[3 Days....]

You are pleased when, that evening, Scinnari reports that Arman has both a price on his head, and a small debt, forty gold. Further, she reports with satisfaction, she is making arrangements that she might be able to take him alive... should you desire extra leverage over Cygnis. While it allays some fears, you are disturbed by the fact that she neglects to mention the 'dragon hunter' in town. It is possible she saw through your disguise.... or that she forgot. You fear it much more likely that she is delibrately withholding that piece of information.

Nevertheless, you thank and praise her, and invest in a few things that you don't have but need for the ball, with Cygnis' funds. A finer sheath for your rapier is one; the battered leather one you've been using is functionally fine, and even something you can appreciate in that regard, a paragon of utility, but is not something to wear to a high-class event. You have, of course, checked, and while Scinnari would not be allowed her bow, gentlemen's armaments are allowed. Presumably, at the very least, Xavier, the privateer captian on the council, will be armed with a saber, and whatever other noble fancies themself a swordsman will bear their personal armament of choice.

[2 days....

[Anything else to be done, or shall we proceed to the event?]

Really? Sigh. I am disappoint. What a ludicrous waste.

Can't think of anything else. That counter-plot was the only thing we had going in the interim.

>>12592751
In the vicinity of 5-6 against it, I'm afraid. Give or take one or two, but it seemed to be against turning him in. In their defence, it was partially resolved, and it can be resumed afterwards, probably.

>>12592656
>>12592667
Does this mean we chickened out or can we still go back and do it after the ball?

>>12592796
I honestly can't believe that there were more than 6 people total in that argument. The whole thing stank of samefag and the only side with colliding timestamps (thus proving different people) was the turn-in side. Or is this based on emails?

>>12592799
Yes.

At the very least, yes to the second.

>>12592849
Got an email or two, but, hell, anonymous, it's somewhat difficult to tally up.

I'm somewhat skeptical of claims of samefagging; I find myself that I often forget to include things or think of them too late when making a post, and as a quest-goer it's probably more severe. I figure every major 'argument' post was a different person, and the smaller rebuttals or extra reasons could have been the same person without that person actually being guilty of sockpuppetting.

Confirm skip to ball?

>>12592896
Part of me is tempted to see if we can dig up any dirt on the less powerful people going to the ball but I suppose that could wait until after. Even if we knew any dirt on them, you can't really use it in such an open place like that unless you're one on one with said person. I can't really think of anything else at this point other than studying the lighthouse diagrams of the third floor we have and try to make sense of what's going on.

>>12592896
Oh well. Maybe we can do it after the ball and say the delay was because we were still doing some searching from our last job with the dragon.

I'd confirm but I already said to do it, so...

Motherfucking Dragon Quest!

Choice with Arman isn't what I would have done, but maybe we can do it later.

Confirm timeskip.

Hmmm... After the ball we might want to consider going back to deal with this whole Arman thing, though I do think that waiting was the right choice. More information is always a good thing, and now we know that Scinnari isn't quite as backstabbing as we thought. Hopefully, anyway.

The day of the ball is not long in coming. Scinnari, as usual, neglects actually acquiring suitable dress, but when the time comes, is dressed ravishingly. Together, you make quite a pair, you think, as the carriage Cygnis chartered for you delivers you to the Sealor'ds Palace.

It is quite the display of wealth; three stories tall, and surrounded by a fifteen foot wall. You hardly even have to present your invitation, as the guards are mostly admiring the 'woman' on your right arm. Scinnari is having a field day, obviously, but on the walk up to the building enterance, you take the opportunity to warn her to tone it down.

"Nothing quiet so overt, please?" you whisper, to her. She pouts half heartedly for a moment, but does reign in the "come hither" vibe she's giving off. And you have to admit, it is nice to have others... wanting but unable to acquire. Showing off.

You are intercepted almost immediately by a rotund halfiling in formal dress; the chamberlain, Cygnis warned you.

"Greetings, Lord, Lady." he says, bowing hurriedly, " I am Tomas Fleetfoot, High Chamberlain to Sealord Milton Drac. You are expected, but it is not quite your time, you have arrived a few minutes early." he says, making motions to lead you into a side room.

"Really? I was under the impression the ball had already commenced." you drawl. He nods.

"Not quite. Started, but not commence. Not at all. After all, you are to be presented with the Order of Drake, a great honor. Great honor. In a few minutes, once everyone else has arrived and entered to witness, you'll be able to make a fashionably late entrance, recieve your accolades, and the party will actually commence. I believe that Captain Lydon may be getting his noimnation confirmed as well there."

"Ah. Very well." you accede gracefully, following him into the side room. A lavishly appointed sitting room, with paintings and wall decorations, generally of a nautical theme. Presumably a nod to the source of the city; Freeport's inhabitants are a remarkably unrepentant lot. You make yourself comfortable on one of the luxurious chairs, idly thinking about getting yourself such comfortable appoitments... either for your own home or these themselves.

[dice 1d100, and any plans, or questions to ask the Chamberlain before he leaves.]

>>12592980
>>12593076
>>12593122

The delay was good, it gave us time to get a little bit more info on why Scinnari was going after Arman, and we can always pick him up later.

rolled 98 = 98

>>12593153
I can't think of much to ask him or plan. Maybe exactly what the Order of Drake is? Being new to the city and all.

rolled 74 = 74

>>12593192
Hooooly shit, there goes my luck for the thread.

>>12593192
>>12593204
Where are these rolls when we really need them?

>>12593192
Wow. Looks like we're about to impress some people.

could try to over hear general gossip, talk to people get to know them. especially if they are drunk since they might be far more open with their real opinions.

oops forgot to add we might try to slip information that only the cult would know and judge their reaction to see if they are in the cult.

Probably as a simple rumor nothing more. Make it appear that we find it ridicules and imposable.

"What is the 'Order of Drake' exactly?" you ask, as the chamberlain turns to leave. "I'm afraid I'm somewhat new to the city."

"Award. Medal, if you want. Prestigious. About as high as you can get. Named after one of the first Sealords, Drake, if you know the history. Public thanks, if you want what it actually signifies. IF there's nothing else? Please? Good." the halfling says, getting out as quickly as he can. Presumably, extremely busy.

Your wait is short, and you do hear people arriving, despite the heavy doors. After a few minutes, Fleetfoot returns.

"Lord Cibach? Lady....?"

"Scinnari Asmora." Scinnari provides sweetly. Tomas nods nervously.

"Alright, then, Please, follow me."

Standing, you follow him through the doors, back into the entrance hall. He raps sharply on the massive double doors to (presumably) the ballroom, and whispers, "Stand back a little ways, prepare for the doors to open. When they do, head up to the Council; the Sealord will present you your rewards, and then the evening will commence." he explains very quickly, before one of the doors cracks open, and he disappears inside. Scinnari on your arm, you back up, allowing a few feet for the doors, and a few feet to start advancing when they open. It comes almost two minutes later, you make your enterance.

The room is vast, at least thirty feet high. You suspect that there is no second floor, possibly even no third, over this section of the building. Several groups are already scattered around tables throughout the room, presumably the wealthy and elite, the ones who weren't on the council. The red carped before you proceeds strait, advancing a few very wide steps to the council's circle of chairs. The center of the thirteen is larger, the Sealord's own. The one directly to the right is draped in a black sheet. Kazmiri's.

>>12593484
'Ridiculous' and 'Impossible' respectively. (Sorry, I can't help it.)

There is little to do here but wait and advance. Gain favor with as many as possible without actually committing ourselves to any one. Show ourselves as powerful and ready for challenge, but not so much as to be a threat to anyone that might make our lives harder.
Politics is such a difficult and dangerous game D:

Thank goodness we're a dragon, else I might be concerned. Still, we should be a tad wary, as I understand it there are one or two people here older than ourselves.

As you approach, the Sealord stands to address the room, a strong voice for a middle-aged man. Despite the formal setting, some individuals are dressed oddly, including the Sealord himself; he wouldn't look out of place as an admiral, or a pirate lord. Presumably the city's heritage., and his historic powerbase.

"Lords, ladies, gentlemen, and bystanders, it is my honor to present Free Captain Cibach Azal the prestigious Order of Drake, as a sign of the cities gratitude in thwarting the blasphemous cult of the Unspeakable One, not once, but twice, unmasking the traitorous Councilor in the process." Milton Drac announces, as you climb the steps to the platform. Everyone's eyes are following you, and you believe you can hear a few whispered comments on the pair Scinnari and you make. He presents you with a golden medallion with an embossed image of a pirate ship on it, etching around the edges. You allow him to hang the sash it is mounted on over your shoulder, and make a bow, to him and the audience. Drac shakes your hand, and calls, "We honor a hero, tonight. Without his nobility and vigilance, our city might have become the dominion of a sinister and evil cult. Additionally, in the future secured by his efforts, the glorious Lighthouse of Freeport shall soon be completed, a shining beacon to all peoples of the unspeakable power and wealth of the city of Freeport. With that... Let the evening begin.".

There is applause, and a few scattered cheers, as people rise and move, including the captains behind you, to join the party.

"Still, you ought to be careful with the hero-ing business, even part time. Liable to get you killed." Drac comments amiably, before descending to the festivities below. You realize that you aren't quite sure whether you were complimented or threatened.


The center of the room has been left clear of tables, and a group of minstrels are providing dancing music; many are congregating down there. On both the left and right, tables are laden down with food and drink, presumably of exquisite quality. Finally, you notice a few parties leaving, not out the front exit, but out side doors, from what you catch sight of, private conversation rooms.


"Well, lord Azal? Shall we join in the.. festivities?" Scinnari asks quietly, with perfect decorum, but an almost predatory tone to her voice.

"Yes, I think we shall..." you reply, descending to the ballroom floor.


[What now?]

Let's say hey to Lydon while we scope out the cliques that are forming.

Mingle. Get a feel for the political landscape.

>>12593649
>>12593650
I concur with these.

>>12593609
I agree we should gather information and try to gain as much favor as possible without committing.

Maybe show off dancing. could ask Scinnari what she wants to do; after all this is a party.

>>12593650
>>12593649

As you pass through the not too dense, but still massive crowd, you pick up much, occasionally being asked to take a seat, or your opinion on something. You answer or excuse yourself politely, saying you wish to get food, or to find a friend first, as you don't recognize any. Scinnari, for her part, is a perfect socialite, arm on yours, as you head through the crowd. She too gets her share of questions and offers, but she chooses to stay with you.

The majority of discussion, of course, seems to be the nomination of Kazmiri's replacement, as, again from what you hear, Lydon is to be confirmed or rejected tonight, and it's quite likely that a nominee shall be suggested for the late Kazmiri's seat. You find Lydon near a drinks bar, being served.

"Ah, Cp'n Cibach! Good to see yout! And your lovely lady too!" he calls jovially, making an inexpert bow to Scinnari. "Aargh, this already be a fine party. If this is the life of a councilor, I can get used to it! How you been doing? Got me assassin on the mend yet?"

[Response, anything more you wish of Lydon, and next point of interest, or thing you wish to do.]

could ask him on what he thinks of the political field. maybe also maybe discuss rumors and gossip.

basically getting information with the feel of small talk.

>>12593788
Respond that we think that the cult probably hired her to keep him off the council.

Let's dance with Scinnari.

>>12593845
Let's not.

Instead let's tell him that Asha is just a poor misunderstood thing from a distant country that is now under our care.

That simultaneously implies a degree of power to us, a deal of compassion to our image, and is a subtle threat to him. Though he seems dense enough that he might not pick up on it.

actually we can use detect magic to find out what magical items are on people it might be useful to know.

>>12593845
>>12593839

"Excellently, thank you. You look quite successful yourself, as it happens. As it happens, I've got an eye on the assassin now, and it seems like she's on the mend. Whoever hired her used an intermediary, I'm afraid," you say sadly, "But it seems possible the cult", this is punctuated with a nod at the council chairs, particularly the one with the black shroud over it, "wanted you off the council. Didn't think a seadog like you could be bought, perhaps." Though you speak in a friendly manner, Lydon gives a subtle but noticeable wince at the last part. Perhaps uncomfortably close to home.

He recovers quickly and exaggerates it, though, saying, "Ah, I be hopin' so. This lot have mighty deep pockets." he nods to the room at large, "I might find me self sinkin' in a sea o' gold."

"Better than the other fate, I'm sure we can agree." you reply with a laugh and a nod. "Ah, do excuse me-"

"O' course, not to worry. Oh, one thing though," he says, leaning close, giving you a large whiff of his foul breath, "I don't know nothing about that cult, but I be dead certain the Sealord's one o' them. Tatoo sigil, lower part of his thigh. I'm not the one who told you, mind you." he says.

"Of course. Thanks for the warning." you reply, nodding and drifting off into the crowd. You slowly approach the central dancing floor.

When close enough, you ask with a bow, "My lady Asmora, would you care to dance?"

Scinnari responds with a stunning smile and a laugh. "My lord Azal. I could not refuse the honor."

[dice 1d100]

>>12594001
>...as it happens. As it happens...
Gah. Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Headphones. Sorry about that.

Going to take a short break to relocate and start some laundry, you'll hardly even notice it with how long my posts usually take. [irony] If you must have a time, I don't expect it to take twenty minutes.

rolled 35 = 35

>>12594001
Waltz it up, yo. Grab nearby rose and break into Tango.

Turn up the heat in this party. Easier to maneuver if everyones busy dancing.

>sureful two

Best outcome for dancing captcha.

rolled 64 = 64

>>12594001
Hmmm. Interesting.

We didn't turn in Arman? Aw man.
Why not?
As I understand it, we wanted to turn him in to get higher in Finn's organisation to spy on Scinnari, right?
And that the counterpoint was Cygnis aggro destroying a potential asset?
... I don't see the issue. If Cygnis finds out (which is unlikely), she'll let Cibach take over the organisation. All we need to do is paint Finn's organisation as culty mc cult, and then take it over, and Cygnis will be like "all is well".

So can we hand in Arman yet?

>>12594162
I'm afraid we're quite past that, but I was totally with you man.

>>12594162
Patience, virtually everyone currently here wants to do it but we're at the ball right now. Maybe it will never come up, maybe a better solution will present, or maybe we will do it later. For now, let's just take it as it comes.

>>12594162
>>12594230

We decided to wait. Turned out to be a relatively good choice. We learned a bit more about what Scinnari was up to, see:
>>12592667
> You are pleased when, that evening, Scinnari reports that Arman has both a price on his head, and a small debt, forty gold. Further, she reports with satisfaction, she is making arrangements that she might be able to take him alive... should you desire extra leverage over Cygnis. While it allays some fears, you are disturbed by the fact that she neglects to mention the 'dragon hunter' in town. It is possible she saw through your disguise.... or that she forgot. You fear it much more likely that she is deliberately withholding that piece of information.

And besides, now that we know more we can always turn him in after the ball. Now that we know Scinnari isn't just taking him in order to torture him to death for the evilulz, I imagine people will be somewhat more willing to do so.

>>12594324
>It is possible she saw through your disguise
Possible, but very unlikely. She might guess that we could be testing her, however. She is pretty smart. That's why I was saying we need to get deeper. Surface appearances are almost worthless with devils. We need to be at least two layers deep into her plots, probably more.

>>12594526
If she saw through and thought we were testing her, she would have mentioned the dragon hunter part to us. Leaving that part out raises suspicion, and if she thought it was a test she would want to pass it in order to make us think we can trust her.

>>12594551
She could be unsure. The dragon hunter could be genuine after all. What is the best way to test that? Partially reveal something, but leave some important details out. These details should be important, but minor and deniable. If the person you told knows the details anyway and/or confronts you about it, bam, you just figured out where the leak was. She could just say "Oh I just thought he was bragging and didn't take him seriously, you know mortals are."

>>12594551
Unless she wants us to continue to test her.

>>12594599
> Unless she wants us to continue to test her.
If you know what I mean.

>>12594599
I'd continue to test her if you know what I mean.

>>12594607
>>12594611
know what I mean-mind

>>12594095
>>12594094
Scinnari, as it turns out, is a far better dancer than you are, possibly better than anyone in attendance. Good enough that she can assist you, as this whole 'humanoid dancing thing' is somewhat harder than it looks. Nevertheless, between her assassination, and your inhuman learning speed, you manage to pick it up very quickly, and by the end of the first number, are an adequate partner. By the end of the second, you are in the upper two fifths, in terms of relative skill. Two legs is somewhat less to deal with than four.

As a moderately famous local personality, you attract some attention, a few quips and mocks to begin with, which rapidly melt into respect as you progress. In the break after the third dance you've participated in comes to a close, both you and Scinnari receive requests to dance, her far more than you, sadly. Hers consist of just about everyone who can work up the courage; you may have to tell her again to tune down the glamour. You receive an invitation from a 'Petra Fircce', a middle-aged woman, currently the leader of the city's Guild of Craftsmen. While not exactly nobility, she is fairly successful, and a running nominee for the Captain's Council.

The other, an elf or half elf, you guess, introduces herself as 'Lady Illyra Soderheim'. She you do not know, but would guess she is related or married to Councilor Soderheim.

[You may, of course, accept either, reject both, or stop dancing all together. 1d100 still. Also, weird problem with captcha not appearing, but it seems to be gone.]

rolled 70 = 70

>>12594641
I vote for Lady Soderheim.

And pray that the dice gods smile on me.

>>12594641
Hmmm. My first instinct is Lady Soderhiem. Her husband has connections to elven pirates, and that could be excellent for us seeing as we are supposedly elven and in the market for profitable dealings.

Then again, a guild leader craftswoman... but that would mostly just be for this city. Pirates range far and wide, and we aren't just looking at one city. We want an empire.

rolled 23 = 23

>>12594674
I think we should dance with Petra. If she's an aspirant to the council, maybe between her and Lydon we can start putting together a new "up and comer" faction of our own. I don't know, food for thought.

>>12594701
I don't know, sounds like Lydon has already been bought.

>>12594674
>>12594691
I'd go for Lady Soderheim as well. Though we should find out what she is to the Soderheim on the council. Wife? Sister? Daughter? Some other relation?

>>12594641
>between her assassination
Freudian slip there, WD?

Time to keep an eye out, guys.

>>12593606
>>12593613
>>12593619
If this is a 98 I hate to know what would have happened on a 40 or something. Stumbling on our way up the stairs? Would a 1 have entailed falling and mistakenly ripping the gown off a councilmember's wife?

>>12594721
Oh god. How did I do that. I am not good with words.


Seriously, I have no idea where that came from. I literally had no thoughts on that subject while writing. Hell, I didn't even get it afterwards, I thought I misspelled 'assassination', and didn't register that I'd, used the wrong word.

>>12594641
Scinnari might need to tone this down, we're the one running for council not her. I understand she wants to make her own clique, but damn.

>>12594792
This is potentially good. Keeps the attention of the more vapid party goers while we work, and makes some *ahem* connections while she's at it.

>>12594792
>>12594827
A beautiful and talented consort brings us prestige. That said, I do think we should ask her nicely to please stop stealing all our thunder.

Am I one of the only people who thinks we should dance with Petra? Lady Soderheim is someone we don't know a lot about, for all we know she might not have all that much pull, all we have to go on is her name. Petra, on the other hand, is a candidate for the council, meaning she must have at least some clout, and is the lead craftsman in the city. Associating with her can give us a line in on the city's artisans, craftsman, and so on. Combined with our focus on the cult, we can play that as having the interests of the people at heart, and win greater popular support that way.

>>12594889
True, but you also should remember she's factionally aligned. To the faction that is not the one we should be courting if we want appointment. The half-elven lady is delightfully neutral.

>>12594827
> and makes some *ahem* connections while she's at it.

NO. MINE.

Ladies and gentlemen, Scinnari's theme song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXp413NynFk

rolled 9, 8 = 17

Get them to scissors paper stone it, best of three, for the honour of a dance.

Also - we shouldn't keep /too/ tight a leash on Scinnari. She is after all the most attractive woman in here.

Whatever happened to that Sigmund and Leader we were with in DQII and III?

>>12594998
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z84CgD3o-xg

Found a better version, first was way too soft but it was the first I found.

>>12595039
The video that comes with that one is annoying. And it's MOOD not move. But yes, much better quality sound.

>>12594753
Calm down. It wasn't for our entrance.
#################
>>12594701
>>12594674
"Lady Asmora? Would you pardon me this round?"

"I fear I must. I am swamped in requests." Scinnari replies happily, though maintaining formal tone.

"Ah, of course. You'd best do something about that, then." you suggest, somewhat annoyed at the attention she's receiving. Generating. You warned her about her glamour.

The next song starts, a slow one, and you settle into a waltz with the lady Soderheim. As you suspected, this is being used as a conversation opportunity.

"You seem to be quite the rising star on our local scene, here." she remarks, as you begin.

"One does one's best. I should hope there is no ceiling I'm about to hit?" you remark in return. Not exactly whispering, but you're close enough that you don't need to be loud. Over her shoulder, you observe Scinnari with... what did he introduce himself as, Admiral Rankin?

"In places, perhaps, but there is plenty of open sky. Hmm.... I suppose it would depend on where you fall, versus the Sealord."

"I can assure you I do not wish to fall versus the Sealord." you reply, earning an amused smile, "That said, I am a bit of a newcomer to the local arena. I could not say, without learning more. Obviously next on my agenda; I'm afraid even I didn't predict my rather meteoric rise."

"Understandable. But one arena is much like another, and I was led to believe Azal was a noble family..?" she asks. Obviously Cygnis has been spreading the word, subtly, you hope.

"A small one, I'm afraid. Nothing quite so grand or important as Freeport, but some, I concede. But still foreign. What do you think of the Sealord's actions?"

"Ah. It has been most profitable for my husbands.. constituents. The Sealord keeps his word as well. I would think the Sealord's lighthouse has done us well."

"It is quite impressive." you agree, pausing for a slight change in subject. "I hear your husband represents... at least in part, the cities roots." you comment neutrally.

"You hear well, but it's all far more legitimate. Corsairs are privateers, and pirates bear letters of Marque these days. The admiral holding your lady Asmora, at the moment, is responsible both for accepting nation's bids, and selling the letters."

"An efficient system." you say approvingly.

"Captain Cibach... May I call you Cibach?" she asks, and you nod, "May I speak plainly?"

"By all means, of course; I could accept anything, if it came from you."

"Thank you. I wish to ask whether you intend to..." she pauses, as if still trying to veil her words, but gives up, or remembers what she asked, "continue your rise. You are a wealthy and successful individual by all accounts, it is possible you would qualify for the council... tonight, even."

"A generous offer, milady. In your obviously knowledgeable opinion, how would you recommended I pursue that?"

"I can pass word on to- the right people." she says, "Provided you would be willing to align with the Sealord... on the council. I confess that it might not get you an appointment this very night, but it would be a large step in the right direction."

[If I'm getting (or staying, as the case may be,) incoherent, please tell me. I'll start trying to type this up in a word processor first. Agree/disagree, and any suggestions or commentary.]

>>12594843
Actually... If she's busy looking all SEXY, then perhaps we could use (faint) dragonfear (whatever) to make ourselves seem... the badass, the person they don't want to mess with, a dangerous lord?


Also, how are we planning to take over this city? We want to rule this as Cibach Azaladon, not 'Captain Azal'. How are we going to make that legit and accepted?

>>12595108
Agree. We are gonna need to get closer to the cult no matter which side we choose in the political scene. Since we just found out that the Sealord is a cultist himself, and probably a very high ranking one, it makes sense to side with him so we can find out what the cult is doing and crush it.

If we didn't side with him, we would still need a way to spy on the cultist and keep on eye on what we are doing.

He is going to be wary of us since we are responsible for going after the cult twice and exposing it to the city, but if we get on the council by supporting him, he would now have an option of "controlling" us through the council rather than taking measures to get rid of us. I am certain if we supported his rival that he would most certainly do something to get rid of us.

I'm really hesitant about allying ourselves with the sealord. Or anyone quite yet for that matter.

Especially if the sealord is indeed in cahoots with the cult, though I'm inclined to think that it's nowhere near as cut and dry as it currently appears.

I think we should make it clear that we do not intend to throw in with any one party just yet.

>>12595139
Ruling it openly as a dragon will just draw problems so early.

As for the offer, I say we take it provisionally. After all, we can't support the Sealord without having a seat on it first, now can we? And maybe we should just slip in a question about the opposition. Cygnis did pretty much say we would have to kowtow to the Sealord to get on, though, so we might as well go ahead and make friendly here.

We should remember that the opposition is STRONG. For instance, the guy with the big spy network is on the opposition.

>>12595139
Well one way we could get power is by exposing the Sealord as a cultist himself, who has squandered the resources of Freeport on the cult.

I think we should ally with the Sealord and get all chummy with him and then expose him and get rid of him, and take power for ourselves. We probably could be helped by that older lady who is his opposition in the city, forget her name.

Be friendly, politely thank her, though also make it clear that we are going to spend tonight investigating all our options. We're no fool, we're not going to commit ourselves until we learn a bit more about the situation we've found ourselves in. Hopefully we can give the impression that we're smart enough to be useful, but also willing to cooperate.

Bluh, perhaps we could somehow thrown in with the sealord WITHOUT supporting the lighthouse?

Ideal, but is it even possible?

From the last thread, for reference:

Sealord Drac.... Of course. Human, male, forty five, as far as Cygnis has been able to determine.

Cpt. Brock Wallace.... Male human, 55
Used to be an opponent of the lighthouse plan, but has long been quiet. Ill tempered, and seems to have trouble remembering certain details of his past.

Cpt. Arias Soderheim... male, half-elven. 105.
A bard, though he represents the interests of the elven pirates that use and have used Freeport in the past.

Cpt. Melkior Maegoran... male, human, 35.
Scion of an old merchant house of the city. Rose to his position shortly before the assassination of Anton Drac, after the assassination of his elder brother.

Captain Garth Varellion... Male, human, 45.
Got his position by being a friend of Sealord Drac. Sailed with Drac for many years.

Captain Hector Torian... male, human, 42.
Sailor since he was ten, and captain since he was eighteen. Respected captain, popular with most who know him.

>>12595283
Cont.

Lady Elise Crossette
Leader of the opposition to the Sealord on the council. Often a voice of reason, and an excellent speaker. Her family has had a history of power in the city.

Cpt. Dirwin Arnig, gnome, male, 175.
Elderly, his family have always been wealthy gemcutters, growing rich off the pirates of the city. He is the head of the Jewlers and Jemcutters Guild. Supporter of Lady Elise.

Captain Xavier Gordon, male human, 49
Privateer captain of the Bloody Sea. Representing pirates and privateers who call Freeport home, and is on the second year of his three-year term. Weak supporter of Lady Elise. His seat is regulated by council law, and must belong to a privateer, as well as rotate out after three years.

Liam Blackhammer, human, male, 40.
Blacksmith, violent opponent of the Lighthouse project, and [seen as] champion of the common man on the council. Naturally aligned with Lady Elise.

Sister Gwendolyn, female, human, ~40
Priestess of Osprem, [a] goddess of the sea. Drac opposed her nomination several years ago, but could not combat the weight of tradition supporting her. (There has been a representative of Osprem on the council for almost a hundred and fifty years) Supports Lady Elise.

Captain Marcus Roberts, male, human, ~50
Used to support the Sealord, but has recently slowly shifted sides. A frequent traveller, often spends time travelling the mainland, acting as an ambassador of sorts for Freeport. Reputed to have an impressive spy network.

Petra Fricke, female, human, 35.
Head of the guild of craftsmen, and a extremely capable sculptor. Initially a supporter of the lighthouse, has changed sides as the harms of it become apparent on the city. Aligned with Lady Elise, as of now.

And of course, Lydon... 50
His nomination is expected to be confirmed at the ball

>>12595039
That is perfect. It's like it was written specifically for Scinnari.

>>12595108
You seem to be doing fine.

>>12595039
>song
Speakers recently broke, leaving me sad. Can't listen to it, but lyrics look good. Maybe a bit more devout than we seem to be, but I like it.
#############################

"Alas, I cannot make such a promise, I am afraid. It would be... negligent, to do so before observing all possibilities, I'm sure you understand."

"Of course." Illyra replies understandingly.

"Still, I suspect aligning with the Sealord may be my best opportunity. I hope this is not the deadline."

"Ah, of course. No, this isn't, and I shall do my best to keep the offer open..." she says. The dance is pleasant, and ends shortly afterwards. She thanks you, and you turn to go find Scinnari.

Admiral Rankin is somewhat old, maybe late middle-age, you decide, as he thanks Scinnari from the dance.

"Consider yourself an exceptionally lucky individual, Captain Cibach." he says as he turns to go.

"A threat or a compliment?" you ask Scinnari quietly as you reunite.

"A compliment, to be sure. He was a perfect gentleman, a pity, really." Scinnari says sadly.

"Oh?"

"No possibilities there. But there are others. Merchants, the wealthy, those are often far more malleable." she muses quietly, to herself more than you. She catches herself, shortly.

"Do you wish the next dance, milord?" she asks, "Did you find the last one productive?"

I guess we'll just keep dancing through the crowds until we find whatever it is we're looking for exactly.

Just more information about what's going on here I suppose.

>>12595403
See if one of Lady Elise's supporters is open to dance with. Petra perhaps, if she wasn't too offended by our decision to dance with Lady Soderheim. Or maybe someone else in that camp. Let's see what they can offer.

If not, Scinnari again.

MINE.

>>12595403
It seems the Sealord is interested in replacing Kazmiri with a loyal subordinate. I do hope you aren't intending to use assets I would be displeased to find out about. (and touch her collar at that part) Regardless, I think we both still have a round or two before the last dance. Let us make the most of it.

>>12595525
That might be a little too revealing on our end. We definitely do not want her to think we are spying on her, which that statement seems to vaguely imply.

We should make clear exactly where the line between "malleable" and "theft" is for us. Specifically that all interactions should be vertical, standing, and clothed.

>>12595525
Being possessive in the confines of our own mind is one thing. Letting Scinnari know that she has that kind of hold on us is entirely another. We shouldn't be quite so blunt about the MINE MINE MINE.

>>12595494
You spend the next few hours mingling, dancing on and off, and roaming the full room, stopping with one group or another. You even run into K'Staalo-come-Thuron here, presumably invited as the head of the temple. He greets you, but doesn't hold your attention, as the plenthora of less well known entities seems a more interesting prospect.

An unfortunate lot of them seem interested in you as if you were a mere adventurer; apparently the terms 'upstanding merchant, minor foreign nobility' and 'adventurer' are mutually incompatible in their minds. You do, however, leave a few particularly obnoxious or condescending ones treating rather viscous verbal stings.

[dice 2d100, first for gossip]

>>12595552
Really? I didn't intend it like that. All I was wanting to say is that we should point out that while we approve of her doing the tango with others, it must be a dance and in the upright position. All I was meaning to express was that we consider her ours and wouldn't take kindly to her spreading the wealth.

rolled 43 = 43

>>12595592

rolled 75 = 75

>>12595592

rolled 83, 94 = 177

>>12595593
Nonsense, comrade. That wealth must be equally distributed, for the sake of the morale of the proletariat if you know what I mean.

Also, dice.

>>12595607
MAN WAT.

Sigh. If only you had been a little sooner.

Then again, maybe WD will consider the first two for the first roll and the second two for the second roll, giving us 75, 94.

But I doubt it.

>>12595607
> DEM ROLLS

Damn. Apparently the dice gods are a bunch of commies.

>>12595591
If we never make it known then she won't know sleeping around is off limits. It's a powerful tool, after all, and you know how Succubi/Erinyes are... we don't need to hound her about it, just state that she belongs to us now and we don't take kindly to others putting their fingers all over our possessions.

>>12595403
You should really listen to it on headphones or something, it's an excellent song.

rolled 7, 8 = 15

>>12595675
This.

rolled 8, 8 = 16

Also - our-dragon-self does need to develop a sense of wry, semi-mocking humour when being stern with someone (not just scinnari)

imho the srsbsns face should only come up when something REally annoying has happened

>>12595758
I'm not sure engaging in word games with a devil is smart.

rolled 6, 7 = 13

>>12595770

Perhaps not. But it would be entertaining :D

rolled 49 = 49

>>12595770
/agree

Sorry I have been absent by the way guys.

>>12595770
Well, to be fair soon (very soon) we will soon be 2 above her on int and 1 above her on wis. And the gap only gets larger from there. We just get the short end of the stick currently because we're roughly on par and she has 350 years on us.

>>12595822
Those are average red stats. I imagine we're a bit smarter, wiser, and more charming than the average kill maim burn red.

rolled 2, 5 = 7

Anyway - I'm not advocating 'wordgames', merely obvious quips about things that we don't approve of. Gives the srsbsns face more weight when we should need to bring it out.

Let's just keep doing what we've been doing: chatting/dancing up with the movers and shakers.

>>12595603
>>12595600
Aww... I was hoping the second one would be low.
#####################
Discussions with people are productive. Among other things, you find out a plenthora of minor details from most people, but a few things that you particularly found interesting; Petra, whom you did eventually share a dance with, when questioned on why craftsmen of Freeport would oppose the Lighthouse, admitted that they originally supported it, but have recieved no work for the past three months on it, as the upper levels were completed. Her story agrees with the one Asha told you; nobody except for chosen workteams (that nobody meets,) has been up there in months.

Similarly, you overheard (who you later found out to be) Dirwin Arnig relating that the Sealord had recently purchased a rather expensive and magical crystal. You immediately stopped and found an excuse to hang around and listen, and found out that Captain Arnig's personal opinion is that it is that it would be used for elaborate magical summoning or disjunction. He went on to, speaking about his profession, recount knowledgeably how gems and jewels are often used as magical batteries, magnifiers, or focuses.

And finally, you hear from someone you didn't know, complaining about a strange metal called 'dragon's blood', of all things, that has been being imported to be used on the lighthouse, "Hells knowns what it's for.", the dwarven merchant complained grumpily.

>>12595933
This dragon's blood? We must find out what it is. And deal with this Sealord before their ritual occurs. If we can grab that crystal from him before it's sent to the lighthouse...

>>12595933
***
You return after another vague circuit of the room to the dance floor where Scinnari has been enjoying herself. Or was, she seems less happy at the moment.

"Is there a problem, my lady?" you ask as you approach. She turns at you, and you almost get the sense that she's ready to snap at you, but it's gone in an instant.

"Ah, milord Cibach. Nothing of any importance. A... rather intoxicated dancer was quite a pain, and wouldn't take no for an an-" she lies, but it's obvious enough, if only to you.

"Please. Lady Asmora. Scinnari. You are without a doubt the most beautiful, intelligent, and capable lady I have ever met." you say, choosing words to fit the surroundings, in case anyone is being nosy, "I should hope you are willing to allow me to return the... favor you do me with your company." you say, bringing a hand up to brush back some of her hair, and the choker.

"I... attempted to dance with a paladin." she says, indicating a tall man currently occupied on the dance floor, "It was unpleasant." she says, showing you her left palm. It looks blistered. No wonder.

"Does he know?"

"No. I bowed out as quickly as I could. I think he was disappointed, more than anything." Scinnari recounts tonelessly.

We must delay this crystal, thereby giving us time to blow up the lighthouse. After blowing it up we can say the cult was behind it and tell the Sealord we will find those responsible for this bombing and bring them to justice. Since he's a cultist he will want to find them too, and will support us. Bam, tons of power and we are now the town inquisitor. We can inspect cargoes and who knows what else, likely leading us to be able to make very nice deals with underworld figures who don't want shit found.

>>12595977
We've been public enemy number 1 to the cult. I think he'll assume we're involved if the lighthouse suddenly asplodes. It would be stupid of him to assume otherwise. If we do blow up the tower, don't expect to have the Sealords help.

>>12595970
A paladin? Damn. I guess we didn't recognize him because he wasn't wearing plate armor and smiting evil left and right. (Or was he? Doing so during a dance would be an even more creative use than... /tg/'s favorite.)

Seems to be her fault, (that voodoo that she do is likely responsible for him asking her in the first place. Could always be her mistake in asking him, though.), but she dealt with it well enough to allay suspicion.

Sympathy for the devil, anyone?

>>12595994
If we play the part of ignorant patsy he could see a chance to try and use us to the cult's benefit by tracking down the people who blew it up. Especially if we act suitably outraged and demand immediate reconstruction.

Reconstruction which we, of course, will spearhead with local construction companies we have made investments in.

Awww, poor devil got burned.

Let's dance with her and do
>>12595675

Also ask why she felt compelled to lie to us about something so minor.

>>12596016
I still think it's too risky. Put yourself in his position - he'll either think we aren't involved and MAYBE give us the powers we want, assume we're involved but acting like we weren't and keep a close eye on us or automatically decide it was our doing and use his powers as Sealord to make our life hell in the city, if not arrest us under suspicion of destroying it and thus a great work of the city.

I think we're better off scouting the sewers for secret passages into his home or just other entrances in general and try to grab the crystal before it's taken to the lighthouse.

>>12596016
This, this a thousand times this

>>12596044
We have openly busted the cult twice already. If he hasn't found a reason to take us down yet then that won't do it. I mean, we've been doing all KINDS of illegal junk.

>>12596044
How do we know he's keeping it in his house? Or even what it looks like, for that matter?

>>12596067
Perhaps you forgot the framing attempt we thwarted? It was us, Kazmiri, and the temple. He's already tried once.

>>12596067
And likely the only reason we were given this award was because how we've publicly stated we stopped this cult. If he didn't reward us, it would of looked strange. If he truly is apart of the cult, which seems likely or he's just a patsy for them, I'm sure he has something in mind for us and that something might even happen tonight.

>>12596084
We don't but I think it's a better plan than just blowing up the lighthouse. If we're wrong, we're wrong and then we can possibly blow the place up but I think it's too risky to do it immediately.

Hell, if it's a focus, maybe our local friendly wizards can use a longer range detect magic equivalent, if it exists, to get an idea on where strong, magical things are in the city. Assuming that's possible.

Enough guys, that's the future, what are we doing right now? I'm down with dancing with Scinnari and telling her that we approve of her forming her little spider web but strongly disapprove of anyone sticking fingers into our horde.

If you know what I mean.

>>12596130
I'm more curious on why she felt the need to hide this from us so much.

>>12595933
The Lighthouse has to go. Right now. Find a way to get a message to Cygnus right away. This is past the point of delicate political action. We need to smash the Lighthouse and then get the gemstone ASAP. They might summon the Binder, which means our stuff is at risk.

>>12596135
Well we can ask her that too. But we should state that while she can flash all the gold she wants around, nobody -- highborn or low -- is to plunder her wealth for any reason.

If you know what I mean.

Guys, we bought some blasting powder through the kobolds already. Let's just have them USE it.

If they're good enough (and I suspect they are), nobody will even know it was them let alone us. If we can then tie that to the cult, so much the better.

>>12596211
How do you expect to tie this to the cult? There's no way to leave evidence of it and the best thing we can do is give our thoughts on the matter on who could of done it. Problem is, so can the Sealord. And unfortunately, if he's apart of the cult, the Sealord is likely going to blame us. The ONLY chance of making this work out is if we blow the lower level so the top collapses to the ground and hope we can find evidence of the cult was in there. That's the only way I can see this not screwing us more.

>>12596232
Oh my god, what is with people lately? First Arman now this. It's like those parody MTG threads. You know the ones. Necropotence? Sacrifice life to draw cards? TOO RISKY. Tarmogoyf? DIES TO REMOVAL.

We can't just stagnate. We are on an apocalypse clock here. The options are drastic measures or leaving the cult to wipe out the city while we relocate.

>>12596259
Right... Because I totally said we should do nothing in all my responses and let the cult do what they want. Oh wait, no I didn't. Glad to see people have selective reading. But I guess you're right. We should be a man of action and strike to kill ASAP. That's always served us and being patient or taking a slightly longer means of action never helped us out right?

>>12596276
You would have left Scinnari in the summoning circle.

I'm sure we have enough evidence gathered to implicate the cult with the lighthouse. Kazmiri had plans to the lighthouse and was heavily involved in its construction (yeah I know he wasn't really cult, but the public doesn't). The bricks had cult logos at key areas, you can look at the bricks themselves and see that.

It doesn't all have to go up in a cloud of smoke, it just needs to fall.

After that the sealord will be all but forced to allow us more powers in order to find out what in the fuck is going on - cultist or not.

>>12596292
So now you're resorting to baseless accusations? Smooth. If it makes you think you're in the right, think whatever you want.

>>12596310
We have no reason to believe that WE would be allowed more power. It'd probably be assigned to local wizards and whatever the local guard force is. The last thing we want is to get the local equivalent of Sam Vimes hunting us down.

(I'm joking, there, I don't actually think that would be the case, but I don't see why anyone thinks WE'LL get put in charge of the investigation.)

>>12596328
You. Present an alternate idea or your post is merely noted as a concern and little else.

>>12596292
You. Quit the namecalling. It's just ideas, we haven't set anything in stone yet nor are we anywhere close to doing so.

>>12596036
"You have my sympathy. Come, if you feel up to it, would you like one dance?" you ask, standing.
Please be polite. Friendly thread here; getting exasperated is understandable, but please try to stay civil.

######

"If you wish, Lord Cibach."

"No, I asked if /you/ wished, Scinnari." you reply, not sharp but emphatic.

"I... Yes. I would like one. But please, be gentle with my hands. And arms."

"Of course." you say, allowing her to show you where to place your hands. When the dance starts, you take you the opportunity to carry on a whispered conversation with her.

"A question: why were you so eager to lie over something... insignificant?" you ask, whispering in her ear.

There is a lengthy pause before she responds in yours, "I guess that is why you... operate differently."

"Differently?"

"In the Hells, working under any superior, alerting, even the potential of alerting opposition, particularly such... duty bound, opposition, would be a significant bungle. Incompetence."

"You couldn't have known."

"That would not matter. To you, however... you are different. You do not see evil, or what he sees as evil, as an end. You see it as a means, just like everything else... If I did alert him, there would not be much, if anything at all, you would have to hide from him."

"Oh, I think there would be something rather important I would have to hide; you. If my greatest possession is at risk, that's hardly 'not much', is it?"

"I... stand corrected. Thank you, lord."

>>12596386
Uh, because we'll manipulate it to be that way? Like we always have? We're a cult hunter. We have evidence the cult was at the tower. The sealord wants to eliminate us as a threat. What better way than by making us work for him against whoever blew up the tower?

Besides, even if we don't get appointed investigator then that lighthouse is down, and the cult has been working on it for years. It's a key component for their crap. They can't just immediately reconstruct it.

>>12596408

"Futher in that vein... I'd like to suggest you reign in your work a little. The means you use, at any rate."

"Yes?"

"I would... be greatly annoyed, should I find out someone is getting fingerprints all over my most priceless jewel." you suggest, whispering, but voice still hard.

"I... see. Very well, lord."

The dance concludes, and you observe the surroundings. It's almost the eleventh hours, some people are starting to drift out, though the party still remains strong and still-going.

>>12596397
I gave alternate ideas earlier. Scope out the guys house and see if we can steal the whole catalyst for this ritual in the first place and find out what the hell this dragon's blood is.

Unfortunately, we didn't study the third floor lighthouse plans more and we have no idea what kind of time frame we are on but I feel blowing up the lighthouse is premature. If everyone else feels it's necessary though, go for it though.

>>12596386
Because we're the de facto expert. We already trounced them twice, the public knows it, and they like it so much we just got a motherfucking medal for it.

If cultist shit keeps going down in the public eye, we're the ones they look to. It'll be the sealord's responsibility - cultist or not - to either acquiesce to their wishes or give them a better alternative. We don't know of any better alternative, so it's probably going to be us.

>>12596413
Hmm. No announcement about Lydon yet, which is interesting. You'd think it'd be done earlier.

What is the Sealord up to at the moment or has he stepped into side rooms?

First, we hijack a ship. Use the kobolds to fill it up with cultist stuff. Doesn't even have to be real cultist stuff, just obvious cultist stuff. That and whatever else the public doesn't like.

Snuff the lighthouse light, then ram the ship into the lighthouse. Get the hell out of dodge before anything happens.

Bam, lighthouse down and cult implicated. Done and done.

Back to the party at hand, let's move into one of those side rooms if it isn't some sort of faux pas. Less dancing, but more discussion I wager.

We should look into the opposition. We haven't heard their offer yet.

Drac gave us a medal.

Drac is a cultist.

The medal is probably something VERY bad.

>>12596546
And we're wearing it. Fuck. At the very least it's probably a bug. We need to get it looked at by a professional.

>>12596546
... Clever girl. Can we detect magic this thing? I forgot if we have that spell or not.

There is a thundercrack, and a few screams from around the room, probably in response to the noise. A moment later, more screams follow, from near the entrance. Immediately, you start moving quickly through the crowd, trying to get to where you can see what the disturbance is. Scinnari follows, and you hear her grit her teeth and his in pain as an over enthusiastic petitioner grabs her arm in an attempt to get her to wait, perhaps grab one more dance. She shakes him off, rather viciuosly, though, and catches up. Together, you come up at the edge of a ring of people, next to paladin who burned Scinnari, as a matter of fact.

In the center of the ring is serpent creature, a familiar sight to you. This one, though, is wearing a faded and frayed red cloak, and obviously rather elderly. Despite that, it seems to have thrown open the massive double doors, hard enough to make them bounce back partways, and is advancing on the center of the room. He carries a brass walking staff, forged in the likeness of a serpent.

“Hear well, citizens of Freeport.” it rasps, in common, surprisingly, “Hear well. The words of an elder should not be ignored, and your future may rest upon them.” It pauses, then begins to speak again, eyes glowing with a faint green light, and in an all together different voice.

>>12596570

i wonder if we can get Scinnari to teleport it somewhere safe?

>>12596575
“The Destroyer wishes to turn things to dust, to kill until nothing remains.
The Binder wishes to set free the Bound; to return to this world her aim.
The Lizard desires as always to live, that someday his people may be free again.

But the Destroyer is dead, his followers misguided,
The Lizard is weak, his people long since divided.
The Binder, though trapped, her plans has long prided.

The Destroyer's cult, her subtle blade,
A tool of ironic retribution.
She plans for the Dead One to be remade,
Imprisoned, her servant, a solution.
Her plans have not yet been fully displayed;
Stop her before it comes full revolution.

Beneathe the waves, a palace abides
Ruins of another age
The last gasp of Yig, justice he guides
Wrongs to finally assauge.
Find the mourning mother's prides,
And speak to the spinel sage.”

The lights fade from it's eyes, and it stands, staring around. One of the door guards finally runs up, but it vanishes, cloak collapsing behind it, and staff suddenly alive, wrigling away. The guard tries to stabe the snake, but it vanishes too, in a puff of smoke.

rolled 6, 7 = 13

Hmmm. We should definately sort that medal out.

>>12596581
"Ladies and gentlemen! The cult has been among us! Strike from your memory those words as best you can, lest they poison your mind."

It's obviously not the cult, but if the Sealord thinks we see all snakepeople as cultists and think this warning prophecy is evil, it can only help us. If he sees us as an ignorant patsy it's much better for us.

>>12596581
Not-Thuron, I assume.

He seems to enjoy startling people.

>>12596581
>The Binder
>her
Well, I guess we know who was trying to talk to us.

>>12596581
"Strange." the paladin next to you says shortly and not to anyone in specific. Noticing Scinnari, he bows, saying, "Lady Asmora, I do hope we may share another dance some time in the future. I am sorry our last was so short."

Scinnari is somewhat taken aback, but responds, "I... Do not foresee it anytime soon, but I hope so too."

"Where there is hope, there is a way." the man replies, drifting off. You watch him leave, then look around.

The party is slowly drifts back to normality, but the subjects of conversation are much different, now, and a odd undertone seems to have been added to the ball. Understandably...

>>12596628
Definitely need to talk to Not-Thuron after this party. I suppose it might be time to listen in and see if anyone in the party has any understanding on what was just said.

>>12596581
>rhyme, meter and scansion
That should read 'or', sorry about that. These prophetic-warning type things are harder than I thought, they really are.

Plot.

Plot Everywhere.

>>12596621
She did offer us some fairly generous rewards... Just saying.

Also, if she's neither god nor mortal, what is she?

>>12596666
Quite possibly an ancient black dragon.

I'd like to stick around longer but it's way too late. Enjoyed it as always Writer-dude. Night all.

>>12596676
Which are some of the more lolevil dragons out there.

Once this is done we need to do three things:

1. Get the medal that Drac gave us looked at. Dollars to donuts says that it's something bad the cult cooked up to get rid of us.

2. Make sweet, tender love to Scinnari.

3. Talk to (not)Thuron about the Binder and all that gibberish.

We always carry around 3 healing potions as standard gear now, right? Slip one to Scinnari.

>>12596740
I fully support this plan and wish to subscribe to your newsletter, good sir.

I'm not entirely sure why Scinnari thinks a red dragon playing politics would have nothing to fear from a paladin order.

>>12596745
This.

If we have a healing potion, give her one. No reason to let her suffer, this night should be fun.

rolled 9, 7 = 16

>>12596835

Poor Scinnari =[ </3

>>12596808
That's what we've been doing! Hell, that's what the whole point is! We've done a few nasty things, but nothing that's going to make it his holy mission to destroy us.

Hell, if he gave us the standard "Yield or die!" line, we could probably go "Sure, as long as we get a legal proceeding." and then.. what could he pin on us?


And it's an individual, not an order.

>>12596754
>>12596740
As a matter of fact, 'Dynamite' by the Scorpions just came up on my radio...
"I'll make this night a special one, / to make you feel alright...."

>>12596745
We can hardly bring a backpack and our gear into a formal ball. 'Fraid we don't have it on us.

>>12596695
Really? Ah, well, see you later.

>>12596658
I'm afraid your right.

>>12596754
>>12596740
"I think... Now would be a good time to go." you say, after a moment's thought, nodding to Scinnari. "We can return home, get your... burns treated, spend an enjoyable evening, and confront K'Staalo, should he be responsible for this, or ask Thuron what he makes of it, should he not be."

"Hmm...." Scinnari says, cheered up somewhat, "It might be an enjoyable morning, considering how late it is."

"I'm sure we can find things to keep us occupied. Unless you're feeling tired?" you ask with mock-seriousness.

"Not at all. I feel like I could take on a dragon..."

The banter sees you out to the courtyard, and you proceed backward. Cygnis seems to have cut costs somewhat; your carriage is not awaiting your return, and you seem to be expected to walk home Hardly unexpected, you suppose. She probably doesn't like spending her own hoard any more than you do.

From behind you, you hear a call, and glance back. Thuron is approaching, and seems rather agitated. You pause to wait for him, and he starts speaking ten feet away from you.

>>12596931
Many are the paladins who just say red dragon = evil. Period. Trial for a dragon? It will surely weasel out and the threat must be ended now. Who knows what nefarious plots it has cooked up.

And you know it.

>>12596951

"You heard that, I assume? Yes, of course you did. I'm glad I caught you on the way ou-"

"Yes, Thuron. Was that you?"

"Me? Please, you have seen me, I should hope I don't look that old." Thuron replies, somewhat affronted, but also quieter and calmer. "I think this is without a doubt highly important. Can I ask that you come by the temple tomorrow? I will be spending the night trying to see if I can make any sense of that... I hesitate to call it a 'prophecy', but it might be just that."

"I see. Yes, I can visit sometime tomorrow, I should think." you reply reasonably, still irritated at his interruption.

"Good. Good. I'll see you there, I'll be waiting. Prophecies of Yig! Nothing of the sort in the scriptu....." he says, trailing off into silence as he walks quickly down the street.

[Anything we want to do prior to that date? (Yes, I took liberties in making the arrangement, but it seemed the perfectly natural thing to do, and had already been suggested.)]

just wondering instead of blowing up the light house is their any way to secretly disrupt the ritual. if we pull it off they might never even suspect us.

like switching the diamond with an artificial glass diamond?

getting them to summon the wrong god?

steal and replace the bricks of the light house (probably not feasible)

if worst comes to worst we could blow up the light house right before the ritual reaches completion. all cultists most likely will be present and the upper command will most likely be present as well. this will wipe out any influence they had. Make sure this act won't complete the ritual first.

any yes lets check that neck less we where awarded (the one we are wearing) and make sure we don't fall pray to our own type of tactics.

>>12596958
>1. Get the medal that Drac gave us looked at. Dollars to donuts says that it's something bad the cult cooked up to get rid of us.

This seems prudent. At the very least let's see if we feel anything magical from it and not take it with us to the bedroom. A wizard can look over it tomorrow.

See if the Kobolds can't tunnel beneath the lighthouse

>>12596954
You do know that one of the huge parts of being a paladin is being "lawful"?
Sure, there are plenty who are of the cleave and smite variety who skewer anything that smells of evil, but the idea behind the order is to not upset the balance of things and to work within established systems
As long as we're not doing anything blatantly evil- even if he finds we're actually a red dragon, he can't do nothin' about it.

>>12596976
The entire reason we are going to blow it up is that we have no idea when the ritual is going to be. The thing will be completed two days from now. It could be go time as soon as the last brick is set, for all we know. Hence the immediate and totally destructive action.

>>12596994
Clearly you have never heard of the Detect Evil -> Smite theory of justice.

>>12596958
Investigate the medal drac gave us. Detect Magic if able. Get someone more experienced in such things to look at it as well.

If nothing else, we should make sure to put it in a very strong box with a heavy lock, and hide it somewhere nonvital. If it's a bug or some other nasty surprise it would be best to keep it at arms length.

>>12596981
I actually meant to address that, but forgot while writing.

Dice 1d100, please.
>Accrued, camels
I now realize that I am obligated to include Crazy Hassan at some point in the future. I hope you understand.

rolled 49 = 49

>>12597010
Hopefully we haven't used up all our luck for the evening.

rolled 66 = 66

>>12597010
I hate that meme.

rolled 63 = 63

>>12597022

Not looking good.

>>12596976
>getting them to summon the wrong god

ACTUALLY, if >>12596581 meant anything, it's entirely possible they ARE summoning the wrong god. "The Destroyer's cult: her subtle blade" and
"The Destroyer is dead, his followers misguided"...

Hell, what must THEY be thinking? This is like Jesus telling the pope that God is dead, and they have to team up to kill the Holy Spirit.

remember if whatever they summon asks "are you a god?" always answer "yes"

picture unrelated

>>12597076
Hmm, but perhaps that is what we could get Cygnis to be after she becomes our possession. Draconic, but compact enough for easy storage. The best of both worlds!

We're archived.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=dragon%20quest
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/12592656/

Don't forget to vote.

>>12597091
It'll be damn hard to get her to be ours, though. Personally, I would look into finding a way to get/learn the spell Mindrape ASAP. It is so damn useful. . . .
>betray robeed
Oh, and make sure to do that to her too.

>>12597113
As appealing as it may sound, can we please not use the mindrape spell in any situation?

>>12597091
I still don't like this idea. People are saying killing Arman or blowing up the tower is risky and I just don't see it. Then someone says this and I'm like... buh? A virtually incarnate force of law and good with roughly equal raw power? That will actively hate us if she finds out we have been manipulating and using her? Heh....

>>12597029
>>12597022

"Hold up." you say, suddenly remembering the sash-and-medallion hanging from your shoulder. Taking it off, you look it over, eyes unimpeded by the near-midnight lack of light. Concentrating on your sense, you attempt to discern magic... It is. Magical, you're fairly sure. Considering the reason you're checking, even the weakest suspicion is something to act on.

"Worried that it might be a cult ploy?" Scinnari asks from next to you.

"No longer. It's magical. Subtle. Strong. Can't tell what it does." you inform her. Examining the rest of it, you are interested to note... the sash, especially around the neck, is heavily laced with copper thread. That's rather sinister.

"It's something of theirs. I don't know what, though. Let's carry on. I'd like to get indoors as soon as possible." you suggest, trying to change the tone and mood. Less paranoia, and more what it was earlier... "Take on a dragon, you say? I'd like to see you try..."

"I'm sure that could be arranged. The odds aren't in it's favor, I'm afraid."

"Please, I'm think we both know you haven't a chance..."

Your efforts and banter are once again, however, thwarted, when you return home. Three bodies are lying on you front lawn, dead. Rather recent, too. Judging by the strokes... it would seem that they never knew what hit them. Except maybe the last one. Growling in annoyance, you proceed inside, somewhat cautiously. You are greeted by Asha.

"Arsonists." she says, without preamble, "You offend anyone lately?"

You stifle an exasperated growl, as the world seems to be conspiring to prevent your should-be pleasant evening.

>>12597124
This
Cygnis makes a far more valuable ally then enemy- we should try to keep in good terms with her. Actively plotting her downfall would probably hurt us in the wrong run-ESPECIALLY if she finds out about it

>>12597124
> That will actively hate us if she finds out we have been manipulating and using her? Heh....

She would, were she of sound mind. She isn't. She's been emotional, nervous, and has grown increasingly dependent on us. While I'm not advocating revealing ourselves any sooner than is absolutely necessary, I also think that if we play our cards right such a scenario wouldn't necessarily end in blood.

>>12597124
Well, keep in mind, she might actively hate us, but that would be highly hypocritical.

>>12597091
>>12597076
I- What? No. No! What the hell are you thinking? No!

>>12597052
An amusing image. I suspect, even if that 's the case though, they'll be confused, worried, but end up going ahead with the ritual, as faith is all they have less.

>>12597127
Damn it. These fuckers are the damn Ninja Clan of the Honorable Cockblock.

They need to die. Right. Now.

>>12597142
You misunderstand. I think we should just kill her as soon as we are finished using her.

As for the situation... damn. Damn damn damn. Looks like we are hiring some guards tomorrow. This medallion... leave it at the temple of Alset. They owe us a favor. Scinnari can pop over there and back in an instant.

While she is doing it we can take out a healing potion for her, pour some drinks, put on mood music, and search the corpses.

Also thank Asha for being so sharp, both metaphorically and in reality. Tell her to be on guard for cult attacks at all times in the next few weeks.

just wondering could the cultists be trying to summon whatever entity into Cygnis body?

also keep in mind we strangely are suffering from amnesia the same thing Cygnis had. while it may be unrelated we may want to not forget about that fact.

>>12597120
Why not? Sure, it's evil, but it is damn, damn useful. It makes it impossible to keep secrets from us and gives us a method of ensuring loyalty with a reasonable degree of success. The spell does not actually involve rape.
Also. . . I suspect the Halfling sent them. He left in an _extreme_ hurry. Investigate him.

The medal should go into a nice, thick box. Lead blocks most detection spells if memory serves, so if it's a bug that should help. Then leave it somewhere where we can retrieve it later, but otherwise don't care about. That way if it's something else nasty it will be far away unless we absolutely want it. Then we need to hire some guards, and inform Cygnis about what the cult has been up to. We should bring her when we talk with (not)Thuron. After all, we still haven't shown them the bricks with the cult symbol.

>>12597202
And the book with the lighthouse sketches.

You know, >>12597166 is a fairly good and comprehensive list. Do that, call it a night, resume in the morning?

ok can we identify the purpose of the amulet?

not sure if Asha can or not Thuron can figure out what it is. hopefully it is not dragon attuned as that would bringing up awkward questions.

also it would be nice to disable whatever enchantment it has and use magic to make it look like it still works.

>>12597166
>>12597214

Works for me, anyone object?


Oh, and what supplement is 'Mindrape' in? I can't seem to find it on my 3e online references. Lords of Madness, or Book of Vile Darkness? (figure it's a 50/50.)

Suddenly that 98 makes a lot more sense now that we know about the medallion.

mind rape can be dispelled. I know for a fact because i am GMing a game and a player of mine is using it.


reason why mind control is last resort. it does not last and you can't have people you trust turning against you

I thought the entire plan from the beginning was to use the necklace we had made for her to either kill or enslave Cygnis in delicious irony.

I mean, obviously there has been a significant delay because she's pretty much the only one who can help us take out the cult, but come on guys. Once the cult is out of the picture she's our biggest target by far.

oh forgot to add it is a 9th level spell. yes book of vile darkness.

>>12597247
You're right, it was probably cursed.

yes but having a gold dragon slave. Is a status symbol. also If we play our cards right she might willingly accept her fate, the magic items seal her fate.

if we wanted her dead we could off her now however i think we should consider her as an investment for our hoard.

>>12597281
Either way, that's far down the line.

>>12597247
Eh? How do you figure?

>>12597258
>>12597281
I agree. Delicious irony, status symbol, and anyway, she's already tsundere for us. (or would be, if she found out we're a Red.)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Say, I wonder if we can frame Arman as a cultist? That would be a real trick, that.

>>12597319
We rolled a 98 immediately before a cultist placed an enchanted amulet on us. If you recall Cygnis's situation when we first found her, perhaps you will divine the answer.

Hint: We rolled an epic save against mindrape.

>>12597331
I see. But... I mean, they gave it to us in public. If it was supposed to reduce us to a gibbering, trapped, wreck...

Also, I'm somewhat in doubt at this point, due to the suggestions that the cults god (or one of the cult's gods) is dead, but has anyone been thinking that beyond raw damage, and emotional damage, Cygnis took some serious SAN damage while she was kidnapped?

>>12597319
naww to much effort expended for particularly no reason.

i would have suggested that we could offer money so the monk would owe Scinnari rather than his debtor. but it seems that he won't owe money much longer.

Scinnari wants Arman to be her toy. Killing Arman would piss off Scinnari and Cygnis if they found out. If we can get her that with minimal effort to us that would be nice.

>>12597369
Come now, dragon. She has some emotional scarring to be sure, but draconic minds don't snap like twigs, even when faced with the divine or outer horrors.

>>12597369
It could very likely have just made us accept anything a cultist told us. A mental domination if you will. Both the sealord and one of his flunkies spoke to us and told us to do things, and the woman seemed to be caught a bit flat footed by us not accepting immediately. Though I might be overthinking that. Either way, I doubt it was meant to do good things to us.

>>12597381
Well, I think she's healing, too. Like, fairly rapidly. I'd kind of assume that whatever did it would have made non-draconian heads asplode, and it would give credence to why we're able to gain (and use) her trust, and get closer to her so easily. (We're her crutch-and ladder that she's supporting herself on, and leaning on while she tries and tack her mind back together.)

>>12597407
If she were insane she wouldn't be plotting properly. And as we've clearly seen, she plots just fine. Not at our level, but then again who does? She's just emotionally damaged.

>>12597413
Hey, is 15 insanity out of a hundred insane? How about 45? I concede most of my experience with the subject is Dark Heresy, but I don't think she is or was insane. I just think that she is getting better, but still isn't up to her old self.

And I may be expecting her to be plotting as well as us or better... But I I concede there are a myriad of possibilities to explain that; she isn't as well-traveled, experience, paranoid, maybe she settled into a routine, maybe she doesn't have fifteen voices in her head all with their own ideas...

>>12597393
Good one. I didn't catch that.

Alright, thread seems over. Next one is probably on Sunday afternoon, starting much earlier. Hope to see you there.

>>12597431
Not damaged goods, but maybe a little scuffed, and the packaging torn. I [am not the other guy, but I] suppose I could see that.

rolled 1, 7 = 8

damn it >.< i demand moar DQ!

>>12597437
Ah, I was hoping for some more. Oh well, see you Sunday.

Though Cygnis is a gold, I still think we should bring her into the loop on the bricks with the cult symbol, the lighthouse plans, the fact that Drac is high up in the cult, the medal Drac gave us, the elder snake thing's ramblings, and the fact that the cult is now trying really, really hard to get rid of us. Right now she's our best ally against the cult.

We should hold a big old strategy session with her, Scinnari, and (not)Thuron. Preferably after we do something about the amulet.

reading through BoVD, since mindrape was mentioned. Maybe we should try 'Morality Undone' plus 'Permanency'. Then Cygnis would see nothing wrong with us... nothing at all.

>>12597841
But then she might start moving against us. As she is she is significantly more predictable. Better to put the effort into bringing her around to our side the old fashioned way.

>>12597845
Mind rape, or some sort of magical enslavement? Because I'm not sure old-fashioned torture would work

rolled 2, 4 = 6

Could just be civil and ask

>>12597881
"Oh hey, my always-lawful-good friend! Would you mind if I took over and ruled the city as my personal empire, and made you my you slave/servant/minion?"

I'll concede it would be awesome if she agreed, but I don't find it too likely.

>>12597850
Simple, we make her even more emotionally dependent on us. She'll be more receptive to our words that way, and we can slowly erode many of her principles. Begin with the cult, and showing them no mercy. We don't need to be overt in our attempts to bend her to our will, a little subtlety can work wonders.

>>12597896
So we can be an affably-evil villain who gains her trust, shatters her world at the revelation of who/what he is, and then...

Gah. I don't know. That sounds... hopeful. As in, too much 'hope it works' involved, no certainty, we have to hope her trust and dependence on us is larger than her connection to anyone else...

Oh, speaking of that kind of thing, though, perhaps we can get Arman to deliver her no-polymorph necklace. In the event that she does detect it, we blame Arman being a cultist, and somehow... provide proof. (in the lowest form, a snakeman dressed as him, who we magically change to look like him, and kill, revealing his 'true form', before he can ruin anything by being clueless.)

Complicated and it might take some effort, but possibly worthwhile

As long as we phrase it right, Cygnis would be okay with working with us without rape and torture
Just keep it in the frame of how the city is currently in crisis and that we both want the same thing in the long run-stability, efficenacy, justice, and the removal of certain troublemaking elements.

rolled 4, 6 = 10

>>12597894

I suppose one way to get her in a tangle without being tooo overt about it is to play off a potential moral quandry on her lawful or goodness.

By setting ourselves up in a -lawful- position of power, she might well be loathe to do anything about it

>>12597253
mindrape is instant duration. Instant spells can't be dispelled IIRC.

>>12602322
I've heard there's another spell that does the exact same thing as Mind Rape, but is called 'selective amnesia' or something, and isn't evil. (Presumably due to the name.) Can you confirm/deny? I don't know a hell of a lot about 3.e

>>12603267
Yes, but it takes much longer to cast and has a Permanent duration, which makes it vulnerable to disjunction, etc. . .
Mindrape can be broken (partially) by some spells, but you have to know about the mindrape first. You can't detect it via magic, as it's an instant effect.