Sweet. Alchemy Quest.

Another day passes with no sign or sound of Elegy, and the weekend approaches, and with it, your meeting with Lady Stelton. You were confident when she invited you at the party, but the passage of time has given rise to distrust and doubt, and you awaken with a lump in your stomach, and a goblin on your stomach.
"Wargarbl," Dask'tchk offers as he sees your eyes open, kneading your stomach like a cat.
"What's that?" comes a voice from the hall. Sebastian pokes his head into the room. "Oh, good, you're awake."

Does anyone need me to post the haphazard patchwork overview of your equipment and allies?

>>12765629
Pet Dask I guess? Should we treat him like a pet? I don't know.

"Good morning Sebastian. Has the carriage arrived or do I still have time?"

Bertram Gillivers
Alchemical Formulae Known:
-Sunsphere, defensive weapon
-Dragon's Blood, offensive weapon
-Casket, offensive weapon
-Smokebomb, defensive/utility
-Shadowdust, utiliy
-Arms and Ammunition, Apprentice-level
-Medicine, Novitiate-level
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
-Pepperpot Blunderbuss
-Eagle Eyes, binocular/magnifying lenses
-Phosphorescent Glove/Firestarter
-Armor-plated Robe, Medium

Reputation:
>SELFLESS+
>POTENTIALLY UNTRUSTWORTHY
>PROBABLY A MURDERER

ALLIES/HENCHMEN
Sebastian- An imperial rifleman sworn as your personal bodyguard for the duration of the expedition. He has indicated his continued participation in guarding your back.
Fierna- A lithe, magically-gifted woman from beyond the Second Sun, a tear in space through which her race plans to conquer your world and exterminate your people. She believes a peace can be reached.
Dask'tchk- A small goblinoid, of what Fierna's people call the Trechlan. Reveres you and other humanoids as sort of god-figures, and has yet to prove himself useful, or even really trustworthy.
-Three sailors rescued from the island, originally crew of the expedition you accompanied there.

Other Figures of Note:
Lord Blackheed- An elven plant within the noble hierarchy. Has an appreciation for the finer aspects of human life but also a staunch loyalty to his own culture.
Hushblade- One of the sailors you rescued from the island was a Hushblade assigned to kill you, for reasons yet unknown.
Elegy/Requiem- A childhood friend of your that appears to have maneuvered herself into a position of relative influence in the noble community. She is also a Hushblade, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hers.
Lorelei- A blind teenage girl employed in Lord Blackheed's apartments in Hierotoria.
Paxton- The aged butler, also employed in Blackheed's apartments.
Lady Stelton: Noble, arranged for Bertram's removal from prison.

There you go. Summarized for you for later threads.

Well even if we needed to find Elegy at the moment, we wouldn't even have a clue where to look. So, nothing to do about that but wait.

I suppose we should be about ready to go to Lady Stelton's. Maybe use the time until then to alchemy it up and improve something? Either the shades (for flash thingies and looking cool) or invisible ink for sending messages to Blackheed or Fierna. We still got that elf gun with us, right? Maybe take that along to show to Lady Stelton.

>>12765681
>On that note, I'm still working on a comprehensive listing. It'll be finished when its finished.

>>12765742
Part of me thinks we shouldn't bring the weapon. Simply in the event she demands we give it to her for her help.

Reaching up with a sleepy hand, you pet Dask on the head. He churrs deep in his throat before grabbing the hand and gnawing on it. Annoyed and now fully awake, you shake him off and rise, blinking the sleep from the corners of your eyes.
"Good morning Sebastian. Has the carriage arrived or do I still have time?"
"No carriage as far as I know," Sebastian says with a shrug.
"Sire," Paxton says, poking his wrinkled head over Sebastian's shoulder, "there is a carriage outside waiting to carry you to Lady Stelton's manor. She certainly gets an early start," he adds, raising his eyebrows in a distinctly "hint-hint" fashion.
You scowl. Let's see him invent incendiary ammunition and still get a full night's sleep.

>What and/or who are you taking with you to the Stelton estate?

>>12765779
Dask.

>>12765779
I think we should take Sebastian and then perhaps any of the fancy tech we got from the ship. That stuff should be advanced enough to show we're dealing with things beyond us. As i said, I don't want us to lose the rifle... Was any of our tools based on the invaders tech?

I don't think we have to worry about her wanting to keep it since it is nonfunctional. However, it shouldn't look like anything made on this side though correct? Would be at least something tangible to back our words. I still say take in a box or something, can't have it openly visible of course.

Only we were invited, taking Sebastion along might not be a good idea. Might be wise to leave him behind to guard the apartment in case whoever hired the hushblade sends someone to snoop around.

OHBOYOHBOYOHBOYOHBOY

ALCHEMY QUEST

YESSSSSSS(boom)

>>12765847
Then maybe Dask is best. It's not a person... I'll concede bringing the rifle then. I will just cry if we have to give it up.

>>12765681
>>-Arms and Ammunition, Apprentice-level

This should be Journeyman-level. We leveled it up at the end of last thread. Also we now have Incendiary Bullets.

>>12765920
Right. Forgot to update that.

yay finally.

Sorry, I fell asleep last time. I might do so again tonight but... I'll try to nail out something. Somehow.

>>12765949
Please do, your stuff is awesome and I've been waiting to see the Gil walkaway scene as you'd draw it for a while now.

Moments later, Dask stands dejectedly by the door in tiny homonculous robes and a belled collar, doing a passable imitation of childish sulking. You slip the large, awkward Daemon rifle into a cloth bag, slinging it over your shoulder as you make your way out the door and to the waiting carriage.
The ride to the Stelton estate is a tour of Hierotorian architecture, as the noblewoman's estate seems to be nestled among the most opulent and palatial dwellings. Dask stares out the windows, swinging his tiny feet as they do not touch the carriage floor.
At last you are admitted through black iron gates and onto the Stelton manor, a verdant and slightly overgrown orchard-like yard stretching around you, a green gem carved out among the urban, vertically-oriented estates of the neighbors.
"M'Lady, a goodsir DeVir to see you," the youthful butler says upon admitting you to one of several parlors, this one brightly lit with open windows streaming in light and air on the sunward side. Lady Stelton herself is seated in a pristinely white cushioned chair at a table all made out for a meticulous and expansive tea; there is only one other seat.
"Goodsir DeVir, madam, and some sort of homonculous curiosity," the butler repeats with a bow before scurrying off.
"Sit, sit," Stelton says, her demeanor almost dismissively casual. "How good to see you again, Alphonse."

>>12765949
>huzzah
Good to have you back, and everyone else.
Also happy veteran's day to any of my questees that are veterans, or active duty for that matter.

>>12765817
It's not nonfunctional. Nor should we give it up, period. If she wants it, she can wait until we get another.

>>12765969
"You as well Lady Stelton. I hope my story the other night didn't bore you." And then sit down. I assume we keep this charade up until she wants us not to.

>>12765969
>>belled collar

You remembered! Best DM.

I assume we are being left alone with her for the moment? If no one is listening in, now is the time to fill her in on why we aren't thousands of miles away like we are supposed to be and plead our case.

>>12765969
"...please don't kill me"

"You as well Lady Stelton. I hope my story the other night didn't bore you." You seat yourself on the sumptuous cushion, the tablecloth rustling as Dask amuses himself under the table with vague accompanying tinklings.
Behind you, you hear the door of the parlor click shut, and like a switch, Stelton's pleasant demeanor drops, and you stare into the falcon's steely face.
"Please don't kill me," you murmur, shocked.
"We shall see," she hisses, a threatening sound that lingers in the air of the vast room. "You are supposed to be halfway across the world, -Gillivers-," she slams her hand on the table for emphasis, and you hear a panicked jingling as Dask'tchk scrabbles his way over to your chair and takes refuge behind one of the legs. Stelton's face is one of incredulity layered with disgust.
"And what...what is that thing?!" she says, gesturing to the goblinoid. "Why in the world would you even bring that here?"

>>12766079
"That... Is one of the reasons why I'm back in the first place. I made it to that island you sent me to and started exploring. Then almost the entire expedition got wiped out by more advanced invaders."

Like I said previously, explain ourself. Introduce the good Lady to Dask. After concluding, show her the rifle.

>>12766079
ahahahaha

invisioning his cool, calm, smug look on his face immediately turn into a "ohshitpleasedontkillme" face is hilarious

"That... Is one of the reasons why I'm back in the first place," you begin.

>I'll fast forward through the explanation, but first let me know if there are any details you'd like to withhold from Stelton.

>>12766178
should we withhold any information or warnings about hushblades from her?

>>12766178
Think we should leave out the fact the ship we took here is hidden? Just mention it was shot down and we salvaged what we could? I can't think of anything else we'd want to leave out.

We already mentioned Blackheed's name at the party, but maybe neglect to mention that Fierna is staying with him? Also leave out Elegy. Got to have some aces in the hole.

>>12766218
Elegy has nothing to do with why we're back so she shouldn't even be mentioned in this explanation anyways.

>>12766218
>neglect to mention that Fierna is staying with him
What will you say about Fierna then?

>>12766256
We could try saying we parted ways and she's going to contact us in the future since she knows where we are. Enough truth in there that it works. Although, if we're really going to work with Lady Stelton, I don't think this is something we should hide.

>>12766308
>lack of consensus
Argue this one out. I'll give you ten minutes.

>>12766256

She's off looking for other contacts? I don't know, anyone got something better? That or we give a description that is a bit inaccurate.

>>12766327
I think we shouldn't like about Fierna simply because if Stelton finds out in the future we knew where she was, that'll damage any trust she has in us. Of all the people we need to trust us, it's her since she's going to be our major ally at the moment. If she wanted to screw us in the past, she easily could yet she went out of her way to help us out. The least we could do at this point is show her some trust until we have reason not to trust her.

>>12766363
No, we're not putting a known ally (Fierna) at risk until our possible ally (Stelton) is considered trustworthy. We're too selfless for that.

>>12766363

There isn't any way to really prove that we DID know where she was though.

>>12766308
Seconding this, we don't have to go into details yet. She hasn't even pressed us for them, and we're telling the truth with this.

>>12766394
Alright, I'll concede the point simply because I don't want to sit here awhile arguing this. Rather than outright lie to her, at least make it vague so we can potentially shrug it off later if she finds out or if we tell her ourselves when we feel she's more trustworthy.

Also I suggest withholding the fact that we think she's a MILF, and that we were going to ask her about a threesome.

>>12766218
She'll probably figure out Fierna is with Blackheed anyways, but we don't have to outright tell her that.

>>12766434
She lacks children so she can't be a MILF.

>>12766308
>This got seconded, other people are down with being vague, this seems pretty vague to me.
Stelton listens patiently as you explain, pausing occasionally to ask for details or clarifications, and staring at you over steepled fingertips. She asks you to describe what the invaders look like, and you oblige, though you point out that Blackheed looks quite normal.
"Blackheed, that little ponce," she mutters to herself once you've finished. "I don't suppose you've further proof of this absurdity?" she arches a brow at you.
You unsling the Daemon, pulling it from its case. You try to find a place for it among the delicate cups and plates, but instead just heft it in your arms.
"A piece of their weaponry," you say through clenched teeth. "It's quite unlike anything we've produced here in the Imperium."
"Put it away," Stelton says with a wave of her hand, heaving a sigh and staring at Dask.
"Who's to say," she says after a moment of silence, "that this isn't some fantastic claim of yours to get back into the court's good graces? That the ship simply sailed without you, and that you've devised some hideous homonculous and some new sort of weaponry and now you're painting pictures of invasion to ingratiate yourself with the court?"

>>12766458
"The person assigned to guard me was brought back, as well as three sailors. That'll lend some proof to my words although some might assume I've bribed them. Beyond that... You'll have to trust me. You've seen my actions in the past. I warned your father rather than let him be killed because I didn't want to see people get hurt. If I was so concerned with my standings in court, I wouldn't be in the position I am in today."

>>12766458
"Because THIS... is no homonculus."

>This is no homonculus woman, no homonculus.

>>12766458
"Why, you're to say that, if you're any sort of judge of character or capability. Could I really pull that off? Would I really conceive of such a plan and then attempt it even if I could? I think no on all counts."

>>12766458
"If I was a good enough alchemist to make this weapon myself, I wouldn't have been in this situation to begin with."

>>12766458
"Since when do I care about what the Abyss-damned court thinks of me?"

"The person assigned to guard me was brought back, as well as three sailors. That'll lend some proof to my words although some might assume I've bribed them. Beyond that... You'll have to trust me. You've seen my actions in the past. I warned your father rather than let him be killed because I didn't want to see people get hurt. If I was so concerned with my standings in court, I wouldn't be in the position I am in today. Think about it- could I really pull this off? Would I really conceive of such a plan and then attempt it even if I could? I think no on all counts."
Stelton sighs, running her hands through her hair.
"Bad news, bad news. I should have let you rot in prison, Gillivers, I honestly should have. Here I expected you to come crawling in with some sort of coward's excuse about why you're putting my reputation in jeopardy cavorting around noble's parties, and I would poison you with this tea, and that would be the end of it." she gestures to the delicately laid-out tea set, before throwing her hands up exasperatedly. "Instead you come in here with doomsaying and dire warnings and selfless hogwash, and none of it, NONE of it, having anything to do with court politics. You, Gillivers," she says, jabbing at you with a perfectly manicured fingers. "You. Are. Trouble."

>>12766618
"It might not be relevant to court politics now... But when the invasion occurs and you're seen to be one of those primarily involved in helping to save the empire... Well I imagine you're talented enough to make this very relevant to politics."

Hey StonerDM, if we were to design a version of the Daemon for the military, how would we go about securing the contract and receiving our due golds? Are there copyright laws in this nation (and how do they cover things that have surely been made before--and better--by other folks, like say our Shadowdust)?

>>12766618
Raise eyebrow. "That's really what you thought my plan was? I may have my flaws, but I'd rather hope that being a gutless bootlicker is not one of them.

Regardless, in this case I do at least herald trouble. We are all in a great deal of it."

>>12766618
>I would poison you with this tea
put down the cup

"Well, I would argue that it is better to find this out now than it would be when we all die horrible deaths as the invasion begins in honest... but I empathize with your point
Now, can I count on your aid in this matter? I assure you that I have no interest in the politics of the court, I just want this to end favourably to as many as possible. I take no issue with playing second fiddle to you as long as that is the goal."

Note to self: develop medical knowledge enough to develop antidote that works with wide range of poisons commonly used, keep some on self all the time.

>>12766618
>Trouble
"It's my middle name, actually. Comes with being Selfless+."

>>12766785
You know, some of these things that we want to develop, we might be able to just as easily BUY (since in this case making more of it ourselves isn't a huge help, how often are we going to need an antidote anyways?)

>>12766785
I'm still hoping that we can get a scent booster and use that to smell poisons before taking any. It'd be awesome.

Though, admittedly, some sort of universal antidote tablet that we can eat and which will then counteract any poisons we take in the near future would be very cool as well. Mostly useful if everyone is trying to poison us or we're trying to poison someone else and eat the food to make them feel safe, though.

>>12766821
>>we're trying to poison someone else

US, trying to poison someone? I think the closest we'd ever come is... oh yeah that one time we poisoned our mentor.

>>12766821
Or, we could spend the next few years building up an immunity to Iocane Powder.

>>12766861
Wait, you're saying we HAVEN'T been?

Stelton stands and paces as you regard her incredulously.
"That's really what you thought my plan was? I may have my flaws, but I'd rather hope that being a gutless bootlicker is not one of them."
Stelton snickers, placing her hands on her hips. "Funny, you've seemed poised to lick my boots on more than one occasion."
You narrow your eyes, pressing on. "Regardless, in this case at least I do herald trouble. We are all in a great deal of it."
"It might not be relevant to court politics now... But when the invasion occurs and you're seen to be one of those primarily involved in helping to save the empire... Well I imagine you're talented enough to make this very relevant to politics. Can I count on your aid in this matter? I assure you that I have no interest in the politics of the court, I just want this to end favourably to as many as possible. I take no issue with playing second fiddle to you as long as that is the goal."
Stelton paces some more, her heels tapping out frustrated dagger tones on the tile of her parlor. Chewing her lower lip, she finally strides over, placing her arms on the armrests of your chair and leaning over, forcing you back into the plush cushions.
"I suppose I could spin this fairly easily, if and when an invasion comes. But until then I'm just acting on your word, and the word of some associates you conveniently produce. So the core question that I have to answer is--do I trust you, Gillivers?"
<fucking field error. Continued...>

She stares into your face. Despite being a decade older than you, her face is a picture of youth, but looking into those eyes, the eyes of a bird of prey, you see the age in them, and the hard experience. She bores into you, squinting as she tries to search out some seed of deception. You hear her nails scrape on the fabric of the chair.
"And...I do, Gillivers. I do trust you," she says at last, standing back and leaning against the table of poisoned tea. "For whatever reason. Perhaps I think you're too cowardly for deception. But what do you want me to do about this?"

>universal antidote to poisons
Guys, that isn't how chemistry works, even in kooky Alchemy-world.

>>12766917
If only chemistry worked that way... My life would be easier.

"We're going to need to prepare the empire for this invasion. Stop them from steamrolling us. We'll need more support amongst the other nobles and eventually we will need to warn the Emperor eventually. We may even need to unite the other nations to help us. Your connections and skills in the court will be critical for us to have any success."

>>12766917
"Get the Imperium prepared for war. When the invasion comes in full force it will be too late. They hope to strike quickly before we are ready. If we're mobilized before they can act, we may be able to dissuade them from an attack at all, or have only a short war when they see the cost we can exact."

>>12766950
Gah. I need to proofread my posts better.

Side note guys - I think we should ask Lady Stelton what she thinks about Poulstet and if there are any nasty rumours about him. I'm wondering if Elegy's disappearance might have to do with him since she was hanging around with him.

>>12766917
"You have a great deal of experience manipulating important people and playing the court, I do not and I believe that such skills will be of great use in this endeavour.
The first priority, I feel, should be to somehow improve the relations between the nations so that they will stand together when the invasion begins, but that seems a distant goal..."

>>12766950
>>12766969
"Oh, and find out who is and is not a mole for the enemy."

>>12766950

More of a long term thing, do we have anything we need her for in the short term?
other then the threesome...

>>12766917
Too cowardly for deception? We charged into the teeth of an enemy invasion on the slim hope that we could save the lives of a few sailors, bitch. We might fear a few things, but even you don't make the list. Here's hoping that you don't live through the coming apocalypse. (Don't say any of that.)


"You have wealth, connections, influence, credibility- everything I don't. I assume that announcing the truth directly would be a bad idea- if for no other reason than that it sounds utterly ridiculous. But quietly informing people a few at a time with such evidence as is available- I assume that you would know who to choose- is much more feasible. Choose people in position to take steps to prepare. We should have months, or even years, before the invasion; much of that time can be spent carefully getting people to buy in so that when eventually we do put word out about the truth it's taken seriously- or, if not, then at least reacted to seriously whether people believe it or not."

>>12767011
We need more supporters period. Hopefully she can get some feelers out and she can get a sense on who might be worthwhile approaching. She can also get some feelers out on those that might of been sympathetic/didn't think we were immediately guilty after we were arrested.

>>12766997
>>You have a great deal of experience manipulating important people

What a polite way to phrase that.

>>12767011
Make that "foursome" now that Elegy is back in the picture.

Whatever we say, we should AVOID STARING AT HER BOOBS. THAT IS DISRESPECTFUL AND WE SHOULD STOP STARING. Also try not to get awkward boner.

If we get called on it, apologize and explain we were at sea for months.

>>12767029
>>12767002
>>12766997
>>12766969
>>12766950
Stelton taps her foot as she thinks.
"I can put out some feelers, try and find out who is willing to listen to this insanity and who is a little too willing to listen. As for other nations..."
"I think it's a fine idea. In fact, with a few string-pulls I could probably get the money raised for an ambassadorial trip to the Confederacy, though I might have to convince some of the nobles that we're trying to start another War of Fathers and Sons. Personally I never saw the point in all the anti-Confederate fervor in the court. Old scars about battles fought over damp farmland. At any rate, I could have you, or Alphonse DeVir if you prefer, at the head of that expedition. You know the threat best, so you seem best suited to making your case to the Confeds. And while you're at it, maybe you can mend a few broken bridges between the nations."
"But...I'm...at least, I was, wanted for murder."
"That charge was swept under the rug, muffin, just as I promised," Stelton says with an audible flick of her fingernails. "Mind you, it's not something I would go around reminiscing about too loudly, but you heard them at the party. The nobles barely remember it as a sort of curiosity story. The Court Alchemists, however, will most likely remember, and they're the people you're going to need to talk your way through to get an audience with Lassivar."

>>12767138

>>12767157
"Then I'm going to need to find out who wanted Fulgrim dead and who's coming after me... Do you think you can get access to Fulgrim's journals or notes? Perhaps there are some hints in there."

>>12767155

Continue to try not to stare. Also even though the charges were dropped, we should go under our Alphonse alias if only because someone wants us dead still.

>>12765965
here, close enough.

I entitle this: "The night StonerDM Cockblocked an Entire Thread With a Single Post"

>>12767157
>muffin
heeheehee

>>12767252
You are the best player in this quest.

>More please

>>12767290
Seconded.

>>12767155

Fail and get an awkward boner anyways. Only good things can come of it.

"Then I'm going to need to find out who wanted Fulgrim dead and who's coming after me... Do you think you can get access to Fulgrim's journals or notes? Perhaps there are some hints in there."
"You could just get them yourself. I'm sure most of his things are still at the academy, or at his estate, which is yours, if you're not aware," she winks at you. "You're welcome."
She walks around to the other side of the table to get herself some sort of teacake or pastry. You try not to stare at her figure inside her dress; it's difficult.
"I, er...think I should stick with Alphonse, for now. Someone framed me for Fulgrim's death, and someone wants me dead. If I'm lucky it's just the one person."
"If you're lucky," Stelton reiterates before taking a bite of...scone? You think it's a scone. You could never rem
ember the blasted names for all these little delicacies.

>>12767252
I can't tell how narcissistic it is if I would totally bang my own fictional character, but I would.

>>12767155
>>12767206
>>12767328
Okay seriously guys... Unnecessary.

>>12767331
Wow. We own Fulgrim's estates, eh? I think we need to go exploring for the potential wealth of information.

"What's your opinion on Poulstet and are there any rumours about the man?"

>>12767337

Completely necessary.

>>12767306
>>12767290
oh yeah, sure, I'd love to draw "more". But thanks to Gill (and/or StonerDM?) screwing it up forever, I probably never will.

>>12767331
I know, right?? he's totally hot.

>>12767373

StonerDM, still time to make up for it with Stelton is what I believe is being hinted at

>>12767373
It's not screwed up forever. There will be more chances! Hopefully.

>>12767373
+rofl+

"What's your opinion on Poulstet and are there any rumours about the man?"
Stelton swallows her food. Dask knocks the tray of scones onto the floor and begins devouring them.
"The man's a fat ponce," Stelton says, eying the little creature as he jingles softly. "But he's actually one of the few people you couldn't find a shovelful of dirt about with an afternoon's work. No, keeping track of other people's secrets is far too busy work for Poulstet to accumulate any ghosts of his own. Why do you ask?"

>>12767373
Well played.

>>12767399
yeah maybe but it'll be Elegy's choice. No more sweeping romantic shit or anything. Damn it. :(

>>12767331
"I have told you all I can at the moment. If there is anything else that you have to tell me..." Pause for Lady Stelton to speak, if not continue, "Else, I shall adjourn. To Fulgrim's estate. Discreetly, of course."

>>12767441
"The man was friendly enough to me the other night and I was wondering if he was worth approaching again. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't some pervert that kidnaps women he takes a liking to or anything worse."

rolled 38 = 38

>>12767475

This, but without the second part about him being a pervert kidnapper. wtf?

Try to stop staring at her boobs again. Also, rolling to prevent awkward boner.

"The man was friendly enough to me the other night and I was wondering if he was worth approaching again. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't some pervert that kidnaps women he takes a liking to or anything worse."
Stelton laughs.
"No, Gillivers, Poulstet buys the women he takes a liking to, one way or another. Afraid for some lover of yours?" She chuckles, but then narrows her eyes at you slyly, leaning forward and resting her chin in her palm.
"...Are you?"

>>12767503
I'm paranoid he's the reason Elegy has disappeared. Hence why that was said but mayhaps you are right since she does seem to have no dirt on the man.

>>12767503
Now that is just a low method of getting your way.

>>12767513
"I'm afraid for all of them."

>>12767513

"Nothing like that, just a friend."

>>12767513
I'm going to say let's not lie to her here since if she does catch us lying now... That'd be painful. Of course, we just be vague.

"A childhood friend. After getting the chance to see her again after so long, one wants to make sure they're safe. It's not like I have much from the past I can look forward to seeing again so I'd like to maintain what I can if possible."

>>12767513
"I'm a virgin, actually."

Dodge dodge dodge like a motherfucker.

>>12767513
his face at this comment is going to give him away.

>>12767542
That's not terribly vague.

>>12767535
>>12767553

Either of these.

>>12767564
You're probably right. Whoops? Heh.

>>12767553

This+awkward boner for maximum awkwardness

>>12767553
"I've yet to have a refined, attractive older woman teach me the arts of lovemaking."

>>12767592
lol

>>12767586
>>maximum awkwardness

WHY? We're looking for an ally, not trying to have her disgusted with us. Just because we opened our mouth and gave her a clue about Elegy doesn't mean we need to either confirm her suspicion, nor go FULL RETARD.

okokok guys lets remember this is being archived ok?

>>12767616

...and?

>>12767553
thiiiiiiiiiss

>>12767592

With this as a follow up

>>12767609
I agree.

>>12767668
Also agreeing.

>>12767535
this

>>12767609

The awkwardness will totally distract her from any clues.

ok, well now I have to go.

goodnight, guys. Don't let Gill do anything stupid.

>>12767718

Worry not my friend
Gillivers will use protection

>>12767718
Man, I was so sure we'd have a second drawing. Not that the one you gave us wasn't entirely awesome.

>>12767718
That might be a bit difficult, apparently.

>>12767746
uggghhhh

>>12767750
drawing takes so damn long and there's nothing else at the moment that catches my mind's eye that I can doodle quickly.

>>12767751
I'm leaving this up to you, here. Protect his reputation.

>>12767751
You at least have my axe to help in trying to prevent something silly from happening.

>>12767763
>there's nothing else at the moment that catches my mind's eye that I can doodle quickly.

So if we give suggestions on things to draw, would that be helpful in getting more awesome arts?

"I'm a virgin, actually." you say, starting to sweat. Stelton's eyes glint.
>His face...is going to give him away.
"I think there's a bit more to it than that," she says grinning wryly. "But I'll leave you to your own fool's errands. Just remember," she says with another dagger-finger pointed at you, "if this mission of your is as imperative as you seem to think it is, don't waste any time chasing tail, understood? Now leave me be, you've given me plenty to think about. Gregory!" She shouts the last word, echoing throughout the parlor chamber. The doors at the rear swing open softly, and the butler that escorted you in arrives to escort you out.
"Eh, Goodsir DeVir will be leaving us now, Gregory. Have the carriage return him to his apartments."

>Any last words? What do you do from here?

>Sorry gents, internet hiccuped. If I disappear forever again, assume the cable has rightly and fully shit itself.

>>12767795
"Thank you again Lady Stelton. For everything." and then just walk out like a boss.

I suggest we head out to check Fulgrim's old love shack.

Was the estate we got from Fulgrim in this city or nearby? If so, let's check it out.

>>12767788
well yes but not right NOW, I have to sleep. Seriously I am nodding off and having trouble typing this.

>>12767795
>>12767811
>"I'm a virgin, actually."
>Fulgrim's old love shack
oh my GOD.
That's it. I'm gone. You people are insufferable.

>>12767795
>>don't waste any time chasing tail

Well we now know she's not the sort to be put off by people speaking plainly.

>>12767819
>I'm gone

D:

I meant it as a joke! I didn't know people would pick it!

...don't go I love your drawings.

We're not dead and we still have the Daemon.

Priorities:
1) See what we can see at Fulgam's place. Notes are good, potential resources also good, designs/projects of his that we can make use of are fantastic (though I suspect those may have been cleaned out).
2) FIND ELEGY
3) Alchemy!

>>12767819
We love you draw-fig! Fucking email me!

>>12767815
Fulgrim's estate is located closer to Blackheed's country manor than to Hierotoria; it is several days away and in a state of relative unuse even during the man's life. It would make a useful remote lair of sorts, but most likely a poor source of information.

>>12767846
Hmmm. Then we need to see if we can get his things at the academy but that'll be rather hard without a disguise... Any ideas guys? Too bad Elegy is missing, otherwise she could help us with this.

>>12767852
Have Sebastion do it.

>>12767861
Would he be able to get access to the academy that easily though? I figured it'd be a little easier for us since we know where to look.

Later on, in private... Dismantle Daemon to get bonus knowledge of how it works!

Just in case I forgot to put it forward, again.

Fulgrim's place? We have no other leads or options at the moment, I think. Others?

>>12767846
Even if it's under disuse, would Fulgrim's lair likely be full of alchemical tools? Might be a good place to pack up there for hardcore lab work if that is the case.

>>12767871
See previous thread. That won't work just like that, unfortunately.

>>12767896
It had been discussed?

It occurs to me that alchemists who are able to focus on churning out advances day in and day out are possibly miles ahead of the stuff we've made, and a very scary force to go against.

>>12767907
At the end when we were deciding what to improve.

>>12767909
Hence why I want Fulgrim's notes. It'll give us some information and it might hold some clues on who the hell is targeting us. If we have an idea on what Fulgrim was working on, maybe someone working on something similar wanted to take him out because of it.

Current options, as far as I can see:
>Go to the Academy to get Fulgrim's notes/snoop around.
>Go to Fulgrim's estate to snoop around/get equipment
>Go to Poulstet's manor, try to find Elegy
>Go home, work on Alchemy

Ah, just checked it. Not what I was after.

I'm talking about getting some more intimate knowledge of Wisp Technology, not reverse-engineering the rifle since SDM already mentioned that we cannot do it (at least not now) even before the last thread.

Go to either Fulgrim's estate or the Academy, which ever is closer.

Is Blackheed's estate on the way to Fulgrim's?

Also! Who is Lord Stelton's heir to his Alchemy notes? SDM mentioned that there is no (longer any) Lord Stelton, so I presumed the elder Lord Stelton died at last?

>>12767932
I like the Academy option best. Elegy is a capable person and we shouldn't assume otherwise immediately. We could fuck up something she's working on if we go bumbling in.

Fulgam's estate is a few days too long of a trip (there AND back). And much as I hate to say it, alchemy can wait right now.

Putting name back up, to differentiate my opinions from Anons.

>>12767950
>>12767935
>>12767907
>>12767871
Mine.

>>12767951
I support Academy. Give Elegy another day or so before we start to investigate Poulstet's manor.

>>12767970
Odds are if she's missing that's not where she vanished anyways--it's just our only lead.

>>12767976
Indeed. There's a chance Poulstet is completely innocent but he might have a clue on where we could look next concerning Elegy's location.

>>12767951

Going to agree here, Filgrim's estate is a pretty big expedition, and we'll have to sort things out there eventually, so we should conserve time and see what fulgrim left behind.

>The Academy is in Hierotoria; Yes, Blackheed Manor is on the way to Fulgrim's estate.
>Academy

The carriage carries you back through the capital, depositing you safe and sound at the apartments of lord Blackheed. Lorelei is trying to sound something out on the piano when you enter, and the jangling of Dask's collar draws her attention.
"Master DeVir?" she says, turning. "Will you be needing an afternoon meal, sire?"

>Who and/or what are you bringing to the Academy? Also talk to Lorelei, I guess, if you want.

StonerDM. I dedicate this bowl to you and your kooky Alchemy world.

>>12768006
Walk up to her and put our penis in her hand.

>>12768006
"That would be excellent, but no rush as I'll only need something for the road. I'd sooner you were able to finish practicing."

>>12768006
Do we still have that mask from the party?

>>12768016
"You've a natural talent for the piano. But by chance, have you blown on the meat flute?"

>>12768006
Take Sebastion, leave Dask here.

I'd say we take everything but the Daemon.

>>12768016
Just no...

>>12768006
Should we go alone? I doubt we could pass ourselves off as an apprentice at this point nor as a random alchemist. Maybe try to go looking as a noble with Sebastian as a bodyguard?

>>12768016
>>12768044
I hate you guys sometimes.

>>12768044
I want to hate you but that was pretty funny.

>>12768062
I'll laugh when StonerDM decides to troll us and make an update post with this in it.

>>12767165
>mfw this entire fucking thread

>>12768080
Don't give him ideas!

"That would be excellent, but no rush as I'll only need something for the road. I'd sooner you were able to finish practicing."
"You're going out again, sire? I'll fix something for you immediately."
"You're going out again?" Sebastian says from the corner of room, where he had apparently been listening to the maid play.
"We," you correct, "we are going out again. I need to get some of my old Master's things from the Academy, and you're to be my bodyguard."
"I am your bodyguard," the soldier reminds you.

>>12768101
Someday, I'll just BAD END a quest this way, and it will all be worth it.

>>12768123
Grab gear, eat, head out.

>LET'S ROLL

>>12768123
How appropriate, then
coolface.jpg

>>12768044
>>12768016

As funny as that was, no.

We're Bertram Gillivers, not Sheriff Woody.

>>12768130
It should be done out of the blue and completely out of character for MAXIMUM FUCK!!!

I have a foolproof plan for finding out who wants us dead. We walk into the Academy and shout out "HEY! IT'S BERTRAM GILLIVERS AND I'M STILL ALIVE! WHICH ONE OF YOU FUCKERS WANTED ME DEAD?"

The Academy is just as imposing a structure as it always was, carved out of the northern cliff face of the rough Imperial shore. You pad up the steps, trying to seem as noble as possible, Sebastian in tow.
"Is it always this miserable?" the man asks out of the side of his mouth.
"Every single day," you reply with a sigh.
Your steps echo through the halls as you pass unchallenged into the Academy. You make it up several floors, memories flooding back easily, before you are stopped by a rather young-looking Alchemist.
"I'm sorry, sire, but are you lost?"

>>12768130
how about ending each session with a BAD END?
like blooper reels during credits in films

>Thread's been archived, gents. A vote or two would be much appreciated, considering AQ14's dismal ratings.

>>12768175
I like how badass it is. I think it would be a cool thing to do, if whoever wants us dead was at the academy and not at an estate.

A better use would be some kind of party where a lot of Alchemists are at.

>>12768185
Give him a coin and say, "Not at all."

>>12768185
Speak impatiently and a bit pissed off. "Perhaps if this building wasn't designed like a maze I'd be at my destination by now. Where are the deceased Alchemist Fulgrim's possessions kept?"

>>12768213
Nope.jpg

Berty isn't that kind of dude.

>>12768207
>Nigga you broke

>>12768213

>>12768224
Exactly. We're acting like a noble, NOT like Bertram Gillivers.

>>12768231

Do we have any fairly harmless materials or gedgets on us we could tip with? It'd be kind of rude to leave him with nothing.

>>12768231
Don't we have some of Blackheed's cash?

>>12768248
HEEEELL NO.

>>12768213
Say this but don't mention Fulgrim. Mention some other alchemist that's in a similar direction. That way when he tells us where to go, we go off in another direction when he's out of sight and he is none the wiser on our true goals.

>>12768231
This is not the first time we've seen that exact post and I have a hunch it will not be the last.

Wait, we remember where everything is, why are we asking for directions?

You sigh, affected an exasperated look. "Perhaps if this building wasn't designed like a maze I'd be at my destination by now. Where are the chambers of Alchemist," you choke for a moment, trying to remember any of the alchemists that worked around Fulgrim, "Gebberway?"
"Er, up two floors and around the corner, second door on the left,"
"Thank you," you say, trying to continue looking irritated. You mumble loudly to Sebastian about building design as you make your way away from the man down the hall, then up the spiral stairs.
After, thankfully, no further encounters, you slink up to the door to Fulgrim's chambers. Giving the handle a try, you are disappointed by the rattling of the lock.
"Now what" Sebastian whispers.

>Now what?

>>12768297
Exactly, we spent years here and only left like, 8 months ago.

>>12768310
Pick the lock.

>>12768310
Crap, of course. We've come so far, only to be defeated by a locked door.

If we can't pick the lock, I'm sure some dragon's blood or the innards of an incendiary round could do away with the locking mechanism.

>>12768314
"Hold on," you say, feeling very clever. "I'll pick the lock."
You stare at the lock. After a few seconds, you fumble around in your pockets for a pin or a thin blade or something. You come up with nothing.
"I...I have no idea how to pick a lock," you say, feeling decidedly less clever.
"Me neither!" Sebastian hisses.

>>12768310
Rattling? Can't be a very good door then. Perhaps Sebastion can kick the handle off.

>>12768327
Wouldn't that make more noise than just kicking it?

>>12768329
After playing hushblades with Elegy for so long, we didn't learn how to pick locks like she did? Damnit.

I assume it's not happening but Fulgrim didn't leave a spare key hidden somewhere, did he?

>>12768329
If we'd just had the kid take us here we could have ordered him to fetch the keys. But noooo.

>>12768329
I'm cracking up a bit at this.

>>12768339
>spare key
Not that you know of. Looking around the door frame for any secret compartments turns up nothing. You lean against the locked door, trying to think.

I have no clue if it'd work but could we use gunpowder to try to blow the lock? It'd be loud but probably not as loud as using a gun and bashing the door down would be loud as well. Unless someone thinks we should try asking for a key but I'm not sure what we'd say if someone asked why we want into his room.

rolled 18 = 18

Rolling to remember how to jimmy the door just so, that it would pop open.

>>12768366
Make sure we didn't try to push when we're supposed to pull and vice versa.

Can we QUIETLY open an acid vial and splash it on the lock?

You guys are being retarded. Just go to the admin or something and ask for a key. We're entitled to his possessions according to Stelton.

>>12768402
We're also supposed to not be here at the moment. Hence why we're in disguise. Plus, we're trying to keep a low profile. Walking in and being "Hey, I'm Gillivers and I'd like the key to my former masters room." might be a bad thing in bring stealthy.

>Have Sebastian kick in the lock?
>Use Dragon's Blood to corrode the lock?
>Find an authority figure and ask for a key?

Five minutes on the clock

>>12768402
There's that, sure. But we don't want them to know we're around, since they think we murdered him.

To be fair, it DID get swept under the rug, so they have no reason to attack us or anything. Which they could if we were breaking and entering.

>>12768418
Is Dragon's Blood a quiet method?

JUST GO GET THE FUCKING KEY

>>12768427
>Probably the quietest of the three. It creates an acidic vapor in addition to liquid acid, so there is some personal risk.

rolled 98 = 98

Rolling to remember that we ought to pull the latch down rather than up.

>>12768418
If Dragon's blood isn't quiet/quietish, I'm leaning towards trying to get the key. I just hope we can BS an answer on when they ask why we want it.

rolled 37 = 37

>>12768419

She also specifically said the alchemists wouldn't forget so easily.

I vote for acid. worst comes to worst we can still kick the door in, but acid is quieter.

rolling not to spill it all over the carpets and ourselves.

>>12768436
So that's what the problem was. In we go.

>>12768441
This is a bad thing to roll for. Don't do it unless we get asked to.

>>12768441
So ask for the key, who cares if they remember or not--we're legit! Which we won't be if we've broken in, much less in a non-reparable way.

>>12768463
If they remember, word starts going around that we're back in town. From an island that's months away. People either assume we've skipped out on what we're supposed to do or don't care. Either way, it runs the risk of agents of the invaders hearing about it and that leads to more risks we don't want to take if we can avoid it.

Don't fucking break in to the place, god damn. Don't be stupid. We've done nothing wrong. Let's not start with some stupid shit.

Later in the quest:
"Believe me. There are aliens gonna invade."
"Yeah right. This coming from the guy who busted into the academy to steal research."

Just ask for the key we're owed.

>>12768471
Who the fuck knows we even went there? Stelton? The sailors who came back with us?

The hushblade who tried to kill us probably sent word that we're back and alive, already.

We lose nothing. Just get the key.

Ask for the key.

>>12768436
>>12768449
>You guys are hilarious

>alright, fuck it, Dragon's Blood
Producing a vial of the volatile acid, you carefully uncork it and pour some onto the door's locking mechanism. You and Sebastian both stand back as the acrid fog billows up around you. Sebastian tries not to choke too loudly, and you retreat to the corner of the hallway until you hear the satisfying -plink- of the lock, or pieces of it, hitting the hallway floor. Fanning the stinging fumes away from you, the two of you enter the deceased alchemist's room. It is, for the most part, as you left it; you can almost hear the nasal hawkish complaints and berating of the aged Alchemist.
"Let's make this fast," you say.
>What specifically are you looking for in here?

>>12768486
>>12768483
>>12768474
>lawl, sorry bros, i started typing after five minutes

>>12768483
No one yet. But the invaders know someone escaped from that island and if word gets out that we're back when we were supposed to be at that island, suddenly we have a lot more to worry about.

>>12768488
Fulgrim's journals and notes.

>>12768488
First, we pick up the lock pieces and shut the door.

>>12768488
We need notes, journals, schematics, books--paper things, basically.

If there's anything of especial use in there, you'd tell us, wouldn't you?

>>12768488
The most effective defoliant he's ever produced.

>>12768510
Agreed.

Then pack up loose pages and journals and anything we can find.

We may be making this quick, but it's just as important to make it neat.

"We're looking for anything the doubtless others who've been through here might've missed. Notes, a journal, things of that nature"

You pick up the pieces of corroded metal lying on the ground, shutting the door to the empty hallway, hoping it stays empty.
"We're looking for notes, journals, anything that might be useful, or hopefully point to Fulgrim's enemies."
You poke through the room, occasionally tucking some schematics or handwritten pages under your arms. You pick up the glass bottle containing Fulgrim's defoliant, momentarily lost in memories before you tuck it into a pocket. After a few silent minutes of searching, you each are laden with enough notes, papers, and what appear to be journals to keep you busy for several late nights.
"I think we should leave," Sebastian says nervously.

>Anything else?

>>12768560
Make sure the place looks rather like we found it.

It's amazing that the defoliant hasn't dried up or something by now.

Figure out a way to prop the door shut after we leave.

>>12768574
That and let's try to listen outside to make sure there's no one walking around just as we come out.

>>12768560
"Don't be nervous. We've every right to be here."

Breaking and entering? That lock was already melted, and who knows what valuables might have been stolen before we arrived!

Anyone who hasn't given this a vote on sup/tg/, ought to.

>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=AlchemyQuest

"Don't be nervous. We've every right to be here."
"If you say so," Sebastian says. "I'd rather we didn't run the battery of questions, all the same."
Poking your head out the door, you scan the hallway for movement. Satisfied that you're still alone, you motion for the rifleman to follow you, and the two of you walk back through the academy, trying as hard as possible to look like what you;re doing is totally permitted. Thankfully, there are far more labyrinthine hallways than there are Alchemical apprentices, and your years of Hushblades with Elegy mean you know a lot of the more obscure routes through the Academy. You retreat to your carriage unharrassed, and the two of you enjoy a well-earned moment of triumph.

>>12768611
Read through the notes. Ride away. Be on the look out for someone following us.

>>12768611
Really hoping that we propped that door shut. One of those lock pieces pulled with a string would have done it as a wedge.

>>12768611
Time to do the boring job of note compilation and review when we get back.

Of course, I'd say that now looking for Elegy wouldn't be a horrible use of time.

>>12768629
Agreed. I wonder if we'll get to see Fulgrim's thoughts on us as well if we did grab his journal. That could be interesting.

Did StonerDM fall asleep on us?

Let's find Elegy now, I guess. Maybe put out some feelers seeing what her cover is for all that Hushblading, besides just being a noble lady.

>>12768684
Being a HOT lady seems to be one of them.

Keeping an eye behind you, you make your way back to the apartments, notes in hand. You store them in the bedroom desk along with your alchemical supplies. You are relaxing on the bed, thinking over the day of progress, when there is a light tap on the open door, and you look up to see Paxton standing in the doorway to your bedroom.
"Eh, there are a pair of letters for you, sire," the butler says, handing you a pair of parchment slips.
One is addressed to "Current Resident" and seems to be from Fierna; it is good that she followed through on her promise to write to you.
The other is addressed to Bertram Gillivers. Tearing it open nervously, you read the following:
Mister Gillivers,
It is our regret to inform you that you are still in danger. I don't know how you managed to get back to the Imperium so swiftly; perhaps you will tell me sometime. Until then, keep one eye behind you and one ahead, and keep trustworthy friends around to watch all other angles, because there are individuals obsessed with petty political gain that would see you hanged along with your father.
-Freedom's Sons


>Alright bros, unfortunately I'm far more tired than normal, so I'm going to wrap up for the evening. The plan is to run on Thursday and Friday next week, but if tradition is any indication I'll probably send out an email cutting that down to one day. I feel like all this preparatory stuff is necessary, but I hope to get to some real action next week. I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves regardless. Eventually you'll have to convince other nations of what's going on, and then there shall be globetrotting adventures aplenty.

>>12768719
Does Gil ever have a pile of stuff to read through... it's a question if he'll even have time for alchemy at this rate. Good thing we're giving Elegy a few days before we go dashing off to find her.

>>12768747
>implying Elegy is still alive

I mean WHAT, WHO SAID THAT?!

>>12768768
Introduce her and build her up, only to kill her before any real development can occur in the present? Your inner storyteller would sooner have thumbscrews applied slowly, I'm sure of it.

>>12768792
Thumbscrews lovingly twisted by my inner troll.

>>12768797
The joys of trolling wouldn't make up for the pain of lost plot hooks and character development. In this case, it would almost be as if you were trolling...

...yourself.

8 votes, 2 away from the magic purple.

>>12768810
And then John was a zombie.

>>12768820
>And then John is the name of Gil's father

rolled 52 = 52

>>12768833

>And then he's actually a lich and has been sending us letters, despite us forgetting all about him.

>>12768948
IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW

>>12768948
>StonerDM takes notes furiously
>GO TO BED STONERDM
>kay