one of them being a plant-like quadruped that reminds you of a mobile venus flytrap, another that struck you as a flying squirrel with far, FAR too big paws and teeth, and the last, some kind of...wispy skittering ball thing that seemed to both float and scuttle along the ground.

It was Pecker that actually got that last one, and you finally got to see what it did. It had simply flown over to the creature, and began to tap it’s head- twice was all it managed, but you clearly saw SOMETHING spark from the creature’s head to Pecker’s beak, and almost like it was slurping up some sort of drink or noodles, mana seemed to flow from the creature, to Pecker, who soon took on a rich, purple hue. The creature itself seemed to shudder for a bit, far paler than it was originally, before collapsing in exhaustion.

Pecker was content flying by itself for a while after that. Also seemed to be a touch poisonous, from what you could surmise by it’s attacks on other beasts. Seems the little thing would be rather nice to have around on occasion, depending on who you were.

Still, you need something a bit bigger now- all of the creatures you have are particularly small, maybe dog sized, if that. You need something around your size…hence your latest target:

>A beast that looked like a stubby alligator with a longer snout. The FutureSight noted that it seemed to have ‘low-level regenerative properties’. Likely can regrow its tail or leg or something…sounds useful to test issues like that, at least.
>A bipedal, furred beast that looked a cross between an ogre and a bear. It didn’t seem to be sapient, so it looked reasonable; if angry. The FutureSight said apparently that it ‘showed signs of extreme aggressive tendencies, hence why you’re keeping quiet…
>A much bigger plant creature like the one you had already bagged. It seemed to have small seedcreatures with it, but they seemed...bonded to the thing. Not easily removed, as though they’d yet to bud off or something. Why not?
>Other

>>4710341
>>A much bigger plant creature like the one you had already bagged. It seemed to have small seedcreatures with it, but they seemed...bonded to the thing. Not easily removed, as though they’d yet to bud off or something. Why not?
Regardless of what we pick, we should corrupt the captured creatures if they survive the tests. The ones we've already captured fit in our bag, they're basically our pokemons now.

>>4710341
Oh wow, Poison mana? Dunno how birdy can suck that up but not ours. Guess we're too alien.

>A beast that looked like a stubby alligator with a longer snout. The FutureSight noted that it seemed to have ‘low-level regenerative properties’. Likely can regrow its tail or leg or something…sounds useful to test issues like that, at least.
Call me weird, but I think gators are cute. And this will test the barrier on something that can regen too.

>>4710341
>A much bigger plant creature like the one you had already bagged. It seemed to have small seedcreatures with it, but they seemed...bonded to the thing. Not easily removed, as though they’d yet to bud off or something. Why not?

Picking this up because it remibds me of the boss plant from Final Fantasy 9

>>4710341
>A much bigger plant creature like the one you had already bagged. It seemed to have small seedcreatures with it, but they seemed...bonded to the thing. Not easily removed, as though they’d yet to bud off or something. Why not?

>>4710341
>A beast that looked like a stubby alligator with a longer snout. The FutureSight noted that it seemed to have ‘low-level regenerative properties’. Likely can regrow its tail or leg or something…sounds useful to test issues like that, at least.

>>4710341
>A bipedal, furred beast that looked a cross between an ogre and a bear. It didn’t seem to be sapient, so it looked reasonable; if angry. The FutureSight said apparently that it ‘showed signs of extreme aggressive tendencies, hence why you’re keeping quiet…
If it's supposed to be a humanoid facsimile, let's not have strange parasitic growths or limb regrowth powers.

>>4710341
>>4710353
>>4710380
>>4710380
>>4710446
A much bigger plant creature like the one you had already bagged. It seemed to have small seedcreatures with it, but they seemed...bonded to the thing. Not easily removed, as though they’d yet to bud off or something. Why not? It seems to be scrounging around a great deal, snuffling for food; you suspect it’s an omnivore, judging by the sharp teeth. You’re going to have to think about how you want to affect it, however…

You could just bludgeon it to death- internal injuries would be useful to figure out, but obviously harder to determine. Other than that, you could explicitly try cutting a part of it away so that you could see what happens then, too. There’s certainly a few choices, there. You carefully tiptoe, trying your best to not let the thing notice you before you strike…

A blast from your hand topples it, and you’re on it before any response can really come from it aside from a surprisingly pig-like squeal, its little seed creatures chirping as well, but clearly unable to get away. They aren’t the issue, however...at least, you hope not. A few intentionally made cuts and bruises on the creature should work well enough for an initial test.

You don’t think they’ll cause the device to blow up or anything, but it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any effect on them regardless; hence why you decided to pick it in the first place. “Now, then, according to this…” You have to set it up, but that’s simple, some sort of flexible metallic hoop that ends up around 3 or so meters in diameter. There’s some buttons on the side, too. Alright, so just toss the thing in, and… “Here’s hoping,” you mutter to yourself. With a flash, there’s a bright blue light that erupts from the barrier, forming a pillar of soft blue light...

>Roll 2d100, best of three.

Rolled 93, 86 = 179 (2d100)

>>4714414

Rolled 24, 89 = 113 (2d100)

>>4714414

Rolled 63, 44 = 107 (2d100)

>>4714414
The nerds haven't let us down before, let's see this then.

A 93 and a 89. Pretty descent rolls.

File: file.png (390 KB, 425x598)

390 KB PNG

Woo!
Shame about it's strength though (if it's going into the pokeball), since it got downed by just a single Magiblast.

>>4714429
from where we got that pokeball? i don't find it in the docs, nor i remember owlia telling us about it

File: file.png (1.24 MB, 800x1000)

1.24 MB PNG

>>4714483
Our client lent the ability to us. We've already used it to capture a legendary.

>>4714483
the first three monsters are small enough to fit into our bag of holding - so it's technically a pokeball now

File: corruption.jpg (72 KB, 1560x158)

72 KB JPG

>>4714485
>>4714487
also, apparently there might be a corrupted fairy somewhere out there. completely forgot about that.

>>4714485
ahhh ok. i thought you were talking about an actual gadget O&C had given to us.

>>4714414
>>4714416
>>4714418
>>4714419

2 hours. You hadn’t expected to sit around THAT long, but it was 2 full hours, with the recording device going all the while. Far too long for any practical usage in the field. That said? It seemed to heal them up perfectly fine, as far as you could tell. No boils or cancerous growths that might be an indication of overhealing, no half-done scars, nothing. It seems that aside from the time, this device of Owlia’s was a rousing success! The creature inside seems sluggish, however, for the entire time; even when it’s fully healed and conscious. After you turn the device off, it seems as though it’s moving incredibly stiffly- and you recoil as soon as you hit the button, to boot; the heat emanating from it is nearly visible! While it’s not glowing red, it doesn’t have to for you to see the heatwaves coming off the thing, and you strongly suspect that it’s a few degrees from starting a forest fire here and now- and likely would have already if the ground wasn’t a bit damp. You can stand a lot of things- intense heat isn’t really one of them without a barrier. So you have to do your best to cool it off before you can actually grab the thing, disassemble it, and carry on. Still, with this, Owlia will be happy, for sure.

At least, for just the one thing. There’s also her OTHER device to test...but that one you’re a bit more worried about. You only have the one orb, but by all accounts, one is all that’s needed to cause problems...considering what Owlia said before? If this thing malfunctions, it might not end well.

>Test Operation Z1?

>Yes
>No

>>4714518
>No
>Corrupt captured creatures

>>4714518
>No

>>4714518
>No
Let's test it WHEN we have actual threatening mages on the field. At least that way it will at least target something other than us.
Also what's our plan for when the thing malfunctions?

>>4714523
shoot it down with our anti-magic coilgun

>>4714518
>No

>>4714518
>>4714519
>>4714521
>>4714523
>>4714526
Thinking about it, you’ll pass. You’re not going to risk yourself quite yet. Rather instead, you’ve got something else that you’re planning on doing in the meantime. That thing’s taking forever to cool, but you can at least plot out your next steps while you’re working on that…

The Dragon King shouldn’t be too far away; hopefully. If he’s still around, who knows what you can do with him that might make your life easier? Then again, it might not be worth it for you at this stage, unless he had some impressive artifacts with him. Who could say? Not to mention the time that it might take, which would give your (client’s) enemies more preparation time for your coming. That might make things harder if you’re not careful in particular.

There’s also getting Gargles up and at ‘em. You’d hope that he’s feeling better by now, but with your ride most certainly gone, you don’t really have another way off the island...you could just proceed apace to Yulin. Really, this place is pretty much as described- rife with monsters and really not a whole lot else to grab your attention.

>Search for the Dragon King.
>Call Gargles and head to Yulin.
>Other

>>4714557
>Search for the Dragon King.
>Call gargles and tell him to standby
i feel its wise to have him come at a leisure pace while we're looking for the dragon king

>>4714557
>>4714575
+
This will conserve our ride's energy. I also want to complete at least 1 sidegig before leaving, or at least to see if this King is really incompetent.

>>4714557
>Search for the Dragon King.
>Call gargles and tell him to standby

>>4714557
>>4714579

Will continue tomorrow. I've tried to resist Monster Hunter for a while now but no longer can I deny the sweet clarion call.

>>4714620
thanks for running

>>4714557
>>4714575
>>4714579
>>4714609
>>4714611
You’re not really keen on sticking around this place without an obvious way to egress. You’re interested in this Dragon King, but Gargles should be nearby once you find it, for sure. That, or maybe you just get sick of the whole affair and want to bail. Hopefully he IS healed up...as you contact him through your clasp...you can feel something from him- some sort of ‘vibe’ that...well, it feels strong. Healthy, you’d dare say. Hopefully a good sign. As much as you'd prefer he stand by, you're kind of stuck without him, meaning no way to get off this island, much less search for the Dragon King

The question, then, is how to find him...you’d hope he’d make it easy on you and hid out on Nestland Island, but considering his supposed behavior...well, that’s unlikely. Chances are he’s holed away on one of the lesser islands.

Otherwise...well, all you have is the ring. There’s no specific instructions on how to find it on it, however...which means you’re going to have to do some guesswork on the whole affair. Lesse...you should have a general map of the area, scanned into your FutureSight. Not a lot of info here, but...there’s not a crapton of islands to investigate, at least. There’s maybe six, and of them, one is the main one you were on, the other is this one, which leaves four- two of them small spits of islands close by- Naku and Gaku Island, they’re called, mostly natives and not very built upon. They seem to have a mild feud with each other, too… As for the two larger ones, they’re called Hobi and Karkata. Hobi is nearby, the second largest, and is largely the only other island with real commerce, while Karkata is much further away and apparently is also more of a religious retreat, with access being restricted.

>Might as well go for one of the closer ones- Naku, you suppose.
>Might as well try Gaku. It’s close enough.
>Hobi seems appealing. At least there might be somewhere to stay overnight.
>Karkata...well, it’s restricted, but that’s of little concern to you.
>No, there's got to be SOMETHING here that'll point you in the right direction, eh?
>Other

>>4719399
Where's the vault expedition supposed to be?

>>4719423
We've arrived before the expedition has made a stop here, right? Maybe we can find more info from them.

File: file.png (963 KB, 1000x688)

963 KB PNG

>>4719423
>>4719427
This is an estimation : less 1 hour to arrive at the island, less than 2 hours to locate the lockstone (bit of metagaming involved here, since we could still go back by that time), about 3 hours for the hunting and testing. We started at noon.

While the group is small and Nestland is dangerous, I'm pretty sure they can handle a night in this place - Nestland is within their travel plans. Fortunately it's should be near evening too, so tracking them will be easy.

>>4719399
>No, there's got to be SOMETHING here that'll point you in the right direction, eh?
>Other
Search for signs of the expedition. We're much much faster and they could still be mobilizing/preparing by the time we were done with granny D and hired a ride to the island. We also didn't notice them when we were going around on it.

>>4719399
Supporting >>4719452
We might even nip in the bud their attempts to gain that power multiplier for the Yulin Empire.

>>4719399
>>4719452
+

>>4719399
>No, there's got to be SOMETHING here that'll point you in the right direction, eh?

>Other: Corrupt the plant monster and have it's plants work as scouts for us?

>>4719399
>>4719455
Adding this
>corrupt captured creatures and summon some bugs to help with the search

>>4719399
>>4719713
>>4719838
Think we've already corrupted the local beasts but yeah let's summon the bugs too.

>>4719399
>>4719452
>>4719455
>>4719588
>>4719455
>>4719455
>>4719713
>>4719838
>>4720689
No, there's got to be SOMETHING here that'll point you in the right direction...part of you just want it to be out of lethargy, while some of it is genuinely curious. You need to at least investigate the place a bit more, especially considering you’d not seen hide nor hare of that expedition that you’d been informed about. You might need to see what’s there, if anything. If you can find out what they’re looking for and head that off, then all the better for you.

It’s going to take some time, though. Even if you don’t see them now, that doesn’t mean you won’t turn away for a few minutes to look elsewhere and there they are. It’ll take some effort to search- but wait, no. That’s when it hits you. There’s more than one way to search. In fact…

It takes several minutes, but before you stands a now very thorny and coal-black plant...thing. Same with its children. It and a few more beasts you’d managed to wrangle had been influenced, corrupted, and ready to go out and about to seek out the people that, if all is as you understood it, will be around to search for whatever it is in not too long. This should help you a lot...although…

“Just to be safe,” you mutter as you draw forth the myriad of shadow insects once again. Those should be able to spread far easier than the bigger beasts, even if they wouldn’t be as helpful in a fight. They swarm forth from you, subconsciously understanding your command and desire, and it’s not long before you send the bigger ones along with them.

>Roll 2d20, best of three. They and you will be searching...

Rolled 10, 5 = 15 (2d20)

>>4724031

Rolled 14, 9 = 23 (2d20)

>>4724031
Yes! Yes! Go forth, our minions!

Rolled 4, 20 = 24 (2d20)

>>4724031

so they found us, but we were way faster?

File: 1523911834561.gif (1.35 MB, 500x650)

1.35 MB GIF

>>4724062
Who found us? These rolls were for Miranda and the minions.
>>4724051
nice!

>>4724072
ahhh of course. i just half read the text and skipped to the greentext, lmao. thought that "they" meant the hunting party that eventually gonna find us.

i wonder if we can keep a seed from the not!Brain plant.

File: 2cfe984ad639bff0b78bdd0ee(...).gif (999 KB, 500x371)

999 KB GIF

>>4724042

Run starts soon. Will make a new thread.

New thread!

>>4725648
>>4725648
>>4725648