Did we ever find that priest lady what went crazy?

>>12352486
Oh yes. Cygnis, as mentioned, turned out to be kidnapped and held by a cult, a leader (or at least lieutenant,) of which believed she was regaining knowledge about her missing years. (She wasn't,).

We rescued her, and almost got killed by her when it turned out she was a very upset gold dragon. We talked her down, and managed to deceive her. She thinks we're an adventurer.

>>12352486
If you want, I can link you to the prior thread(s).

>>12352545
Yes please!

So um what did we get Scinnari to distract her again? I think I totally spaced us buying that

rolled 9 = 9

What's our current goal(s) and/or mission(s)?
If we don't have any at the moment, it might be worth contacting the criminal element in Freeport, see who we can meet. We'll be around the docks area anyway.
Why contact the criminal element? Besides the possibility of quests, they'll KNOW how shit goes down in the upper levels of society - who's crooked, who's not - and they'll no doubt be able to kill or steal shit for us in exchange for us supporting them using our power on the council.

>>12352615
VIII:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12329848/

VII:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12314471/

VI:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12304272/

It's all on sup/tg/. Except #1.

I think we need to slow down here on our plans to eliminate Cygnis as a threat. I always assumed this would be a long term thing while people seem to think we should be doing it soon. We pay her back small amounts now, make it seem like we intend to pay her back and build up our power base in this city.

In regards to our current plans, I think we should get control over Finn the money lender. It gives us a potential source of money and perhaps we can use that influence to get brownie points with Lydon, I think his name was, if we get Finn to ease off the loans. All for the benefit of the festival clearly. No other reason...

>>12352461
Are we planning to participate in any of the events in the upcoming festivities, or is it more prestigious to merely sponsor them?

We need to start identifying potential agents/contacts through the city, merchants, capable individuals, underworld figures, or whatever, who might be willing to act as supporters in our bid for the council. Beyond that, once we are a council member we'll need to be able to exert our influence over the city in a myriad of ways both subtle and overt, and in order for that to happen we'll need to start building up a massive web of contacts and servants.

Unfortunately, I don't have that much of a idea how exactly one goes about forming that sort of thing on short notice. Any ideas?

>>12352645
Basically this, I think. Someone recommended it, and I like it as so gloriously, dragon-style vain and egoistic. Seems perfect for us. There was some talk of enchanting it, so we probably don't want to give it to her today.

>>12352659
Anything we want, really; Some basics might be to retrieve the contents of our lead cairn with our protected chest, look it over at home, or something. Any further preparations, etc. The plan, as far as I understood, was to, when we want out this evening, give Scinnari the task of commissioning a golden dragon-amulet, work-of-art quality, for a polymorph prevention enchantment, and then telling her to investigate other ways to off Cygnariassis, should we need it. (a task she would undoubtedly enjoy.)

>>12352659
>>12352686
>>12352705
influencemind and contactsmind

Hey yeah. If we have 2 hours we can see if we can fish up that crate we tore out of the pirate ship.

>>12352705
We are sponsoring three events; Lydon is sponsoring three events, two of which we can compete in. It is frowned upon, but not out of the question to participate in our own. If we must, it is recommended that we confine ourselves to our fencing competition; that would be most visible, and least likely to be accused of cheating.

>>12352686
While I somewhat agree, I think most of it is planning so we CAN eliminate her at the drop of a hat, not necessarily because we will.

>>12352738
Already done. We have the contents of it safely shielded in a the previously mentioned lead cairn. Now that we have some scrying protection of our own, I believe the intent was to transport it and investigate the contents at our leisure, since we don't have to worry about scrying if it's in our new chest, or the second story of our house.

>>12352788
We should go find this Lydon character and see what he is like. always good to have information about the competition.

>cannot stacks
Also we should avoid stacking things... I fear for our safety.

>>12352828
So, seek out Captain Lydon, w/ Scinnari in tow, try and befriend him? [Checking to make sure I have it right.]

>>12352921
I recommend getting influence over the moneylender Finn first. Our devil should be good at that. We already know Lydon is having trouble with him and if we control Finn and then make friends with Lydon, maybe we can mention how we can make things easier for him in that regard. It would make making friends with him easier I think.

>>12352788
We are not going to participate in any of our own events if it's frowned on, obviously. My question was if event sponsors generally enter other peoples' events, or if that would be somewhat inappropriate/hurt our image. And if it would be beneficial to compete, what events are available (sponsored by anyone, not just our target dude).

>>12352921
>>12352944

Find and talk to this Finn fellow, if we have time. Bring Scinnari along as an adviser/arm candy.

>>12352950
We want to enter Lydon's contests, and win. We might or might not want to enter our own.

>>12352944
Why not simply send Scinnari to do it herself? Her kind of job, provided we're willing to share.

>>12353041
I'm fine with Scinnari doing it herself. I just want actual confirmation that we can do what we want to do before suggesting it to Lydon if he mentions his debts or whatever offhand.

>>12352720
the Niv-Mizzet seal that I recommended is this:
http://www.tappedout.net/media/mtg-cards/guildpact/izzet-signet.jpg
Niv-Mizzet himself:
http://www.tappedout.net/media/mtg-cards/guildpact/niv-mizzet-the-firemind.jpg

>>12353076
How absolutely delicious.

>>12353145
Fits the bill, blue and red, no?

So just as a point of discussion, exactly how long are we planning on keeping Cygnis around? Her support is useful, but at what point does it become better to off her than work with her?

I would like to suggest a slight 'mastermind' modification to two of the items we are purchasing:
1. The dragon choker/collar for Scinnari. Since it's already so heavily enchanted (anti-divination, anti-alignment detection, anti-outsider detection) perhaps we could get the wizard to stealthily link it to, say, an unassuming ring. The sole function of this ring is to pinpoint the location of choker wherever it is. We can keep the ring for ourselves and keep tabs on Scinnari. It seems like a very Machiavellian thing to do, and that's what we've been shooting for so far.

2. The dragon amulet for Cygnis. When getting the anti-poly enchantment hidden it would be nice if we could also have the wizard put in a likewise hidden enchantment that makes the amulet only able to be removed after a keyword is spoken. She's not stupid and will likely attempt to rip it off immediately, and we're smart enough to know that. It seems like a reasonable precaution.

Do we currently have our anti-area scrying amulet? Or does it need to be crafted?

>>12353192
> Do we currently have our anti-area scrying amulet? Or does it need to be crafted?

Still needs to be crafted I think, we wanted it to be high quality.

>>12353170
After we are in power, and not before.
>>12353192
Your ideas have great merit.

>>12352461
its like Spice and Wolf! but with dragons and she-devils! Its awsome!

>>12353170
Either when she is about to inevitably find out about us being a red dragon or when she starts trying to stop us from doing things we need to do to gain power.

And she will try to stop us eventually once we start getting significant personal power and implementing changes that she might not entirely agree with. We need to drop her at the first hint of that happening so we can still be presenting the amulet as a gift that she will put on.

>>12353170
> at what point does it become better to off her than work with her?

Not yet. Beyond that, I don't know. We haven't seen the full extent of the company she runs, and until then I think we should postpone moving against her.

>>12353170
As long as she is useful and not conflicting with us actively. She's still a source of knowledge and a potential ally if that cult comes a knocking. Plus, we need to find her hoard.

>>12353192
I like the idea of getting an enchantment to keep it on her. Then we could keep her alive and a source of information rather than just killing her. Oh the shame she will feel and how we can mock her. It'd be doubly awesome if we could break her and make her into a loyal servant somehow but I don't know how feasible that would be to do to a dragon.

>>12353206
We wanted the anti-polymorph amulet to be an exquisite item, not the anti-scrying one. That's because we want Cygnis to see it as tribute and WANT to take it as a gift. It will be valuable, pretty, flatter her vanity, and make her think less cautiously.

We don't really need that for our anti-scrying ammy.

>>12352944
>>12353041
>>12353050

"Scinnari, I have a job for you." you say, coming to a decision, entering the bedroom. You have both been drifting through the rooms of your house, but staying upstairs.

"Yes?" Scinnari says dully. Not exactly enthusiastic, probably still resentful. It will mend.

"You remember this 'Finn' individual? I think it would be good to get some pressure, or at least influence on him. Possibly in counter to Cygnariassis' own." you say, contemplatively. She nods. "Would you care to take care of that?"

"Is that all?" Scinnari asks, still non-plussed. Devils. Feh.

"No, actually, I have something I think you will genuinely like." you say, inviting question, but receiving none. Undeterred you continue, "I want you to find the best goldsmith in the city, and commission this..." you say, leaning over a table and sketching your design for the dragon pendant. "In gold. It must be a work of art, exceptional. Exquisite. Feel free to replace the design if you come up with something better, but we want something to grab Cygnariassis' attention. Reach out and touch her." you pause, thinking. She doesn't have scrying protection yet, and may need your own, for your events tonight, details, details. "Pay in my own money, if you must, this is a personal expense." she nods, actually perking up at these instructions; she remembers what you asked for in Azan's shop. "Next, if you have time, please investigate any ways to eliminate Cynariassis... With the maximum of ease, and minimum of effort or threat. I told you, I intend to cover all potentialities."

"I... You were right, I will enjoy this assignment. Both of them, probably. Very well, lord Cibach. Is there anything else you wish?" Scinnari asks, back to the personality you are used to.

[Any other instructions? Should we give her our scrying amulet?]

>>12353170
I'm leaning toward "not until we actually run into serious conflicts." She's been quite helpful in our quest for power, and remains a potential ally against the cult. Plus, if we keep up the charmer routine we might be able to avoid actual conflicts.

>>12353243
I thought we bought a personal anti-scrying amulet for her? Like as a temporary measure since we were going to have to get the choker enchanted.

>>12353243
As she goes, I want her to appraise the security of the streets, just in case we need to slip in or out of somewhere. I would ask that as she goes, she keeps an eye out.

>>12353206
>>12353192
Our personal-vicinity scrying prevention amulet is crafted and with us. We have one, as we seemed to be intending to enchant Scinnari's gift with a half-dozen enchantments.

>>12353243
that would not be a bad idea

Cygnis may be a stuck up bitch but I got a gut feeling that screwing her over if we do will get us screwed later on... Though my other 20% of my gut says it be the other way around

> [Any other instructions? Should we give her our scrying amulet?]

I was hoping we could get it enchanted so that WE could keep track of her, but if she's going to go do important stuff for making the anti-Cygnis pendant we should probably give it to her now. I think it will come in handy.

>>12353243
Whatever, tell her to stop by the wizard's shop that we just visited and pick up an anti-scrying ammy on Cygnis's tab again. If that doesn't work tell her to take some of our money to buy it. We can't go without scry protection ourselves and neither can she. It's not like the wizard is closed, and she can teleport.

Question do we still have that 99 we saved from the cult slaughtering?

>>12353304
Before we give it away, we should decide on how we're going to wow the rest of the kobolds. Depending on what we do, it might be bad if it draws someones attention and thus we might want to be unscryable.

>>12353304
No no, we are making a custom dragon choker/collar for Scinnari. It will demonstrate our uh... well, relationship as well as giving her anti-divination in an area, anti-alignment detection, and anti-outsider detection. We are also going to have a tracking enchantment included in it so we can track her down.

The anti-scry ammy would just be temporary until we give it to her.

>>12353304
>>12353275
We have one, the one we intended to use. The one we were getting for her, exclusively, is not ready.

[Give?]

>>12353329
Alright then, we should give her the anti-scrying amulet that we have while she gets the anti-Cygnis one ready.

>>12353345
How about instead of giving it to her doing this:
>>12353312

If we were vulnerable to scrying, could someone conceivably discover that we're a dragon?

>>12353355

Not sure if we should go without scrying protection.

>>12353355
Let's see if we can get Cygnis' amulet to,
A, not look enchanted, hide it's aura,
B, prevent all polymorphing whatsoever,
C, be irremovable, unless deactivated by a keyword.
And D, absolutely normal until activated by a keyword. So she has nothing to be suspicious of.

>>12353363
If we have to transform to impress the kobolds? Yes, very likely in fact now that we are getting into the political arena.

>>12353363
Only if they were to scry us while we were in dragon form. Incidentally, it occurs that we might need a better amulet for ourselves, one we could wear in dragon form.....

Theoretically, some wizards can scry the past, or even future, but those are generally elaborate affairs, and require rituals and significant power, so it isn't very common.

Tell her or remind ourselves to pick up an extra amulet at Azan's?

>>12353380
D might be a bit much. We have large funds but not infinite. The first three should cover everything, don't you think?

>>12353405
Dragons can use normal magical equipment by swallowing it, but I'm unsure if this destroys it or they can hork it back up afterward.

I'd say get her to pick up another ammy from the wizard since she is the most mobile. Unless we think the wizard has an amulet that would change with us into dragon form and still work like... on hand. Then we should probably go pick it up. Maybe. I don't know. We're spending an awful lot.

>>12353443
Ah yes, but most of what we are spending is not coming from our private stock.

I say go let her buy it, we can stop by and ask about a polymorph capable amulet on the way to meet Jerrik's gang. We need an estimate first.

Guys, stop worrying about our hoard. A small expenditure now lets us do things without Cygnis knowing. The more we spend on her account, the more she will grow curious into what we are spending it on. She might be very interested into why we have so much anti-scrying shit if we keep this up. Stop being cheap and just imagine the size of our hoard in the future when our plans go into action.

>>12353460
Have her go buy her own anti-scrying amulet on Cygnis's tab that is.

>>12353443
> Unless we think the wizard has an amulet that would change with us into dragon form and still work like... on hand.

Unlikely. I think for the time being we're stuck with amulets that only work on us in human form.

>>12353481
Well I assume she would want us to have anti-scrying if we were going to be her catspaw. But yeah, I agree. Let's buy the temp amulet and the amulet we can wear in dragon form or human from with our OWN money.

Alright, let's get this straightened out.

We currently have one anti-scrying amulet that won't stay when we polymorph.

In the works are:
1. A choker for Scinnari that features various anti-detection enchantments, as well as a tracking enchantment that allows us to keep tabs on her.
2. An amulet for Cygnis that prevents polymorphing, and can only come off when a code word is said.

Potential additions:
An additional anti-scrying amulet, perhaps one that will stay with us through a polymorph if possible.

I vote we have Scinnari pick up an additional temporary anti-scrying amulet on our own money so that she can go get the anti-Cygnis amulet ready.

>>12353590
I second this.

>>12353408
>>12353460
>>12353443
"I think... come with me. I believe we need to make one more stop at Azan's." you finish, turning to exit. "Also, you have the... expertise; on your way out, please, give me your estimate on our neighborhood, and things of interest."

"As you wish." Scinnari responds pleasantly.

"And of course... since we are living here, in this neighborhood, I believe you are expected to be my mistress. Or 'Lady Azal', possibly."

"I would be honored." Scinnari responds with a curtsy, you suspect only half in jest. Holding the front door open for her, you offer her your arm, and she accepts.

Leaving, you route through to the edge of the Market and Old City districts, where Azan's shop is. One of the few commercial enterprises in the Merchant district, despite the name.

Azan is just about closing up, but slowly. Depending both on your amulet's coverage, and the shop's own shielding, you approach Azan and make a special request.

"What do you have in the way of changeable jewelry? I have a friend who is prone to abusing shapeshifting spells, and would like something that she could wear to prevent spying regardless."

Azan stares at you, inscrutable except for the gears turning in his mind. "Anti-scrying, changes with form?" he asks at length.

"Yes."

"Tricky.... Three hundred gold. Do you desire it billed to the same place as your previous purchases?"

>>12353605
> "Tricky.... Three hundred gold. Do you desire it billed to the same place as your previous purchases?"

No. Pay with our own money. We can use Cygnis' funds for other things, this is something we want to keep off the books.

>>12353605
No, I will be making this purchase in coin myself.

Also buy a temporary personal anti-scry ammy for Scinnari while there so we both have one, unless he can get it ready in the next 10 minutes.

>>12353605
Our own funds. I'm all for spending our own money on this guy. The less Cynis knows about us spending money here, the better. Hopefully he believes in the privacy of his customers.

>>12353648
Even if it doesn't we always have an excuse she will appreciate:
We already took liberties getting anti-scrying equipment on your tab. Getting even more seemed fairly out of the question, we wouldn't want to damage our relationship. Right?

Okay so we have around what?

a little copper
9600 silver => 960 gold + 500 gold = 1460 gold
unknown amount of gold in stash
unknown copper and silver in stash

I think we can afford it.

>>12353629
>>12353641
>>12353648

"No, I shall be paying here. How soon can you have it ready?" you ask. It would be a miracle if he happens to have one ready himself... Or a suspicious coincidence.

"Tomorrow.... Evening." Azan replies, after a moment's though. "For pickup or delivery. You can likely have it earlier if you pick it up. If you do not pick it up, I shall deliver it."

"And may I... borrow an amulet for this lady-friend, until tomorrow?" you ask. An odd request, but Azan looks the type to have seen odder. And to accommodate strange practices.

"Indeed, provided you add the price to your payment today, to return when I deliver it, for your refund." Complicated, but he is being flexible.

"Excellent. In that case..." you say, counting out the four hundred gold pieces, "Scinnari, I believe we are done. Thank you for your time, Azan."

"Not at all." he responds, polite and neutral as always. Exiting, Scinnari bids you farewell, taking care to maintain appearances, and leaves you alone.

Where to now?

>>12353739
According to my notes, (though it's been proven that I can be wrong,), we have 1,300 G, 9601S, 18C.

>>12353777
Well I assume it's getting into the evening. First things first. We must stand in the street and look around, taking a deep breath, smiling, and feeling pleased with ourselves.

Then head into an ally and polymorph into an unremarkable human before heading to see Jarrik. If our clothes would distinguish us we need to purchase some lower class ones on the way before the stores close.

>>12353833
That works.

Plus whatever is in the lead casket then, because we never counted that. You're not mixing your private notes with your public ones, are you?

>>12353777
Time to see Jarrik then.

I wonder if Azan can tell what we are. I imagine he can pretty easily guess that Scinnari is a demon or devil, and that's fine. Especially if he assumes the concealment is for her.

If he knows we are... what we are, that could be dangerous. Though I doubt he would try to whack us himself he could do all kinds of things we wouldn't like.

>>12354087
Let's hope he doesn't care as long as we are a source of gold for him.

>>12353860
Taking care not to.

>>12353835

Moving through the streets, you are pleased. Satisfied. Things are going wonderfully, almost as if the world is conspiring to assist you into power. Things are coming together better than you could hope. Just what you know you deserve.

Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't problems. Clothing, for instance, is inconvenient. You idly toy with the idea of situating bundles of supplies at points throughout the city... likely to be too risky, unless you have a better plan. Perhaps Scinnari will be able to recommend a spell... or teach the method by which she transforms her own clothing.

Finding a likely house, you break in, and remove a suitable set of clothing. Leaving the way you came, you once again are reminded of how useful your emerald is.

Prepared and ready, you proceed towards the docks and the warehouse Jarrik identified.

[1d100]

>>12354087
If this guy proves useful, I could easily see hiring him full time under us, as a powerful person to be a minion.

rolled 2 = 2

>>12354096
Do the dice hate us tonight?

rolled 81 = 81

>>12354117
Well that answers that.

>>12354117
You better believe they do.

rolled 6561 = 6561

>>12354125
Best out of two. Thankfully.

Rolling 1d10000 for no purpose

>>12354087
I imagine he wouldn't be alive if he wasn't a safe source of business.

Prepare for Jarrik. Swing by, [handoff amulet to jarrik, stay near him, revert, entertain, etc, impress upon them the importance of this opportunity we are giving them, etc, etc, etc.]

rolled 1542 = 1542

>>12354147
Bring money to add to a wage for them.
We want to be able to have them understand, we are not a dragon who refuses to reward those who work with us.

rolled 9966 = 9966

>>12354173
let us bring, say... 500 copper pieces?

rolled 7129 = 7129

>>12354196
meant to say silver peices.

>>12354147
>>12354173
We should keep up the charmer act when the anti-scrying amulet is off. That way, if someone IS scrying us at that time, it'll seem like we're still the swell guy we pretend we are, even if we also happen to be a red dragon.

>>12354235
I thought we were going to keep up the charmer act period. We only need to not be a charmer in certain circumstances is what I figured.

>>12354235
>>12354262

That's what I was thinking too. While we are a red, that doesn't mean we can't also be a gentleman. Unlike most reds, who are savage with the occasional bout of civility when it benefits them, we are civil with the occasional bout of savagery when it benefits us.

>>12354331
A true magnificent bastard.

>>12354125
>>12354117

Walking down the docks, you enjoy the evening air rolling in. The storm off the previous week passed quickly, but the air still smells clean, a nice trait of this place.

Moving through, you glance at the ware house identifiers, gigantic wooden sheds, effectively, locked and stocked with whatever is being shipped.

"Stop. Go. Now." a guttural voice commands from the shadows, gesturing with a light crossbow for emphasis. A kobold, you believe.

"I'd rather not. I believe I'm meeting someone here." you reply, glancing around. Nobody present, beyond the kobold sentry. "I would hate to have to wait." you add, dropping into draconic. It's enough to startle the kobold into dropping his weapon, literally. It discharges, and the bolt deflects off a signpost, into you, if you hadn't ducked.. Not exactly a stellar first impression.

"I- I will take you in." the kobold says, picking up the crossbow. Recovering from it's shock, it blusters, "You had better be who you are supposed to be, or else you will not leave.". The kobolds speech is less broken speaking it's own language, which, is itself, a broken, disfigured version of draconic.


Following in, you see the warehouse is not infact abandoned, but also not locked either. Inside, you find out why; while there are several heavy-duty shipping crates stacked in the center, kobolds are scattered througout the area, but one of the large walls is an elaborate shrine to Kurtulmak, the kobold god. Jarrik approaches through a small crowd, including some decorated individuals you assume to be priests.

“Lord, it is good that you have come!” Jarrik greets, surprising you with real draconic speech, though coarse. One of the priests glares daggers at Jarrik, presumably such 'regal' speech is the purview of the priests.

>>12354364
[going to go get dinner, expect a gab. Shouldn't even approach half an hour, but warning anyway.]

The more I think of contingencies, the more I realize we need those kobolds on our side. They can act as an underground supply network, smuggling system, and even prove useful in stacking the deck against the gold dragon.

For instance, the kobolds could create hidden supply caches for us of clothing and other sundries so that we and our companion erinyes can more effectively abuse our shapechanging abilities. They can also act as an additional source of income by monetizing their natural expertise with mechanisms. Their artifices don't have the flair of gnomish work, but they do have a certain practical dependability. Finally, over the long term, they can turn the Gold's house into a deathtrap, perhaps by excavating a large area underneath the house such that, when a mechanism is activated the entire edifice is collapsed into a deep chasm. If such an event were to take place while the gold is unable to change shape... well that would be too bad, now wouldn't it?

>>12354364
"Ah Jerrik, my favored servant. Are these the ones you have told me of? Are they ready to embrace the true path you have shown to them?"

I doubt they will truly wish to follow us unless we are a dragon, so we are going to need to transform. Even if they would without the transformation they will probably be of questionable loyalty without it. But kobolds fucking love dragons and serving them. When transform do like Anon said and hand Jerrik our amulet and tell him to stay close while we do it, then give it back. We can wear it on a claw or something. Thank the gods for area effects.

>>12354459
Actually, I think we should keep talking about Cygnis to a minimum for now. She might be watching.

Am I a bad person for being super amused at the idea of Cygnis stuck in her elf form if we can get an item that stops her from polymorphing, and stays on her unless we say otherwise, and keeping her around for our own amusement?

Right, lemme get a check on what we've got
Invisibility Amulet (on self)
Anti-scry amulet (on erinyes)
about 1400g

We are purchasing:
Anti-scry amulet that can polymorph (for self)
Anti-scry, anti-detalignment, anti-detoutsider engagement ring (for erinyes)
Ornate anti-polymorph amulet whose cursed-ness can be toggled with a command word (for gold dragon)

Our allies are:
Red dragon (self)
Erinyes
Intelligent Kobold
Cold dragon (temporary)

This right?

>>12354534
Edit cold dragon to gold dragon. Even if she is a bit of a frigid bitch.

what are we gonna do with the original anti-scrying amulet? Use it as a component for what the wizard is doing?

>>12354495
These are Kobolds man. We shouldn't even TELL them about Cygnis yet, if ever. They only need to know what we want them to know. Jerrik is highly unusual for being able to think independently and come up with even the modest plan of seeking out the kobolds and converting them. They aren't devilish advisors, or even servants to give complex commands to. They are the lackeys, watchers, and smugglers. The ones to do the simple work and act as guards/sentries/spies.

None of that needs complex information. We just need to show them that we are powerful, we are a dragon, and they will be rewarded for following us and destroyed for not doing so.

rolled 3173 = 3173

>>12354550
...Jerrik.
He needs it.

>>12354550
It's always good to have a spare. We can keep it as part of our horde. Magical items qualify too.

>>12354559
I believe we gave instructions to Jerrik to find out and get rid of any of the kobolds that knew about goldie.

>>12354534
We also have an anti-scrying amulet that covers ourselves and the area around us on our person.

Also:
>Anti-scry, anti-detalignment, anti-detoutsider engagement ring (for erinyes)

This is wrong. it's Anti-scry, anti-detalignment, anti-detoutsider choker with tracking enchantment bound to a ring that we keep (for erinyes)

When we use the ring we will be able to locate the choker, and thereby locate Scinnari. We need to be able to see what she is up to.

>>12354600
The erinyes shouldn't have a choker, we should have a matching set of engagement rings. Ours tracks Hers, and hers has all the nifty shit.

... What? she might think it's cute.

>>12354534
Also the items we have purchased for our house. The house itself. A moderately enchanted shortsword. A lightly enchanted crossbow. The lead casket. The stuff inside the lead casket, including gold, silver, copper, a very powerful sword, a moderately powerful defensive staff.

>>12354613
I think the choker gets the whole MINE, ALL MINE message across better.

>>12354613
Don't be retarded, we aren't going to marry a devil one week into knowing her, if ever.

I'm not sure if you know this, but she will stab us in the back in a split second if she thinks it will be more profitable.

>>12354638

>>12354518
While amusing, I think we should keep the anti-polymorph amulet as a back up plan rather than as a an immediate one. I think Cygnis could remain quite useful for some time.

>>12354654
All allies are temporary! Got it.

>>12354703
Nobody has suggested putting it on her immediately. If nothing else we have to wait until the end of the festival and our rise as a councilman. This is just getting our plan ready and functioning so it can be used whenever needed.

Also not true. If she proves useful and it works out so that we are the most profitable and best investment until the day we die then... well, that works too.

I'm just saying don't go thinking she's our precious waifu princess. She's a devil. She is very useful so far and might even become moreso. Perhaps eventually even valuable and loyal enough for us to think of other ways to see her. But never forget she is literally made of evil, and so are we, which is why we have this relationship.

>>12354767
> But never forget she is literally made of evil, and so are we, which is why we have this relationship.

>>12354706
>>12354767
In other words we can still like her without fully trusting her, and give her room to prove herself worthy of more while still hedging our bets.

>>12354632
If I recall, the sword didn't seem all that magical.

>>12354568
Seconded. We won't be able to wear it when we transform, so it would be good to have him wear it and stand beside us throughout. And
>>12354262
>>12354235
too, definitely.

>>12354654
I'm not sure, but it might have been for public show. We are a wealthy, unmarried semi-nobleman, after all. Arm-candy is all well and good, but putting on a full show, maybe even 'marrying' her, would probably please her, and would certainly do our image well to have a beautiful, respectable, deadly consort.

>>12354638
Again, I agree. [I'm the bloke who dug up the picture.] Seems delightfully vain, concieted, and dragon-ish. "Deigning to grace her with our symbology", and all that, in addition to the MINE ALL MINE.

>>12354863
We didn't sense magic but the wizard was making a big deal about the sword. More so than the staff. It might be something more subtle or we just didn't detect it. We definitely need a second appraisal of it.

Alright, so more in the near term, we hand Jarrik our anti-scrying amulet for a moment, turn into a dragon, then have Jarrik give us the amulet back. We can just hold it for now. Then we give a nice, rousing speech (still trying to be a charmer, though) to the assembled, making sure to NOT mention Cygnis for now.

>>12354495
where did I say anything about talking about cygnis

>>12354809
Nice.

>>12354235
>>12354262
Noted.


Post being made.

rolled 9, 6 = 15

Awesome as always :D

I demand maor!

>>12354863
Our image will be fine without it. She's ours. The choker makes that abundantly clear to those in the know. And those out of the know will also understand she is our consort when she is living with us and on our arm at high functions.

Marriage is surely a dangerous road to travel with a being of pure Law. As I recall it involves some sort of oath... and even if it didn't, it has only been ONE WEEK people. Jesus. Maybe it's time to let the smurf out of your shroom real quick. :)

Removing the amulet from around your neck, you hand it to Jarrik.

"Put this on, for the moment, please." you ask, in pure draconic. It seems to be their holy language, and rightly so, considering who they believe themselves to be descended from. Giving those around a glance, you are satisfied to see them back off. Even if they don't believe, they aren't sure whether they should.

With suitable space cleared, you revert. A moment later, your form is expanding upward, the rustle of your leathern wings unfolding, and the creak of the floor beneath you, tortured under your weight, despite not being elevated. Finishing, you unfurl your wings, holding them out as if in flight for a moment, before retracting them. A suitably awed clamor erupts, and you are glad to see the priests almost speechless, and having difficulty forcing their way through the crowd despite their vaunted status. Eventually one gets through, and raises his hands and staff. The noise trails off. Lowering them, he kneels, and speaks in draconic somewhat more fluent than Jarrik's, addresses you.

"As your servant said, you have arrived. As you servant said, you /are/ the Great Red Lord. In the name of Io, Kurtulmak, and Gaknulak, I swear fealty to you!" a strange development. You were not expecting such rapid acceptance, but perhaps that is why kobolds are popular draconic minions. You may have to speak to Jarrik, at some point, though, and see what, exactly, he has been telling them.

>>12355191
"Rise, then. I accept your oath." you say, addressing the cleric, adding "I will expect and reward capable service..." to the cavern as a whole. Jarrik takes the opportunity to step forward, unveiling the gold you remember leaving out for him some time back.

"The Red Lord speaks the truth! He is generous with his followers."

Another uproar rises, as the kobolds shout and scream. You seem already popular, but just as an added touch, you will a more tangible effect into existence, magnifying the awe your form induces among them.

Their dialect of draconic is strange, you suspect they speak to no true speakers of the language here, merely using it as a holy language. The drift and odd pronunciation would suggest that... meaning that Cygnariassis may actually have no presence among them, a hopeful prospect.

Excellent. Ask them what foothold they have in the city and what they do, how many of them there are, and where they can move to/what they can do. Also ask if they have enough supplies such as food, clothing, weapons, and space.

And we might want to put the amulet on our claw if it will actually work on there, to ensure that we are covered by it. Just in case. Nobody should even know we are here in the first place though.

>>12355201
A more promising result could not have been asked for. I think we should feed into their natural xenophobia and emphasize their natural superiority to the lesser races as the true and Right servants of dragonkind.

>>12355334
I disagree. That will make them more aggressive, more prone to acts of violence that could draw attention. The last thing we need is for Cygnis to ask us (in our role as her man on the council) to clamp down on them before we're ready to move against her. Patience is key, fanning the flames too early could go badly for us.

>>12355334
Likely to cause disruption and contention. And if word gets out that the kobolds are uppity because they think they actually have a dragon on their side? Cygnas- Cygnia- Cygnis will be down on our head like a ton of bricks.

rolled 59 = 59

>>12355201
I say we go ahead and ask what kind of stakes do they hold and what not since we are talking to the ones in charge. How are they surviving,not being noticed, and where are they mostly located.

>>12355201
Time to proclaim that you have chosen this city as for conquest, and that it is only a matter of time before all within it bow to you. The kobolds, in reward for their eagerness to serve, will reap no small rewards as your ascendancy to complete dominion here proceeds.

>>12355402

Is it wrong that when I look at that picture one of the first things I think is "Huh, those whiskers are probably really sensitive"?

Damn it /tg/, what have you done to me?

this is good news. I notice Tiamat is conspicuously absent from this tribe's pantheon though. That /might/ mean that we have to cultivate their favour and bend them to our mindset more completely.

If their reverence for Io lends them more to a neutral aspect, they may remain neutral in a dispute between a red and a gold. This could be what Jerrik was alluding to when he mentioned they were 'strange' earlier. I could be wrong though.

Either way, consider the kobolds eagerness as a good prospect, but not a sign of absolute loyalty just yet. This one would suggest using Jerrik to sound out their beliefs and their suitability for our needs if it came to a direct confrontation with Cygnis.

>>12355481
To be honest, I'm fine with that. Tiamat is a colossal cunt, the less we have to do with her the better. She may be the goddess of all chromatic dragons, but honestly she has no grasp of subtlety or civility. So we'll have to win over the kobolds with our charms and good pay/treatment. That's fine.

>>12355326
"So, priest, what is your name, by the way?" you begin, speaking lowly and quietly, keeping the exchange between you and their clerical leader.

"Kantak, Lord." he responds, measured and dignified, despite the fact that his followers are attempting to shout the roof off.

"Well, Kantak, you seem to have done quite well, here. Whoever is in charge has obviously been a capable leader, indeed, you even seem to have your own warehouse and temple; how did that come about?"

"I... Are you not our leader, now, Lord?" Kantak asks, in a matter that suggests sounding dangerous waters.

"Not necessarily, of course. I may be able to aid you, and you me. Naturally, I would expect compensation for my aid, and would reward assistance rendered. If there is a leader, I do not have any reason to remove him, or, indeed, her, until I am presented with one. I have no intention of assuming direct control. If the tribe is ruled well, and that ruler is loyal to me, that is sufficient. The warehouse?" you finish, gliding through the draconic syllables rapidly.

"We... defend merchandise, Lord, and in return are allowed to inhabit it. Further, we provide discreeter methods of transportation to some of the merchants in the harbor that dislike paying the Sea Lord's duties. Some also work on as device-smiths or acquirers for certain people." Kantak says, surprising eloquence probably gained from such a long time practicing an inherently... grand language.

"Indeed. And are you all a... collective?"

"No! Many groups... 'gangs'," Kantak spits derisively, "loyal to Kurtlemak, but frequently combating each other. Hindering each other." Kantak scowls, "Warehouses are the only place they avoid combat, and the only job they maintain a solid reputation."

No wonder Jarrik called them 'city kobolds', and 'gangs'. The traditional clans and kobold infighting have mutated to fit a city... a city unruly even by normal standards.

>>12355481
According to wiki, they believe that Io allowed Kurtlemak to ascend to godhood for them. They also think Io is a dragon, I think, though it's not so clear there, but their reverence for dragons probably can be traced to that.

We need to fix that, and in a hurry. Either we convince the disparate gangs to recognize a single kobold leader, or we get those gangs to recognize us as their titular leader. No matter what, we need them all pulling in the same direction. Infighting will only work against us in the long term.

>>12355594

Hmm, this will not do. We need to unify these kobolds. The petty infighting is getting in the way of more important things.

We should play on Kantak's obvious distaste for the current state of affairs, agree with him and let him know that we wish to unify the city's kobolds. We can gain his loyalty that way.

>>12355594
Pah. Many groups is fine, so long as their loyalty is firm; fighting one another is not. I will not have my followers squander their resources working against one another. If they will not set aside their grievances in order to serve, then they will need to have their ways corrected. Firmly.

>>12355594
This stops now! While serving us there will be no more infighting, no more kobold against kobold battles. From now on they are one great tribe, united in purpose. Tell him that he will remain in command of the tribes day-to-day activities as he has proven himself capable, but he answers to us. Jarrik will be our voice, and speak our words to him and the other kobolds. They are to respect him and obey the orders he gives, as they will be our will.

We brought 500 silver, so we should deposit it on the ground in front of us and tell the leader that this is for the tribe. They are to use it to purchase the warehouse, saying they "saved up" and with the remainder they should set about improving it, making living quarters for the tribe here. If there is any left they should buy clothes, food, and weapons.

The kobolds are going to need a common enemy to unite them, but at the same time they are going to have to learn discretion. We may have to instill in them an us vs. humans attitude.

>>12355719
Wait, actually let's make Jarrik the leader and Kantak his advisor. Kantak will still govern the day-to-day aspects but we will formally place Jarrik over him.

>>12355669

agree. the kobolds infighting should dissapear given the chance to serve a true red. If we continue in the vain of not ruling them openly, then any ruler (such as this one) that is backed by a red dragon should probably be seen as legitimate enough by all the others.

We should announce to all the kobolds ourselves that fighting each other will no longer be allowed, and who is in charge. Kantak or Jarrik?

Kantak is obviously pretty smart and has the benefit of already being in charge and knowing the city. On the other hand, he obviously hasn't been nearly as loyal as Jarrik and the kobolds are kinda suffering.

Jarrik is new and won't know all about the tribe but his loyalty is absolute, and with Kantak as advisor he might well be a better option.

What do you think guys?

rolled 9419 = 9419

>>12355810
Jerrik with Kantak as his second.

Either way we need to let them all know that they will be serving us. The leader will guide them, but we will be the one ruling them all.

rolled 9, 5 = 14

Leave the current guy 'in charge'.
Jerrik is the mouthpiece.

It would be quite unnecessary to needlessly demote the current chap

I don't think we should demote Kantak. Jarrick can be our emissary, but Kantak should remain in charge of these kobolds.

>>12355867
Let's leave Kantak in charge then and have Jerrik act as our executor. He will have power over Kantak to countermand his decisions and speaks with our voice, but he won't rule the tribe day-to-day. He will be like an overseer to make sure everything runs according to our plans. We need to make sure all of the kobolds know this.

"And do they recognize a singular leader?" you ask, eyes tracking left and right. Now that he mentions it, you think you can see separate 'groupings' here.

"No. None. Well..." Kantak begins, evidently considering his words. The tempers of Red Dragons are legendary indeed. "They recognize me. Obey; keep warehouse district peaceful. How we keep warehouse duties. Outside this district, every tribe for itself." he says, and you notice the odd slip in his draconic there. Definetly a few generations removed from draconic contact.

"So they respect your authority, but you have no power?" you ask, prodding.

"Power I have! Kurtlemak is a god, I his priest!" Kantak responds. A response; you may have pushed a little too much.

"Quite, I'm glad they respect a single authority. It would make unification that much easier." you respond. He seems mollified for a moment, and then the actual implications of it sink in.

"...Me?" he says in stunned amazement, so quiet you can hardly hear him.

"Of course. The obvious choice." you say, pleased with your manipulation, "After all, they do respect you. You would not be forwarding one clan over another, would you? And you do have the power of Kurtlemak himself, surely that is a symbol of his will? No one else. No one else is better situated." you whisper sibilantly, keeping your voice too barely loud enough for Kantak to hear. "Something I would be happy to assist, the kobolds of Freeport are obviously more capable united, rather than divided. Not now," you caution, "but the time will come when I need to utilize the /full/ /resources/ of your people. When that time comes.... When that time comes, then the tribes must be united...".

Mentally, you laugh triumphantly. Kantak is proving easy to manipulate, and seems the perfect pawn with which to rule some of the cities inhabitants. A stepping stone to what you desire, a tool shaped to your hands before you ever found it.

Wait, what genders are kobolds? I mean, while I can understand >>12355433 , but that's not what I'm after.

If Kantak is female, can we set Kantak and Jarrik up as king and queen?

>>12355925
So what do we do? Announce the tribes are now united under the leadership of Kantak and that Jarrik is our executor and voice?

>>12355925
I feel a bit odd. Like there's something in my stomach try- trying touah. Uahaha. MUAHAHHAHA. MUAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

Sorry about that, not entirely sure where that came from.

>>12356038
I don't think gender equality is a big kobold thing. IIRC the females stay back at the den and spew out litters of pups and the warriors and leaders are all male.

But yeah we really need to give Jarrik some position of very high power for this amazing work. That's why I suggested an executor above the normal law who can tell anyone to do anything and speaks for us. He will get mad kobold bitches.

>>12356049
Perfectly healthy.

>>12356039
Do you? [Y/N]

>>12356038
I don't know anything about kobold genders, and, unless someone else DOES, I'm going to suggest we avoid that for now.

>We brought 500 silver, so we should deposit it on the ground in front of us and tell the leader that this is for the tribe. They are to use it to purchase the warehouse, saying they "saved up" and with the remainder they should set about improving it, making living quarters for the tribe here. If there is any left they should buy clothes, food, and weapons.

I'll put this forward again. Maybe throw in some gold if the warehouse would be expensive. I think the display of monies being entrusted to Kantak for the "Great Clan" will really help unite them and show them we are awesome.

>>12356063
Does practicing kobold eugenics make us...

Well, we ARE already evil, but so far we haven't entered the biowarfare, genetic enslavement, or other stuff of that caliber.

>>12356072

kobolds are male/female. unions are often of conveniance - though bonds are formed, they are not monogamous. not really sure about gendered segregation of labour, I was under the impression either could do anything, but yes there's an emphasis on birthrate.

>>12356072
Races of the dragon goes in to detail about kobold society.

It just so happens that I own it.

>>12356094
>>12356063
I say do these.

And when we get home do this where Scinnari can't hear us:
>>12356049

Kobold society tends to be very egalitarian. Males and Females share equal roles and duties. Kobolds rarely raise their own young, as there are designated egg tenders and nursemaids whose job it is to see to the raising of kobold young.

While no mortal society is perfect, kobolds tend to display an unusual amount of infighting. Despite tending towards lawful evil as a species, assassination and political intrigue are not culturally accepted means of advancement.

Kobolds are often assigned a role at adolescence, once their natural aptitudes begin to show. They usually stay in that role their entire lives, and are typically happy to do so. Kobolds see duty to kin and species as the most important things in life.

For a group of kobolds such as this to be given to inter gang conflict such as this shows that this population is very dysfunctional and that severe steps need to be taken to restore them to their natural order.

>>12356220
>kobolds display an unusual amount of infighting
should read "kobolds display an unusually low amount of infighting."

>>12355925
So he's on top, but we'll need to make clear that Jarrik is important, too. Upon him falls the great responsibility of acting as our voice when we are not present; should he speak on our behalf and be disobeyed we will be most wroth.

>>12356114
Feel free to explain.

>>12355900
>>12356094
>>12356116
"Very well. I have a verdict." you roar above the shouts of your newfound minions. Standing up you repeat yourself, with a small tongue of flame for effect. It works, very well.

"I am pleased with what I have seen. Pleased with you all... Though your tribes, fractured, shattered, and turned upon each other as they are is a disappointment; you are far less powerful than you could be. Should be." You begin pacing back and forth near Jarrick, taking sure to keep within what you hope is the range of the amulet you left with him. "My verdict is this, Jarrik shall be my... Executor," you say, using the draconic word, as there is no equivalent in kobold, "Executor Jarrik shall be my voice. What he says is my will. " Very appropriate, the 'Executor' shall be an excellent title. An enduring rank.

"Further, I bring a reward, a sign of my favor. You have done well and deserve more than you have." with that, you up-end the rather heavy pack you used to transport money in bulk. Five hundred silver coins shower down on the floor. Some rush to seize them, but you swing your head around, letting out a long warning burst of flame. Nothing truly dangerous, enough to make them scream and jump back. A few overzealous in greed, or underzealous in their own preservation scream in pain and terror, but none of them seem seriously injured. Well, one does, but it was particularly greedy. The coins, of course, are undamaged, though some of them might not have as pronounced insignias on them anymore.

>>12356406
"These!" you shout above the cacophony, "These I shall give to the kobolds of Freeport. I could give them to you individually, if you so desire, and you would each take two or three paltry coins.... Or, if you prefer, I can give them to your priest, Kantak. With them, Kantak, you may purchase this warehouse as your own, create your own true dwelling and temple. And forge, you can craft wondrous devices, traps, machines, with proper tools and materials, can you not? Traps to thwart the mightiest of adventurers... For that kobolds are renown the world over. Surely it is true?" Another riot goes up, cheering and shouting. Their own pride, their desire for importance, for respect, is more than enough to feed them on. Holding up a foreclaw in call for silence, you wait until it is silent. Despite the two hundred-some kobolds in the room, you could hear two coins clink.

"Very well. I will give this to Kantak. Kantak. I entrust to you the duty of providing a temple and meeting hall for your people. Do what you think best for /all/..." you revert to true draconic, subtley, to stress the all and suggest, all, all-as-one, and all-in-one. Kantak catches it, with no doubt.

"As stated, Jarrik shall be my Executor. His word is my will." leaning down, you whisper to Kantak and Jarrik, "You are and advisor to Kantak. You are second only to him. And..." you say, turning to Kantak, "he is my avatar. His advice is my will. I trust both of you not to abuse the positions I leave you in... to excess." you finish.

>>12356418
oh my gawd we are such a dick!
it feels good
then let us wander off in search of moar questings unless we want to get a headstart and get to uniting the rest of the kobolds
also tell them not to get violent around town, that could attract unwanted attention

Excellent. Now let's morph back down, take the amulet back, and tell Jerrik specifically that we want to know the tribe's full capability, activities, and status at all times. Also tell him we want to know what he told them.

Finally tell him where nobody else can hear... If he suspects Kantak of being less than completely loyal or making a bad choice he should immediately tell us. We say he is second in command but in truth he is our eyes in this place, and he will decide it's fate.

What can I say? I like Jarrik.

Then I think we can head home if Kantak doesn't need anything. Oh, and have Kantak and Jerrik make the kobolds listen for rumors around the city during normal duties. They are likely to be unheeded and able to overhear lots of things. This could be powerful in politics.

Bow out, leave Jerrik, our minion, with the scry-proof. Scinnari is busy, so we can use this as an opportunity to get her device enchanted as we need, and (something we could probably make Cygnis pay for, since she seems to believe us that Scinnari is bound to us, and she would approve of tracking enchantments.), and then return home.

I'm torn between giving Scinnari it immediately, and getting an epic lovesex, or waiting and giving it to her right before the festival day after tomorrow, when, I should hope, she will be at our right hand on stage. (or amphitheater, or whatever.)

>>12356595
Whoop. Wrong one.

>>12356595
Shops are closed currently, it's nighttime. We'll have to get it enchanted and give it tomorrow.

>>12356595
Keep it in your scales, loverboy. Now is not even close to being the time for that sort of thing.

>>12356701
Well to be fair it actually is close, we should give it to her pretty soon so the others don't notice she's a devil instead of a mistress. There is a high level wizard on the council, you know.

>>12356595
>>12356505
>>12356494
Releasing a final fireball intended to startle and blind, you polymorph once more, returning to your elven form. Jarrik immediately moves to guide you out. "Excellent, Lord, excellent! Great impression. Elaborate. Generous! You are good, Lord!"

Nodding benevolently, you allow Jarrik to show you to the door, mostly for fear that they might already have traps in place. Perhaps you can get them to remove the roof....


Alone in the street, you can hear the din the kobolds are making from here. Your next task of the night awaits...
[action?]

>>12356701
Ya know, we have boinked her already. Pretty regularly.

>>12356595
>>12356662
Wizards can probably be hired at all hours. Or, hell, we might even be able to call in a favor with Thuron, over at the temple. I doubt HE keeps regular hours.

>>12356729
It occurs to me that we might need some way to disguised that we are polymorphed. Like, an extra enchantment we should have had added to our amulet. Too late now, though. Maybe an iron ring?

>>12356743
Man, you forget exactly what kind of enchantments we are trying to put on the thing. A non-detection spell that prevents people from detecting outsiders and alignment? HMMM I WONDER.

We should hand her the choker and have her put it on herself when we do. Much more symbolic.

>>12356762
He might be willing to do it 'for us', after all, he owes us significantly.

>>12356743
Indeed, if that's your decision, roll for it.

>>12356729
Is there a place we can land near our estate, invisible, without crushing anyone? If so I say it's time to fetch our lead box and shuffle around the contents.

>>12356790
I would say we should wait and get it enchanted tomorrow morning instead. Or we can find a wizard of good repute who is open at this hour. I strenuously object to using a temple wizard/priest for this.

rolled 3, 5 = 8

This is too sensitive for the temple. We should wait until the morning

Plus our golden dragon friend has links to the temple. Best we hide this from her.

Action?

>>12356905
She already knows about Scinnari!

rolled 8, 8 = 16

Chill out if there is nothing else pressing to do. Read some magic from that book perhaps

>>12356908
Actually, if we have a zone of dead-scrying we can just leave our lead chest in the secure hordehole. I say we look over it tomorrow morning when we are out doing the enchanting.

When is the first day of the festival?

Anyway, I'm heading to bed. Good quest, don't get us killed or bound into a devil's contract or something anon.

Good time to rest? Or should we see about seducing that moneylender?

rolled 88 = 88

>>12356790
I think Writer-Dude passed out?

>>12357099
If we can, see about finding Finn. Maybe bring Scinnari along as well.

rolled 8772 = 8772

Someone archive.

Then lets get sleep till the next round.

>>12356923
Good enough.

Returning home, you are surprised to find that Scinnari isn't there yet. And irritated. Studying into the morning you are quite vexed when you still do not have company when you give up and put your book down.

Awaking in the morning, you are pleased to see her sitting on the foot of your bed, reading throug the sections of the book you were reading last night.

"Back at last, are we?" you ask, making your irritation known.

"You are progressing... rapidly. Very rapidly. You are quite possibly the most natural I have ever met." Scinnari says, her tone suggesting both that she is impressed, and happy. You are undeterred, though. She could quite possibly say this to everyone she has ever taught. She could even have been honest to everyone, if they were in the right order.

"Your mission last night?" you reiterate.

"Success. Several ways. Would you like to hear them?" she asks, her own mood undimmed.

"Lay it out."

Lay it out she does, leaning back on the foot of the bed, and recounting. "I commissioned the pendant. It was expensive, even with what I could do, but I do not expect any problems; the goldsmith seems of excellent repute and an artist as well. Then I used some of the lesser libraries of the city for research, including the Sealord's own." She pauses, rolling to face you.

"By all means, what do you have?" you ask, now genuinely interested.

"Assassination; anything sudden enough for her not to revert. Sniped with a bow, knifed without warning, throat cut. A garotte... I don't think so. It would not be fast enough, and she might be able to revert.

>>12357254
"Secondly, I remember her claim that Eidomon's agents disabled her with poison. Something fast, and/or subtle, as well, as if it wasn't, she knows plenty of priests from which she can receive treatment. With some extensive inquiries, I believe I found the precise kind Eidomon's cultists used. An individual mentioned that someone matching Eidomon's description purchased a bottle two weeks ago." Scinnari says, pulling a bottle from the floor. Of strange design, it almost looks a decorative perfume bottle, or something equally strange.

"How does it work?" you ask the obvious question immediately.

"Anyone that inhales it is rendered asleep, basically, and practically, unconscious. I would imagine that they used it on a cloth, or managed to get her to sniff their own container." Scinnari speculates with a musical laugh.

"Indeed. So, to review, something that gives her no chance to revert; mortally wounded before she can react." you count, tallying on your fingers,

"Right." Scinnari says with another delighted laugh.

"Or to poison her, something subtle or quick, whichever, something that will not be diluted if she reverts... difficult." you think aloud. Scinnari nods. "A drug, then, as this seems to be, which would incapacitate her long enough to secure her where she would no longer have the option to transform... Or with the necklace on her."

"A delightful image. Additionally, you must not discount the effects of space; there may be a place where you can kill her in humanoid form, with neither of you capable of reverting." Scinnari agrees, ecstatic mood in no danger of fading as she adds a fourth option.

>>12357262


"Alright, and that, or..." you say, hand resting on your fifth finger.

"Or.... Something that would kill her... instantly." Scinnari responds, producing a hand weapon of the type you have seen some of the sailors sporting on the waterfront. A... flintlock, you think.

"This?" you say, dubiously, looking over the device, making sure to keep away from moving parts.

"Indeed. I'm sure it would do nothing to a dragon, and might even be deflected by simple armor... but if you could fire at her head, there would be nothing left. Of course, they're dangerous. And impractical to reload. And inaccurate. But it's another option." Scinnari says, moving down the bed towards you. "Well, did I do well?" she asks, leaning down on top of you, eyes sparkling with an inner fire.

>>12357178
Uber-long update. Don't all run away on me!

>>12357269
Well I believe we should congratulate her and apparently please her like only a red dragon can?

Also, I've been reading the archives and good stuff man.

rolled 7, 6 = 13

Personally I'd playfully say 'not bad', but not sure how in character it is for our mcDragon here.

>>12357269

"marvelously."

it's fairly obvious she wants it, so this draganon says give it to her! fade to glorious bedthumping black.

ruminate afterwards on the poison option. As a dragon ourself we enjoy an immunity to sleep/paralysis effects. Wonder about what sort of poison the cult came up with to circumvent that, and the very threatening realization that so much of their activity is targeting dragons specifically.

then sleep. as this anon will. (good quest, night doods)

>>12357336
Thank you. Very kind of you.

>>12357378
Yo. Rolls I can see, please. And 1d10.

Archived.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12352461/

Don't forget to vote.

>>12357385
Fair enough, I suppose it's a good end for today's work.

Should we be skipping to the event, the next day after this, or do we have plans for 'today'?

Also, any things to do, or things to set in motion?

rolled 56 = 56

>>12357269
I'm still here, consoling the girl that friendzoned me......

I say we do her.......but not in a way that she can be impregnated by our seed. Sooooo, yeah >.> pull out, we should have the mental fortitude for that? Right? Fade to black in other words, then when we are done, figure out the agenda for today.

>>12357419
Thank you kindly.

>>12357454
Depending on how much we trust our devil...consort I'd suggest testing the poison on ourselves simply to understand it better, but that's probably not a good idea...

>>12357459
...can we even impregnate a devil?

rolled 7, 1 = 8

>>12357388

Rolls you can see?

>>12357385
>>12357459

As has been pointed out before, we've been going at it like rabbits so far. We're good to have it well in hand, or she is respecting our wishes.

rolled 6, 2 = 8

>>12357503

We could just pleasure her without having secks.

>>12357498
Don't use noko when rolling. I'll take what you have here [ >>12357378 ], though.

>7,6
Woo-hoo!

5 0th level spells
2 1st level
1 2nd.

>>12357538

nuts to that!

rolled 5, 3 = 8

>>12357541

Ooooh.
I wasn't rolling on purpose. I just leave +dice+2d10 in the field so that I don't forget the code xD

rolled 7, 8 = 15

>>12357541

Also - is that good? I have no idea what a 0th level spell is

>>12357568
>xD
>tripcode
>uses the dice roller in every post
:|

>>12357497
The half-fiend template says we can. [inb4 devilchickanal]

I also thought dragons could decide whether or not sex... 'worked'. Couldn't cite it, though.

>>12357574
We used to have 5-1-0. Now we have 5-2-1. Seems decent, if a bit slow.

rolled 47 = 47

>>12357574
Welcome to DnD my friend. We are playing a young adult red dragon that is learning how to cast spells. The more spells we know the better.

HOLY CRAP, we know a 2nd level spell already, thank you Writer Dude

I've been watching these threads for the longest time and have one simple suggestion for you all.

Read Niccolo Machiavellis "The Prince", specifically ; Chapter 3 'Of mixed Principalities'

Then come back and read the entire quest from start to finish and see how many colossal fuck-ups you've all made.

You were never born to be rulers, only passive-aggressive CN bullies, abusing a wafer-thin measure of power.

>>12357541
This is good yes? What is our current spell list anyways?

rolled 2, 9 = 11

>>12357602

meh. idc.

rolled 18 = 18

>>12357619
Oh Alpharius, that's the point. We are playing a red dragon that is not the norm. Being passive aggressive gets you to the point you need then since we have the actual REAL power to do something at that point, it is the best position to be in. Besides, Machiavelli was a panzy anywho.

>>12357619
You know, Machiavelli just wrote that because he thought the ruling family would take a shine to him because of it. Instead, he became reviled and hated, and is remembered as 'evil'.

But you may be right. Food for thought.

>>12357619
I'm pretty sure this doesn't apply when you're a dragon.

>>12357619
>Implying that's the only way to rule in an evil manner and that we have to read a book to do well in a quest thread on /tg/.

>>12357454
Dunno. I guess we can skip through tomorrow, we go out and get our whatsits enchanted, (any ideas for a keyword for Cygnis' necklace?), and we can skip to the morning of the event?

Why are we going after the Gold Dragon?
She makes a much more powerful enemy then an ally.
Why do we even want this city in the first place?
I'm sure there are other, better cities, that are not hives of villiany and scum.

>>12357619
>>12357732
>>12357675
>>12357672
You really can't see the parallels? For the record, Machiavelli was a diplomat for something like 12 years before being sent in to exile. His book cites relevant examples from his immediate time period and from classical sources. The man knew what he was talking about. Lest we forget also that Florence had been self governed at one point and was only recently re-conquered by the narrowminded princes of the era, to which he presents warnings against misconduct while, again, citing examples.

An example; Macchiavelli warns against introducing major competitors while encouraging the maintenance of weaker institutions. The weak owe allegiance to the sovereign as they cannot survive without his protection and will not have much to offer an outside power other than their own territory, which they will be loathe to lose. Allow a competitor in? Lose everything you had. Sustain the current ruler? Remain a political aspirant.

Allowing the Gold to live was arguably the best choice, at the time Red had no idea of knowing she was a merchant. But allowing HER to be the one setting the TERMS of your ascention? Shit man you should have agreed to nothing before meet Lyon first. Maintain the weak, dissolve the strong.

>>12357996

You seem to be under the impression that we have any intention of letting her order us around. You also seem to have entirely missed the part where we're preparing to usurp her.

Also, your entire point can be used to argue against ever accepting any aid from anyone if that aid is given willingly instead of coerced, as it is being offered on that person's terms. That's an absurd notion, it's counterproductive to refuse someone offering a shortcut to exactly what we want just because it's being offered instead of being taken by force.

>>12358093
>given willingly instead of coerced,
To which I will reply that it was pretty common for invaders to gain a foothold in other countries through the invitiations of dissidents. It's not wrong to accept the help if you have no temporal power there to start with, but once you're established you should only strive to possess things taken through your own strength.

Why? Because people can respect strength. They don't have to love you, they can fear you, and if they hate you they will fear your vengeance. Taking things through your own personal power also leaves noone to consider that you are not strong as an individual, thus leaving noone to invite your assistants to perform similar favours without you being present.

In short, relying too much on your devil will get you killed. Playing patsy to Gold isn't smart either, considering she can overpower you at a whim.

My advice? Leave Freeport on a 'diplomatic journey' of some description, then sow rumours of a dragon manipulating the city of Freeport.

Advantages? First off most major countries won't bother to fuck with a dragon, secondly it invites LG-hurpdurp adventurers to travel there. They will simultaniously clean up the filth (goldies wish fulfilled) and slowly root her out. You, during this time, continually engage on diplomatic missions. Remain as legitimate on them as possible. Actually do try to secure trade routes (less suspicion and more favour from goldie)

>>12357996

Your point about maintaining the weak is entirely pointless at this stage, as it is something the sovereign does once he is in power in order to maintain that power. We aren't there yet. And our actual ascension will be when we usurp Cygnis, not when we merely gain a title.

Also, considering that the deal with Cygnis is not something that we intend to actually keep, your complaints are entirely unwarranted. She set terms that ultimately have nothing to do with the reality of the situation, as they are based on an entirely false idea of who we are.

You seem to be so eager to criticize in order to shore up your own ego that you haven't stopped to consider (or even read) what is currently being planned.

>>12358205
And I will reply with that the participants desire to overthrow her is totally unnecessary as well. Certainly have protective measures in place but remember she was only a merchant before you, and that is where she needs to stay. Freeport is ruled by LORDS not booze peddlers. You can, succinctly, take power and then reform any tax collection service there may be currently. Don't disband it (or create a new one) just shuffle around who is inside it. Lower the taxes on imports and raise the taxes on exports. You'd be amazed what a 2% difference in both cases can achieve, especially for a money-hungry pencil pusher.

>>12357968
Are you suggesting that we don't deserve to rule everything?

Because I'm pretty sure that's not true.

>>12357996
I have yet to find a system that ever applies to everything well. We are getting far more here than we are being cost, and we are in position to
not have to pay it back, should we so decide.

>>12358204

First, going head to head against Cygnis at this point is foolhardy. The contest of strength that you're obsessed with will end in disaster.

Second, you've so far continued to demonstrate an utter lack of reading comprehension. If you really think we trust Scinnari, then you're blind. Part of the reason behind the choker that we're preparing for her is that we know that we need to keep an eye on her. Also, we have no interest in playing patsy to Cygnis. Your continued insistence that we do shows that you haven't actually bothered to read this thread.

Third, your plan has several massive flaws in it that would be readily apparent if you were actually aware of our position instead of simply dropping in to criticize others in order to further inflate your own sense of self worth. We don't actually have the sort of pull in the broader world that would lead to people actually putting any stock in such rumors, and certainly not enough to do anything meaningful to Cygnis' position. We are in a better position to usurp her position as it is than if we were to run off and abandon our current ventures (such as the new kobold minions which we have gained, which you are unaware of due to not actually reading this thread).

>>12358265
You continue to show your ignorance of recent events. Cygnis isn't just a merchant, because in this city a powerful merchant is never just a merchant, they're a political player as well. Cygnis is moving in on the council, that's why we're involved in the first place. You're the one obsessed with not allowing her to have power, so it's odd that you're suddenly critical of the people who want to be out from under her claw. First you criticize people for going along with Cygnis, then you turn around a criticize people for not going along with Cygnis. It's almost as if you've decided to criticize people no matter what they do, even if that means contradicting yourself, just to seem superior. Oh wait, that's because that is exactly what you're doing.

>>12358265
And all that requires being on the council. Which is exactly what we're getting from going along with Cygnis. And with our current plans we'll be able to secure our independence from her, so that we won't simply be her puppet. So why exactly were you so eager to jump up and say "oh you're all just a bunch of bullies who will never be fit to rule, you only fuck things up but I'm so much smarter than you so I can see it" in the first place?

My understanding is that, being a gold dragon, Cygnis took an un-important role, and job where she could gain knowledge. (librarian, temple of knowledge).

Being a gold, she has 3k years to live. She's decided she wants to manipulate politics and people, after all, messing with humanoids is a time-honored draconic passtime. (Chromatic or metallic.)

But she doesn't want to draw attention to herself. She wants a figurehead.

We are that figurehead. But we AREN'T carved in stone, or even wood. The day will come when she realizes our puppet strings have snapped, we're no longer parroting her instructions, her enterprises no longer answer to her, and theres /nothing/ /she/ /can/ /do/ /about/ /it/.

That's what I think we're going for.

Also, no being rude, people, WD wouldn't want it.

>>12358378
>>12358343
>>12358278
At which point have I said not to use her to acquire the power to undermine her?

>>12358505
I think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to trip over themselves being polite to a person whose first post in the thread was pretty much nothing but a series of insults aimed at all the people playing.

>>12358527
You've stated that we shouldn't have accepted her offer, when the reason we did accept her offer was to use it to gain power and wealth for ourselves, while stealing it from her.

Go figure.

>>12358527
Your first main criticize that you actually articulated instead of just name dropping Machiavelli was that we were apparently all idiots for going along with Cygnis and accepting her offer to get us a seat on the council.

>>12358505
>>12358539
Conceded. I was also talking to him, though.

>>12358553
As the person in favour it was in your power to set conditions, ie; "I'll only work for you if my position is legitimately mine. You're supplying the money, true, but I'm the one who has to handle the emergencies, I'm the one who has to make the sudden decisions. You don't own me, you don't control me. You're a contributer, nothing else."

>>12358527

Short term memory problems?

See >>12357996
You specifically said that we shouldn't have agreed to her deal to get us a seat on the council. And then you turn around and say that we obviously should be trying to get that power here >>12358265

Your posts have been downright schizophrenic.

>>12358583

...

Which is EXACTLY what we said at the time. Honestly, it's like you haven't even read any of this quest. Oh wait, that's because you haven't.

And even then, the reality of the situation and the spoken terms of the deal are two vastly different things. In reality we're not going to be her puppet at all, and we're working toward securing our independence even as she's working to get us the position on the council.

>>12358583
Except we did say all of that.

>>12358583

We did say that. Her reply was that she could take the deal to someone else. We bargained to the point where she would consult with us on the things she wanted, and we would be free to do what we wanted.

And even then those are the terms of a deal that we do not intend to honor. They're binding in the short term at most, if at all.

bump

>>12358644
>>12358682
>>12358630
>>12358607
Except you didn't. Link to posts that you did. Don't bother asking me to, I can't link to something that doesn't exist.

>>12357672
>>Besides, Machiavelli was a panzy anywho.
You are clearly fucking retarded. You must have absolutely no idea who Machiavelli even was if you're going to make asinine statements like that.

Let me educate you, you ignorant fool:
>>One method of torture used in Florentine jails during the glorious days of the Renaissance was the strappado: a prisoner was hoisted into the air by a rope attached to his wrists, which had been tied behind his back, and then suddenly dropped toward the floor as many times as it took to get him to confess. Since the procedure usually dislocated the shoulders, tore the muscles, and rendered one or both arms useless, it is remarkable that Niccolò Machiavelli, after reportedly undergoing SIX such “drops,” asked for pen and paper and began to write.
>>Machiavelli had nothing to confess. Instead, he wrote poems to his torturers, a family that prided itself on art, angrily protesting his treatment.
The man underwent more pain than you've ever felt in your life, and still refused to dime out his friends. I'd continue, but your other posts during this quest's threads have shown you of surprisingly little educated or subtle thought; I have no expectation that informing you further of your mistake would do more than rebound from your skull like a rubber ball.

>Source on Machiavelli's torture: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2008/09/15/080915crat_atlarge_pierpont#ixzz11f3cnoBB

ALRIGHT! Can we please get back to the quest and not derail into philosophy discussion? Let's agree the Machiavelli is probably the authority in these situations, but we're working in a bizarre fantasy-world where dragons and mages can coexist peacefully and violently.

Since this is a /tg/ quest, lets try keeping the intellectual level to /tg/, otherwise the majority will feel left out and that is not the point of a quest.

That said, I really want to get to sexing the erinyes.

>>12359219
>>Since this is a /tg/ quest, lets try keeping the intellectual level to /tg/, otherwise the majority will feel left out and that is not the point of a quest.
This. This right here. This is what I hate most about running quests for /tg/. Only 2-3 times in nearly 50 threads have I gotten players with finesse, tact, and brains--the kind of players that make GMing a joy instead of a chore. The rest have thought with their brain stems, if not simply their genitalia.

>>12359260
You could always try going to questchan (dedicated for quests, the people there are more intelligent) or to an IRC channel, which will restrict everyone too lazy to get an IRC client.

lol you people seem like huge douchebags, makes me happy i never look too hard at these quest threads.

>>12359284
>You could always try going to questchan (dedicated for quests, the people there are furry)

laughinggirls.jpg

>>12359284
>>questchan

I hope you don't mean /tg/chan...

>>12357732
>>implying that Machiavelli suggests measures that are evil

>>12359337
He probably does, seems like they renamed it. Honestly, there was no /tg/ on there except quests and the kind where men dress as women.

>quest thread
>derails
>quest runner disappears

Excellent.

Is the choker prepared, We could do her, then while we're in that wonderful glow, we walk the choker up her body and put it on her, telling her what it does so she doesn't fight.

Yes.

>>12358607
>You specifically said that we shouldn't have agreed to her deal to get us a seat on the council.

What I actually said:
>But allowing HER to be the one setting the TERMS of your ascention? Shit man you should have agreed to nothing before meet Lyon first.

So actually you're totally wrong. You can't even accurately cite an example.

>>12359149

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12329848/

We do insist on being something more than her pawn here:
12332219
12330960

And she remarks that if we're serious about our independence she might decide to back someone else instead here:
12331436

>>12360416

>>12359579
So you are in fact saying that we shouldn't have agreed to our deal, because that would be her setting the terms of our power/position. Which, in addition to your comment that you should only use things that are coerced through strength alone
See >>12358204
> you should only strive to possess things taken through your own strength.
your over all argument is that we shouldn't accept help freely offered. Why? Because "it's not strong"? Who cares? We're already operating mainly offstage, outside of the limelight. Our kobold minions, the amulets we're preparing, the very fact that we're a dragon are all things that Cygnis is so far unaware of. Your argument that we should be stubborn and refusing help is based on the idea that we need to do that to maintain the image of a strong, independent political player. But half of our advantage is that much of our strength remains unknown to Cygnis. Throwing it around now in her presence would tip her off to the fact that we're significantly more than what we appear to be, ruining the one main advantage we have, surprise.

The terms that Cygnis outlined are ultimately all meaningless in reality because they were made based on several assumption of what we are that are simply not true. She's assuming that we have little power beyond what she gives us, that we have little reason to move against her, and that we lack the ability to move against her. All of these things are not true. She may seem to dictate terms, but in reality she doesn't have anywhere near the full picture, and she can't take into account what she doesn't know about.

>>12359376

Really, that was probably his intent from the start. Kill this quest so that his dark eldar quest might pick up some of the players, which is something it's currently lacking in.

>>12360484
A couple of things she will know about is that you are preventing yourself from being scryed. That you're reasonably eager to trot along behind her at a moments notice. That you're deeply interested in pursuing the vaults of some cult that "binds" dragons. That you're learning spells only *now* in life? When you're an elf and presumably already quite well established? I mean, to her you had a red dragon in debt. Noone who is pathetic has that kind of swing. Moreover why would a RED dragon hold any kind of oath or pledge to be sacred, as you're demonstrating by plotting her demise within 48 hours of having met her.

From where I'm sitting, if I was her there'd be alarm bells going off. Devil companion, RED dragon in debted, wealthy elf, interested in the occult.. you're either a warlock or a wizard of *respectable* ability.

My biggest issue is that you agreed so readily. Anything that comes free in life cannot be worth very much.

>>12360571
> A couple of things she will know about is that you are preventing yourself from being scryed.

Our persona is that of an adventurer. It's how we explained finding her in the first place. Anti-scrying isn't all that unreasonable, especially with the cult that we busted.

> That you're reasonably eager to trot along behind her at a moments notice.
Which is actually not true. See my point about her assuming things that don't actually line up with reality.

> That you're deeply interested in pursuing the vaults of some cult that "binds" dragons.
Again, adventurer. And in this case we were asked to look for her.

> My biggest issue is that you agreed so readily. Anything that comes free in life cannot be worth very much.

That's a ridiculously absolutist statement. First off, from the moment we agreed we already had no intention of being her pawn, and with the resources we are amassing in the meantime we will be able to assure our independence by the time we actually take power. Remember, we're not on the council yet, we have some time before then to prepare.

Second, it wasn't free, just significantly easier than doing all the work ourselves. We still have been spending some of our hoard to prepare the amulets. And if you honestly are so wrapped up in your idea of rule by the strong that you refuse any help unless it's coerced, you're going to end up passing up a great many opportunities. Do you really think that being pragmatic and opportunistic are bad things when it comes to gaining power? Are you really that obsessed with thumping your chest and saying "I'm the biggest so I'm the boss"?

Knights fall, everyone dies.

>>12360571
> My biggest issue is that you agreed so readily. Anything that comes free in life cannot be worth very much.

It's not free, we still have to work to ensure that we can be independent from Cygnis when the time comes. What it is is a whole lot quicker and easier than clawing our way into power purely on our own. This may come as a surprise to you with your whole survival of the fittest, everyone out for themselves mentality but having help, well, HELPS.

And again, you're saying that we should turn down anything that we don't take by force. If someone is willing to give us a short cut, and it's significantly easier to accept their help, then turn around and usurp their position, then I really don't see why we should pass that up. You're stuck making the same argument that Scinnari made, that we'll be the ones owing Cygnis. And the reply is the same. You're assuming we have any intention of fulfilling our end of the bargain instead of simply backstabbing Cygnis and then keeping the position that she's given us all to ourselves.

>>12360629
>>12360659
Quoting me piecemeal doesn't fully suggest you've grasped the intent I had. Am I being unclear?

You're an elf, with a devil companion. You're not normal. At all. This gold dragon must be retarded to trust you so quickly.

>>12360571
> Anything that comes free in life cannot be worth very much.

Your own life came free to you. All the circumstances of your birth came free to you. You did nothing to earn them, simply because you were not alive to do anything to earn them. Does that mean that all of that is worthless? That a person should just reject their life out of hand because it was given to them freely? That's absurd. Being opportunistic, exploiting the hand that you are dealt to its fullest, and just generally not being so egotistical that you turn your nose up at anything that you didn't take by force, these are qualities which are useful not simply for gaining power but for life in general.

You argue that because Cygnis made the offer of her own free will that it we should not have agreed. That would be nothing but letting our ego get in the way of actual progress.

>>12360685
The reason Cygnis is trusting us with this so quickly is because of the impression we made on her when we first met. It's the entire reason we decided to play the gentleman, to exploit her weakened emotional state to endear ourselves to her.

>>12360685
And you continuing to ignore the fact that we never had any intention of actually upholding our end of the deal with Cygnis shows that you don't fully grasp basic reading comprehension.

>>12360685
> You're an elf, with a devil companion. You're not normal. At all. This gold dragon must be retarded to trust you so quickly.

You seem to have missed the entire part with Cygnis being horribly tortured. That isn't exactly conducive to a healthy mental state. The fact that we played up the gentleman adventurer bit only further enhanced that.

And with one breath you say that, with the previous you said
> A couple of things she will know about is...
> That you're reasonably eager to trot along behind her at a moments notice.

So on the one hand you say that she's foolish to trust us, on the other you say that she has reason to believe that we're willing to be her toady. It's becoming readily apparent that you don't actually have a coherent argument, you just came in here to insult people and act superior, so you criticize anything and everything you can find even if that means contradicting yourself.

>>12360685

You've been perfectly clear from your very first post. You think that we're a bunch of ignorant fuck ups and that you are vastly superior to us. That's really all this has been about, you complaining about everything we do, regardless of the reasoning behind it or what we plan to do with it, in an attempt to feel superior.

>>12360571
> My biggest issue is that you agreed so readily. Anything that comes free in life cannot be worth very much.

That's your own personal opinion. It's what a standard red would think. They believe that talk is cheap, diplomacy is pointless, and cooperation is strictly for lesser beings. This is because, like you, they think that if you don't take something by force then it isn't worth having.

However, we have long since established that we are not the standard red. For example, in a past thread we said this:
> "Your help is welcome, as are you. If the day comes when I refuse aid simply because I am too proud or angry, then I will truly have become unduly arrogant."

If we turn something down purely out of pride, then we would be colossally stupid, and thus have nothing to be proud of in the first place. We're not going to turn down a chance to ease and accelerate our rise to power purely because we didn't pry it from someone's cold, dead hands. Immediately, anyway.

Everything was going so well until we were epic trolled.

I agree that we haven't done anything wrong regarding usurping power.

The gold dragon believes us her friend, no matter what else she may suspect.

She is trying to get us a seat on the council, and she succeeds with her plans then we will be in a seat of greater power. If she fails, then we finish her off and move on (we can easily assume a new identity and keep our money).

>>12360571

This is a win-win situation. And of COURSE we have an anti-scrying field, just like every other political and military aspirant.

This particular gold dragon seems to be relatively young for the species, so she can still make easy mistakes. Perhaps that's what we're seeing here.

Please (seriously) stop trying to argue about things that we have already come to pass and that we have no control over. Because that's really easy. Any fool can read through a historical figure's biography and accomplishments and say I would've done this it that differently.

Making suggestions for the the PRESENT is much more difficult (props to Machiavelli for that). You can argue about what we should do in the PRESENT, and actually participate in the quest. Contribute that way instead.

Incidentally, one of the 48 laws of power pertains to our situation.

>Law 10
>Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky

>You can die from somone else's misery - emotional states are as infectious as diseases. You may feel that you are helping a the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.